Maybe not a fairytale part 2

The Dragon Choker, the second installment in Stephanie Alexander's Cracked Glass Slipper trilogy, is the biggest disappointment of them all. Granted, I had read a collection of 24 romance novels before reading this book and had a chance to reflect on the story as a whole.
I feel terrible for saying this, especially since the author spent so much time on the books, but the story as a whole is weak, childish, and immature. None of the two things I wanted to have happened in the first book happened in the second novel. If anything, the characters became even more like petulant children, not the adults they were claiming to be. I can no longer root for Dorian and Eleanor because of that, which is the whole reason I wanted to read the second story.
To make matters worse, instead of resolving any conflicts, puts even more in that do not feel believable at all.
I read only the first five chapters before skipping to the last two chapters to see if it was worth my time. I also previewed the first three chapters of the final book that were also included in the copy, and yep, it is a waste of my time.
So if you are bored and want to waste your time, then this is the book for you. The sad fact is that it is not this book series time to shine, and it shows.
1 out of 5 stars.

Maybe not a fairytale part 1

The Cracked Slipper by Stephanie Alexander is one of those books that should have been published in 2009, not 2019.
The thing that intrigued me most about the book was that it was supposed to be a Cinderella retelling based on after she marries the Prince Charming, and he is not as charming as one would think. Also, Eleanor was supposed to have anxieties and things that "real women" go through. It did not fall flat on the Prince oh not Charming but tripped up on everything else.
I only wanted to read the second book to see if one of two things happened:

1. Eleanor and Dorian get together.
2. Gregory dies.

The reason why I say this book would do well in 2009 is that it's the kind of book you'd expect to read in that year. The places in the book felt like the author did not try at all to stimulate anyone's imagination. The conflicts did not feel necessary in the book, but like the author was trying to be, all "I need to make life difficult for my characters".

I groaned whenever we were introduced to conflict because it was, like "of course, the only way to divorce is by death, and of course, it's the women who die". It made it hard to suspend my disbelief over anything when it felt like the author didn't care, but obviously, she must have if it took her ten years to write it. The first book has left me feeling so conflicted because I expected so much more than the author was willing to give.

2 out of 5 stars.

Now I know why I haven't seen it in bookstores

Seven Point Eight by Marie Harbon sounded like it was going to be a book that was out of this world. Now I know to stay away from books that say written like its a TV series because it was all telling and no showing.
I got so frustrated that I had to give up 10% into the book. Don't get me wrong a lot happened in that 10% but do not ask me to explain it. There were odd sex scenes in it that had me going wtf am I reading, the characters became too many and the transitions between their POVs may work in television where people can see the characters, not so much when reading.

2 out of 5 stars.

Too dramatic writing

Alive in the Shadows by Hope Waters sounded incredible and I did not think it would be one of those books that would disappoint, but I never made it past the second page. The writing was a little too dramatic for me and reminded me of things that I wrote when I was fourteen.
I'm sure it is probably a fascinating book, but it was not what I needed at the moment.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Halfer

Night Spinner by Addie Thorley could have been incredible if the first half of the book did not exist. It's not like one missed much in the first half anyways unless you missed Enebish's complaint about what she wasn't the first 500 times.
The characters had little characterization and the first half of the book I felt like they were caricatures and not characters. I persevered though and the second half paid off. It was what I thought the book was about and started to display evidence of being a Hunchback of Notre Dame retelling. Enebish slowly began to believe in herself (although it was questionable sometimes). The worldbuilding was incredible in the second half, and I fell in love with the book.
Although, I find it funny that the main love interest was a major part of the book yet is not mentioned in the blurb at all.

The first half of the book was soooooo slow that I almost fell asleep a couple of times, and I was questioning why I was reading this book until 50% into the story when Temujin tried to open her eyes like all the characters have tried doing.

I love the ending though and am curious to read the second book when it comes out.

Rating based on the second half of the book: 4 out of 5 ⭐
Rated based on the entire book: 1.5 out of 5 ⭐

Creature, creature: where are you?

Join or Die by J. Adrian Ruth has so much potential, but two things brought it down a star. The first thing is the prologue because it needs to be clarified, especially since it is from the same point of view. Is it Alex or the other scion that was murdered before Alex came to the school? If it is the first, then it spoils everything, and when I first read it, I thought that was what had happened. However, as I took a couple of days to think it over, the more, I feel like the author was aiming for the latter, but forgot that people are not privy to that kind of knowledge. Also, if you are doing creatures, feel free to play around with it like I love how this one guy was expected not to have any abilities because the magic only goes onto females. And another thing, if a person dresses in black, it does not entirely make them depressed. I kept waiting for a sad vampire, but it lacked in that department. He had the identity crisis down pat.
I devoured it in one and a half days and would have finished it in a day if I didn't have to work in between.
If the author fixed those things, then there would be nothing holding this novel back, but I cannot help feeling like this book could be so much more.

4 out of 5 stars.

A Good Christian Story

Hold Me Still by Britaini Armitage is one of those stories that I wish there were more Christain books like this. It does not preach to the choir, and I think having Elliott Quinn question his faith was an excellent way to get both sides of it. Also, Ella does not respond with the typical God says it response or thinks because it has to do with God. The answer doesn't need to clarify anything. She takes the time to think through her answers, and this is where it becomes hard.
I fell in love with all the characters and know that at least two other books are already published, but I am really hoping Ella and Elliott stay together because they are so perfect together.
This is one of those novels where everything ties in with each other, and even the cover makes sense. The orchid playing a considerable part in their story was a beautiful touch to the overall romantic feeling. There were a couple of sections where I started laughing because if they got taken out of context would be a completely different novel.
The ending had me thinking of the movie The Vow, where I cried as well. I devoured this in a day and eagerly await to see where Ella and Elliott's journey goes from here.

4.5 out of 5 stars.