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omqchristi

Chasing Lucky

Jenn Bennett

3.0

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «

Stars: ★★★☆☆
Plot: ★★★☆☆
Readability: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★☆☆☆
Writing: ★★★☆☆
Recommend: ✗

» PLOT «

Josie and her mother have been from from town to town and city to city, for five years now. Finally, after all this time, Josie and her mother return to their hometown, Beauty. Unfortunately, their hometown hasn't changed, here, drama, gossip, and rumors spread like like no other. So when things go wrong at a summer party and as Josie bumps into her childhood best friend turned town bad boy, Josie's life is turned upside down.

This had potential, and there was so much more I would've like to have been explored. (Like Evie and Adrian's relationship.)

There were some genuinely cute moments in this book, but other times, I was just confused at the motives and mindset of some of the characters.

» READABILITY «

I read this via an audiobook, so it was easy. But clearly reading contemporary romance is easier as an audiobook because I can't get bored and stop (as easily). So this means little.

» CHARACTERS «

Like I said, I was just confused at the characters and what they did. I didn't really connect with or like any of them. That's not to say I hated any of them, they were all just kinda bland.

» WRITING «

Average writing, nothing special or fantastic.

» OVERALL «

This was my second Jenn Bennett book and I still like "Alex, Approximately" better. I'll still read other books by her, however, I'm sad to say so far my mission to find a favorite author has not ended.

Foolish Hearts

Emma Mills

3.0

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «

Stars: ★★★☆☆
Plot: ★★★☆☆
Readability: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★★☆☆
Writing: ★★★☆☆
Recommend: ✗

» PLOT «

After Claudia accidentally overhears her school's most popular couple, Paige and Iris, break up, her life becomes intertwined with that of Iris's. Forced to participate in their school's production of <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i>, they must learn to work with each other. But as time goes on, Claudia realizes theres much more behind the facade Iris puts up.

This was very slice-of-life like, and that's not bad, just nothing major happens. Literally, barely anything major occurs. (Not that that's a bad thing, it just means you really need to rely on having good characters.)

Something I didn't pick up on, there is a lot of references to gaming and fan culture. I hate it. I don't mind one or two references, but a whole explanation of the game or even multiple references or celebrities makes me so uncomfortable.

» READABILITY «

This book was pretty slowish paced, especially since nothing happens.

» CHARACTERS «

The characters are okay, but for a character driven story, they could be better. I don't hate or love anything of them. All of the characters are too artificial or perfect, like they were manufactured or something. They're just so bland, and have no motivation.

» WRITING «

The writing is pretty average, nothing special.

» OVERALL «

Halfway though the book, I realized that this really isn't a true romance book. It's a contemporary book that just so happens to have a hint of romance.

Paper Planes and Other Things We Lost

Mindy Hayes, Mindy Michele, Michele G. Miller

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «

Stars: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★☆
Readability: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★☆
Writing: ★★★☆☆
Recommend: ✓

» PLOT «

Following the mysterious disappearance of Flight 397, Ruby has lost her mother, and Brett has lost both of his parents. Wracked with grief, Ruby sends a letter to Amber, Brett's twin, but it's not Amber who replies, it's Brett. Despite living on opposites sides of the countries, they form a deeper and deeper connection with each letter they send each other.

For a large portion of the book, I couldn't stop smiling. This was a really cute and fluffy romance, and despite the fact that the beginning was a bit insta-lovey, I really liked the romance.

The part where

Brett was both seeing Hope and writing to Ruby felt very close to cheating, but luckily, Brett broke it off with Hope before he made a move on Ruby

. Otherwise, I would've felt off about the book.

I really liked Ruby and Brett's relationship, but I also liked Hope and Brett's relationship. I also liked the fact that Carmen and Mitchell were trying to make up with the main characters. I'm glad that they didn't make the other love interests unlikeable in an attempt to get readers to root for the central relationship. Finally, authors that get the fact that if you make the central relationship better and more natural, you don't have to demonize other love interests. And before you say that Jimmy was demonized, remember how Carmen and Mitchell were portrayed in the end.

» READABILITY «

The book was pretty medium paced in the beginning, but at the end, it became faster paced. The simple writing and likeable characters make this book enjoyable to read.

» CHARACTERS «

Like I said before, I'm glad there were good and bad people in this book. Not everyone is perfect or good, but you don't have to demonize conflicting love interests to make readers root for the central romance.

» WRITING «

The writing is really simple, nothing really special at all. For having 3 writers, the book is pretty consistent and seems like it was written with one voice (at least as one-voice-like you can get with 2 perspectives).

Occasionally, while reading the dialogue, I would get the characters and lines mixed up. The writing sometimes can make it really ambiguous to who is talking, especially when you can imagine both parties speaking that specific line.

» OVERALL «

This is a cute, feel-good romance, and I honestly really liked it. There wasn't really anything that bad about it. It was simple, adorable, and predictable in a way that was comfortable.

Muse of Nightmares

Laini Taylor

DID NOT FINISH: 7%

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «
Stars: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★☆
Readability: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★☆
Writing: ★★★★★
Recommend: ✓
description

» PLOT «
Following the events of the first book, Lazlo now must choose between the love of his life, and the rest of the people of Weep. While Lazlo and Sarai attempt to overcome the fact that now, one of them is a god, and the other is a ghost, a new foe appears and threatens the godspawns and the people of Weep.

I loved the connection of

Nora and the godspawns, but I didn't like how overpowered she was

.

Another thing I noticed was the fact that so many of the things that occurred was driven by the fact that the godspawns look like their godly parents or relatives (Isagol and Sarai, Skathis and Lazlo, Nora and Kora). This isn't a good or bad thing, I just thought it was fun.

The ending was perfection. I wouldn't have wanted anything else.

» READABILITY «
This book, like [b:Strange the Dreamer|28449207|Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519915549l/28449207._SY75_.jpg|48158509], was written in two main perspectives and a few side perspectives. I preferred the perspectives from Weep, but Nora's perspective was interesting as well.

» CHARACTERS «
Like I said before, I don't like how overpowered

Nora seem to be. I know she had limits, but they were very high. She kinda reminded me of Warren from the Shatter Me series, except he wasn't taking powers, meaning others could still fight back. (I think.)

» WRITING «
I got used to the writing style, and now I really like it. It's the perfect type of writing for a fantasy book.

» OVERALL «
While I'll admit this book didn't leave me as in love with it as I was with the first book, I still loved it. The ending was wonderful, and I love that there was still

mystery and more adventure left

What to Say Next

Julie Buxbaum

2.0

emotional sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «

Stars: ★★☆☆☆
Plot: ★★☆☆☆
Readability: ★★☆☆☆
Characters: ★★☆☆☆
Writing: ★★★☆☆
Recommend: ✗

» PLOT «

Following the death of her father, Kit hasn't been the same. So one day, a month after her father's death, she leaves her friends and decides to sit at David's table at lunch. With an IQ of 168 and lacking in social skills, David isn't like the other boys at Mapleview. Though they share many differences, they can't help but strike up a friendship. But as more and more private thoughts and ideas are revealed, their relationship might not survive the secrets.

I was expecting the plotline of

Kit's mother cheating with Jack

, but that doesn't mean I liked or wanted it. What did it add to the overall story? Kit just

stopped talking to her mother and then after a while, immediately made up with her

.

I didn't expect the part of where it turns out it

was Kit who was driving the car when her dad died

, and that part was good, but the execution of how the characters reacted and found out was not. There are so many reasons for why there would be

two people in a car, specifically one woman and one man, not just an affair.

The overall romance was okay, but not much was developed (in my opinion). Everything felt surface level. Plus, I didn't like the characters, so I didn't root for the romance.

» READABILITY «

The first few chapters did not pull me in. It literally did the opposite.

» CHARACTERS «

As soon as I started writing this book, I didn't like the characters. They got better as the story progressed, but the beginning made it so I wasn't invested in the overall story. Not only that, but the first few chapters made me put the book down for over a week.

» WRITING «

The writing was okay, nothing too hard to get through, but not special in anyway.

» OVERALL «

I absolutely loved Tell Me Three Things, and I was expecting to also love this book, but that clearly didn't happen. The main reason would just have to be that I didn't like any of the characters, at all.

Content Warnings

Together, Apart

Auriane Desombre, Jennifer Yen, Sajni Patel, Rachel Lippincott, Brittney Morris, Erin A. Craig, Natasha Preston, Bill Konigsberg, Erin Hahn

3.0

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

» QUICK OVERVIEW «
Stars: ★★★☆☆
Plot: ★★★☆☆
Readability: ★★★★☆
Characters: ★★★☆☆
Writing: ★★★☆☆
Recommend: ✗
description

» LOVE, DELIVERED by ERIN A. CRAIG «
★★☆☆☆
After moving to a new town admist the COVID, Millie no knows no one in her new town. Lacking in groceries, she orders take out, meeting Luka in the process.

This was cute, but nothing special.

» THE SOCIALLY DISTANT DOG-WALKING BRIGADE by BILL KONIGSBERG «
★★★☆☆
Kaz first met Daxon while walking their dogs. As they begin to walk their dogs together, they form a connection.

I love how awkward Kaz is, and I can totally relate with him.

» ONE DAY by SAJNI PATEL «
★★★★☆
Bobby’s house has never been louder. Since her family is stuck at home all the time, her only refuge is the balcony. Too bad Neal is out there playing guitar, and when Bobby gets annoyed and throws her shoe. He “extorts” her for her number.

I loved the banter between the two. Neal carried this story,

» THE RULES OF COMEDY by AURIANE DESOMBRE «
★☆☆☆☆
After her school closes, Harper no longer has the chance to talk to Alyssa anymore. So in an attempt to talk to her, Harper decides to make TikToks to prove that she is funny and to impress Alyssa.

I don’t really like the TikTok aspect of the story. I know Harper is around 15, but she comes off as naive and really young.

» THE NEW BOY NEXT DOOR by NATASHA PRESTON «
★★★★★
When new boy moves into the house next to Quinn’s, she can’t help but be entranced by Archer. As they begin to chat on the tree that borders their houses, they form and instant connection.

I absolutely love this story. Something about the fact that they both are infatuated and intimidated by each other, or it’s simply the chemistry they have together!

» LOVE WITH A SIDE OF FORTUNE by JENNIFER YEN «
★★☆☆☆
After Michelle’s mother takes her to a fortune teller, she is told that a boy born in winter would break her heart. But as Evan spends more and more time at her parents restaurant, they from a connection. If only Michelle knew when he was born…

This was cute. I’ve been permanently traumatized by the fact that I’ve also had to work at my parent’s restaurant without pay, but if there were some cute boys to make it all better maybe things would’ve been different.

» THE GREEN THUMB WAR by BRITTNEY MORRIS «
★★★★☆
Billie, short for Matilda, and Sebastian live in neighboring apartment complexes. During quarentine, they begin to both grow herbs at home, and they decide to start a competition to see who can make the best thing with each of their herbs.

Another really cute story, and Sebastian made this story much better. The dual perspectives made this much better.

» STUCK WITH HER by RACHAEL LIPPINCOTT «
★★☆☆☆
Allie’s roommate, Mia, is one of the most annoying roommates you can have. She’s the type to play loud music at 3AM, eat your food, and bring to many friends around. So why does Allie, after having a nice conversation with her, feel a pull towards her?

Normally I’d love a hate-to-love, but the switch from hate to love was instantaneous and a little too easy.

» MASKED by ERIN HAHN «
★★☆☆☆
Grey and Jude have been talking through a neighborhood messaging app ever since Grey offered to make masks for his uncle’s business. They’ve never met in person, but after a small encounter at Jude’s uncle’s business, Grey thinks Jude might be the same person as the musician on America Famous.

We really didn’t get a build up of their relationship, so I really didn’t see a lot of chemistry/connection.

500 Words or Less

Juleah del Rosario

3.0

emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «

Stars: ★★★☆☆
Plot: ★★☆☆☆
Readability: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★☆☆☆
Writing: ★★★☆☆
Recommend: ✗

» PLOT «

After cheating on her boyfriend, with his best friend, Nic is only known as the girl who cheated on the nicest guy at Meydenbauer. Set on changing her reputation, she begins to pour her heart into writing other students' college admission essays.

There are a lot of moments where I laughed out loud, not because this book was humorous or comical, but because I was just confused and baffled at what I was reading.

This is gonna sound bad, but the part where

Ben dies

was so funny to me. Like what was the purpose? It added nothing to the story.

I also don't understand why Ben forgave Jordan?

Also, why did Ben

move back to Meydenbauer? Did he not want to have better chances at a good school and avoid Nic?

Again, how did Ben know that Nic and Jordan slept together? I presume he found out at that party, but they were in a private room and it was literally right after they slept together?

Finally, why did the most of the other students

pay for an essay they weren't gonna use?

Again, gonna sound bad, but I laughed out loud when she poured her heart and soul into these essays and they

ended up not even being used

. Not to mention the fact that I don't think the essays were all that impressive. I kinda feel like it was an attempt to justify the essay writing. In which case, it didn't work.

We never really get a good reason to why Nic cheated, she basically states that

she didn't know any better. And that she didn't know herself or Ben well enough.

That's it.

» READABILITY «

This was written in verse, so it was really easy to get through. I managed to finish this book in a little over an hour.

» CHARACTERS «

Some of the characters in this book aren't consistent at all, or they have really bad reasonings for doing something.

Like how does helping other people cheat on they admission essays gonna help Nic's reputation at all? Why did Ben forgive Jordan? (What did he see in him?) Why did the other students

pay for an essay they weren't gonna use

» WRITING «

The writing was very simple and straightforward. It was literally just sentences broken down into several lines.

» OVERALL «

This book bordered between a 2 and a 3 star, but since I don't give half stars, I bumped it up to 3 simply because of the absurd parts of the book that made me laugh.

Wild Beauty

Anna-Marie McLemore

5.0

emotional funny mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

» QUICK OVERVIEW «

Stars: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Readability: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★☆
Writing: ★★★★★
Recommend: ✓

» PLOT «

For generations, the Nomeolvides women of La Pradera have decorated the grounds with rich, lush flowers. But beneath the beautiful facade of the garden, the lovers of these women have all vanished. For if the women love too deeply, La Pradera takes away their lovers, never to be seen again. After generations of vanishing, a new boy appears. With no memories of his previous life, the women take him in. As Estrella helps the boy, Fel, piece together his life, the women of La Pradera discover the dark secret behind the garden and Fel's past.

I absolutely love a magical realism romance and this delivered. All of the relationships in this book were perfect, in that they were flawed and had so many deeper levels in them.

This was revealed pretty early on, but

I wasn't that big of a fan of the fact that all five girls were in love with Bay. Now looking back at it, it seems like Dalia was the one truly in love, while the other girls only "loved" her because she was the only "safe" option and the only person they felt hey could direct their love towards

.

As for Estrella and Fel's relationship, I loved it. It was everything I wanted out of a love story. It was a slow burn, had ups and downs, and you could tell they both cared deeply for each other.

As for the central plot surrounding La Pradera, I felt like for a large portion of the beginning of the book wasn't really focused on why Fel came from the earth. A lot of the action stemmed from the Bay and Reid. I know they

are related to the La Pradera plotline

, but it seems like the story of the garden was rushed in the end.

Despite the rush, I loved the ending. I'm glad that

everyone essentially got their happy endings

» READABILITY «

This book was relatively slow paced, which is pretty typical for magical realism books. Despite this, it had me hooked and after the first few chapters, I couldn't put the book down.

» CHARACTERS «

Like Dalia says, it does seems like all of the girls blend into one and act as one character. Sometimes it was confusing because I'd mix up two of the girls. At the end of the book, Dalia and Estrella are the only two who have differed themselves.

In fact, all of the Nomeolvides women blend together, except for Rosa (Estrella's mother).

I love that Rosa didn't regret the fact that she thought is was a mistake to name her daughter "Estrella," rather, she regretted revealing that to her daughter. It's these tidbits that make each character unique.

» WRITING «

The writing style was really easy to read through. A great balance of descriptive/flowery and well paced. Not too complicated as well, especially with the hints of Spanish in it.

» OVERALL «

I would totally recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of romance or magical realism. Maybe one day I'll come back and reread this book, but I'm trying to broaden my horizons and read more (new) books so you never know.

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