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t0ast_and_t3a's reviews
400 reviews
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thriller with a borderline creepy setting. There’s a wide range of side characters, even though it’s from a single POV. The pacing is a bit slower at points, but that’s purposeful and helps keep the tension flowing throughout—makes you guess when the tip over will happen.
Fun as a buddy read!!
Fun as a buddy read!!
Do I Know You? by Austin Siegemund-Broka, Emily Wibberley
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a cute love story, and different from most other romances I read. Instead of calling it quits, a married couple works to rekindle their marriage, only to learn more about themselves along the way.
Dual POV, strong leads, and after a bit of a slow beginning, the pacing picks up around the middle. Good side characters and individual arcs.
3/5🌟
3/5♥️
1/5🌶️
Dual POV, strong leads, and after a bit of a slow beginning, the pacing picks up around the middle. Good side characters and individual arcs.
3/5🌟
3/5♥️
1/5🌶️
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The chokehold this had on me…
Mystery, FMC rage, the “largest male I’ve ever seen” trope(😂), really interesting magic system/world building, good side characters, solid tension (regular and 🌶️), and just all-around entertaining.
I would have given it 5🌟 had it not been for the unpredictable POV shifts. Hope we get a better balance in book 2.
Mystery, FMC rage, the “largest male I’ve ever seen” trope(😂), really interesting magic system/world building, good side characters, solid tension (regular and 🌶️), and just all-around entertaining.
I would have given it 5🌟 had it not been for the unpredictable POV shifts. Hope we get a better balance in book 2.
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
A fun, adventurous story through a very intriguing world. A bit lighter than Sanderson’s other stories, but doesn’t make it less entertaining—especially with who the narrator is.
There are funny moments, serious moments, and lovely moments. You won’t be disappointed.
There are funny moments, serious moments, and lovely moments. You won’t be disappointed.
Two Dead Wives by Adele Parks
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wish I would have read Woman Last Seen first, but after reviews I thought it was just the same detective on a different case. Even without reading the first one, though, there was intrigue with the mystery and a solid plot. It’s emotional and zigzag-y and entertaining—as a good whodunnit should be.
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a strange, wild ride. I didn’t know what to expect, and then as I kept reading, realized I should just stop expecting. I love when a book gives me all the clues and I still can’t guess the twist—it means the author did what they set out to do.
This book is creepy and visual and so, so strange.
The only thing that took it from a complete 5🌟 is the ending. I wanted a brief epilogue or something after. I know why it’s left off—for the reader to ponder the possibility of what happens with Vera. But I just wanted a *little* more.
Also, Brandon—this was a slightly confusing plot point for me. Vera sees him in town and then he’s gone (making me believe he’s a ghost or a figment of her imagination). And then he cryptically says the line “that house will never let you leave” with a creepy ass smile (making me question why he never “said otherwise” when people asked if Vera’s father was the one who hurt him). Did the house convince him it wasn’t Vera’s fault? Ugh, should I not be thinking about this so deeply (lol).
This book is creepy and visual and so, so strange.
The only thing that took it from a complete 5🌟 is the ending. I wanted a brief epilogue or something after. I know why it’s left off—for the reader to ponder the possibility of what happens with Vera. But I just wanted a *little* more.
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I love when a book makes me feel seen. Like there’s at least one other person out there who can possibly know what it’s like to live inside my head. This book is one of those, but one of those with a little bit of romance—which, if you know me, I am a fucking sucker for.
Serle, if you read these—you probs don’t because they suggest writers not to—but if you do, thank you.
Serle, if you read these—you probs don’t because they suggest writers not to—but if you do, thank you.
Savor It by Tarah DeWitt
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
4/5🌟
5/5♥️
2/5🌶️
One of my favorite romances this year! I listened to the audio version, and I loved the narrators.
There’s scenes that are funny, scenes that are heartbreaking, and scenes that are just so beautifully written that it reminds me why I love romances so much.
There are a BUNCH of animals—all adorable and named cleverly. There’s a grumpy MMC and a sunshiny FMC—dual POV done so damn well. Dewitt also does a really good job with the “savoring” imagery—both in a romantic sense and at one point, downright erotic.
There’s a part I laughed so hard at my husband ran into the kitchen to check on me for (LOL) — it involved one of the animals and the nonchalance in which they’re introduced to the scene.
I can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on Dewitt. But I am so awake now. (Eagerly waiting to binge her other books)
5/5♥️
2/5🌶️
One of my favorite romances this year! I listened to the audio version, and I loved the narrators.
There’s scenes that are funny, scenes that are heartbreaking, and scenes that are just so beautifully written that it reminds me why I love romances so much.
There are a BUNCH of animals—all adorable and named cleverly. There’s a grumpy MMC and a sunshiny FMC—dual POV done so damn well. Dewitt also does a really good job with the “savoring” imagery—both in a romantic sense and at one point, downright erotic.
There’s a part I laughed so hard at my husband ran into the kitchen to check on me for (LOL) — it involved one of the animals and the nonchalance in which they’re introduced to the scene.
I can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on Dewitt. But I am so awake now. (Eagerly waiting to binge her other books)
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
A story of grief, of tradition, of love. There’s SO much that happens, especially the overarching reality most choose to ignore. There’s justice, but never enough. Never.
*check your trigger warnings*
*check your trigger warnings*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
The Housemaid Is Watching by Freida McFadden
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
*check TW for this one guys.
Better than the first two—those twists! Always the twists.
Better than the first two—those twists! Always the twists.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Sexual assault
Not graphic—the author handles it well enough that you understand without any on page scenes. But the aftermath is still a bit heavy, so just go in aware of that.