Shannon O'Connor's Blog, page 5

Beach Read

Beach Read by Emily Henry

4/5 Stars

This book started off slow, I really wasn't sure if I liked it until the last half. January is a hard character to relate to, she's got a lot going on and it made me ask a lot of questions that never got answered. Like how did she blow through so much money from 5 book deals, why didn't she get another job? I also really didn't like the ending with the truth about her dad, it genuinely irked me. I can't say much more without spoiling it but it was a disappointment. I did like Gus but probably because he reminds me of my favorite ex, in all the ways I fell in love with him. Their relationship was surprising and definitely could've used more chemistry since they went from enemies to friends to lovers practically overnight. But nonetheless I did enjoy reading their story.

Just a Fling

Just a Fling by Charity Ferrell

3/5 Stars

I liked this book but it did have some problematic elements. The story had great sexual tension between the characters, and I loved the situation- bodyguard and actress romance. I loved the world building, setting us up for the next books in the series. I wish there would have been more about Hudson being a bodyguard, like we don't ever get to see him spring into action or have to physically defend her.
** spoiler alert **

What really rubbed me the wrong way was how pushy Stella was toward Hudson. She brings up sex over and over and he politely turns her down and she doesn't stop. If roles were reversed that would be a lawsuit as she was his employer. The only reason I continued the book was because despite saying no we could see from Hudson's point of view that he had feelings from her. But it also still leaves me questioning, why Stella would push so hard even when she got a "no".

Storytelling

Storytelling by Julianne Webster

4/5 Stars

So I’ve had this on my shelf for a bit and I am really glad I finally picked it up. I loved the way Webster tells a story taking us through the year in months. She writes poems personifying the months and then several poems after relating to them. They were at times a bit melancholy but you could feel the emotion behind them. The months took you on a story of life whether fact or fiction is unclear but the feelings behind it are real.

June 2021 Wrap-Up

3/5 Stars

It was a good collection! There were some poems I liked more than others but having read Thomas’ more recent collections you can see her growth in writing.

5/5 Stars

I'm slowly but surely making my way through every Lagasse book, because I'm always happy when I read them. Without Warning did not disappoint! A slow burn, friends to lovers, made me feel so many things. Nostalgic for my best friend and all the things we could've been, the large close knit family I never had, and the love story of Chase and Hollis.

As Lagasse's debut I can definitely see how her writing has changed, only getting more amazing in time. I loved the way this book started, having me hooked from page one. The close family and the way chase and hollis interact. I do wish there was more present showing of their relationship growing, more of they always loved each other but not seeing it. I loved this book for Chase, the type of book boyfriend everyone should be fighting over. Another great read by Lagasse, I'll be sad when I finally catch up to reading all her books.

5/5 Stars

I'm not going to lie, in the first half I wasn't sure how I felt about Pax. He seemed... too good to be true. But as the story grew on me so did he and now he's one of my favorite Lagasse Boys. I loved the way Pax and Cole's relationship progressed and how perfect they felt to each other. I loved this story especially because there was drama, but it was calm drama. Except the last maybe 20%, oh my gosh so much drama and suspense I honestly didn't see coming. Another hit by Lagasse, I'm hoping we eventually get Travis' story because that problematic ass has my heart.

5/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

I thought I loved Hawk, but Will's story surely is my favorite so far. Her character is extremely relatable, badass but real. Savage writes an amazing friends to lovers, best friends brother, story perfectly. Derek and Will's story is something special, one of those right in front of your eyes love stories. It's an extremely quick read because you want to keep reading. I loved seeing Hawk, Ava, and Drew mentioned and small updates on their lives as well as the boys who's stories are coming up. It gives the perfect tease to make me want to pick up book 3, (like there was even any doubt I would).
The epilogue did throw me for a loop, I loved what happened but it definitely seemed a bit rushed. There were a few things that I would've liked to happen only if it were years down the road not months. I'm hopeful it will be mentioned in the next books but overall I loved this book so much. A great read.

4/5 Stars

So I’ve had this on my shelf for a bit and I am really glad I finally picked it up. I loved the way Webster tells a story taking us through the year in months. She writes poems personifying the months and then several poems after relating to them. They were at times a bit melancholy but you could feel the emotion behind them. The months took you on a story of life whether fact or fiction is unclear but the feelings behind it are real.

3/5 Stars

I liked this book but it did have some problematic elements. The story had great sexual tension between the characters, and I loved the situation- bodyguard and actress romance. I loved the world building, setting us up for the next books in the series. I wish there would have been more about Hudson being a bodyguard, like we don't ever get to see him spring into action or have to physically defend her.
** spoiler alert **

What really rubbed me the wrong way was how pushy Stella was toward Hudson. She brings up sex over and over and he politely turns her down and she doesn't stop. If roles were reversed that would be a lawsuit as she was his employer. The only reason I continued the book was because despite saying no we could see from Hudson's point of view that he had feelings from her. But it also still leaves me questioning, why Stella would push so hard even when she got a "no".

As Fate Would Have It

As Fate Would Have It by Dee Lagasse

5/5 Stars

I'm not going to lie, in the first half I wasn't sure how I felt about Pax. He seemed... too good to be true. But as the story grew on me so did he and now he's one of my favorite Lagasse Boys. I loved the way Pax and Cole's relationship progressed and how perfect they felt to each other. I loved this story especially because there was drama, but it was calm drama. Except the last maybe 20%, oh my gosh so much drama and suspense I honestly didn't see coming. Another hit by Lagasse, I'm hoping we eventually get Travis' story because that problematic ass has my heart.

Will (Men of Bird’s Eye #2)

Will by Kat Savage

5/5 Stars

I thought I loved Hawk, but Will's story surely is my favorite so far. Her character is extremely relatable, badass but real. Savage writes an amazing friends to lovers, best friends brother, story perfectly. Derek and Will's story is something special, one of those right in front of your eyes love stories. It's an extremely quick read because you want to keep reading. I loved seeing Hawk, Ava, and Drew mentioned and small updates on their lives as well as the boys who's stories are coming up. It gives the perfect tease to make me want to pick up book 3, (like there was even any doubt I would).
The epilogue did throw me for a loop, I loved what happened but it definitely seemed a bit rushed. There were a few things that I would've liked to happen only if it were years down the road not months. I'm hopeful it will be mentioned in the next books but overall I loved this book so much. A great read.

Rustlings of the Spirit

Rustlings of the Spirit by Chloe Gentile-Montgomery

5/5 Stars

***I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review***

I liked this collection a lot, the author created a lot of wonderful imagery that kept me captivated. She uses unique metaphors and language that made me stop and think while reading, “My heart is not broken. she’s stretched, oozing and bare, holding on”. I really enjoyed the last section which was appropriately labeled love. My favorite poems were ‘Whispers’ and ‘Lovers’.

Without Warning

Without Warning by Dee Lagasse

5/5 Stars

I'm slowly but surely making my way through every Lagasse book, because I'm always happy when I read them. Without Warning did not disappoint! A slow burn, friends to lovers, made me feel so many things. Nostalgic for my best friend and all the things we could've been, the large close knit family I never had, and the love story of Chase and Hollis.

As Lagasse's debut I can definitely see how her writing has changed, only getting more amazing in time. I loved the way this book started, having me hooked from page one. The close family and the way chase and hollis interact. I do wish there was more present showing of their relationship growing, more of they always loved each other but not seeing it. I loved this book for Chase, the type of book boyfriend everyone should be fighting over. Another great read by Lagasse, I'll be sad when I finally catch up to reading all her books.

Girl, Isolated

Girl, Isolated by Trista Mateer

5/5 Stars

This collection made me sad, in the best ways. It tapped into a lot of how I felt in the start of the pandemic and the feelings I have now as things are changing. Mateer writes poems that make you feel like you’re not alone. This collection broke my heart at times but in such a good way. I really loved this new collection.

“life goes on without permission”

MANEATER

MANEATER by Jean-Marie Bub

5/5 Stars

So this book took a little time to get through, because it is rough. This is the book I wish I had after my sexual assault. It was so much I needed to hear and read that I wish this book existed years ago. It is incredibly raw and I urge everyone to read it at their own pace and to practice self care. I read it slowly, this poems truly touch something in you. They made me feel so many different emotions I can’t begin to describe.