esmewasreading's reviews
767 reviews

Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham

2.0

The book would appeal to the ones who love hallmark movies for sure. While I did like the characters, I wasn't a fan of the writing. It felt like the book wanted to over explain the plot while also having every single trope in the romance genre crammed into one book. I disliked the text conversations between Luke's sister. I just couldn't care about the romance (the ending was sweet I will admit) or the plot. It was just too similar to things I've already read/watched. It makes me sad since it sounded like a book I would have enjoyed a lot but it didn't hit the mark. This is the 3rd book in a series, while you don't have to read book 1 & 2 before this I would recommend it since it would help get the character context and prevent spoilers. 

I did really like the narrators, they did a great job with the book. It did help differentiate all the characters.  

thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! 

Thirsty: A Novel by Jas Hammonds

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

4.25

Very well written! The harder topics were handled with grace and care. It's a very relatable book. I think this could make a good book for high schools since it brings a good conversation about, toxic relationships and addiction. I enjoyed the characters (other than the ones were meant to dislike iykyk). They were all very well developed and felt relatable. I was hooked from the first chapter, the book is very fast paced with an easy to follow plot. I need to check out 'We Deserve Monuments'. The Narrator was fantastic I really liked their voice. Side note S/O to the stunning cover for this book.

This book will be triggering for some people so please read the full trigger list before reading! 

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advance listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 

Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley

4.5

 

This was just so darn cute! I loved both our MC's so much! Neesha was such a great character, I loved her strength and how she always stood up for herself. Gabby really is a sweet character she really balanced out Neesha so much. The plot of them bonding over a manga series brought me back to my high school friend group which made me fall in love with the story that much more. I wish I would have had a cute bookclub with my friends back then! The art style is fantastic. I loved having the Manga incorporated into the story! Just such a great story about self love, friendship, falling in love, acceptance and just a heartwarming coming of age story. I was not expecting to cry at a graphic novel but here we are lol

Thank You Netgalley and the publishers for a copy in exchange for an honest review!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Homophobia, and Death

Icon and Inferno by Marie Lu

4.0

I've been in the process of reading all the books Marie Lu has written so I was really excited when I got accepted for the audio arc for this one! I read stars and smoke back in December of 2023 and I remember enjoying it! With that said I do think I preferred Icon and Inferno more than S&S! Since we already know the characters we were able to focus a lot more on the plot, and the relationships which I prefer usually prefer in books. Winter grew on me so much in this book! I liked him okay in bk 1 but he completely won me over in bk 2! Gabby made me so angry (which lets face it she's supposed to so A+ for writing her character) I will admit at about 35% I did have a few theories of what was going to happen and some of those were right, which is fine cause I still enjoyed the lead up to the reveals. overall great Duology and would def recommend! I recently read Warcross a few weeks ago (which quickly became my favorite Marie Lu) so I got so beyond excited when I realized this series was set in the same world as Warcross!! Sydney and Winter are just :heart_eyes: adorable. 

With the audiobook I do wish it would have been 2 narrators rather than just 1 but Becca still did a fantastic job. 

overall great action packed Duology that I would def recommend! 

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an Audio Arc in exchange for an honest review! *it comes out June 11th 2024!*

Scoop, Vol. 1, Volume 1: Breaking News by Richard Ashley Hamilton

3.0

1st the art style is absolutely stunning! I loved the color pallet that was chosen. Sophie was a really fun main character to follow. Sophie's little brother was hands down my favorite. Its a really fun and short graphic novel. it's really weird at times but I loved that about it. excited to see what else the other volumes have in store!

thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Wayfinders by Bryan Chick

3.75

A very sweet and whimsical read! I loved our group of characters a lot. I do wish Chloe would have been aged up just a bit to maybe 15, so it would have still been under the middle grade umbrella but would have matched her actions better. I really liked Chloe's relationship with her dad. I always love books that bring magic to a mundane life. A great mildly chaotic, very magical road trip to help save a bunch of fairytale creatures and send them back home. 

I really liked the audiobook! the narrator did a great job with the book! 

Overall I do think I'll be getting a copy of this for my little cousin since I think she will absolutely love this. (she's very much entering her horse girl era) 

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! 

Friday, Volume 1 by Ed Brubaker, Marcos Martín, Muntsa Vicente

4.0

NOW THATS A CLIFF HANGER! I. need. more! 

This volume perfectly sets the scene for the bigger series. I am fully invested in this series! Excited to see where the story brings us and to see what happens with the characters. 

BTW this does say "the first day of Christmas" but don't let it deter you from picking it up! The book is basically just set around Christmas time so I would really classify it as a Christmas book. 

The art style is very pretty but not my personal taste, but still beautifully done. The design of the clubhouse/treehouse is legit so good! 

excited to pick up the next volume and see where we go from here!! 

Thank you so much Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this one! (my thoughts are all my own!)

What Walks These Halls by Amy Clarkin

5.0

What a great Paranormal horror! I love books that feature a creepy haunted house and add a paranormal investigator element on top of it and you basically have my perfect book. Every single character in this book were so extremely lovable. The plot was easy to follow and full of creepy situations that had me huddled under my blanket wishing I had read this during daylight. I really loved Eabha's story line, I loved watching her grow and stand up for herself and set strong boundaries. 

Such a great atmospheric read with LGBTQIA vibes set in Ireland that would be perfect for Halloween!

The narrator did such a fantastic job bringing the characters and the story to life! 

thank you Netgalley for giving me access to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Dead Girls Walking by Sami Ellis

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

3.0

 There's a lot going on in this book. You kick off the book already in the heart of the story and need to piece together whats happening as you read which made the story a bit hard to follow. I did enjoy the plot, but after the 50-60% mark it started getting rather repetitive. I do think I would have liked it more if it was just a little shorter. It definitely a slasher with more layers to it. The writing was good, the book was very eerie, funny in the right spots, and very gore filled.

overall its a good debut and I'm happy to have read it!

thank you Netgalley for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review! 

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

funny mysterious medium-paced

4.0

 This was so much fun!! I loved how self aware the book was. The footnotes were my favorite (which is impressive cause I usually hate footnotes in books). All the characters were great, the plot was just so entertaining. The audiobook was great! loved the narrator!! A great, fun, silly cozy mystery!

Now for the very very long wait till book #2!

thank you so much to Netgalley for the audio arc and to the publishers for the physical arc in exchange for an honest review!