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kellylayne's reviews
466 reviews
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.0
Gorgeous, thoughtful writing as always, but I found this book so overwhelmingly sad that it was difficult to read and I really had to force myself to finish. While meeting the technical criteria for genre Romance, this did not feel like a Romance to me and instead read like heavy LitFic. I think its because, to me, it felt like the story was about two couples: Mark and Eddy (present), and Mark and William (past) - and while one got their happy ending, the other got one of the most brutal endings imaginable. I also thought that for a book that took grief so seriously and realistically in some ways, the areas where things were tied up way too neatly really stood out. Please be aware that if grief, particularly hidden grief, is something you are sensitive to, this book may be quite triggering. I think if Id known what I was getting into it would have been a much better reading experience for me.
Principles of Spookology by S.E. Harmon
3.0
I really needed a break from a grim book I was reading so I picked this up despite not loving the first. Honestly, a big improvement from the first.
One Giant Leap by Kay Simone
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
A very sweet romance between an astronaut and a man in mission control that left me feeling optimistic about love and humanity. There were a few sections that I think couldve been editted down and I wouldve liked to know a bit more about how the characters' came to their decisions at the end of the novel - but otherwise, very good.
Prince and Pawn by Tavia Lark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Parts of this book were fun, but ultimately, it did not work for me. There are many reasons I say that, but the main ones that I think may be helpful to others figuring out if this is for them: (1) the characters and their relationship were underdeveloped. Its classic instalove and even as I got to the end of the story it was not clear to me why they loved each other. I also felt that Corins characterisation was all over the place. (2) There is a massive power and sexual experience imbalance between the two characters that is not explored in any serious way. I found this particularly unsettling in the context of the undernegotiated pain kink where the powerful, experienced partner enjoys hurting and leaving bruises on his virginal partner. To be fair, his character doesnt know about the others lack of experience in the first encounter, but it is not seriously revisited once he finds out either. I will be honest that I dont generally enjoy reading about relationships with power imbalances or pain kink - so its very possible that if you do, these wont be issues for you.
P.S. I Spook You by S.E. Harmon
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Great concept for a book, poor execution. Sex scenes were good, but otherwise the writing was poor and in desperate need of an editor. There were several times where there were obvious plot inconsistencies within a single page - the type of stuff that couldve been caught with even a basic re-read. The characterisation of the two leads was wildly inconsistent and without explaination. In particular, I was never able to sort out the motivations/personality of the non-POV character (Danny). The dialog was odd - sometimes they spoke like American millenials (which would make sense), other times they sounded like 70 year olds or used slang from the UK. Finally the "rules" of this paranormal world were unclear, which would be fine if the author didnt invent new paranormal powers for the characters whenever it was convenient for the plot.
Death in the Spires by KJ Charles
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Fabulous plotting and well developed characters
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I absolutely adored this book - and it has one of the best first kisses Ive ever read. Easily the best sports romance Ive read this year - and I read alot of them. I wouldnt call the book light per se but it is so hopeful as both a romance and sports story that I think most people will leave it feeling lighter and more joyful.
Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson
3.75
The mystery was good, but I thought some of the interpersonal plot points felt unearned/out of nowhere and werent really tied to any particular events/character growth.