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joyreads2024's reviews
93 reviews
Untamed by Lilian T. James
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
This book SLAPPED so much more than the first. Vera truly shines in this book as the badass female protagonist, and Jaren is less of an asshole and more of a possessive lover; both of which I appreciate. But the real MVP of the book is Trey, who I hope gets the revenge he so deserves in the next book! I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOWWWW PLEASEEE
SPOILER: book summarised:
Vera and Jaren arrive at the Magyki island and run into one of Jaren’s fathers, Jaeros. Long story short on that is that both of his fathers knew that Vers was alive but chose to not tell Jaren because of the dead queen. Vera has visions that nearly cause her to drown. The blessing of magic is actually a curse. Her father the king is a full prick and is scared about his power being taken away; his chick/guardian is a prick (Taerel or something). Taerel’s niece, Rina (or something), is funny and a slay.
Meanwhile, Eithan tortures poor Trey and Trey now only has one eye. Elric and Jensen have hatched a plan to rescue him and I think for him to take the throne. The book ends with Vera having a horrible vision that leaves her screaming, and i’m 90% sure gives her amnesia or blindness or both, and it is hintedddd that the mating bond between her and Jaren no longer exists or something goes wrong with it.
Vera and Jaren arrive at the Magyki island and run into one of Jaren’s fathers, Jaeros. Long story short on that is that both of his fathers knew that Vers was alive but chose to not tell Jaren because of the dead queen. Vera has visions that nearly cause her to drown. The blessing of magic is actually a curse. Her father the king is a full prick and is scared about his power being taken away; his chick/guardian is a prick (Taerel or something). Taerel’s niece, Rina (or something), is funny and a slay.
Meanwhile, Eithan tortures poor Trey and Trey now only has one eye. Elric and Jensen have hatched a plan to rescue him and I think for him to take the throne. The book ends with Vera having a horrible vision that leaves her screaming, and i’m 90% sure gives her amnesia or blindness or both, and it is hintedddd that the mating bond between her and Jaren no longer exists or something goes wrong with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Torture and Vomit
Minor: Racism and Abandonment
Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? No
4.75
Emmett and Ria are the cutest couple ever and their story is always one that fills me with joy. I love the little bits and pieces of information included in it and it always makes me so happy to read :)
Seedlings by Nalini Singh
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Nah this short story was absolutely adorable I couldn’t even. This is the Nate we know and love; and omg Tammy❤️
Beat of Temptation by Nalini Singh
i find with these novellas, as I’ve been reading them for a decade now, that the way I respond to them is dictated by my age. And unfortunately, Nate gets less “oooh broody smexy man” and more “f***ing hell, you’re an idiot”
And that’s my two cents 😘😘 a quick easy happy read
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It lowkey feels sacriligeous to give this book such a low rating but my reasoning is that, as I grow older, two things irk me:
- Young Nate (wanna knock him out basically)
- That Tammy was 15 and he was 25 when they found out they were mates - and yeah yeah I know nothing happens then and he isn’t creepy or anything but why couldn’t NS have made her 16 or 17 - wouldn’t have killed the storyline for her to have been 16 just saying. It’s at least a lil better than 15 but anyway.
i find with these novellas, as I’ve been reading them for a decade now, that the way I respond to them is dictated by my age. And unfortunately, Nate gets less “oooh broody smexy man” and more “f***ing hell, you’re an idiot”
And that’s my two cents 😘😘 a quick easy happy read
Both Feet in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book took a while to get through because of it was a bit like pulling teeth at the start of the book. But once Cat stops being a royal pain in the ass, it’s so much better. I really enjoyed seeing Bones’ perspective of Annette and enjoyed his protectiveness about Rodney. The sexual scenes were also definitely better written in this book than the other one.
So excited to read the next one!
So excited to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder
Consider Me by Becka Mack
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
While I enjoyed this book, it felt like there was not any actual plot or big thing that was happening in the background after the end of the hockey season. There were so many parts in the book where I was like “perfect ya’ll can stop now.” Nothing was high stakes or even medium stakes.
If you’re looking for 535 (it was NOT that serious) of relaxation and happy vibes, this is for you :)
If you’re looking for 535 (it was NOT that serious) of relaxation and happy vibes, this is for you :)
Chasm by Stacey McEwan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 44%.
The way this was the most monotoned book of my entire life. And the first EVER book I did not finish.
Liar by Tate James
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a step down and a half from HATE, which to be honest, is normal for Reverse Harem books. LIAR was predominantly a character-led book with little to no actual plot development besides Bree and Dallas, and we got to see a bit more of Zane, . The revelation at the end was MID, sorry, it was MID for me; idk why but just like, the way it coulda been done, I don’t like it.
What was quite nice tho was that we got a bit more background about Archer’s family and Constance and her partner (nice sapphic representation). I however did not like the gay representation for the men in this series however, as the one gay guy mentioned is an asshole to Madison Kate because he wants Archer for himself - and is a dick.
The stalker needs to be announced tho, and we need to find out who Hades is, so I have high hopes for Book 3.
What was quite nice tho was that we got a bit more background about Archer’s family and Constance and her partner (nice sapphic representation). I however did not like the gay representation for the men in this series however, as the one gay guy mentioned is an asshole to Madison Kate because he wants Archer for himself - and is a dick.
The stalker needs to be announced tho, and we need to find out who Hades is, so I have high hopes for Book 3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Violence
Reverse Harem
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the funny commentary, the friendship between the four girls, and Alex's assholey demeanour. The book was interested because at first when you read it it seems like its just gonna be light or superficial; but it actually goes into some deep themes about finding strength in others and yourself; healing from betrayal and giving yourself the space to do so; and how you can still find light in the world no matter what.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It hurts to rate this book so low as it was one of my favourite books for so long. But when you grow up and read one of your old favourites with an adult gaze, you kinda see the characters differently. Specifically Cat. She has such badass moments in the series, but especially in this book she irritated me so much I had to put the book down for like a month and only read it while walking so I didn't throw it out of the window. Don, Tate, Annette, Justina (gag), they sucked before, and suck now. Bones, bestie, you deserve better. Ian, you made the book; no matter if you were a dickhead. Mencheres, an icon. Spade, a legend. Rodney, iconic. Kinda missed Ted. Denise, you're so sweet and so naive.
It is in this book that so many critical characters are introduced and it's this book that sets the rest of the series up. However, the way this series is being written at this stage is so goddamn irritating (e.g. the characters choices (cough, looking at you Cat, how much of an idiot can you be - but we did hopefully see some character development at the end)).
The two great scenes in this are however:
"Hallo Kitten"
and the cat fight between Annette and Cat
oh and there are some iconic funny quotes - Jeaniene does do some funny internal dialogue
It is in this book that so many critical characters are introduced and it's this book that sets the rest of the series up. However, the way this series is being written at this stage is so goddamn irritating (e.g. the characters choices (cough, looking at you Cat, how much of an idiot can you be - but we did hopefully see some character development at the end)).
The two great scenes in this are however:
"Hallo Kitten"
and the cat fight between Annette and Cat
oh and there are some iconic funny quotes - Jeaniene does do some funny internal dialogue