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aftereliza's Reviews (946)
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really interesting premise, plenty of great tropes and I loved the inserts of FanFic at the end of chapters. The characters had reasonable and realistic flaws, strong personalities which were well represented and they worked through their issues, not overcoming them, but learning how to deal with them. This story dealt with the usually miscommunication issues really well and I wholeheartedLay enjoyed it.
A fun, fresh retelling of Pride and Prejudice unlike any other. I really enjoyed this and I thought the author deviated enough from the original text to develop the characters further into distinct personalities while staying true to the themes of the original novel.
This review has been made possible thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The novel is about 29 year-old Kris, a young woman living her best life, working her dream job, living in her dream apartment with her fiancé. Within a week, she finds that he's been cheating on her for 5 1/2 out of their 6 years together, her apartment (and almost all of her belongings) floods due to an issue with the pipes and she gets made redundant from her job. She relies on her friends and leans heavily on astrology to guide her through her Saturn's Return in the hope that it would fix all of her problems. With many meet-cutes, fate intervening, and exploring spirituality, this book takes Kris through a journey of self-discovery and development to becoming a better person.
The novel is about 29 year-old Kris, a young woman living her best life, working her dream job, living in her dream apartment with her fiancé. Within a week, she finds that he's been cheating on her for 5 1/2 out of their 6 years together, her apartment (and almost all of her belongings) floods due to an issue with the pipes and she gets made redundant from her job. She relies on her friends and leans heavily on astrology to guide her through her Saturn's Return in the hope that it would fix all of her problems. With many meet-cutes, fate intervening, and exploring spirituality, this book takes Kris through a journey of self-discovery and development to becoming a better person.
Such a useful guide on various houseplants, how to grow them, cultivate and propagate them. It was also useful to see what plants are perfect for the office, various rooms in the house. It was well illustrated, with stunning pictures and a lovely, clean layout. Definitely a lovely gift to receive and I would recommend getting it for any other plant-lover in your life!
This review has been made possible thanks to @NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for providing me with an Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is about Annie, who is left at the altar by her fiancé and partner of 10 years. Feeling unmotivated with her job, reuniting with an old friend, Patrick, and then getting an offer from her would-have-been in-laws to use her 3-week non-refundable honeymoon. After a total of 6 weeks off, Annie comes back with a new fighting spirit in all aspects of life. But will it be enough to talk to her boss, confront her mum about the unhealthy comments she hears all the time, and finally face her ex and divide up their house?
I thought the story was really engaging, funny, and honest. The gang of girlfriends is a very nice touch, as most people have some sort of group chat going. I loved the dynamic between Patrick and Annie, the fun flirty banter and you know I love a good fake-relationship trope. This book talks about a lot of important issues, and it looks into them in a very respectable manner. The only flaw I saw was the communication between the characters was poor at times, as is befitting the romantic comedy genre and tests.
Overall, I think this will be one of the cornerstone books for this summer, as this has all the perfect summery vibes, a nice, easy read, and really fun characters. Plus, with the audiobook, I absolutely loved @carriehopefletcher narrating it, I didn't even realise it was her until I started listening to it and was so pleasantly surprised!
Will this be your summer read?
This novel is about Annie, who is left at the altar by her fiancé and partner of 10 years. Feeling unmotivated with her job, reuniting with an old friend, Patrick, and then getting an offer from her would-have-been in-laws to use her 3-week non-refundable honeymoon. After a total of 6 weeks off, Annie comes back with a new fighting spirit in all aspects of life. But will it be enough to talk to her boss, confront her mum about the unhealthy comments she hears all the time, and finally face her ex and divide up their house?
I thought the story was really engaging, funny, and honest. The gang of girlfriends is a very nice touch, as most people have some sort of group chat going. I loved the dynamic between Patrick and Annie, the fun flirty banter and you know I love a good fake-relationship trope. This book talks about a lot of important issues, and it looks into them in a very respectable manner. The only flaw I saw was the communication between the characters was poor at times, as is befitting the romantic comedy genre and tests.
Overall, I think this will be one of the cornerstone books for this summer, as this has all the perfect summery vibes, a nice, easy read, and really fun characters. Plus, with the audiobook, I absolutely loved @carriehopefletcher narrating it, I didn't even realise it was her until I started listening to it and was so pleasantly surprised!
Will this be your summer read?
A story about Dan and his wife Jill, as they're going through financial troubles, disagreements and trying for a child. All of Dan's thoughts are reflected in lists, from his interactions with shoppers at his bookshop, to the things he doesn't say during arguments, to his conversations with his kind of dysfunctional family.
This book reminded me of Matt Haig's writing and characters. While I enjoyed reading the book, I didn't really relate to Dan, his struggles and his approach to dealing with people and resolving his problems. I found it very passive, woe-is-me as it came across in the text. I thought the take on writing the novel through lists was interesting but didn't give me too strong a grasp on supporting characters. But all in all, there was some good character development by the end of it, though it felt like the book just stopped abruptly without a satisfying conclusion and with a lot of loose strings left at the end. Considering that it was originally published in 2019, the story feels a little outdated now.
Overall, I thought it was a good book aimed at 30-somethings or 40-somethings, likely based in America, as it is very location and region-specific.
This book reminded me of Matt Haig's writing and characters. While I enjoyed reading the book, I didn't really relate to Dan, his struggles and his approach to dealing with people and resolving his problems. I found it very passive, woe-is-me as it came across in the text. I thought the take on writing the novel through lists was interesting but didn't give me too strong a grasp on supporting characters. But all in all, there was some good character development by the end of it, though it felt like the book just stopped abruptly without a satisfying conclusion and with a lot of loose strings left at the end. Considering that it was originally published in 2019, the story feels a little outdated now.
Overall, I thought it was a good book aimed at 30-somethings or 40-somethings, likely based in America, as it is very location and region-specific.
As a recent convert to Mhairi McFarlane's work, and after having LOVED If I Never Met You, I was expecting it to be great but I'm afraid I was let down. I was hoping it would be fun, bubbly, and kind of funny. The pace ended up being rather slow, the characters seemed unlikable and there wasn't enough of a plot for me to stay interested. I am also not a huge fan of cheating and secrets that implode, in books and irl, so I was pretty disappointed by the plot lines that were chosen for this story. However, the writing itself was well written, the dialogue was engaging, and the characters had really complex and intricate backstories.
I am holding out hopes for Mhairi McFarlane's other books because I do love the genre and I'm excited about her other projects.
I am holding out hopes for Mhairi McFarlane's other books because I do love the genre and I'm excited about her other projects.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review - One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Serious and solitary August moves to New York to finish her studies and meets Jane Su on the subway by accident after spilling coffee on herself and Jane offers her scarf to cover up the stain. August is used to investigating mysteries, mostly with her mother, from her uncle's disappearance in the 70s, but Jane's mysterious aura and past is a new challenge for her. After enlisting her rag-tag team of roommates and part-time drag queen neighbour, August starts her investigation that turns up more than expected, like feelings for her subject.
This is the book of the summer that everyone has been talking about. I've seen how this has been hyped up over nearly all accounts across Booktok and Bookstagram and I'm happy to say it lived up to the expectations. Whether it's because I've recently read Addie LaRue, but it had a timeless aspect to it, moments that stuck out and dots were connected. The characters were complex, with rich histories, their own stories and they didn't feel like they revolved around the main plot; they interacted and helped when necessary, but they had their own lives, which is a refreshing change from most rom-com books I've read.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in any LGBTQ issues, an affinity for New York City and the grungy Brooklyn lifestyle, and 1970s punk culture.
Serious and solitary August moves to New York to finish her studies and meets Jane Su on the subway by accident after spilling coffee on herself and Jane offers her scarf to cover up the stain. August is used to investigating mysteries, mostly with her mother, from her uncle's disappearance in the 70s, but Jane's mysterious aura and past is a new challenge for her. After enlisting her rag-tag team of roommates and part-time drag queen neighbour, August starts her investigation that turns up more than expected, like feelings for her subject.
This is the book of the summer that everyone has been talking about. I've seen how this has been hyped up over nearly all accounts across Booktok and Bookstagram and I'm happy to say it lived up to the expectations. Whether it's because I've recently read Addie LaRue, but it had a timeless aspect to it, moments that stuck out and dots were connected. The characters were complex, with rich histories, their own stories and they didn't feel like they revolved around the main plot; they interacted and helped when necessary, but they had their own lives, which is a refreshing change from most rom-com books I've read.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in any LGBTQ issues, an affinity for New York City and the grungy Brooklyn lifestyle, and 1970s punk culture.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review - Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This is an enemies to lovers story of a forbidden romance between the First Son of the first female President of the United States and the Prince of Wales. After a years-long animosity results in ruining the Prince of Wales' older brother's wedding, Alex and Henry have been forced to spend time together, mend their image and pretend they're secretly best friends. What no one expects to happen is that they develop an actual friendship, which leads to a secret relationship. With everything on the line, will they make it work or is it doomed from the start?
This is an enemies to lovers story of a forbidden romance between the First Son of the first female President of the United States and the Prince of Wales. After a years-long animosity results in ruining the Prince of Wales' older brother's wedding, Alex and Henry have been forced to spend time together, mend their image and pretend they're secretly best friends. What no one expects to happen is that they develop an actual friendship, which leads to a secret relationship. With everything on the line, will they make it work or is it doomed from the start?