Scan barcode
katieb94's reviews
724 reviews
Ocean's Justice by Demelza Carlton
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
With it being put as a Little Mermiad retelling, I went into this book expecting mermaids and sirens, and was disappointed that we only got that content at the end! I was waiting the entire book for her fin!
The story follows Maria, a siren banished from her home, rescued by a sailor and taken aboard a ship.
The other sailors freak out as they think she’ll bring bad luck apart from two, Charlie, an apprentice with a bit of a crush on her, and William, a Scottish sailor that she instantly falls for- and we see their romance develop throughout the book.
However, yes there is a steamy scene but it’s instantly followed by our MC raping her love interest. He’s asleep, he can’t consent, that’s rape. There’s no pint glossing over it in the name of romantacy.
The writing style wasn’t great and I found this really hard to read but the ending was dramatic and is the reason for the extra half star!
As much as I am curious about the rest of the series I know I won’t be continuing it.
2.5/5 stars.
However, at least it ticks of one of my popsugar challenges!
The story follows Maria, a siren banished from her home, rescued by a sailor and taken aboard a ship.
The other sailors freak out as they think she’ll bring bad luck apart from two, Charlie, an apprentice with a bit of a crush on her, and William, a Scottish sailor that she instantly falls for- and we see their romance develop throughout the book.
However, yes there is a steamy scene but it’s instantly followed by our MC raping her love interest. He’s asleep, he can’t consent, that’s rape. There’s no pint glossing over it in the name of romantacy.
The writing style wasn’t great and I found this really hard to read but the ending was dramatic and is the reason for the extra half star!
As much as I am curious about the rest of the series I know I won’t be continuing it.
2.5/5 stars.
However, at least it ticks of one of my popsugar challenges!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal death and Alcohol
Supergirl, Volume 2: Breaking the Chain by Joe Kelly
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
The blossoming romance in this book was really cute.
Both of them made excuses to try and talk to each other so it didn’t feel like it was forced or came out of nowhere like with some of the other novellas in this series.
The characters felt rounded and it felt great when they actually got together and did the dirty. They deserved happiness
4/5
Both of them made excuses to try and talk to each other so it didn’t feel like it was forced or came out of nowhere like with some of the other novellas in this series.
The characters felt rounded and it felt great when they actually got together and did the dirty. They deserved happiness
4/5
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The MC is a bit accident prone, so it’s no surprise that she keeps being rescued by the same hunky fireman all the time. It was a bit predictable that they would end up having some sexy times. It’s the final chapter- they do it and then the book ends.
That’s it
No relationship or fast forward to see where they end up- just wham bam and end.
Wasn’t the biggest fan of this one.
That’s it
No relationship or fast forward to see where they end up- just wham bam and end.
Wasn’t the biggest fan of this one.
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I felt this book was really slow, the monologue in regards to Nina talking about her crush and it took ages for her to realise that he wasn’t actually with her friend.
There is mention that she was previously married but not a lot of detail. I know it is only a novella but I want more backstory! Why did they get divorced? What was his name? How long were they married?
Context matters!
Yes it’s steamy in one part of the book
And that is probably the best part of it.
2.5/5 stars
There is mention that she was previously married but not a lot of detail. I know it is only a novella but I want more backstory! Why did they get divorced? What was his name? How long were they married?
Context matters!
Yes it’s steamy in one part of the book
And that is probably the best part of it.
2.5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Oooh this book was steamy!!
I loved this book much more than the first in this series of Novellas (Cruel Winter with You)
The characters of Luke and Evie felt much more rounded and with Evie having a son made their love story feel more generic.
They were very cute together
It was only cringey when Luke described himself as being big- it’s that sort of romance though haha
This is why I don’t read a lot of chick lit anymore because of the cringey descriptions of the men being huge.
I really enjoyed this one!
5/5 stars
I loved this book much more than the first in this series of Novellas (Cruel Winter with You)
The characters of Luke and Evie felt much more rounded and with Evie having a son made their love story feel more generic.
They were very cute together
It was only cringey when Luke described himself as being big- it’s that sort of romance though haha
This is why I don’t read a lot of chick lit anymore because of the cringey descriptions of the men being huge.
I really enjoyed this one!
5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
This was a super cute friends to lovers short story. I love a good festive book. Out of the two characters, Marc seems more emotional than Jamie, she doesn’t really have a good experience with romance with her dad having lots of girlfriends so I understood why she was reluctant to start a relationship.
But she didn’t really have much of a character.
Being stuck together in a storm is a good way to bring them together.
It’s slightly steamy at the end which I know Ali Hazelwood is known for.
I can’t say much more considering it’s only 73 pages but I did enjoy it.
But she didn’t really have much of a character.
Being stuck together in a storm is a good way to bring them together.
It’s slightly steamy at the end which I know Ali Hazelwood is known for.
I can’t say much more considering it’s only 73 pages but I did enjoy it.
Supergirl: Way of the World by Ron Randall, Kelley Puckett, Drew Edward Johnson, Ray Snyder
adventurous
funny
inspiring
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Christmas at Conwenna Cove by Darcie Boleyn
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Although Christmas is in the title, this book focuses more on the romance than Christmas itself which features in a few chapters.
The story follows Grace, whose parents have just moved to Conwenna Cove and Oli, a windowed vet with two kids who is still grieving, and how they are bought together through a small community.
It’s a really cute romance but it takes a while to grow, and although this is realistic for a romance, Grace wasn’t sure if she was going to stay or go back to Cardiff and this got mentioned a lot and she used this as an excuse as to try not to get too close.
There was uncertainty which was human but otherwise I felt like this made the story drag a bit.
I also felt like the 11 year old was written with a voice far older than she seemed. The five year old’s characterisation was great though, he was absolutely adorable.
Also with Oli being a vet there was lots of animal content.
I’ve given it a 3.5/5 stars because it was a slow start and I wanted more Christmas! That’s just me though, it was a good book and the romance was great but it’s not one I’d re-read even though it made me warm inside.
I’d recommend it!
The story follows Grace, whose parents have just moved to Conwenna Cove and Oli, a windowed vet with two kids who is still grieving, and how they are bought together through a small community.
It’s a really cute romance but it takes a while to grow, and although this is realistic for a romance, Grace wasn’t sure if she was going to stay or go back to Cardiff and this got mentioned a lot and she used this as an excuse as to try not to get too close.
There was uncertainty which was human but otherwise I felt like this made the story drag a bit.
I also felt like the 11 year old was written with a voice far older than she seemed. The five year old’s characterisation was great though, he was absolutely adorable.
Also with Oli being a vet there was lots of animal content.
I’ve given it a 3.5/5 stars because it was a slow start and I wanted more Christmas! That’s just me though, it was a good book and the romance was great but it’s not one I’d re-read even though it made me warm inside.
I’d recommend it!
This Winter by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Such a cute little festive Novella featuring Charlie, Tori, Oliver and Nick. Perfect as an extra little story featuring the Heartstopper characters. It’s really short but filled with emotion and I really enjoyed it!