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vel629vet's reviews
1015 reviews
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow - this book was fantastically unexpected. Everything I want from a YA novel, and I can't wait for the fantasy elements to come into greater affect in future books. Parts were dark and hard to read, but the pace was fast enough that it was manageable. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Death and Sexual assault
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I wish I could go back and read 1 and 2 without having listened to the audiobooks. They would have been such a better experience without the obnoxious accents and droll narration. This book was fantastic, fast-paced, and the mysteries were so well done.
Husband Material by Alexis Hall
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I adored Boyfriend Material and was really rooting for this book, but I don't hate seeing where Happily Ever Afters go, however, this entire book felt like a really sad attempt to recreate all of the joy and heart in book 1. It dragged on too long, it was from Luc's POV but didn't actually show Luc going through any changes. I think this could have been much more successful from Oliver's POV because we could have seen his conflict and growth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I need to officially give up on trying to get through the narrator of these audiobooks. The accents are so cringey and make any heartfelt scene feel absolutely ridiculous.
That being said, I really loved the twists and turns in this sequel, even more so than book 1. I’m pretty sick of the love triangle, honestly. I don’t have many other criticisms, but still 4 stars because I just don’t have that ‘love’ feeling towards this series still. Excited for book 3 though.
That being said, I really loved the twists and turns in this sequel, even more so than book 1. I’m pretty sick of the love triangle, honestly. I don’t have many other criticisms, but still 4 stars because I just don’t have that ‘love’ feeling towards this series still. Excited for book 3 though.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Strong 4 Star Read. I really love Ali Hazelwood’s writing and I adore her heroines. STEM women are strong as hell. I loved reading about how women manage in these fields around men of all levels of support. I loved reading her spice and her story. But I finished the book and felt like there was just something not quite there. Not quite finished. Not quite put together.
SPOILERS:
I didn’t feel like Bea’s change of heart made sense in the context of what was happening - it was like, oh I didn’t realize he actually liked me that much. Well okay then I’ll get over my lifelong fear of commitment. And the gun and life threatening parts were…a little soap opera-y. Lastly, I really wanted more from Levi than Insta-love. We never really got an explanation of *what* exactly made him love Bea. Especially because he literally never talked to her or spent time with her in college. So truly just ‘love at first sight.’ It bothered me a lot. But all of that is forgiven for me in light of how cute their relationship was. And the excellent spice.
SPOILERS:
I didn’t feel like Bea’s change of heart made sense in the context of what was happening - it was like, oh I didn’t realize he actually liked me that much. Well okay then I’ll get over my lifelong fear of commitment. And the gun and life threatening parts were…a little soap opera-y. Lastly, I really wanted more from Levi than Insta-love. We never really got an explanation of *what* exactly made him love Bea. Especially because he literally never talked to her or spent time with her in college. So truly just ‘love at first sight.’ It bothered me a lot. But all of that is forgiven for me in light of how cute their relationship was. And the excellent spice.
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fun and interesting! But always felt right on the cusp of being really good and much more exciting… wish there was a bit more action and a bit less ruminating.
Audiobook review - Texas accents were terrible. Nearly ruined it for me.
Audiobook review - Texas accents were terrible. Nearly ruined it for me.
Below Zero by Ali Hazelwood
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5
Better than book 2, but still not as well developed characters as book 1. The 🌶 almost saved it but…um…the Mars stuff?….. 😳😬😵💫
Better than book 2, but still not as well developed characters as book 1. The 🌶 almost saved it but…um…the Mars stuff?….. 😳😬😵💫
Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Listened to this one, and it was a 3 hour long miscommunication trope. The two main characters were uninteresting, bland, and had no back story or unique qualities. Other than one of them being Danish. So odd since the first in this series of novellas had a great dynamic main character.
I’ll still read the last in the series, but ick this one was really in enjoyable except for the spice at the end.
I’ll still read the last in the series, but ick this one was really in enjoyable except for the spice at the end.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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 will forever read everything Casey McQuiston writes. This is her truest and most honest book yet, and should be required high school reading. It's queer, it's beautiful, it's deep, and most of all uplifting. I adored this book and flew through it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racism
Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Quick and cute! I wish there had been more of a lead up from Liam to him suddenly just being…horny I guess? But an easy lighthearted audiobook!