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booksalacarte's reviews
659 reviews
Once You're Mine by Morgan Bridges
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5⭐️3🌶️
Dark contemporary romance
Stalker romance
Dual POV
Flashback
Touch her and die
Forced proximity
This felt like I was reading a slightly altered 50 shades of grey.
There were big plot holes going on. Ones that I don’t think can be explained with 1-2 sentences the way they were. And it was small things like here dad’s debt and lack of any investigation of a his murder, her ex fiancé, the backpack, how a fall from society seemed to knot take a couple of weeks when any actual processing after a death takes way longer than that… there seemed to be an issue with object permanence.
Some of this dialogue is very unnatural and cliche. There were so many inconsistencies that could have been easily avoided.
The flashback of the court scene was terribly laid out. It’s probably the worst representation of a court scene I’ve ever read. It was a missed opportunity. It could have been twice as long and given so much more insight than it did.
I like that the untrustworthy character is the trustworthy narrator and the character that should be more morally trustworthy seems to be not a trustworthy narrator… it’s an interesting dynamic.
I won’t be continuing with this series.
Thank you NetGalley and forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
3.5⭐️3🌶️
Contemporary Romance
Own Voices Author
Workplace Romance
Forbidden Romance
First person POV
Indigenous MC’s
🏳️🌈 Side Character
Disabled side character
The plot of the book highlights heavier themes throughout from racism/micro aggressions, sexism, corporate nepotism, feminine hyper awareness, complicated family ties, historical oppression and common generation issues among the native population. There is something of a lived experience in the pages of this book, and you can feel it. I respect this author and that this is an OwnVoices story.
With so much being packed into the plot lines of this book, it’s no wonder that the main character feels locked in a mentality that makes her seem immature or naive when it comes to certain aspects. Her lies and constant anxiety was giving me major secondhand anxiety that made this story harder for me, personally, to enjoy.
The MMC is depicted as the perfect man… I was always waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop. We didn’t get to know him as a person other than the hot IT guy, which was a real disservice to his potential.
I hope that more indigenous authors make contemporary rom-coms. I enjoyed reading!
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
What Did You Do? by Jeneane O'Riley
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
2.5
2.5⭐️4.25🌶️
Second Book
Contemporary Fantasy
Dark Romantasy
Magical realism
Multi POV
Dual Timeline
Fae Prince MMC
Cat and Mouse
Read the trigger warnings, please.
Well I had hoped this would get better and better since being picked up by a trad publishing group. It did NOT.
My absolute biggest complaint is that for a traditionally released book there were so many typing and editing issues. It’s almost like they only used spell check before they sent this book to the printer. Complete words were missing from sentences MULTIPLE times. For a traditionally published book, that’s unacceptable.
Structurally this book was a dumpster fire. The flashbacks and multi POV made things really confusing to follow.
This FMC is all over the place and it’s really annoying. But you get to know her back story… which is helpful. But the random STEM references didn’t fit at all. This isn’t that, stop trying to make the FMC be too much. She is an overly complicated character, and not in a good way.
With the MMC’s… That whole book was a dick measuring contest. They sounded like petulant teenagers.
I basically was rooting for no one by the end of this book.
—————————
The Infatuated Fae Series
How Does it Feel?- 3⭐️2.75🌶️
What Did You Do?- ⭐️🌶️
Where Did You Go?- January 28, 2025
Book #4- unannounced
How Does It Feel? by Jeneane O'Riley
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
3⭐️2.75🌶️
Contemporary Fantasy
Dark Romantasy
Magical realism
1st Person
Dual POV
Fae
Enemies to lovers
Stockholm syndrome
Trials
Twist
Tw: sexual assault, confinement, murder
This is a fun time, more than a good time.
For how short this fantasy book was, there was a lot going on… It was trying to be a lot of things in 320 pages. Cliche dialogue, typical plot… but the ending had a decent twist that only had the tiniest foreshadowing. So it was a decent surprise.
The POV overlap was really not great. I was annoyed at reading the same moments but from a different POV. It slowed the pacing down a lot. The fantasy aspect didn’t start until almost 1/2 way through the book…it felt like a lot of build up in a world where none of the action took place.
The FMC was portrayed as biology Barbie. Not really someone I wanted to root for. I was very confused by her as the FMC in a fantasy. It didn’t track. She starts out not cursing… and replacing words in a ‘The Good Place’ way, then curses in the second half of the book. She‘s inconsistent and not not a trustworthy narrator.
The MMC is a prince who is numb except when he kills. That’s it. That’s his personality. Got it. And unoriginal with his shadow powers. It is what it is at this point.
I’m hoping that the next book gets better. It was indie published and picked up before the second book was done, so maybe things get better with a good editor? It’s the same length… So jury is out. I’m reading book 2 because I got it from the library with the first one and I’m a little curious with the ending. If book 2 is the same, I’ll be done.
The longer I think about it, the lower i want to rate the book… but I was fine while reading it…
Contemporary Fantasy
Dark Romantasy
Magical realism
1st Person
Dual POV
Fae
Enemies to lovers
Stockholm syndrome
Trials
Twist
Tw: sexual assault, confinement, murder
This is a fun time, more than a good time.
For how short this fantasy book was, there was a lot going on… It was trying to be a lot of things in 320 pages. Cliche dialogue, typical plot… but the ending had a decent twist that only had the tiniest foreshadowing. So it was a decent surprise.
The POV overlap was really not great. I was annoyed at reading the same moments but from a different POV. It slowed the pacing down a lot. The fantasy aspect didn’t start until almost 1/2 way through the book…it felt like a lot of build up in a world where none of the action took place.
The FMC was portrayed as biology Barbie. Not really someone I wanted to root for. I was very confused by her as the FMC in a fantasy. It didn’t track. She starts out not cursing… and replacing words in a ‘The Good Place’ way, then curses in the second half of the book. She‘s inconsistent and not not a trustworthy narrator.
The MMC is a prince who is numb except when he kills. That’s it. That’s his personality. Got it. And unoriginal with his shadow powers. It is what it is at this point.
I’m hoping that the next book gets better. It was indie published and picked up before the second book was done, so maybe things get better with a good editor? It’s the same length… So jury is out. I’m reading book 2 because I got it from the library with the first one and I’m a little curious with the ending. If book 2 is the same, I’ll be done.
The longer I think about it, the lower i want to rate the book… but I was fine while reading it…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4.25⭐️3🌶️
High Fantasy
Adult Fantasy
1st pov
Swan lake retelling
Celtic folklore
Unique Magic System
Changlings
Assassin FMC
Royalty
Mythical creatures
Enemies to lovers
The glossary is at the end. It would read so much easier if the glossary had been at the beginning of the book. Sometimes the language made it hard to connect with the story because of my unfamiliarity. I think that would have been amazing as an audiobook!
The magic system felt unique and fresh in its delivery! The immense Irish folklore and whimsical writing was steeped in nature and balance. The druids, sprites and all manner of impish beasties formed a world filled with whimsical treachery. I wish that the author leaned a little more into the description of these creatures, instead of letting the Celtic language do all the talking. But I really enjoyed how much of the folklore was actively used throughout the book.
The plot was such a great take on the Swan Princess and 12 dancing princesses. I think that it taking place over a full year, while not ideal in having to gloss over months in a chapter so that the time and action could take place during the full moon, it didn’t hurt the story. You had to suspend disbelief in that aspect.
The main characters were really solid! I adored the character growth in regards to the FMC had to choose between who she was and who she was becoming. That was well played with the love interests. I was very thankful that there wasn’t any overlap. In regards to the me . I wanted to hit one and I wanted the other to really come into his own and not fit the mold of other fantasy leading men. I think that the shadows could have been done away with and the author could have really leaned into the sky powers to make Irian stand strongly apart from other “booktok shadow daddies”. Could they all have had a little more depth? Yes. But I think that is more the fault of the pov and time laps between chapters.
I wish that the side characters had been a little bit bigger. We don’t get much about them and it makes their motivations feel a little bit flat. Other than Corra. That little sprite was the best.
While it wasn’t a 5⭐️, it was still really good. I will be reading the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Funny story 5⭐️3🌶️
1st person POV
Romcom
Contemporary romance
30’s Main Characters
Roommates-to-lovers
Flashbacks
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Open door romance
Yup. Emily Henry holds up. I always find myself wrapped up in the message of her books. She pairs the swoon worthy romance with reality and all humanity’s messed up little bits in a moving way. Every. Time.
This story was such an interesting plot, no matter how far fetched it was. But it’s tropes I love and challenges that cinch my heart.
The sarcasm didn’t hit quite as solidly as it could have, and the banter seemed to always be bantering… but it made me cry… so I forgive it.
1st person POV
Romcom
Contemporary romance
30’s Main Characters
Roommates-to-lovers
Flashbacks
Fake dating
Forced proximity
Open door romance
Yup. Emily Henry holds up. I always find myself wrapped up in the message of her books. She pairs the swoon worthy romance with reality and all humanity’s messed up little bits in a moving way. Every. Time.
This story was such an interesting plot, no matter how far fetched it was. But it’s tropes I love and challenges that cinch my heart.
The sarcasm didn’t hit quite as solidly as it could have, and the banter seemed to always be bantering… but it made me cry… so I forgive it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Glow by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5⭐️4+🌶️
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
Gild- 4⭐️3🌶️
Glint- 4⭐️2🌶️
Gleam- 4⭐️4🌶️
Glow-3.5⭐️4+🌶️
Gleam by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4⭐️ 4🌶️
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
Gild- 4⭐️3🌶️
Glint- 4⭐️2🌶️
Glint by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️ 2🌶️
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
Gild- 4⭐️3🌶️
Gold by Raven Kennedy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5⭐️3🌶️
Book 5
Adult Romantic Fantasy
Dark Romantasy
Multi POV
King Midas Reimagining
Fae
War
Separation
Revenge
Rebellion
Secondary POV slow burn
Redemption
I waited too long and have forgotten basically everything. But I’m almost glad I did. The recap was drawn out, but by chapter 10 I remembered what I needed to remember with a few little helpful parts. But for the most part this was a slow paced book. RK was comfortable skipping long periods of time between POV chapters in her previous books… I’m not sure why this one had to include every second.
This was a heavily side character building book. It felt like filler for the over arching plot and main characters. For a 600 page book… that’s not a good thing. We get a redemption arc and romance for one character. We get Auren’s backstory. We get some world-building in the fae realm… but we don’t get resolution to anything.
There is one spicy scene between side characters and it really was out of nowhere and not good timing. At. All. Like normally grey timing… which I guess fits, but it still gave me the ick.
There is quite a bit of repetitive internal monologue. Nothing new for the series with that.
But the ending plot twist is interesting. I will finish the series.
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
The Plated Prisoner Series Book Reviews:
Gild- 4⭐️3🌶️
Glint- 4⭐️2🌶️
Gleam- 4⭐️4🌶️
Glow-3.5⭐️4+🌶️
Gold-3.5⭐️3🌶️
Goldfinch- August 29th, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Sorcebooks Bloom Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism