amanda_reads13's reviews
414 reviews

Isabelle's son goes missing and she will stop at nothing until she finds him. 

This one pulled me right. We follow Isabelle, an mother whose son is missing, she is grieving, suffering from PTSD, and barely sleeping. She is the definition of an unreliable narrator, yet you want to believe her. We are steeped in her grief and paranoia. You are right with her the entire time picking apart the pieces and trying to make sense of it all. 

There are definitely a few red herrings along the way. Did she do something to him while sleep walking? Was it her narcissistic husband? Is Whalen the guilty one? Was it the creepy man down the street? What are the cops hiding? 

We find out that when she was younger, Isabelle had a history of sleep walking. One night her sister died in the marshes behind the house.

We are lead to think that  Isabelle lead her to her death and that she killed her son while sleep walking. Then we find out that it was actually her mother, suffering from severe PPD who was guilty. She has planned to kill herself and her 2 daughters, but only the one daughter died.

The whole time I thought it was the husband.

He is obviously a narcissist, possibly sociopath who is manipulative, controlling, and gaslights everyone. He is always on the hunt for a younger version of his wife. His first wife died of suicide while pregnant and then his son with his second wife goes missing while he is in the throws of an affair with a younger model. Convenient or guilty? Well he is certainly guilty of something, but not of killing his son.

I was shocked when

it was revealed that it was the girlfriend who kidnapped her son! I was not expecting that at all. She was jealous and wanted Isabelle out of the picture, so she took the child and gave him to a woman to raise.

It was love a frist sight for Kenan, but Lotus's past has her shying away from any long term commitments. 

As usual, this book is so beautifully written. This story is so heartbreaking and emotional, yet has so many heartwarming moments. The characters are so vibrant and well developed. 

Their chemistry was palpable. The tension and banter was perfection. I loved the slow burn in this book. They took their time to slowly transition from friends to lovers. The slow pace of their relationship makes so much sense considering Lotus's past trauma and Kenan's challenges with his ex-wife. Their relationship isn't perfect, but they choose each other and have open communication.

Kenan has been through a horrible and public divorce after his wife cheated on him with a teammate. His ex-wife was so emotionally abusive and was a master at manipulation. He is such a empathetic, compassion, protective, and complicated man. He didn't let many people in, but he felt an instant connection to Lotus. He was so patient with her and his letters were so endearing. 

Lotus was a strong and mighty woman. She is struggling with PTSD and has massive trust issues. She was a survivor.

As a child, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend and then her mother rejected her for him.

Her circle is small, but close, it takes a lot for her to trust. She was bold and loud, yet vulnerable and struggling. It takes a lot for her to let Kenan in, but once he is in, he is her world. 

The addition of Voodoo was interesting. Lotus was raised by her grandmother and was taught about her "power". 

Lotus predicts death around Kenan. They end up discovering that his daughter has ODed and then she almost dies. Lotus assumes this was the feeling she gets, but later in the book Kenan is in a car accident and is declared dead. Lotus and Iris somehow save him with their "energy".  To me it seemed like a bit of a gimmick in the book. I would have liked to have seen it explored more.

Tropes: friends to lovers, found family, slow burn, single dad

Justin and Emma are both inflicted by the same curse. Everyone they date goes on to find their soulmate. They decide to date for the summer to break the curse. 

I love this book so much. It is absolutely hilarious, I must have looked insane laughing out loud to the audio while walking my dog. Though it is a really funny book, it also addresses some pretty heavy topics such as child abandonment, PTSD, and mental health. 

I think that Emma's PTSD was approached in a sensitive and informed manner. Emma has an incredibly rough childhood. Her mother dealt with a lot of mental health issues and would often abandon her for long stretches. Emma has trust and abandonment issues, her mother would pop in and out of her life always offering her a sliver of hope and then ripping it away. She can never get attached to anyone out of fear of them leaving. That is until Maddie. 

As a child she eventually ended up in foster care, where she was placed in Maddie's family. Maddie becomes her "docking station", her safe person. Maddie is the most incredible friend. She sacrifices setting down roots to ensure her best friend is cared for and loved. She is there for her through the thick and thin. I want a Maddie book! 

Even though it was

a difficult decision and really hard on Justin, I am glad that Emma took the time to work on herself and to heal before jumping back into the relationship.  It would have ended in disaster had she not taken the time to work on herself first.

Justin has endured a few crappy years, his father has recently passed away and now his mother is going to jail, leaving him to raise his 3 siblings. Justin is so compassionate, understanding, and selfless. He is lite ally the definition of a golden retriever BF.

Him crossing the lake on the floaties! My heart!

 

The surprise, was honestly not a suprise to me.

As soon as she mentioned her mom was Amber and that Emma was going a DNA test, I put it together. Daniel (book 1) was Emma's half brother and Amber never told her about him, never told her about any of her family. I did really appreciate how all the worlds came together in this book. I even appreciated the Neil redemption-ish story. It is easy to see Amber as a horrible person, but she obviously has severe mental health issues and needs help.

Tropes: fake-ish dating, slow burn, found family

When Chloe is 12, her father is arrested for the murder of 6 teenage girls in their small town. 20 years later, Chloe is engaged and working as a psychologist. Her life is thrown back into turmoil when local girls start to go missing again. 

Our narrator, Chloe, is super unreliable. She has PTSD, mental health and trust issues, and has a tendency to mix alcohol and prescription drugs. The entire time I was questioning everything she said and believed to be true. It was pretty clear pretty early on that her focus was going to be on Daniel, but everything seemed to be too convenient. 

Her trust issues mixed with this couples lack of communication makes me understand why her focus went straight to him. Men let her down, they always have let her down, why would Daniel be any different? Had they just been open, honest, and communicated with each other, they probably would have caught the killer much earlier. 

Daniel

is such a genuinely kind and sweet man. He loved Chloe so much, but was not completely honest with her. Yes, he did it for an understandable reason, but if you can't tell your fiance everything about yourself, who can you? It turns out that his sister who "disappeared" when she was 13, was actually alive and well. Their father was an abusive drunk and to save her from his abuse, Daniel arranged for her to "run-away" from home. He keeps this a secret from Chloe.

Cooper

was the obvious suspect from the start. He seemed a bit off from the beginning. We find out that it was actually him from the beginning. His father took the fall for him. In the present he manipulates a local man to impersonate a reporter in order to get close to Chloe. He manipulates and gaslights Chloe into believing her fiance is a killer by planting evidence and targeting girls close to her. He hates that Daniel is taking his sister's attention from him and wants him out of her life. Creepy. 

Overall, it is a gripping a twisty thriller with an unreliable narrator. You never really know where the story is leading. 

After a series of unfortunate first impressions, two doctors become each other's safe space at time when they are both feeling lost and alone. 

This book is very cute and absolutely hilarious! I didn't love it as much as the first because of the constant miscommunication and repetition. Like chapters and chapters of miscommunication. They make countless assumptions about each other and instead of talking to each other, they just let it get in the way. Due to the miscommunication we get internal monologues odlf
“there’s no way she likes me it’s fake”/ “there’s no way he likes me it’s a rebound" on repeat for 1/3 of the book. 

Briana is a successful doctor who is dealing with a terrible divorce and a brother who needs a kidney transplant. She is so strong, but she is in desperate need of therapy. She has trust issues due to her father leaving her family and her husband cheating on her with her friend. She has never dealt with those insecurities and issues, she just lets them consume her and let's it stand in the way of her possible relationship with Jacob. She has a secret crazy side, which was hilarious - the glitter story!!!!

Jacob is the greenest of green flags. He is considerate, thoughtful, and sweet. He has crippling anxiety that leads him to isolate himself and have panic attacks. At times it seemed like he was more on the ASD spectrum than anxiety, but either way, I felt like the author approached this topic with compassion and in an understandable way. He is such a selfless and caring man - he donates a kidney and forgives his brother for marrying his ex (wtf!)! 

I really love these two together. The letters are so adorable! You can feel how much they love each other. She takes the time to understand Jacob and does what she can to make his life better. I love how he never gives up on Briana, he understands her issues and is there with her through it all. 

Tropes: slow burn, rivals to friends to lovers, fake dating, co-workers 

Banner and Jared were friends in college and almost more until Jared completely shatters her trust. Years later they are rival agents and he is determined to get her back by any means possible. 

I really love Kennedy Ryan's writing and really enjoyed the first in this series. Sadly this one was almost a DNF for me. Her writing as always, is excellent; there is great banter, a touch of humour, and heartbreaking moments. 

BUT I hated both of the MCs. They were both incredibly unlikable. Jared is an asshole with zero redeeming qualities. He thinks he is "owed" Banner because "he saw her first" and she is the only person he could ever possibly love. He is a manipulative sociopath with zero compassion and empathy. 

Banner begins as such a strong woman. Then she goes and cheats on her boyfriend/best friend, who is literally the best man to ever exist. Then she has the audacity to be shocked that Zo and her family are pissed... OF COURSE THEY ARE!

Banner is obviously struggling with an eating disorder and body dysmorphia. I HATE how this is handled in this book. As someone who has dealt with these things, it is obvious to see Banner has a very unhealthy relationship food and her body. We are continuously told she is in weight watchers and counting points (is this an ad?), she compulsively works out (she cannot miss one), and she is hypercritical of her body. She is such a successful woman yet so much of her self worth is tied to her body... This doesn't change throughout the entire book. We are constantly reminded of her body dysmorphia and it is never addressed nor does she get real help for it. Very frustrating.

Can we scrap this book and just get a book about Zo? 

Tropes: second chance romance, rivals 

Alexis' world has just been thrown upside down. The cause: Daniel the handsome carpenter who rescued her when she drove into a ditch. 

I loved this book. I adored everything about it. Though it dealt with some heavy subjects, it was so heartwarming and adorable! 

Daniel and Alexis make no sense together. They are from completely opposite worlds, yet they just fit perfectly together. You can't help but root for them. They face insurmountable odds, but they are meant to be. 

Daniel is such a selfless, compassionate, and thoughtful man. He is a carpenter who runs a bnb and is also mayor of Wakan. All he wants to do is to take care of those he loves. He would drop everything to be at Alexi' side. Plus he has a baby goat in PJs ...

Alexis comes from a family of world renowned doctors. It was so frustrating to see her put father's demands above her own needs and wants, but she was probably suffering from PTSD from years of abuse.  I loved seeing her journey to heal from the emotional abuse she suffered as a child and with her ex. Through her relationship with Daniel and being around the people of his town, she learns to heal and finally finds her voice. She goes from a very timid and anxious woman, to one who embraces her worth and power. 

One of my favourite parts of this book was the found family aspect. Blood isn't everything, Alexis' mom and dad certainly proved that. The town of Wakan is like one big family who are there for each other through thick and thin. And Bri was such an incredible friend for Alexis. 

Tropes: age gap, opposites attract, found families. 

Demon Copperhead (Damon), son of a drug addicted young mother, takes us through his life as he fights to survive all that life throws at him. 

Demon is the voice of the impoverished, opiod addicted, abandoned people of Appalachia. His voice is incredibly unique and his story tell one of resilencey, loyalty, and pride. This book never stops as he ensures foster care, child labour, the broken education system, addiction, and crushing losses. This book is messy, emotional, and intense. This story could have been very bleak, yet within the pages is a tale of hope with a touch of humor. 

The book is so beautifully written and the setting plays almost like a secondary character in how intertwined and vivid it is. 

Demon is an immensely flawed, but likable character. We're rooting for him to succeed. He ensures abandonment, abuse, homelessness, addiction, and so much loss. His life forces him to grow up so fast, otherwise he literally would not survive. Yet, through all he endured, he does just that, he survives and perseveres. 

We are introduced to so many other interesting and captivating characters along the way. They all played such an important role in his life. Maggot, the lost soul just trying to survive while being so different. Tommy, the soft hearted man who pulls himself up against insurmountable odds.  The Peggots, the kind hearted neighbours who help as much as they can. Dorie, the lost girl who could never be saved. Angus, the girl who supported him no matter what. His teachers, who encouraged and supported him to follow his dream of drawing. This is such a memorable cast of characters. 

Unfortunately, the author does lean very heavily on the stereotypes of the Appalachia region. Every stereotype you can think of about that region happens Demon in this book. I wish that there would have been a little more breaking stereotypes rather than amplifying them. That said, I did think that Demon was a very interesting and captivating character.

With so many heavy topics addressed in this book, it does veer towards feeling preechy or like a lecture at times. 

I really liked the ending.

Demon has fought his battles and won, what comes next is left to the imagination, but it ends in a note of hope.

Sin has been obsessed with Ellie for 
years and already claims her as his.  But she is promised to another.

This book is very dark and incredibly unhinged, so check the TW before starting (it's a long list).

Ellie has been through hell and back. She is convinced that she deserves all the bad things that happen to her and eventually just accepts that this is her lot in life. I really wanted to see her get her revenge and in a round about what she does, but I wanted her to be the one to light the match. She has been groomed by most of the men in her life and is SA a lot... Even by Sin who apparently "loves" her. (It's not CNC, it's R@pe). It honestly feels like Sin is just continuing her grooming- he never using a safe word, ignores her pain, tries to control her, r@pes, and just keeps damaging this poor girl. 

Sin believes Ellie is his, yet he can never quite keep her safe. With all the cameras and stalking, you think he would be able to protect her better. He is the typical sadistic, obsessive, possessive, and unhinged MC with the personality of a wet blanket. Frankly, he is not likable or redeeming at all. 

Tropes: stalker, dark, college, forbidden, secret society

Tisaanah is a slave who saved for years to buy her freedom, yet when the discussion with her master ends in murder, she has to flee for her life. She goes to Ara and joins The Order, an organization for magic wielders. There she will train in order to go back and free the slaves she left behind.

The plotline, characters and twists were so well done and well written. The first part of the book is quite slow due to the time spent building the world and the characters. The second half the book was fast-paced and action-packed. I wish there had been a little bit more world building and I felt like the magic system was a little vague and confusing.

Tisaanah is a fragmented girl with no home or family. She has been a slave since she was a child and has suffered under her master. She is absolutely relentless and will stop at nothing to ensure that all the slaves are set free. I really loved the development of her character and thought she was an incredibly interesting and captivating FMC. 

Max is the man tasked with training Tisaanah. At first he comes off as an a asshole but as we learn his story and the tragedy of his past, we understand why he's become so reclusive. 

Reshaye is an unknown entity that is implanted into a host. We don't know exactly what they are or where they have come from but it is clear that they cause immense destruction. It was once implanted into Max.

For some reason it is completely obsessed with Max. So much so that it will kill or destroy anything that takes Max from it, including Max's entire family. It is able to take complete control over it's host and do things without the host's consent.

It brings complete chaos to whoever it is implanted into. From Tisaanah's POV and Max's flashbacks, we can see that It is next to impossible to control Reshaye.

Though, it seems that Tisaanah may have found a way to regain some control.

Romance is only a small part of the story, it mostly focuses on Tisaanah's journey. Still the slow burn had me captivated. I like the stages of their relationship and how they developed genuine feelings for one another. They slowly recognize the scars in each other and are helping to heal the other. The tension between them was palpable and I loved their banter.

I thought the language barrier was a fun addition, it added a few funny moments to the story. 

I really liked Sammerin, I think his relationship with Max is incredibly important to the storyline. I hope to get much more of him in the rest of the books. 

Nura is a confusing character. I'm not really sure what to think of her yet, so I'm interested to see how her character develops.

Tropes: fantasy, slow burn, magic, revenge, trainer – trainee, Forced proximity