campbellbookworms's reviews
154 reviews

Lila Appleton strikes again! Tully was by far my favorite character in book one, and I was thrilled to see her truly shine in book two. This installment is much more plot-focused than its predecessor, providing a steady, engaging heartbeat throughout. Argos serves as a perfect counterbalance to Tully, and the spice is artfully woven in—never overwhelming but delightfully knotty. The narrative is filled with clever twists that keep the tension high, and the chemistry between the characters deepens with every page. Overall, a fantastic read that leaves me eagerly anticipating where Tully's journey will lead next!

This took forever to finish, due to exclusively listening to it in the car. But was riveting all the same. I was consistently on the edge of my seat not knowing what the next move might be. Suzanne Collins brings us into a world where we know the outcome yet somehow leaves us questioning where our stance lies behind the protagonist. The matter stands true in real life how corrupt is corrupt? Overall, a great banned book read! 

Trigger Warnings: Suicidal Ideation in COZY FANTASY?!?!!!

Dating and Dragons is pure geeky joy! Kristy Boyce perfectly blends the chaotic fun of D&D with the awkward hilarity of modern dating. I was just as invested in their campaign as their real-world drama—honestly, I want to play that game and buy the jewelry they were selling!  

Riley was super relatable, but let’s be real—her grandma was the true MVP, stealing every scene with her effortless wisdom and coolness. The romance was sweet, the friendships felt real, and the whole book was a critical hit. Highly recommend!!! Honestly I’m gonna get my D&D (secret rom com loving) husband to read it!  
 

Laurie freaking Gilmore, you absolutely outdid yourself with this one! Strawberry Patch Pancake House has me ready to book a one-way ticket to Dream Harbour. This book is hands down the best addition to the series, earning a perfect 5-star rating from me. I laughed, squealed, cried, blushed, and felt every emotion in between. The dynamics between Olive, Iris, and Archer were so beautiful to witness. Olive’s journey through grief was written with such delicacy, and I can’t help but applaud your incredible writing. This book has everything a cozy romance needs while diving into real emotional depth. It’s the home run of the series. Every book has been great, but this one is the strawberries and cream on top. Thank you, Laurie, for this absolute masterpiece!

No fancy review, was a cute little listen, ranges between 3.25/3.5 :) 

Honestly my husband might appreciate this one…. 

Minus one star for having to listen to the narrator say “licked me pink and raw” (I love smut as much as the next girl but that made it seem unenjoyable).

Wow, this was exactly what I needed—a cute and cozy vampire romance to enjoy while curled up with a blanket and a warm drink. Fiella was the perfect balance of prickly and lovable. I found her relatable, funny, and full of determination and passion for her shop. And Redd? A cozy girl’s dream! The writing was effortlessly charming, with a warm, lyrical quality that made the romance feel even more magical. I especially loved the letters—they added so much depth to Fiella and Redd’s relationship, and I only wish there had been more! I absolutely adored this story, and book two is already on my TBR!

Scythe & Sparrow is the highly anticipated third installment of the Ruinous Love Trilogy. Books one and two were easy 5-star reads for me, so my expectations were sky-high for this one.

The banter had me cackling more than once, and I absolutely loved how Fionn would do anything for Rose. And let’s be real—Barbara, the codeine-addicted raccoon, stole my heart from the moment she appeared.

That said, the plot felt about 75 pages too long. The pacing dragged in places, and not getting any insight into Fionn’s time in Croatia felt like a cop-out—especially when those extra pages could have been used for something more substantial.

Still, it was an enjoyable read, even if it didn’t quite hit the heights of the first two books. A solid 4 stars!

A Rivalry of Hearts had me hooked from the very start. It felt like “10 Things I Hate About You” but with rival authors in a whimsical fantasy world—if that makes sense? I’m so grateful my book club chose this because I probably wouldn’t have picked it up on my own. Daphne absolutely stole the show for me, embodying the sassy black cat side character we all know and love. The ‘free pass’ bet had me kicking and squealing when it was introduced, and its clever implementation throughout the book kept me completely invested!

Once again, I am enamored by Emily Henry’s talent. I completely binged this one in a day. I was fully invested in the twelve-year relationship between Alex and Poppy. Their chemistry was electric, and their witty banter kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the way Henry wove their past and present together, slowly unraveling the depth of their connection and making every moment feel meaningful. However, this loses a star because the last 100 pages felt too jam-packed all at once, making the pacing feel rushed. That being said, the emotional payoff was still satisfying, and Henry’s signature charm made it a worthwhile read. (And that’s all I’ll say to remain spoiler-free.)