Sometimes, the thing we want is right in front of us, and we’re the last ones to see it.
I finished this book in the same fashion I finish all of CSometimes, the thing we want is right in front of us, and we’re the last ones to see it.
I finished this book in the same fashion I finish all of Christina Lauren's standalone rom/coms - with a goofy smile on my face, a mile wide.
Millie and her four guy friends find themselves in the predicament of needing a date for a work event. All five of them decide to try out online dating (with some disastrous results). But one night Millie and her best friend Reid have a half night stand. After, they make a mutual decision to move forward with the online dating and staying best friends is the best option. But can they go back to who they were before?
This is a first for me reading a rom/com where the male love interest is open with his emotions and the female is the closed off one. I liked the switch. Reid and Millie's interactions were just so sweet. They obviously always meant more than friends to each other even though they weren't aware of it.
I wasn't comfortable with the catfishing but I did enjoy how Millie was able to share more of herself freely with Reid via the app.
To be honest I fell in love with the whole group. Especially Ed. I am hopeful that Christina Lauren decides to write about this group again, because I need more!...more
SPOILER ALERT! Seriously though, if you have not read this book, what are you even doing here?
**spoiler alert** ALL HAIL THE MAAS-TER!! [image]
SPOILER ALERT! Seriously though, if you have not read this book, what are you even doing here?
Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom
I discovered the Throne of Glass series three years ago. I read the first book in e-book format and the next day I BEGGED my sister to take me to the bookstore so that I could purchase the rest of the series. BEST DECISION EVER.
It's been a week since I've read this and I still can't form coherent thoughts. Kingdom of Ash was everything I expected and more. My emotions are frayed. I will most probably write a better in depth review when I reread this book. But for now this will have to do.
My tears were apparent from the first page. Tears of joy and reads of extreme pain.
Faces collide and all the loose ends (even ones I wasn't even aware of) came together. This book was the perfect conclusion to a fantastic series.
Things that made me cry: • Aelin being tortured • Fenrys being forced to watch • Fenrys not being able to do anything for the queen he wished he could serve • Rowan helpless as Aelin screamed “Take it off” • Aedion in pain and kicking Lysandra out into the snow • Gavriel worrying that Aedion hates him • Aelin and Dorian deciding to seal the Wyrdgate together • Dorian's dad taking his place • Lorcan hating himself for what he did on the beach • The Thirteen Yielding • Gavriel protecting Aedion till death
Things that made me smile: • When Fenrys broke free of the blood oath • Rowan's vision of his future family with Aelin • Yrene pregnant • Hassan and Aelin meeting • Bore and Yeran caring about each other • Manon's proposal • Manon kicking the matrons butt • Aelin seeing Chaol walking • Aelin/Chaol and Yrene reunion • Manon officially crowned queen • Evangeline melting Darrow's heart • the breaking of the curse • Ansel offering to share the Wastes with the witches • Yrene opening her own Torre Cesme • ALL MY FAVES GETTING THEIR HEA
“The marsh did not confine them but defined them and, like any sacred ground, kept their secrets deep.”
This book was told in two different timelin“The marsh did not confine them but defined them and, like any sacred ground, kept their secrets deep.”
This book was told in two different timelines. In the first, we follow Kya's life from age five. And the other is set in present day 1969, where Chase Andrews death is being investigated.
This type of atmospheric writing is my favourite kind. The descriptions of the marsh, lagoons and all the animals were written in such a way that I felt like I was there with Kya.
Kya's love for everything to do with the marsh could easily have been the opposite. She has been abandoned over and over, trapped there. But no. To Kya the marsh is her family. And I have not read anything as beautiful as Kya adoration for nature.
The author really did an outstanding job at capturing Kya's loneliness and her behavior when she does interact with people was so believable. Her eventual friendships with Tate, Jumpin' and Mabel made me so happy for this lonely girl.
“Please don't talk to me about isolation. No one has to tell me how it changes a person. I have lived it. I am isolation.”
The mystery was fantastic. My curiosity got more intense the further I read, I needed to see how all the dots connected and I wasn't disappointed.
The last 100 pages were HECTIC. I read through the night, I couldn't sleep, I was completely hooked! Those last chapters were told so cleverly, days later I'm still thinking about what happened.
Where the Crawdads Sing is a book that I'll read again in a few years when the details have faded from my memory and I can experience it all over again, not new, but like visiting an old friend.
4.5 stars ___
Today is the perfect autumn day for me to start this book! Buddy reading with May...more
Novik impressed me with Uprooted but she blew me away with Spinning Silver. And just like Uprooted, Spinning Silver is a standalone fantasy set in RusNovik impressed me with Uprooted but she blew me away with Spinning Silver. And just like Uprooted, Spinning Silver is a standalone fantasy set in Russia.
This was not just a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. The author incorporated other elements from old fairy tales as well — which, combined together, created a masterpiece of a story.
The writing was enchanting and had a nostalgic feeling to it. I love that even though the plot is simple, I still felt completely immersed in the story.
There isn’t any focus on romance in this book —which I thought was so refreshing. Yes guys. It’s possible to write a book where the romance is not driving the story and Novik did it wonderfully.
I loved how messy the POV switching was and how you had to tell for yourself who’s chapter you’re currently reading (that was fairly easy since each characters ‘voice’ is very distinct).
What’s not to love about three badass girls taking fate into their own hands?? I came to love and admire every single one of them.
Everytime I think about this book it fills me with a warm feeling. I cannot wait to reread it one day.
As much as I loved Spinning Silver, I am satisfied with how things turned out and would not want Novik to write a sequel. The ending was perfection. ___
Big families and wedding drama? This is the story of my life. It was really great to read about someone else's problems when it comes to those two thiBig families and wedding drama? This is the story of my life. It was really great to read about someone else's problems when it comes to those two things. This book was just so entertaining and it had me sitting with my bowl popcorn.
Charlie has made it her mission to ensure that her sister's wedding at their family home runs smoothly. The house they've lived in for two decades has been sold and this is the last weekend they have for the whole Grant family to be together.
Nothing can go wrong....at least until everything does. Missing wedding planners and misplaced decorations. Meddlesome neighbours and a paper girl with a grudge.
The weekend of her sisters wedding also happens to be the ending of Charlie's moms famous comic strip, Grant Central Station, which she based on their family.
As the youngest of five kids, Charlie remembers the days when her whole family lived together to be as is depicted in her moms comic. The perfect family. This weekend is a wake up call to Charlie that not everything was as perfect as she remembers.
All in all, this book was really fun! Slightly ridiculous and unrealistic but still super fun! ______ Pre-Read Rambles Okay guys, I'm going in. This will officially be my first Morgan Matson book. Please be good to me. ...more
But it didn’t take love to sacrifice something of yourself for someone else. It just took desperation.
Nedra is an aspiring alchemist. She leaves hBut it didn’t take love to sacrifice something of yourself for someone else. It just took desperation.
Nedra is an aspiring alchemist. She leaves her small village in the north to go study at Yūgen Academy. But these are hard times on Luna Island. People are dying of a plague, The Wasting Death, in the masses. Nedra's fellow students and the rich folk believe the plague doesn't concern them and only kills those who live in filth (aka the poor). But Nedra is determined to find a cure at any cost, even her own soul.
So where do I even start? I was really excited to read this book. I've heard great things about it and I mean seriously, look at that gorgeous cover!! I'm really sad that I did not enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
What I did like: In the beginning I really liked how passionate Nedra is about finding a cure and helping her people in the north. And how she didn't give a damn about making friends or good grades and credits.
The mystery of the origin of the plague and it's history was intriguing and what really pushed me on. I also didn't mind the politics.
What I didn't like: I felt like Grey was so one dimensional. All we really know about him is that he doesn't want to be like his dad and that they don't get along. But not much else, which is disappointing since almost half the book is in his POV. His whole character revolves around Nedra.
The romantic relationship between Nedra and Grey felt really unnecessary. It was listless and not at all believable. This is probably one of the only times I've ever said this, because I am usually a huge shipper of couples in books.
The final reason I did not enjoy this is totally my own fault seeing as I knew what the premise and the plot was about before hand. So I went into this consciously. Maybe not consciously enough.
I am a squeamish person. Horror movies are the bane of my existence. Blood and guts do not do well with me. I don't even watch doctor/hospital shows.
I have read dark stuff before... but damn these descriptions for the amputation scenes (plural!!) made me nauseous. And all the talk about necromancy and Nedra's thoughts about it and other necromatic performances (which I won't get into due to spoilers) made me feel sick and I had to put down the book for a while.
I had to force myself to finish this and unfortunately I will not be continuing this duology. I wanted to give this my love. Alas, it was not meant to be.
If you have the stomach for these topics (as clearly I do not, since I am a weakling) then give this a go. Who knows? You might love it. _______ Pre-Read The hype better be real y'all....more
“Don’t tell me I am mistaken in this too,” he says bitterly. “Love, lust, longing—you cannot refashion my feelings. I know my heart, Sara, even if it’
“Don’t tell me I am mistaken in this too,” he says bitterly. “Love, lust, longing—you cannot refashion my feelings. I know my heart, Sara, even if it’s alien to you.”
Multiple friends told me I would love this book and guys YOU WERE RIGHT!
This book was just so darn entertaining. It's been a while since I've read a good New Adult urban fantasy. Warda and I had such fun reading this ...more
What is the sign of a brilliant book? When you reach the end completely baffled and questioning everything. When you have to flip back and look for thWhat is the sign of a brilliant book? When you reach the end completely baffled and questioning everything. When you have to flip back and look for the clues you might have missed. When you want to shove the book in your friend's face and demand they ‘READ IT NOW’. This is also my definition of Verity.
This book is about suspense novel writer, Lowen Ashleigh. She is asked by a man called Jeremy Crawford to finish off the last three books of a series written by his wife, famous author Verity Crawford, who is unable to write due to sever injuries sustained in a car accident.
Lowen sets off to the Crawford home where she learns that Verity's injuries are worse than assumed. But she is there to collect as much of Verity's notes on her plan for the rest of the series. By chance she discovers Verity's self written autobiography, in it the most shocking truths. Lowen is torn between letting the past stay in the past and showing Jeremy who his wife really is.
It is obvious from the beginning that though both Lowen and Verity are writers in the same genre, their personalities could not be more different. Lowen is quiet, not interested in fame and has a bit of social anxiety when it comes to meeting fans.
The creepy atmosphere of the whole book was spot on. I am someone who is easily spooked when I watch movies or read. So yeah... I will admit I was gripping my blanket and shouting out loud ‘GET OUTTA THERE LOWEN!’. But I also think that Lowen's reactions were authentic for her character.
I really liked Jeremy. I loved how much he loves his kids. He is just such a great dad.
I appreciate that the romance wasn't rushed. I live for the slow burn and this DELIVERED.
There were indeed some truly disturbing events contained in Verity's manuscript. It made me nauseous and wanting to cry and scream.
I have seen some people say that some of the things revealed in the autobiography ‘wasn't that disturbing’.
What I have to say to that is, it is disgusting to not be revolted by those events (which I shall not mention). Smh.
Moving on to the ending. Just when I thought I had everything figured out. Colleen Hoover knocked me on my ass and I lay there dazed unsure of reality.
WARNING: graphic sex scenes; violence (I don't want to give too much away but seriously very violent)
______ Pre-Read Romance and thriller? I'm a goner already!! I haven't read a CoHo book in years, I'm excited to start this one!...more
“Were you ever out in the Great Alone when the moon was awful clear…”
When Leni's father, former POW recently returned from Vietnam, impulsively de“Were you ever out in the Great Alone when the moon was awful clear…”
When Leni's father, former POW recently returned from Vietnam, impulsively decides to move his family to Alaska, she has hopes that the frontier will be what her dad needs to heal.
For a time everything is good. They find their place and become a part of the community. But those were the summer days.
Weather like this brought out the darkness in her father.
When winter arrives, days of darkness brings out the worst in Leno's father. Ernt's fractured mental state and paranoia increases with each passing day. And Leni has a front row seat to the effects of her parents toxic love.
Dad blew his temper and Mama somehow encouraged it. Like maybe she needed to know how much he loved her all the time.
All this time, Dad had taught Leni how dangerous the outside world was. The truth was that the biggest danger of all was in her own home.
This story follows Leni from the ages of 13 to 25. And while this book does tackle some heavy topics there were many parts that were wonderful.
The greatest thing for me about this book was the writing and the setting. The author's words were a portal that transported me. I felt like I was there, discovering the wonders of Alaska with Leni. I understand why many readers didn't like this book especially considering how it ended and I did tack off 1 star for that but everything else to me was just so well done. Days after finishing it, I couldn't stop thinking about this book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by this author!!
Fear, Leni learned, was not the small, dark closet she’d always imagined: walls pressed in close, a ceiling you bumped your head on, a floor cold to the touch. No. Fear was a mansion, one room after another, connected by endless hallways.
_____
Pre-Read Rambles
I feel like everyone and their mother has read and raved about this book. I've been told I should have tissues at hand. Check ✔. I am ready to cry. Here we go!...more
...but nothing is original, everything comes from something that came before, which was once nothing. Everything is new and doomed. We ride buses, ...but nothing is original, everything comes from something that came before, which was once nothing. Everything is new and doomed. We ride buses, trains, and cars across, over, and under concrete plains. Being Indian has never been about returning to the land. The land is everywhere or nowhere.
This has got to be one of my favourite debut novels of 2018
At first the switching between characters every chapter confused me, but at about 20% I started to notice how these characters were connected and I was hooked!
In my opinion it's one of those books where it's best not to know too much about it going in, so that it can surprise you with its beauty.
This book taught me so many things I had not previously known about Native American culture. It's the kind of book I just want to force everyone I know to read.
I'm looking forward to future works by Tommy Orange.
But what we are is what our ancestors did. How they survived. We are the memories we don’t remember, which live in us, which we feel, which make us sing and dance and pray the way we do, feelings from memories that flare and bloom unexpectedly in our lives like blood through a blanket from a wound made by a bullet fired by a man shooting us in the back for our hair, for our heads, for a bounty, or just to get rid of us....more
NA cliche tropes to the max? Check. Buuuut I loved it anyway!
This was the perfect New Adult read that I needed, plus it was a debut! I'm not usually NA cliche tropes to the max? Check. Buuuut I loved it anyway!
This was the perfect New Adult read that I needed, plus it was a debut! I'm not usually a fan of NA books with a sports star main character since I'm not really into sports myself. But this was a fun, easy read with lots of funny moments and tons of swoon.
I'm looking forward to more from Alexa Martin!...more
This is one of those books where it's better going in not knowing plenty about the plot. That way you'll experience the full effect of being completelThis is one of those books where it's better going in not knowing plenty about the plot. That way you'll experience the full effect of being completely shook when you read this amazing book. [image]
So I'm not going to give away too much.
Anna is a psychologist suffering from agoraphobia. I loved Anna as the narrator, she is not stable and neither are her thoughts. But that just adds to the mystery and suspense.
I think of Dr. Brulov in Spellbound: “My dear girl, you cannot keep bumping your head against reality and saying it is not there.”
I am elated to know that a movie is being made. Though I'm worried about how the directors will be able to capture Anna's state if mind, but I think everything else along with all the jaw dropping plot twists will be able to go well into an adaptation.
Nope, this isn't a proper review #sorrynotsorry 😎
______ Initial Reaction I'm still reeling from this ending THAT I WAS SO NOT EXPECTING. RTC. Maybe. Someday
_____ Pre-read Rambles I've seen so many good reviews of people raving about this book and I am so pumped for this! BRING IT ON...more
For I’m a little girl when they want to belittle me, a woman when they want me to bear a child.
WARNING: sexism; rape; torture
The writing styleFor I’m a little girl when they want to belittle me, a woman when they want me to bear a child.
WARNING: sexism; rape; torture
The writing style is like nothing I've read before. A novel written in verse. It's not just about Artemisia's story, we also get the stories of Susanna and Judith and I thought it was pretty awesome how all three stories were told.
The world will tell you not to be outraged, love. They will tell you to sit quietly, be kind. Be a lady. And when they do? Be Judith instead.
I admired that she insisted on the truth and wanted her rapist to go down for what he did. It was hard for her. Not many girls even in today's time can do what Artemisia did. She is an inspiration and I've learnt so much reading this book about being a woman.
But then, you never see the beast until he is upon you.
I just felt like the story was incomplete. When I got to the end of the book I was like: Is this it? I'll definitely be reading up more about Artemisia, I need to know how she lived the rest of her life.
There will come a day, when this horror is not the only color on your palette....more
I thought this was going to be cute-sy NA love story. And it totally was – but with a whole lot of steamy and a side dish of HOTT DAMN. So that was unI thought this was going to be cute-sy NA love story. And it totally was – but with a whole lot of steamy and a side dish of HOTT DAMN. So that was unexpected, but not unwelcomed. 😉
Second chance romances are the best. There's just something about them that make me emotional and totally happy at the same time.
Lilah and Ethan once meant the world to eachother, but they broke up when Ethan was drafted to a hockey team in LA. Ending on bad terms and having no contact for eight years, fate brings them together once more. But Lilah is determined not to let history repeat itself should Ethan leave again.
I loved Lilah from the beginning, she was such a great character to read about. And even though she loves being with Ethan again she knows that she can't let herself be sucked in, that she needs to put herself and her goals first.
Ethan is also very superstitious. He very firmly believes that if Lilah is not in his life he will lose all his success in hockey. But Lilah doesn't want to be a goodluck charm, she wants him to believe that he's skill is what makes him successful.
This book was an unexpected gem!
Note: I have a feeling Noah and Carmen's story is next. I picked up lots of hints toward the end. So PLEASE YASS! We need some more hot Dr Noah ❤
I read this in one sitting, it was so addictive!! I loved the hate-at-first-sight trope. It was very authentic. I needed some rom/com with added swoonI read this in one sitting, it was so addictive!! I loved the hate-at-first-sight trope. It was very authentic. I needed some rom/com with added swoon and I GOT IT! [image]
The characters were great. Yes, they sometimes made frustrating choices but hey! No one is perfect. Lots of rom/com NA cliche? Yes. But that's the stuff that hooked me.
I'm anxious for more Samantha Young!!!
Note: I adore this cover 💕 I'm so glad it's not one of those cheesy NA covers with a half naked guy XD ________
Pre-read Rambles I've been anticipating this one for a while. So BRING ON THE SWOON!! I need me some good rom/com....more
the monster made himself another monster because he couldn’t stand being a monster all by himself.
- & yet that weight grows heavier still.
This collthe monster made himself another monster because he couldn’t stand being a monster all by himself.
- & yet that weight grows heavier still.
This collection of poems is about being in a relationship with someone you know is bad for you and realising you deserve better and finding that someone who will help you grow. These poems were all so beautiful.
The third part of poetry in this book is called sun-heart, it is about Amanda's spouse Cyrus Parker who is the author of DROPKICKromance. I'm so excited to read his collection, it will be like reading his side of the story. __ My reviews for:
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