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joyreads2024's reviews
106 reviews
The Martian by Andy Weir
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This rating is much more based on how I like sci-fi (which is not frequently), how confusing chapter 1 was, and the dodgy pacing from chapters 20-24. I really liked the way that Mark was presented, as a man who was going slightly crazy, but was intelligent and also had realistic emotions about being lonely and sad. All in all, it was an interesting read, and omg I can’t understand science to save my LIFE.
Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.75
Max and Sophie are just SUCH A GOOD COUPLE. AND THE AMOUNT OF STUFF THAT HAPPENS IN THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD. Classic top tier Nalini.
Fractured Secrets by Haley Jenner
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’ll take a hundred of these please oh my gosh. I’ll write a proper review later, but this book is EVERYTHING a mafia dark romance should be OH MY GOD. The devotion. The bloodshed. Leo. 10/10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Virtuous Lies by Haley Jenner
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Did I read this book in less than a day? Yes. Is that usual for me? Absolutely not. Why was it such a quick read? BECAUSE IT WAS SO SMOOTH. Like the smoothest cocktail ever. THIS IS WHAT THE GIRLIES MEAN WHEN WE SAY WE WANT DARK ROMANCE. CONSENT AND MORALLY GREY MEN PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
Now was this book 60% smut, 40% plot? Yes. HOWEVER did the plot pick up at the end? YES.Still sad about Andre’s death
Now. Morally. The age stuff. Aware. Noted. Moving on lol.
Now was this book 60% smut, 40% plot? Yes. HOWEVER did the plot pick up at the end? YES.
Now. Morally. The age stuff. Aware. Noted. Moving on lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
The Troublemaker Next Door by Marie Harte
lighthearted
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? Yes
1.0
Bruh. If I knew this was an erotica going on, I would have been more prepared, but when you frame it as a romance next door and it’s all just fucking (I kid you not 90% fucking, 10% plot) it really, really makes it boring. The wit and laughing was good at the start, but to finish this book I literally had to skim read it because what do you mean every 10 pages had a new sex scene.
ALSO. The discussion around her looking fat when she wasn’t, and the whole “oh so you do workout?” Line by Flynn was GAG. Literally threw me off it so quickly. And Vanessa just pissed me off. No redeeming qualities were found.
ALSO. The discussion around her looking fat when she wasn’t, and the whole “oh so you do workout?” Line by Flynn was GAG. Literally threw me off it so quickly. And Vanessa just pissed me off. No redeeming qualities were found.
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
I LOVEDDDD the start of this book, and then they had sex (which is normally a good thing in books) and IT GOT VERY MEH and then the ending scenes made me tear up sooo it’s a 4 I think LOL
Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
3.25
Look😭 it’s good, I guess, but to me this is the weakest most disjointed book in the series
The Peer and the Puppet by B.B. Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Look. I skim read the start of book 4 and omg did that turn me off. Did the characters also being 17 at the very start make me not wanna read it because i’m 21 and feel old? Yes. If I was younger, would it have been good? Absolutely. And the sudden change in Ever’s personality was too blunt. And I even have the books signed 😭
One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book would be stunning without the continuously annoying Don and now Madigan. Don's attitude is actually why I find this series so annoying to read at times - if we removed him and just had all the other characters, this would be even better but NOOO. We have to have Don. It appears any character development he had over the series went bye bye like his body dear god. And don't get me even started on Madigan - Justina improved so we needed another asshole?? omg.
I will say though that the twists and turns and the plot twist at the end were unexpected and I wasn't prepared for it. The other characters make this book what it is. The story itself was really interesting with there being three parts: (1) Don being back and being stuck as a ghost (2) Madigan being a twat and what his end goal is (3) Kramer, a ghostly, psychotic witch hunter who becomes solid once a year on Samhain to torture and kill three women a year. The first one dropped off pretty quickly, the last was the focus, and Madigan was the annoying asshole.
There were some other slight issues with this book like having a stereotypical Lafayette from True Blood character, but Tyler did absolutely rock in this book so at least he wasn't a 2 dimensional character; and a very minor plot hole about where the pets were lol.
I will say though that the twists and turns and the plot twist at the end were unexpected and I wasn't prepared for it. The other characters make this book what it is. The story itself was really interesting with there being three parts: (1) Don being back and being stuck as a ghost (2) Madigan being a twat and what his end goal is (3) Kramer, a ghostly, psychotic witch hunter who becomes solid once a year on Samhain to torture and kill three women a year. The first one dropped off pretty quickly, the last was the focus, and Madigan was the annoying asshole.
There were some other slight issues with this book like having a stereotypical Lafayette from True Blood character, but Tyler did absolutely rock in this book so at least he wasn't a 2 dimensional character; and a very minor plot hole about where the pets were lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Magic Bites is HILARIOUS. Kate Daniels inner dialogue really makes this adventurous book what it is, with her witty thoughts and even funnier actions that screams "eh, I can't be fucked."
Kate is a mercenary who, after the death of her guardian, is hired as a temp by the Order of Merciful Knights to figure out who, and what, killed him. Kate finds out that someone or something is trying to start a war between the People and the Shapeshfiters. This book contains a variety of mythology framed in a world that alternates between being magic-filled where tech doesn't work, and vice versa. This is prime Urban fantasy with a hint of romance.
Hilarious, adventurous, bloody, so good omg. WARNING THOUGH: AT THE END OF THE BOOK, CONTAINS SOME HORRIFIC RUSSIAN MYTHOLOGY.
Kate is a mercenary who, after the death of her guardian, is hired as a temp by the Order of Merciful Knights to figure out who, and what, killed him. Kate finds out that someone or something is trying to start a war between the People and the Shapeshfiters. This book contains a variety of mythology framed in a world that alternates between being magic-filled where tech doesn't work, and vice versa. This is prime Urban fantasy with a hint of romance.
Hilarious, adventurous, bloody, so good omg. WARNING THOUGH: AT THE END OF THE BOOK, CONTAINS SOME HORRIFIC RUSSIAN MYTHOLOGY.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence