Scan barcode
emilyreadwhat's reviews
78 reviews
How does it feel? by Jeneane O'Riley
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
4.5⭐️/3🌶️
The first 25% I was like “okay, this is cute, interested in what the mysterious mushrooms are going to lead to” and at the 50% mark I was 😳🤯 shook. It went from cutesy to dark QUICK. Not to spoil anything, but this book has arguably the creepiest/scariest monster I’ve ever read about, it’s not a major character but I might possibly have nightmares about this thing. The MMC is legitimately a villain and legitimately hot. 🥵 The spice was spicing and the last 25% had me slack-jawed and reaching for book 2 immediately.
The first 25% I was like “okay, this is cute, interested in what the mysterious mushrooms are going to lead to” and at the 50% mark I was 😳🤯 shook. It went from cutesy to dark QUICK. Not to spoil anything, but this book has arguably the creepiest/scariest monster I’ve ever read about, it’s not a major character but I might possibly have nightmares about this thing. The MMC is legitimately a villain and legitimately hot. 🥵 The spice was spicing and the last 25% had me slack-jawed and reaching for book 2 immediately.
A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon
5.0
5⭐️/3🌶️
An incredible continuation of the first book with equally as strong of writing from start to finish. Spicier than book 1 but still with tension and conflict and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now DESPERATE for book 3. I only wish I would have read this book later so the wait for book 3 didn’t feel so long! Thea Guanzon is a now must-buy author for me.
An incredible continuation of the first book with equally as strong of writing from start to finish. Spicier than book 1 but still with tension and conflict and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now DESPERATE for book 3. I only wish I would have read this book later so the wait for book 3 didn’t feel so long! Thea Guanzon is a now must-buy author for me.
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
5.0
5⭐️/2🌶️
Oh. My. Gosh. I feel like I need to go back and edit my previous 5 star reviews because they pale in comparison to this book. The writing was incredible, in my mind I have it equally ranked with the Sarah J Maas universe because the imagery and world building it top tier. I could visualize the cities and the technology so clearly, it felt like I was watching a movie in my mind, and I can only attribute that to the quality of Thea Guanzon’s writing. The slow burn was PERFECTION, a TRUE enemies to lovers (but maybe always enemies?) story, with twists and secrets and emotion that had me LOCKED IN on this book from start to finish. An absolute must-read, I will recommend is to every SJM fan I know because Thea Guanzon is an immediate-buy for me now.
Oh. My. Gosh. I feel like I need to go back and edit my previous 5 star reviews because they pale in comparison to this book. The writing was incredible, in my mind I have it equally ranked with the Sarah J Maas universe because the imagery and world building it top tier. I could visualize the cities and the technology so clearly, it felt like I was watching a movie in my mind, and I can only attribute that to the quality of Thea Guanzon’s writing. The slow burn was PERFECTION, a TRUE enemies to lovers (but maybe always enemies?) story, with twists and secrets and emotion that had me LOCKED IN on this book from start to finish. An absolute must-read, I will recommend is to every SJM fan I know because Thea Guanzon is an immediate-buy for me now.
A Hunt So Wild and Cruel by Rebecca F. Kenney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
I actually liked the spin on the Christmas Carol, but I love a slow burn romance and high tension and I just don’t think that’s going to happen in any reverse harem book, and this one seemed pretty sexual from the jump so it’s just not my vibe.
A Warrior's Fate by Melissa Kieran
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
5⭐️/2🌶️
I loved this book! The concept was super interesting and the tension was good, I loved the mystery of the whole book and was thoroughly surprised by most of the twists and turns! The writing was strong and I liked the side characters and can’t wait to read books 1.5 and 2 😍 DYING to find out about Adrien and Raana and really hoping for some more Sebastian and Ameera!
I loved this book! The concept was super interesting and the tension was good, I loved the mystery of the whole book and was thoroughly surprised by most of the twists and turns! The writing was strong and I liked the side characters and can’t wait to read books 1.5 and 2 😍 DYING to find out about Adrien and Raana and really hoping for some more Sebastian and Ameera!
The Coven by Harper L. Woods
challenging
dark
tense
4.0
4⭐️/3🌶️
I devoured this book, but I hated the conclusion. The writing was great and kept me hooked, and I loved her writing style and the development of the characters, but the demons and Lucifer and the entire conclusion just felt too icky for me. I would have loved for it to have less straight up demonic references and been a little lighter, because I don’t see myself reading the second book now, unfortunately. Her writing was strong and the twists were reflective of that, so I gave it 4⭐️ because of that, but I’m disappointed that it went so dark. :(
I devoured this book, but I hated the conclusion. The writing was great and kept me hooked, and I loved her writing style and the development of the characters, but the demons and Lucifer and the entire conclusion just felt too icky for me. I would have loved for it to have less straight up demonic references and been a little lighter, because I don’t see myself reading the second book now, unfortunately. Her writing was strong and the twists were reflective of that, so I gave it 4⭐️ because of that, but I’m disappointed that it went so dark. :(
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
4.0
4⭐️/3🌶️
A great sequel to Fangirl Down! Loved the banter between Burgess and Tallulah, and the angst in the third act 🥹♥️ I also loved all of the inclusion of Josephine and Wells and the Barnes and noble bonus chapter was amazing 😂 but mostly, I am obsessed with Sig and Chloe. I NEED the third book asap.
A great sequel to Fangirl Down! Loved the banter between Burgess and Tallulah, and the angst in the third act 🥹♥️ I also loved all of the inclusion of Josephine and Wells and the Barnes and noble bonus chapter was amazing 😂 but mostly, I am obsessed with Sig and Chloe. I NEED the third book asap.
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5⭐️/2🌶️
I didn’t know if HBY could write anything as heartwarming and beautiful as Out on a Limb, but dammit she did it again. 🥹 My husband and I got together when I was 14 and married when I was 19. I followed him around the country while he was in the military, and I was slapped in the face by how much I related to Sarah and Caleb (whom I also adored in Out on a Limb but didn’t relate to nearly as deeply until Out of the Woods). The internal dialogue of Sarah was complex because of her anger and sadness and guilt and overwhelming love for her husband which left her feeling confused and reading that on paper was incredibly validating. Enough about me and my connection to the book though, the writing was GREAT. It was emotional and tense and you could feel everything they felt from the desperation and turmoil over their marriage to the joy and admiration they have for one another. It was beautiful to read. I already wish I could read it for the first time again. I could go on and on but long story short, this book is another 5⭐️ from HBY and I highly recommend it.
I didn’t know if HBY could write anything as heartwarming and beautiful as Out on a Limb, but dammit she did it again. 🥹 My husband and I got together when I was 14 and married when I was 19. I followed him around the country while he was in the military, and I was slapped in the face by how much I related to Sarah and Caleb (whom I also adored in Out on a Limb but didn’t relate to nearly as deeply until Out of the Woods). The internal dialogue of Sarah was complex because of her anger and sadness and guilt and overwhelming love for her husband which left her feeling confused and reading that on paper was incredibly validating. Enough about me and my connection to the book though, the writing was GREAT. It was emotional and tense and you could feel everything they felt from the desperation and turmoil over their marriage to the joy and admiration they have for one another. It was beautiful to read. I already wish I could read it for the first time again. I could go on and on but long story short, this book is another 5⭐️ from HBY and I highly recommend it.
Hallowed Games by C.N. Crawford
5.0
5⭐️/3🌶️
Perfect amount of spice imo, the story is interesting and Hunger Games for witches vibes, and SURPRISING twists toward the end. I was feeling like it was a bit predictable in the middle and was hoping for some twists, but also felt like there was a lack of backstory for the FMC, but all of that came together and left me desperate for book 2 by the end of the book. SPOILERS AHEAD……
I was getting some major Tamlin v. Rhysand vibes about halfway through and felt like it might not come to fruition the way I wanted it to, and it didn’t really come to a conclusion, but it definitely left the door open for some Rhysand vibes in book 2 from Sion and I am READY FOR IT. 🤭
Perfect amount of spice imo, the story is interesting and Hunger Games for witches vibes, and SURPRISING twists toward the end. I was feeling like it was a bit predictable in the middle and was hoping for some twists, but also felt like there was a lack of backstory for the FMC, but all of that came together and left me desperate for book 2 by the end of the book. SPOILERS AHEAD……
I was getting some major Tamlin v. Rhysand vibes about halfway through and felt like it might not come to fruition the way I wanted it to, and it didn’t really come to a conclusion, but it definitely left the door open for some Rhysand vibes in book 2 from Sion and I am READY FOR IT. 🤭
Slaying the Shifter Prince by Clare Sager
4.0
4⭐️/5🌶️
An ENEMIES to lovers book with really interesting world building! I liked the magic system and the FMC backstory, I loved her rage and how she held a grudge. There were twists that I saw coming but one I definitely did not, and that was fun to read! My only complaints would be that it felt slightly insta-lovey for me, where the deeper conversations weren’t happening as much with the MMC and FMC, and the spice was spicing a little too much for me (too much tail, iykyk), so personally that knocked a star off for me, but might be the perfect 5⭐️ for someone else!
An ENEMIES to lovers book with really interesting world building! I liked the magic system and the FMC backstory, I loved her rage and how she held a grudge. There were twists that I saw coming but one I definitely did not, and that was fun to read! My only complaints would be that it felt slightly insta-lovey for me, where the deeper conversations weren’t happening as much with the MMC and FMC, and the spice was spicing a little too much for me (too much tail, iykyk), so personally that knocked a star off for me, but might be the perfect 5⭐️ for someone else!