I cannot believe I started the year with one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
Will and Rosie are the classic cliches. Rosie, th♡ 01/ 100
I cannot believe I started the year with one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
Will and Rosie are the classic cliches. Rosie, the goody-two-shoes girl with good grades who does everything her mother asks for, and Will, the bad boy who drives recklessly on his motorcycle, cares so little about school and his future but cares wildly about Rosie. Their journey spans 15+ years, from 17 to their early thirties; they always want to be together, but never have the chance to. Claire Daverly handled star-crossed lovers in a way that can only come in second to Connell and Marianne.
I don't think I would have picked this up anytime soon if not at all if it weren't for the book club that I'm in. That is the beauty of book clubs and I am forever grateful.
Will and Rosie's stories are equal parts beautiful and frustrating. Rosie is a "Mirrorball" by Taylor Swift type of person and Will has only ever wanted her to express herself. The fact that he pined for her and cared for her in ways he had never cared about any other woman made me lose my mind. My copy is filled with tabs and I even killed my pastel pink highlighter because of this book. RIP to my UniPropus window highlighter in Sakura; you were a great annotating highlighter.
If you want a frustrating, yet rewarding love story that makes you feel the way the film "Love, Rosie" makes you feel, I urge you to pick this up. If you've been craving a story similar to Sally Rooney's Normal People, this is the only book I've read that rivals it.
I will not shut up about this book and I wouldn't be surprised if I up my rating to five stars in the future....more
My first Dolly Alderton was such a wonderful introduction!
I read this for a book club, but I've owned this prior to it becoming April's pick. I read My first Dolly Alderton was such a wonderful introduction!
I read this for a book club, but I've owned this prior to it becoming April's pick. I read the advanced reader's copy edition and if the uncorrected proof is just as good as the finished copy, I can see why Alderton is such a hit.
I did like how self-destructive and insufferable our main character, Andy was. After being broken up by his girlfriend, Jen for the same reason she fell in love with him, he's spiraling. He was awful. I'd recommend it to fans of Monica Heisey's Really Good, Actually. I'd say both books are very similar, however, I think Dolly Alderton handled the topic better, especially with the resolution. with that being said, I still prefer Heisey's book. Don't bother asking the logic on that because I have no idea.
Overall, I'm excited to get to Alderton's other books! I own her most popular title, Everything I Know About Love, and her debut fiction novel, Ghosts!...more
I'm pretty surprised I'm giving this a three considering I've now read all of Elsie Silver's books and they'"I broke every speed limit to get to you."
I'm pretty surprised I'm giving this a three considering I've now read all of Elsie Silver's books and they're rarely under a four-star, but this one was just okay.
Rosie and Ford have been frenemies since they were kids and having not seen each other for ten years, it's a surprise they both show up in Rose Hill at the same time once the city life stops working for them.
Ford "I broke every speed limit to get to you" Grant is the world's hottest billionaire and with the combination of his love for music and his hometown, he decides to create a recording studio at the heart of it. When a 12-year-old girl named Cora shows up and claims Ford is her dad... Let's just say he is flabbergasted.
Rosie Belmont has been fucked over by her previous boss and in need of a job, Ford decides to hire her. When Rosie thinks the guy she's bickered with her whole life is just 'helping out a friend' she'll soon come to realize it's always been her for Ford.
I love a good "it's always been you" romance book because they hit so hard, but, I really didn't feel anything for Rosie and Ford. I liked them together and on their own, but I wasn't obsessed with this couple as much as I wanted to be with a romance book. There was nothing wrong with them, I just didn't get the spark.
This book was also really long; I didn't find it to be enjoyable because of the length. The book had lulled for me at points and I'm honestly just glad I finished it. This was pretty hot though considering they were banging like they hated each other and had the dirty talk to prove it. I don't tend to read for smut, but Elsie Silver just gets it!
The best part of this book though is WEST BELMONT. I NEED a book from him and the fact that his book is next?!?!?! CONSIDER IT PREORDERED, ELSIE....more
This was really good, but I don't think it will stick with me as much as I had hoped. I honestly wouldn't have picked this up anytime soon, but it's aThis was really good, but I don't think it will stick with me as much as I had hoped. I honestly wouldn't have picked this up anytime soon, but it's a bookclub pick so I had to. I did like it a lot and found this book quite page-turning. The way Megan Nolan was able to weave the POVs so seamlessly is something I'd be jealous of if I was a writer. I also loved the family drama aspect, but since I've been in a very romance focused mood, this may have been the case of "right book, wrong time"....more
I am the last person on this Earth who thought I would rate this higher than a three-star, but here I am.
I won't be commenting on question✧ 298/ 100
I am the last person on this Earth who thought I would rate this higher than a three-star, but here I am.
I won't be commenting on questionable choices Jessa Hastings chose to include here as every other review has, but I will say those were some difficult hurdles to get over. I will also not comment on that since the author has come out with a statement.
When the summary of this book was announced, I was not excited. It seemed a bit weird and incest-y that Peter Pan would be coming for an entire bloodline and the women in Daphne's family encouraged such behavior. However, this story is much more than that, THANK GOD.
The first half was not giving; I was uncomfortable and extremely bored and planned on DNF-ing. Then the second half had me kicking my feet, giggling, and wondering how a book could have such a 180º. Unfortunately, the ending was horrendous. I understand Hastings is all about drama and angst, but why would you do that to me? The ending to this is quite similar to the way her Magnolia Parks Universe books end, but I don't think those were bad for me since I knew I'd have another book to go to, this series doesn't even have any announcements about book two.
I adored Jamison Hook and Daphne's relationship despite how it felt like a bomb going off every other chapter. They are my Daisy and Christian and if they aren't I will sob. I don't agree with the choice he made at the end, but once again it is Hastings so naturally that comment would be added.
As for the retelling portion, I do recommend reading J.M. Barrie's original Peter Pan first. There is a bit of lore to it, but also Peter Pan wasn't that great in the original and he is not great here. I went in with the expectation this is not going to be a fluffy retelling, as that is what Hastings said it wouldn't be, and I think that's why I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. I was honestly quite nervous to read this. The first half felt so far from what Jessa Hastings is known for: her beautiful writing, the drama, and the romance. However, the second half stood out greatly.
Once again, no one is more surprised than me that I enjoyed this, but man was the first half impossible to get through. Jessa Hastings's books take so much out of me every time, that I will probably have to hold off on reading the third Magnolia Parks book because of this whirlwind....more
An excellent read where every sentence and word felt important. While the writing is mundane, it served a purpose, and lines were written to punch youAn excellent read where every sentence and word felt important. While the writing is mundane, it served a purpose, and lines were written to punch you in the gut despite being written in the 60s.
Stoner is just a simple literary classic following the life of William Stoner. Stoner grew up on his parents' farm and when he originally goes to school for agriculture, he ends up falling in love with English literature and decides to pursue that instead. You see him throughout his life getting his PhD, falling in love, getting married, going to teach his own courses, and many other life changes.
I'm not a classics girl by any means, but this year I've researched a few that I would love to try and the New York Review Books Classics (NYRB) collection has such fascinating titles that aren't your average and very popular classics. John Williams has only written three novels, Stoner being his middle child and most popular, but you best bet I will be reading his other two. I adored this novel and this has to be what classic literature gals and pals feel when they read their classics. It makes me want to frolic at a university in a cardigan like "Ah, yes! I am just as cool and mysterious as you scholars." (I am not)...more
Just couldn't get into this one. That's probably not the book's fault as I wouldn't have picked this up at all if it weren't a book club choDNF at 57%
Just couldn't get into this one. That's probably not the book's fault as I wouldn't have picked this up at all if it weren't a book club choice, but I don't knock them until I try them out!
Cool concept, but just not my thing. Womp.... Wompppppp...more
This book had a lot of potential for me, but this novel's best qualities are the writing and atmosphere. The story mainly follows a murder t↦ 29/ 100
This book had a lot of potential for me, but this novel's best qualities are the writing and atmosphere. The story mainly follows a murder that happened on the island 14 years ago and once the "whodunnit" moment happened, it fell so flat for me. This book's writing is best made for cold and foggy rainy days because of the gorgeous writing that transports you into this world. I just didn't connect with this story. It was a quick read, but it wasn't engaging and I wasn't on the edge of my seat. ...more
This book was a whirlwind. I know this book is literally pitched as British Gossip Girl, but I didn't expect it to be so spot on. This is t♡ 254/ 108
This book was a whirlwind. I know this book is literally pitched as British Gossip Girl, but I didn't expect it to be so spot on. This is toxic and messy, we're talking the Thanksgiving dinner Gossip Girl scene type of messy. I really loved and felt for Magnolia, even BJ which I thought I'd find hard to do. I really enjoyed a lot of the commentary on love and the great love(s) of your life, but some of the writing did take me out of the story a bit. Specifically when Magnolia/ BJ would directly reach out to the reader and explain their thoughts. An example of this is when Magnolia would bring up memories and be like "we did blah blah in blah blah, don't ask." I would have preferred to not do this, as I wanted to get lost in all of the Magnolia and BJ mess, but I've come to appreciate it.
I'm super excited to continue the series and I will order the other books soon! I didn't like what I've seen of Daisy Haites so far, but I'm sure I'll at least come to appreciate her story once I get to the second Magnolia Universe book! ...more
I don't think this book was for me. I enjoyed the first 50% of the book, but after a while I didn't care much for it anymore. It would have♡ 199/ 108
I don't think this book was for me. I enjoyed the first 50% of the book, but after a while I didn't care much for it anymore. It would have been a one-star for me, but I decided to add another star since I found the writing really wonderful.
Trigger/ content warnings for Vladmir: professor and student relationships, drugging drinks, mentions of the terms rape and sexual assault,♡ 159/ 108
Trigger/ content warnings for Vladmir: professor and student relationships, drugging drinks, mentions of the terms rape and sexual assault, house fires, cheating, usage and abuse of drugs, and mentions of suicide attempts.
This was a really stunning debut novel and this is genuinely one of the most well-written books I've ever read. The prose and vocabulary are fitting considering our narrator is an English professor.
Although I found the book to be truly fantastic and entertaining, it was just a solid three-star read! Nothing wrong with that, it was good but is a book that once I close, I probably won't think about unless provoked. ...more
I don't think I'll ever come back to this book, but what I do know is for the 50 pages I did "read", is that I basically looked at the worDNF at 10%.
I don't think I'll ever come back to this book, but what I do know is for the 50 pages I did "read", is that I basically looked at the words and comprehended none of them. It's definitely a mixture of boredom and it just not being the time right now. Went in one ear and out through the other.
I struggle with reading classics; there's only ever been a few I've enjoyed. I'm pretty sure I'm going to unhaul this eventually, once I own the rest of her novels so I can see them all in their glory. Then once I take that fun time in, this is gone.
Sad I've dnf-ed a bookclub pick, but this just isn't what I want and I shouldn't force myself to read it....more
I'm not going to lie I am a little mildly disappointed that I didn't fall in love with this like everyone else did/ does. tbh I blame it on ♡ 76/ 108
I'm not going to lie I am a little mildly disappointed that I didn't fall in love with this like everyone else did/ does. tbh I blame it on my taste and my lack of comprehension for big Jane Austen words lol
First things first (I'm the realest), I didn't expect this book to be as good as it was. To be honest, I didn't really want to read this boo↦ 91/ 108
First things first (I'm the realest), I didn't expect this book to be as good as it was. To be honest, I didn't really want to read this book. I came into this book knowing one thing: Cleopatra and Frankenstein is very similar to Sally Rooney's Conversations With Friends. Although I have yet to read Conversations With Friends, I have read Normal People and I did NOT enjoy it as much as other people have and do, so I wasn't super excited to pick this one up. Eventually, I realized this was going to be chosen as the monthly buddy read, so I decided to buy it. I wasn't a huge fan of the cover either, but in person, both the dust jacket and the naked back are BEAUTIFUL and match the vibes of the novel greatly.
After having it sit on my TBR Cart for all of March, I was DYING for April to come around so I could finally pick up this beauty. Upon reading the first chapter, I instantly wanted to read more. The main story follows Cleo, a young twenty-something artist from England, and Frank, a forty-something advertising-man-person New Yorker. Cleo's visa is running short and through an INTERESTING conversation with Mr. Frank a relationship sparks and six months later they're a married couple! WOOHOO! wrong.
Although Cleopatra and Frankenstein has no reeeaall plot, the characters are interesting enough that it doesn't matter. In the past, a lot of character-driven books (that obviously have no plot other than the characters) have not been my favorite and that's always the main fault; no plot, too much character. However, Coco Mellors has constructed a book here that I genuinely do love, even without a plot, or lack thereof. (Did I even use that right?)
There were a few problems I had with the book, that were more so issues with my level of comprehension than anything. For one, the book is told in the third person, but there's not much of an indicator as to whose "POV" we're really following sometimes. There was this chapter that was completely about a character named Eleanor, and I thought it was Cleo's POV for 3/4 of the chapter. The only characters I can really tell apart are Cleo and Frank, which makes sense since they're literally the main characters, and Santiago and Zoe. Other than those I mentioned, all the other characters are unfortunately a blur for me. I'd also like to say they're not all generally likable characters, but it works for them. The only other issue I had was with the chapter length, but the more you read, the more you appreciate how lengthy they are, so I stopped caring at around 130 pages.
I also have to truly give it to Coco Mellors. Mellors wrote this novel for SEVEN years and although it is her debut, it's a solid one at that. To take a book I had no interest in and make it something I was itching to read more of all day, is quite an impressive feat and I'm happy I picked this one up!
Like Normal People, Cleopatra and Frankenstein reminded me a lot of a foreign indie film that you randomly find on Netflix that has those like 20 year-long silent, only moans sex scenes. NOTHING wrong with that, just something a bit similar.
CW: animal death, substance abuse, parent death, parental neglect, self-harm, depression, mentions of suicide, sex (is that a warning I need to give idk), cheating, and gender dysphoria. ...more
I am very sad to say this did not meet my expectations nor did I enjoy it that much.
Elektra easily became my most anticipated release of t↦ 143/ 108
I am very sad to say this did not meet my expectations nor did I enjoy it that much.
Elektra easily became my most anticipated release of this year once I finished Ariadne in February. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with this book at all. I think it's partially due to the fact that there are extremely short chapters that switch between Elektra, Clymentestra, and Cassandra's points of view and I couldn't get a grip of any of them.
I did really like the writing, which is the whole reason this book gets a two-star rating instead of a one-star, but that's all I really enjoyed. The setting was interesting, but overall I lacked a connection to the book. I do look forward to her future releases! :) ...more
Not going to lie, when this book was picked I wasn't super excited about it. Maybe it's because the cover doesn't excite ☼ 39/108
WOWOWoWOWOWOWOWOW.
Not going to lie, when this book was picked I wasn't super excited about it. Maybe it's because the cover doesn't excite me, but it wasn't suppppperrrr exciting. I thought this would be a sad girl fiction book, but with an erotica author as the heroine, the spice of life was PRESENT aND SO FUN.
There were so many hopeless romantic quotes, stupid, silly quotes, and sad, heartbreaking quotes that I wish I could unread. This book covers a lot of topics, more than just a second-chance romance, so please be aware of what you may go into.
There were times reading this that I felt like I could cry. I got so attached to every age of Eva and Shane and everyone around them.
Also, Audre? You will not meet a smarter and more dramatic 12-year-old than her :)
idk what to rate this so I'll give it a 4 for now, which may be subject to change <3 ...more
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