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missdevo's reviews
290 reviews
Till There Was You by Lindsay Hameroff
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Sexy, charming, and full of beloved pop culture references, “Till There Was You” is a rom-com that played right into my interests. The behind the scenes peek at the life of an aspiring chef was well written in contrast to the fast rising fame of a musician/ pop star. I wanted a bit more from the subplots involving Ethan & Madison though. Ultimately those conflicts felt a little thin. The found family girl tribe that Lexi has gathered are great; the kind of support we all want. The wild conclusion made me chuckle. Overall this was a fun, entertaining read that I would recommend to foodies and lovers of celebrity alike. It has heart and spice in equal measure.
Beat by Vi Keeland
challenging
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book's tropes didn't bother me, but I know that one of them in particular is something a lot of folks have issues with. That said, I really enjoyed this book. To put it generationally for me: Imagine you went from having Jordan Knight on your walls, to actually dating him, and then you met JC Chasez. What's a girl to do? There's a fine line to walk in a triangle to really have tension by not making the reader really hate either character. Vi Keeland did a great job maintaining the tension through most of the book to keep me engaged. I love the tagline about being stuck between a rock (star) and a hard place. I listened to this book on audible without knowing it was the 2nd in a series, and it still worked well. The audio narrators were great too. I would recommend this book, and I intend to go back and read the 1st in the series.
Devious Obsession by S. Massery
3.5
I loved the 1st book in this series, so I guess I had high expectations. This one just felt a little... messy to me. The spice was spicing, so no complaints there, but the character building missed a step. The motivation for Steele felt forced, and the subplot about Aspen's past felt too fragile, like the author was afraid to really get into what happened, and that made her trauma feel forced too. I had a hard time drumming up any emotion from the plot, and on face value that makes no sense. If you outlined it, it was definitely dramatic-but the character development stole a lot of that from me. I still liked the book and plan to continue reading the series. I'd recommend it for people who like high spice (check triggers first!) and don't mind the plot being a little thinner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pedophilia
The Jake Ryan Complex by Bethany Crandell
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As someone with an emotional attachment to John Hughes movies from the 80's, I couldn't pass this book up. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Xe Sands, and the performance was great. I have always enjoyed her talents as a narrator. This is virtually no spice, but the story is really entertaining. The cast of supporting characters all retain their separate identities and don't meld together in the background. The mother/daughter dynamics are well written and not just broad cliches, which I appreciate. The twist toward the end definitely got me! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a lighthearted romcom and a soft spot for Jake Ryan.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy and Abandonment
Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed
reflective
sad
4.0
The complicated feelings of love and grief dominate this short memoir by Cheryl Strayed. Having also read "Wild" did help bring some background to this story, but I don't think it's necessary to still get the full impact. I found this essay extremely relatable as someone who is also dealing with fresh grief. The complicated nature of family relationships is something we can all empathize with, and Strayed manages to pack an emotional wallop in this short work. I really appreciate that she doesn't shy away from admitting that her relationship with her mother-in-law wasn't always great, but that they both came around to loving each other. I would highly recommend this quick read.
Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The spice is *chef’s kiss* in this novella. It’s a complete story and I’m not left feeling robbed of important information, or emotion. It was well paced, and only required some minor willful suspension of disbelief to get the plot going. I was sucked in quickly, and the vibes are immaculate. Britta and Sumner are so cute together, but when they're alone, the spice goes to 11. The dialogue in this book is *whew* so hot. The spice was just to my taste and really added to the story without pulling me out. I would definitely recommend this book for a fun quick read/palette cleanser. Tropes are Marriage of Convenience, forced proximity, he falls first, found family.
The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
I know it was short, but it was sooo good. The pacing was perfect! I felt the tension in the plot and still had a real satisfaction at the payoff. I also appreciate how realistic the whole story played out. I never felt pulled out of things by something wildly unreasonable. The characters were well developed and their actions made sense in context. A great short read.
Rosie and The Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
To get me emotionally invested in the characters of a book this short? It's that well done. I listened to the audio, and they did a great job with it. The banter is *chef's kiss* and the story is so cute. Rosie is the sister who feels like she never measures up, and Leo the too handsome for his own good firefighter who struggle to be taken seriously. Throw in a faulty sensory deprivation tank and a prophecy from Rosie's Grandma, and you have a recipe for delight. This is one of the best novellas in the collection.