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shanaepraystoo's reviews
895 reviews
Secure in the Arms of a Thug by Tatum James
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed Secure In The Arms Of A Thug Book 1 of the Dark Reign Dynasty Series by Tatum James. I haven't read an urban fiction book that grabbed my attention this way in quite a while. I'm not a big fan of a series, but this one had such great reviews that I had to give it a read. The characters aren't particularly diverse, but there's something unique about them all that keeps you reading. I'm ready for book 2.
I took one star off because I don't think the wedding, the catalyst for much of what happens in the book, should've been written as a flashback.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Drug use, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Ho! Ho! Ho!: A Christmas Short by Rilzy Adams
funny
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? No
5.0
As far as erotic shorts go, Ho! Ho! Ho! by Rilzy Adams might be one of the best - lovable characters, character development, and an engaging story that, despite being erotica, doesn’t compromise on storytelling for sexual appeal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
Promised to the Snowman by Kami Holt
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Promised To The Snowman is a fast paced arranged marriage mob story with a grumpy sunshine trope — everything I love in a romance novel. Add in the Christmas element and I was sat. I quickly read this engaging story with lovable characters. This is a solid 4 star read. hig recommend Promised To The Snowman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Gideon & Rhian: A One Eighty Christmas by Charity Shane
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Decent follow up to the One Eighty book. I wish we also learned more about Brie and Amon in this Christmas novella. I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed One Eighty.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
With Love, This Christmas by Kimberly Brown
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Awww I really liked Noelle and Kane and their families. I’m not crazy about friends to lovers romances, but this one hit its mark for sure. I highly recommend this novella to anyone who loves the friends to lovers trope, themed romances, and Kimberly Brown books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
Hood Holiday With A Chicago Menace by Dominique Nikail, Dominique Nikail
dark
emotional
fast-paced
3.0
Hood Holiday with a Chicago Menace is a solid, short read. Engaging and fast paced, I’d recommend this to staunch fans of urban fiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Christmas in Spite of You by K.C. Mills
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
I really really enjoyed K. C. Mills's book Christmas In Spite of You.
I listened to the audiobook every chance I could get because I kept thinking about the book. I wanted to listen to the story to see how it unfolded. I loved the characters and the story so much, it read just like one of my favorite Christmas movies on Hallmark. I recommend Christmas In Spite of You to anyone who likes romance novels with the forced proximity and grumpy-sunshine tropes. They're two of my favorites and I can confirm that author K. C. Mills does everything just right in Christmas In Spite of You. The book will also put you in the Christmas spirit, just what you're looking for when you read a Christmas romance novel.
Spice Rating: 3/5 -- There aren't many spicy scenes, but the few that are in the book are descriptive, vivid and overall well-written. They advance the story for sure.
I listened to the audiobook every chance I could get because I kept thinking about the book. I wanted to listen to the story to see how it unfolded. I loved the characters and the story so much, it read just like one of my favorite Christmas movies on Hallmark. I recommend Christmas In Spite of You to anyone who likes romance novels with the forced proximity and grumpy-sunshine tropes. They're two of my favorites and I can confirm that author K. C. Mills does everything just right in Christmas In Spite of You. The book will also put you in the Christmas spirit, just what you're looking for when you read a Christmas romance novel.
Spice Rating: 3/5 -- There aren't many spicy scenes, but the few that are in the book are descriptive, vivid and overall well-written. They advance the story for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Where Hearts Lie by Kimberly Brown
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Perfect. This is how you write Black love, this is how you write a second chance romance. I was engaged from the beginning to the end and I loved it. I recommend this to everyone who loves second chance romances and Christmas novellas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Abandonment
A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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? No
5.0
A Novel Christmas by Charity Shane' is a medium-paced Christmas-themed romance novel with lovable, diverse characters. I really enjoyed the story, learning about Saira and Dorian and Santa Claus, Indiana was so much fun. The story kept me highly engaged. Initially I found the narrators boring, but over the course of the audiobook, I realized they were actually pretty good and they did a good job with these characters. I highly recommend A Novel Christmas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Alcohol
Naughty and Leaked by A. Blossom
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A decent follow up to Leak It. A. Blossom could’ve exposed Emery’s misdoings differently, in my opinion. But the story is still pretty good and we get to learn more about Naomi’s ex-husband, Richard. I hope we get a story about Celeste and Warren.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity, Violence, Pregnancy, and Alcohol