This sounded like a light cute read that I needed. Although Gus and January do have some serious things from their past still effecting them. I still hoped for a light read.
The atmosphere would just between a light fluffy cute read to being darker. Especially when Gus organized the research “date”. Which I was confused a little about. They were probably my least favourite parts of the book. I just didn’t care.
Gus did fell like a somewhat stereotypical hurt guy. Someone who was hurt in the past so now he doesn’t believe in love and nothing and no one will be able to change his mind. This was a little annoying at times for me. Gus definitely has issues he needs to work through and not just by dating someone.
January and Gus were cute together, even if Gus annoyed me at times. But I also found that I didn’t care too much if they ended up together or not.
Overall this was a pretty decent book. But not what I expected. I expected a light fluffy cute read. Which a large portion of this was. But the added cult research part and January dad past was unexpected and I don’t think was needed

The Beautiful left me heartbroken and nervous. But as soon as I got a copy of this I had to pick it up straight away. I needed to know what happened next.
I fell back into this world easily. I had thought I would need to reread The Beautiful before picking this up but thankfully I didn’t.
I flew through this. As in I read it within 24 hours. Faster than I expected. But I just couldn’t put it down. On one hand I didn’t want it to end. But I also needed to know what happened. Yet again I’m left wanting more. But more on that later.
I went into this nervous. I thought I knew where this would go. I was mostly wrong. In fact I was not expecting the Celine reveals. Although it’s a popular trope I liked it in this case. Maybe because I didn’t see it coming. I don’t think I had a reason to think this was coming. But it worked I think. It added another layer to Celine and the story itself. Where the book can go anywhere now.
Arjun and Pippa are a couple I would happily get behind. Their interactions made me smile. Even when Arjun teases Celine about Pippa. I just want more from them.
Obviously Celine and Bastien still own my heart. Their chemistry. I just find myself smiling some many times when they interact. The type of relationship they have. I just love it. I need them to be happy.
Yet again I am left heartbroken. But needing more. The story is left so open. I have many questions. There’s multiple stories waiting to be told. Odette? Michael? Pippa mission? Celine and Bastien? The Brotherhood? I need answers for all of these characters and their stories.
I did think about 2/3 of the way through this I prefered The Beautiful just because of the mystery element. But having finished this I honesty can’t decide between the two. All I know is I want more.

*Recieved a copy from Net Galley for an honest review*

I had tried this before but didn’t get past the prologue. So despite loving Elantris since my attempt at this, I still went into this nervous I would struggle.
I think like Elantris the audiobook helped me get through this a little easier. Although it did take me a little while to connect to some of the characters and understand what was going on. But not too long that it ruined my enjoyment. I wasn’t too confused either.
I feel like Sanderson is great when it comes to explaining the world. The world building was steady and detailed. I never felt overwhelmed by the information given. Which I was thankful for. But just like Elantris I understand the world and magic but I probably would be terrible at explaining it to someone.
At some point, I can’t pin point where, I started to like Vin. It’s possible it was when she started interacting with Elend. I just love their scenes. I found myself smiling at I listened.
Kelsier was easily my favourite character. Which means I’m left heartbroken. Those scenes towards the end broke me. I just needed more from him.
I loved the crew that Kelsier put together. They were very different but they worked so well together. They cared for each other.
The last 200 pages or so I just couldn’t put the book down. I would have happily stayed up all night if I had to. Thankfully I didn’t. But I just needed to know how it ended. Which has now left me wanting to pick up the next book ASAP. Needing more from these characters and world. I’m intrigued to where everything goes from here. I have no idea.

Historical fiction isn’t my favourite genre. But I’m wanting to read more.
Since I knew it isn’t my strongest genre I decided to read along while listening to the audiobook. I’m glad I did this. It was so much easier than expected to get through. At times I didn’t want to put it down.
I’ve never read a book that made me cry multiple times. In fact I can’t think of a book were I actually cried while reading it. This left me heartbroken.
So many intense moments. From children having to survive the war. Only knowing fear. Not truly understanding what is happening and why.
The wives and mothers having to hold it together. Despite living in fear themselves. Hoping to see their husbands again.
This is a touching book about bravery, courage and strength. The untold stories of those left behind as the men fought in the war.
I don’t think this book will leave me. But I also don’t think I’ll be able to reread this.

I was nervous about this. After disliking the only Peter Swanson book I had read. So after seeing this on Scribd I decided to listen while reading along. I don’t know if this helped or if the book was just better. But I found myself flying through this. Not wanting to put it down. The pacing worked.
I did find the book wasn’t as intense as I had expected it to be considering it had multiple murders. But I was still intrigued. I wanted to try figure out who the killer was. The more I read the more I suspects I had. But I had no idea which if any would be revealed as the killer in the end. This kept me reading. On one hand I wanted to have guessed correctly. But on the other I hoped to be surprised by the end.
The reveal wasn’t dramatic. If anything a little underwhelming. The character revealed was one of my suspects. But the reason behind them committing murders I hadn’t guessed. I also didn’t find it the most interesting reason.
However the second reveal I didn’t expect. But looking back I maybe should have. The clues were all there. But I looked past them trying to find clues for the killer.
Mal ending was maybe a little underwhelming. But at the same time I don’t know if I expected anything for his ending. So can it really be underwhelming. Maybe I just wanted some better closure or justice.
I think after reading this and enjoying it I will attempt Peter’s other books. Maybe use the audiobook.
CAWPILE rating system gives this a 4 star. I don’t know if this is too high. But 3 also seems too low.

I recently re watched the movie and decided it was about time to read the book. Since I love the movie I was interested if the book would become a new favourite. Sadly it was not.
Very early on I noticed big differences between the book and movie. I will say this is definitely an instance of the movie being better than the book. Which hurts to say.
The main reason is because of how the book is set out. It doesn’t flow for me. For majority of the book it feels like I am reading two different stories. But sadly by the time the two connected it was too late. I felt that because it was so late in the book the ending didn’t have the desired impact because I had no real reason to care for any connection between Ira, Luke and Sophia.
Because of this I’m glad the movie made the changes it did. The movie flows better. The ending has a better impact. Overall just works more.
Sure the book had some cute moments but how it’s written just ruined my enjoyment. Makes it difficult for me to want to pick up anything else by Nicholas Sparks in the future. Despite being interested in some.
I know this is more a comparing the two and less a book review but this is the easiest way to explain my feelings.

I decided to listen to the audiobook while reading along for this. Thankfully Scribd had it. I’m glad I did. The first portion of this felt a little slow for me, so the audiobook definitely helped me get through that portion.
One thing people need to know going into this is to not expect an action packed fantasy. This to me was more about Fitz backstory. With a sprinkling of action throughout at times. Due to this I’m left wondering where his trilogy will go. Will they be more action or not. I’m intrigued to find out.
But I am a little worried that I may forget what happened in this. As nothing was on the edge of my seat type of action that would stay with me. Despite really enjoying the book.
I’m very interested in how the relationships between Fitz and Burrach grows within the next books. But also Fitz and Verity. There’s something about their relationships that I want more of.
While I hated some characters I wonder if my opinion will stay the same or change.
I will say this seems a very character driven book. At least for me. But the world building was there. I think this will continue to grow as the books go on.

This confused me in the best way.
I feel like I say this a lot but I went into this blind. Since this was a bookclub pick.
My feelings about this book are hard to explain. Without spoiling the book. So I apologise in advance if I do spoil the book at all. I’ll try not to.
I was confused 99% of the time. But in a way that I enjoyed the book more. It made me more intrigued. Made me search for clues more. Trying to piece things together. But everytime I thought I figured something out the next chapter threw in a twist that changed what I thought.
Multiple times I went back and forth on what happened to Izzy. But other twists did surprise me.
Since this is told in 3 different POVs I knew they had to be connected in some way. One of the reveals connecting two characters did shock me. I didn’t see that coming. I didn’t think Katie would be linked in that way. One thing that I thought would be a twist didn’t happen at all. But I’m fine with that. It was a stab in the dark. Something that was possible but unlikely.
I was surprised that I didn’t get lost at the change between past and present. As no chapter heading told the year or POV. I just kept on track because of how C.J Tudor had written this. Everything flowed so easily.
Speaking of writing. The characters felt very real. They all had distinct voices. They didn’t feel flat. But real people reacting in ways that I can imagine a lot of people would.
I will say the sort of super natural element still confuses me.It did add to the spooky atmosphere which I think was part of why I was gripped. This is, maybe not dark, but intense. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. That element makes you question more. How things are possible. But overall everything was explained and tied up by the end. So I can’t complain too much.

I knew going into this I would need the audiobook. Which definitely helped. As I was reading along as I listened.
Although this is slow building and a little confusing at first I was gripped within a few chapters. As the book progresses you learn more about the lore. I can understand the basics but I would be terrible at trying to explain it to someone else.
Early on a few characters stood out. Especially their relationships with each other. Raoden and Galladon friendship, pretty much instantly their relationship stood out. Its hard to explain why without spoiling the book.
Sarene and her seon Ashe were another relationship that stood out. Technically Ashe is basically a ball of light, but his personality made me giggle at times.
Kaise was an adorable character that part of me wished we got more from. But I understand why she wasn’t.
The only characters who managed to change my opinion on them was Hrathen. Again it’s hard to explain why without spoiling. But basically the ending.
I found I didn’t see any of the twists coming. Maybe it’s because I was just so engrossed in the book that I wasn’t looking for clues or trying to theorise.
I went into this nervous. I haven’t read much adult fantasy. I’m always nervous I will be too confused to enjoy it. However despite a little confusion at the beginning this book is easy to digest. The multiple POVs worked. At times I even didn’t want to put this down. I just wanted to know how it ends. While at the same time wanting it to last. The struggle I had deciding to read more or stop. In the end one more chapter prevailed.
I’m excited to carry on in the Cosmere universe. See which is my favourite and if they are as easy to digest as this one. It will be hard to beat this one as my favourite