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monibookishnerd

monibookishnerd

Joined November 2022

bookaholic, love fantasy, contemporary romance is my guilty pleasure
review
monibookishnerd
Mehso-so


As I loved the previous books of this series, the anticipation for this one was high. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. The book felt very imbalanced regarding the pace and I missed descriptions on sensory and imaginary details. The cross-over barely deserves the title. Some characters felt flat.
There were some pleasant surprises from the side characters!
The typos and continuance errors were awful and disturbed the whole experience.

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monibookishnerd
Lightlark | Alex Aster
Pickpick

I was flying through the pages. The chapters were short and the narrative was addictive. Information was revealed in pieces which made it more intriguing.
Downsides: FMC's behaviour not in line with her upbringing, a lot of telling, unclear magical rules.
There were some hints on the big twists at the end but the whole showdown was so beautifully done and it left me wanting for more, immediately looking for the next installment.

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monibookishnerd
Strictly Business | Carrie Elks
Pickpick

This book conviced me of reading more of this author. I'm not a fan of so direct storytelling but the writing was so charming, the author made it work. The characters were endearing and cute together.
I was a tad disappointed that some things related to the dysfunctional family relationships were not exploited. Also I wasn't a fan of the third break up act because it was too easily dissolved with a rushed HEA.
Still a very fun read.

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monibookishnerd
Mehso-so

I wanted to love it but I didn't. Some things just didn't add up or didn't fit the characters' story. The storytelling could have been better. Though the writing was still lovely, somehow the charm got lost compared to book 1. I'm still curious over the other brothers, so I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

This book had it all what a great romantasy should have and more. Seriously, this series became one of my favourites. There isn't a single thing I didn't like about this book.
What a wonderful end to Em's and Creon's story. I was delighted when the author announced that another book of this realm with the focus on different characters will be released. Maybe even two books? Imagine my eyes getting the shapes of hearts.

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monibookishnerd
Foxglove | Adalyn Grace
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You are the girl who threw herself at me like a boar.

This made me laugh!
If anybody wants to buddy read within the app Fable, I'm just at chapter 15...

See here the book club: https://links.fable.co/dgm1skFJ4Hb

review
monibookishnerd
Mehso-so

Novellas are rarely my favourite and this could have benefitted from more length too. The story was focused on the relationship but the magical worldbuilding was neglected, even if it concerned the characters. Otherwise it was very fun, easy to read and I loved how patient and accommodating Bauther was.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

The characters were adorable. It was impossible not to cheer for them. I felt so good about this couple and this book proves why I love this genre. The characters were given sufficient depth and complexity, making them feel real.

The story provided also two strong female characters as the main characters' mothers.

Only critique: There aren't really any Christmas or pre-holiday vibes in the book beside the date December 24.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

The characters and the development of the romance are at the center of the story. I love the realistic setting and the small town atmosphere. The author's writing is easy to read and fun which put me in such a good mood.

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monibookishnerd
Panpan

I struggled to relate to the FMC. The dynamics between her and Cal appeared unhealthy and toxic.
The story telling technique was good, there was a nice level of tension.
The way the book ended with a cliffhanger was too dramatic for my taste and the reading journey ends for me here.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

You know what to get with Lola Glass' books. If was everything I was looking for when I felt a bit moody. This book took me out of a book slump! A funny feel good book.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

Surprising level of angst and drama.
I absolutely love that the author leaves the dreaded third break up act out of her stories.

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monibookishnerd
Slaying the Naga King | J. M. Butler
Pickpick

Surprisingly sweet story for a monster as the love interest. Also very interesting world building.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

Very intriguing worldbuilding and concept of the mate bond - haven't read anything similar so far. And what delightful monsters!
This was the first I've read from the author and the series and I'm left wanting for more.
The typos were a bit disturbing but I was glued to the pages.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

Very nice level of angst! And nice delivery of the plot twist. The teasing was incredible and so the build up of the romance.

The scene when they finally tangled was a bit disappointing - I missed the emotions. The scene could not compete with those prior.

There was a lot of telling, especially the info dump on the mate bond etc. I still have questions on the world building and I'm eager for more.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

The best level of angst in this series so far. And so so so funny.

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monibookishnerd
This post contains spoilers
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Pickpick

I struggled a bit to follow Eloise's actions but I enjoyed her character arc.
The double standards on women irked me in this book more than in the others.

Spoiler warning!
Also I don't think it's okay to not mention once to have kids - that was so quickly brushed off... I understand why it's important for her character but I struggled a bit with that.

Nevertheless, again very amusing to read.

review
monibookishnerd
Pickpick

The angst and the revealed identity of Lady Whistledown - chef's kiss!
Also how in the end the attempt at blackmailing was dealt - it couldn't have been done better.

Also can I just say it: The books are so much better than the Netflix series!

julesG The books are better. But I also like the series. 😁 5mo
monibookishnerd I was devastated how little the first two seasons kept to the books. Besides the names the plot didn't stick to the books at all. Especially the second season was so full of drama, it was unnecessarily prolonged and it didn't show how much fun these two characters had in the books. 5mo
8 likes2 comments
review
monibookishnerd
Head Over Heels | Karla Sorensen
Pickpick

Best contemporary romance with all the feels! Emotions are very high, be ready for attacks to your heartstrings.
Reversed grumpy - sunshine with found family in a small town without a stupid third break up act.
The HEA couldn't have been more perfect though it was bittersweet.
The author will become a favorite.

blurb
monibookishnerd
Golden Curse | M. Lynn
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For all the witches out there: it's stuff your kindle day

review
monibookishnerd
Mehso-so

I still love the main characters, the found family, the emotions and the character development.

The separation and getting back together was angsty and thrilling to read. After that the pace felt off and I had the feeling that a lot of informations and affirmations were repeated. The explanations sometimes were too lengthy. Also the spicy scenes happened often at inappropriate times.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

What a thrilling page turner! Iloved the gothic horror vibes, the pride and prejudice banter, the foreboding, the clues everywhere- nothing the author writes is a coincidence! The writing was beautiful, I was making so many quotes. Wished for a bit more length in the showdown though it was cleverly delivered. Well deserved HEA with strong women. The last line made me gasp and kept me second-guessing.

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monibookishnerd
A Curse For True Love | Stephanie Garber
Mehso-so

Star-crossed lovers at its finest! However, very little interaction between the love pair.
The villains felt flat.
The narrative style again was again top of "once upon a time".
I expected so much more from the epilogue- after all Jacks and Evangeline have been through!

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monibookishnerd
What Lies Beyond the Veil | Adelaide Forrest, Harper L Woods
Pickpick

Very interesting worldbuilding and love story though at this point there isn't real romance - hopefully yet to come! Very dark, misogynistic setting. Be aware of trigger warnings! I liked the dark atmosphere, the ominous feeling and mystery. The hidden identity was early obvious but it was nice to catch up on all the hints.

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monibookishnerd
Homerun Proposal | Maren Moore
Mehso-so

The cute, innocent cover is deceiving.
I love the trope spice coach and it was well done.
Unfortunately this felt like smutt plus minimum plot. Some spicy scenes felt even so rushed, I didn't understand the point of it besides the frequency. Some scenes lacked sensuality and emotions.
I also think that it was a missed opportunity that the MMC hasn't figured out what he wants.

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monibookishnerd
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Books of March I don't regret reading a second

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

A little different contemporary romance!
The story was so amusing and made me feel good, despite a little level of angst and the heroine's self-doubts.
There's a delightful plot, intense chemistry and the show instead of tell made the romance so much more enjoyable.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

The hype is warranted. Some tropes are familiar but they were well executed. Although, there is some potential for more worldbuilding. I loved the characters and the narrative style. Kai is a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. The author has a way with words that made me smile and sigh contently. I highlighted so many passages. The chemistry is amazing and the teasing is so amusing. The cruel king was unfortunately displayed one-dimensional.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

This series was very fun to read, especially this one was a bit more wicked than the others due to the characters' nature. Sometimes the spicy scenes felt a bit weird but it's difficult to come up with something original and they were.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

A nice, charming Cinderella retale.

Though Benedict didn't act like Prince Charming when he was basically coercing Sophie. This topic was unfortunately quickly dealt with.

Besides that, the author's writing style was as always very charming and full of wit. Again, I was delighted by Lady Violet's schemes and Lady Whistleton's reports. All in all an entertaining and delightful read.

The second epilogue brought the fourth star for this book.

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monibookishnerd
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Pickpick

Charming small town atmosphere, comical moments, nice level of angst without unnecessary drama by a third party, raw characters, slow burn romance, delicious spice, swoon-worthy love declarations backed up with actions, a nice 'third break up' act without a real break up.
The reasons to recommend this book are endless.
This was the first book I've read by the author but surely will not be the last.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

This book was like a Bollywood movie but with open door scenes. Kareena's perspective was hilarious, the humor was witty. The chemistry between her and Prem was intense. Their flirting was sometimes a bit cheesy but that is typical Bollywood style.
Some phrases were a bit odd but that may relate to the cultural background. Wished for a bit more character depth and less offensive communication combined with tough love. Loved the conflict disolving.

review
monibookishnerd
Fourth Wing | Rebecca Yarros
Panpan

I am so disappointed on all levels: not original story elements, badly executed tropes, predictable plot twists, bland love interest and cartoonish antagonists. The action and fighting scenes were good but they do not warrant the hype. Worst: The "Oh My God" phrase in the bedroom is so overused and here was nothing original about it. I have read so much better romantasies.

RamsFan1963 I'm glad I'm not the only one that panned this. I was beginning feel like a little island in a big sea of Litsy hype. 8mo
julesG @RamsFan1963 No, you're not the only one. I bailed. Totally over-hyped book. 8mo
monibookishnerd I constantly had a feeling of deja-vu while reading. It was like all the popular tropes and elements from the best fantasy books of the last 20 years were taken and bunched together. Especially the similarities between the Blood Queen series (FMC and plot) were astounding. 8mo
emz711 for real. i don't get the hype. twist at the end was nice though. I'll hype this one instead which is also a school and people are dying but totally different than this, and way, way hotter. 8mo
12 likes4 comments
review
monibookishnerd
Wings of Ink | Angelina J. Steffort
Pickpick

A Beauty and the Beast retelling meets Fae with a twist.

This captivated me until the last page. It was the first book I've read by the author and it surely won't be the last.

I enjoyed the writing style very much. The pace was appropriate, alternating between fast and slow when needed. The mystery over the curse was held up high until the showdown. There was a medium level of angst. It was thrilling. And this was just the start.

review
monibookishnerd
Pickpick

It started a bit slow. Also I was a bit thrown off because of switching between timelines.

It's been a long time since I've read a story which includes a Faustian bargain. Here it was executed very well.

The last twist in the story was not so surprising but it was beautifully done. I ached for Henry. The emotions at the end were so raw.

I totally understand the praising critiques. I'm glad a friend recommended this book to me.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

An action-packed high fantasy tale with a unique worldbuilding and complex characters!
The story is told smoothly from multiple POVs with Terah as our heroine at the center who has not only to grow into her new role to represent the Stone God but also to navigate the godly affairs. The showdown at the end of the book was suspenseful and thrilling.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

A spicy beauty and the beast retelling with a twist!Gaslamp romance!
The author's writing is very charming and transfers into another world, full of magic, different conventions and beliefs.
The tension and the banter between the love pair again was so amusing. Both characters showed their sharp mind and sass in the dialogues and actions.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

Amusing, charming, though it also had a bit darker themes than the next book.
Cute romance with surprisingly good miscommunication trope.
The secondary protagonists as her mother Violet and the mysterious column writer were also shining here.
Trigger warning: reverse dubious consent. Was a surprise for me.
I liked how Simon dealt with his past and found closure in the second epilogue very much. The book wouldn't be as good without it.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

I loved Tatum's sass and how she did not accept any bullshit. Rafaels's POV was also insightful and changed the perspective on him.

The focus on the story was on the characters and the romance. And their romance was wild and spicy. The third break up act was surprisingly decent.

I wished for a bit more details on the worldbuilding and hope more to come in the next books.

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monibookishnerd
Mehso-so

What delicious nonsense. It was very entertaining to read. I often had to laugh though I don't think that it was the intention of the author. So many lines made me cringe. You have to be in a very good mood and have a good sense of humour to enjoy this beside the smexy times or be very aware of the expectations before you read.
This is a lot of smutt with cheesy lines but so fun to read when you're in the mood and open-minded.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

Das Buch war überragend spannend. Hinzu kommt das detektivische Element: Zoeys Magie zeigte sich als der plötzliche Tods eines Mitschülers eintrat. Rund um die mysteriösen Umstände des tragischen Vorfalls beginnt Zoey mithilfe von neuen, nicht erwarteten Freunden Informationen zu sammeln. Das Foreshadowing wurde von der Autorin gut eingesetzt. Der Plot-Twist im dritten Akt war nicht ganz überraschend. Das Ende des Buches macht Lust auf mehr.

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monibookishnerd
Pickpick

What an amazing reverse Robin Hood retelling! The focus was on the romance, it's definitely a kissing book and I loved it! I enjoyed the writing style very much.
This book was very amusing, mostly caused by the teasing between the main characters Robin and the sheriff Noah. I enjoyed their interactions very much. Their romance was a nice slow burn and Robin's attitude was so fun to read. I also adored the sheriff's goodness and integrity.

blurb
monibookishnerd
Untitled | Untitled
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First virtual discussion in Jenni G Pierson's realm of dreams book club this Sunday. Book Club can be found as a group on Facebook.

review
monibookishnerd
Season's Schemings | Katie Bailey
Mehso-so

The book started with a gruesome break up from the FMC's perspective and I was immediately invested.
In this case the build up leading to marriage of convenience was nicely done and somehow a tad more realistic for this genre.
There wasn't really a lot of fake dating between the love pair which was a bit disappointing.
The comedy aspect was not really there.
The epilogue felt more like the deserved HEA.

blurb
monibookishnerd
Untitled | Untitled
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Book challenge in book club. The whole picture didn't fit. Books in the first line:
The Serpent of the Wings and Night
The Hanging City
Come, Butterfly

Who is interested can join the Book Club Jenni G Pierson's Realm of Dreams on Facebook.

blurb
monibookishnerd
Untitled | Unknown
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review
monibookishnerd
Fake Out | Stephanie Archer
Pickpick

This book made me smile so much.
I loved the dynamics between the main characters so much. Their competitive nature, their playfulness and creativity to get back at her ex/his rival made them so likeable and amusing. I was surprised by the character depth and especially Rory's character arc in the best way.
Their chemistry was off the charts. Yes, there was insta-attraction but the slow to medium burn romance was very nicely done.

review
monibookishnerd
Mehso-so

The plot had great similarities to the Devil wears Prada but this here had rather a very cynical bite.

I appreciated that the FMC's background as a first generation migrant and her conflict on identity were discussed. It's awesome that body hair was addressed.

What I didn't enjoy so much is the name dropping.

I also appreciated that the characters are granted with many layers.

The monologues were a bit long, the pace too slow.

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monibookishnerd
Slaying the Shadow Prince | Helen Scheuerer
Mehso-so

Loved the main characters and their surrounding friends. Their loyalty and banter was sweet and amusing.

Sometimes the pace was very slow and nothing substantial happened. I appreciated the slow burn romance, the details in training and strategy in battles and the character growth.

Still the romantic feelings lack a basis (I'd prefer show over tell). The epilogue was very nice.

review
monibookishnerd
Pickpick

Downtown Abbey meets rom-com.
I was so pleasantly surprised!

I was delighted by the banter, the antics and the chemistry between the main characters. The dialogues and monologues were witty and so charmingly written. I didn't expect the characters to have so much depth and to experience also growth through the story.

It seems I fell for a new addiction