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ezichinny's reviews
3357 reviews
Crush by Tracy Wolff
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Continuum by Danielle Allen
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
What I loved about this book was the growth in the characters. I love when I see people make better choices when they get a second chance.
Kwame and Aisha met in college when Aisha tutored him for statistics. Youth, insecurities and fear kept them for saying or doing anything about their attraction to each other.
16 years later, Kwame and Aisha run into each other at a bar and now they are both older, wiser and more confident to ask for what they want from each other. So let the sexy fun times begin.
The writing was steady and low angst but engaging. I found the story easy to get wrapped up in and the main characters really likable. Their chemistry and easy rapport with each other made this story a quick fun read.
I took off a fraction because of the whole Angel part. I didn’t feel like it was well done and it didn’t seem necessary in order to feel a connection to the blue streak friend nor to feel like there was a guardian Angel. That aspect of the story wasn’t well done for me.
The story stood strong without that and it didn’t make the story memorable. It just dabbled into a supernatural link. The college connection was sufficient to bring Kwame and Aisha together.
I hope there is an epilogue where Kwame gives the Winston family the boot.
Kwame and Aisha met in college when Aisha tutored him for statistics. Youth, insecurities and fear kept them for saying or doing anything about their attraction to each other.
16 years later, Kwame and Aisha run into each other at a bar and now they are both older, wiser and more confident to ask for what they want from each other. So let the sexy fun times begin.
The writing was steady and low angst but engaging. I found the story easy to get wrapped up in and the main characters really likable. Their chemistry and easy rapport with each other made this story a quick fun read.
I took off a fraction because of the whole Angel part. I didn’t feel like it was well done and it didn’t seem necessary in order to feel a connection to the blue streak friend nor to feel like there was a guardian Angel. That aspect of the story wasn’t well done for me.
The story stood strong without that and it didn’t make the story memorable. It just dabbled into a supernatural link. The college connection was sufficient to bring Kwame and Aisha together.
I hope there is an epilogue where Kwame gives the Winston family the boot.
Coming Home by Kennedy Ryan
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
3.25
I enjoyed this novella. I also normally enjoyed the narration of Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem. I did struggle with the duo as the last 4 books that I listened to featured them. That’s really my only issue. I am a burned out on the duo right now.
Plot:
Toure was an accomplished journalist who sacrificed a lot for his career. He now has a chance to reflect on where he is and what he wants in life.
In this novella, he gets a chance to reconnect with friends from college including Niomi, a friend whom he never seemed to get over a crush on. Their timing just never seemed right. But when Toure’s daughter gets honored, Toure and Niomi reconnect at a time when they are both single. Is the time finally right for them?
It was well written. Good characters, realistic plot and enjoyable conclusion. It was just long enough to really tell a story about reconnecting with two people who were a victim of timing and youthful ambition. There was growth and maturity led Toure and Niomi to finally go after their personal life with the same vigor they pursued their careee aspirations. We also had a good father daughter reconnection too. A really enjoyable love story.
Plot:
Toure was an accomplished journalist who sacrificed a lot for his career. He now has a chance to reflect on where he is and what he wants in life.
In this novella, he gets a chance to reconnect with friends from college including Niomi, a friend whom he never seemed to get over a crush on. Their timing just never seemed right. But when Toure’s daughter gets honored, Toure and Niomi reconnect at a time when they are both single. Is the time finally right for them?
It was well written. Good characters, realistic plot and enjoyable conclusion. It was just long enough to really tell a story about reconnecting with two people who were a victim of timing and youthful ambition. There was growth and maturity led Toure and Niomi to finally go after their personal life with the same vigor they pursued their careee aspirations. We also had a good father daughter reconnection too. A really enjoyable love story.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Eyes on Me by Sara Cate
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.5
Jeffrey Kafer is one of my favorite narrators but I didn’t love him as Garrett and I didn’t like the combination with Heather Costa.
So I did listen a bit and sometimes switch over to the kindle version.
Garrett and Mia were step siblings but it didn’t feel like siblings since Garrett was already 21 and Mia was 8 years old when their parents got married.
This story was decent but I didn’t feel their chemistry like I wanted to. It just didn’t give angst.
I also didn’t buy Mia’s confidence as she did her job. I would have really appreciated the author spending a little more time with Garrett’s issues in order to lay a better foundation for his emotional withdrawal from people.
I was waiting for Drake to confront Garrett or there ti be an exchange about it. Maybe there will be a discussion in the next book.
This one was just okay for me.
So I did listen a bit and sometimes switch over to the kindle version.
Garrett and Mia were step siblings but it didn’t feel like siblings since Garrett was already 21 and Mia was 8 years old when their parents got married.
This story was decent but I didn’t feel their chemistry like I wanted to. It just didn’t give angst.
I also didn’t buy Mia’s confidence as she did her job. I would have really appreciated the author spending a little more time with Garrett’s issues in order to lay a better foundation for his emotional withdrawal from people.
I was waiting for Drake to confront Garrett or there ti be an exchange about it. Maybe there will be a discussion in the next book.
This one was just okay for me.
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
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
2.5
I started and stopped this audiobook twice before I was able to finish this story. It is really a woman's fiction, not a romance story even though Sewanee and Brock eventually got together.
This story was too slow paced for me. The author is actually one of my favorite narrators but this story was about a woman with a disability learning how to deal with her own insecurities, jealousy and later embracing a new career opportunity.
It took a long time to settle into the underlying stories in the lives of Sewanee Chester, her best friend Adaku and Brock. Unfortunately, I didn't feel engaged or invested in their journey.
This story was too slow paced for me. The author is actually one of my favorite narrators but this story was about a woman with a disability learning how to deal with her own insecurities, jealousy and later embracing a new career opportunity.
It took a long time to settle into the underlying stories in the lives of Sewanee Chester, her best friend Adaku and Brock. Unfortunately, I didn't feel engaged or invested in their journey.
The Marriage Contract by Shay Davis
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
Sweet and fun marriage of convenience
What a fun fake relationship/marriage of convenience story. I really liked both Alexa and Soul. They seemed like a good match even though they didn’t know each other.
I was curious about her relationship with her sister Candice. That was a really toxic sister relationship. There had to be a backstory that needed to be explored.
Soul was a good guy, but we didn’t get to meet his family and friends. That’s my only complaint with novellas. The story is just a snap shot in time. This one was satisfying though because both people were willing to give love a chance despite their contract. Nice quick read.
What a fun fake relationship/marriage of convenience story. I really liked both Alexa and Soul. They seemed like a good match even though they didn’t know each other.
I was curious about her relationship with her sister Candice. That was a really toxic sister relationship. There had to be a backstory that needed to be explored.
Soul was a good guy, but we didn’t get to meet his family and friends. That’s my only complaint with novellas. The story is just a snap shot in time. This one was satisfying though because both people were willing to give love a chance despite their contract. Nice quick read.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? N/A
3.25
I liked Ava and I liked Alex. They just didn’t generate real heat for me as a couple. There was a lot of things going on, Ava and her family, Alex and his family, both have past trauma that won’t allow them to sleep, and both having issues with memories. One person doesn’t remember a thing, the other remembers everything. It was an okay read, the writing just didn’t draw me in and I also figured out the villains very early. It’s like this book wanted to be a mafia story but not quite. Then it was going to be a cute best friend, little sister romance but the foundation of the brother’s friendship wasn’t established that well. I was expecting a more angst filled romance and this wasn’t it.
I plan to read the second book as I have heard it was more enjoyable.
I plan to read the second book as I have heard it was more enjoyable.
A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman
This audiobook was a delight. The narrator Beverly A. Cric captured the strength in character, jovial tone in banter and sexy huskiness when they were in intimate times. What a treat.
Harriet and Morgan's journey to love was such a well written story that I didn't want it to end. Harriet Montgomery is my kind of heroine. She is intelligent, enterprising and confident. She used her understanding of geography to help her family's map making business. In fact, her cunning and resourcefulness allowed her country Britain's navy to outwit enemies.
Throw in angsty banter with her nemesis Morgan Davies, this story was non stop entertainment from beginning to end. Harriet and Morgan had explosive passion and I love that she wasn't afraid to experience life on her own terms. They were a good match together, professionally and personally. This is the kind of historical romance that moves me.
Special thanks to St. Martin Press via Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.25
This audiobook was a delight. The narrator Beverly A. Cric captured the strength in character, jovial tone in banter and sexy huskiness when they were in intimate times. What a treat.
Harriet and Morgan's journey to love was such a well written story that I didn't want it to end. Harriet Montgomery is my kind of heroine. She is intelligent, enterprising and confident. She used her understanding of geography to help her family's map making business. In fact, her cunning and resourcefulness allowed her country Britain's navy to outwit enemies.
Throw in angsty banter with her nemesis Morgan Davies, this story was non stop entertainment from beginning to end. Harriet and Morgan had explosive passion and I love that she wasn't afraid to experience life on her own terms. They were a good match together, professionally and personally. This is the kind of historical romance that moves me.
Special thanks to St. Martin Press via Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook.