mookayla's reviews
104 reviews

I wish I had the patience to wait till Christmas to read this one, but absolutely NOT! I finished it the same day as Finale because I have no self control 🤣 This was such a cute, fluffy holiday novella (with some honestly very sexual undertones for it being technically spiceless). Maybe I read too much smut, but this gave the vibe of Tella/Legend playing a kinky role-playing game together; but y'all can tell me I'm crazy 😅 Whether or not you agree with me on that, I am positive that this novella provides all of the perfect holiday/Christmas vibes though. The expansive, magical world-building that was used to create Caraval is still there and every bit as amazing; it's just Christmas themed this time! 🎄

So my head does hurt a little bit after absolutely devouring the Caraval series in a matter of weeks, but what an experience! It's such an incredible, magical world! There was just so much to take in! I did end up finding Tella/Legend to be a bit repetitive with all their back and forth, wishy-washy-ness. However, Scarlett's ending had me tearing up and made up for my frustration with Tella. And I still have to read the novella before I'll be on to the Once Upon a Broken Heart books, so who knows what will happen! ♡ 

Spice: Romantic but Spiceless, YA 

If You Liked That, Read This:
• Alice in Wonderland 
• The Greatest Showman
• Water for Elephants

Ahhhhh my head hurts after devouring this book directly after Caraval, but I'm loving this series so much! Y'all know I'm not typically a YA girly because I like my romances spicy, but the incredible world of Caraval more than makes up for what it lacks in spice! I didn't expect to be so obsessed with the series, and I definitely didn't think I would like Donatella MORE than Scarlett after this book. I'm jumping right into book 3 and can't wait to see what happens! Afterall, "the games have only just begun.." 🃏🎪🖤

Spice: Spiceless, YA

Tropes/Vibes:
• "Who Did This to You?"
• Sisters 💗
• Fighting Fate
• It's All Just a Game... Or Is It? 🎪

This book felt like a fever-dream! 
It was like escaping into the pages of Alice in Wonderland for the first time. It's an incredible, unique world filled with a horrifyingly spectacular tale of magic. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to be swept away into a whimsical world for an escape- just be careful to not get swept too far away... 

Spice: Spiceless but Romantic, YA

Tropes/Vibes:
• The Love of a Sister
• A Magical Night Circus 
• Roses, Top Hats, & Magical Clocks- Oh My!

New favorite book alert! ♡
I'm about to be unhinged about this book. I need more after that epilogue!! I wish I could give it 10000/5 stars! I'll be re-reading. I'll be buying a physical copy. I'll be reading everything Ali Hazelwood has ever written. I'll be recommending to anyone who will listen. 
I have no notes- it was pure PERFECTION 🥰 

Spice: Open-Door 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 

Tropes/Vibes:
• Arranged Marriage 
• Found Family
• Vampire|Werewolf 
• Black Cat|Golden Retriever 
• He So-Clearly Fell First|Fated Mates
• "Eyes On Me"
• Knotting 

I don't even know what to say. I don't know how I'm going to wait for the next book!! This was incredible, but still feels like barely a taste when it comes to answers! I need more!!!! 🥺😭 

please send me all the theories & memes now/message to discuss ♡

Hannah Grace has just officially joined my list of auto-buy authors! I can not believe how freaking good this series is so far, and y'all already know the next book is the one I'm most excited for! I've been excited for Henry's book since basically the first page of Icebreaker. And to my surprise, this book actually made me desperate for Ryan Rothwell to get his own book as well. (PLEASE, HE DESERVES A HAPPILY EVER AFTER, HANNAH). 
Let's get into this book though, this was SO. MUCH. FLUFFIER. than I expected. Every bit of pining/passion/fluff that I felt Icebreaker was lacking was found in this book. Right from the start, Russ is such a soft, sweet character; and I found Aurora to be so relatable with her people pleasing tendencies. I loved getting to fall in love with their characters while also getting to see a bit of the characters we already knew and loved. The only way I, personally, felt like Wildfire didn't keep up with Icebreaker was in the spice department. Which it being less spicy might've been based on how different Russ is from Nathan as a character- I just found myself very underwhelmed by the spice. I definitely won't let it take away from an otherwise great read though! I would highly recommend this series! Worth the hype!! ♡

Spice: Open Door 🌶🌶🌶 

TW's:
• Gambling Addiction 
• POS Dads 

Tropes/Vibes:
• Sprinkle of Forbidden Romance 
• Miscommunication 
• Shy Boy MMC
• People Pleaser MFC 
• Daddy Issues
• Anxiety|Mental Health Rep 
• Found Family
• Summer Read ☀️

I just know Henry's back hurts because he carried the first half of this book. The first 20% had me worrying that this book was overrated and wondering how I was expected to be interested in Nathan when Henry is RIGHT THERE. (To say I'm excited for his book would be an understatement.) 
I think what wasn't my cup of tea was how into casual hookups everyone is at first? It gave me the feeling of "this isn't romance. This is college bullshit". It was lust, not love, vibes with so much immature dramaaa (and I feel like that's saying something with my reading choices) 😭🤣 I was desperate for some pining, some obsession, some jealousy by the time it finally hit 👏🏻 But when it did hit, it more than made up for the wait! Nathan really grew on me, and I do appreciate Anastasia's character growth. Their banter was pure perfection! The dirty talk/spice was also spectacular, but I won't lie- I expected a bit MORE with how people were talking about this book. (I thought there would be something wild like, idk, involving a hockey stick??) I was giggling & kicking my feet half the time though!! It pulls off a 4.75 despite it's slow start- highly recommend ♡

Spice: Spicy 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 

TW's:
• Eating Disorder 
• Verbal Abuse|Manipulation 

Tropes/Vibes:
• Hockey Player|Figure Skater ⛸
• College Dramaaa
• Found Family
• Hilarious Banter 
• Frenemies-to-Lovers

I'm not sure if second chance romances aren't my cup of tea, or if this one just wasn't. Because what do you mean he abandoned the "love of his life" 8 years ago then HAD A CHILD WITH SOMEONE ELSE, and I'm supposed to want them to get back together when he finally comes crawling back?? (Not to mention, he didn't even think about her when moving back to town... even when his daughter said her teacher's name was Josie???) It doesn't feel like Josie was "the one that got away" and he's been pining for her; it feels more like she's just convenient/fell back into his life and he's like "oh yeah! I forgot I missed you!". He didn't even try long distance before he just up and left her, and I realize it's been 8 years... but Josie is just immediately cool? She's a better person than me- that's for sure. I know it's a fun, cutesy Christmas novella; but Josie really seemed to have to magically get over her & Wyatt's past all on her own. I just wish it had a bit more to it when it came to working out their history. Just because it wasn't my cup of tea, doesn't mean it won't be someone else's though! Lucy was so adorable, and I loved getting a lil tidbit about Emma/Jackson. Still looking forward to many more reads by Maren Moore ♡

Spice: Spicy 🌶🌶🌶 

Tropes/Vibes:
• Second Chance 
• Grumpy|Sunshine ☀️
• Single Dad
• Small Town
• "Honey" 🍯

My favorite of the Strawberry Hollow series! ♡
Hear me out, I know it's only book 2 of these Christmas novellas, but this book was so freaking cute!!! I absolutely loved it, and it really hit the mark for perfect Christmas read for the year- highly recommend. 👌 If you're looking for a wholesome, yet spicy, hallmark Christmas romance with the best banter- this is it! 

Spice: Spicy 🌶🌶🌶🌶.5 

Tropes/Vibes:
• An Age Old Family Feud
• Opposites Attract 🧲
• Rivals-to-Lovers 
• "Snowflake"|"Ice Princess" ❄
• Witty Banter & Dirty Talk On Point 👌🏻
• They Don't Even Like Each Other, Or Do They?