endemictoearth's reviews
3867 reviews

The Christmas Curse by Avery Cockburn

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

After absolutely loving Cicadas by this author earlier this year, I've been keeping an eye out for new releases. I'm already a sucker for a holiday romance, so this was an easy request for an ARC. (Thanks to GRR for the review copy!)

This was delightful, and just a bit of a cut above some of the other holiday romances I've been trying this season. We have a complicated set up that requires a suspension of disbelief, but then we end up with two very real and fleshed out characters (not to mention an adorable dog), and some (perhaps not so) surprisingly deep and philosophical takes on why we do what we do. We still get a grand gesture and holiday hijinx, but it all feels a bit more special than your run of the mill holiday novella. At least, it did to me. Highly recommended!
Lullaby of the Dawn: Volume 5 by Ichika Yuno

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.75

* Selina Meyer WTF nervous laughter *

I really don't know where this is going now, and I'm also not sure I want to know? 
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An Heiress for Christmas by Samantha SoRelle

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective

4.0

You and I Collide by E.A.M. Trofimenkoff

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 3 by Mokumokuren

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

So Late in the Day: Stories of Women and Men by Claire Keegan

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challenging dark reflective sad tense fast-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

2.75

Unnatural by Joanna Chambers

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Now, this really shouldn't be compared to the epic three-part love story of David and Murdo, but because it is a related story in the same world, it also can't surpass their tale. It's a bit unfair, but there it is. 

However, this is a lovely historical romance, elevated by an even lovelier narration by Simon Goldhill. Book is a solid 3.75, narration is 5 stars. I will likely revisit this audiobook when I need a soothing voice to tell me a hopeful tale.

Iain is a bit frustrating, James is a literal angel cinnamon roll,
ending is a bit abrupt and could have used an epilogue that gave us a glimpse of them pottering around James' estate in a year or so,
but was still very enjoyable. 

Thanks to GRR for the audio review copy!
Don't Call it Mystery (Omnibus) Vol. 3-4 by Yumi Tamura

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adventurous challenging dark informative lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

Skip and Loafer, Vol. 4 by Misaki Takamatsu

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5