I wanted to give this book a try since I've seen a lot of good reviews, and it seemed like the perfect read for December, but I don't think it was for me. The writing was difficult for me to get through, and I found the plot too slow and unengaging. I liked the atmosphere, but I prefer my books to have more depth and tension. Another reviewer mentioned that this book reads like a classic, and I think that was a major reason why I was put off by the writing style. When I switched to audio, my experience improved. The narrator was good with the different voices, which made the story more enjoyable. Still, I found Ophelia quite dull, didn't like Thorn, and as a result, I kept losing interest. I'm glad I was able to get the audiobook because I probably wouldn't have finished this otherwise.

I was slightly disappointed when I found out this book didn't have any fantasy. Despite that, it wasn't a bad read. It was like Maxton Hall on steroids. The writing may not have been the greatest, but the mystery was interesting, even if it was predictable, and I liked the characters. Especially, Alex. The dialogue between him and Ophelia was hilarious!

I would have been less confused if I had remembered what happened in the previous books. Still managed to really enjoy this though! Once I got into the story, my feelings for the series quickly returned, and I couldn't stop reading! I love these characters, and the new timeline with all its twists was interesting. As a fan of both Nick and Aaron, I was happy with how the love triangle played out in the end. I only wish Ruth, Jamie, and Tom hadn't been sidelined so much. Despite that, this was a satisfying end to a great series!

This book was alright. The rules of the game didn't make much sense. Kerrigan was the only character I found interesting, and was the sole reason I kept reading. The ending was pretty good though!

Another December, another Rip Through Time novella! I like that these novellas provide a good refresher in between book releases. The dog mystery in this one wasn't the most interesting, but I did appreciate finally learning more about Catriona.

Marissa Meyer has written some great fairytale retellings, and while this might not have been my favourite, I still found it enjoyable. The haunted mansion with ghosts, murder, and monsters made for an intriguing story. Mallory's character was definitely the highlight for me. Meyer always writes great banter! Despite that, Armand was a little lacking. The romance developed quickly, and there wasn't as much chemistry between them as I would have liked. So, while the beginning was strong, it started to lose momentum and never really regained it.

I put off reading this series for so long because I was intimidated by it, but I'm glad I finally did, as I really loved it! The writing was as good as everyone claimed. It was surprisingly easy to read, and despite the complex world-building, I wasn't confused at all. The characters were also fantastic! I enjoyed the dynamic between Nahri and Dara, as well as the politics in Ali's chapters. Overall, this was an extremely solid first book!