xandra_lyn's reviews
512 reviews

Wish Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I had a hard time seeing the chemistry between the two main characters. But I liked Gloria a lot, and it was fun leaning more about the town of Christmas. I think my main issue was that Chris was kind of a stick in the mud and I just couldn't see them together. 
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We Three Dragons: A Trio of Dragon Tales for the Holiday Season by Jeff Grubb, Ed Greenwood, James M. Ward

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
The second story was very long, and I couldn't tell where it was going. It wasn't giving me Christmas joy, so I stopped reading 
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Secret Santa For Grumpy Elves by Laura Greenwood

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Disney Hercules 06 by Elliott Kalan

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Good, but left on a cliffhanger and I'm kinda mad about it.
Hercules #5 by Elliot Kalan

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Kiss of a Duke by Erica Ridley

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

I don't usually like books that focus on rakes, but this one was WONDERFUL!! The characters of both MC's were well developed, it was SO funny, and the third act break up didn't last long!! Can't wait for the next one!
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Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Mysticons: The Diamond Curse by Liz Marsham

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

Cute story, but I'm not the target audience so my mind did wander a bit. It's a really cool way to intrusive si-fi elements into fantasy for younger readers 
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The Return of Kris Kringle by Caroline Mickelson

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lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

I've liked the other ones in this series, but there were some major red flags regarding the guy in this one. First, he lied to her about his wealth. The author could have made it about him not wanting to have a woman want him for his wealth, but instead she made it all about the female MC (Kris) being upset about not paying for her half of their restaurant on her own.

But all that happens before the book even starts. The biggest red flag is that Kris loves to eat healthy and wants to introduce healthy foods to the North Pole. The male MC (Kyle) is constantly undermining her and re-writing the menus without her knowledge. This is such a major red flag, and I'm so outraged that this is just glossed over.

I gave it a two because the setting - as always - is cute.
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Apple Mind by Katie Richards

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Poetry isn't my first language, so I had to read this twice. I would consider it more comolicated poetry than the average person usually reads, but you shouldn't let that scare you! After the first read through, I would have given it a 4.5 because of this; after the second, I gave it full stars.

After the first read through, I knew it was haunting and special. The poems center around a woman who's having marital difficulties in the midst of raising two children diagnosed with autism. The author doesn't back down from hard feelings, but there's also a tenderness woven throughout. 

It wasn't until the second read through where the garden metaphors really stood out to me and cinched everything together. The garden is used to talk about the difficult dichotomies in marriage - the decay and regrowth that occur when trials come. 

The threads of the poems are woven together so beautifully. This difficult topic is treated with a rawness and dignity and vulnerability that is incredible to experience. It's hopeful and tender, yet doesn't shy away from the hard stuff. It's such a beautiful and hopeful ode, and I can't wait to read more from this author!
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