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hopecobbledpots's reviews
419 reviews
Dark Dive by Andrew Mayne
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Surprise! The UIU (Underwater Investigation Unit) is back for a 5th installment with Andrew Mayne's Deep Dive. This book has everything in it.
-Murder
-Everybody Is A Suspect
-A Scary Large Animal Predator
-Abandoned Boys School
-Rural Parts of Florida with Sink Hole Ponds
-Remote Scuba Dives With The Suspects
Some things I really loved about this book were we see a deepening in the work relationship between Sloan and Hughes. And that's what it is - a work relationship. Neither have any romantic ideations about the other. Hughes knows Run, Sloan's partner, would knock him out. And he respects that. They both are respectful that they have each other's backs. The other thing I loved about this book - chapter titles! This may seem minor but, to this reviewer, Chapter Titles are a major plus.
For a book about the Underwater Investigation Unit, a lot of the investigating took place on land and in some really interesting places. A rural part of Florida where a Boys Reform School existed and some very unsundry and disgusting things occurred. Hughes and Sloan end up on in another remote part of Florida away from the coastline. I will say this part had me on pins and needles. Animal predators in that part of Florida are bad enoughโฆ
When the case finally wraps up, it is whirlwind. I found myself wanting to have a good old McPherson party with the members of the UIU coming over, even old George Solar. Seeing him knock back a beer with the McPherson clan would have been nice.
But that isn't how it wrapped up. And I have a feeling Andrew Mayne isn't done with these characters.
I throughly enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it.
-Murder
-Everybody Is A Suspect
-A Scary Large Animal Predator
-Abandoned Boys School
-Rural Parts of Florida with Sink Hole Ponds
-Remote Scuba Dives With The Suspects
Some things I really loved about this book were we see a deepening in the work relationship between Sloan and Hughes. And that's what it is - a work relationship. Neither have any romantic ideations about the other. Hughes knows Run, Sloan's partner, would knock him out. And he respects that. They both are respectful that they have each other's backs. The other thing I loved about this book - chapter titles! This may seem minor but, to this reviewer, Chapter Titles are a major plus.
For a book about the Underwater Investigation Unit, a lot of the investigating took place on land and in some really interesting places. A rural part of Florida where a Boys Reform School existed and some very unsundry and disgusting things occurred. Hughes and Sloan end up on in another remote part of Florida away from the coastline. I will say this part had me on pins and needles. Animal predators in that part of Florida are bad enoughโฆ
When the case finally wraps up, it is whirlwind. I found myself wanting to have a good old McPherson party with the members of the UIU coming over, even old George Solar. Seeing him knock back a beer with the McPherson clan would have been nice.
But that isn't how it wrapped up. And I have a feeling Andrew Mayne isn't done with these characters.
I throughly enjoyed this book and do highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence and Blood
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Review forthcoming
Rise of the Cinder Fae by Whitney Dean
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rise Of The Cinder Fae
By Whitney Dean
Publisher: Undying Raven Press
Publishing Date: February 26th 2023
Page Length: 704 pages
๐๐๐๐๐
Scoville Spice Scale: ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถยฝ
"There is something about her I do not wish to like, yet I'm drawn to the soft allure of how she looks amongst the gentle pastels of our castle." ~ Finnian
This bookโฆit picked me up, dropped me off of a cliff without a parachute and left me to freefall until I got to the end! And what a ride it was!
While this is a retelling of the Cinderella story, the reliance on the source material is so loose that only the bones of the fairytale remain. It is as if Whitney Dean has taken her Author's Fairy Godmother Magic and waved her wand and reinvented this story with:
๐ฅฟA Young Woman who captures the Prince's Heart with her mind and her own heart
๐ขA Prince who is haunted by his past and his own fears
๐ฅปA Princess so sassy and willing to step in to make sure her brother does the right thing
๐งโโ๏ธ Fae who are being held captive and forced to mine for the king
๐ Evil King & ๐ฉ Evil Stepmother
๐ด A Horse with a Major attitude
I fell so in love with this story I read it all day and into the night until 4:30am. I wanted to keep going because I had to know how it was going to turn out. And there were things that happened that I didn't expect. But watching the story between Elora and Finnian bloom made my eyes water and my heart pitter patter.
Now, this is a spicy tale! ๐ถ Reader be warned there is quite the spice (the FMC starts off as a Virgin. Spoiler: that doesn't stay that way.) Also, please pay attention to the Author's Trigger Warnings.
Do I recommend this book? Yes! Absolutely, Yes!
By Whitney Dean
Publisher: Undying Raven Press
Publishing Date: February 26th 2023
Page Length: 704 pages
๐๐๐๐๐
Scoville Spice Scale: ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถยฝ
"There is something about her I do not wish to like, yet I'm drawn to the soft allure of how she looks amongst the gentle pastels of our castle." ~ Finnian
This bookโฆit picked me up, dropped me off of a cliff without a parachute and left me to freefall until I got to the end! And what a ride it was!
While this is a retelling of the Cinderella story, the reliance on the source material is so loose that only the bones of the fairytale remain. It is as if Whitney Dean has taken her Author's Fairy Godmother Magic and waved her wand and reinvented this story with:
๐ฅฟA Young Woman who captures the Prince's Heart with her mind and her own heart
๐ขA Prince who is haunted by his past and his own fears
๐ฅปA Princess so sassy and willing to step in to make sure her brother does the right thing
๐งโโ๏ธ Fae who are being held captive and forced to mine for the king
๐ Evil King & ๐ฉ Evil Stepmother
๐ด A Horse with a Major attitude
I fell so in love with this story I read it all day and into the night until 4:30am. I wanted to keep going because I had to know how it was going to turn out. And there were things that happened that I didn't expect. But watching the story between Elora and Finnian bloom made my eyes water and my heart pitter patter.
Now, this is a spicy tale! ๐ถ Reader be warned there is quite the spice (the FMC starts off as a Virgin. Spoiler: that doesn't stay that way.) Also, please pay attention to the Author's Trigger Warnings.
Do I recommend this book? Yes! Absolutely, Yes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
Meet Your Match by Kandi Steiner
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Review forthcoming
Scoville Spice Scale ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
Scoville Spice Scale ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
Blood Mercy by Vela Roth
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Went to book club. The rest of the book is different than the film. Like holy FRACK.
Love With The Five Senses by Carmen Parets Luque
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A delightful children's book about finding love using our senses.
Hesi-Dating by Zoe Forward
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
306 Pages
5 Stars
Published: 1/15/2024
Scoville Spice Scale: 3 Chilis
Zoe Forward's World of The Foster's has grown with the addition of Hesi-Dating and I, for one, am super glad to have read this amazing rollercoaster of a journey between Joley and Seth. Their story corkscrewed through some really difficult events in this book with Joley's unwanted gang affliction and Seth being the popular, ethical "Hot Sheriff".
I loved seeing the grow in Joley. Learning she wasn't a stupid girl just because she had a learning disability. She had things she could offer back to foster kids who needed guidance.
Seth needed to grow and move on from the pain his ex had caused him, the mayor was inflicting upon him, and the grief of the loss of his father.
Seth and Joley dovetail in their fostering efforts. Joley puts her time into mentoring kids and Seth into rescuing his dog, Henry (atta boy, Henry! You'll see why when you read the book!) and horses.
While this book isn't light and fluffy, it is beautiful and profound in showing how two hurt people can grow and become better together.
Zoe Forward's writing continues to evolve and exceed part works. It's exciting to read each new book.
Please read the author's trigger warnings.
5 Stars
Published: 1/15/2024
Scoville Spice Scale: 3 Chilis
Zoe Forward's World of The Foster's has grown with the addition of Hesi-Dating and I, for one, am super glad to have read this amazing rollercoaster of a journey between Joley and Seth. Their story corkscrewed through some really difficult events in this book with Joley's unwanted gang affliction and Seth being the popular, ethical "Hot Sheriff".
I loved seeing the grow in Joley. Learning she wasn't a stupid girl just because she had a learning disability. She had things she could offer back to foster kids who needed guidance.
Seth needed to grow and move on from the pain his ex had caused him, the mayor was inflicting upon him, and the grief of the loss of his father.
Seth and Joley dovetail in their fostering efforts. Joley puts her time into mentoring kids and Seth into rescuing his dog, Henry (atta boy, Henry! You'll see why when you read the book!) and horses.
While this book isn't light and fluffy, it is beautiful and profound in showing how two hurt people can grow and become better together.
Zoe Forward's writing continues to evolve and exceed part works. It's exciting to read each new book.
Please read the author's trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Stalking
Stone Heart by Katee Robert
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
This short story focuses on Medusa. Not the classical Medusa with snakes on her head that kill you with one look but a killer none the less.
As with all the Dark Olympus books, some of the Thirteen are involved. This time, Athena in her capacity as War Strategist or the woman you come to in order to take out a hit. This one on a lover who is inconvenient to the man and, instead of just breaking it off, Medusa is sent in.
But, in all her years of killing for Athena, this is one time she finds her assignment distasteful. And how distasteful leaves her quaking in her boss and shuddering at the temptation Calypso is.
Can Medusa carry out her assignment or will she fall for the charms of Calypso? And will Calypso fall for Medusa?
This charming short story was worth the time it took to read it. Swoon worthy indeed!
As with all the Dark Olympus books, some of the Thirteen are involved. This time, Athena in her capacity as War Strategist or the woman you come to in order to take out a hit. This one on a lover who is inconvenient to the man and, instead of just breaking it off, Medusa is sent in.
But, in all her years of killing for Athena, this is one time she finds her assignment distasteful. And how distasteful leaves her quaking in her boss and shuddering at the temptation Calypso is.
Can Medusa carry out her assignment or will she fall for the charms of Calypso? And will Calypso fall for Medusa?
This charming short story was worth the time it took to read it. Swoon worthy indeed!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Sexual content, and Classism
Minor: Murder