booksandfin's Reviews (123)

Ugh Emily Henry does not miss.

This book made me feel insane as I read it. Alex and Poppy’s relationship made my chest ache. I didn’t sob over this book the way I did Beach Read, but I did cry. Poppy’s family hit home for me, her being the youngest, her describing being home sick but also needing to be out of her home town because of her past experiences there — it hurt. Emily Henry wrights such real characters who are so relatable. Also shout out to Alex for being who he is, I’m genuinely obsessed with him.

My only note is that when I initially finished this book I wasn’t enthused about the ending, but I reread that part and it feels right. I couldn’t think of anything that I’d change. Thus — 5 stars. (although I’d probably give it like 9.5/10)

If you like Friends-to-Lovers this book is for you!! It’s about the history. It’s about the knowing each other so unbelievable well.

This book spoke to me.

This book made me nauseous!!

I don’t think I can describe how I felt reading this book. It’s like all my insides were knotted up and then pulled out of me only to be shoved in again, slightly altered. 

This book is beautifully written and Marlinchin was painfully relatable for me. I can’t wait for the rainy and cold season to come so I can sit beside a candle or two and re-devour this book in a night.

Read the trigger warnings on this one.

BROTHER DOES THIS GUY STINK

The amount of misogyny and toxic masculinity sucks. Like you can write an unlikeable guy to talk about toxic masculinity, but this wasn’t a well execution at all.

Bro really hated two underaged girls (not even teenagers) and was commenting on how one was trash “just like her mother” after he described her developing boobs at the age of twelve. Rubbed me the wrong way, I couldn’t stand how he referred to every single woman as either meek and stupid or trash, a whore, or a bitch.

I was hoping for some reflection or critical thinking but none of that was in this book — or at least the 60 pages I managed to get through.

OMG ALSO the fat phobia and body shaming!! Yuck.

There isnt much I can say about this book that hasn’t been said before. I went in expecting a good time and was it ever, but I also cried really hard over this book. I could relate to so many of January’s pains and wounds. But I could also relate to Gus’. I loved every minute of this book and it stuck to me. There really isn’t much else to say.

took too long of a break. I’ll come back to this later :)

Overall I enjoyed this book and I absolutely consumed it. I read it in about three sittings, one of those where I read 200 pages. So, if anything, this book is a fast, enjoyable and consumable read.

This book — at its core — is about how far we’ll go for family. What we’ll do and where we the draw the line. The relationship between Hannah and Bailey was the strongest thing (in my opinion) about this book. It kept me engaged, turning the page, and asking “what can possibly happen from here?”.

There are a few things that took me out of the book such as

the german protection chocolate labs. Like are you serious right now? I couldn't help but feel like laughing. Not to mention that whole scene of the estate just threw me out of it momentarily. It didn’t feel real. But maybe that was the author’s intention?

But otherwise I don’t have much to complain about besides the extremely redundant use of “said”. I’m sorry but it’s a pet peeve. Like she could have written “asked”, “questioned”, “murmured”, “grumbled”, anything else at least once.

But despite those things I’d recommend this book if you’re looking for an easy read to cleanse your pallet. If you like Gilmore Girls I think you might like this book. It’s not really cozy, and I’d call it more of a mystery than a thriller, but the themes line up with Gilmore Girls and the characters made me miss fall and Stars Hallow.

I love women!!

But in all seriousness the world building in this book is insane, I love all the different religions and how different people use them. I also really enjoyed the discussions of fate and power. The romance in this book is exquisite too.

My only critique is that I wish I cared a bit more about Ashok before he died. His death didn’t really impact me too much. But Prem made me so sad!! That was messed up. I wanted him and Rao to kiss :(

Overall an excellent book and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. This is a truly feminist story in my opinion.

I’ve taken a couple days to really think about what I want to say about this book and I keep coming back to one sentence:

If you haven’t read this book, you need to.

The Boy with a Bird in His Chest struck to my ribs in the way Lund hoped for. I feel like this is a book I will always carry with me. I know what everything looks like, smells like and feels like in Owen’s world. I could feel every emotion he experienced. I was tearing up in the first 20 pages alone and cried over the book in such a way that I cannot describe. Everyone should read this book.

If you are queer in any way, I can almost guarantee that you will see youself on the page in a real and profound way. If you claim to be an ally to the queer community this is on your required reading.

This book is a true coming of age story that centers queer characters without focusing on them reconciling with their queerness. It’s also about toxic masculinity in so many ways as well as generational trauma and breaking those patterns of abuse.

Owen and Tennessee’s relationship is so vital to this story and it hurts to not see more people talk about this. Their relationship really hit home for me. Not to mention that Ariel has been forever changed for me. Listened to ‘Part of Their World’ the other day and started crying because all I could think about was Owen. Also screw Owen’s mom. She made me so upset consistently throughout the book. Also: Clyde is so lovely. Give that boy a hug.

This is such a lovely little book. I wish that I had more books like this when I was a young teen figuring out my queerness. Every time there was a line or a scene that felt cheesy or cringey all I could think about was how a younger, more vulnerable and scared me would have felt reading those words.
I cried over this book multiple times, but always due to how loving and supportive Hana’s friends and family were of her.
Add this book to your collection, especially if there are any young people in your life. I think it’s wonderful representation and also talks about feelings of not belonging in a very real and touching way. Just lovely.

ARC Edition.

Kuang strikes again with a wonderful novel. There isn’t much I can truly say about this book other than it was wonderful, insightful and incredibly captivating.

I couldn’t look away from this absolute train wreck. June is such a flawed person, but so is every single person here. The exploration of the publishing industry, treatment of authors (by both industry and the consumers), and cancel culture were compelling and engaging. Not to mention Kuang’s writing is as beautiful as always.

I’m happy to say this 5 star prediction met my expectations and more.