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sultrytartreviews's reviews
468 reviews
Love at First Psych by Cara Bastone
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
For a novella, there was a lot fit into this book! I enjoyed the relationship growth between Robbie and Marigold, it was sweet and comfortable and so funny. I loved watching them open up to each other. The full cast narration was especially worth the audio listen.
I was also impressed with all the ways this story unraveled love. What does it mean? How is it shown? How can it be sustained. And I found the insight rather impactful. True to the other audible exclusive CB books, there is no steam in this book. But I did swoon A LOT, Robbie is too cute. I was literally jumping around in excitement at the ending love declarations.
I was also impressed with all the ways this story unraveled love. What does it mean? How is it shown? How can it be sustained. And I found the insight rather impactful. True to the other audible exclusive CB books, there is no steam in this book. But I did swoon A LOT, Robbie is too cute. I was literally jumping around in excitement at the ending love declarations.
Everything for You by Chloe Liese
This book has moments of beauty, tenderness, learning, understanding, and so much more. I absolutely adored reading it. I highly recommend it. As someone who accidentally skipped book 4 in this series, I wasn't lost to pick this one up (I had a general understanding of tropes for that book, so nothing was spoiled for me). I was shocked by how old Ziggy is now, though. Just like real life, ha.
I'd like to add that there are some very realistic scenes dealing with anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks. They were so realistic I started to get the anxiety chest bunches. Just a heads up if there are other readers out there who deal with this.
I'd like to add that there are some very realistic scenes dealing with anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks. They were so realistic I started to get the anxiety chest bunches. Just a heads up if there are other readers out there who deal with this.
Content Warnings
On page panic attacks, talk of negligent childhood caregivers, on page physical pain experiences, homophobic slur moment mentioned (not named on page)
Taken to Evernor by Elizabeth Stephens
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
EEEE I love getting back into this world! These books are always fun and make me nostalgic for the previous stories. The FMC was so kick ass, it was hard to not like her, even if she has some personality traits that aren't typical to likeable heroines. It made me like her all the more! Evernor was a wild planet to learn about and I loved the set up we get for the next book. Plus....THE STEAM in this book!! Phewwwwwww!!! It was off the walls BONKERS and that epilogue...I can only hope Elizabeth keeps writing good smut like this.
My only downside was the romance didn't feel as fleshed out and connective as the other books in the series, even her novellas. This couple was very independent and did a lot of things separately unless it was an explicit scene. I found myself liking the couple, but not really having a core understanding of what brought the together and made them stick.
My only downside was the romance didn't feel as fleshed out and connective as the other books in the series, even her novellas. This couple was very independent and did a lot of things separately unless it was an explicit scene. I found myself liking the couple, but not really having a core understanding of what brought the together and made them stick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
LOTS of fluids, Monster body parts, heavy bondage / punishment kink, talk of enslavement and sexual assault
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
adventurous
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 was a fun and magical read. I ended up loving the characters and the fantasy world we were in. There was so much lush imagination, it was a fun place to have play before my eyes. I saw Helen Hoang's review talking about it being very inline with a Studio Ghibli film--which 1000% I agree with. It did, however, take me some time to be able to image that. The reader is very much thrown into a fantasy world without any of the usual upfront explanations. This world slowly unravels, which at times made it hard for me to connect. But once I got there, I really loved it. I do believe this would made a STUNNING movie.
The romance angle in this story was interesting because it heavily takes place on paper. In the letters Hart and Mercy write unknowingly to each other. This wasn't hard to connect with, but did leave me feeling a certain distance from the characters. Hart does get a lovely character arc and growth, which made his character feel more realistic than Mercy's at the end of the novel.
What I really wish there was more growth on was the relationship dynamics with Mercy and her family. It somewhat fluttered off into best case scenarios, which I thought was a let down. I also found the conflict near the end with her and her family to be...a little ridiculous? It seemed like something that could have easily been solved over a discussion. I wish this part of the story had been better worked out because I loved all the side characters and their quirks.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with these characters and in this world. I look forward to reading more from Megan Bannen in the future.
The romance angle in this story was interesting because it heavily takes place on paper. In the letters Hart and Mercy write unknowingly to each other. This wasn't hard to connect with, but did leave me feeling a certain distance from the characters. Hart does get a lovely character arc and growth, which made his character feel more realistic than Mercy's at the end of the novel.
What I really wish there was more growth on was the relationship dynamics with Mercy and her family. It somewhat fluttered off into best case scenarios, which I thought was a let down. I also found the conflict near the end with her and her family to be...a little ridiculous? It seemed like something that could have easily been solved over a discussion. I wish this part of the story had been better worked out because I loved all the side characters and their quirks.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with these characters and in this world. I look forward to reading more from Megan Bannen in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
cheating (not by MCs)
The Hunted Mate by Darcy Dahlia
mysterious
slow-paced
2.0
This was an interesting story, but I had a hard time getting into it, dealing with the semi slow burn, and the general vagueness of the monster aspect.
The enemies to lovers started off strong-they really seemed to hate each other-but I couldn't really feel the romance by the end. This is the first fated mates scenario I've read that followed this particular guideline and...it just seemed like it wasn't fully worked out. I didn't understand how we went from the FMC refusing the MMC in one sentence to giving in ecstatically. It just didn't make sense. And this was at the very end the book. For me, these feelings should have already been worked out.
I wanted more monsters on page and more answers for the end of the book. It felt like I was left somewhat hanging, with questions still. While I did enjoy the writing style, I was surprised how slow the book felt for a novella. Especially one that is supposed to be charged with the passions of enemies to lovers.
The enemies to lovers started off strong-they really seemed to hate each other-but I couldn't really feel the romance by the end. This is the first fated mates scenario I've read that followed this particular guideline and...it just seemed like it wasn't fully worked out.
I wanted more monsters on page and more answers for the end of the book. It felt like I was left somewhat hanging, with questions still. While I did enjoy the writing style, I was surprised how slow the book felt for a novella. Especially one that is supposed to be charged with the passions of enemies to lovers.
Pack by Jeaniene Frost
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It was short and interesting and free on Audible Plus. I enjoyed the different take on a FMC stumbling upon supernaturals, but the ending felt very rushed in comparison so the rest of the storyline.
Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had high hopes for this book from the start, but around 50% or 60% it started to drag for me. To clear things up, there is no mystery or outside story involving serial killers. I was somewhat disappointed in that since the storyline was left to be an emotional journey for Phoebe. But I'd have to argue one in which we are not given much growth or emotion. I really liked both Sam and Phoebe, I just felt the single sided POV and the lack of on page depth was a hinderance in actually learning about our MCs and moving the story along. Phoebe was good at internal pondering, but I felt cheated of her actual emotional growth and everything with the relationship was quickly put at the end and just sorta...decided upon. There were some bright moments of humor, but not enough to classify this as a rom com for me. I wanted it to stretch out more and last past the one liners.
Unfortunately, this book goes in the aggressively fine category for a romance.
Unfortunately, this book goes in the aggressively fine category for a romance.
Jack by Layla Fae
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was totally bonkers, but a spirited Halloween read. It's short and basically just smut, but there's also humor from the author because this book is off the walls. Beware, this whole book is basically a content warning.
Riding the Headless Horseman by Molly Likovich
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a fun and quick Halloween read. The spice was pretty good and the storyline was different from what I anticipated. Our MMC isn't a real monster creature in this book, more like a guy without a head who's kinda got a spectral form. Read the content warnings before jumping into this scene setting good time!
Husband Material by Alexis Hall
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
4.5
I loved getting back with Oliver and Luc and Luc's friends again. There were more wild hijinks and bizarre stories along the way. It was nice to see an accurate representation of what a long term relationship can look like. Not just the sunshine and good vibes of starting to fall in love. And it was nice to see an ending that strayed from tradition.
I was a little disappointed that we didn't get more sweet moments between our couple. I was expecting more lovely moments of intimacy since their first book was such a slow burn on their emotional development into love. Most of what we get here in spats and relationship building, which I did like, but wasn't fawning material, haha.
I was a little disappointed that we didn't get more