Scan barcode
cluckieduck's reviews
289 reviews
Love, Laugh, Lich by Kate Prior
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
2.0
Hmm...this one fell a little flat for me and I found myself quite bored, which is saying something when the novella is only ~80 pages or so.
His Curvy Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Hmmm….the way I was able to breeze through this story speaks to how well it was written but something just didn’t click for me with the couple. Unfortunately, the amount of grovelling was seriously underwhelming for the years of BS that Flora had to put up with from Alec. I know they’re in the NA age range, but it all felt very high-school in tone and content, so maybe that’s where the disconnect comes from 🤷🏻♀️
I did enjoy the interconnection between the packs and the timeline overlap with book 3 (brief as it was), but otherwise just a meh read, overall.
I did enjoy the interconnection between the packs and the timeline overlap with book 3 (brief as it was), but otherwise just a meh read, overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Paladin by Onley James
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
Berries and Greed by Lily Mayne
When the loneliness gets to be a bit too much, Greid puts on a brave face and ventures to The Order (aka cult) with the hopes of finding a suitable companion and meets the absolutely lovely Beryl, another lost soul determined to break out of her stasis. While their introduction gets off on the wrong foot due to misconceptions of one another, these two are such a perfect match. Their mutual development as the story progresses, both as a couple and as individuals, was a delight to read.
I really appreciated that they were older MCs (both 35+) yet still were figuring their sh!t out. I also liked that this was quite a slow burn (for Lily 😉) before their friendship turned to something more romantic. It really allowed each of them time to break out of their respective shells and progress naturally into something with a solid foundation. And their time between the sheets? 🔥🔥🔥🔥 & creative! But what I most appreciated was just how much the overall theme of this book was about acceptance.
It was just a lovely, soft blanket of sweet emotion with very little angst, and I found myself smiling throughout. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
O.M.G you guys!!! This is so sugary sweet and lovely and just one big warm hug of a book. Fans of Lily’s will not be disappointed.
It is no secret how much I love Lily's Monstrous series, so when word got out that she was starting starting a new series that included multiple relationship types, my excitement was immeasurable and my expectations exceeded!
Regardless of being monsters, there is just something so ultimately human about the characters she writes. The anxieties, feelings, self-doubt, joy, and everything emotion in-between, Lily has a way of writing that is just so relatable, and this latest entry is no different (if not the most!).
Now, I must say...demiurgus did not flow easily off the tongue at the start, but that was quickly forgotten with the introduction of our monstrous MMC Greid. Our self-described "socially anxious goblin" is an absolute cinnamon roll of the highest order.
It is no secret how much I love Lily's Monstrous series, so when word got out that she was starting starting a new series that included multiple relationship types, my excitement was immeasurable and my expectations exceeded!
Regardless of being monsters, there is just something so ultimately human about the characters she writes. The anxieties, feelings, self-doubt, joy, and everything emotion in-between, Lily has a way of writing that is just so relatable, and this latest entry is no different (if not the most!).
Now, I must say...demiurgus did not flow easily off the tongue at the start, but that was quickly forgotten with the introduction of our monstrous MMC Greid. Our self-described "socially anxious goblin" is an absolute cinnamon roll of the highest order.
Apparently I was 'antisocial' and 'practically a hermit', and wanting to stay in and get high and watch shitty TV was 'immature'. How was that immature? I was old enough to buy legal drugs, so technically getting high was the most mature thing I could do.
When the loneliness gets to be a bit too much, Greid puts on a brave face and ventures to The Order (aka cult) with the hopes of finding a suitable companion and meets the absolutely lovely Beryl, another lost soul determined to break out of her stasis. While their introduction gets off on the wrong foot due to misconceptions of one another, these two are such a perfect match. Their mutual development as the story progresses, both as a couple and as individuals, was a delight to read.
I really appreciated that they were older MCs (both 35+) yet still were figuring their sh!t out. I also liked that this was quite a slow burn (for Lily 😉) before their friendship turned to something more romantic. It really allowed each of them time to break out of their respective shells and progress naturally into something with a solid foundation. And their time between the sheets? 🔥🔥🔥🔥 & creative! But what I most appreciated was just how much the overall theme of this book was about acceptance.
As strange as some people might think your choices in life are, they're your choices to make...[you] don't deserve to be shamed for that.
It was just a lovely, soft blanket of sweet emotion with very little angst, and I found myself smiling throughout. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
HOLY. COW. This is gearing up for Kate Daniels 2.0 and I👏am👏here👏for👏it👏!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Slavery
Marked Omega by Lizzy Bequin
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Confinement, Drug use, Gun violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Lassiter by J.R. Ward
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Messy & convoluted. We all know Ward jumped the shark ages ago so I wasn't expecting much TBH, but I definitely was not expecting such a character assassination like the one we got here...and to such a beloved character no less!
First of all, when the villains get more page time & sex scenes than the MCs, you know you have a problem. I. DO. NOT. CARE. ABOUT. DEVINA. OR. LASH. Just...eww.
We have 2 MCs who haven't had relationships before - why couldn't we spend more time with them, learning more about their backstories more and having the relationship develop beyond their instalust?! Their interactions were borderline juvenile and I felt zero connection between them. Any of the other 10+ POVs could have been removed (like Shuli...really, what was the actual point?!?) to further expand on Lassiter & Rahvyn's bond, or maybe even some of their powers! We get full blown deus ex Rahvyn out of the blue, and we're just supposed to accept it?? Like I said - messy, messy, messy.
Maybe we should hide this series away in the ether for ~30 years and see what happens....
First of all, when the villains get more page time & sex scenes than the MCs, you know you have a problem. I. DO. NOT. CARE. ABOUT. DEVINA. OR. LASH. Just...eww.
We have 2 MCs who haven't had relationships before - why couldn't we spend more time with them, learning more about their backstories more and having the relationship develop beyond their instalust?! Their interactions were borderline juvenile and I felt zero connection between them. Any of the other 10+ POVs could have been removed (like Shuli...really, what was the actual point?!?) to further expand on Lassiter & Rahvyn's bond, or maybe even some of their powers! We get full blown deus ex Rahvyn out of the blue, and we're just supposed to accept it?? Like I said - messy, messy, messy.
Maybe we should hide this series away in the ether for ~30 years and see what happens....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
A Collection of Monstrous Short Stories by Lily Mayne
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
If you’re a fan of the Monstrous series, what’s not to love with this collection of short stories from all the characters we’ve obsessed over these last handful of years!
I had read most when they were first published on her website, so it was fun to revisit some of the old, but also great to get treated to some new. Not just new stories, but new characters. Lily actually managed to stick to producing something short (*cough* Lor *cough*) this time with the introduction of Ruke and his human Jamie, and what a lovely little short it was. I hope we get more time with them in future books!
Fun, fun, fun!
I had read most when they were first published on her website, so it was fun to revisit some of the old, but also great to get treated to some new. Not just new stories, but new characters. Lily actually managed to stick to producing something short (*cough* Lor *cough*) this time with the introduction of Ruke and his human Jamie, and what a lovely little short it was. I hope we get more time with them in future books!
Fun, fun, fun!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
Pretty cute little rom-com. I really enjoyed all the Brazilian cultural references that came with Lina and her family family, and how Max was introduced to it all.
The MCs had good chemistry and banter, but sometimes the dialogue felt like it was trying to be too cute, if you know what I mean, though I may chalk this up to the 1st person narration, which isn’t my preference.
There were also some really odd scenes that popped up seemingly out of nowhere (like some very awkward spoken word/open mike session) that threw the pacing off, but overall, there’s more good than bad here for a quick, light read.
The MCs had good chemistry and banter, but sometimes the dialogue felt like it was trying to be too cute, if you know what I mean, though I may chalk this up to the 1st person narration, which isn’t my preference.
There were also some really odd scenes that popped up seemingly out of nowhere (like some very awkward spoken word/open mike session) that threw the pacing off, but overall, there’s more good than bad here for a quick, light read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
The Alpha's Salvation by Marlowe Roy
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I like the premise of this more than the content - older MCs (FMC is in her 40s, MMC is ~130) in a dystopian post-America where A/B/O's came into existence due to the nuclear fallout. Great setup, but I found myself getting bored throughout and I didn't find myself connecting with either of the MCs.
Kess read a lot younger than her actual age and made a lot of TSTL decisions throughout. I understand the difficulties coming from such a traumatic background, but at times it felt like she was just being stubborn for stubborn's sake. Had she been a bit more fleshed out, it might of worked for me, but I just found I didn't care much for her overall.
Same with Hunt. His gruffness came across more asshole than tortured (when we first meet him, TWhe's planned his suicide ), and the number of internal monologues he had thinking about how much he hated his new feelings for his Omega really got on my nerves.
Overall - good idea, not so good execution.
Kess read a lot younger than her actual age and made a lot of TSTL decisions throughout. I understand the difficulties coming from such a traumatic background, but at times it felt like she was just being stubborn for stubborn's sake. Had she been a bit more fleshed out, it might of worked for me, but I just found I didn't care much for her overall.
Same with Hunt. His gruffness came across more asshole than tortured (when we first meet him, TW
Overall - good idea, not so good execution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol