[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

I'd probably give the edge to Shalvis' The Trouble with Mistletoe because even though technically part of a series, it works well as a stand-alone. Whereas Allegiance of Honor you really need to have read the previous books in the Psy/Chageling series. But I've reread Allegiance of Honor twice already, so...

This is why I can never pick just one favorite. It depends on my mood and what criteria I'm judging by.

I tend to assign the number of stars by my immediate/how-much-I-am-enjoying-it-while-actually-reading reaction. Then plot/character issues determine the letter grade within the star rating.

Spoiler:

• 5 stars = A- or A range = A real favorite! Can still have flaws, but a book where I really love the characters and the story (at least for the most part). I don’t differentiate between A and A+.
• 4 stars = B or B+ range = A very enjoyable read that just misses being five stars for various reasons, but overall I really like the h/h and/or plot. Or a book I like a lot that is missing the elusive something that would make it a 5 star. A number of 4 star books could still qualify as a favorite, but I often hold my auto-buy authors to a higher standard. Or an above average book where the plot is somewhat lackluster but I really like the couple.
• 3 stars = C+ or B- range = An average or slightly above average read where I liked the characters but the book had plot flaws or where I really love the hero and not the heroine or vice versa but the plot was fairly good. Or an uneven read, but with more good than bad.
• 2 stars = D+ or C- or C range = Often still an average or slightly below average book, just with more flaws than a 3 star. I may have disliked major parts of the plot or really disliked either the h/h or both or they did a lot of TSTL stuff. Or an uneven read with likeable parts, but where the plot or characters make it more disappointing than not. Or a below average book which has enough redeeming qualities that keep it from being a 1 star.
• 1 star = F or D- or D range = A book in which I really didn’t like the characters plus poorly plotted or even where it had a promising start and likeable characters, but the author totally blew it. For the most part I will only keep 1 star book by my absolute favorite authors and/or if they are part of a series.

But I also tend to rate my autobuy favorite authors "tougher" than a new-to-me author. Each author is basically rated against other books by that particular author. So while I may rate a JD Robb book as a 2 star, it may be a better book than a 3 star by an author I hadn't read before.

How much we like a book/rate it is always subjective. How much do I like the author's other books? Am I coming out of a reading slump? Do I like the characters enough to overlook plot issues or are plot issues continually yanking me out of the story? I don't tend to grade on an author's writing style as their voice is either working for a book or it's not.

I bought book one of Shalvis newest series after I saw a excerpt. I haven't read it yet.

I rate books similar but to get a five star from me. I'd have to find no issue I want fix. It's near perfect. Four stars is a very high rating from me. It means I loved it and it's a keeper. Three is well I finished it and it was okay and likable. Two means it was bad but there was something likable left. One means I hated it.

The worst read of the year:

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. I loathe that book. I want to rip it into tiny pieces and set it aflame.

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