Scan barcode
hayleyreadsbooks_'s reviews
231 reviews
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely not my favourite Christina Lauren book. But it was light & funny. I didn't feel very connected to any of the characters but I enjoyed them enough. Like it was fine, nothing amazing but not awful either.
It was a nice easy pallate cleanser which is what I needed.
It was a nice easy pallate cleanser which is what I needed.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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? No
4.0
This was my first T Kingfisher book and I enjoyed it a lot!
It had such amazing dark fairytale vibes and while the story was quite depressing and sad it was filled with dry witter humour that really lightened the book. A friend described it as a "dark cosy fantasy" and I feel like that really encapsulates it so well. It was also a bit weird and quirky in the best way.
Special mention to the demon chicken and bonedog!!
It had such amazing dark fairytale vibes and while the story was quite depressing and sad it was filled with dry witter humour that really lightened the book. A friend described it as a "dark cosy fantasy" and I feel like that really encapsulates it so well. It was also a bit weird and quirky in the best way.
Special mention to the demon chicken and bonedog!!
To Snap a Silver Stem by Sarah A. Parker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 58%.
I just don't think this series is for me at all.
I dislike every single character. I'm over being confused, 60% into the SECOND book in the series I should know more about the world, magic, species etc. I like some mystery, but this is ridiculous. I'd also like some plot.
I just wasn't having a good time at all.
I dislike every single character. I'm over being confused, 60% into the SECOND book in the series I should know more about the world, magic, species etc. I like some mystery, but this is ridiculous. I'd also like some plot.
I just wasn't having a good time at all.
Akarnae by Lynette Noni
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is a ya for your inner child/teenager. Teenage Hayley would have absolutely devoured this, so I really just let me teenage self come out and enjoy it.
It is very weird, magical and fantastical. Don't take it too seriously, it's a funny, easy good time.
I can definitely see why people compare it to Harry Potter & Narnia. It definitely had those vibes. I was here for it. And I'm excited to read the next book.
Special mention to the sentient library and Sir Camden.
It is very weird, magical and fantastical. Don't take it too seriously, it's a funny, easy good time.
I can definitely see why people compare it to Harry Potter & Narnia. It definitely had those vibes. I was here for it. And I'm excited to read the next book.
Special mention to the sentient library and Sir Camden.
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
This was such a fun cosy historical fantasy romance!
I loved the Regency England vibes, it was such fun.
Dora was such a unique and fun FMC. I loved how her having half a soul impacted on her personality and loved the journey of self love & finding herself. The romance was very wholesome and didn't consume the book.
It was such a fun & witty book. Very easy and enjoyable with a great cast of characters. I had a great time.
I loved the Regency England vibes, it was such fun.
Dora was such a unique and fun FMC. I loved how her having half a soul impacted on her personality and loved the journey of self love & finding herself. The romance was very wholesome and didn't consume the book.
It was such a fun & witty book. Very easy and enjoyable with a great cast of characters. I had a great time.
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
One of the rare series where every single book is amazing. I absolutely adore this series with my whole heart and the final instalment did not disappoint.
I loved that we picked up right where book 2 ended. Seeing Wendell in his natural habitat was absolutely amazing.
I loved the focus on fairie tales/stories in this one and how important they were to the plot of the book.
I loved that all my favourite characters from the first two books popped up throughout! And I feel like the ending was perfect, it felt very true to Emily and Wendell. There moments together were as always so beautiful. I just love them.
I love how Heather Fawcett mixes the whimsical, fantastical cosy vibes with action and actually quite creepy fairie creatures and magic. It's such a good blend. I fear no other fairie book will compare now though to these absolute masterpieces.
I loved that we picked up right where book 2 ended. Seeing Wendell in his natural habitat was absolutely amazing.
I loved the focus on fairie tales/stories in this one and how important they were to the plot of the book.
I loved that all my favourite characters from the first two books popped up throughout! And I feel like the ending was perfect, it felt very true to Emily and Wendell. There moments together were as always so beautiful. I just love them.
I love how Heather Fawcett mixes the whimsical, fantastical cosy vibes with action and actually quite creepy fairie creatures and magic. It's such a good blend. I fear no other fairie book will compare now though to these absolute masterpieces.
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
I absutely loved this. I wasn't really sure what to expect after reading the author's note about kdramas etc as I've never watched any. But I had such a great time with it!
The Korean folklore/mythology was so very cool, I did have to google a fair bit but I didn't mind that at all. All the creatures were so fascinating.
I absolutely adored Hani and Seokga. Their dynamic together was everything, the banter was top notch. I loved watching their characters both grow and they both had amazing character growth in just one book. There was such a good mix of funny lighthearted moments mixed with more deep emotional moments. I loved the romance subplot.
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the mystery/detective/cop element but it was really fun and entertaining. Some of the twists were predictable but I was surprised by others!
The ending!!!!! Gosh the ending. I did shed a tear. Cannot wait for book 2.
The Korean folklore/mythology was so very cool, I did have to google a fair bit but I didn't mind that at all. All the creatures were so fascinating.
I absolutely adored Hani and Seokga. Their dynamic together was everything, the banter was top notch. I loved watching their characters both grow and they both had amazing character growth in just one book. There was such a good mix of funny lighthearted moments mixed with more deep emotional moments. I loved the romance subplot.
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the mystery/detective/cop element but it was really fun and entertaining. Some of the twists were predictable but I was surprised by others!
The ending!!!!! Gosh the ending. I did shed a tear. Cannot wait for book 2.
To Bleed a Crystal Bloom by Sarah A. Parker
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't really know how I feel about this book. On one hand Sarah's writing is beautiful and I sped through this book. She has me intrigued, I need to know what happens.
On the other hand the lack of answers in this book is a bit ridiculous, we start the book knowing nothing and end the book with only more questions and still basically knowing nothing.
Orlaith has trauma. And I think her trauma was represented really well. She's the type of character I simultaneously felt so sorry for and had so much sadness for while also wanting to shake some god damn sense into her!! Orlaith is also kept in the dark, she knows nothing, so the reader knows nothing.
The worldbuilding was not there, I was expecting a lot of worldbuilding like wtmh but honestly I can hardly tell you anything about this world. I know there's some creatures. I know theres magic, but what sort of magic and how it works and who has it? Couldn't tell ya. I know there are different territories. But that's really about it. I expected more.
Also nothing really happens in this book, I'm assuming it's setting up for book 2 and I'm praying we get some plot and some answers.
As for the other characters. Ryhordan ... Hate him. Absolutely hate him.
Baze .... I did like him but now I'm unsure.
Kai ... Our merman best friend. He's my fave I want more of him.
Cain ... Currently team Cain because the other options suck.
I wish we had some more female characters... The ones we got were hardly even in it.
On the other hand the lack of answers in this book is a bit ridiculous, we start the book knowing nothing and end the book with only more questions and still basically knowing nothing.
Orlaith has trauma. And I think her trauma was represented really well. She's the type of character I simultaneously felt so sorry for and had so much sadness for while also wanting to shake some god damn sense into her!! Orlaith is also kept in the dark, she knows nothing, so the reader knows nothing.
The worldbuilding was not there, I was expecting a lot of worldbuilding like wtmh but honestly I can hardly tell you anything about this world. I know there's some creatures. I know theres magic, but what sort of magic and how it works and who has it? Couldn't tell ya. I know there are different territories. But that's really about it. I expected more.
Also nothing really happens in this book, I'm assuming it's setting up for book 2 and I'm praying we get some plot and some answers.
As for the other characters. Ryhordan ... Hate him. Absolutely hate him.
Baze .... I did like him but now I'm unsure.
Kai ... Our merman best friend. He's my fave I want more of him.
Cain ... Currently team Cain because the other options suck.
I wish we had some more female characters... The ones we got were hardly even in it.
Ashen Son by Carissa Broadbent
I didn't realise the novella wasn't actually finished 😠was nice to be back in the world and see Max again.
Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
I loved this. All of it. Watching Adrian and Vanessa relationship go from strangers to friends to lovers was just so wholesome and tender. I loved how they were both so obsessed with the other while thinking the other only wanted to be friends, it was highly entertaining.
Like Abbys other books this had such good emotional depth, the characters have some real shit happening in their lives. I love the real life rawness she brings to her books.
I loved the addition of baby Grace. Ugh I just loved it all.
I cried during the end.
Like Abbys other books this had such good emotional depth, the characters have some real shit happening in their lives. I love the real life rawness she brings to her books.
I loved the addition of baby Grace. Ugh I just loved it all.
I cried during the end.