Coven: A Book Review

I love the idea of graphic novels, but I'm always disappointed with the execution. IDK if I'm just not finding the right ones or this genre just doesn't vibe with me. Either way, I didn't love this one. 

My biggest issue was the pacing. It was so slow and had tons of talking scenes. I would've loved to see more magic and action scenes, especially from a graphic novel. I also didn't really see a lot of character growth. The MC just did what her new teenage friends told her to do. And I also wish the world was expanded a bit more. It's a fascinating concept with secret covens of witches who have different powers, but it still felt lackluster. Alas, this one wasn't for me. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Thank you, Penguin Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Content/Trigger Warnings: death and injury due to magic

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Would You Rather: A Book Review

FREAKIN LOVE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE. If you do too, then you NEED to read this book. Good glory, it was perfect. It had all the feels, all the romantic tension, and all the wonderful couples communication. I'm a sucker for the trope where the guy loves the girl since the beginning, and Noah's cute words and actions for Mia melted me.

Some reviews mentioned that they felt frustrated with Mia's thoughts about not deserving love/marriage because of her chronic illness. However to me, I related to that part and thought her feelings about it (though flawed) made sense. Her character growth was incredibly strong, and Noah's was too. Them growing together and separately is the core strength of this romance!

Definitely pick this one up. So many sweet and tender moments. It deserves all the stars.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: chronic illness, transplant, car accident death (off page), brief open door(ish)

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Long Story Short: A Book Review

I'm not usually drawn towards YA summer camp books, but wow, this one is WORTH THE READ. It exceeded all expectations. I absolutely loved Beatrice, the MC. I definitely related to her social awkwardness, but I loved her dedication to trying new things and her ability to stand up for herself. I loved her story of finding out who she is and accepting that she can change and still be herself. And I loved her interactions with her two new friends, especially Mia. Their friendship is so wholesome and heartwarming. 

AND DON'T FORGET THE ADORABLE ROMANCE. The loathe to lovers was absolute perfection with all the teenage angst and crushes. I loved that Nik had some Mr. Darcy-inspired traits. And the Shakespeare camp backdrop was perfect for developing the romance! 

Don't miss this one! I devoured this in one day, staying up late to finish it. It's delightful, and the perfect summer read with lighthearted friendship, an angsty romance, and a heartwarming message. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

How to Kiss Your Best Friend: A Book Review

I'm surprised how much I loved this book. It's a FANTASTIC friends-to-lovers with a swoony, muscley, kind guy and an adventurous, independent girl who struggles to figure out what she wants. There's lots of tension, some adorable moments between them, and lots of character growth for Kate. I honestly related to this book a lot (I totally knew a "Brody" and a "Kate" in high school/college who had the same relationship dynamic), so I think that's why I enjoyed this so much. 

This is a quick, sweet romance that will keep you reading. It's a wonderful addition to the friends-to-lovers romance books out there!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4

Thank you, Jenny Proctor and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Language: none

Violence: none

Romance: kisses

Content/Trigger Warnings: divorced parents, mention of cheating, brief accidental nudity

Unlikely Match: A Book Review

I was prepared for this book to wreck me. A transplant romance? Yeah, I was ready to cry. But I didn't expect it to be so heartwarming and funny at parts. So definitely read this if you love

- workplace rivals to lovers

- medical stuff/transplant process

- funny banter

- gay best friend who is the BEST

- start-up business culture

- grumpy + sunshine

This book was such a delight to read. I do wish there was a tad more romance, and the pacing felt slow for the last 30% of the book, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story and even tearing up. Definitely add this book to your TBR!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Laura Bradbury and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger Warnings: chronic health illness, transplant, hospital scenes, foster system

Content Warnings: swearing, one open door and one fade-to-black scene

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Wild is the Witch: A Book Review

It's such a pleasure to read Rachel Griffin's magical writing. I instantly felt like I was in the Pacific Northwest in Wild is the Witch because the descriptions are so detailed and unique. And she has incredible characters that feel deeply and have wonderful growth throughout the story. Everything Rachel Griffin does is magic!

This book has so many wonderful elements to it: loathe to love, witches in an urban setting, spring in the Pacific Northwest, secret identity, and a quest to break a curse before it destroys everything. I couldn't put it down!! I read it until after midnight, and that's saying something because I don't have much sleep with a newborn as it is. Everything about this book was perfect: the slow burn romance with a great conflict, the setting/atmosphere, the magic, and the character growth.

Basically, READ THIS BOOK AND PREORDER SO YOU GET THE BEAUTIFUL LIMITED-EDITION HARDCOVER!!!!!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Sourcebooks, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

For the Throne: A Book Review

So this book requires that you remember a lot of character and plot details from For the Wolf. I, unfortunately, did not remember any details. I had a basic understanding of how For the Wolf ended, and it wasn't enough for me to fully enjoy For the Throne.

I found the plot to be too basic, the world building too complicated, and the characters too lackluster. I didn't really understand Neve's motivation for helping Solmir besides the boring "it's the right thing to do," and her growth felt stagnant. I'm also not sure why we got Red's POV as often as we did. Red was important for the ending, but everything before felt unnecessary.

The one good thing about this book was Solmir. He was an interesting morally-gray character, and I liked learning more about him through this book. The enemies-to-lovers romance was also super sweet in some scenes, but it could have been stronger. Overall, a lot of things in this book could be stronger. I think it just wasn't for me.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!