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merricats_cuppa_tea's reviews
262 reviews
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
When I first found out about this book, I was intrigued by the idea of an age gap ‘boyfriend’s dad’ type deal. Stuff like that is always fun to read in between High Fantasy books filled with Shadow-Daddies & Fae. I was quick to grab it and start it. At first things were going good.. then it started to slow down, then my enjoyment came to a complete halt.
It’s not to say that the book is bad, I will start off by saying that much. It’s more.. the story wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I understand the age gap, and I understood Jordan having her teenage tantrums even if I did find them a bit over bratty at times. But what I didn’t understand was Pike having them too at his age, left me (who’s younger than Pike by only a few years) being like “Really, Dude?”
As with most romance books, you always have one or two moments where everyone’s problems would have been solved if someone just communicated with the other. This book had more than just two and it got to be a little bit predictable. The story had moments it was going by fast, and I didn’t want to stop reading, and then there was a big moment about 65% through I just wanted to stop and I did for about three days. But A friend said to finish reading it and I will admit I did sit and finish out the rest of the book in one sitting before writing this.
It wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t a great book either, The ending did start to feel a little rushed but I did get enjoyments out of peeks into their lives. This was my first of Penelope’s books, and It will probably be my last. Not to say she’s a bad writer and no hate on her, this story just ended up not being my cuppa tea.
3 ⭐️’s For me
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? N/A
5.0
First book of 2025 Complete, and do I have thoughts! To start, I found this book incredible and a fresh take on the Faerie/Fae Genre. I found Saeris very likable and could resonate with her in quite a few aspects of her and her life (Can’t say exactly because Spoilers, Darling) Kingfisher is easily topping the charts as the latest and one of the best book boyfriends. Several of the Characters honestly hit special spots in my heart, especially a few that came in later in the book, and I loved them just as much.
The difference in the characters, the storyline, the plot, the narration, the twists and shocks, all of it was such a wonderful experience to read, I spent nearly 90% of my day on New Year’s Day reading because I didn’t want to put it down. I cannot wait until the Next book in the series and getting sucked right back into the world all over again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Easily
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
With this my 25th book of the year is complete I hit my reading goal and I honestly could not have asked for a better book.
I’d been in a reading slump since Late August Early September, but I knew I just had to get more book in. I started this the other day, but was really able to start reading yesterday and couldn’t put it down to the point it was 7 am this morning when I finished.
I loved absolute every moment of this book. The Banter Between Ethan and Maggie, (or should I say ‘Marcie’) was phenomenal. The mystery and the intrigue was incredible, I laughed so much and was on the edge of my seat at the same time. Do yourself a favor and read this immediately!
Easily a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating
I’d been in a reading slump since Late August Early September, but I knew I just had to get more book in. I started this the other day, but was really able to start reading yesterday and couldn’t put it down to the point it was 7 am this morning when I finished.
I loved absolute every moment of this book. The Banter Between Ethan and Maggie, (or should I say ‘Marcie’) was phenomenal. The mystery and the intrigue was incredible, I laughed so much and was on the edge of my seat at the same time. Do yourself a favor and read this immediately!
Easily a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? No
5.0
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
4.0
It can sometimes be a little slow but at the same time I feel like Hannah is a heroine I can relate to, with her normal (average looks) and she gets to run a business and solve murders (accidentally) it's a fun read when other things are too dark to read