dlrosebyh's Reviews (773)

Lovelace was previously only an artificial intelligence on a ship. She must start again in a synthetic body in a society where people of her type are forbidden when she awakens in a new body after a complete system shutdown and reboot. Never has she felt so alone.

She is not, however, truly alone. Pepper, one of the engineers who risked life and limb to reinstall Lovelace, is determined to help her acclimate to her new surroundings. Pepper is an expert at beginning fresh, after all.

Avoid making the same mistake I did and read this book without expecting a plot-heavy story because the action doesn't start until the last 5%. Nothing in particular was wrong with it—it brought me all sorts of comfort—but i was just not in the mood for it. As a mood reader, i needed something plot heavy, so it kind of wrecked the experience for me.

This sequel follows an AI and a human with knowledge of AIs. In the first book, we meet them but don't follow them. This book is fantastic if you enjoy reading in-depth character studies and analyses. If you love character driven stories— no plot, just vibes— then this one is for you.

And Emily Henry had done it again.

Since they first met in college, Harriet and Wyn have been the ideal couple; they complement one another like lobster and rolls, honey and tea, and salt and pepper. However, they no longer do so for reasons they have yet to reveal. They ended their relationship six months ago, and still haven’t told their best friends.

They find themselves sharing the biggest bedroom in the Maine cottage that has been the rest of the group’s yearly holiday for the previous decade. Their annual getaway from the world, when for one brilliant, blue week they leave aside their everyday lives; enjoy copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and take in the salty coastal air with the people who understand them best.

When Emily Henry originally revealed that she was going to release a novel that contains the fake dating trope and the second chance romance trope, I knew I was ready to sell my first kid for this book. My God, this novel was the most realistic romance book I’ve ever read in a long time.

Harriet and Wyn as individuals are so different, yet similar to one other— which is why they get along extremely well. Dual timelines are usually a hit or miss for me, but this was certainly a hit. Every scenario in the past and the present intertwined so flawlessly. The parallels would constantly leave me astonished. Their friend circle were likewise quite realistic. I liked how the major climax of the narrative wasn’t only Harriet and Wyn’s relationship, but the friend group’s as well. It, itself, gave the characters so much depth. And much like any Emily Henry figures, the characters weren’t only black and white or one-dimensional. They’re characters you could literally see and meet everywhere.

A lot of people did not like the reason why Harriet and Wyn broke up, but me, myself, I thought it was realistic. Sure, I’ve ranted previously about why I despised the miscommunication cliche, but Emily Henry depicted the trope in a pretty realistic and adult way, and not in an immature way like other romance books. Harriet’s inclination to push everyone away, and Wyn’s worry of never being enough were conveyed so brilliantly in this novel. It clashes between their dynamic so effectively that it makes the misunderstanding bearable.

I must say, if Book Lovers was for the eldest child, People We Meet On Vacation was for the middle child, and Beach Read was for the only child, Happy Place is for the youngest child. It was a very minor portion of the book, but the older sister and younger sister contact at the very end of the book made me sob. It wasn’t even sad. It was just wholesome, and as an older sibling, this book had opened my eyes on the hardships and strain the youngest children encounter. 

Compared to Emily Henry’s other books, this one was more complex. Like, yes, the others did focus on other types of love, but this one focused on every type of love you could ever think of in the best way possible. Romance was only one element, which is why I don’t think this should be considered as a romance novel like it’s marketed to be.

Overall, Happy Place was one astounding read to me, and I will recommend it wholeheartedly. However, Book Lovers still has my heart. And, by the way, Wyn has dethroned Gus as the best Emily Henry boyfriend for me.

All Avery Kylie Grambs needs to do to inherit billions is staying in Hawthorne House for a few more weeks. The photographers are following her every move. Financial strains are increasing. Danger is an unavoidable part of life. And the only thing keeping Avery going is the Hawthorne brothers. Her existence is inextricably linked to theirs. She is aware of their secrets, and they are aware of her. 

 

But, as the clock approaches the time when Avery will become the world's richest adolescent, disaster arrives in the guise of a visitor who need her assistance—and whose presence at Hawthorne House might change everything. It quickly becomes evident that there is one more puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are lured into a perilous game against an unknown and strong opponent. 

 

In comparison to the prior two novels, I found the mystery in this one to be less intriguing. It was also less action-packed, which made me bored at times. However, the last third of the book was incredibly engaging, since I couldn't stop reading it throughout. 

 

Except for Grayson, I believe everyone had amazing character growth throughout the series. Don't get me wrong, I adore him, but I believe Jennifer Lynn Barnes failed to give him a distinctive personality like she did with the other Hawthorne brothers. His character is always mourning Emily, which is really realistic, but if he isn't mourning, he is usually frigid. We saw him vulnerable once, but I know that's not all there is to him. I wish we saw more of him. 

 

Heiress Avery Grambs is left to pick up the pieces after the shocking conclusion of the Inheritance Games and seek out the person who might have the answers to all of her questions, including why Tobias Hawthorne decided to leave his whole estate to Avery rather than his own children or grandsons.

A DNA test has confirmed for Avery that she is not a Hawthorne by blood, but signs are mounting that point to a closer relationship to the family than she had ever thought. Two of the mysterious and alluring Hawthorne grandchildren, Grayson and Jameson, continue to tug Avery in separate directions as the mystery deepens and the plot congeals. In addition, danger lurks around every turn as new enemies arise who will use any means necessary to remove Avery from the scene.

i think my thoughts are still the same thing with my thoughts from the first book. but this book was definitely what i needed. don’t get me wrong, i liked the first book, but this one? i loved. most second books in a series are fillers, but this one, i think, is as important— or even more important than the first book. i’m so glad it didn’t go through the second book syndrome.

I adore how developed the characters in this novel are. I felt Grayson was missing something in the first book, and I was correct. I now have a completely new appreciation for Grayson as a result of this book. Even though I wish I had seen more of him in this book because the game was originally supposed to be his, Xander is still my favorite character. Additionally, there is a lot more character drama, and we meet more significant characters (more assholes, I fear).

Like the first novel, this was overflowing with action. You go swiftly, captivatingly, and enticingly from point A to point B, from one chapter to the next. I didn't really guess many of the plot twists in this one because they were more unexpected, which is something I appreciate in a mystery book. The mood is ruined by a mystery book with a predictable plot twist.  

Avery Grambs has a plan for a brighter future: go through high school, earn a scholarship, and then leave. However, her fortunes alter in an instant when a billionaire, Tobias Hawthorne, dies, leaving Avery nearly his entire wealth. Avery has no clue why he's doing it, or who Tobias Hawthorne is. 

 

Avery must relocate into the huge, hidden passage-filled Hawthorne House to accept her inheritance, where every room carries the old man's touch – and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes. Sadly for Avery, Hawthorne House is also home to the family that Tobias Hawthorne recently evicted. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: four dangerous, charismatic, smart guys who grew up knowing they would one day inherit billions. 

 

Grayson Hawthorne, the heir apparent, is certain that Avery is a grifter and is determined to bring her down. His brother, Jameson, sees her as their grandfather's final act: a twisted mystery to be answered. Avery will have to play the game herself to survive in a world of money and power, with danger at every step. 

 

I had been putting off reading this book since it was so hyped and there was a love triangle. If you know me or have read my reviews, you know how much I despise love triangles. There were several reviewers in this book that said they weren't sure who Avery should end up with. However, I believe I am rather certain of Jameson.

Grayson appears to be unable to move on from Emily, which removes him as an option for me.

 

This book was action-packed, exactly what one would anticipate in a mystery novel. The pacing was fantastic, and putting this book down seemed like a crime. The puzzles and mysteries with Avery were very entertaining, and I found myself being immersed in the story. And, in some ways, I found Avery to be extremely similar to me. 

 

I adore the characters as well. Although I found the love triangle frustrating, I found Avery, Jameson, and Grayson to be quite lovable—along with Nash, Xander, Libby, Max, Thea, and Rebecca. Most of them weren't one-dimensional, which I appreciated. However, I wish there was less romance in this novel. For now, my favorite character is Xander. I love his friendship with Avery and how he tried to make her feel comfortable. 

 

I wasn't expecting the conclusion because I wasn't aware of the dates of events. However, the hints before that were, at least for me, too simple, which ruined the experience. However, due to that cliffhanger, I would eagerly await the next book. 

Alex and Poppy don't have much in common. He's dressed in khakis, she's a wild child. He loves to stay home with a book, whereas she has an insatiable need to travel. They have been the best of friends ever since a tragic car share from college many years ago. She is in New York City and he is in their little hometown for the majority of the year, but they have spent one wonderful week of vacation together every summer for the past ten years.

Poppy is in a rut despite having everything she should want. She is certain that the tragic, last trip she took with Alex was the last time she felt completely content. She makes the decision to make it all right by persuading her best buddy to go on one more trip with her. Amazingly, he consents.She now has a week to make everything right. If only she can avoid the one major reality that has silently persisted throughout their ostensibly ideal relationship. 

I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this book. I had heard mixed reviews, so I didn't really expect it. I don't particularly love it, but I also don't despise it. It's in the middle of the spectrum, perhaps leaning more toward the loving end.

The characters in Emily Henry's novels all accept their flaws, which is a characteristic of her writing. Emily Henry also writes character studies and not just romantic novels. I enjoyed Poppy's persona even though I don't really relate to her. At least for me, Alex seemed quite relatable. Although I wished I had seen more of the other characters, I found both of them to be engaging.

The chemistry between the characters was definitely strong, it was there, it was making itself known. Don't get me wrong, the buildup was incredible, but I wasn't especially fond of the story's climax. I don't like the miscommunication trope, which is something about me, but the trope that irritates me the most is when the characters abruptly stop their relationship without even trying to communicate with one another. Even though it was ultimately quite realistic, i didn't like it. I might have found it tolerable if the execution had been better.

The repeated mention of their height and Alex's obsession with baths were the two elements in the novel that irritated me the most. Like, yeah, we understand! Poppy is small in comparison to the tall, strong Alex. You don't have to say it each time they lock eyes with one another. I initially didn't mind that Alex liked showers, but if I'm being completely honest, Poppy bringing it up roughly every two chapters started to irritate me. But yet again, I need someone who will value me as much as Alex cherishes his showers.