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exteenawreads's reviews
345 reviews
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
lighthearted
fast-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
2.5
As is the way with all romcoms in Tessa Bailey's repertoire, this is mostly okay but really just comes down to "Did I like the collection of tropes enough to giggle and blush and kicky feet, or did it give me the ick?". Unfortunately in this case, it gave me the ick. It doesn't help that I generally don't like the stereotypical male athlete type, but my LEAST favorite trope is probably the inappropriate boss/employee romance. Especially when the female employee has a history of sexual violence and trauma, the LAST thing I'd believe is that she'd be okay being groped by her live-in angry male boss. Nah thanks. āš»
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
3.25
(ARC Review - thank you Netgalley!)
This book has such a compelling concept - it's sapphic dystopian Hunger Games, but the "tribute" - here called "Lambs" - are hunted by Cyberpunk'ed hot assassin girls - the "Angels". I found myself wanting to like it more, but there were some truly weird choices made in the world building that just didn't land in the way I think the author intended. It made it hard to trust the world or take it seriously, and it made a lot of the world seem half-baked conceptually (I'm sorry, but being a taxidermist when you can barely afford to survive makes absolutely no sense. And hunting the last remaining non-mutated animals to "preserve" them?? Is an absolute waste?? Why not ..idk, farm and breed them?).
A lot of this patchy world building made the first half of the book a bit of a struggle - I had to basically edit bits in my head to make the story make sense. Especially the moments that lead to our Lamb and Angel coming together, it was so quick/insta-lovey and the reasoning held together with string. One moment they are literally strangling each other, and the next they are like "well I guess we need to work together". I feel like this was missing a lot of the pressure and strain this kind of partnership deserved.
The last fourth or so of the book, though, nearly redeemed itself for me. The main characters fighting to survive and discovering more secrets to the world finally starts to feel compelling. ...and then the ending happens, which was not at all satisfying or logical. Bummer.
So overall, a cool concept with some entertainment value, but frustratingly falls flat in its world building. I do love Ava Reid's writing, but this isn't her best work.
This book has such a compelling concept - it's sapphic dystopian Hunger Games, but the "tribute" - here called "Lambs" - are hunted by Cyberpunk'ed hot assassin girls - the "Angels". I found myself wanting to like it more, but there were some truly weird choices made in the world building that just didn't land in the way I think the author intended. It made it hard to trust the world or take it seriously, and it made a lot of the world seem half-baked conceptually (I'm sorry, but being a taxidermist when you can barely afford to survive makes absolutely no sense. And hunting the last remaining non-mutated animals to "preserve" them?? Is an absolute waste?? Why not ..idk, farm and breed them?).
A lot of this patchy world building made the first half of the book a bit of a struggle - I had to basically edit bits in my head to make the story make sense. Especially the moments that lead to our Lamb and Angel coming together, it was so quick/insta-lovey and the reasoning held together with string. One moment they are literally strangling each other, and the next they are like "well I guess we need to work together". I feel like this was missing a lot of the pressure and strain this kind of partnership deserved.
The last fourth or so of the book, though, nearly redeemed itself for me. The main characters fighting to survive and discovering more secrets to the world finally starts to feel compelling. ...and then the ending happens, which was not at all satisfying or logical. Bummer.
So overall, a cool concept with some entertainment value, but frustratingly falls flat in its world building. I do love Ava Reid's writing, but this isn't her best work.
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
You would never guess from the cutesy colorful cover that this is full-on-Omegaverse-knotty-smut, but it sure is. And it was...fine. if you're into that sorta thing.
The plot otherwise was fun mostly - it's fake dating / grumpy sunshine / fated mates, so wants not to like? - but the tension and drama was very generic and I got a little bored near the end.
Mackenzie and Noah are both doctors in a world shared by humans and shifters, but apparently also don't fully understand/believe the basics of their own Omega x Alpha biology, which I found a lil silly. But regardless, it's a silly stupid easy listen good time.
The plot otherwise was fun mostly - it's fake dating / grumpy sunshine / fated mates, so wants not to like? - but the tension and drama was very generic and I got a little bored near the end.
Mackenzie and Noah are both doctors in a world shared by humans and shifters, but apparently also don't fully understand/believe the basics of their own Omega x Alpha biology, which I found a lil silly. But regardless, it's a silly stupid easy listen good time.
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Classic fun Tessa Bailey romcom, though I liked IHOS a little more. Hannah's journey to become her own "leading lady" was relatable, but I found Fox's whole "tragic backstory" to be a bit silly - oh no, poor guy, everyone thinks you're just a hot guy who bangs a lot... because...you...are? I do love a Reformed Rake type though. Decent spice, low stakes, some frustrating miscommunication but mostly handled maturely eventually.
My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
I'd recommend this for someone interested in a YA highschool romance with a STEM focus. I loved our FMC Bel and her journey of discovering her talent and worth as an engineer. I have too much personal trauma from my own college engineering club - where I was the only girl and I dated the pretentious prick team lead - to enjoy the romance though š
All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us about Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Elizabeth Comen
challenging
informative
medium-paced
5.0
The top review of this book is something like "Do you want to be very ANGRY and INFORMED????", and I think that pretty much sums it up.
This was excellent and should be required reading for anyone in the medical field or anyone making policy about women's bodies. Also, just, all women - so they understand how we've been systematically dealt a horrible hand from the start and how to better advocate for our health so that the next generation hopefully gets better.
This was excellent and should be required reading for anyone in the medical field or anyone making policy about women's bodies. Also, just, all women - so they understand how we've been systematically dealt a horrible hand from the start and how to better advocate for our health so that the next generation hopefully gets better.
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"Iād always thought that we were the same. That we were two shades of the same color. But as I sat there, watching Johnny swim back to the bank, I had only one thought: that he was a storm in the clouds, just minutes away from breaking."
You know how some twins have that phantom twin connection? Well, what happens when one twin dies mysteriously, and the other one feels it and knows it wasn't an accident?
(4.25ā-ARC) I am definitely a fan of Adrienne's writing and the hypnotic way she lays out a story. Although I didn't love this *quite* as much as June Farrow, I was still entranced throughout this read. I do think the beginning was a bit slow and repetitive, dragging the mystery in front of the reader a few too many times. But, once things start to fall into place around halfway in, it was hard to put down.
This reads like a mystery/thriller with some a tiny dash of magical surrealism and some romance (though that is very much not the focus). The vibes felt like the video game Life is Strange, where there is a constant sense of unease and oddity as you explore the complicated ins and outs of a character and their community. I thought the twin phantom connection was super interesting, and the emotional twists and turns as James learns more about her old hometown and her brother were captivating. I did find the two romance side stories a little too undeveloped, they maybe needed to either be more built up or removed.
"A long, exhausted breath escaped his lips. 'We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.' "
It's true, you could, I wish you did though because I wanted to read those things!
Overall a thrilling, captivating, and mysterious read perfect for sitting by a window during a thunderstorm.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press/Random House for the ARC!
You know how some twins have that phantom twin connection? Well, what happens when one twin dies mysteriously, and the other one feels it and knows it wasn't an accident?
(4.25ā-ARC) I am definitely a fan of Adrienne's writing and the hypnotic way she lays out a story. Although I didn't love this *quite* as much as June Farrow, I was still entranced throughout this read. I do think the beginning was a bit slow and repetitive, dragging the mystery in front of the reader a few too many times. But, once things start to fall into place around halfway in, it was hard to put down.
This reads like a mystery/thriller with some a tiny dash of magical surrealism and some romance (though that is very much not the focus). The vibes felt like the video game Life is Strange, where there is a constant sense of unease and oddity as you explore the complicated ins and outs of a character and their community. I thought the twin phantom connection was super interesting, and the emotional twists and turns as James learns more about her old hometown and her brother were captivating. I did find the two romance side stories a little too undeveloped, they maybe needed to either be more built up or removed.
"A long, exhausted breath escaped his lips. 'We could fill the fucking ocean with the things we never said to each other.' "
It's true, you could, I wish you did though because I wanted to read those things!
Overall a thrilling, captivating, and mysterious read perfect for sitting by a window during a thunderstorm.
Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press/Random House for the ARC!
The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"I think some important scientific questions have finally been answered. Alien life exists, and they are assholes."
This book hit perfect in a lot of my sweet spots:
- Centered around a team of scientists, so like a dark sci-fi academia. The science felt real but not too heavy for non-sciencey readers to get lost
- Believable, well-developed characters with flaws and motivations that show the broad extremes of human behavior, especially when in extreme situations.
- A unique, thought-provoking premise that had on the edge of my seat. I did guess some plot points but through a majority of the book I was still very unsure where things would go or how we'd get there.
- A space opera with writing that beautifully evokes an array of emotions. I was tense, I laughed, I was heartbroken, I was furious, I was vengeful.
I am certainly now a fan of this author, very much looking forward to the rest of this series and will be adding the Expanse series to my TBR!
This book hit perfect in a lot of my sweet spots:
- Centered around a team of scientists, so like a dark sci-fi academia. The science felt real but not too heavy for non-sciencey readers to get lost
- Believable, well-developed characters with flaws and motivations that show the broad extremes of human behavior, especially when in extreme situations.
- A unique, thought-provoking premise that had on the edge of my seat. I did guess some plot points but through a majority of the book I was still very unsure where things would go or how we'd get there.
- A space opera with writing that beautifully evokes an array of emotions. I was tense, I laughed, I was heartbroken, I was furious, I was vengeful.
I am certainly now a fan of this author, very much looking forward to the rest of this series and will be adding the Expanse series to my TBR!