I honestly don't know how to review this book. There were parts i liked and others I didn't. I sympathised with Aaron and his situation, all the terriI honestly don't know how to review this book. There were parts i liked and others I didn't. I sympathised with Aaron and his situation, all the terrible things that happened that turned him into a person who doesn't open up and always questions others intentions.
But that didn't stop me from being irritated with him for most of the book.
I liked the save the bookshop plot and the friends he made a long the way. Chad and Ira were such wholesome characters and i loved the builder guys.
The romance part was bland and uninteresting. And i had to stop myself from shouting at Hannah to run far away from this dude.
In conclusion I'm happy with how the story ended although it was a very lacklustre read.
I have never known such agony and such joy as waiting for a Sarah Hogle book to release and then finally getting to read it. This is my new occupationI have never known such agony and such joy as waiting for a Sarah Hogle book to release and then finally getting to read it. This is my new occupation.
If anyone asks what I do, I will boldly reply with: I am in screensaver mode, patiently waiting for Sarah to bring me to life.
“I want to believe there are still wonders out there left unspoiled.”
When Maybell Parish inherits her great-aunt Violet's mansion she takes it as her sign to quit her old job and make a fresh start. What she thought was the answer to all her money problems, turns out to be a bigger task than anticipated.
She finds out that the handsome but grouchy groundskeeper, Wesley, also inherited half of the mansion. Not to mention the fact that the grand house she remembers from her childhood is now in a state of ruin.
The two of them have very different plans for the house and will have to find common ground on what to do with the mansion that means so much to them both.
The little girl on the burgundy sofa has grown up, but being a grown-up isn’t at all the way she thought it’d be.
I honestly don't know how S.H manages to get me like this. She writes characters I feel like I can relate to despite the wide differences in our situations and personalities.
Hogle's writing style in the contemporary romance genre is unmatched. The unfiltered rambling of the main character has me choking on my laughter. The humour straddles the line of ridiculously funny and downright relatable.
Maybell was a joy to read about. Though she exudes joy and has a bright personality she's also really lonely and non confrontational - which i thought was a combination that felt really authentic.
Wesley is such a sweet teddy bear beneath the crabby outer shell. Watching as he slowly started to let Maybell in was the sweetest thing I've ever read. * wipes away tear *
“And all along, you were just out here.” I am off the rails now. “Being you. And I was over there, not even knowing.”
The author really aced the sunshine/grump trope in Twice Shy. I loved Maybell's day dreaming and constant positivity in contrast with Wesley's grumpy demeanor.
Twice Shy was a sickeningly sweet book that will join You Deserve Each Other on my favourites list. Adorable and wholesome ...more
“So you just live quietly with these powers?" he demanded. "Haven't you ever wondered why you have them? Suleiman's eye... you could be overthrowing g
“So you just live quietly with these powers?" he demanded. "Haven't you ever wondered why you have them? Suleiman's eye... you could be overthrowing governments, and instead you steal from peasants!”
Nahri grew up in the streets of 18th century Cairo — a con artist and a thief.
Though possessing mysterious healing abilities herself, Nahri does not believe in magic. It comes as a shock to her when one night she accidentally summons a djinn named Darayavahoush.
Dara informs Nahri that she is not a normal human girl but a shafit - half human, half djinn-and the last remaining descendant of the Nahids, a legendary tribe of healers.
She finds herself on a journey with Dara across Egypt to another realm called Daevebad, the City of Brass, while also trying to outrun the ifrit (ghoul spirits) who are desperate to catch her.
Prince Alizayd, second son to the king of Daevebad, is entangled in the perilous political conflict. He struggles to be loyal to his family while also trying to advocate for the shafit who live in terrible conditions and treated horribly because of their mixed blood status.
The City of Brass follows both Alizayd and Nahri, with alternating chapters. This is adult fantasy that read like YA. Which is awesome! I like that and think we need more series like this. The writing was easy and I didn't find the politics too complicated.
I liked some of the characters but others not so much. I'm not sure I get the whole Dara hype. I find him infuriating and wanted to slap him everytime he spoke. But perhaps his personality improves in the next books.
It started out really easy and fun but then started to drag at about 40%. I had to push myself through and then thankfully things picked up again at 80%.
It was so nice seeing familiar words like abaya, InshaAllah, sheikh and our greetings of peace — it made me so happy to see!
However
It bothered me how everyone craps on Ali for being religious. He is the only character in this book who seems to be a practicing Muslim and it made me so uncomfortable to see how everyone, especially his own family treat him. It just felt too familiar to how we (muslims) are already viewed. I didn't see what the point is of having a fantasy steeped in Islamic culture but then the only Muslim is known as a radical and seen as old fashioned because he's a believer?? Mmkay
Personally I think Ali was the ONLY good thing in this book. I loved him to bits and I'll be continueing this series for him, and him alone.
___ Pre-Read
I need another series to obsess over. Plus now I get to meet the infamous Dara!
To all the people who've been nagging me to read this series (you know who you are) I hope y'all pray this isn't a flop for me...more
Thank you to Sarah Hogle for blessing 2020 with my new favourite comfort book. It's been days since I've finished this one and I'm not gonna lie-I'm hThank you to Sarah Hogle for blessing 2020 with my new favourite comfort book. It's been days since I've finished this one and I'm not gonna lie-I'm having serious withdrawals.
“Enjoy your Thanksgiving!” he calls over his shoulder. “You two are assholes!” she calls back. “You deserve each other.” I send her a thumbs-up. “Thanks!”
Naomi and Nicholas are that perfect couple. The one who everyone envies. The one who's sickeningly cute instagram posts make you hate and love them at the same time.
What started out as love has slowly turned into resentment, Naomi is tired of faking happiness, because in a few months time they will be walking down the isle and Naomi has to figure out a way to back out of this engagement without it seeming her fault. Because she knows that if she's the one to break it off — Nicholas's controlling mother will make sure she pays the extensive and nonrefundable wedding bill.
Much to Naomi's surprise, it seems Nicholas has been ‘faking happy’ too. Trying to push her away so that he doesn't have to end their engagement.
And so commences a war of pranks and sabotage between two stubborn people.
When I’m in the bathroom, he orders me a Dr Pepper, which he knows is my favorite.
Before we leave, I wipe all the crumbs and used napkins from the table onto our plates and stack them, which I know he appreciates because he tries to be helpful to the busboys.
When we get back out to the car, we plot how to ruin each other’s lives.
Okay so everyone was right about this being like The Hating Game. Sarah Hogle wrote Naomi in a similar style that Sally Thorne wrote Lucy — with rambling inner monologues and crazy exaggerated thoughts.
Please don't think I'm complaining. I. LOVED. IT. I was laughing so much while reading this book, I had a permanent smile on my face! The pranks, the pettiness — were top notch. I found myself reading right through the night laughing at the juvenile antics of both Naomi and Nicholas, it was endlessly entertaining!
Let's talk about the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers ( or does love-to-hate-to-love fit better? Idk) trope. I have come across this trope many times before. It's quite popular as it usually goes hand in hand with the ‘second chance romance’ trope. But none other was as good as this one.
What I loved most was the growth! In between the pranks you get the sense that neither of them has ever been real with the other. When both Naomi and Nicholas start to let their guard down bit by bit and begin reflecting on their own contribution to the problems of their relationship. They've both been faking perfect and it was lovely to see them both rediscover the other.
I inadvertently let him in to see the ugly parts but instead of running away like I’d counted on him to do, he wrapped his arms around all of that ugliness and didn’t let go.
They go from hating each other, to becoming friends and a team. It was so beautiful.
If I'm being completely honest, both characters came off a bit annoying in the beginning with how immature they can be but they grew on me and I love them to pieces!
I wish we had some Nicholas POV, that would have been a great insight to have.
The next time I fall into a reading slump you can bet that this is the book I'll be picking up for a reread!!
___ Second ReadOctober 2020
Just as good as the first time! I listened to the audiobook this round and it took some time getting used to the narrator. I think because I already loved the book so much the narrator didn't spoil the experience for me.
Rereading this just made me even more excited for future works from Sarah Hogle!!
This won't be the last time I reread this book. ___
innitial reaction
The funny thing is that I received an ARC of this book a long time ago and I just...I didn't read it? I forgot? What a damn fool I was.
I finished this at 3AM and it was the first thing I thought about when I woke up a couple hours later. Will I reread? Most definitely.
___ My good friends May and Warda told me this is similar in style to The Hating Game ( which I have read 4 times and am complete trash for). I haven't read a romance since March (I know, i know wtf right?!) and I'm overdue for some feels!!...more
Every year Maelyn Jones, her family and two other family's have spent have spent Christmas together in a cabin in Utah. It's her favourite place in thEvery year Maelyn Jones, her family and two other family's have spent have spent Christmas together in a cabin in Utah. It's her favourite place in the world, but this year is a bit different. Her life isn't on the track she'd like it to be, she made the hugest mistake with a childhood friend Toby, has unrequited feelings for his brother Andrew and worst of all: the cabin will soon be sold.
Mae makes a desperate wish asking the universe to show her what will make her happy.
As Mae and her family are leaving the cabin they get into a car crash and she wakes up back on the plane a week earlier, flying to Utah once again. Mae has to live the same holiday over and over until she figures out what will break the time loop.
This was a ‘the-right-book-at-the-right-time’ kind of situation. During this pandemic I've been looking for books that would pull me in and I'm always grateful when I do find one. In a Holidaze was like that. Through this book I was able to switch off my worries and disappear into Mae's life.
The writing duo really excel in a writing style that makes for effortless reading.
The found family aspect of this book was so freaking heartwarming. I loved everything about the cabin, the activities and traditions, the families that came together religiously every year to be together. Their love for one another was palpable.
I wanted to be there with them.
Our protagonist, Mae, was very relatable. I loved Andrew and I thought Benny was precious.
Living the same week over and over might not make sense but I thought it was very fun and interesting seeing Mae try to figure out what she needed to change in order for her normal timeline to resume.
This book made me smile and forget the crazy world we live in right now. I highly recommend.
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
“Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.”
What is this book about?
Feyre is the only one keeping her family f“Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don’t feel anything at all.”
What is this book about?
Feyre is the only one keeping her family from starvation. On a particularly desperate day when Feyre is out hunting deer she comes upon a giant wolf. A wolf that might be a faerie. And as one does when one is faced with a huge-ass wolf — she shoots it.
It turns out the wolf was in fact a faerie and there is a great price to pay: a life for a life. She has the choice between death or living out the rest of her life in the dreaded faerie realm called Prythian.
Re-Read
If you haven't read this book I don't want to give too much away. As is customary with Beauty and the Beast retellings — there is a beast and there is a curse and the beauty falls for the beast.
I think you guys know by now my love for Beauty and the Beast retellings. This was the first one I read and it's still a favourite.
It's amazing how much you can forget about a book. I loved it the first time and I'm so happy that I still loved it now that I know what's to come in the next books. I was worried that events that occurred in ACOMAF and ACOWAR (if you know, you know ...more
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