Kawaii Crochet Dolls: Amigurumi patterns for 10 adorable dolls and 30 cute characters

 

Title: Kawaii Crochet Dolls
Author: Elise Brocard
Genre: Craft, Crochet, Amigurumi
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5★)
Release Date: April 21, 2026

Synopsis
A colorful collection of 10 amigurumi dolls and 30 adorable companion patterns, inspired by kawaii aesthetics, manga and Japanese street fashion.

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My Thoughts

I absolutely adored this book.

The dolls are the cutest thing ever… but honestly? The companions completely stole my heart. I’ve seen mini cats, mice, unicorns, foxes before… but giraffes?? My friend, I am obsessed.

And don’t even get me started on the little snowmen… OMG! 

I really feel like this book has something for everyone. The designs are super detailed and full of personality and each piece feels unique and fun to create.

As someone who’s still a beginner when it comes to crochet, I found the instructions very clear and easy to follow. That said, having some basic knowledge beforehand definitely helps and makes the process smoother.

One thing I really appreciated is that the author shares THE EXACT materials and brands she used. This is such a big plus, because let’s be honest… sometimes you follow a pattern and your result looks completely different.

Also, bonus points for including safety tips about the eyes, especially if the dolls are meant for children. I love that kind of attention to detail.

My favorite doll has to be Takane (yes, because of the giraffes), but I also loved Yuki… and no, I’m not above crocheting Christmas dolls in April.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, everything in this book is just adorable.

If you enjoy amigurumi or are looking for a fun and creative crochet project, this is an easy recommendation.

ARC Disclaimer
I received an advance copy of this book via Edelweiss, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

How Not to Fall in Love - Karla Sorensen

 

Title: How Not to Fall in Love
Author: Karla Sorensen
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.75★)
Release Date: April 14, 2026

Synopsis
A single mom running an animal shelter meets a scandal-prone NFL quarterback sentenced to community service; and what starts as a clash slowly turns into something more.

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My Thoughts

This was a solid read for me.

We have a single mom FMC running an animal shelter (automatic bonus points) and an NFL quarterback MMC who quite literally crashes into her life. And let’s just say… first impressions? Not great. I wanted to smack him, but thankfully the FMC handled that for me (bonus points again 😄).

What I really liked was seeing his growth. He starts off frustrating, but as the story progresses, you can actually see him working through his issues and becoming a better version of himself, which I appreciated.

The romance is definitely a slow burn. Like… very slow. There were moments where it felt like we were going in circles a bit, and I’ll admit I was tempted to skip ahead. But at the same time, the chemistry between them was there, so it still kept me invested.

Just don’t go in expecting a lot of spice, because it’s very minimal and only really shows up toward the end. This leans much more into emotional development than physical tension.

The football aspect stays mostly in the background, which worked fine for the story. I also really enjoyed the side characters; especially the FMC’s grandfather and the MMC’s sister. The MMC’s dad… yeah, not so much. Dude was just a peach... sigh ... 😅

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a bingeable, easy-to-read romance with a nice emotional core and strong character growth, even if the pacing dragged a bit at times.

If you enjoy slow burn romances with character-driven development and softer emotional beats, this is definitely one to check out.

I Came Back for You - Kate White

 

Title: I Came Back for You
Author: Kate White
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Format: Audiobook
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5★)

Synopsis
Ten years after her daughter’s murder, Bree Winter is finally starting over, until a deathbed confession reopens the case and forces her to question everything she thought she knew.

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My Thoughts 

*Spoilers*

I really enjoyed this book… BUT, I have one big issue.

The story itself was engaging. I liked the mystery, the twists and the whole premise of Bree returning to her daughter’s case after all these years. That emotional drive, how far she’s willing to go for answers, really kept me hooked.

The pacing worked well too, and I was genuinely curious to see how everything would unfold. It’s one of those stories where the deeper you dig, the more complicated everything becomes.

But.

The cheating? Yeah… MNOPE!

I understand what the author was going for; the whole “unfinished business”, “in the moment”, “closure” situation, but it just didn’t work for me. It pulled me out of the story and took away from an otherwise really enjoyable reading experience.

And honestly… Bree. Come on,girl, wth?!?

Without that element, this could’ve easily been a 4⭐ read for me.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a solid thriller with a strong emotional core, an engaging mystery and enough twists to keep you turning the pages. It just didn’t fully work for me because of that one aspect.

Still, if you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a mix of suspense and emotional depth, this one is definitely worth picking up.

West of Wicked - Nikki St. Crowe

 

Title: West of Wicked
Author: Nikki St. Crowe
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romantasy, Retelling
Format: Audiobook (ARC/ALC)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4★)
Release Date: April 14, 2026

Synopsis
A dark reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy is pulled into a cursed land filled with danger, magic and morally gray characters; and where the villain might just get the girl.

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My Thoughts

So… ahem I have to admit something.

One of the main reasons I requested this audiobook was because… cough cough Shane East was one of the narrators. And honestly? He could read the dictionary and I’d still be like 👀.

That said, trying to put my bias aside for a second…

If we’re talking about the story itself, I did feel like things were a bit rushed. And I don’t mean fast-paced in a good way, but more like we didn’t get enough depth. There’s a lot happening, a lot of action, but not enough time to really connect with the characters or fully explore the world.

I was especially hoping for more backstory and buildup. The concept is so good; a dark Oz retelling with morally gray characters, but it felt like it needed just a bit more development to really hit.

The chemistry between Dorothy and Rook worked so well, but I was definitely expecting more spice, especially considering how the story starts. It had the potential to lean deeper into that darker, more intense dynamic.

Now… the audiobook?

That’s where this really shines.

The full cast did an amazing job bringing the story to life, and it made the whole experience so much more engaging. The performances added emotion, tension and atmosphere that I think the story alone didn’t fully deliver.

Also… that scene with Dorothy, Rook and the knife? Yep, I am all in for book 2.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’d say the story itself sits closer to a 3★ for me, but the audiobook experience definitely elevated it.

If you enjoy dark retellings and immersive audiobooks with a full cast, this is still a fun one to try—and I’m definitely curious to see where the next installment goes.

ARC/ALC Disclaimer
I received an advance copy of this audiobook via NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

The Escape Game - Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss

 

Title: The Escape Game

Author: Marissa Meyer & Tamara Moss
Genre: YA Mystery, Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5★)
Release Date: April 7, 2026

Synopsis
Six months after a contestant was murdered on set, a new season of The Escape Game begins. But for Sierra, this isn’t just a competition, it’s a chance to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death. As clues start to surface, the game quickly turns into something far more dangerous.

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My Thoughts

This was such a fun ride!!!

Honestly, I’m not even sure how to properly describe it; it just has a bit of everything: escape rooms, puzzles, drama, murder, sleuthing… and somehow it all works really well together.

The escape room concept was easily one of my favorite parts. The puzzles made the story feel more interactive, like I was trying to figure things out alongside the characters. It definitely gives “for the nerds” vibes,but in the best way.

I also really liked how the mystery unfolds alongside the game. While they’re solving puzzles and competing, they’re also slowly uncovering the truth behind the murder, which keeps the tension going the whole time.

The cast was another highlight. Each character had their own personality and charm, and I enjoyed seeing how they interacted, especially under pressure. It made the group dynamic fun to follow and never boring.

The pacing is fast and super bingeable. There’s always something happening, so I never felt like the story dragged. Even though it’s YA, it worked really well here and didn’t take away from the experience at all.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this was a really entertaining and engaging read. If you enjoy puzzles, competition-based stories and mysteries with constant twists, this is definitely one to pick up.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment.

ARC Disclaimer
I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Kill the Puckers - Sam Evans

 

Title: Kill the Puckers

Author: Sam Evans
Genre: Dark Romance, Thriller
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5★)
Release Date: March 31, 2026

Content Warnings
SA (off-page, referenced), violence, murder, revenge themes, trauma, morally gray behavior

Synopsis
Alyssa Reed takes justice into her own hands when the system fails her best friend, targeting the hockey players responsible. But getting close to them means getting close to their coach, Mark... and things quickly become more complicated than planned.

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My Thoughts

You know how sometimes you just need junk food for the brain? Something fast, dramatic, and satisfying? Yeah… this book was exactly that for me.

At its core, this is a revenge-driven story following Alyssa as she sets out to punish the men who hurt her best friend. And honestly? I was all in from the start.

It’s hard not to think about real-life situations where justice isn’t served, which adds an extra layer to Alyssa’s actions and makes her determination feel even more compelling. I really loved how loyal she was and how committed she stayed to her mission throughout the story.

The plot itself is fast-paced and incredibly bingeable. It doesn’t overcomplicate things, and that actually works in its favor; you just get pulled along for the ride. I also loved the music playlist included by the author, it added such a fun extra layer to the reading experience and fit the vibe of the book really well.

Then we have Mark, the yummy coach… and yep, the romance became very spicy. Their dynamic brought a nice tension to the story, even if the book leans more toward revenge drama than full-on dark romance.

If you’re expecting a strong hockey presence, though, this isn’t really that kind of book. Hockey mostly stays in the background, serving more as a setting than a central focus.

Now, was every situation completely believable? Not really. But did I care? Absolutely not. This is one of those reads where the entertainment value outweighs the need for realism.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was fast, messy and ridiculously addictive. If you’re in the mood for a revenge story with a bit of romance, morally gray choices and a plot that keeps you turning pages, this one definitely delivers.

ARC Disclaimer
I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

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