emilyburdick's Reviews (389)

This was a really sweet, easy to read story that allowed me to spend time with some characters I loved from The One and Only Ivan! I wish I could have listened to it on audiobook like I did with TOOI, but my library doesn’t offer it. However, the ebook had really cute illustrations throughout that I really enjoyed. Crossing my fingers that we get a Ruby story one day!

A book that lives up to the hype! I was truly astounded by this work of art. I know it’s considered a retelling of Beauty and the Beast but there is so much more depth to it than that. Such a bigger world to get sucked into and fall in love with and loved every second of it. I’ll admit it took some force to get through the beginning chapters but after Feyre gets taken it’s all uphill from there. I have unfortunately already seen some spoilery stuff about this series and the future love interests and at this point I only kind of accept it and get it. I didn’t really vibe with the man in question drugging and using Feyre, but I do understand the intentions behind it. I’m sad because I love Tamlin and I’m not looking forward to seeing him (potentially) end up heart broken but I am eager to see how he copes with Feyre being dragged off to the night court by Rhys every now and then. That certainly feels like it will be a tragically good love triangle/enemies to lovers trope. I do hope Feyre gets to reunite with her family at some point. This is the first high fantasy YA I’ve ever read and it was a great introduction to the genre. My only gripe is I’ve seen so much talk about how “spicy” this book is and for YA I guess it might be but my expectations were set much higher for that. All in all I’m so excited to get my hands on the next book!

⭐️3.5⭐️

First things first this book was presented to me as an enemies to lovers trope and I do not agree with that whatsoever. These two fought like two times within 10 pages and then suddenly were in love and wanting to get in each other’s pants.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Even the corny plot and pretentious main character couldn’t tear me away from this easy read. I loved the realism that was Porter. Teenage boy behavior was written perfectly and not sugarcoated. And I felt myself charmed by him. I found myself skimming to get through the end because I really just needed them to kiss and make up and sail off into the sunset. I could have done without the entire Davy plot line; just seemed like she wanted to write a bad guy into this cheesy YA contemporary for some reason. Like that whole scene near the end was PURE dramatics for no reason except to say he finally got got. I understood the whole connected with Bailey and Davy and her past experiences but I also found that part of the plot unbelievable. Also Bailey’s mom not calling at all ever? No texts? No email? If I moved across the country my mom would be calling me every five seconds. Also the whole “I’m not like other girls” trope almost did me in, along with the airheadedness of sweet Bailey. Like, I was totally cool with Porter realizing the truth first, but she took SO long to get it. Even when the evidence was smacking her in the face along with the hints from Porter/Alex and her dad. Last thing I have the energy to say at this time of night is: can we PLEASE stop using the whole “he/she wears the pants in the family/relationship” line? PLEASE.