Holy smokes, batman, that was such a wild ride! I started this book really enjoying the magic system and world-building! It was complex and unique (evHoly smokes, batman, that was such a wild ride! I started this book really enjoying the magic system and world-building! It was complex and unique (even though being a “holy maiden” does give me FBAA vibes - this was nothing like that). The politics and social intrigue were layered, and the representation was great, especially for trans and LGBTQIA characters. There was a lot of discussion about bodies and comments on people’s appearances, in relation to sexual and/or physical attraction which might be triggering for readers with body dysmorphia or dysphoria.
Speaking of triggers, I also found it odd that this is marketed as light and playful when it actually includes heavy and triggering content. Rape and references to pedophilia are serious topics and should come with proper warnings and be treated with care.
I DO feel like the author had a million amazing ideas and just threw them all into one pot. It could’ve easily been a whole series with how much was packed in. I was loosing steam at some points trying to keep up.
Overall, it’s a unique and chaotic story that was both funny and dark! Thank you to NetGalley for the copy!...more
Alice Rue Evades the Truth is such a great debut novel! It tells a raw and tender story about a girl healing from her trauma while getting caught up iAlice Rue Evades the Truth is such a great debut novel! It tells a raw and tender story about a girl healing from her trauma while getting caught up in some silly hijinks along the way. The pacing is realistic and slow, with moments of cringe-worthy awkwardness that felt so authentic. I especially loved the portrayal of a big family that’s only semi-accepting of their gay daughter. that’s very relatable to me personally and I thought it was done well.
My only slight hiccup was with Alice’s inner monologue at times. Do I like when people assume labels for others? No. Seeing the word “butch” used so often to describe an androgynous woman who hadn’t defined herself that way yet was tough for me to read. I know it was meant as a compliment – “hottest butch I’ve ever seen” and all – but I think using more descriptive writing to convey that vibe to the reader, rather than outright saying “butch” repeatedly, would have had a bigger impact.
I also wish some storylines had been closed- like, will the brother ever forgive her? Does he stay douchey and mad forever? I need closure!
Other than that, I absolutely loved the rest of the book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy sapphic fall read. Thank you so much for the ARC!...more
I really enjoyed Dating Doctor Love as a light hearted beach read! The meet-cute had me hooked right away. It was charming, funny, and set the tone foI really enjoyed Dating Doctor Love as a light hearted beach read! The meet-cute had me hooked right away. It was charming, funny, and set the tone for a fun, breezy story.
The UK writing style tripped me up a little, especially the grammar and use of single quotation marks for dialogue, which I’m less used to as a U.S. reader. There were also a few moments where the story jumped around a bit, leaving some small gaps in the premise that I wish had been filled in more.
That said, it was still a quick and enjoyable read! perfect if you’re in the mood for something fun, flirty, and not too heavy. Thank you Boldwood Books for the ARC! ...more
First of all, a massive huge big thank you for the ARC! As a longtime Lynn Painter and Better Than the Movies fan, I had high hopes for this one, and First of all, a massive huge big thank you for the ARC! As a longtime Lynn Painter and Better Than the Movies fan, I had high hopes for this one, and it totally delivered. The vibes were immaculate.
Lynn has such a gift for writing layered, relatable characters, and this cast was no exception. I was super invested in Dani and Alec’s dynamic—the banter, the tension, the chemistry—it all felt believable and fun. The fake dating setup made sense for the story, and even though the plot wasn’t anything super new (I could see the ending coming from a mile away), it was still such an enjoyable ride from start to finish.
I especially loved how Dani’s anxiety and overthinking were portrayed. It felt real without being overdone. And honestly, I need more of Mick, the grandpa and her mom. And her mom’s friends. And pretty much everyone else in that town. That’s how you know it’s good - when you care about every single side character!
Was the blackmailed third act breakup annoying? Yes. Was the miscommunication frustrating? Absolutely. Did I eat it up anyway? You know I did. I do think the “big conflict” could have been resolved a lot earlier with a single honest conversation, but alas… YA drama must YA drama.
If you’re looking to fill the Better Than the Movies–shaped hole in your heart, this is it. And if you haven’t read Better Than the Movies yet… what are you doing? Go read that first, then come back for this one!...more
This book really struggles with its writing. The story feels underdeveloped and the characters and their dialogue are so so very awkward, disjointed aThis book really struggles with its writing. The story feels underdeveloped and the characters and their dialogue are so so very awkward, disjointed and unrealistic. Their feelings seem to change out of nowhere, which makes it hard to connect with them or care about what’s happening. This lack of tonal control and narrative focus makes it difficult to invest in anything going on. The characters’ emotional arcs feel unearned, their chemistry told rather than shown, and the pacing jumps between awkward exposition and overheated physicality. What should be a slow build or meaningful moment instead reads like a jumble of mismatched metaphors and inconsistent character behavior. It’s definitely a book that misses the mark by a wide margin for me. Thank you to the author and St Martins Press for the ARC!...more
The Austen Affair was a cute, lighthearted romance! I’m always a sucker for an Austen-inspired story, and this one definitely delivered. I loved how tThe Austen Affair was a cute, lighthearted romance! I’m always a sucker for an Austen-inspired story, and this one definitely delivered. I loved how the main characters were transported back to Regency times – it was done well, and their place in that world felt believable and natural.
I spent so much of the book worrying about how things would work out and who would end up with who, but everything tied up happily in the end, leaving me completely satisfied.
If you’re a fan of silly, sweet Regency romances, this is one you’ll absolutely enjoy! Thank you St Martin’s Press for the ARC!...more
This book had everything I adore, so it was basically a win from page one- vampires, fake dating, and a slow-burn romance? An absolute treat.
As someonThis book had everything I adore, so it was basically a win from page one- vampires, fake dating, and a slow-burn romance? An absolute treat.
As someone with a big, chaotic family, I found the portrayal of a large, meddlesome group both charming and painfully accurate. Some relatives were lovable, some were absolutely insufferable, and honestly? That tracks. The romance was flirty, fun, and well-paced, keeping me happily along for the ride. My only tiny gripe was the timeline hopping. It was very small but I did notice some time skipping and summaries to fill in the blanks, which isn’t my fave. But aside from that (and the real crime: a third act breakup)- This was a delightfully silly, cozy, and vampy fake dating adventure that left me happily entertained. Thank you Avon UK for the ARC!...more
I was really drawn to the cover and description of this book, but sadly, it didn’t live up to expectations. The characters were awful, abhorrent and iI was really drawn to the cover and description of this book, but sadly, it didn’t live up to expectations. The characters were awful, abhorrent and insufferable. Honestly, the biggest shock in the opening chapters was that either of them managed to keep their jobs after their outrageous behavior during WORK meetings. It felt like something from a middle schooler's Wattpad story honestly.
The character development and dialogue were nowhere to be seen. There was no banter, flirting, tension, or slow burn. Just a lot of repetitive, immature lines (if I read "that’s so hot" one more time, I might scream). The writing was so bad and mechanical, I imagine it’s how AI would try to write what it thinks romance should look like without understanding real human emotions/interactions.
I also agree with others that “the big twist” was underwhelming since it seemed to exist solely to push the characters into bed together after they’d spent most of the book loudly despising each other (and still do after the hookup). The entire story, particularly the ending, felt problematic, with the woman facing most of the consequences while the man seemed to come out on top. during women’s history month no less?
That said, I’m someone who doesn’t really vibe with the whole hate-sex trope, so maybe I’m not the target audience here. If you enjoy that as well as a novel filled with misunderstandings and drama, this might still be your thing - it just wasn’t mine. Thank you netgalley for the ARC! ...more
This was like rolling a solid 10 - not a crit, but definitely not a fail either. It had a little bit of everything… subtle real life chemistry betweenThis was like rolling a solid 10 - not a crit, but definitely not a fail either. It had a little bit of everything… subtle real life chemistry between the main characters, entertaining role-playing shenanigans, and just enough adventure to keep things moving. The way the story bounced between their everyday lives and their RP personas was a fun touch, adding some extra depth and plenty of nerdy charm.
That said, the D&D storyline itself felt a bit like trudging through a side quest that overstayed its welcome. It wasn’t bad, just a little… dry for me personally. Which is kinda crazy because you’d think that is the fantasy world and story telling is the one aspect a D&D book was shine in.
All in all, it’s a fun, lighthearted read with a unique premise that’s worth picking up, especially if you’re in the mood for some romance with a side of dice chaos. Thank you for the ARC!...more
A vibrant and inspiring guide that encourages quilters to embrace creativity and bold design. The unique approach to fabric selection, placement, and A vibrant and inspiring guide that encourages quilters to embrace creativity and bold design. The unique approach to fabric selection, placement, and color combinations is beautifully explained, making the process feel accessible and exciting.
With stunning visuals and clear instructions, this book sparks endless ideas and inspires quilters to step outside traditional boundaries. A must-have for anyone looking to create bold, one-of-a-kind designs. Thank you for the ARC! ...more
This had all the ingredients for a great story, but it didn’t quite stick the landing. The concept overall felt hurried and the chapters went by so quThis had all the ingredients for a great story, but it didn’t quite stick the landing. The concept overall felt hurried and the chapters went by so quickly that there wasn’t enough time to fully flesh out the characters or give key moments the weight they deserved.
Maybe I’m just not the right demographic for this book but Irene was not someone I could root for or relate to… She was kinda insufferable and the romance moved way too fast, skipping over the slow burn that makes the enemies-to-lovers trope so satisfying. There were slow parts but it was all the fong parts that were slow which made for a disjointed feeling while reading.
While the concept was strong, the story leaned too heavily on all the wrong areas, making it feel more like a commentary on tropes than a fully realized romance. The conclusion also felt abrupt, leaving me wishing for a more satisfying resolution and deeper character growth. In the end, this book had all the right ingredients but didn’t quite come together. A great idea that just needed more space to flourish.
This drama-filled romance definitely intrigued me and left me slightly scandalized—but it ended up being a bit of a mixed bag. Sig and Chloe’s whirlwiThis drama-filled romance definitely intrigued me and left me slightly scandalized—but it ended up being a bit of a mixed bag. Sig and Chloe’s whirlwind connection had me hooked at first, but the insta-love wasn’t really my thing. And when the bombshell drops that their parents are getting married… well, cue the chaos.
The angst and tension between the main characters was entertaining, and the story leans heavily into the escapism of it all. Realistic? Not in the slightest. But who’s here for that anyway? There’s even a twist near the end that blindsided me. That said, Chloe’s insufferable moments made it harder to fully enjoy. If you can overlook that, it’s a fun ride.
If messy, chemistry-packed dramas are your thing, this one might be worth a shot. Thanks to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Harper Voyager Avon for the early copy!...more
This book starts off with an intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic, where the protagonists’ animosity almost feels too extreme at times, but it’s this tenThis book starts off with an intense enemies-to-lovers dynamic, where the protagonists’ animosity almost feels too extreme at times, but it’s this tension that fuels the slow-burn of their relationship. As the story progresses, deep emotions are explored in through the characters’ family ties, which add complexity and depth to the plot. This was an enjoyable read—thank you to Headline and NetGalley for the ARC!...more
This was my first foray into the reverse grumpy sunshine trope—the FMC was prickly, and the MMC was a charming golden retriever. I really enjoyed thatThis was my first foray into the reverse grumpy sunshine trope—the FMC was prickly, and the MMC was a charming golden retriever. I really enjoyed that aspect and actually related a lot to the FMC! Agnes was the only redemptive side character; everyone else was absolutely insufferable, and I wish we could’ve seen them get their comeuppance more. I also wanted to see an Agnes epilogue! I hope she is spending time with her grandkids.
10/10 recommend! Thank you to Harper Collins and author Lucy Chalice for this ARC!...more
Kristy, my girl, where were you when I was a teen in desperate need of YA novels like this? I wish I had something this wholesome and healing when i wKristy, my girl, where were you when I was a teen in desperate need of YA novels like this? I wish I had something this wholesome and healing when i was going through the throes of puberty. I knew i loved Kristy after Dungeons and Drama, but this has cemented my status as her number one fan (seriously, I’m making t-shirts, hit me up about it)
This story was delightful, I adored both main characters (i think they were so much more relatable and likable than her first book). And even though reading about high school kids tossing around the L word (love—not lesbians, though I’m here for that) isn’t usually my jam, goddamn it if this wasn’t the most entertaining, adorable story. I stayed up much too late, kicking my feet at the witty banter and the sweet sweet slow-burn tension. Can’t recommend this enough for any fans of D&D, YA, slow-burn, forbidden romances.
Thank you so much, Kristy and Random House for the ARC. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next! (please let it be NA D&D romance!)...more
This book has officially stolen my heart, wrapped it up in a cozy, vampire-filled embrace, and then shoved its way to the number 1 spot of my faves liThis book has officially stolen my heart, wrapped it up in a cozy, vampire-filled embrace, and then shoved its way to the number 1 spot of my faves list. This was an incredible journey, and I can’t thank Random House enough for the ARC. Honestly, so grateful Angela Montoya even exists and wrote this story into existence because I would be missing part of my soul without it!
As a vampire enthusiast, I knew this book was going to be a fun read but I was NOT expecting the western, Regency(ish), Spanish themed mashup. Add in the beautiful enemies to lovers, the sprinkle of banter, y el español? I’m aghast, I’m cooked , take me out of the oven I’m done. It was the reading experience I didn’t know I needed but will never recover from. Have I peaked? Probably. Will anything top this? Doubtful.
There were moments I was nervous about where the ending would take us. But Angela? She wrapped that up so perfectly she put bows on it and made sure there were no questions left. Honestly, I’d trust her with my will at this point. Angela, have your people call my people.
Folks, do yourself a favor and mark your calendars for December when this baby drops! You won’t want to miss it. ...more
as a fan of anything with vampire vibes, this book really did it for me! it gave me that nostalgic twilight feeling i've been chasing since middle schas a fan of anything with vampire vibes, this book really did it for me! it gave me that nostalgic twilight feeling i've been chasing since middle school. the vampire lore and the lighthearted tone made it a fun read. the banter between the main characters was a highlight, keeping me engaged and i also enjoyed the murder mystery storyline.
however, it didddd lean a bit too heavily on overused tropes—there was so much drama packed in that it became overwhelming at times. the mix of fake dating, forced proximity, miscommunication, one bed, other woman drama, and other common plot devices felt like too much all at once. more romance and mystery, and little to no drama would’ve made this perfect for me.
overall, it was an enjoyable read, and i appreciate bacchanalia house for the arc!...more
NGL I’m absolutely obsessed with Aiden—I predict romance readers will be adding him to their list of favorite book boyfriends in the near future! Not NGL I’m absolutely obsessed with Aiden—I predict romance readers will be adding him to their list of favorite book boyfriends in the near future! Not In My Book by Katie Holt is totally going to be an instant favorite since it’s packed with all the best tropes. I especially appreciated the genuine slow burn and the classic rivals/enemies-to-lovers dynamic. You FEEL the tension build over the course of the story- it’s never told but always shown, which is my favorite kind of narrative.
Additionally, the plot was sooo creative and refreshing. I was hooked on the parts where they cowrote together, adding layers of tension and depth. The story-within-a-story element was so enthralling—I couldn’t put it down!
I do think there were some inconsistencies and that it was a bit long and drawn out, but I’m pretty sure that serves as part of the plot—illustrating that love isn’t always just a straightforward happily-ever-after. I can see some readers losing interest around 70% in, when the SECOND third-act breakup happens…. Both characters say and do some seemingly irredeemable things in their final arguments, but again, I think this plays into the book’s attempt to be realistic.
I would recommend this book to fans of slow-burn romances, rivals-to-lovers dynamics, dirty talk, and okay with a bit of the miscommunication trope.
Thank you, Alcove Press and NetGalley, for the ARC!...more
A fun, quick, paranormal, witchy read. The storyline is engaging, with a strong emphasis on magic and romance. The side plot about politics did feel uA fun, quick, paranormal, witchy read. The storyline is engaging, with a strong emphasis on magic and romance. The side plot about politics did feel underdeveloped but not hard to follow. However, the FMCs point of view can be somewhat challenging to read from. Her reluctance to embrace magic isn't fully explained until halfway through the book, which might leave readers puzzled for a significant portion of the story. Once her reasoning is revealed, it does add depth to her character, but the wait feels a bit prolonged.
One notable aspect that might divide readers is the off-screen first kiss. For a romance novel, this choice can be a bit jarring, as it skips a big moment for establishing the chemistry between the main characters. The relationship development seems somewhat rushed overall and they go from acquaintances to being in love without much build-up.
Despite these points, the book remains an enjoyable read. It's perfect for anyone seeking a light, entertaining paranormal story that doesn't require a heavy investment of time. I appreciate NetGalley and Lamanna Books for the ARC!...more
When I see a book that has anything to do with Pride and Prejudice, I’m reading it! As a Jane Austen enthusiast, I really appreciated the approach of When I see a book that has anything to do with Pride and Prejudice, I’m reading it! As a Jane Austen enthusiast, I really appreciated the approach of incorporating her as a character, as opposed to the conventional Pride and Prejudice retellings that we usually see. I hope to read more novels with Jane Austen appearances in the future! The boiled potatoes reference from 2005 P&P was a great touch. I laughed out loud. I was initially confused about how this would end, but Lia Riley did an excellent job concluding the novel with a HEA in a satisfying way.
What I didn’t like was the MMC's nickname for the FMC. Every time I read it, I had to put the book down….. It was really bad. I also did not quite feel the chemistry between them; I wish there had been more of a connection.
Nevertheless, I would wholeheartedly recommend this read to anyone looking for a fun, whimsical, and lighthearted premise.
Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, for the ARC!...more