alexatthelake's reviews
717 reviews

To be totally honest, I'm pretty devastated I only rated this 3 stars. If I'm being REALLY honest, it was almost a 2 star read for almost the first 3 quarters of the book. I struggled to connect with and really like any of the characters, even though I did like Will and found Annie fairly funny and relatable, I couldn't get into it. I found the plot very slow, overdone and mega cheesy, again if I'm being honest. However, around 65%, it really took off for me. 

I will say that I loved the banter and the chemistry between the two main characters. Sarah Adams really know how to make closed door romances extra steamy! It seems that I'm pretty much the only one who didn't fall in love with this book, but I will say that the ending had me swooning and falling, I just needed so much more from the beginning. Will was absolutely amazing with Annie, and I did end up liking them both overall, but it took too long for me to get there to rate this one any higher.

All My Rage is easily a book that will make you sit with all your uncomfortable feelings and stick with you for a long time. While it is a YA book, it is incredible powerful, moving, dark and painful. It's a fiction novel, but truly a bit of a reality check to realize what teenagers do experience. It almost reads as a non-fiction it is that well written and that honest. 

This book will absolutely wreck you, mend your heart and tear it all apart again. You will absolutely be filled with rage, but this book is a must read, an eye opener.

I had no intentions of reading this book but it was suggested to me for my 12 books in 12 months for 2023, and let me tell you I'm SO glad I picked it up. The audio was fantastic. While I had no idea what to expect from this book (hello I don't read synopsis), it pleasantly surprised me and introduced me to a new series I can't wait to continue! 

Right from the first few lines, I was absolutely hooked. Throughout the whole book, I had goosebumps, felt uncomfortable, and couldn't get enough of the story. The setting of Stillhouse Lake was perfectly creepy. While the pace is a little slow, I was still on the edge of my seat, anxious to find out what came next.

I want to start by saying this book really shouldn't be marketed as a thriller or even really a mystery. It's more of a domestic fiction, I'd say? Family drama, maybe. Long Bright River is a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, devastating fiction novel that almost reads like it could be non-fiction. Immediately, I was drawn to Mickey and her life, immersed completely in the story and how it was going to play out.

Amanda Gambill's writing is easy to love. Her characters are even easier to love with how relatable and honest they are. I will admit that I thought I wasn't going to really enjoy this book, as previously I haven't enjoyed political based novels, especially romance, but there was the perfect balance between the actual story plot and addition of the political talk. The banter between characters was hilarious and delicious, making it so easy to fall in love with them and their journey. Even though fake dating usually doesn't work well for me, this one was actually kind of believable and not cringey. 

I did feel a tiny bit let down by the ending, I wanted quite a bit more from it, which is where the last start was lost.

This was another book that I wasn't sure what to expect when I started, and even after reading the synopsis, I wasn't sure what I was going to think. I tried not to let my dislike for stand up comedy sway my feelings on this book and I'm glad I gave it a chance! 

The more I listened to this one, the more I fell in love with it. I will say the beginning was a hard sell for me, it was a struggle to get into it, but I quickly did. The story was so much more than stand up comedy with so many beautiful messages and such a swoony love story. I loved the second part with the email exchanges, my heart totally swooning for the main characters getting another chance to know one another. I loved Sally and Noah's banter, how witty and clever they both were and also how relatable they both ended up being. 

I truly love when a book pleasantly surprises me in the best ways. I'll openly admit that I was convinced I had no desire to read this book. I had added it to my shelf without a second thought, then I read the synopsis a few times with my nose in the air and tossed it aside. When October rolled around, I figured it was the perfect month to maybe give this book a chance, given the fantasy/witchy vibes it carries and let me tell you - give this book a chance. I listened to the audio and I think maybe it made a huge difference because it made the book feel less long and really kept my interest. 

I wasn't immediately enthralled with this story, but I pushed myself to keep going and I'm ever so glad I did. It was a story like no other, with incredible messages throughout, with the perfect balance of supernatural/fantasy elements. The powerful, strong female characters in The Change are definitely memorable ones to be talked about. I loved the message that women who are "older" can still live interesting and fulfilling lives without relying on marriage, kids of careers.

I've been waiting to write this review for a few reasons. Mostly - because I'm struggling to really put into words how much this book blew me away and how proud I am of my friend, Megan. I was lucky enough to read one of the very first versions of this book and to give my honest feedback. I'm so happy to say that even the very first version of this book made me smile, made me feel so many emotions and absolutely swoon over Bennett. The final version of An Unexpected Path is simply put - incredible. Megan, your hard work has absolutely truly paid off with this wonderful debut novel. 

The very first line of this book will grab you and make you giggle. It just continues throughout the whole book plus you'll fall in love with the easy banter between Marley and Bennett. It's so easy to fall in love with both Marley and Bennett, as well as all the side characters. But mostly... the dogs. And Lloyd. But even more importantly Yogurt. You'll definitely find yourself smiling, giggling and taking a second thought about some things while reading this book. I sobbed a few times - especially when I saw my name in the acknowledgments. Congratulations, my friend, you did it!

What Remains is a typical run of the mill thriller for me. It was enjoyable and I liked it, but just not enough and it won't be very memorable. I've already forgotten a bit of it. While listening, it did keep me engaged and interested, but I just feel very meh about it. Maybe I wasn't in the mood, I'm not sure, but it won't be topping any favourites lists.

Swoooooooon can Beau be any more perfect? I'll be the first to admit that unlike most, I was not super excited for Beau's story. Can't really tell you why, I just wasn't. As for Bailey - I had no idea what to expect from her because she'd only been thrown in a little bit at the end of a previous book. Regardless - I am THRILLED to say I adored this book. I adored Beau. He might be my second (or third I am wholly undecided) favourite Eaton (and Jasper) brother. I will not be making that decision at this time. Beau was so perfectly imperfect. 

While I did swoon, drool and squeal a time or two throughout Hopeless, I have one huge hangup that I won't really get into details about because I don't want any spoilers, but it lost a whole star for me. I felt it was really unnecessary, overly dramatic and just killed the vibe the whole book had going. I understand partially why it was added in, but I just think something else could have been done, or just totally left out, to make the perfect book. Either way, Hopeless was a huge win for me, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will definitely be wanting more (even if I don't get it).