peedsreads's reviews
483 reviews

Crossed by Emily McIntire

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am surprised how much I enjoyed this book! Pretty much listened to it in one sitting.  Step aside, Scarred, I have a new favorite Never After book.

I really think it's just because he was a priest. Also the first time a French accent (specifically in audiobook format) has been sexy on a man.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR SA!
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 My first queer historical romance! I NEED MORE! (Will be diving into Olivia Waite's backlist STAT.)

That being said it was all very mid. I loved the chemistry, the insight into sapphic love of yore, and the science/career storyline. However nothing was super exciting or thrilling. 
Once and Always by Elizabeth Hoyt, Julia Harper

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-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

2.5

It was fine. I think I just need to stick with her historical romances.
Keep Me by Sara Cate

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emotional 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

3.25

I love that it’s the contemporary romance version of my beloved historical romances!!!
The Last Twelve Miles: A Novel by Erika Robuck

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

 Interesting subject (I've never read or learned anything about the Rum Smugglers or the Coast Guard's efforts to cut it off), but the plot was too uneventful to keep me engaged.

An easy read though! 
Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

3.0

I really liked this one. Probably my third favorite. But it had the childhood friends/crush to lovers arc with the opposites attract and dangerous man elements that often hit with me.

I have noticed that the later books in this series rely on the "foreplay" or flirtation in earlier books to believe the couple in the book and we don't get to see the relationships develop and then are left with insta-love.  It's just not as satisfying.  I will say that for this one it felt better because of the complexity and longevity of their past and that they were still kept apart through this plot.  It was very much a book about her accepting her feelings for him instead of developing them.

Anyway, fun with better plot than most of them and maybe my favorite steamy scenes.  LOTS of blood and violence in this one though.
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

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mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Just like with Sea of Tranquility, the first half I was bored and curious how people like literary fiction. Then in the second half I was intrigued and super absorbed. Then after finishing the book I realized I liked it.
The Toy King by Adriana Herrera

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lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

2.5

solid smutty holiday novella

I might have liked it more than the first in the series but it brought in fated mates out of no where so I am a sucker
The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren

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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

3.0

Super fun and flirty! All I needed from this couple. I just wish there had been a little more at the end with them all loved up. But it's instant, and abrupt. But it's a novella!

Also I know everyone loves duet narration, but it's not my thing :/
For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? No

3.0

This was my first contemporary romance by Elizabeth Hoyt (aka Julia Harper).  Since she's been MIA forever. (THOUGH SHE'S BACK NEXT WEEK!!!)

it was a romantic suspense. I actually loved the romance and chemistry and dual pov.  But it was insta-lust/love.  But the months of knowing of each other as neighbors helped that.

The suspense storyline SUCKED.

Not the spiciest, but still a couple scenes.

I'll continue with the series.  Definitely dated in the 2010s with language.  According to Reddit "swarthy" is not a rude term, but I think being raised by a tribe of self-critical women, it has a negative connotation for me.