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sdupont's reviews
492 reviews
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I typically love a second chance romance. The tension, the angst, the work to build something new are my favorite elements. Unfortunately this book did not fully deliver. While I enjoyed the premise I didn’t feel like Charlotte and Brighton were ready for their second chance. I didn’t find that their communication was strong or that either really put in the work on their own issues. I wanted more out of the both of them. I found myself more interested in the side characters and their possible love stories rather than the main couple.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, and Religious bigotry
My December Darling by Lauren Asher
emotional
funny
medium-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
5.0
What a perfect holiday romance! Despite being a novella this story is well written with fleshed out characters. I loved how sweet Luke was, he was so thoughtful about meeting Catalina where she was at while making his feelings and intentions clear. Catalina might seem like an ice queen to the world but she really is just as soft and vulnerable as everyone else. I loved seeing her open herself up to Luke. They had great chemistry. Honorable mention to Aiden and Gabriela for their matchmaking efforts. I recommend this for a fun festive read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Minor: Death
All I Want is You by Falon Ballard
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Who doesn’t love a snowed in one bed trope to help kick that second chance romance into drive? This book offers up a wintery backdrop that will have you wanting to be curled up by the fire while reading. Despite being a second chance romance, I felt that this book did not have enough tension between the characters. Some of this is due to only one knowing why the break up happened (which turned out to be not very dramatic in the end). I just wanted to feel the angst and conflict more. I found the book to be breeze to get through, but just didn’t feel that emotional connection I prefer for a second chance romance. I recommend this for anyone looking for a Hallmark Christmas vibe.
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
The Official Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book by Taylor Swift
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book is filled with the most gorgeous photos from the tour. I loved the little pieces of insight from Taylor that I hadn’t picked up yet. It was great seeing the sketches of the costumes in comparison to the final products. Her love letters to the fans had me in my feelings for sure. This tour and Taylor have had such an impact on my life. This book is perfect for the Swiftie in your life!
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
While I know this is a short story the pacing was extremely fast, with a very instalove feel. I love the concept of this and wish it was a little longer to be able to flesh things out slightly. I enjoyed the story it was fun and lighthearted but honestly did not feel very christmassy. I’m a big fan of Alexandria though so I am ready for when she releases her next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Stay by Willow Aster
emotional
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
4.75
I just knew Sutton’s book would come out on top! What is not to love about a small town single dad x nanny romance? Sutton is exactly what you expect a small town judge to be- honorable and responsible. Felicity is sweet and caring and sensitive. She is looking to find her way career-wise and ended up finding a family instead. Her relationship with Owen is so heartwarming. They just click together in the sweetest way. I loved the tension between Sutton and Felicity but I love when his willpower snapped even more. This book was fabulous and I didn't want to put it down. My only qualm was Tracy and how unresolved things felt with her. Aside from that I loved this book. I recommend this for fans of the single dad x nanny trope.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Falling by Willow Aster
emotional
funny
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? No
4.5
Willow really got it right with this one. Definitely a favorite of the series so far. We love a hot af farmer (grumpy or otherwise) and Callum is no different! Ruby is just the sweetest, truly sunshine like her middle name. I loved seeing how quickly Callum opened up to Ruby and showed off this other side he had been hiding. Callum is such a caretaker- what a babe. The third act conflict was v dramatic in comparison to the overall low angst book but it worked well. I recommend this for fans of a runaway bride or small town farmer trope. This family keeps getting better and better in each book, I can’t wait to read the last installment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia
Irresistible by Willow Aster
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? No
4.25
This book is great for anyone looking for a low angst small town romance. I liked Wyatt and Marlow but honestly my favorite part of the book had to be Wyatt and Dakota’s relationship. It was just so sweet and heartwarming seeing their connection and love. I do wish that Marlow was a better communicator and didn’t hold things in as much. With as supportive as Wyatt was I found it frustrating. Despite that I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans of single parent romances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Someday by Willow Aster
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
4.0
This book is an emotional second chance. You really are rooting for the characters to find their way back to each other right away. I liked Theo and Sofie they clearly have a deep love but are also a little co-pendent. They both needed a little therapy to deal with their traumas and that is something that was lacking from the story. I found this to be a solid romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
Unforgettable by Willow Aster
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This book had me wishing I was curled up by the fire at a ski lodge. We love a rivals to lovers that starts off with a bang (literally). I enjoyed Scarlett and Jamison as a couple. There was some great tension at the beginning. I do wish they communicated a little earlier to help speed the plot along as it started to drag a little around 2/3 of the way in. I am interested to see what happens next in this small town.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
Minor: Death and Death of parent