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claragweny's reviews
184 reviews
Unbroken Bonds by J. Bree
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
….that’s it?? That’s the ending? How anticlimactic! How unfulfilling!
You read six books only to hear the same lines over and over and over but you stick with it desperately hoping you’ll get the feeling back from the first couple books. Then the ending comes and it’s like J Bree stopped caring about the story and about the characters. The tap ran dry and she said “all right better wrap this up quick”. It’s so upsetting! What a waste of time and, frankly, money.
While I’m not a fan of a pregnancy trope or a flash forward this is an instance I would have loved to see something like that. A flash forward to like 10 or 15 years in the future where them and all their friends have beautiful big families. There’s even quite a heavy amount of referencing to children, family, and future family building in this book. I was really expecting something like that in the end or at least in the epilogue.
If we didn’t get that we should have at least gotten a college graduate Oli who really knew who she was and what her purpose beyond having hot and heavy sex is. But the epilogue is basically “hehe I’m still baby idk what I’ll do with my life”. Wtf didn’t Felix tell Oli “maybe you should be a psychologist”? It’s an obvious path but hey what’s continuity, am I right?
I’m so pissed off I read this whole ass series so this ridiculously unsatisfying ending. Sigh.
Also what the hell happened to Kieran and Riley?????
You read six books only to hear the same lines over and over and over but you stick with it desperately hoping you’ll get the feeling back from the first couple books. Then the ending comes and it’s like J Bree stopped caring about the story and about the characters. The tap ran dry and she said “all right better wrap this up quick”. It’s so upsetting! What a waste of time and, frankly, money.
While I’m not a fan of a pregnancy trope or a flash forward this is an instance I would have loved to see something like that. A flash forward to like 10 or 15 years in the future where them and all their friends have beautiful big families. There’s even quite a heavy amount of referencing to children, family, and future family building in this book. I was really expecting something like that in the end or at least in the epilogue.
If we didn’t get that we should have at least gotten a college graduate Oli who really knew who she was and what her purpose beyond having hot and heavy sex is. But the epilogue is basically “hehe I’m still baby idk what I’ll do with my life”. Wtf didn’t Felix tell Oli “maybe you should be a psychologist”? It’s an obvious path but hey what’s continuity, am I right?
I’m so pissed off I read this whole ass series so this ridiculously unsatisfying ending. Sigh.
Also what the hell happened to Kieran and Riley?????
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
Tragic Bonds by J. Bree
dark
sad
tense
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
2.0
To preface - major trigger warning for childhood sexual assault. I feel like this kind of should have been mentioned at the beginning of the book. It’s one thing to say recommended readers 18+ and to say there “might be” triggering content. But CSA is particularly triggering for a lot of people even if not described explicitly. Especially if it is incestuous.
Honestly, I have to dock half a star just for not including a content warning. It is not a spoiler to warn readers of something potentially triggering. It allows people to prepare themselves emotionally to read about that. In this case, it would have been nice to have had that.
Not only to have had a CSA and incest content warning but also just child abuse and neglect warning in general. Not something I was really prepared to read about in this silly little series, to be honest.
I stand by my statement that Nox is my favorite. But I'm really irritated that J Bree didn't give him any actual healing or redemption. He didn't apologize to Oli (or anyone else) and he didn't get to tell her about his trauma himself. That sucks. But I don't think J Bree is a good enough writer to do this. Or maybe she doesn't have the desire to have her characters have real depth in this series. Again, I don't know.
Anyway, I feel like this one dragged on a lot. It felt like it was leading up to something that I just kept waiting for. Maybe the last book will be better? I really don’t know but I kind of doubt it. I'll be finishing it nonetheless.
Honestly, I have to dock half a star just for not including a content warning. It is not a spoiler to warn readers of something potentially triggering. It allows people to prepare themselves emotionally to read about that. In this case, it would have been nice to have had that.
Not only to have had a CSA and incest content warning but also just child abuse and neglect warning in general. Not something I was really prepared to read about in this silly little series, to be honest.
I stand by my statement that Nox is my favorite. But I'm really irritated that J Bree didn't give him any actual healing or redemption. He didn't apologize to Oli (or anyone else) and he didn't get to tell her about his trauma himself. That sucks. But I don't think J Bree is a good enough writer to do this. Or maybe she doesn't have the desire to have her characters have real depth in this series. Again, I don't know.
Anyway, I feel like this one dragged on a lot. It felt like it was leading up to something that I just kept waiting for. Maybe the last book will be better? I really don’t know but I kind of doubt it. I'll be finishing it nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual violence, Vomit, and Trafficking
Forced Bonds by J. Bree
As this series has gone on I'm getting more tired of all the filler. There is quite a lot of repetitiveness from the previous books or drawn-out scenes that could be condensed. I'm still fully invested and will be finishing the series but please get to the point Miss J. Bree! All these plot holes and continuity errors I could really care less about because, honestly I won't be rereading this ever or checking my notes.
Nox is my favorite. There I said it! I can't help it! It's been pretty obvious from the beginning that he was traumatized and my guess was it had to do with abuse. Personally, I think it's pretty obvious that's been the issue the whole time not anything else. Doesn't absolve him of harm but does explain everything. I do however want to see him have a happy ending.
I refuse to believe he doesn't get one.
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Let's all roll our eyes at this quote:
“She is the bane of my existence."
As this series has gone on I'm getting more tired of all the filler. There is quite a lot of repetitiveness from the previous books or drawn-out scenes that could be condensed. I'm still fully invested and will be finishing the series but please get to the point Miss J. Bree! All these plot holes and continuity errors I could really care less about because, honestly I won't be rereading this ever or checking my notes.
Nox is my favorite. There I said it! I can't help it! It's been pretty obvious from the beginning that he was traumatized and my guess was it had to do with abuse. Personally, I think it's pretty obvious that's been the issue the whole time not anything else. Doesn't absolve him of harm but does explain everything. I do however want to see him have a happy ending.
I refuse to believe he doesn't get one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Sexual violence, and Torture
Blood Bonds by J. Bree
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Still annoyed at the overuse of specifics in phrasings - "bond" being just one. Oli is still written, annoyingly young. I realize she is only 19 but in the first book she's written as, a direct quote, a "mature nineteen". There's a good chunk of time that she acts kind of entitled, which I think is fully on the author for not characterizing her well enough because I don't think Oleander the actual character would act that way.
But this one starts to actually get a little interesting plot wise. Blood Bonds had me thinking "what's really going on here?" Some of the other bonds get a little more interesting and more character development happening.
Cliffhangers have nothing on me I already have Forced Bonds on deck!!
But this one starts to actually get a little interesting plot wise. Blood Bonds had me thinking "what's really going on here?" Some of the other bonds get a little more interesting and more character development happening.
Cliffhangers have nothing on me I already have Forced Bonds on deck!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism and War
Savage Bonds by J. Bree
adventurous
dark
tense
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
3.0
I have the same complaints that I did with the first book - repetitive phrasing and very young writing. Oli is kinda annoying but that's where the very young comes into play.
However, with my ADHD and audiobooks these books play like movies in my head so you can't stop me from devouring them. They're so easy to read that my brain is just able to visualize everything and make myself a little movie and it's addicting. Already on to the next hehe.
I will be reading some HEAVILY queer books after this series though the heterosexuality is so intense.
However, with my ADHD and audiobooks these books play like movies in my head so you can't stop me from devouring them. They're so easy to read that my brain is just able to visualize everything and make myself a little movie and it's addicting. Already on to the next hehe.
I will be reading some HEAVILY queer books after this series though the heterosexuality is so intense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent
Minor: Torture and Vomit
Broken Bonds by J. Bree
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Broken Bonds is the first installment in The Ties that Bind urban fantasy series. It's on the upper cusp of YA and lower edge of adult fiction with the FMC Oleander being 19 years old. There is so much that happens in this book that I was quite surprised by, more than just the reverse harem romance theme, which really kept me turning the page (or listening in my case).
But by no means would I consider this a good book. It's not particularly written well. There's a lot of repetitive phrasing which does get a bit annoying. Some of the characters are not well written however there are several other books so that's probably why. It's just obviously written very young.
But did I enjoy the shit out of it despite it being absolutely not good? Yeah. Am I totally seated for the next one? Oh yeah 100% already got it downloaded. Will be binge reading the entire series! I really need to know what happens. Addicting is the word to describe Broken Bonds. J Bree you've got me!
But by no means would I consider this a good book. It's not particularly written well. There's a lot of repetitive phrasing which does get a bit annoying. Some of the characters are not well written however there are several other books so that's probably why. It's just obviously written very young.
But did I enjoy the shit out of it despite it being absolutely not good? Yeah. Am I totally seated for the next one? Oh yeah 100% already got it downloaded. Will be binge reading the entire series! I really need to know what happens. Addicting is the word to describe Broken Bonds. J Bree you've got me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Car accident
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Bride is baby's first paranormal romance. It's just so bad. I just.... I keep reading these Hazelwood releases because I want to have context for what people are talking about and they're so fast and easy to read but at this point, I should know better. They're all just slop. Gross, overtly heterosexual "I'm a tiny wittle girl" and "I'm an absolute beast of a man" fuck till someone's dropping something somewhere slop.
The actual plot couldn't even make up for the gross, typical Hazelwood trope. It's too disjointed. There's way too much going on and none of it is actually wrapped up nicely. So disappointing and yet why did I expect anything else?
This is absolutely the last Hazlewood book I'll read, I promise this to myself.
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? Yes
1.0
A line every single Ali Hazelwood book has:
“He needs to be inside my space, towering over me."
Bride is baby's first paranormal romance. It's just so bad. I just.... I keep reading these Hazelwood releases because I want to have context for what people are talking about and they're so fast and easy to read but at this point, I should know better. They're all just slop. Gross, overtly heterosexual "I'm a tiny wittle girl" and "I'm an absolute beast of a man" fuck till someone's dropping something somewhere slop.
The actual plot couldn't even make up for the gross, typical Hazelwood trope. It's too disjointed. There's way too much going on and none of it is actually wrapped up nicely. So disappointing and yet why did I expect anything else?
This is absolutely the last Hazlewood book I'll read, I promise this to myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping and Abandonment
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Deep down I think we all know it's not going to work out for Henry and Addie. It just won't. This is not their happily ever after. Luc will not let it be their story. Luc will make Addie's story end with him one way or another that's for sure. Even though Luc is obviously the villain of this story I cannot help to think that he does feel something genuine for Addie but in a twisted, possessive, inhuman way. There are moments in the book that make me feel this way. Especially in the penultimate "breakup" scene with Luc's confusion.
But after everything, I am so desperate for Addie's rage towards Luc. Drooling to see her turn around and beat him at his own game. Let him possess her only to break him into pieces. Shatter his heart just like he shattered his.
This is a book that shifted my perception of other books. Especially listening to the audiobook. It truly is a gold standard of audiobooks. It's so easy to fall into the story. V.E. Shwab is a beast of an author.
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I first read this book in 2021 but didn't rate or review it. I remember liking it and it started me off on a reading spree. So I decided to reread it with a book club I'm in. I listened to the audiobook with Julia Whelan narrating - so obviously it was very, very good.
Parts of this book are hard to get through. Painful even. Addie's struggles are so visceral they strike at my heart still. To be forgotten the worst of them all. Parts of Henry are so relatable that I had to pause reading. This line in particular was like being hit with a snowball directly in the face:
Parts of this book are hard to get through. Painful even. Addie's struggles are so visceral they strike at my heart still. To be forgotten the worst of them all. Parts of Henry are so relatable that I had to pause reading. This line in particular was like being hit with a snowball directly in the face:
Blink and you’re twenty-eight, and everyone else is now a mile down the road, and you’re still trying to find it, and the irony is hardly lost on you that in wanting to live, to learn, to find yourself, you’ve gotten lost.
Deep down I think we all know it's not going to work out for Henry and Addie. It just won't. This is not their happily ever after. Luc will not let it be their story. Luc will make Addie's story end with him one way or another that's for sure. Even though Luc is obviously the villain of this story I cannot help to think that he does feel something genuine for Addie but in a twisted, possessive, inhuman way. There are moments in the book that make me feel this way. Especially in the penultimate "breakup" scene with Luc's confusion.
There is an instant when she thinks she might be wrong. A fraction of a moment when Luc looks wounded and confused, and she wonders if he meant only what he said, if, if— But then, it is over.
But after everything, I am so desperate for Addie's rage towards Luc. Drooling to see her turn around and beat him at his own game. Let him possess her only to break him into pieces. Shatter his heart just like he shattered his.
Three hundred years she’s had to learn the color of his moods. She knows them all by now, the meaning of every shade, knows his temper, wants, and thoughts, just by studying those eyes. She marvels, that in the same amount of time, he never learned to read her own.
This is a book that shifted my perception of other books. Especially listening to the audiobook. It truly is a gold standard of audiobooks. It's so easy to fall into the story. V.E. Shwab is a beast of an author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement and War
Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater
Blackthorn forest is what I used to daydream about when I was a child thinking about what faerie would look like. Lord Blackthorn is the kind of terrible, awful, sweet. and self-improving faerie I used to read about too. This time it's just so much better than those teen YA books.
Euphemia kinda irritates me to no end though. I want to shake her and yell "YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH THE FAERIE YOU NINNY!" But it takes her so incredibly long to come to this realization. Ugh, girl, get it together! Go live happily ever after in a pretty forest faster!
adventurous
sad
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
3.75
"Oh dear! I keep forgetting that English conversation is not always about the weather. Shall we talk of dolphins instead?"
Blackthorn forest is what I used to daydream about when I was a child thinking about what faerie would look like. Lord Blackthorn is the kind of terrible, awful, sweet. and self-improving faerie I used to read about too. This time it's just so much better than those teen YA books.
Euphemia kinda irritates me to no end though. I want to shake her and yell "YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH THE FAERIE YOU NINNY!" But it takes her so incredibly long to come to this realization. Ugh, girl, get it together! Go live happily ever after in a pretty forest faster!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater
In this novella, we get insight into how Albert and Elias became friends and, one might even say, brothers. I really enjoyed it and it made a appreciate the two of them even more!
dark
emotional
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
3.5
"It is your job to choose the shame that you prefer, though the ghost of the other one might remain"
In this novella, we get insight into how Albert and Elias became friends and, one might even say, brothers. I really enjoyed it and it made a appreciate the two of them even more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood and Classism