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demi_sewell's reviews
137 reviews
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to this as an audiobook borrowed from my local library. It was with British accents, which was amazing for me, and made me feel like I was actually more "there" in the story. I definitely cried ugly tears at the end, so prepare yourselves!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Pregnancy
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was an absolute delight to read! I was completely captivated by the story, and the ending almost brought tears of joy to my eyes 🥲. I highly recommend this heartwarming historical romance/mystery gem to anyone looking for a feel-good read!
Lady Augusta "Gus" and Lady Julia are twin sisters who are unmarried and in their forties in Regency London. Their younger brother, Duffy, is a right piece of work and very jealous of Gus. Lady Gus falls in love with Lord Evan, who is an outlaw, and so the tale begins! There are elements of horrors of the time, mostly against women, people of color, homosexuality, and the mentally ill. It's extremely well written and involves so many cliff hangers, that I cannot wait to read the next book! 📚💕🗡
Lady Augusta "Gus" and Lady Julia are twin sisters who are unmarried and in their forties in Regency London. Their younger brother, Duffy, is a right piece of work and very jealous of Gus. Lady Gus falls in love with Lord Evan, who is an outlaw, and so the tale begins! There are elements of horrors of the time, mostly against women, people of color, homosexuality, and the mentally ill. It's extremely well written and involves so many cliff hangers, that I cannot wait to read the next book! 📚💕🗡
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Not in My Book by Katie Holt
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook. 😊
I've been wanting to read this book for a while, and I was not disappointed. The story was incredibly realistic and captivating, to the extent that I found myself unable to stop listening. 🎧 It was one of those books that had me exclaiming aloud, engaging in conversations with the characters, and urging them to take action. JUST GO ON AND KISS HER ALREADY!!! 🔥
The slow-burn progression from enemies to lovers was well written, and just when I believed the happy ending had been reached, I realized that I was only halfway through the book!
Rosie and Aiden have such an intense relationship, and the only part that I did not like (and why I docked 1/4 star) is during the sex scenes when he was calling her a "good girl." I don't know, maybe it's the feminist in me, but it just feels a bit condescending and derogatory. I personally do not like being called that, but that's just me. I also thought it didn't seem to fit with the story or Aiden's personality either.
The narration as well is probably one of the best I've listened to recently. I really liked her inflections and how she made the reader actively listen.
What did others think? Did you love it as much as me!? I'm definitely going to put this on my Christmas wishlist to buy, though!
#enemiestolovers #bookstagram #booklover #bookreview #audiobook #ARC #NetGalley #NotinMyBook
I've been wanting to read this book for a while, and I was not disappointed. The story was incredibly realistic and captivating, to the extent that I found myself unable to stop listening. 🎧 It was one of those books that had me exclaiming aloud, engaging in conversations with the characters, and urging them to take action. JUST GO ON AND KISS HER ALREADY!!! 🔥
The slow-burn progression from enemies to lovers was well written, and just when I believed the happy ending had been reached, I realized that I was only halfway through the book!
Rosie and Aiden have such an intense relationship, and the only part that I did not like (and why I docked 1/4 star) is during the sex scenes when he was calling her a "good girl." I don't know, maybe it's the feminist in me, but it just feels a bit condescending and derogatory. I personally do not like being called that, but that's just me. I also thought it didn't seem to fit with the story or Aiden's personality either.
The narration as well is probably one of the best I've listened to recently. I really liked her inflections and how she made the reader actively listen.
What did others think? Did you love it as much as me!? I'm definitely going to put this on my Christmas wishlist to buy, though!
#enemiestolovers #bookstagram #booklover #bookreview #audiobook #ARC #NetGalley #NotinMyBook
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a cute read! Not too much, not too little. I'm going into this holiday series not expecting to be knocked out by these short stories, but this one was decent 👌
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I flew through this book!! Now I know it's only a short story, but I've been reading a lot of them recently, and this one was SO GOOD. 😍 It's crazy how much story can be packed into so few pages - I was hooked from beginning to end. 📖 Has anyone else read it? What are your favorite kinds of short stories to read? I'm always looking for recommendations! 😊
#shortstorylover #bookstagram #readinglife @alihazelwood
#shortstorylover #bookstagram #readinglife @alihazelwood
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Abandonment
Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I just finished a story that has left me feeling conflicted. The narration was absolutely superb, and I was captivated by the voice and delivery. The narrator truly brought the characters to life, and each one was precise and individual. However, the storyline itself fell a bit flat. It was just a little too cheesy for me, and there were parts of it that were very dramatic that I felt were exaggerated and unrealistic. 🧀🎭
#SantaOverboard #NetGalley
#SantaOverboard #NetGalley
Holiday Wedding - Spicy by Melissa Dymond
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this book in a couple of days, and it was a nice, easy read. However, I did find that the primary characters, Caleb and Gwen, exhibited a level of codependency that I personally found a tad bit excessive. 😅
I loved that there were two characters giving their own stories, and it flip-flopped back and forth, so a couple of chapters were about Gwen, and then the next couple of chapters were about Jenny. I liked that it allowed for the exploration of two distinct love stories. 📚❤️
While I applaud the inclusion of mental health as a central theme, particularly in the relationship between Dean and Jenny, I felt that the emotional breakdown depicted may have been somewhat exaggerated, especially considering the intimate moment that followed. 🤔
Overall, am I going to read more books by this author? Absolutely 💯
#melissadymondauthor #bookreview #romance #mentalhealth #twistsandturns
I loved that there were two characters giving their own stories, and it flip-flopped back and forth, so a couple of chapters were about Gwen, and then the next couple of chapters were about Jenny. I liked that it allowed for the exploration of two distinct love stories. 📚❤️
While I applaud the inclusion of mental health as a central theme, particularly in the relationship between Dean and Jenny, I felt that the emotional breakdown depicted may have been somewhat exaggerated, especially considering the intimate moment that followed. 🤔
Overall, am I going to read more books by this author? Absolutely 💯
#melissadymondauthor #bookreview #romance #mentalhealth #twistsandturns
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy