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rachrreads's reviews
444 reviews
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
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
5.0
I absolutely adored Danika and Zafir’s story!
Zafir is romance book lover and hopeless romantic, whereas Dani believes love is not in the cards for her. Zafir is is an ex-pro rugby player turned security guard for the university in the building Dani teaches one of her classes. When Dani gets stuck in an elevator during a drill, Zafir carries her out of the building. This leads to a viral internet video speculating they’re dating — even getting a hashtag #DrRugBae and social media attention.
Zaf is trying to get funding for his sports charity and convinces Dani to pretend to date him for more publicity. Dani agrees and the two begin to hook up, but only for the month. Zaf falls for Dani, but knows her stance on relationships, so he tries not to hope for more than a month. Dani tries not to let herself become distracted— after all, she’s tried relationships and she’s too busy to be in one.
I loved seeing a romance reading male lead who was in touch with his emotions and an academic/career driven female lead who pushes her emotions to the side. Definitely recommend reading this if you love the fake dating trope, workplace romance (kinda?), and sweet men.
Zafir is romance book lover and hopeless romantic, whereas Dani believes love is not in the cards for her. Zafir is is an ex-pro rugby player turned security guard for the university in the building Dani teaches one of her classes. When Dani gets stuck in an elevator during a drill, Zafir carries her out of the building. This leads to a viral internet video speculating they’re dating — even getting a hashtag #DrRugBae and social media attention.
Zaf is trying to get funding for his sports charity and convinces Dani to pretend to date him for more publicity. Dani agrees and the two begin to hook up, but only for the month. Zaf falls for Dani, but knows her stance on relationships, so he tries not to hope for more than a month. Dani tries not to let herself become distracted— after all, she’s tried relationships and she’s too busy to be in one.
I loved seeing a romance reading male lead who was in touch with his emotions and an academic/career driven female lead who pushes her emotions to the side. Definitely recommend reading this if you love the fake dating trope, workplace romance (kinda?), and sweet men.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
slow-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
4.0
“This was where and who and how he should be: with Chloe.”
I received this from a friend a few years back for my birthday and finally got around to it. This was such a sweet romance full of understanding and mutual adoration.
Chloe deals with chronic pain that can be so debilitating she spends days in bed. Due to this, Chloe has had friends abandon her. While I don’t currently have chronic pain, I was in chronic pain for most of high school. I related so much to Chloe and had people tell me they didn’t believe I was in pain.
Redford “Red” was in an abusive relationship that left him feeling absolutely worthless. He is an artist and struggled after that relationship to feel as if his art mattered.
The two end up supporting each other as they heal and become friends. Red helps Chloe cross things off her “get a life list”, while Chloe helps Red with a new website for his art.
The only issue I had with this book was it was so long!
I received this from a friend a few years back for my birthday and finally got around to it. This was such a sweet romance full of understanding and mutual adoration.
Chloe deals with chronic pain that can be so debilitating she spends days in bed. Due to this, Chloe has had friends abandon her. While I don’t currently have chronic pain, I was in chronic pain for most of high school. I related so much to Chloe and had people tell me they didn’t believe I was in pain.
Redford “Red” was in an abusive relationship that left him feeling absolutely worthless. He is an artist and struggled after that relationship to feel as if his art mattered.
The two end up supporting each other as they heal and become friends. Red helps Chloe cross things off her “get a life list”, while Chloe helps Red with a new website for his art.
The only issue I had with this book was it was so long!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Betting On You by Lynn Painter
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bailey begins a new job at a space themed waterpark when she notices one of her coworkers is someone she hoped she’d never see again. A few years prior, Bailey sat next to Charlie on a plane to Nebraska. Bailey’s parents were mid-divorce and Charlie offered a cynical view of the world, which vastly differed from Bailey’s view. The two begin to work together and Bailey finds herself enjoying her time with Charlie.
When Bailey’s mom starts to see someone new post-divorce, Bailey is not ready for her life to change. Bailey enlists Charlie’s help to push her mom’s new boyfriend out of her life. Despite what feels like a growing friendship, Charlie insists they’re just co-workers— even going as far as saying men and women cannot be friends. To prove his point, Charlie bets Bailey that another pair of coworkers will hook up. Bailey disagrees with him, insisting they are just friends.
One thing that I wish would have been explained more was Charlie’s life. He clearly deals with some sort of mental illness— whether it be anxiety or something else and the author glosses over this other than when it can be used to move the plot/relationship forward. Further, we never meet Charlie’s mom or sister who he apparently lives with.
There was a lot of tropes and cliches that happened in this book but I ate up every minute of it.
Read if you like:
• When Harry Met Sally
• Friends to lovers
• Fake dating trope
• opposites attract
Bailey begins a new job at a space themed waterpark when she notices one of her coworkers is someone she hoped she’d never see again. A few years prior, Bailey sat next to Charlie on a plane to Nebraska. Bailey’s parents were mid-divorce and Charlie offered a cynical view of the world, which vastly differed from Bailey’s view. The two begin to work together and Bailey finds herself enjoying her time with Charlie.
When Bailey’s mom starts to see someone new post-divorce, Bailey is not ready for her life to change. Bailey enlists Charlie’s help to push her mom’s new boyfriend out of her life. Despite what feels like a growing friendship, Charlie insists they’re just co-workers— even going as far as saying men and women cannot be friends. To prove his point, Charlie bets Bailey that another pair of coworkers will hook up. Bailey disagrees with him, insisting they are just friends.
One thing that I wish would have been explained more was Charlie’s life. He clearly deals with some sort of mental illness— whether it be anxiety or something else and the author glosses over this other than when it can be used to move the plot/relationship forward. Further, we never meet Charlie’s mom or sister who he apparently lives with.
There was a lot of tropes and cliches that happened in this book but I ate up every minute of it.
Read if you like:
• When Harry Met Sally
• Friends to lovers
• Fake dating trope
• opposites attract
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness
Finale by Stephanie Garber
Second— the way they defeated the Fallen Star was confusing and messy to say the least. So he loved Tella after all? Or he just thought of his love for Paradise? Either way, I was expecting more from this scene.
3.0
I am honestly disappointed with how this book went. I love the overall ending point but how they got there left me feeling underwhelmed.
First off— I ADORE the main four characters, but I think the love story between Legend and Tella was a bit of a mess. I don’t get how Legend could have kept his powers when he was clearly in love with her — did he just cut those feelings off until after he defeated the Fallen Star? How?
The ending between him and Tella was beautiful.
“This is my choice, and I choose you, Donatella. I don't need immortality. You're my forever."
I’ve heard great things about Once Upon A Broken Heart and hope to read that series later this year. I hope I don’t end up feeling the same way at the end of that series 😭😭
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
3.75
★★★ 3/4
The end of Caraval left me feeling like something was missing to explain this world. Thankfully most of those questions were answered in Legendary. While there is still a few questions left unanswered, I feel like I understand the world better after book 2 in the series.
This time, Caraval isn’t just a game— it’s very real. Tella is tasked with finding out Master Legend’s real name in exchange for something she desperately desires. The only way to get this information is to dive back into Caraval and win. The stakes are higher than before and Tella risks losing everything, possibly even her life.
Tella was a much more interesting narrator than Scarlett, but like Scarlett, she kept repeating the same information over and over. I get she was struggling with a choice, but I think this book could’ve moved forward faster.
I’m excited to dive into book 3 and see where this world continues.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
This is told from the perspective of Scarlett Dragna, a 17 year old girl who has wanted to see Caraval in action her whole life. The week before she is to be married (to a man she’s only ever written letters to) her sister Donatella, with the help of a sailor, drags her off their island to Caraval!
Unfortunately the two get separated and Donatella is abducted by the Master Legend. Scarlett has to find clues that will lead her to her sister before the 5 nights are over. Remember— Caraval is just a game, don’t believe everything you see…
I can’t believe it took me this long to read this one! I had so much fun reading it and while it was missing some very pertinent information— like how in the world does Caraval even work? I believe this will get answered in books 2&3 though!
The ending was a whirlwind of emotions and each character seems to have a ton of secrets that I cannot wait to uncover.
Unfortunately the two get separated and Donatella is abducted by the Master Legend. Scarlett has to find clues that will lead her to her sister before the 5 nights are over. Remember— Caraval is just a game, don’t believe everything you see…
I can’t believe it took me this long to read this one! I had so much fun reading it and while it was missing some very pertinent information— like how in the world does Caraval even work? I believe this will get answered in books 2&3 though!
The ending was a whirlwind of emotions and each character seems to have a ton of secrets that I cannot wait to uncover.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Loved this one!
When You Are Mine by Kennedy Ryan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
This unfortunately was not for me. The two main characters have an instant attraction and are trying to hide it from the FMCs boyfriend, who is also the MMCs best friend.
This unfortunately was not for me. The two main characters have an instant attraction and are trying to hide it from the FMCs boyfriend, who is also the MMCs best friend.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a ARC from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to Celadon for the physical copy!
What happens when people with complex relationships— full of love and hate for another— get trapped on a remote island overnight?
This book was outside of my normal genre, but I enjoyed it a ton. The story is written in the way one would tell a story to their friend — zig zagging between plot points and timelines. There were so many twists that came about reading it this way. Elliot is the epitome of an unreliable narrator, which made the story that much more fun to read!
Thank you to Celadon for the physical copy!
What happens when people with complex relationships— full of love and hate for another— get trapped on a remote island overnight?
This book was outside of my normal genre, but I enjoyed it a ton. The story is written in the way one would tell a story to their friend — zig zagging between plot points and timelines. There were so many twists that came about reading it this way. Elliot is the epitome of an unreliable narrator, which made the story that much more fun to read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while now, so when it popped up on NetGalley I jumped on it. Since this is a republished book (being self published prior), I am unsure on what (if anything) changed from the original.
Overall this was a super sweet romance that centered around the FMC finding herself after a twelve year relationship ended. Aurora finds herself returning to her hometown, which she left as a young child. As she arrives to the garage apartment she rented, she gets confronted by a man who thinks she’s trespassing. After some confusion between the two, it’s discovered his teenage son rented the apartment out without his father’s knowledge. Aurora is able to stay as long as she follows Rhodes’ rules. Aurora slowly begins to bring down his walls during her time there.
I was unsure about the age gap at first, especially since the FMC, Aurora, assumed Rhodes was much older than he was. Once their ages were finally revealed, it was fine for me (for anyone curious, it’s about a 9 year gap).
Read if you like…
• grumpy sunshine trope
• small towns
• a strong FMC
• found family
• grumpy man who’s a teddy bear for the woman he loves <3
I’ve been meaning to read this one for a while now, so when it popped up on NetGalley I jumped on it. Since this is a republished book (being self published prior), I am unsure on what (if anything) changed from the original.
Overall this was a super sweet romance that centered around the FMC finding herself after a twelve year relationship ended. Aurora finds herself returning to her hometown, which she left as a young child. As she arrives to the garage apartment she rented, she gets confronted by a man who thinks she’s trespassing. After some confusion between the two, it’s discovered his teenage son rented the apartment out without his father’s knowledge. Aurora is able to stay as long as she follows Rhodes’ rules. Aurora slowly begins to bring down his walls during her time there.
I was unsure about the age gap at first, especially since the FMC, Aurora, assumed Rhodes was much older than he was. Once their ages were finally revealed, it was fine for me (for anyone curious, it’s about a 9 year gap).
Read if you like…
• grumpy sunshine trope
• small towns
• a strong FMC
• found family
• grumpy man who’s a teddy bear for the woman he loves <3