wonderwomannz's reviews
1194 reviews

First time trying this author, and I am trying after seeing a recommendation in a Facebook group. As someone who typically enjoys dark, hardcore spicy books, I found this one to be a bit on the softer side in terms of romance and intensity. 

The story centers around high school dramas, primarily focusing on the lives of Samantha, Mason, and Logan. While there is a level of spice present, it's what I would describe as "soft spice," which might appeal more to those who prefer their romance with less intensity. 

Given my usual preference for darker themes, I'm uncertain if I'll continue with the entire series if the focus remains primarily on high school drama. I dont typical enjoy those sort of tropes.  However, I'm open to exploring a few more installments to see if the plot thickens or takes unexpected turns. 

The pacing of the book is generally good, with certain parts that keep the momentum going. However, there are moments that feel somewhat glossed over, where I would have appreciated more depth and detail. 
I didnt feel it had strong characters development either 

I'm curious to see if future books will expand beyond just Sam and Mason's story, perhaps delving into other characters' lives more fully, which could add new dimensions to the narrative. 

The audiobook's narrator did a commendable job, enhancing the listening experience and bringing the characters to life. 

I have listened to Ruby Dixon's work, particularly the "Ice Planet Barbarians" series. This alien romance, like her previous works, promised a blend of humor and intergalactic intrigue. However, I found myself feeling rather underwhelmed by this installment.

From my perspective, the book felt average at best. While Dixon's signature style of combining alien cultures with relatable human traits was present, nothing about this story truly stood out. The pacing can be described as medium—neither gripping nor particularly slow—but it lacked the tension and excitement that I’ve come to anticipate from her narratives. 

I felt that the character development was lacking compared to previous books. While the premise held promise, the characters did not experience the growth or depth one might expect in a romance novel. This left me feeling disconnected from their journeys and less invested in the overall plot.

One aspect that didn’t sit well with me was the character of Ruthie. Her portrayal struck me as weak, even as she attempted to project strength. This contradiction made it challenging to connect with her journey. Rather than feeling empowered, Ruthie often came across as frustrating, making it hard for me to invest in her character.

I found the storyline felt predictable.  As a fan of alien romance I often seek unique twists and surprises, but this book seemed to follow a well-trodden path without introducing fresh elements. 

I also didn’t enjoy the male narrator. While it has its moments of charm and humor typical of Ruby Dixon's writing, it ultimately didn't leave a lasting impression. 

A nice end to the series.  Me personally would have loved more spice, but that isn’t the style of the book, lol. The first is still my favourite, I think it had the most tension in it.  Narrator was awesome. 

Very short audiobook from Lincoln’s point of view (from an event in the previous book).  Was nice to have a male narrator. He was great, actually this whole series in duet would have been fantastic. Anyway about to start listening to the final book in this series. Can’t wait.

No time for a long review today, but to be honest it would be much the same as the others. Still good pacing, still questions to be answered, still great narration. Looking forward to the next. It is 3.5 which is short bit told from Lincoln’s point of view.

I thought I was going to have to wait for my loan, but I managed to get my hands on a copy.
I was excited to dive back into the action right where the first book left off, but I found this installment a bit less thrilling.
While there’s still plenty of excitement and mystery, I noticed that the romantic tension took a backseat, leaving me wishing for more chemistry between the characters.  I guess that is because Brielle and Lincoln are now together.
The fast pace and intriguing plot kept me engaged, but I missed the fiery sparks that made the first book so compelling. The plot still moved fast and new things happened in this year, and it did end on a small cliffhanger 
I will be diving straight into the next installment 

Ah, Fallen Academy, Year 1—a rollercoaster of angel wings, demon deals, and just enough smoldering tension to keep my Kindle blushing (even if it’s technically YA). I stumbled upon this gem thanks to a group rec, and let me just say: bless the algorithm (or the angelic divine intervention). 

First off, Brielle is my kind of flag bearer, part sass, part badass, and part “What the heck am I doing?” relatable mess. She’s thrown into a world of training, self-discovery, and the kind of life lessons that come with, oh, you know, having powers and a dash of celestial drama. Leia Stone didn’t just write a story; she conjured a fast-paced whirlwind of humor, mystery, and enough world-building to make even Tolkien take notes. 

Let’s talk about Lincoln. The broody angel with a stick so far up his celestial backside it’s practically a halo. He starts out as the guy you’d want to trip in a hallway, but by the end, you’re like, “Oh no, I might be swooning… am I swooning?!” Their enemies-to-maybe-something vibe is peak YA gold. While there’s no full-blown spice (yet—fingers crossed for future installments), the tension is delectable enough to keep you hooked. 

The narrator deserves a standing ovation. Seriously. I could’ve been doing laundry or fighting off a small demon hoard (a.k.a. my cat attacking my leg), and I still would’ve been riveted. 

Of course, now I’m stuck in the eternal reader’s dilemma—waiting for the next book to free itself from the library hold queue. My patience is being tested, much like Brielle’s ability to survive a year in Fallen Academy without throwing hands every five minutes. When I get my hands on the rest of the series, prepare for a binge so intense even Netflix would be impressed. 

Verdict: If you like angels, demons, humor, and just the right sprinkle of forbidden romance, Fallen Academy, Year 1 is your heavenly ticket. (Or should I say, devilishly delightful?) 

This is the first installment in Nikki St. Crowe's new series. I was immediately intrigued by the dark twist on classic fairy tales that she is known for. Having listened to St. Crowe's “Vicious Lost Boys”, I could sense her affinity for twisting traditional tales, and this is no exception.

This book is a MMF romance featuring characters reminiscent of the beloved Crocodile, Captain Hook and Wendy, but with a different perspective.

Nikki's transparency regarding content warnings, she lists red flags on her website, allowing readers like me to make informed choices before plunging into the story. 

Duet x3 style of narration was great, I love these narrators.

While I anticipated some steamy spice scenes, I found the romantic elements to be somewhat light in this first book. There are certainly moments of passion, but I get the feeling that the love story will evolve and deepen in future installments. The groundwork has been laid, and I'm eager to see how the relationships develop as the series progresses.

Now, all I can do is patiently wait for the next audiobook release in this series.

I have to say, it's not often that I pick up an autobiography or memoir. But when I do, it's usually because I'm genuinely interested in the person, and Bree absolutely fits that bill. I often listen to her on the radio and catch her on TV, and I can't help but adore her. She's so funny, refreshingly honest, and incredibly down to earth.
What I especially loved about this book was that Bree narrated it herself. Hearing her story in her own voice added an intimate layer that made the experience even more enjoyable for me. As I listened, I felt like I was having a conversation with a friend. I appreciated how she opened up about various parts of her life, from her early days and discovering her sexuality to the challenges she faced, including a traumatic event and the impact of anxiety on her life.
One of the most intriguing parts for me was Bree's discussion about her ADHD diagnosis. It resonated deeply, and I found myself reflecting on my own experiences. I swear, I need to get this checked out for myself! It was enlightening to hear someone else's journey with it, especially from someone I admire.
The book’s structure was well thought out and flowed remarkably well. Bree took me on a journey through her life, sharing insights into her health issues, her time in radio, her experience as a TV host and talking about having kids.  I appreciated how she talked about her mental breakdowns. It seems to be happening more and more these days and I love it.  It makes us feel like we aren’t alone. 
This was a fantastic listen, and I loved every moment of it. It's a testament to Bree's resilience and humor, and it left me inspired to embrace my own journey. If you’re looking for a memoir that is both heartfelt and entertaining, I couldn’t recommend this more!

I recently finished Common Goal by Rachel Reid, and while I enjoyed parts of it, it confirmed for me that this series just isn’t my style. I had listened to the first book but really disliked the narrator, so I decided to skip ahead to this one, which featured a different narrator. That change alone made a big difference, I found the audiobook far more enjoyable this time around.

The story centers on two men finding love, which is a theme that carries through the series. I appreciated how their romance was explored, and it was nice to see some familiar faces as a few characters from the earlier books made brief appearances. Rachel Reid’s writing is solid, and I can see why fans of this genre would adore her work.

However, I found the constant emphasis on the age difference between the protagonists to be a bit tiresome. It seemed to be a recurring hurdle that overshadowed other aspects of their relationship. 

Additionally, while the chemistry between the main characters was noticeable, their journey didn't feel particularly unique or interesting. The conflict, primarily based on their age difference, felt somewhat forced and predictable. 

That said, the style and plot just didn’t resonate with me. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the book, it’s well-written and I assume it hits all the right notes for its audience, but it’s clear that this series isn’t for me. I’m glad I gave it another shot, but I don’t plan to continue reading more of the books in this series.