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t0ast_and_t3a's reviews
400 reviews
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Better than the first. Still not the biggest fan of the writing style, but I really enjoy McFadden’s twists—I can’t always see them coming (especially with this book). So, I’m interested to see if the next one is even more intriguing.
(Did switch from physically reading to audio for this second, and will continue *listening* to the rest of the series.)
(Did switch from physically reading to audio for this second, and will continue *listening* to the rest of the series.)
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
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
4.0
4/5🌟
4/5♥️
2/5🌶️
Romantic and relatable, but with that magical layer only romance books give readers. Devoured it in a day.
4/5♥️
2/5🌶️
Romantic and relatable, but with that magical layer only romance books give readers. Devoured it in a day.
Labyrinth's Heart by M.A. Carrick
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
What an ending! I would say more, but I don’t do spoilers.
READ THIS SERIES. You won’t regret it.
READ THIS SERIES. You won’t regret it.
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
A dystopian fantasy about the monsters inside us all—the ones others create and the ones we become if we let them, but ultimately the ones we turn into when we accept who we are.
Parts of the world building was a bit choppy for me, but made sense in the end (I did listen to the audio version, so I wonder if I had physically read it if some of the imagery might have come across better). As for the multi-POVs that got such limited page time—I kind of wanted more from Nick’s perspective, and even a little more from Theo’s would have been insightful for the story.
Overall, this is emotional and tense, but about fighting for your right to be who you are. It’s full of rage, strength, and hope—all topped with a beautiful found family.
Parts of the world building was a bit choppy for me, but made sense in the end (I did listen to the audio version, so I wonder if I had physically read it if some of the imagery might have come across better). As for the multi-POVs that got such limited page time—I kind of wanted more from Nick’s perspective, and even a little more from Theo’s would have been insightful for the story.
Overall, this is emotional and tense, but about fighting for your right to be who you are. It’s full of rage, strength, and hope—all topped with a beautiful found family.
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
emotional
funny
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
3.0
Yet another fun romance from Bailey. There’s a more serious undertone to the FMC’s background, which gives her a deeper connection with the MMC who has only ever been in this strict protective mode in his life and career. You’ll laugh, you’ll fan yourself during certain scenes, and you’ll scream about why no one is communicating. But these are all things we look for in these romcoms (or what I look for) and what makes the reader connect to them.
Overall, solid characters that you can engage with and an undeniable attraction between the MCs that just builds and builds.
3/5🌟
2/5🌶️
2/5♥️
Overall, solid characters that you can engage with and an undeniable attraction between the MCs that just builds and builds.
3/5🌟
2/5🌶️
2/5♥️
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
2.5-3🌟
Interesting suspense with multiple twists. I’m not usually into this genre, but I’m curious where that ending is going to take the story going forward. Good for a break between denser reads, and does a great job of making you keep reading to unwind the web.
Interesting suspense with multiple twists. I’m not usually into this genre, but I’m curious where that ending is going to take the story going forward. Good for a break between denser reads, and does a great job of making you keep reading to unwind the web.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
I loved everything about this book. From the rage to the despair. It reminds you that strength is defined in so many different ways, but is also universally understood no matter its makeup. Each character is incredibly unique, powerful, and strong-willed. And the story—well, there’s magic and mayhem and a plethora of tension. And Harrow remains a decorated master of language, using your own senses to pull you into the story with ripe metaphor and similes, as well as complex characters and themes, you can’t ignore.
If you like stories within stories and atmospheric writing and women who are stubborn and wicked and relatable, look no further.
If you like stories within stories and atmospheric writing and women who are stubborn and wicked and relatable, look no further.
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A fun, quick romance with dual POVs. There’s drama, tension, and a baby cow. The book is a little short, so I felt the pacing, both character- and plot-wise were a bit too rushed, but there wasn’t anything left unfinished.
2/5 🌶️
3/5♥️
3/5🌟
2/5 🌶️
3/5♥️
3/5🌟
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
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
4.0
Loved the dynamic between the two characters in this one, but mostly though, I think, because it was single POV—which isn’t my usual preference with romcoms. Just the right amount of smut balanced with good romance and relatable characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abortion
The Crimson Moth by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love a good romance as much as I love a good fantasy, but I really wanted more from the magic system in this one. Yes, I know the FMC is inexperienced, but I guess I just wanted a bit…more?
And the romance—at its simplest form, it’s a love triangle. Better yet, a love triangle of mess. I have SO many questions about one side of this triangle and how completely untrustworthy it was the entire book (iykyk and yes, I’m aware that could be the point). And don’t get me started on the top of this triangle and how quickly THAT shift happened. (If it sounds like I don’t like love triangle tropes—well, I’ll be honest, I DONT.) Am I tolerating this one because I must know things—YES.
As for structure— a bit of a slow start, but once the POVs get going, the voices sort of individualize themselves. The ending is just, like, BAM. Twists were predictable but not in an unsatisfactory way—in fact, I thought the twists were the saving grace.
Will I read the next one? Yes, because I must know things.
And the romance—at its simplest form, it’s a love triangle. Better yet, a love triangle of mess. I have SO many questions about one side of this triangle and how completely untrustworthy it was the entire book (iykyk and yes, I’m aware that could be the point). And don’t get me started on the top of this triangle and how quickly THAT shift happened. (If it sounds like I don’t like love triangle tropes—well, I’ll be honest, I DONT.) Am I tolerating this one because I must know things—YES.
As for structure— a bit of a slow start, but once the POVs get going, the voices sort of individualize themselves. The ending is just, like, BAM. Twists were predictable but not in an unsatisfactory way—in fact, I thought the twists were the saving grace.
Will I read the next one? Yes, because I must know things.