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cluckieduck's reviews
295 reviews
Faith & the Dead End Devils by Kathryn Moon
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-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
3.5
3.5⭐️ rounded up. Enjoyable entry in the Sweetverse.
Possibly one of my favourite characters in Chance.
Lots of noticeable editing errors.
Diversity was nowhere to be found. Bit miffed on this one because I appreciated that in the other OV relationships.
Possibly one of my favourite characters in Chance.
Lots of noticeable editing errors.
Diversity was nowhere to be found. Bit miffed on this one because I appreciated that in the other OV relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Alcohol
Savaged by Mia Sheridan
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
I’m finding this hard to rate because yes, I did enjoy the cast of characters, but the story itself is just bonkers - equally convoluted yet predictable - it’s such a paradox. So, if you can look past the plot and just focus on the endearing and heartbreaking leads, you may enjoy this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Classism, and Deportation
The Mistwalker by Regine Abel
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
This could seriously benefit from an editor.
Demon Lover by Heather Guerre
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.75
More good than bad, but I found it very repetitive and stilted. Each night they were together was really just varied bits of the same old dialogue.
Autumn: Irdu, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. There must be something that makes you happy.
Irdu: Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.
Autumn: But I hate that you are enslaved to my pleasure.
Irdu: Your pleasure is what gives me life. I would do anything for you.
Autumn: Ok, cool. Let's bang.
I found Autumn bordered on TSTL and she got rather annoying by the end. She would have benefit from a bit more fleshing out, but I guess within the limitations of the novella length it wasn't deemed necessary. Irdu was sweet and all about that consent (he was also rocking some rather interesting piercings), but I didn't feel a sense of depth to their relationship that would have made this a knockout for me.
Autumn: Irdu, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do. There must be something that makes you happy.
Irdu: Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.
Autumn: But I hate that you are enslaved to my pleasure.
Irdu: Your pleasure is what gives me life. I would do anything for you.
Autumn: Ok, cool. Let's bang.
I found Autumn bordered on TSTL and she got rather annoying by the end. She would have benefit from a bit more fleshing out, but I guess within the limitations of the novella length it wasn't deemed necessary. Irdu was sweet and all about that consent (he was also rocking some rather interesting piercings), but I didn't feel a sense of depth to their relationship that would have made this a knockout for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Slavery, and Grief
Gary of a Hundred Days by Isabel Murray
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't know how I found this novella or who recommended it, but it was an absolute delight!
Poor Gary has had one heck of a day. He's finally escaped from ruling a kingdom he never wanted after surviving the latest botched assassination attempt. He'd much rather be reading books and journaling, but now he's got to live on the run and watch out for bears. Thankfully, Magnus (a man from his past who Gary has longed for from afar) swoops in for the rescue.
This was an adorable, beautiful connection that hit all the right notes for me. We get an age-gap (Gary is 28 and I believe Magnus is in his 40s), inexperienced/teaching relationship. Though it's not blatantly discussed, I'm pretty sure Gary falls on the ace/demi spectrum and Magnus provides the right level of comfort and support, not pushing Gary into anything he's not comfortable with.
Outside of initial assassination attempt/escape from the castle, there's absolutely zero plot - this purely covers the night of Gary & Magnus' re-connection and first intimate interactions through the morning.
If you want something quick, lighthearted, and funny - this is the perfect novella for you.
Poor Gary has had one heck of a day. He's finally escaped from ruling a kingdom he never wanted after surviving the latest botched assassination attempt. He'd much rather be reading books and journaling, but now he's got to live on the run and watch out for bears. Thankfully, Magnus (a man from his past who Gary has longed for from afar) swoops in for the rescue.
This was an adorable, beautiful connection that hit all the right notes for me. We get an age-gap (Gary is 28 and I believe Magnus is in his 40s), inexperienced/teaching relationship. Though it's not blatantly discussed, I'm pretty sure Gary falls on the ace/demi spectrum and Magnus provides the right level of comfort and support, not pushing Gary into anything he's not comfortable with.
Outside of initial assassination attempt/escape from the castle, there's absolutely zero plot - this purely covers the night of Gary & Magnus' re-connection and first intimate interactions through the morning.
If you want something quick, lighthearted, and funny - this is the perfect novella for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
A very satisfying conclusion for Catalina & Alessandro, I thought. Throughout their trilogy, weirdly, I didn’t enjoy them as much as Connor & Nevada on an individual level, but enjoyed them more as a couple, if that makes any sense.
There was a lot of action going on (though it all came to a head and wrapped up rather too quick, but I’ll forgive that), and some very intriguing secrets were revealed. The side characters always provide great interactions (Leon = ♥️♥️) and there’s a fun little side-story with a very expensive spider on the loose in the house - I love this new found family of the Baylor / Harrison / Etterson Houses.
I can’t wait to see what Arabella’s future holds - and is that a love triangle I see unfolding?!? Two very interesting paths ahead.
There was a lot of action going on (though it all came to a head and wrapped up rather too quick, but I’ll forgive that), and some very intriguing secrets were revealed. The side characters always provide great interactions (Leon = ♥️♥️) and there’s a fun little side-story with a very expensive spider on the loose in the house - I love this new found family of the Baylor / Harrison / Etterson Houses.
I can’t wait to see what Arabella’s future holds - and is that a love triangle I see unfolding?!? Two very interesting paths ahead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Rape, Sexual content, Trafficking, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
Muscles & Monsters by Ashley Bennett
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? N/A
4.0
I feel duped by the deceptively cute cover! It’s so unassuming, I wasn’t prepared for all the dirty talk and kinks involved! Breeding, daddy, praise, biting, size difference, prey/hunting, dom/sub, knotting…but overall it’s cute & quick insta-love/lust monster story. Low on the plot but high on the steam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Bad Girl Reputation by Elle Kennedy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"Change is a choice we make every day, a thousand times a day. We choose to do this one thing better. Then the next. And the next."
While I didn't particularly enjoy Good Girl Complex I really wanted to read about Evan & Gen's relationship. Evan was introduced in Good Girl Complex as the identical twin to its male lead Cooper, but we only heard about Gen because of how her supposed actions affected Evan and influenced his dickish behaviour, so I was very interested to get more of a backstory on their past. Unfortunately, what we get is a very toxic second-chance romance between a girl trying to shed her party-girl image and live a sober life and a guy who can't take 'no' for an answer and doesn't believe that his supposed 'best friend' is being genuine in wanting to change her ways.
"Evan and I have always had this tension between us. Pushing and pulling. Making each other jealous and manipulating a response. It's all part of the bad habits I'm trying to break. Yet, in doing so, I'm repeating the steps."
I think I may be ageing out of enjoying Elle Kennedy because I just found it, overall, to be quite juvenile. And yes, comparatively, 22 is young, but their actions (Evan's more so) were so immature. I also didn't appreciate that Gen kept stringing along Harrison knowing full-well that their relationship was going nowhere while she still had feelings (and kept hooking up with!!) Evan. That was totally unfair.
Everything wrapped up much to quickly and neatly, throwing up happy resolutions between so many intertwining relationships, it was a bit of an eye-roll. I won't be continuing with the series after this.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
While I didn't particularly enjoy Good Girl Complex I really wanted to read about Evan & Gen's relationship. Evan was introduced in Good Girl Complex as the identical twin to its male lead Cooper, but we only heard about Gen because of how her supposed actions affected Evan and influenced his dickish behaviour, so I was very interested to get more of a backstory on their past. Unfortunately, what we get is a very toxic second-chance romance between a girl trying to shed her party-girl image and live a sober life and a guy who can't take 'no' for an answer and doesn't believe that his supposed 'best friend' is being genuine in wanting to change her ways.
"Evan and I have always had this tension between us. Pushing and pulling. Making each other jealous and manipulating a response. It's all part of the bad habits I'm trying to break. Yet, in doing so, I'm repeating the steps."
I think I may be ageing out of enjoying Elle Kennedy because I just found it, overall, to be quite juvenile. And yes, comparatively, 22 is young, but their actions (Evan's more so) were so immature. I also didn't appreciate that Gen kept stringing along Harrison knowing full-well that their relationship was going nowhere while she still had feelings (and kept hooking up with!!) Evan. That was totally unfair.
Everything wrapped up much to quickly and neatly, throwing up happy resolutions between so many intertwining relationships, it was a bit of an eye-roll. I won't be continuing with the series after this.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Vomit, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Violence and Police brutality
Heat Wave by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Two words - Burrito. Jerry.
Overall, a satisfying conclusion to the series and my favourite book of the three.
It started quite confusingly and I thought I had missed something important linked to what was revealed in the epilogue of book two, but once that got sorted out things flowed a bit better with the narrative.
Nick showed a lot of growth and I appreciated how his arc was handled, especially with his ADHD (though I guess not all that surprising considering TJ’s own experiences). I loved how his relationship with Seth was further solidified and you can really grasp their love for one another.
A bit of a deus ex machina ending, but it was cute so I won’t complain too much 😉
Overall, a satisfying conclusion to the series and my favourite book of the three.
It started quite confusingly and I thought I had missed something important linked to what was revealed in the epilogue of book two, but once that got sorted out things flowed a bit better with the narrative.
Nick showed a lot of growth and I appreciated how his arc was handled, especially with his ADHD (though I guess not all that surprising considering TJ’s own experiences). I loved how his relationship with Seth was further solidified and you can really grasp their love for one another.
A bit of a deus ex machina ending, but it was cute so I won’t complain too much 😉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Xenophobia, Vomit, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan
lighthearted
slow-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
"There's no guarantees...not in real estate, investments, or love."
For those who like a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, clean romance, this is a good book for them. But I tell ya, I've never wanted to smack someone upside the head as much as I do Wes. My god, is he thick (and no, not the good kinda thick). It was marketed as a standalone, but I came to find too late that it is the final book in a trilogy of brothers finding their love, so I'm interested to know if Wes factored in either of the previous two books and what his character was like then.
Told in dual POVs, our MCs (Wes & Hailey) meet each other at a seminal moment in both their lives. As their relationship develops, we see them grappling with their need to stay away from romance and keep themselves as 'friends'. Both dealt with a lack of parental love growing up and approach romance differently - Wes would prefer to focus on 'liking' rather than 'loving' a partner, while Hailey is looking for someone who will treat her as more than 'an extra...a nobody.' Can you see where there may be some friction & miscommunication as their relationship develops?! Because Wes sure can't! He doesn't trust his own emotions enough to be vulnerable, even though he is totally smitten.
Hailey smiled. "He's my friend. There's no room for pining." Keep saying it. Maybe it'll feel true.
While they did have some cute banter, the push-me-pull-you of their feelings was repeated over and over, and it became tiring to read. Had more time been spent fleshing out their actual romantic relationship rather than the filler of how to run a business, or some awkward forced OW/OM situations to spark jealousy between Wes & Hailey, perhaps I would have enjoyed it a bit more.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
For those who like a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, clean romance, this is a good book for them. But I tell ya, I've never wanted to smack someone upside the head as much as I do Wes. My god, is he thick (and no, not the good kinda thick). It was marketed as a standalone, but I came to find too late that it is the final book in a trilogy of brothers finding their love, so I'm interested to know if Wes factored in either of the previous two books and what his character was like then.
Told in dual POVs, our MCs (Wes & Hailey) meet each other at a seminal moment in both their lives. As their relationship develops, we see them grappling with their need to stay away from romance and keep themselves as 'friends'. Both dealt with a lack of parental love growing up and approach romance differently - Wes would prefer to focus on 'liking' rather than 'loving' a partner, while Hailey is looking for someone who will treat her as more than 'an extra...a nobody.' Can you see where there may be some friction & miscommunication as their relationship develops?! Because Wes sure can't! He doesn't trust his own emotions enough to be vulnerable, even though he is totally smitten.
Hailey smiled. "He's my friend. There's no room for pining." Keep saying it. Maybe it'll feel true.
While they did have some cute banter, the push-me-pull-you of their feelings was repeated over and over, and it became tiring to read. Had more time been spent fleshing out their actual romantic relationship rather than the filler of how to run a business, or some awkward forced OW/OM situations to spark jealousy between Wes & Hailey, perhaps I would have enjoyed it a bit more.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.