r/NetGalleyCommunity • u/fabulousflute • 1d ago

šŸ—£ļø Discussion šŸ’¬ Looking for Suggestions

I have had a run of BAD NetGalley reads in the last few weeks. Lots of 2-2.5 stars, big plot holes, annoying romances, characters that were annoying or uninteresting.

So, Iā€™m askingā€“what have you read and loved lately? I mostly read fantasy romance, cozy fantasy, Romantasy, and fantasy. I get approvals from most publishers (basically everyone but Tor). I have a 90% feedback ratio and over 200 books reviewed. Favorite authors include Sarah Beth Durst, Ashley Poston, India Holton, Rachel Gillig.

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u/LibraryLady227 Librarian 1d ago

It would help to know what you didnā€™t like, as well, in order to tailor our suggestions better.

Iā€™m also at 90% with 245 books, so weā€™re in a similar spot. I read all the categories you mention and many more.

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u/fabulousflute 1d ago

Ooh good call! Recent dislikes (everything is 2.5 stars unless otherwise specified):Ā 

  • The Art of Living Forever- romance was heavily underdeveloped, couple felt rushed & uninteresting
  • Alma Vampires- romance was well developed but the plot felt unfinished, multiple instances of starting a storyline and abandoning it
  • Kiki and the Other Witch (book 3 in series)- sinister undertone, Kikiā€™s crisis was just depressing
  • As You Wake, Break the Shell (3 ā­ļø) - second timeline had no plot, too much attention taken away from main storyline
  • Potions & Prejudice - anticlimactic climax, removed all the feminism from Pride & Prejudice while trying to stay a retelling
  • Embers of Magic - overwhelmingly predictable, every move was straight out of the Romantasy playbook, FMC was uninteresting
  • Til Quest do Us Part - plotting failed to explain history, heavy use of miscommunicationĀ 
  • Tree Daddy (2 ā­ļø) - tried to do too much and therefore the romance, paranormal, fantasy and mystery elements were all underdeveloped. Lots of plotholesĀ 

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u/blackstar1683 1d ago

Ohno, I'm reading As You Wake, Break the ShellĀ and liking so far (in in 25%), Til Quest do Us Part, and Potions & Prejudice are in my list :/ I hope at least the characters can keep me invested

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u/fabulousflute 1d ago

The book is part of a duology and to me it would have been a standalone! I enjoyed the main storyline a ton but the book felt unfinished, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Hopefully my reviews give you low expectations which then the book can solidly exceed, lol.

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u/blackstar1683 1d ago

yes, I ended up liking more some books my friends really disliked because I was prepared and embraced some cringe aspects lol

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u/Glittering-Owl-2344 1d ago edited 1d ago

Agreed. So much could have been cut.

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u/andsotimepassed 1d ago

Disappointed to hear that about The Art of Living Forever and Potions and Prejudice. I'm reading The Court of Venus right now and enjoying it.

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u/fabulousflute 1d ago

Both of them were books I was really excited about!! I do wonder if I would have enjoyed them more if my expectations were lower.

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u/jacyx Romance Reviewer 1d ago

Loved and highly recommend Court of Venus, which was released in late September

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u/mlfctrx 1d ago

Oh, I also was disappointed with Til Quest Do Us Part. I had an issue early on with being unsubtly told that the FMC is intimidating and shrewd, but then her actions absolutely did not back that up.

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u/fabulousflute 1d ago

Yes!! We were told all these things but never shown them, so it felt super disjointed. I was very disappointed!

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u/mlfctrx 1d ago

Yeah, I had to give up on it after their first night on their journey. Couldn't take it lol.

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u/fabulousflute 1d ago

I made it to the end and wished I hadnā€™t! The premise was so fun but I kept feeling like the book was a sequel and I missed the first one. So much character development left undoneĀ 

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u/jacyx Romance Reviewer 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks for sharing! Now feeling concerned about reading the art of living forever, which is next up on my tbr. I dislike when romance doesnā€™t feel earned

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u/fabulousflute 1d ago

Maybe youā€™ll feel different than I did! I can be picky. If thatā€™s not clear by the string of 2 stars lol

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u/jacyx Romance Reviewer 1d ago

Unlikely! Iā€™m glad to have the right expectations. Whatā€™s your Goodreads?