peedsreads's reviews
483 reviews

The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco by Talia Hibbert

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lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

3.5

 A HOT NEW BOMBSHELL ENTERS THE VILLA, AND TICKS ALL MY BOXES ;)

-HE FALLS FIRST
-LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT (nice way of saying insta love)
-BI REP
- NEURODIVERGENT MMC
-FAKE DATING (DUH)
-CURVY & CONFIDENT FMC
-SPANISH VILLA HOLIDAY
-MILLIONAIRE FOOTBALLER MMC
-TOO MANY "AGAPE MOU"S TO COUNT
-UNFILTERED & UNINHIBITED SPICY SCENES

Not my favorite story, but per usual Talia knocks my socks off!!

thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the audiobook galley in exchange for an honest review 
Girls with Bright Futures by Wendy Katzman, Tracy Dobmeier

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

3.0

 By the end of the book I was ON BOARD! But the first half was kind of painful for me. It's not because it's bad, it's just not my genre. If you like mama-drama and the college admissions antics at a cut-throat private school, you'll love this! Honestly, it just disgusted me.

But it was fun and most of the second half I did not want to stop! 
Cinder Luna by Marie Soleil

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
It was VERRRRRRY cheesy.  I don't want to get sucked in just to hate on it.  This is not for me.  I also thought it was going to have an Asian American element, but it does not.  I also found out it's closed door.
Here for the Wrong Reasons by Lydia Wang, Annabel Paulsen

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

3.5

I loved the characters and the premise (and the steamy chemistry between K and L)!  But I wish there had been a little more development on the main characters and their relationship. I liked the few tender and vulnerable moments we got to see between them, but needed more to be convinced it was the intense "love" story we rooted for in the end.

While some of the contestants, bachelor nation references, and storylines had me rolling my eyes, they were spot on and I think some readers will love them!  I found it most frustrating that the big third act conflict came from such an obvious manipulation that the Lauryn (I'm not sure of the spelling because I listened to the audiobook) character should have seen through.  It was out of character to buy into the shit stirring.

It pushed me into the deep rabbit hole that is the now-openly-queer bachelor nation contestants (and I'm not bad about it).

I recommend if you're looking for a fun and steamy NA sapphic romance and love reality dating shows.  But I think if you're not looking for that specifically, this could be a bit of a miss.  I had to constantly remind myself how young the girls were.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Temple of Persephone by Isabella Kamal

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

3.25

"...and she felt a thrill shoot up her spine at his admission.  He'd wanted this.  He'd wanted her.  The day they met at Gallows' Gate. Her! Undesirable, unlovable Persephone who had paled in comparison to the lovely Venus her entire life.  That she felt any surprise at all, made her realize how often her mind refused to accept the simple truth, 'Persephone Honeyfield had never been one to attract affection.'  What a terrible belief to hold on to, and what a difficult belief to shake."

I really enjoyed this audiobook.  It's a marriage of convenience with two outcast main characters, what's not to love?!  Parts felt a little formulaic and forced (which is not bad! I love the formula!!!), but it just didn't stand out that much, or took me out of the story I guess.  I think the author wanted to make this "big scary secret" for Aiden and it just didn't hit, but it'd be harder to go darker without shifting the tone.  It was a solid Hades/Persephone re-imagining, but like meh? idk.

thank you Netgalley for the audiobook galley in exchange for an honest review.
A Storybook Wedding by KJ Micciche

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

This was such a delightful surprise of a book!  It has the witty bibliophiles of Emily Henry with a little extra cheese factor, but it grows to a more squeal-worthy happily ever after.

I really enjoyed the "book about publishing a book" element because it really dove into the nitty gritty of becoming a debut author without getting bogged down in the weeds.  (I saved some of the resources mentioned.) And the low-res MFA program with delightful small-town characters was a nice balance to the main characters' NYC everyday lives.

Neither character was perfect and I loved that. There were times when each of them handled situations less than ideally, but the way they continued on and remained themselves gave it a genuine feel in an otherwise storybook love story.

thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audiobook galley in exchange for an honest review.
The Lady Plays with Fire by Susanna Craig

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adventurous emotional 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

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH. brb, gotta run to read Susannaa's backlist.  I loved the dynamic of grumpy-sunshine and theater lovers and how their writing was foreplay without them even knowing.

There was so much dramatic irony in this story (with the secret identities) which usually would annoy me, but it worked soooo well.

There was a little miscommunication but she didn't let that be the conflict, just more angst.

No full third act break up but still plenty of conflict.

The audiobook was so good! At first I was worried Julia's accent was going to be an issue, but it worked in the end.

I was also v hot.
Not That Duke by Eloisa James

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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

I am surprised how much I loved this one.  I think Stella and Silvester stole my heart in unexpected ways.  I think Stella's whole "knowledge" that she's not a lady who stirs lust or adoration without ever throwing a pity party for herself could irritate some readers, but I found it eerily relatable.  The first half lining up with the Reluctant Countess was kind of annoying, but also it worked.  He needs to work on his communication, but what's new?

THE TOGA PARTY SCENE??????????????????????????????? wow, something so scandalously NON-SCANDELOUS has never effected me so.
Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath

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emotional lighthearted relaxing 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

3.75

3.75
Loved the pacing and the characters
Will definitely read more by this author

Part of my TTPD binge read
Lauren's Barbarian by Ruby Dixon

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adventurous lighthearted 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? No

3.0

Another series on Not-Hoth? sign me up!

another summer of alien love