laurenslittlelibrary_'s reviews
674 reviews

A Kingdom of Death and Despair by Whitney Dean

Go to review page

dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

In the first half of the book, it seemed like there was a lot happening and then the second half just felt like a lot of set up. There was a huuuuuuuuge lore dump and I found myself getting confused, honestly. Which to be fair, the characters were also confused by everything that was going on and what was being revealed to them. I finished a few hours ago, and I feel like I'm still trying to process everything that was thrown at me. There were some gentler, more tender moments between Raven and Zeke that I appreciated and that felt necessary with everything else in the story being so heavy. I plan on finishing the series when Shadow and Sacrifice releases, but I really didn't like the ending chapter and epilogue. It felt misplaced with everything else that had gone on. 
That First Flight by Jenn McMahon

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful medium-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

4.5

I loved Macey, Makenzie, and Oliver. They definitely got off to an unconventional start, but I love how it played out. Oliver clearly adored Macey and he genuinely fell in love with her daughter too. And that epilogue made me teary eyed! I love when I’m so invested in a book that I have an emotional reaction. Jenn is absolutely an author everyone should read. 
Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I think I’m gonna go with 3.5 stars. I generally liked the story, but there were parts I wasn’t super interested in and areas that I felt could’ve been stronger. Olivia and Margot obviously had a history and great chemistry together, but their communication was severely lacking. It also bugged me that Olivia didn’t have any friends that weren’t also Margot’s friends and that Margot never spoke to her friends about Olivia until she was forced to. I did like that the two women reconnected and rekindled their relationship in a seemingly unconventional way. Overall, I’d say it was just fine. 
Double Pucked by Lauren Blakely

Go to review page

Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
I just really could care less about the characters. They felt boring and one dimensional. The spicy scenes were fine, but that seemed like the only plot point. 
If Only You by Chloe Liese

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

All of the stars. I literally finished this book in one day because I could not put it down. Chloe weaves magic into her stories and her characters feel so damn real. Ziggy has grown into a beautiful, powerful woman who wants to feel brave and be seen as such. Sebastian is a playboy with a bad reputation and a few bad habits. They both grow so beautifully together in so many ways. Their friendship unfurls slowly and tenderly which allows their romantic love to do the same. I’m seriously obsessed with these two. 
Beautifully Broken Redemption by Catherine Cowles

Go to review page

emotional tense fast-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? Yes

3.0

I feel like this was just okay. I didn’t ever feel super connected to either Anna or Mason. There was so much tragedy that’d happened to both of them & I felt like poor Anna just needed a break. Their relationship was rushed, and for obvious reasons, but I feel like we never got to slow down and see them actually fall for one another with everything else going on. Overall, not my fave but not bad either. 
Beautifully Broken Control by Catherine Cowles

Go to review page

emotional mysterious 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

3.5

So, I liked this one but I didn’t love it. I feel like the pacing was off and that it could’ve been so much more. Kennedy and Cain had both been through some really traumatic things in their pasts, which did bring them closer together, but it also held them apart. Cain’s unwillingness to communicate at all really drove me insane. The whole thing with the company was kinda flat and & I didn’t love the reveal towards the end regarding Kennedy. It definitely felt like something was missing, but I can’t put my finger on what exactly. 
Beautifully Broken Spirit by Catherine Cowles

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-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

4.25

Jensen and Tuck were so good together! Having known each other since Jensen was born, they’ve grown up together and known everything about each other for their entire lives. Tuck was so obviously in love with her forever and didn’t even realize it. His fear of ending up like his dad, losing his best friend, and hurting Jensen definitely stood as his hurdles. She had to work through two past painful relationships and stand on her own, but learn how to trust and open her heart again. I really loved these two together. 
Beautifully Broken Life by Catherine Cowles

Go to review page

emotional hopeful slow-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

4.0

I really liked Tessa and Liam’s story. Tessa had been a shell of a person since running from her abusive ex-fiancé and Liam helped show her that it was okay to still live her life. Their story bloomed slowly and not without struggles, but so beautifully. I’m really enjoying Catherine’s storytelling! 
Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles

Go to review page

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-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

4.0

My first Catherine Cowles book & definitely not my last. I really liked the writing style & character development. I feel like romantic suspense is an underrated sub genre & this one nailed it. Taylor and Walker both worked their into each other’s lives and it turned out beautifully.