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rileys417's reviews
786 reviews
Caught Stealing by CE Ricci
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Fun, but forgettable.
The “cheating” was a grey area, kind of sort of but not really cheating.
But it was hiding the truth from someone who was under the impression, so it kind of counts.
Both MC’s are different but basically the same.
Holden is a golden retriever play boy jock, with a hidden emo music side.
Phoenix is a broody jock, not hidden emo music side.
The forbidden aspect was fun, the pining looks. Holden and phoenix trying to get under each others skin.
The “cheating” was a grey area, kind of sort of but not really cheating.
But it was hiding the truth from someone who was under the impression, so it kind of counts.
Both MC’s are different but basically the same.
Holden is a golden retriever play boy jock, with a hidden emo music side.
Phoenix is a broody jock, not hidden emo music side.
The forbidden aspect was fun, the pining looks. Holden and phoenix trying to get under each others skin.
Taming 7 by Chloe Walsh
emotional
sad
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
3.75
If Lizzie has no haters, then I am dead.
While this was supposed to be about Gibsie and Claire, Lizzie’s arc took up a lot of this book. While her and gib’s story is intertwined, it was still a lot. And I am not sure where she got off telling Claire how to live her life and trying to dictate who she should date.
Lizzie was absolutely awful. I get the pain and the hurt she had but that was truly truly terrible. She acted awfully the entire time.
ANYWAY.
Gibsie is adorable and precious and must be protected at all cost. The co-parenting with Claire and their animals. He was so sweet and sincere. He really did love Claire a lot. She is his safe place.
This felt like a book leading up to something, and not the entire story dedicated to Gibsie and Claire. (I heard or read
This is the only book for them) I needed more. We had so much of their friendship but not enough of their typical antics we saw in the previous books. Not a lot of them being together as a couple. I need a second book for them that’s dedicated to them as a couple and being their goofy selves.
I loved the little bits and pieces we saw of Johnny and Shan, Joey and Aoife.
While this was supposed to be about Gibsie and Claire, Lizzie’s arc took up a lot of this book. While her and gib’s story is intertwined, it was still a lot. And I am not sure where she got off telling Claire how to live her life and trying to dictate who she should date.
Lizzie was absolutely awful. I get the pain and the hurt she had but that was truly truly terrible. She acted awfully the entire time.
ANYWAY.
Gibsie is adorable and precious and must be protected at all cost. The co-parenting with Claire and their animals. He was so sweet and sincere. He really did love Claire a lot. She is his safe place.
This felt like a book leading up to something, and not the entire story dedicated to Gibsie and Claire. (I heard or read
This is the only book for them) I needed more. We had so much of their friendship but not enough of their typical antics we saw in the previous books. Not a lot of them being together as a couple. I need a second book for them that’s dedicated to them as a couple and being their goofy selves.
I loved the little bits and pieces we saw of Johnny and Shan, Joey and Aoife.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide
Sem by Cora Rose
4.0
Sem and Magnus were cute!
I’m enjoyed the over the top opposites attract in this series.
Sem is a broody redneck with stalker tendencies but he just wants Maggie to be himself, and I like how supportive and encouraging he is to not change himself to make others comfortable.
I’m enjoyed the over the top opposites attract in this series.
Sem is a broody redneck with stalker tendencies but he just wants Maggie to be himself, and I like how supportive and encouraging he is to not change himself to make others comfortable.
His Curvy Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
While as a whole the story was decent, I needed more grovelling for how poorly Alec treated Flora during the “secret hookup in the woods and school” era. He never really explains or apologizes.
And Flora; just kind of accepts it as is?
While I liked that she was plus size, and kind of handled the bullies and tormentors in her own way; and yes Alec always saw her as soft and pretty, he doesn’t make sense to me.
And Flora; just kind of accepts it as is?
While I liked that she was plus size, and kind of handled the bullies and tormentors in her own way; and yes Alec always saw her as soft and pretty, he doesn’t make sense to me.
Want You Still by CE Ricci, Marley Valentine
While I did enjoy the angst in this, I don’t love the cheating.
The woman who got cheated on, did absolutely nothing wrong and didn’t deserve what happened to her.
We knew in the prologue that one of the MC’s was married, and that they still kissed and knew it was wrong but did it anyway.
I thought I could look past it, but the woman, didn’t deserve it.
I also found that between the prologue and first couple of chapters I kept getting confused on who was who. Both were sort of similar, but I couldn’t get it straight in my head which personality belonged to who.
We later find out that pierce is married to will’s sister. So pierce had a thing for both siblings without the other knowing.
It was a very grand and shocking reveal, but generally knocked a star down because the sister did nothing wrong and I don’t love cheating.
Cheating is never ok in real life but in the fantasy of books it’s only rarely ok.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The woman who got cheated on, did absolutely nothing wrong and didn’t deserve what happened to her.
We knew in the prologue that one of the MC’s was married, and that they still kissed and knew it was wrong but did it anyway.
I thought I could look past it, but the woman, didn’t deserve it.
I also found that between the prologue and first couple of chapters I kept getting confused on who was who. Both were sort of similar, but I couldn’t get it straight in my head which personality belonged to who.
We later find out that pierce is married to will’s sister. So pierce had a thing for both siblings without the other knowing.
It was a very grand and shocking reveal, but generally knocked a star down because the sister did nothing wrong and I don’t love cheating.
Cheating is never ok in real life but in the fantasy of books it’s only rarely ok.
Whit by Cora Rose
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I devoured this. It was so cute!!! It was angsty, but charming.
Caleb was a total red neck golden retriever himbo. He was desperate for human touch, and needed to be cuddled at all times.
Whit was grouchy and stand offish. Never letting people close to him. He reluctantly allowed this cuddling after helping take care of Caleb when he was sick.
These two could not have been more opposites but they were so sweet together.
I loved every character, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series to find out more.
Caleb was a total red neck golden retriever himbo. He was desperate for human touch, and needed to be cuddled at all times.
Whit was grouchy and stand offish. Never letting people close to him. He reluctantly allowed this cuddling after helping take care of Caleb when he was sick.
These two could not have been more opposites but they were so sweet together.
I loved every character, and I’m looking forward to continuing the series to find out more.
Beyond The Bell by Ana Kirk Shaw
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
This book is amazing!!! And for a debut novel?
I absolutely loved it.
It was fun, it had great mental health rep, it shows both characters working on themselves and their flaws. And the spice was excellent.
It was a fun teacher/principal workplace romance. Throw in an age gap with some good banter and opposites attract. Chefs kiss.
Oliver’s family was overwhelming but great. I loved every character, the found family in the school, as well as overs extended family dynamic including Georgia in it.
I absolutely loved it.
It was fun, it had great mental health rep, it shows both characters working on themselves and their flaws. And the spice was excellent.
It was a fun teacher/principal workplace romance. Throw in an age gap with some good banter and opposites attract. Chefs kiss.
Oliver’s family was overwhelming but great. I loved every character, the found family in the school, as well as overs extended family dynamic including Georgia in it.
The Lone Wolf's Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I do really enjoy this series, this book was a bit mid.
Nothing spectacular but nothing really that bad about it.
Big age gap, (I think 18 years or something) he knew they were mates but stayed away because she is really young.
A lot of excusing his behaviour, for whatever reason.
It’s a fun relatively low angst shifter fated mates read and were just along for the ride
Nothing spectacular but nothing really that bad about it.
Big age gap, (I think 18 years or something) he knew they were mates but stayed away because she is really young.
A lot of excusing his behaviour, for whatever reason.
It’s a fun relatively low angst shifter fated mates read and were just along for the ride
More Than Words by Becca Neil
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
3.75
This was very heartfelt; and emotional.
I liked that we already had an established relationship between both MC’s.
Their relationship was so kind, patient, and tender. I thought Sam was so precious, and how he handled Ollie’s past assault was as perfect as I could have expected. Obviously a traumatic incident, but it was always treated with such patience and respect.
Very low spice, almost none. It was pure heart and warmth. It’s a beautiful journey for handling trauma, grief, and wading through relationship struggles together.
I liked that we already had an established relationship between both MC’s.
Their relationship was so kind, patient, and tender. I thought Sam was so precious, and how he handled Ollie’s past assault was as perfect as I could have expected. Obviously a traumatic incident, but it was always treated with such patience and respect.
Very low spice, almost none. It was pure heart and warmth. It’s a beautiful journey for handling trauma, grief, and wading through relationship struggles together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Sexual assault
Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
While this was cute and fluffy, and I liked both MC’s it was nothing spectacular.
I liked how Juliet owned her chronic illness and was still strong and mindful of her ability.
Will’s autism/neurodivergent was spoken about well.
I liked the characters separately but I didn’t feel their chemistry.
The fake dating/relationship practice whatever they called it seemed a little random and all of a sudden.
They were cute and happy but I didn’t feel it.
I liked how Juliet owned her chronic illness and was still strong and mindful of her ability.
Will’s autism/neurodivergent was spoken about well.
I liked the characters separately but I didn’t feel their chemistry.
The fake dating/relationship practice whatever they called it seemed a little random and all of a sudden.
They were cute and happy but I didn’t feel it.