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fiction_and_friction's reviews
393 reviews
Crushes & Christmas: Best Friend's Sibling Romcom by K.E. Monteith
3.0
Crushes & Christmas is a full-length, sibling’s best friend sapphic romance with plenty of steamy open-door spice, a fun mystery element, and a satisfying HEA.
The first half felt a bit slow (I’ll admit I did some skimming), but once we hit the halfway mark—aka when they start smooching—the pace picked up and became much more engaging. There was a lot going on with the holiday festival, the friend group dynamics, and the individual storylines of Shea and Margo, which at times left me feeling a bit lost. The mystery surrounding the saboteur was enjoyable but felt a bit underdeveloped—it would have been better if it was either more central to the plot or omitted entirely. That said, I absolutely adored Bailey and Margo’s parents—Margo's dad was especially a total teddy bear.
The first half felt a bit slow (I’ll admit I did some skimming), but once we hit the halfway mark—aka when they start smooching—the pace picked up and became much more engaging. There was a lot going on with the holiday festival, the friend group dynamics, and the individual storylines of Shea and Margo, which at times left me feeling a bit lost. The mystery surrounding the saboteur was enjoyable but felt a bit underdeveloped—it would have been better if it was either more central to the plot or omitted entirely. That said, I absolutely adored Bailey and Margo’s parents—Margo's dad was especially a total teddy bear.
Wishing For You: A New Year's Eve Novella by Marissa James
5.0
This was such a delightful and spicy holiday novella! I could have easily devoured a full-length story about Anders and Caroline—they were absolutely adorable. Secret pining is one of my favorite microtropes, and a well-done grovel always wins me over! It was nice to read a non-Christmas holiday story.
Baby Cakes by S.J. Tilly
5.0
Alice and Michael continue their whirlwind romance after their saucy rendezvous in Second Bite.
Amazing per usual. S.J. Tilly really can do no wrong in my opinion. Baby Cakes was a fun, funny, and oh so sexy holiday series of three novellas. The writing was flawless and really enjoyable. The jokes were there like always, and that last Easter Egg?! My jaw dropped, I’m so excited!
Amazing per usual. S.J. Tilly really can do no wrong in my opinion. Baby Cakes was a fun, funny, and oh so sexy holiday series of three novellas. The writing was flawless and really enjoyable. The jokes were there like always, and that last Easter Egg?! My jaw dropped, I’m so excited!
Dance, Sugarplum by Aurelia Knight, Amy Oliveira
3.0
This dark holiday novella follows the story of a fallen prima ballerina, shunned by the powerful elite after scandalous rumors tarnish her reputation. However, Mikhail Ivanov has always had his eye on her, and now, nothing stands in his way.
I’m torn on how to rate this one. While I wanted it to be longer, it’s mainly because I’m left with unanswered questions. What exactly made his relationship with Molly “complicated”? Was the subplot about his jaw injury truly necessary? I need answers!
The spice was intense—dark, but satisfying. It's not the kind of dark that feels absurd or out of place, but more like "ehh, this is definitely dubcon territory." The story moved quickly, with some unexpected suspense, but by the end, I felt more perplexed than entertained.
I’m torn on how to rate this one. While I wanted it to be longer, it’s mainly because I’m left with unanswered questions. What exactly made his relationship with Molly “complicated”? Was the subplot about his jaw injury truly necessary? I need answers!
The spice was intense—dark, but satisfying. It's not the kind of dark that feels absurd or out of place, but more like "ehh, this is definitely dubcon territory." The story moved quickly, with some unexpected suspense, but by the end, I felt more perplexed than entertained.