marisabenn's reviews
171 reviews

Bourbon & Secrets by Victoria Wilder

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emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Wow, this was not a great follow-up to the first book. I did not like Faye at all and found her character to be pretty flat. She and Lincoln were nothing but red flags. 

Also,
how is covering up a murder, actual murder, and actively spying on your partner and his family all okay with zero issues?!


Also also,
the private investigation storyline all seems POINTLESS when the guy she was following around different states for wasn't even the main target?! And this auction that was a major plot point was NOTHING?!
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Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder

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emotional mysterious medium-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

5.0

What a great start to the new year! I completely devoured this. The banter, the looming mystery, the spice, and even better... no third act breakup or miscommunication 🙌 this is definitely a series I will be continuing. 
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Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

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

4.5

The best in this small series! I so wish this was a full length book. If there was more time to flesh out the romance and even more chaos, I could definitely see this being a 5 star book. 
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All by My Elf by Olivia Dade

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

3.25

This was pretty cringe. Only 50 pages and we have grown adults (nearly 40) who don't communicate? Like I said, cringe. 
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Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

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

3.75

This would be a good full length novel, but it felt very unbelievable as a novella. I really liked both of the main characters, but there just wasn't enough time for the story that was being told.
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Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

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

3.75

A quick read to get to my reading goal. This was okay enough. Unfortunately, like with most novellas, there isn't a lot of development or chemistry. 
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A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

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dark emotional tense slow-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

I absolutely loved all of the characters in this one. Everyone had their story, their strengths, their character development. This was a solid and well written third act. I'm excited for the final book and getting to know the side characters more.
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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark emotional 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

5.0

REREAD

This books makes me nervous for the rest of the series because it's just SO GOOD

The agony. The joy. The love. The heartbreak. All of it is so perfectly well done. And the cast of character each have a story and a part.

So good. So, so good.
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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

RE-READ 
I forgot how utterly boring this is until Under the Mountain. If it weren't for that, this would be getting a MUCH lower rating. I actually skimmed or fully skipped some chapters this time around because nothing of use was happening.

I want to get this series finished before the end of the year, and I really hope this is the worst book.
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If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth

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funny 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? No

4.5

This was cute! I was really worried the entire thing was going to be a huge miscommunication trope, but thankfully it's cleared up really quick in the beginning.

I was pretty annoyed at Jules for most of this. She felt pretty childish about not wanting to ever date again after her own misjudgement of a situation. Thankfully sweet golden retriever Nate is a patient perfect man.

This was a quick and sweet read to get me in the Christmas spirit ✨️
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