Top Ten Tuesday [9]

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together!

This week's topic: Books I Never Reviewed (and whether I liked them or not)

There are a lot of books I read during my hiatus that I never reviewed. 😅 I was planning on doing a handful of posts with mini reviews just to get them off my need to review shelf on Goodreads, but I can knock several off my list right now! I'll share books I read and didn't review, plus a brief explanation on why I did or didn't like them. :)

Edit: None of my explanations were brief. 💀

The Christmas Thief (Regan Reilly Mysteries, #7.5) by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark

I found this in my Little Free Library around Christmas and thought it would be an enjoyable seasonal read. I've heard the name Marry Higgins Clark all my life and was looking forward to finally reading something by the author. Unfortunately, I only made it to chapter four before calling it quits. It was just really, really hard to read. The writing as a whole felt off, the story didn't flow, and the conversations didn't feel natural.

Additionally, the characters were unlikable from the start, and it was frustrating seeing them complain about how hard it was for them to win the lottery (i.e. how much they suffered in their personal lives because of it). There was even a Lottery Winners Support Group mentioned in the book that some of the characters attended. I know statistically a lot of people who win the lottery end up losing their winnings, but it was just an aspect of The Christmas Thief I couldn't get behind. (★★☆☆☆)

Hell Bent (Alex Stern, #2) by Leigh Bardugo, 🎧 Narrated by Lauren Fortgang and Michael David Axtell

*possible spoilers for Ninth House

I didn't like Hell Bent as much as Ninth House and struggled to get into the story. The first book leaves us with a cliffhanger, and the main character spends the majority of the second book trying to fix all the mistakes she's made, and it honestly made me like her a little less. She starts "relying" on people more in this book, but she also does what she wants without considering the consequences or how her new companions might be affected. 

It felt like any growth and progress Alex made in the first book was completely washed away in the second. She's taken on Darlington's responsibilities as Virgil, which she is wholly unprepared for. She doesn't know enough about what she's doing, nor does she know how to navigate the political aspects of her new position. Alex repeatedly uses people for her benefit, and she also makes bad decisions that land her and others in a heap of trouble. Her quick-thinking and wit from Ninth House was replaced with sloppy, last minute reactions, and her personality lacked the humor I had come to expect and appreciate from her character.

I think the biggest letdown of all was the absence of the dark academia vibe from the first book. It was one of my favorite things about Ninth House and I felt its loss. The setting is mostly the same, but it didn't invoke the same feelings. Also, Darlington came across as dull and boring in Hell Bent which might be an even bigger disappointment, honestly. He was super interesting in the first book, and I was curious how his relationship with Alex would play out, but it's like he's an entirely different person (yes, he's literally been to hell and back, but he didn't feel like Darlington anymore). Their new dynamic gets really weird in this one, and I'm just not fully on board with how his character has evolved. 

I still gave this one 3.5 stars because I enjoyed the story as a whole, and because it was one I was really looking forward to reading, but the things I loved about the first book were sadly absent from the second. It felt like an entirely different story, which completely threw me off for the first half of the book. There is a lot of action, the development of some secondary characters, and a new goal that everyone is working towards. There's also a slew of new creatures for them to deal with, and a lot of them are pretty disturbing. There's still fighting and various conflicts, and I enjoyed how high stakes everything was. Overall a fun read, but I felt let down by my own expectations. (★★★⋆☆)

PS: This book has a glowing man part, if that interests you. 😂

A Deal with the Elf King (Married to Magic, #1) by Elise Kova, 🎧 Narrated by Elizabeth Evans

I went into this one with zero expectations. It popped up as a recommendation on Libby and I decided to give it a shot. The reviews on Goodreads were decent, and I needed something to listen to while waiting on my other holds to be available. 

I didn't really like Luella or the Elf King (I can't remember his name) at the beginning, which made it hard for me to feel invested in the story. It was also a little obvious how everything was going to play out, and I like to be left in the dark with the characters. The initial conflict was weird and I didn't like how Luella handled herself with her friend/boyfriend/forced fiancé/whatever he was, or how she let him make decisions for her. It was really presumptuous and his actions made very little sense with the information we're given.

The Elf King was aloof, as to be expected, yet Luella is able to form a sort of friendship with two of the elves residing in the castle. I appreciated those relationships and enjoyed seeing them slowly develop as Luella took on her new responsibilities as the human queen. She's adamant there has to be a way for them to keep both of their races safe, while also getting rid of the need for a new human queen every hundred years. I wish we'd gotten more world-building, because I thought the setting was really interesting. Unfortunately, we don't delve too deeply into how their worlds work or were created. The diaries left behind from previous human queens were also something I would have liked more details about. Maybe flashbacks to those queens writing in their diaries and what they were thinking and feeling?

Elias? (I think that's the Elf King's name) has a brother that's absolutely rotten at the start. (I just looked it up. His name is Eldas so I was close, lol.) He humiliates and demeans Luella for nothing more than his own amusement. His behavior is only encouraged by a lack of parenting from his mother, and I was never really sure what the source was for their hostility. Luella didn't want to be there, she didn't ask to be the human queen, yet she's treated poorly by them.

Luella isn't a fiery heroine fighting her fate or trying to force her way into a world that doesn't want her. She's quiet and reflective. She likes plants and using her abilities to heal others. She's compassionate and grounded in a way we don't usually see from main character's right at the start. I also enjoyed the slow burn romance between her and Eldas, despite wishing things had happened sooner in the book. It takes them a very long time to even be decent towards one another, so it took even longer for their feelings to develop naturally and authentically. They decide to work together, learn to like each other, fall in love without admitting it, then admit it very publicly, and then it's over. 

As a whole, I enjoyed A Deal with the Elf King and would definitely read another book in this series. Some of it was slightly problematic, but it was easy to look over. Also, if you're looking for a fun audiobook, the narrator did an amazing job with this one. (★★★☆☆)

Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment, #1) by Rebecca Ross, 🎧 Narrated by Alex Wingfield and Rebecca Norfolk 

I really wanted to like Divine Rivals more than I did. Sadly, the world-building was severely lacking, and the two main characters were about as interesting as watching water boil on the stove. I had such high expectations for this one after seeing all the hype and raving reviews it received, so it was a huge letdown when I couldn't get into the story.

Another reviewer said, "How did the promise of a war between gods turn into a middling historical fiction with a lackluster romance and nary a whiff of fantasy? I'm honestly a bit stunned," and it perfectly describes how I felt about this book. The fantasy element is almost nonexistent and we get very little information on the two gods everyone is fighting for.

Divine Rivals does have magical typewriters which was pretty cool. If you write a letter on one and put it under a door (or was it a wardrobe?), then your letter will be transported to someone else with a magical typewriter regardless of where they're at in the world. I was a little confused by how this actually worked, since there are technically three typewriters total. Why didn't any of their letters end up next to the one in the museum? It couldn't have been intent, since Iris didn't know who she was writing to initially. 

I'm also not really into historical fiction or historical romances, and that's what this felt like. Both Iris and Roman are war correspondents that used to work together at a newspaper, and their decisions for going felt impulsive and a little childish. They weren't going for themselves, or because they had a strong desire to serve one side or the other, but because something uncomfortable or sad happened in their personal lives. Additionally, their individual family dynamics were poorly explained, and more information might have helped us understand their motivations a little more.

The story progressed at a snail's pace until the very end. Even increasing the speed on the audiobook didn't help. There was WAY more telling than showing, which is something I really struggle with. I want to live in the moment with the characters, not be told what's happening to them the entire book. 

The romance was also super disappointing and not all that believable. The enemies-to-lovers I was expecting was less about them being enemies, and more about them competing for the same job. Roman never came across as hating or having animosity towards Iris. He respected her talent as a writer and even sought her opinion on something he was working on. There was no gradual falling in love for either of them because a) Iris didn't know she was spilling all her secrets to him, and b) they were in a literal war zone and didn't have time to realistically develop a romance. It made their love for each other feel forced and like a means to an end. 

Like I said, I really wanted to like this one, but Divine Rivals fell flat for me in the end. The chaotic conclusion did help speed up the story, but it left me with a lot of unanswered questions. It also made me wonder what people's motivations were, but we really don't get much character development outside of Iris and Roman. (★★★☆☆)

Stolen Trophy by K.A. Knight and Kendra Moreno

After reading and enjoying Knight's Den of Vipers, I decided to try Stolen Trophy when it popped up on my KU. As far as RHs go, this one was well done. I thought the dynamics were believable, and enjoyed seeing how they went from kidnappers to accomplices over the course of the book. It's always interesting to see how an author will make a romance work when the beginning of their relationship starts off with less than ideal circumstances. Obviously, you'll need to suspend your disbelief a little, but it was enjoyable nevertheless.

If you liked Den of Vipers, you'll probably want to pick this one up. The male characters are somewhat similar to the ones in DoV, but different enough that it's easy to overlook. I also thought Genevieve was a watered-down version of Roxy, but still likable in her own way. She started off as a really strong character, but as the story progresses she becomes more passive and accepting of her circumstances. She tries to blame Stockholm Syndrome, and I wish she'd remained the confident, no-nonsense character we see at the beginning. The one that will take on four massive men with nothing but the heels on her feet.

Despite all of that, I really enjoyed reading Stolen Trophy. It gave off sexy Robin Hood vibes and was a lot of fun while also being fairly fast paced. The spicy scenes were definitely blush-worthy, so be careful where you read them. 😉 The plot was also decent and there's a satisfying conclusion at the end.  (★★★⭑☆)

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young, 🎧 Narrated by Brittany Pressley

I really, really liked The Unmaking of June Farrow. It was filled with secrets and half-truths that I thoroughly enjoyed unraveling with June. She's been "hallucinating" a red door, people's voices, unexplainable feelings, and various sounds for about a year, but has kept it a secret from everyone except her doctor. She's worried what people will think, despite knowing that she'll end up like all of the other Farrow women before her. June has put off having a romantic relationship with someone she's close with, because she doesn't want to eventually become a burden (or pass the curse on to a child she may have), and we see how that mindset plays a role in her non-romantic relationships as well.

I loved how this book came full circle. Little details in the beginning make more sense as the story progresses, and we see June struggling to piece together new and old information to better understand her circumstances. I can't say too much without spoiling the story, but the author has created a beautiful mystery for us to solve alongside the main character. 

The romance in this one nearly broke my heart. I could genuinely understand both sides, and they were each completely justified in their reactions to the situation that June intentionally — and unintentionally — put them in. I really enjoyed the flashbacks and memories June experiences and how they shape her present thoughts and feelings. She slowly uncovers new information that may or may not help her end her family's curse, and also allow her to have a happily ever after of her own.

The secondary characters were interesting, the mystery was wonderfully done, and I enjoyed how the author set up the entire story. It flowed from start to finish and the writing itself was absolutely beautiful. I would definitely recommend this one — especially the audio — if you're looking for a book that makes you fall in love with more than one version of a person, a small town setting, authentic relationships, and a believable storyline with a dash of magical realism. (★★★★☆)

The Coven (Coven of Bones, #1) by Harper L. Woods, 🎧 Narrated by Ellis Evans and Emilia Bauer

I was pleasantly surprised by The Coven. Willow was a likable character that stood by her beliefs regardless of the consequences. She has green magic, which gives her an affinity for nature, and it was amazing watching her use that magic to fight as well as heal it by giving up some of herself so it could thrive. She was so in tune with the world around her — thanks to her mother's teachings — and it responded with same energy and love she gave. Willow's mother raised her outside of the Coven and taught her how to hide herself and her brother in case they ever became aware of their existence. Unfortunately, Willow's father had other ideas for his daughter.

The school itself has dark academia vibes, and some very bad things have happened there. I hated that boys had to choose between their powers or having a family, and I thought the leaders were awful and outdated. It was fun seeing Willow challenge them as the last of her bloodline (she has two, which you learn about early on). The school isn't aware of her dual magic, but she is a direct descendent of someone important, and it gives her an unexpected edge when things don't go according to plan. However, it also means she doesn't know how to use or control that side of her magic, and it's already unpredictable at best. More than that, she isn't aware of the full history or truths associated with that magic.

Gray was a solid presence in Willow's life from the start, although his role varies as the story progresses. Is he protecting her? Using her? Following the orders of others? Does he actually have feelings for her? He's such an enigma and it was honestly exhausting trying to figure him out. Willow appears to have a similar problem since she seems to both hate and enjoy his company. He's also not upfront with his intentions, and some of his actions were VERY questionable. We get some answers at the end and wow... not what I was expecting. 

The Coven is unlike anything else I've read recently, and I really enjoyed the story as a whole. There were some problematic areas, but while there was definitely a chili pepper romance, there's also a decent plot that addresses bigger issues that are relatable and relevant. (★★★★☆)

Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1) by Lauren Roberts, 🎧 Narrated by Chase Brown and Cecily Bednar Schmidt

I want to start off by saying the narrators for Powerless were absolutely amazing! They really elevated the story to a whole other level. When my audiobook hold expired (this happens way more than it should), I opted to wait six weeks for the audiobook to be available again despite having a copy of the physical book. I only had 45 minutes left in the audiobook, which would have amounted to like 50 pages.  

I thought the world-building for Powerless was really well done. We get examples of the different classes and what life is like on both sides of that divide. Kai's life isn't perfect, but he has lived a life of privilege that Paedyn isn't used to. They're both forced to confront internal and external conflicts throughout the course of the book, and I thought having duel POVs really made this story stand out. 

The king is a garbage human being, yet somehow managed to produce two decent sons. One is on track to be king, and the other his enforcer. Kai got the short end of the stick, but he does his best not to let it influence his relationship with his brother. They both have lived and trained with the other Elites their age, who have an advantage when it comes to the trials over anyone chosen from the slums. 

Unsurprisingly, Paedyn manages to catch the eye of not one, but two princes. Her interest in one is strategic and purely platonic, although he doesn't seem to feel the same way. Her interactions with the other were out of necessity, but also out of curiosity and a pull neither of them feels inclined to ignore. They might tell themselves it's a bad idea, but they always seem to end up together. They also respected one another and had each other's backs when it mattered. 

Paedyn was a decent character. I didn't relate to her personally, but I enjoyed reading about her. That's how you know when an author has written a good character, because normally I need to form some sort of connection with the MC to really get into a story. That wasn't the case here. I liked Paedyn, but I also thought she made choices I wouldn't have, and passed up opportunities I would have taken advantage of. We are very different people, but I liked her as a person. 

The story itself was very engaging and fast-paced. Paedyn did forget about her one and only friend for awhile, but the author had her correct that mistake later on. The trials were deadly and full of opponents trying to kill one another, and also just trying to stay alive in various environments. It was both mentally and physically challenging for everyone involved, although I think Paedyn's life on the streets gave her an advantage over some of the others. She knows what it's like to be hungry, and to fight for what she wants with everything she has. 

The ending leaves you with a whopper of a cliffhanger (booo), but I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I'm curious to see how the story will progress and how relationships will change based on the decisions made at the end. A lot was revealed (some things we knew, some things we didn't), and you're left with a lot of feelings and new information to sort through and absorb. (★★★★☆)

Best Friends Never Kiss by Krista Wolf

I have been trying to find a good hockey romance for months, but none of them have been AMAZING. (Please leave recommendations in the comments!) Best Friends Never Kiss was good, but it's not one I would go out of my way to recommend. 

I also really struggled with the description of Zane. I kept picturing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and it wasn't working for me in the context of this book. I think it was the goatee, honestly. It made me start thinking about whether or not I've ever read a book where the male love interest has a goatee, and I don't think I have! 😅

The spice in this one was more poblano pepper. It had some flavor, but ultimately lacked any real heat. This was a really big bummer, since I picked up Best Friends Never Kiss wanting and expecting a steamy romance. The word choice and descriptions during intimate interactions also could have been better. A lot of it made me cringe and completely took me out of the moment. 

I honestly really only liked Tyler as an option. She seemed to have the biggest connection with him emotionally and physically, but the author wrote this as more of a group romance, so we don't see the individual relationships develop as much as I would have liked. Ariana —  Ari — makes amazing foam art at the coffee shop she works at, but seems to lack that attention to detail in her personal life. I'm still not sure how they all work together, since there didn't seem to be any depth to their relationships. Everything that happened was just too convenient. 

Best Friends Never Kiss was an enjoyable read. There wasn't any drama between the MC and her menfolk, but they did deal with some in their personal lives. I think the writing could have been better and the relationships more believable, but it wasn't bad for a KU freebie. (★★★☆☆)

These Pucking Boys (This Pucking Love, #1) by Michelle Hercules

My initial thoughts on Goodreads: DNF - sooooo bad!

I didn't get very far into this one before knowing with absolute certainty that it wouldn't work for me. I honestly have no idea how this book has such a high rating. The MC, the guys (one of them had a Scottish "accent" that was so bad it was insulting), and everything else about this book was just awful. Save yourself some time and skip this one. (★★☆☆☆)

This was me attempting — yet again — to find a good hockey romance. 😭