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t0ast_and_t3a's reviews
395 reviews
For Eternity by Geneva Lee
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don’t like writing these types of reviews, but here we are.
This was Breaking Dawn with 🌶️ (a lot of repetitive, unnecessary 🌶️ scenes at that). And I hope that tells you everything you need to know.
If it doesn’t:
The series started out fine—not great, but entertaining enough. The pacing is all over the place, but I forgave it in books 1 & 2 because book 3 picked up, especially at the end. There was an air of mystery around things, probably meant as a nod to the “vampire world” but it lost its appeal in this finale when it just went off the rails and left so many things unfinished.
This is a loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, and I use “loose” because it’s just that—loose. Aside from it being mentioned once—which felt forced) I don’t really see it, even in retrospect.
And I have no idea why there were random POVs added. In book three, it was okay—limited and made a little sense because Jacqueline was becoming more prominent in the story. But Lysander … ? Why. And then one—ONE—chapter from Camilla’s perspective???
As for the ending, honestly it could have just been put in at the end of book 3 and it would have been fine. But the rest of this book—if they weren’t banging, Thea was whining and Julian was snarling. And don’t get me wrong, I knew this was a book with spice, but if you took out all the 🌶️ scenes this could have been one book, maybe two.
I refuse to even talk about the pregnancy 🙄. Just know it added nothing to the plot.
I only finished this because I was buddy reading with a friend.
The last thing I’ll say is, the word “mate” was used 194 times. 194. The book is 494 pages…
This was Breaking Dawn with 🌶️ (a lot of repetitive, unnecessary 🌶️ scenes at that). And I hope that tells you everything you need to know.
If it doesn’t:
This is a loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, and I use “loose” because it’s just that—loose. Aside from it being mentioned once—which felt forced) I don’t really see it, even in retrospect.
And I have no idea why there were random POVs added. In book three, it was okay—limited and made a little sense because Jacqueline was becoming more prominent in the story. But Lysander … ? Why. And then one—ONE—chapter from Camilla’s perspective???
As for the ending, honestly it could have just been put in at the end of book 3 and it would have been fine. But the rest of this book—if they weren’t banging, Thea was whining and Julian was snarling. And don’t get me wrong, I knew this was a book with spice, but if you took out all the 🌶️ scenes this could have been one book, maybe two.
I refuse to even talk about the pregnancy 🙄. Just know it added nothing to the plot.
I only finished this because I was buddy reading with a friend.
The last thing I’ll say is, the word “mate” was used 194 times. 194. The book is 494 pages…
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Sage had me at Grumpy Cowboy, but doubled down with “Teddy Baby,” and then tripled down with “Saddle up” (iykyk😏).
In all seriousness, though, this was more than a romance. There’s found family, humor, and a great setting that only grows the more we stick with Rebel Blue. I love romances, but I especially love ones that hold up without the romance—and this one had that. But what I REALLY love is when that romance gives that story an even better ending. Teddy and Gus would have been fine without each other, but fine is not enough.
That said—GIVE ME CAM AND DUSTY!!
In all seriousness, though, this was more than a romance. There’s found family, humor, and a great setting that only grows the more we stick with Rebel Blue. I love romances, but I especially love ones that hold up without the romance—and this one had that. But what I REALLY love is when that romance gives that story an even better ending. Teddy and Gus would have been fine without each other, but fine is not enough.
That said—GIVE ME CAM AND DUSTY!!
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Honestly, between 3.5-4🌟. The FMC is a bit frustrating, but I’m hoping as the story goes on she becomes a little less so—I saw some of that happening with Bodil’s character, so I have hope.
The twists were predictable, but I still enjoyed reading—mostly because I just screamed at the book like “how are you not getting this!! Open your eyes please”. But I’m invested enough to see what happens next.
The twists were predictable, but I still enjoyed reading—mostly because I just screamed at the book like “how are you not getting this!! Open your eyes please”. But I’m invested enough to see what happens next.
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Hazelwood is the master of these novellas. Quick, focused, and emotional (including ALL character, not just the mains). She has a way of building a detailed character in a short time that satisfies the story and purpose.
Three Queens by Geneva Lee
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Wow, was not expecting this one to be much better than the first two (was just expecting it to stay on course—3🌟 across the board, you know) but the last half of this book really amped up. Yeah, I guessed some stuff correctly, but how it happens is another story.
I’m not a fan of the random extra POVs, without them being recurring, but maybe that’ll change in the last book.
I honestly don’t know what to expect with book four, but I am here for the ride.
4/5🌟
4/5♥️
2.5/5🌶️
I’m not a fan of the random extra POVs, without them being recurring, but maybe that’ll change in the last book.
I honestly don’t know what to expect with book four, but I am here for the ride.
4/5🌟
4/5♥️
2.5/5🌶️
The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was the most focused on worldbuilding I’ve felt Black has been throughout the entire series. There was SO much we didn’t see in prior books—about creatures, magic systems, and the overall makeup of Faerie.
That said, this wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t feel as drawn towards Oak and Wren as I was Jude and Cardan (them being in this book so much honestly saved it for me). The writing and story was there, but it was just missing something that drew me to the first 3.5 books.
That said, this wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t feel as drawn towards Oak and Wren as I was Jude and Cardan (them being in this book so much honestly saved it for me). The writing and story was there, but it was just missing something that drew me to the first 3.5 books.
Second Rite by Geneva Lee
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
3/5🌟
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
Growl-y, twisty, and spicy. Like, very growl-y and spicy. There a decent plot, and by the end, your questions from book one will be answered, but you’ll just have a new list by the end for book three—which is exactly what Lee intended.
I have learned that I don’t like the overuse of the term “mate” though. It is used SO many times in this book—like, we get it already. (This is literally just a nit-picky thing for me, doesn’t take away from the overall story.)
And I guessed the big reveal while reading book one, but I still enjoyed how it was done. Looking forward to seeing if my theory for book three is correct.
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
Growl-y, twisty, and spicy. Like, very growl-y and spicy. There a decent plot, and by the end, your questions from book one will be answered, but you’ll just have a new list by the end for book three—which is exactly what Lee intended.
I have learned that I don’t like the overuse of the term “mate” though. It is used SO many times in this book—like, we get it already. (This is literally just a nit-picky thing for me, doesn’t take away from the overall story.)
And I guessed the big reveal while reading book one, but I still enjoyed how it was done. Looking forward to seeing if my theory for book three is correct.
Filthy Rich Vampire by Geneva Lee
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Love a good romantasy audiobook (especially one read by Teddy Hamilton!). This has so many tropes I don’t know if I can list them all, but “touch her and die” is the main one — so many growls when anyone mentions the FMC, just wow (LOL). Obviously there’s vampires, and obviously they’re rich, but there’s courts politics and mates and witches, and an interesting magic system. I’m invested in the characters enough to read the next.
Pen Pal: Special Edition by J.T. Geissinger
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
Not what I was expecting, but that speaks volumes when I bought this book for the sprayed edges (and I mean, the cover may have had a smidge to do with it👀). Spice, romance, and one hell of a third act twist. Not gonna lie, I wasn’t paying enough attention to the hints, so I got GOT in part 2.
Perfect for a palette cleanser (ever read a book that just breaks your brain—that was me), or just for some fucking golden get-me-out-of-reality entertainment.
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
3/5🌟
Perfect for a palette cleanser (ever read a book that just breaks your brain—that was me), or just for some fucking golden get-me-out-of-reality entertainment.
3/5🌶️
4/5♥️
3/5🌟
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Murder