laurenslittlelibrary_'s reviews
674 reviews

The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy

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emotional hopeful 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

4.0

This was so much more than I originally thought it was going to be and it covers some pretty serious topics, so definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in. With that being said, I really liked Shane and Diana together. They had great banter, obvious chemistry, and seemed to understand one another better than they ever thought they could. It was an easy read and definitely one I’d recommend for new adult romance with spice! 
The It Girl by Ruth Ware

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I literally just didn’t care to listen to it at all. 🤷🏻‍♀️
False Start by Kandi Steiner

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emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Leave it to Kandi to write an emotional wrecking ball and still leave me wanting more. I loved Kyle and Madelyn so much! They’ve both been through such heartbreak & trauma, a major miscommunication that changed the entire course of their lives, and still found a way through everything to end up together happily with a beautiful life. Sebastian was such a little gem and I loved getting a glimpse at the other Red Zone Rivals characters through new seasons in life. If you haven’t read this series, you’re missing out and you should hop over to fix that immediately. 
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I’m fine with age gap romances, but I think that boyfriend’s dad is not my trope. It just felt really icky honestly. I thought Jordan was boring and one-dimensional & Pike seemed immature and controlling. I feel like Cole (the son and og bf) came around kinda quickly and seemed way too okay with it? I dunno, I just think this wasn’t for me. 
Exhibited by Nellie Wilson

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I liked both Davis and Jeremy as characters & they both had some good development things happen. As it was, it just felt like something was missing and I can’t exactly put my finger on what exactly. I did enjoy their story together overall, but it just wasn’t my favorite.
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was fine I guess- definitely not the best sapphic romance I’ve read. The premise was good, but I feel like the execution felt a little flat. Some of the pacing was way off and there was some insinuations that didn’t really make sense in the moment. I feel like too much time was spent on the parents and not enough on Beth and Gwen. 
Face Off by Chelsea Curto

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Y'all are not gonna wanna miss this one!!! So lucky and thankful to get an ARC! 

Dallas and Maven are damn near impossible to beat, but I think Emmy and Mav come in a veryyyyy close second place for me! I crushed this book in less than a day- I was hooked from the start and I did not want to put it down! 

Emerson Hartwell is a prickly, smart-mouthed, fiery woman who has been recently called up to the DC Stars. Maverick Miller is their star player and captain with a bad-boy, womanizing reputation. Their banter is incredibly fun, witty, and downright hilarious at times. Emmy gives shit just as well as she takes it; Mav just wants to get under her skin and then realizes how much he actually likes her. Her new team and friends make her feel at home & like she's finally found the comradery she's always been searching for. I loved watching her walls come down and seeing his soft heart come to the surface. 

Overall, I think you all are going to love these two and the world of DC hockey that Chelsea has created! 
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

There is so much action and mystery wrapped into the 418 pages of this book. You start to think you understand what will happen next, but SJM keeps you on your toes the whole time. Certain events happen that are truly heartbreaking and for Celeana, world changing, but it also gives us insight into who she can become and what lies within her assassin's heart. We saw some of her training come through during the competition, but nothing to the extent of what happens in this book. I genuinely like Chaol, I don't get the hate against him, and seeing his relationship with not only Celaena, but also with Dorian, change is so interesting to me! He just wants to do the right thing and protect everyone he cares for! And Dorian!!! That man has such a journey to go through and the reveals with him in this book are incredible!! Hands down love the cliff this book leaves you hanging on and I'm interested in reading the Assassin's Blade before diving into Heir of Fire. 
King of Sloth by Ana Huang

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emotional lighthearted medium-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

3.0

This was just fine. I didn’t really love it, but I didn’t hate it either. I just didn’t connect with either Sloane or Xavier on any level & I felt like their chemistry was just a little bit off. I’ll likely still continue reading the series, but definitely not my favorite AH book. 
The Women by Kristin Hannah

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challenging emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

As with many of Kristin's books, this was an emotional and thought-provoking story covering a subject that has little to mainstream media coverage. Following Frankie's journey from naive young woman to hardened veteran struggling with her trauma was challenging and at some points, downright emotionally draining. Learning more about what Vietnam veterans, particularly women, struggled through was heartbreaking and makes you consider all the things we'll never truly know about that war. I feel like as a representation of all the possible outcomes, Frankie had every curveball thrown her way- romantically, professionally, and personally. I was glad when she finally found her peace and a calling in life. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys Hannah's books, is looking for a story about strong women, or any interest in learning the forgotten stories of the Vietnam War.