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booktalkwithrae's reviews
843 reviews
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is the first five stars I have given in a while. And although it is not a perfect book, I could not help but devoured! I absolutely loved every moment of this book and I am itching for the second book.
This book had everything I wanted in a romantasy. Intriguing characters, good banter, and dialogue, cat, and mouse, enemies to lovers, which hunters/witch, love, triangle, morally grey and more. The romance was so easily consumable without losing the plot. I enjoyed both POV’s and thought that really added an extra layer to the complexity of the relationship. There were some really exciting reveals and overall it’s just so well written and so good and so easy to consume. Could there be a little more development, but regardless, I absolutely loved it and devoured it and I really cannot wait for the next book!
This author is not new to me, but this is definitely my new favourite by Kristen.
If you want romantasy with a really good, interesting and intriguing plot, lying that you need to read this book!
LIKE NOW!
The audiobook was good and well done.
This book had everything I wanted in a romantasy. Intriguing characters, good banter, and dialogue, cat, and mouse, enemies to lovers, which hunters/witch, love, triangle, morally grey and more. The romance was so easily consumable without losing the plot. I enjoyed both POV’s and thought that really added an extra layer to the complexity of the relationship. There were some really exciting reveals and overall it’s just so well written and so good and so easy to consume. Could there be a little more development, but regardless, I absolutely loved it and devoured it and I really cannot wait for the next book!
This author is not new to me, but this is definitely my new favourite by Kristen.
If you want romantasy with a really good, interesting and intriguing plot, lying that you need to read this book!
LIKE NOW!
The audiobook was good and well done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Barbarian's Mate by Ruby Dixon
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel like all these books are so similar and so many ways. So I will keep this short. It had everything that the other books had. The smut was enjoyable. I really liked Haeden but I was hoping that it would take a little longer for them to get together. I was really hoping for more of a “hate to love” in this one. Nonetheless, it was still enjoyable and entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Darkness Within Us by Tricia Levenseller
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tricia Levenseller never disappoints. Anytime I am looking for a quick, entertaining, full of feels, romantic read with interesting characters and delicious sexy scenes she’s my go to author.
This book follows Chrysantha, the sister of Alessandra from the first book, as she tries to navigate her plan of being a wealthy widow when her elderly husband dies. But suddenly mysterious son appears to claim his inheritance.
The banter in this book was so enjoyable as they always are with this author. I was sucked in from the first line of this book. It’s a quick read, full of fantasy, full of banter without losing any of the plot.
I will say I know the author has said you can read this book without reading the first book (Tha Shadows Between Us) but I disagree. I have a horrible memory and I remembered very little from the first book. And yet I wish I had read a very detailed summary or even just reread the book before going into this one because there are a lot of connections that are made. Although yes, I still got through it and still really enjoyed it, I feel like if I remembered some key details from the first book I would’ve loved this book even more.
Regardless, I devoured this book. It was everything I needed and wanted and will always recommend this author for anyone looking for a quick entertaining and delicious romantasy.
This book follows Chrysantha, the sister of Alessandra from the first book, as she tries to navigate her plan of being a wealthy widow when her elderly husband dies. But suddenly mysterious son appears to claim his inheritance.
The banter in this book was so enjoyable as they always are with this author. I was sucked in from the first line of this book. It’s a quick read, full of fantasy, full of banter without losing any of the plot.
I will say I know the author has said you can read this book without reading the first book (Tha Shadows Between Us) but I disagree. I have a horrible memory and I remembered very little from the first book. And yet I wish I had read a very detailed summary or even just reread the book before going into this one because there are a lot of connections that are made. Although yes, I still got through it and still really enjoyed it, I feel like if I remembered some key details from the first book I would’ve loved this book even more.
Regardless, I devoured this book. It was everything I needed and wanted and will always recommend this author for anyone looking for a quick entertaining and delicious romantasy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
My Contrary Mary by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
As someone who loved My Lady Jane and was really excited for the first Mary book to be set in that world, I was very underwhelmed by the end of it.
This book still had the weird humour and the chaos of everything but the characters just felt very muted. The first half I was enjoying it and was really hoping for more romance between Mary and Francis. But by the end of it, I lost interest.
It was really hard for me to invest in any of the characters. Halfway in the book they all go in these weird directions and because I didn’t have any initial enjoyment or connection to any of the POV’s it affected my enjoyment of the story as a whole. And then once the characters all came back together, I was just trying to finish the book by that point.
The romance was boring and flat. There may have been one or two moments that I enjoyed it and then the rest just felt like there was no connection between Mary and Francis (or with any of the other couples).
The heart of the story still has that weird humour the other books. But the plot and characters were just not as enjoyable as I hoped.
This book still had the weird humour and the chaos of everything but the characters just felt very muted. The first half I was enjoying it and was really hoping for more romance between Mary and Francis. But by the end of it, I lost interest.
It was really hard for me to invest in any of the characters. Halfway in the book they all go in these weird directions and because I didn’t have any initial enjoyment or connection to any of the POV’s it affected my enjoyment of the story as a whole. And then once the characters all came back together, I was just trying to finish the book by that point.
The romance was boring and flat. There may have been one or two moments that I enjoyed it and then the rest just felt like there was no connection between Mary and Francis (or with any of the other couples).
The heart of the story still has that weird humour the other books. But the plot and characters were just not as enjoyable as I hoped.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I absolutely love this author. She is one of my favourite romance authors, but unfortunately, the story I didn’t love as much as her other ones (and to be fair, she did say that this book is a lot different than her other books).
The first half I was enjoying it (despite how quickly the male lead falls for her. I do not like Insta love, and it definitely affected my enjoyment in the beginning). I thought the characters were very intriguing, interesting, weird and unique in their own special way. I thought it felt very different from the typical romance books that I read and so I was really enjoying how different it was.
But then, it eventually got to a point where I was getting a little tired of it and a bit annoyed with some of the actions of the main character. It just felt like the characters weren’t progressing romantically and I didn’t get a lot of the romantic feels that I normally get with the romance, and therefore I lost interest in their story and their romance.
I appreciate how different this is and I think that’s a really interesting take and there is definitely an audience out there.
The first half I was enjoying it (despite how quickly the male lead falls for her. I do not like Insta love, and it definitely affected my enjoyment in the beginning). I thought the characters were very intriguing, interesting, weird and unique in their own special way. I thought it felt very different from the typical romance books that I read and so I was really enjoying how different it was.
But then, it eventually got to a point where I was getting a little tired of it and a bit annoyed with some of the actions of the main character. It just felt like the characters weren’t progressing romantically and I didn’t get a lot of the romantic feels that I normally get with the romance, and therefore I lost interest in their story and their romance.
I appreciate how different this is and I think that’s a really interesting take and there is definitely an audience out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book felt very underwhelming. I feel like there was not a lot of character development and a lot more plot set up for the later books. It really felt like second book syndrome.
Although I will admit the ending was very action packed and exciting and there were some crazy reveals that definitely got me excited to read the next book, the book as a whole just felt underwhelming. The only character I actually enjoyed being in there POV was Helene. It was really cool reading from her perspective and learning more about her character and her past.
I don’t really know what more to say because in the end, it just felt underwhelming for me. Hopefully all the set up in this book will make my enjoyment of the third book that much better and I’m going to fall in love with the series.
Although I will admit the ending was very action packed and exciting and there were some crazy reveals that definitely got me excited to read the next book, the book as a whole just felt underwhelming. The only character I actually enjoyed being in there POV was Helene. It was really cool reading from her perspective and learning more about her character and her past.
I don’t really know what more to say because in the end, it just felt underwhelming for me. Hopefully all the set up in this book will make my enjoyment of the third book that much better and I’m going to fall in love with the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It has been a while since I’ve read a book that I thoroughly enjoyed so this was a pleasant surprise. A romantic story of a prince and a magical dressmaker. I really enjoyed the magical world that this author created. It gives me Regency/Bridgerton vibes with a sprinkle of magic.
The characters are enjoyable. Niamh (love the name) is our dressmaker who can be a little naïve at times but I enjoyed her growth throughout the story. Of course we have Kit, the broody Prince. Even the side characters were really enjoyable, which I found really rounded of the story well.
The plot was good, and the romance was definitely definitely enjoyable. However, I feel like there were some moments where I lost interest in the romance. But then it would pick up again later on.
Overall, I think this is a really solid YA romance fantasy. Even better, it’s a standalone so there’s not a lot of commitment there. And sometimes I find romance, fantasies as standalone are hard to write, but this writer did a great job with it.
If you enjoy Bridgerton vibes or Sorcery of Thorns then I think you will enjoy this one!
The characters are enjoyable. Niamh (love the name) is our dressmaker who can be a little naïve at times but I enjoyed her growth throughout the story. Of course we have Kit, the broody Prince. Even the side characters were really enjoyable, which I found really rounded of the story well.
The plot was good, and the romance was definitely definitely enjoyable. However, I feel like there were some moments where I lost interest in the romance. But then it would pick up again later on.
Overall, I think this is a really solid YA romance fantasy. Even better, it’s a standalone so there’s not a lot of commitment there. And sometimes I find romance, fantasies as standalone are hard to write, but this writer did a great job with it.
If you enjoy Bridgerton vibes or Sorcery of Thorns then I think you will enjoy this one!
The Takedown by Lily Chu
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This isn’t a bag read. For me, I was bored in the second half. I lost interest in the main characters and wanted way more romance build up. I didn’t feel the giddy feeling that I usually have when reading romances.
As always with this authors books, I loved the descriptions of the settings. As someone who grew up in Toronto, it felt like a warm hug. Especially in this book with the “questy” game the characters played. I wish the characters continued to play the game throughout the book. I think I would have been more interested.
As always with this authors books, I loved the descriptions of the settings. As someone who grew up in Toronto, it felt like a warm hug. Especially in this book with the “questy” game the characters played. I wish the characters continued to play the game throughout the book. I think I would have been more interested.
A Sign of Affection, Volume 9 by suu Morishita
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Just like all the other volumes, this one was really cute. I really loved that. They were meeting each other’s families and taking the next step in their relationship. I really hope to see more complex or animosities between the characters and see them grow from that.
Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was still a very enjoyable volume. it’s definitely less romance in this one, but it seems like it’s setting up for future things in other volumes. Lots of laugh out loud moments for sure!