Review: Nightshade by Autumn Woods

Nightshade by Autumn Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Everyone has been going gaga over this book so I decided to try it. The first part was rough to get through and I almost DNFd from almost stagnant story, i guess? But it did get better afterwards and I got very invested in the story, so I'm glad I stuck through the rough patch.

Ophelia is a badass character. She's been through so much and is still surviving each day she wakes up. The bit where she was literally so alone in the world around Christmas and having that loneliness bear down on her, causing so much grief? I felt that too my core and was just as devastated with her. I love that she is fighting. She wants revenge. Until she realizes how much her revenge would hurt the one person she's come to care about. 

Alex, Alex. I adored this man. What he is putting himself through to survive his father is intense. I love his adoration toward his 6 sisters and his mother. He is bending over backwards to care for all of them and that is the sweetest thing to see. Also his determination to be in Ophelia's life is amazing. 

The reveal of Ophelia's parents was greatest. I guessed that character so I wasnt too surprised. That characters ending have me more glee than it should have. And then the twist at the end was great. I'm very glad I have an arc is book 2 and am diving into it now because I need to know how this duet will end! Glad I decided to give this a chance. 

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Review: After Life by Gayle Forman

After Life by Gayle Forman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read for Battle 27

This is a short but VERY powerful book. It took me just a couple of hours to read but the feelings and emotions it makes you go through is strong. It made me cry at the end! 

The idea of loving someone so much they come back from the dead is beautiful. Amber died 7 years ago and yet she shows up at her house as if she never left. And in my mind, that's because of Melissa, her younger sister. Melissa never stopped taking to Amber. Never stopped believing she wasn't there to ask questions to. And that is honestly so beautiful to think about. 

I, at first, got annoyed with all of the viewpoints only beautiful i didn't know who some of them were. But once you delve into the story it all comes together and makes the meaning of this novel more powerful. Gayle Forman once again created a deep story that fills the readers hearts with love and possibilities. 

I'm glad i read this book. It will stay with me for awhile and leave the powerful question: "What If?".

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Review: The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Read for Battle 27

This was an okay book for me. The twist of magic and science was a cool concept but sometimes the author got really involved in the explaining that I got lost a few times since I'm not a fan of science. I liked that Nhika was so passionate about her heartsoothing and that she had fond memories of her grandmother. I also loved her passion to learn more and got smart she is. 

The rest of the characters were blah for me, including the love interest Kochin. Plus the love kinda came out of nowhere and was a little too convenient that those two ended up together since they are the last heartsoothers. 

I see there is a sequel but sadly I don't have enough interest to find out what will happen after this strange ending.

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Review: Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Read for Battle 27

I struggled through this book. A LOT. I saw the life decisions each of the 3 characters were going through and how each life time has had to adjust and pivot. I see the appeal that most readers like. 

I was just bored and kept falling asleep. Each character just felt a bit dull to me in the end. I did finish it, but it took days longer than it should have. 

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Review: Drifting Dawn by Samantha Young

Drifting Dawn by Samantha Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It never fails, Samantha Young always sucks me into her stories and makes me forget reality until I get to the end of the book. I devoured Drifting Dawn in practically one sitting and was so sad when it was over.

I think Quinn might be my favorite MMC of Samantha's to date! I got so emotional reading the flash backs to when they were kids and meeting each other, becoming friends, becoming more. Then years later, seeing him with Heather and Angus, seeing him pursue Taran in a determined but respectful way. He is so in love with Taran but realizes how awful of a mistake he made and doesn't want to make the situation worse. But honestly some of the things he said to her were so swoon-worthy and had me giggling and kicking my feet.

Taran has been through a lot of emotional trauma in her life so I 100% understand her hesitation to trust anyone again. Especially the one person who hurt her the most. She's honestly just trying to survive one day at a time and has lost her passion. To see her open back up to the idea of love with her soul mate and finding her way back to passion and living was so beautiful.

I also absolutely adored Cammie and her bluntness. And seeing Heather follow in her footsteps in priceless! I also love love love the tension and absolute attraction that is going on between Murray and London!

This was honestly perfection. It shows that true love can exist, but we are human and will make giant mistakes along the way. I'm so glad I got to read this book and it will be on my mind remembering this wonderful second chance story (which I usually don't like) for months to come I'm sure!

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Review: Home Stay by Mickey Miller

Home Stay by Mickey Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mickey Miller always delivers amazing novels, and this one did not disappoint! I love the intensity and energy between Cassie and Logan. And meeting at a country concert and getting caught in a rainstorm? You really can't go wrong with that! 

I also adored that this book was set close to and sometimes in Davenport IA since that's where I live and could literally picture the scenery of a small town in the Midwest. 

The chemistry between Cassie and Logan was a mix of extreme intensity but also a fun, humorous rom com. Basically you get both with these two and it became a binge worthy novel! I can relate to Cassie going through her major life change all too well. And Logan has some giant decisions to muddle through which I know can be hard. But when the two of them are together? All of that just fades away.

So glad I got the chance to read this book and always love it when a new Mickey Miller gets released! I definitely recommend picking this up! 

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Review: Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read this for Battle 27

Hanalei has been on her own for 10 years after her father stole a dragonfruit, a dragon egg, to save Hanalei from a poison she and the princess consumed, making them both sick and stay in a coma. The dragonfruit was supposed to be for the princess until it was stolen, and Hana has been exiled from the home she loved with all of her heart. But with stealing and using a dragonfruit comes consequences, and once Hana got better, her father died, leaving her alone at age 8. 

Ten years later, Hana is reconnected with her home island and her closest friend Sam, son to the princess. She is on an adventure to find another dragonfruit to help the princess, but is having a lot of conflicting emotions when it comes to harming the seadragons and their dragonfruit. 

I honestly adored this book. I read it in one sitting and gobbled up the story so quickly! I loved all of the dragon parts and how Hana had a connection with them. I love how they learned more about these seadragons as the story grew. I love the culture in this book and how easy it was to picture everything so clearly. It was a great novel and I'm glad I got the chance to read it! 

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