amberdlewis's reviews
539 reviews

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert

adventurous hopeful 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

4.5

I really liked how well Helen was a balance between Patroclus and Achilles. They had a good dynamic that worked to bring together the story and relationship.

Electric Idol by Katee Robert

emotional hopeful 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

4.75

I loved this book even more than the first one.

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

adventurous dark hopeful 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

4.25

This book was wonderful and deliciously spicy. I really wasn't sold on how the world worked, though, and was more confused than anything. But I liked the main storyline. Hades and Persephone were a good pair and I loved their dynamic.

Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein

hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.25

This was a perfect book to read after watching the 2024 Olympics! I really liked how it put an emphasis on mental health of athletes and showed that positive coaching can still have good results. The romance itself was sweet and the characters worked well together. I wasn't a fan, however, of how Ryan didn't believe Avery when she told him how mentally abusive Dmitri was. Not only did it feel out of character for him, but he honestly needed to grovel so much more. He proved he didn't respect her opinion in the slightest by not only disregarding her and brushing her off but by also essentially sneaking behind her back. I was disappointed in how it played out. 

The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The first time I tried to read this book, I simply couldn't get into it. The whole fake dating thing happened way too fast to the point where it didn't feel logical at all. The second time I powered through and while I still think it fell into place a little too quickly, I didn't mind as much. 

I liked Tansy and Gemma and I appreciated the fact they communicated clearly. There were multiple things they could have kept hidden from each other that would have led to blow ups later, but they avoided the drama by actually talking through. I think they worked well together, but I honestly didn't get "love" from their relationship. Appreciation? Sure. Companionship? Yes. Friendship? Definitely. Attraction and lust. Oh yeah. But love? Eh. I wasn't really convinced. Honestly, I felt more invested in Brooks and Lena.

Overall, I did end up enjoying the book. If you like a good fake dating/fake engagement book, this is a great option. 

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I overall enjoyed the book and basically read it in one sitting, but I'm not sure I was sold in the romance. It definitely focussed more on grief and heartbreak than the romance, and it was difficult to really feel invested in a romantic relationship between a living person and a ghost. I did like the twists along the way and found myself pleasantly surprised more than once. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is probably my least favorite of Ali Hazelwood's books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Once I started reading, I barely put it down. I even loved the side characters, especially Minami.

Lion's Legacy by L.C. Rosen

adventurous fast-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

3.75

I wanted more from this book. The story itself wasn't bad, but it felt shallow in places, like it wasn't tapping into its full potential.

Hot Summer by Elle Everhart

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style was nice and smooth and the story flowed well. Even though the characters were instantly attracted to each other, their relationship developed at a good pace and felt realistic. 

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

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