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MOSTLY CUTE.
I read this in about a day (via audio book). I loved the fast pace and all of the baking. It made me want to whip out my mixer and try out new recipes. The GBBO allusions were clear, but the addition of the “dating pool” idea was humorous.
The other side plots were a biiiiit much. I felt like they added extreme levels of drama and took away from the romance. I didn’t know where I was supposed to see the focus. There were many side stories that didn’t truly affect the main character or even necessarily the love interest. All of this took me out of the novel multiple times.
What I got of the romance was pretty cute. It was a very little enemies to lovers, but once misunderstandings were put aside I thought Liza and James were adorable. I would have really loved to see even more of them and have the story feel like it was directed at them.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: a little
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: body shaming, racism, sexual assault mentioned, cheating
This was cute!! I loved the art. Wanted a lot more characterization.
ALMOST ALL GOOD.
I was looking for a quick contemporary romance with a good HEA. I found that this was mostly the case here so it’s fine.
Who did I love most? MAX. Goodness he was the sweetest. I adored his demeanor and the way he interacted and doted on Lina. Super romantic, super into it. Lina was a fiercely strong woman running her own business and I loved her tenacity. It was also fun seeing her career as a wedding planner and different things that comes with.
The spice was definitely too high for me and had to skip more than I expected (which if you love spice, maybe check this one out!). Besides that my only real complaint was the dreaded conflict. I thought we’d be out of the woods, but noooooo, Max decided all of a sudden that he was going to be upset over something I thought he had decided wasn’t a factor and then things went downhill. The resolution was cute and all, I guess, I was just ready to be finished by then.
Besides that glaring miscommunication, a really solid read. The audio was a good listen and it really does fly by. A lot of cute scenes, funny shenanigans and all of the Brazilian culture was awesome to read about.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: kisses to very open door scenes
- Trigger/Content Warnings: being left on wedding day
FANTASTIC.
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A nod to the audio for this one as well. I loved it.
This book was great. I have a hit and miss vibe with Lu’s books, this has renewed my faith that I do love her writing and story telling. I was captivated from the first chapters for Skyhunter. It’s so easy to fall into the writing style and to be captured by how everything starts out.
I loved the scheming and plot. I knew what the story was about and loved the shock value moments of finding out new information. Talin was such a formidable heroine. She is strong and memorable. Talin and Red are a new fav ship that better be sailing off in the next book. Their connection and friendship really helped drive the story as two people from different sides of the land. There’s so much action, and twists and turns. For a sci-fi/dystopia novel I was enraptured (it’s usually not my go-to). The flow kept things moving and I don’t remember anything ever dragging.
But also, THAT ENDING. Talk about a cliffhanger. I have no idea where things are going now and I kinda love it. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult dystopia / sci-fi
- Language: a little
- Violence: physical, creature attacks, zombie (referred to as ghosts) attacks, depictions of battles; bloody/gory but not overly so
Trigger/Content Warnings: Medical experimentation, murder, gun violence, refugee experiences and displacement
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A nod to the audio for this one as well. I loved it.
This book was great. I have a hit and miss vibe with Lu’s books, this has renewed my faith that I do love her writing and story telling. I was captivated from the first chapters for Skyhunter. It’s so easy to fall into the writing style and to be captured by how everything starts out.
I loved the scheming and plot. I knew what the story was about and loved the shock value moments of finding out new information. Talin was such a formidable heroine. She is strong and memorable. Talin and Red are a new fav ship that better be sailing off in the next book. Their connection and friendship really helped drive the story as two people from different sides of the land. There’s so much action, and twists and turns. For a sci-fi/dystopia novel I was enraptured (it’s usually not my go-to). The flow kept things moving and I don’t remember anything ever dragging.
But also, THAT ENDING. Talk about a cliffhanger. I have no idea where things are going now and I kinda love it. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.
Overall audience notes:
- Young adult dystopia / sci-fi
- Language: a little
- Violence: physical, creature attacks, zombie (referred to as ghosts) attacks, depictions of battles; bloody/gory but not overly so
Trigger/Content Warnings: Medical experimentation, murder, gun violence, refugee experiences and displacement
NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING.
The cute rom-com cover hides the fact that this a lot closer to women’s fiction (nothing against the genre, just now what I was expecting upon picking it up). When I was looking for a contemporary romance I found a bit more and it ended up being alright.
I really loved all of the gymnastics aspects. I think coming off of watching the Olympics recently really had me stoked for a book along the same lines. I liked learning more about training aspects, coaching and other pieces. From that world it dove deeper into the abuse and mistreatment of gymnastic athletes. That took over a good portion of the plot and didn’t always connect back to the main characters.
That lack of connection made the scenes where Avery and Ryan were together not mesh well. They didn’t have great chemistry, just kind of started dating, then not, then dating, then not. And it was wishy-washy nonsense for most of the book.
While it brought awareness to many important topics the addition of the romance actually didn’t fit in. I think it should have leaned one way or the other more and would have been a more solid story.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Fiction + Romance
- Language: a little strong
- Romance: kisses to little detailed open scene
- Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual abuse, emotional abuse, bullying
slow-paced
BORING.
Ohhhh my goodness.
When I pick up a historical fiction book I really enjoy learning about the time period or whatever aspect is being used for the historical portion. I had to look up so much more information after reading this book because I felt like I gained nothing.
Most of this book was focused on the external relationships of all of these characters. Who they were dating and why, etc. etc. So instead of learning about WHY this book was important to the CIA and the Cold War I learned about some typists and who they liked. I just didn’t care. If it truly pertained to everything else it would have been fine, but this is a rare case of me saying, it needed less romance. I would have loved more espionage and action.
I felt like I knew what was happening and had no idea all in the same breath. It was convoluted and I don’t want to drag this review out anymore. Big miss. Wasn’t worth the time.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical fiction
- Language: some
- Romance: kisses to closed door scenes
- Trigger/Content Warnings: racism, sexism, homophobia, rape (on page), sexual harassment, cheating, suicide and suicide ideation, loss of a parent, internment camp
OHHHH SNAP.
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When your friends keep talking about a big reveal that blew their minds, it makes interested. Then I spent my entire read anxiously waiting what news was going to make things hit the fan. My thoughts went as followed:
First drop: okay okay, I kinda figured that. Am happy with this knowledge. Not a huge reveal though?
Second drop: ALRIGHT THEN. That is definitely new information. I’m curious how this will affect the next book.
Third drop: OHHHHMYGOSHHHH!?!?! WHY DID I NOT SEE THAT COMING. Totally blindsided.
Those last 50 pages skyrocketed this book to five stars. The rest of it was truly enjoyable and I was having a good time diving into this darker YA fantasy. That ending though. Y’all. My hopes are through the roof on this second book.
What I thought was a bit quirky was that I could see some similarities to SJM’s plots and writing. Not a bad thing, just something I noticed. They are friends (I believe, don’t quote me) so that was an interesting tidbit that I realized after finishing.
Back to the characters. I really liked Kiva! She felt human and flawed, but desperately trying to do the right thing and honest to goodness survive. I loved Naari and hope to see more of her in the next book. And I am smitten with Tipp. He is precious and brings a bit of lightness to this otherwise morose tale. I wish the romantic sub-plot was a little more developed, though I’m grateful it didn’t jump to over the top in love without more development. I’m hoping it’s all more well-rounded as the series goes on.
A really great first book that kept me interested and had plenty of action. I’m so excited to see what happens next!!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Dark Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: some forehead kisses
- Violence: plague, poisoning, physical altercations, riots, knife violence; this is a dark fantasy
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of rape (off-page, implied), self-harm, loss of loved ones, torture, whipping, imprisonment, nearly being burned alive, drowned, buried alive
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When your friends keep talking about a big reveal that blew their minds, it makes interested. Then I spent my entire read anxiously waiting what news was going to make things hit the fan. My thoughts went as followed:
First drop: okay okay, I kinda figured that. Am happy with this knowledge. Not a huge reveal though?
Second drop: ALRIGHT THEN. That is definitely new information. I’m curious how this will affect the next book.
Third drop: OHHHHMYGOSHHHH!?!?! WHY DID I NOT SEE THAT COMING. Totally blindsided.
Those last 50 pages skyrocketed this book to five stars. The rest of it was truly enjoyable and I was having a good time diving into this darker YA fantasy. That ending though. Y’all. My hopes are through the roof on this second book.
What I thought was a bit quirky was that I could see some similarities to SJM’s plots and writing. Not a bad thing, just something I noticed. They are friends (I believe, don’t quote me) so that was an interesting tidbit that I realized after finishing.
Back to the characters. I really liked Kiva! She felt human and flawed, but desperately trying to do the right thing and honest to goodness survive. I loved Naari and hope to see more of her in the next book. And I am smitten with Tipp. He is precious and brings a bit of lightness to this otherwise morose tale. I wish the romantic sub-plot was a little more developed, though I’m grateful it didn’t jump to over the top in love without more development. I’m hoping it’s all more well-rounded as the series goes on.
A really great first book that kept me interested and had plenty of action. I’m so excited to see what happens next!!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Dark Fantasy
- Language: very little
- Romance: some forehead kisses
- Violence: plague, poisoning, physical altercations, riots, knife violence; this is a dark fantasy
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of rape (off-page, implied), self-harm, loss of loved ones, torture, whipping, imprisonment, nearly being burned alive, drowned, buried alive
ABSOLUTELY ADORED.
This book was so dang cute!! I loved it. It also made me very hungry and all of the Korean dishes sounded delicious. I loved the cultural aspects too and being in Seoul and getting an idea for what being a K-pop star entails. Learning about training, the schools, how groups are formed. It was great getting a better understanding of a world I didn’t know much about.
The romance was precious. I thought Jenny and Jaewoo had a fun and interesting meet-cute. There were many unique aspects to a young adult contemporary romance and it was a breath of fresh air. A quick meeting led to a bit of slow burn as they tackled feelings for one another. I love the Jenny was a cellist and both had their complete own lives and passions they enjoyed. Choosing to be together was something they both wanted and I love a good, mushy ending scene. If you’re looking for a celebrity / forbidden romance in YA form, this is one to read!!
Full of tight friendships, those mean girls you expect, and running away from paparazzi, I definitely felt like I was watching a drama. Though it never went over board. I love how natural the movement of the story went and how easy it was to read. I was enamored from chapter one and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses / make-outs
CHARACTER DRIVEN.
Dare I say…too character driven? That might be the first time I’ve said that. The longer I listened to the book the more I realized I probably would’ve DNF if I was physically reading. There was a plot, but not? I don’t know, I was a bit confused by it even if by the second half I was curious as to how everything was going to end.
Definitely a cast of unlikeable characters. That really worked for this type of read so it wasn’t a big deal. The pace is slow and has flashback chapters that build over the course of the novel. There’s dry humor mixed in with some dark topics [check trigger warnings]. I found myself creeped out and hoping for justice.
I feel like I don’t have a lot to say. It was fine? Pretty forgettable though as I have read thrillers with some of the same themes and ideas, which is probably causing my lack of words too. It’s a backlist title that you could enjoy, but also, wouldn’t be missing anything if you skipped it.
Overall audience notes:
- Mystery
- Language: strong
- Romance: kisses to closed door scenes
- Violence: physical altercations
- Trigger/Content Warnings: sexual assault (on page), attempted rape (on page), drug use, murder, kidnapping, memory loss, loss of loved ones
GOOD CONTINUATION.
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I’m really enjoying this series! I feel like getting two books in, I’m starting to settle into the characters and story and am feeling my investment increase.
I know this book is about Sophie and I’m loving her as a main character, but y’all, KEEFE. I am head over heels for Keefe. I beg this series to let him continue to be present because it will easily become a favorite.
This had some second book syndrome vibes. I thought it was a bit slower with the plot and where things were going. There wasn’t as much of a focus on the wider story, but more on Sophie and solving some things in her life. I’m glad we got some more info on her background. Though I’m more curious where the Black Swan and the rest of that group is up to.
Without a doubt, I’m going to be continuing this series and seeing what happens next!
Overall audience notes:
- Middle grade fantasy
- Language: none
- Violence: magical, physical
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I’m really enjoying this series! I feel like getting two books in, I’m starting to settle into the characters and story and am feeling my investment increase.
I know this book is about Sophie and I’m loving her as a main character, but y’all, KEEFE. I am head over heels for Keefe. I beg this series to let him continue to be present because it will easily become a favorite.
This had some second book syndrome vibes. I thought it was a bit slower with the plot and where things were going. There wasn’t as much of a focus on the wider story, but more on Sophie and solving some things in her life. I’m glad we got some more info on her background. Though I’m more curious where the Black Swan and the rest of that group is up to.
Without a doubt, I’m going to be continuing this series and seeing what happens next!
Overall audience notes:
- Middle grade fantasy
- Language: none
- Violence: magical, physical