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anacarter's reviews
988 reviews
Electric Idol by Katee Robert
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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
4.0
Phoenix Awakening by Krys E. Jay
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
3.75 stars, rounded up
Mainly read this because I didn't realize there was a book 1, when I signed up for book 2 ARC, Phoenix Caged which comes out on August 23rd!
Phoenix Awakening is mainly about the unavoidable impact of war, even when leaders try to keep it hidden.
In the Kingdom of Ignis, Princess Moira's biggest concerns were choosing outfits, skipping her lessons, and hanging out with friends or partying too hard.
Everything changes on the night of her eighteenth birthday when the protective walls of the Five Kingdoms are breached, and she rescues a wounded soldier through her shadow.
As the war begins and Moira is left to her own devices, she sneaks through hidden tunnels to gather information. However, she finds herself consumed with jealousy over her best friend’s growing interest in and constant attention to her brother. She unlocks her dormant Gifts to prove herself worthy of her royal responsibilities. But despite her efforts to get her father's attention and reveal the chaos of the ongoing war to his subjects, he refuses to acknowledge her intelligence or share the truth.
Honestly, I'm struggling to rate this.
It was fun and engaging though a bit annoying at times because the fmc came across as overly immature (she seemed very selfish and entitled).
I really wish there was more of a romance aspect to this story.
Moira's love interest feels undetermined, there's Markus, Kieran, and Alden (a soldier whom she really likes, and might be the main love interest. I wish we got more of him!! I really like their interactions and scenes where he's combat training her.)
Overall, besides struggling to rate this, I really enjoyed the story, I loved the world and descriptions and I loved her awakening scene!
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Mainly read this because I didn't realize there was a book 1, when I signed up for book 2 ARC, Phoenix Caged which comes out on August 23rd!
Phoenix Awakening is mainly about the unavoidable impact of war, even when leaders try to keep it hidden.
In the Kingdom of Ignis, Princess Moira's biggest concerns were choosing outfits, skipping her lessons, and hanging out with friends or partying too hard.
Everything changes on the night of her eighteenth birthday when the protective walls of the Five Kingdoms are breached, and she rescues a wounded soldier through her shadow.
As the war begins and Moira is left to her own devices, she sneaks through hidden tunnels to gather information. However, she finds herself consumed with jealousy over her best friend’s growing interest in and constant attention to her brother. She unlocks her dormant Gifts to prove herself worthy of her royal responsibilities. But despite her efforts to get her father's attention and reveal the chaos of the ongoing war to his subjects, he refuses to acknowledge her intelligence or share the truth.
Honestly, I'm struggling to rate this.
It was fun and engaging though a bit annoying at times because the fmc came across as overly immature (she seemed very selfish and entitled).
I really wish there was more of a romance aspect to this story.
Moira's love interest feels undetermined, there's Markus, Kieran, and Alden (a soldier whom she really likes, and might be the main love interest. I wish we got more of him!! I really like their interactions and scenes where he's combat training her.)
Overall, besides struggling to rate this, I really enjoyed the story, I loved the world and descriptions and I loved her awakening scene!
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Neon Gods by Katee Robert
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I love Greek mythology but this wasn’t what I was expecting.. it was entertaining enough but kinda bland and anticlimactic
this definitely wasn't a dark romance, it felt like Fifty Shades of Grey but with mythology mixed in
-characters felt really one-dimensional
-more fluff than serious tones
-the whole Zeus ending was disappointing, that’s how it ended really? They were preparing for a war but Hades shows up and kills Zeus in 2 seconds?? I guess 🤷🏻♀️
bleh I’m so sad and disappointed with this one 😭
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this definitely wasn't a dark romance, it felt like Fifty Shades of Grey but with mythology mixed in
-characters felt really one-dimensional
-more fluff than serious tones
-the whole Zeus ending was disappointing, that’s how it ended really? They were preparing for a war but Hades shows up and kills Zeus in 2 seconds?? I guess 🤷🏻♀️
bleh I’m so sad and disappointed with this one 😭
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Double Booked by Sunny Hart
3.0
3 stars
Double Booked is a MMF rom-com with a touch of mystery, where the romance between the characters unfolds naturally and exudes feel-good vibes.
When a vacation fling blossoms into an unexpected relationship, we follow Riley, a burnt-out author, who meets Colton, a construction company owner, during her trip. Although she doesn't anticipate wanting to see him after the week ends, they do decide to pursue a long-distance relationship. Living in different states—Colton in Kentucky and Riley in Minnesota—and both having demanding careers, their relationship becomes even more complicated with the involvement of Colton's rebellious best friend, Justin. As they navigate their evolving relationship, they also confront personal traumas and the prejudices of a small-town community.
This felt a little messy? The first 30% was super cute, and I enjoyed how they met during the initial vacation scenes, though the pacing throughout was odd. There were moments when a week or just a couple of days would pass between chapters, making it feel slightly rushed.
I did like Colton + Riley's connection from the beginning, but Justin seemed somewhat out of place.
Though, I wish the characters weren't so 2D
The whole scenario of Justin's dad being a serial killer?? seemed weird and it felt like it was out of place
lots of great smut which is always nice though a few scenes felt weird or awkward?
Overall, it was an engaging fast-paced fluffy read, definitely a good palate cleanser or in between books.
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Double Booked is a MMF rom-com with a touch of mystery, where the romance between the characters unfolds naturally and exudes feel-good vibes.
When a vacation fling blossoms into an unexpected relationship, we follow Riley, a burnt-out author, who meets Colton, a construction company owner, during her trip. Although she doesn't anticipate wanting to see him after the week ends, they do decide to pursue a long-distance relationship. Living in different states—Colton in Kentucky and Riley in Minnesota—and both having demanding careers, their relationship becomes even more complicated with the involvement of Colton's rebellious best friend, Justin. As they navigate their evolving relationship, they also confront personal traumas and the prejudices of a small-town community.
This felt a little messy? The first 30% was super cute, and I enjoyed how they met during the initial vacation scenes, though the pacing throughout was odd. There were moments when a week or just a couple of days would pass between chapters, making it feel slightly rushed.
I did like Colton + Riley's connection from the beginning, but Justin seemed somewhat out of place.
Though, I wish the characters weren't so 2D
The whole scenario of Justin's dad being a serial killer?? seemed weird and it felt like it was out of place
lots of great smut which is always nice though a few scenes felt weird or awkward?
Overall, it was an engaging fast-paced fluffy read, definitely a good palate cleanser or in between books.
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Blossoming Dahlia by Bella Reves
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
3.75 rounded up, full Review on my blog!
If a Criminal Minds episode was a book and the fmc victim fell in love with Spencer Reid, this would be it!
Blossoming Dahlia is a thrilling slow-burn romance. We follow Dahlia Porter who is a recently kidnapped victim of the serial killer Steve Curring, known as "The Doll Maker." Fortunately, She was found by FBI agents Hunter & Asher just in time. If not for them, she would have been left mutilated and naked, discarded in a dumpster like all his other victims. How long will she remain free of this serial killer before he finds her again?
While I enjoyed the premise and it makes me want to rewatch all of Criminal Minds again, I do have mixed feelings about it, leaning more on the 'loved it' but I'm not going to lie, it was slightly underwhelming. The 210 pages felt so short that I was just speeding through it. I think it needed more action involving the serial killer, higher-stakes situations, or just something more to give it that extra edge.
I did really love Dahlia and Asher! I loved their chemistry but their slow-burn romance felt like it was also missing something—more intimate/wholesome moments between the characters maybe. I also loved Amanda and Hunter; they were fantastic side characters. Honestly, they were both such good wingmen for our MCs.
Overall, despite its shortcomings this was such a fun read, and I absolutely loved the vibes. I had this giddy feeling the entire time I was reading! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the other stories Bella Reves has in store for this series.
Note: if you're looking for something smutty you'll be left disappointed, as there is really only sexual tension with smut in the last 20 pages
❥FBI MMC
❥Forced Proximity
❥Kidnapped FMC
❥Forbidden love
❥Only one Bed
❥Slow-burn
❥FBI MMC
❥Touch her and ☠️
Thank you for the ARC, Bella!
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If a Criminal Minds episode was a book and the fmc victim fell in love with Spencer Reid, this would be it!
Blossoming Dahlia is a thrilling slow-burn romance. We follow Dahlia Porter who is a recently kidnapped victim of the serial killer Steve Curring, known as "The Doll Maker." Fortunately, She was found by FBI agents Hunter & Asher just in time. If not for them, she would have been left mutilated and naked, discarded in a dumpster like all his other victims. How long will she remain free of this serial killer before he finds her again?
While I enjoyed the premise and it makes me want to rewatch all of Criminal Minds again, I do have mixed feelings about it, leaning more on the 'loved it' but I'm not going to lie, it was slightly underwhelming. The 210 pages felt so short that I was just speeding through it. I think it needed more action involving the serial killer, higher-stakes situations, or just something more to give it that extra edge.
I did really love Dahlia and Asher! I loved their chemistry but their slow-burn romance felt like it was also missing something—more intimate/wholesome moments between the characters maybe. I also loved Amanda and Hunter; they were fantastic side characters. Honestly, they were both such good wingmen for our MCs.
Overall, despite its shortcomings this was such a fun read, and I absolutely loved the vibes. I had this giddy feeling the entire time I was reading! I'm definitely looking forward to reading the other stories Bella Reves has in store for this series.
Note: if you're looking for something smutty you'll be left disappointed, as there is really only sexual tension with smut in the last 20 pages
❥FBI MMC
❥Forced Proximity
❥Kidnapped FMC
❥Forbidden love
❥Only one Bed
❥Slow-burn
❥FBI MMC
❥Touch her and ☠️
Thank you for the ARC, Bella!
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The Nanny by Lana Ferguson
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
honestly, this was great, I loved all the wholesome moments with Sophie. I loved Cassie + Aiden's chemistry, banter, and their budding romance.
The smut was better than I thought it would be.
The beginning was a little cringe though
but ughh the last 65 pages were so pointless. I hate when characters run away from problems that don't even exist.
It was soooo good til the end, I'm just going to pretend the last 65 pages didn't happen :)
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honestly, this was great, I loved all the wholesome moments with Sophie. I loved Cassie + Aiden's chemistry, banter, and their budding romance.
The smut was better than I thought it would be.
The beginning was a little cringe though
but ughh the last 65 pages were so pointless. I hate when characters run away from problems that don't even exist.
It was soooo good til the end, I'm just going to pretend the last 65 pages didn't happen :)
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Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
Starling House is a thrilling, slow-burn gothic fantasy that was tough to put down, yet slightly boring at the same time. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It was interesting enough to keep me engaged but also had some boring parts in the middle that left me wanting to DNF.
We witness Opal's journey from living in poverty and struggling to care for her younger brother to becoming the caretaker of Starling House, where the reclusive Warden harbors a shocking secret. It explores how storytelling can reshape the truth and why some truths seem to be a vortex of violence. At its core, Starling House is a story about trust and the meaning of 'home'—is it where you were born and raised, or is it where and with whom you feel most loved?
I did like the characters. I liked Opal; she's strong-willed, stubborn, hardworking, and brave, but she was also incredibly immature and dramatic. Arthur was caring and protective, but despite all the information we have about him, he felt like a really flat character. Their romance was lackluster, it felt more like an obsession from Opal's pov. I really didn't feel their chemistry.
Honestly, this just reminded me of Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek, while a different version with different characters and overall plot, the aspect of a 'Warden' guarding a forest + house that's alive to keep the town/villages safe from the Beasts within is the same.
Overall, I enjoyed the darker atmosphere of this book. The blending of the past, particularly Eleanor Starling’s Underland novel, with the present, kept me consistently engaged. It just lacked that 'wow' factor for me.
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adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“A Warden falls. The house calls someone new–someone lost or lonely, someone whose home was stolen or sold or who never had a home in the first place. It calls them, and they come, and they are never homeless again.”
Starling House is a thrilling, slow-burn gothic fantasy that was tough to put down, yet slightly boring at the same time. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It was interesting enough to keep me engaged but also had some boring parts in the middle that left me wanting to DNF.
We witness Opal's journey from living in poverty and struggling to care for her younger brother to becoming the caretaker of Starling House, where the reclusive Warden harbors a shocking secret. It explores how storytelling can reshape the truth and why some truths seem to be a vortex of violence. At its core, Starling House is a story about trust and the meaning of 'home'—is it where you were born and raised, or is it where and with whom you feel most loved?
I did like the characters. I liked Opal; she's strong-willed, stubborn, hardworking, and brave, but she was also incredibly immature and dramatic. Arthur was caring and protective, but despite all the information we have about him, he felt like a really flat character. Their romance was lackluster, it felt more like an obsession from Opal's pov. I really didn't feel their chemistry.
Honestly, this just reminded me of Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek, while a different version with different characters and overall plot, the aspect of a 'Warden' guarding a forest + house that's alive to keep the town/villages safe from the Beasts within is the same.
Overall, I enjoyed the darker atmosphere of this book. The blending of the past, particularly Eleanor Starling’s Underland novel, with the present, kept me consistently engaged. It just lacked that 'wow' factor for me.
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Null & Void by R. Moody
THAT ENDING!! The last 40 pages were full of chaos (in a good way) and a giant twist that I didn't see coming.
The beginning was a bit hard to get through, especially the first 160 pages, but I'm so glad I stuck with it, this was amazing!
We follow Mika, also known as the now-retired Silent Assassin, who is a Null or someone who doesn't have a 'power'. Believing she has escaped her past, Mika is soon sold to another kingdom to help locate and rescue their missing princess. She embarks on this journey with one of the best motley crews I’ve ever read: Beans, Riley, Bitty, and Tovi. I loved the found family aspect of this! There were so many great moments during their travels that will put a smile on your face! At first, I thought there were too many characters, but it was easy to follow, they are all amazing and have their own loveable personalities.
There was so much sexual tension in this omg, I just LOVED the chemistry between Mika & Riley!
-fmc is an assassin at first, though at first, she doesn’t come across as one and seems more childish than a strong assassin character. However, she has moments where her strength as an assassin shines through, which is quite intriguing. The second half of the book definitely highlights her redeeming qualities.
-the beginning of them traveling felt like a drag but quickly got more interesting as I read on
I cant wait for book 2!!
❥Assassin FMC
❥Cinnamon Roll MMC, yet has bad boy vibes
❥Hidden Identity
❥An Imposter (not saying who but omg!! that twist)
❥Twists upon twists!!
❥Found Family
❥Forced proximity
❥Morally grey mmc
❥One Bed
❥Hate to Love
❥Reluctant Hero/Heroine
❥Feminine rage
❥LGBTQ+ cast & diverse rep
❥Court politics/political intrigue
Thank you for the ARC, R. Moody!!
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dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
4.5 stars! Full review soon
"Once an assassin, always an assassin."
THAT ENDING!! The last 40 pages were full of chaos (in a good way) and a giant twist that I didn't see coming.
The beginning was a bit hard to get through, especially the first 160 pages, but I'm so glad I stuck with it, this was amazing!
We follow Mika, also known as the now-retired Silent Assassin, who is a Null or someone who doesn't have a 'power'. Believing she has escaped her past, Mika is soon sold to another kingdom to help locate and rescue their missing princess. She embarks on this journey with one of the best motley crews I’ve ever read: Beans, Riley, Bitty, and Tovi. I loved the found family aspect of this! There were so many great moments during their travels that will put a smile on your face! At first, I thought there were too many characters, but it was easy to follow, they are all amazing and have their own loveable personalities.
There was so much sexual tension in this omg, I just LOVED the chemistry between Mika & Riley!
-fmc is an assassin at first, though at first, she doesn’t come across as one and seems more childish than a strong assassin character. However, she has moments where her strength as an assassin shines through, which is quite intriguing. The second half of the book definitely highlights her redeeming qualities.
-the beginning of them traveling felt like a drag but quickly got more interesting as I read on
“I’d almost risk it. For one taste.” He leans closer, and closer. “But I’ll wait,” he says to the place where the corner of my lips meets my cheek. His lips brush my skin as he speaks. “It’ll be worth it.”
I cant wait for book 2!!
❥Assassin FMC
❥Cinnamon Roll MMC, yet has bad boy vibes
❥Hidden Identity
❥An Imposter (not saying who but omg!! that twist)
❥Twists upon twists!!
❥Found Family
❥Forced proximity
❥Morally grey mmc
❥One Bed
❥Hate to Love
❥Reluctant Hero/Heroine
❥Feminine rage
❥LGBTQ+ cast & diverse rep
❥Court politics/political intrigue
Thank you for the ARC, R. Moody!!
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Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0