I loved Black Water Sister and The Order of the Pure Moon, so nobody is more sad than me that this was a miss. The family issues took centre stage oveI loved Black Water Sister and The Order of the Pure Moon, so nobody is more sad than me that this was a miss. The family issues took centre stage over the romance (which I didn't mind because I found the family drama more interesting), but the whole book got too bogged down in small details and the pacing was very slow. I think this could have benefited from being a novella, as it would have improved the cadence of the story.
I also can't believe/am low-key impressed that Zen Cho had the guts to (essentially) write: "and then they had sex and that was a thing they did" for one of the smut scenes. ...more
The premise of this was so good, but the writing (especially the dialogue) was embarrassing and clichéd to the point where I kept physically cringing.The premise of this was so good, but the writing (especially the dialogue) was embarrassing and clichéd to the point where I kept physically cringing. The smut scenes in particular let the story down (I never want to see the words "juices" or "milked" again) and the insta-lust happened so quickly that there wasn't really time for the mcs to develop romantic feelings, which made that part of the story a touch unbelievable for me. ...more
The setting of the Olympics really made this stand out from other romances in the genre. At times it felt like a YA/adult cross (it's being marketed aThe setting of the Olympics really made this stand out from other romances in the genre. At times it felt like a YA/adult cross (it's being marketed as adult in the UK), but the romance was very hopeful and I loved the friendship dynamics between Zeke and Olivia and their respective best friends.
There were moments where the narrative "zoomed out" to show other people across the world watching the Olympics, and I'm not sure this fully worked, as it takes us out of the story and draws focus away from the main plot (which was the most exciting part). But what the book did really well was build up the tension and energy in some of the key sporting moments, and the audiobook narrator skillfully brought them to life. At times the writing skewed more YA for me, especially in the way that some of the moral lessons were delivered, but I still really enjoyed this one and listened to it in less than a day.
Also, I've seen the paperback cover in real life now and let me tell you, it is STUNNING....more
A slow-but-thoughtful story about the importance of books in our lives. This is one that gets better the more you read, and I really liked the idea ofA slow-but-thoughtful story about the importance of books in our lives. This is one that gets better the more you read, and I really liked the idea of books always having had souls. I actually wouldn't recommend this one on audio, though, because, in a note at the end, the translator says that they chose to keep the cat gender-neutral to match the original text. But the audiobook is read by a man and he gives the cat a very smooth, male voice, which makes us assume it's a male cat. So that little bit of nuance from the original text is lost. ...more
Just a lovely, light-hearted historical romance that was a relaxing read. I would've liked to have seen Chloe and Jeremy get more involved in the triaJust a lovely, light-hearted historical romance that was a relaxing read. I would've liked to have seen Chloe and Jeremy get more involved in the trials themselves, but it wasn't a deal-breaker that they didn't. If you're looking for an easy-going romance with no third act break up, then this is a good pick....more
Sadly, this was a lot more uneventful than I was expecting and the pacing was very slow. But there was one really beautiful scene that made me cry, soSadly, this was a lot more uneventful than I was expecting and the pacing was very slow. But there was one really beautiful scene that made me cry, so I bumped it up a star for that. ...more
When am I going to learn my lesson stop picking up workplace rivals-to-lovers romances? Next time I contemplate reading one, somebody stop me. I need When am I going to learn my lesson stop picking up workplace rivals-to-lovers romances? Next time I contemplate reading one, somebody stop me. I need to remember that they're not for me and I never have fun reading them, partly because authors always seem to fall into the trap of making their protagonists immature and childish (with too many pranks). Sadly, this was no exception....more
I can see why people like this so much, it was a deeply compelling story about characters with raw pasts and a complex history. It had emotional nuancI can see why people like this so much, it was a deeply compelling story about characters with raw pasts and a complex history. It had emotional nuance and depth, as well as excellent chemistry between the characters and some fantastic dialogue. Very glad I finally read this one....more
I really liked the Stand In when I read it a few years back, so I was looking forward to this one. And I loved the anticipation of waiting for AriadneI really liked the Stand In when I read it a few years back, so I was looking forward to this one. And I loved the anticipation of waiting for Ariadne to find out who Jihoon really was (it was actually better than the build up of them getting together, imo). The scenes where we were waiting for the fans to find out (view spoiler)[ that the two of them were dating (hide spoiler)] were also imbued with a gratifying tension and inevitability. I loved Jihoon and his softness, but I felt like Ariadne got in the way of her own happiness a lot. For someone who fought so hard to be a lawyer, it surprised me that she wouldn't fight for their relationship in the same way. So, while I enjoyed this, it didn't really hit any great heights for me? I also think the last third was far longer than it needed to be. ...more
A cosy, comforting read, reminding us of the special ways food can bring people together and evoke strong memories. Each character that visits Koishi A cosy, comforting read, reminding us of the special ways food can bring people together and evoke strong memories. Each character that visits Koishi and her father Nagare is trying to unlock a specific or important memory from their past, and what follows is a series of vignettes about each of their lives as the father-daughter duo investigate ingredients and locations to piece together the dishes. This is a hopeful, uplifting story with a big focus on food and the way it shapes our past. Reading this made me long for Kyoto again and some of the delicious food we enjoyed there....more
This was fantastic. Easily one of my favourite books of the year so far. The characters were delightful, compelling, and I was rooting for Arthie and This was fantastic. Easily one of my favourite books of the year so far. The characters were delightful, compelling, and I was rooting for Arthie and Jin from page one. The writing is lovely, inviting you into the world with an open hand, and offering a generous amount of world-building while still mostly avoiding info-dumping. We see the rich backdrop of White Roaring unfold before us and learn about how Spindrift came to be.
The plot was gripping and delicious and Hafsah Faizal did a great job of creating a lovable squad of characters that I'd happily tank a bullet for. The audiobook was also excellent, the narrator did an exquisite job of bringing the story to life. Also that ending?? Thank god it's not a standalone.
Tldr: enjoyed it so much, I went and hunted down a special edition. ...more
Packs a good punch for such a short story. I really enjoyed the growing closeness between the sisters and their cousin and the way they gradually acknPacks a good punch for such a short story. I really enjoyed the growing closeness between the sisters and their cousin and the way they gradually acknowledged their strengths and flaws, and learned how to work together. The fact that this book was specifically created for audio meant that there were some really cool additional effects that you don't often get to enjoy in a standard audiobook. The only issue was the constant background music. It was almost always present while characters were speaking and it detracted from what was being said as well as distracting me from the overall story. ...more
Kate (Reading Through Infinity)
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