kyras_reads's reviews
394 reviews

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This did not have any business being as good as it was. How did she manage to cram such an amazing story in so few pages?! I could have read a full length book about Seth & Charlotte (honestly, Gabe & Izzy too). The banter was off the charts!

Abby Jimenez has such a great sense of humor and knows exactly how to write it into her books. This was a great little story to fill the void until her next book. I really don’t know what she puts in these but I know I need more!

Tropes:
Neighbors
Forced Proximity
Meet-Cute
Banter for Days
Protective MMC

Spice: ❌
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

While this book wasn’t at all what I expected going in, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I really anticipated this to feel more geared towards the romance aspect but it almost felt secondary to the plot and Ridley’s journey for justice/answers and I honestly think that’s what made it special. 

While there was romance, it took its time and the two of them built a friendship and really took the time to get to know one another. The slow burn of this one felt almost necessary so it didn’t take away from the important issues at hand. 

The main characters and this town of people were both a joy to experience. It was all the small town vibes I want from a book. From the nosey townsfolk to the MMC being a cranky yet overprotective sheriff. 

The mystery aspect of this was really well done and I was genuinely on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened. 

Tropes: 
Forced Proximity
Grumpy x Sunshine
Sheriff/True Crime Podcaster
Small Town
Romantic Suspense

Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Okay, first and foremost… I WAS SWOONING. This literally made me feel the anticipation of a teenager with a crush. These characters are some of my favorites of all time and this was sheer perfection! 

Lucie was a unique character. She’s got the whole “different than other girls” things going for her but not in the awful, played out way. Aiden had some hang-ups but really came through in the end. He was such a sweetheart and I don’t think I would’ve loved this book so much if we didn’t get his POV. He’s precious. 

It felt so much like these were real people and I grew so attached to them. I hope we get to see them pop up a little more in this series.

Tropes:
Single Mom
He Falls First
Hopeless Romantic FMC
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn


Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Little Nightmare by Melissa McSherry, Dana LeeAnn

Go to review page

2.0

Two stars feels generous because no. Just… no. 
That is all. 

HA! KIDDING. I’M ACTUALLY PISSED I EVEN MADE MYSELF FINISH THIS BOOK AND I FEEL BAMBOOZLED!

This book is unhinged and not in a good or fun dark romance way. I could go on and on about how repetitive it was and how bad the storyline and characters were but honestly the things that ticked me off the most were that her stupid fucking friend just accepts “imma go travel with this near stranger and I need you to not question me” and is like “okay, bestie.” WHAT?! 

And then Cara gets JEALOUS about Emily and yet SHARES HIM WITH HER BEFORE OFFING HER? No. Pissed me smooth off. 

Anyway. From the hostage situation, to the board games to the creamed corn… this was godawful. And after that last 20 pages or so, I’m actually so mad at myself for not DNFing.

Tropes:
Stockholm
Captive/Captor
Stalker
Obsessed MMC
He Falls First

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Carving for Cara by Melissa McSherry, Dana LeeAnn

Go to review page

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

This was way better than I expected. I thought it was a decent premise for a stalker and the execution was actually pretty good. We got to know a little about the characters and see their personalities before diving into the unhinged madness. Little crazy with the killing but it’s supposed to be romantic, right? 

Overall, didn’t absolutely love it, didn’t dislike it and definitely moving on to the second book because now I’m invested!

Tropes:
Stalker
Possessive/Obsessive MMC
Meet-Cute
Masked MMC
Dub-Con

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Scream For Us by Molly Doyle

Go to review page

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

This was genuinely awful. From the writing to the “plot” if you can even call it that. The characters were lackluster and the story progression and timeline makes zero sense even for something as short as this was. And I’m all for a book built for spice but that is all it was and it wasn’t good spice. All I did was cringe. FOMO got me good on this one. 

Tropes:
Masked Men
MFMM 
Revenge

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Skin of a Sinner by Avina St. Graves

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Say hello to my favorite trope… childhood friends to lovers to the extreme because they are obsessed with each other. But like he is… OBSESSED. Every waking thought and action revolves around his girl. 

Honestly, this was dark and toxic as hell… but I ATE IT UP and loved every bit of it. There was the perfect amount of sweet and humor to balance out all the darkness. They were simultaneous the worst thing for each other and yet the only thing that made life worth living. 

This story made me feel sad, hopeful, happy and it made my heart hurt in the best and worst ways. For whatever reason, reading stories about two people who are totally and utterly consumed with one another are my favorite. Those red flags are looking mighty green from who're I stand! 

Tropes: 
Damsel FMC
OBSESSED MMC
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Morally Grey/Masked MMC
“Touch Her and Die”

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

These two were an absolute delight! Which, I knew beforehand because we got a little sneak peek in the other books but I loved them more than I thought I would. It was chaotic and sweet and way more emotional than I expected. 

I’d say this is my second favorite book in the series, I liked it more than L&L but a little less than B&B. Not that they aren’t all fantastic but this one was something different. These two and their little old lady hobbies made me chuckle so many times. 

I’m a little sad this universe may be coming to an end but that epilogue (okay, epilogues) may have been the best part because these brothers are honestly the best when they’re together and I’m so glad we got another scene with them being the crazies they are. I had a blast! From the murder and mayhem to the questionable use of cotton candy.

Tropes:
Doctor/Patient
Serial Killer FMC
Friends with Benefits
Forced Proximity
Hurt/Care 

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Ali Hazelwood is without a doubt one of my comfort authors. Maybe not in the warm hug kind of way but I know I can expect humor and wit and an enjoyable story with smart characters that feel realistic. 

I enjoyed this book so much! I’m a little sad I didn’t go in more blind and have some surprises but I got to it a few days too late to avoid any spoilers.

I think the only dynamic I wasn’t a huge fan of was the best friend’s ex situation and how that felt. Especially the farther into the book I got. 

Lukas was a little different than the usual MMC’s of this universe but wow did I love that! Scarlett was my favorite though, which usually doesn’t happen. I can probably count on both hands the amount of times I’ve actually liked an FMC over an MMC in a romance book… but I loved Vandy the whole way through. 

Bonus!! We got a cameo from some of her other characters, which I LOVE.

And listen… is there spice in this book? Yes. Is it particularly kinky? No… genuinely don’t think there’s almost any but it’s also possible that my kink meter is a little off. I read some wild stuff sometimes. But the spice was definitely spicin’ in this one! 

Tropes
Sports Romance 
He Falls First
Secret Relationship
Slow Burn
Best Friend’s Ex

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Once again, HBY writes a book that knows how to throw a gut punch. I was so anxious and emotional for the last few chapters of this book, which I didn’t expect early on. Even though I can directly relate to Sarah, she said so many profound things that I FELT deeply. 

The humor and banter was definitely a plus here, as always. And the people we got to meet on the retreat were fantastic. I loved the entire setup of this outdoor retreat for two very not outdoorsy people and how much they struggled to stay off of each other. The tension and slow burn here was perfect. NO NOTES!

This story wasn’t easy, it hits close to home with a lot of women. Those who have been in a long term relationship and become complacent in their day to day and decide they need a change. Being able to build back that intention into a relationship with someone you spend your life with is always a journey.

I enjoy HBY so much because her stories feel real and always like they came from real life experiences. They work through issues and relationship/family dynamics that people tend to have so often. 

Also… Caleb is just a sweetheart. And he wears glasses. LOVE. 

Tropes:
High-School Sweethearts
Slow Burn
Found Family
Forced Proximity
MMC w/ Glasses

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Expand filter menu Content Warnings