All the reviews Cinbooks336 has submitted for authors' ARC books.
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Good
(4 )
I didn’t know how much I needed a cozy Christmas romance until I read this one. 🎄✨ Plum has lost her faith in Christmas magic and love, but a trip to a small town might just change that. Add some fun banter, romance, and a handsome man who knows exactly how to get under her skin, and I was sold. 👀 This was such a sweet and feel-good read, and I loved watching Plum rediscover a little bit of that magic she’d lost. ❤️ |
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Good
(3 )
I really wanted to love this one because STEM romance is such a fun concept, especially when you have two intelligent characters who can challenge each other. Victoria and Stephen definitely had chemistry, and I really enjoyed their dynamic. Victoria’s frustration with Stephen felt believable, while his patience with her and genuine admiration for her mind were some of my favorite parts. Unfortunately, the romance just didn’t feel as developed as I was hoping for. I wanted more of Victoria and Stephen together, more emotional depth, and more of those moments that make you really root for a couple. My biggest issue, though, was the amount of science. I don't mind a book being heavy on the STEM side, but there were times when the scientific details felt overly complicated and slowed the story down. It became a little too much for me and took away from the parts of the book I was actually most invested in. |
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So good
(4 )
This is Book 2 in The Racing Line series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone. I haven't read Book 1 and had no trouble following along! This was such a fun, fast-paced sports romance! Formula 1 romance isn't something I read a ton of, but I really enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers dynamic between Maggie and Ethan. Their competitive nature made their banter so much fun, and I loved that even when one of them came out on top, they still supported each other. 🥹 The Vegas wedding was definitely one of my favorite parts! 😂 Watching them navigate everything that came after, especially once they both started realizing that maybe this marriage wasn't something they wanted to end, was so much fun. Their relationship had plenty of tension, chemistry, and some really sweet moments along the way. 🏎️ Formula 1 Romance If you enjoy F1 romance with plenty of banter, competition, and a marriage that turns into something neither of them expected, definitely give this one a try! |
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Cute read
(4 )
This was such a cute second-chance romance! 💕 It was light, easy to binge, and had just the right amount of tension and spice to keep me turning the pages. I did wish we got a little more of the characters' history together. Since this is a second-chance romance, I wanted to really feel that history and understand what made them so important to each other in the past. I also felt like there were more meaningful interactions between her and Seth than there were between her and Luca at times, which made it a little harder for me to fully connect with their romance. One thing I absolutely loved, though, was the career aspect of this story. It really made me think about how we're constantly told that climbing the corporate ladder, making more money, and becoming "successful" is the ultimate goal. But what if that's not what actually makes you happy? Honestly, this book had me ready to quit my job, open a little bookstore or hostel somewhere, and live my best peaceful life. 😂📚 Overall, this was a fun, easy read with a sweet second-chance romance and a message I really appreciated. Definitely recommend if you're looking for something light, bingeable, and a little spicy! 🌶️💕 |
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good read
(4 )
This reads more like a YA paranormal romance than an adult one. The characters are juniors in high school, and the romance is very sweet and age-appropriate. There's no spice—just some kissing and discussions around vampire bonding and bloodlust. If the series continues, that may change as the characters get older, but this book keeps things innocent. I liked the take on vampires here. They can walk in the sun, don't need human blood to survive, and aren't supposed to bite humans, which made for an interesting twist. The romance develops gradually, with plenty of teenage emotions, awkward moments, and growing feelings. Overall, this was a cute start to the series. I'm curious to see where these characters go next and would definitely pick up the sequel. 🧛♀️🩸💕 |
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good read
(3 )
This was a sweet romance with a really unique premise. I loved the idea of the midnight caller, and I found myself much more invested in the earlier chapters from Yan's perspective. The romance itself was gentle and innocent, which I always appreciate. That said, this one didn't completely click for me. Some of the career-focused conflicts and cultural nuances felt harder for me to connect with, and I felt like a few important conversations happened off-page instead of being fully explored. The pacing also slowed down in the second half, and I found myself wishing Ash's daytime perspective had been a bit shorter. Overall, I enjoyed the story and I'm glad I finished it, but I don't think I'm invested enough to continue the series. It was a good read, though I suspect I just wasn't the target audience. If the premise interests you, I'd still recommend giving it a try and seeing how it works for you. |
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good
(3 )
I had a good time reading To Drown Among the Stars. It was one of those books that felt like a classic fantasy adventure, packed with danger, secrets, friendship, and just the right amount of romance. Bastion is still reeling from a failed attempt to become a knight when he stumbles across a village that has been attacked by pirates. That's where he meets Ulla, a deaf dragon kin healer, and from there the story quickly turns into a much bigger adventure than either of them expected. What starts as an investigation soon uncovers a larger threat, sending them on a journey to warn Moonwatch before it's too late. I really enjoyed both Bastion and Ulla. They each have their own struggles and secrets, which added a lot of depth to their relationship. I found myself rooting for them from the start and hoping they would learn to trust each other as the story progressed. The pacing was sometimes a bit slow, so that's why it's not 4 stars. Overall, this was a fun and charming fantasy with lovable characters, high-stakes adventure, and a sweet romance woven throughout. I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time with these characters in future books. |
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good
(4 )
The combination of a crumbling castle, late-90s Prague, and a romance full of tension immediately pulled me in. Kara was easy to root for. Her dream of restoring a castle and getting her happily-ever-after quickly turns into one disaster after another, but she never gives up. I loved watching her juggle the pressure of saving the castle while also trying to figure out her complicated feelings. Sean was probably my favorite part of the book. The tension between him and Kara was so good. He's grumpy, frustrating, and determined to keep his distance, which only made me more invested in seeing his walls come down. Add in Ethan's arrival, and I was fully invested in the romantic chaos. What really stood out to me was the setting. Prague felt vivid and alive, and the castle added so much charm to the story. There were plenty of funny moments, lots of chemistry, and enough emotional depth to keep me turning the pages. If you enjoy opposites attract, forced proximity, slow-burning tension, and a love triangle that actually keeps you guessing, this is definitely worth picking up. |
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good read
(4 )
I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down once I started. Every chapter seemed to end with something that made me want to keep reading "just one more." Gigi is constantly looking over her shoulder, trying to stay ahead of a past she'd rather leave behind. When that past suddenly catches up with her, the story takes off and doesn't slow down. Between the secrets, the danger, and the unexpected twists, there was always something happening to keep me invested. I also loved Brendan. He knows Gigi is hiding something, but his feelings for her never waver. Their relationship felt genuine, and I enjoyed watching the trust between them grow throughout the story. What stood out most to me was how believable the characters felt. I found myself questioning their choices, worrying about them, and getting completely caught up in everything they were going through. The story is full of twists and turns, but at its heart it's really about friendship, loyalty, and love. Overall, this was a fast-paced, engaging read that kept me hooked from beginning to end. And after meeting Quill, I'm definitely excited to read his story next. |
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great read
(4 )
I really enjoyed this book. It had a great mix of romance, suspense, and action that kept me hooked from beginning to end. I'm always a fan of fake dating when it's done well, and I loved watching the relationship between Andie and Quill develop. What starts as a fake arrangement quickly becomes something much more real, but neither of them gets there easily. Andie is carrying a lot of hurt and betrayal and has to learn how to trust again, while Quill has his own walls to break down when it comes to letting someone in. Their journey felt emotional and believable, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time. One thing I really appreciated was the pacing. There was always something happening, whether it was a romantic moment, a new revelation, or a suspenseful twist. The story never felt slow, and I was constantly curious to see what would happen next. While this is the second book in the series and can technically be read as a standalone, it does contain spoilers for the first book. Personally, I'd recommend reading them in order to get the full experience and better understand some of the characters and relationships. The titles may be a little cheesy, but don't let that fool you—the stories themselves are a lot of fun. Overall, this was an entertaining and engaging read with a romance that kept me invested and enough suspense to keep the pages turning. |