The Laughing Listener
September 2018
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Sophie Turner & Jason Dohring
Length: 20 hours & 38 minutes

Story Rating: 4 Stars
Performance Rating: 4 Stars
*Sophie Turner = AMAZING
Jason Dohring = Meh… *
Overall Rating: 4 Stars

I DID IT GUYS!! IT’S DONE! I REREAD THE WHOLE FRIGGIN’ SERIES.



I completely forgot the entire book?? I’m so confused by this. Shouldn’t I remember this the most because it’s the last one I read just a few years ago? Should I go consult my doctor or something??? Either way, the only stuff I sort of remembered was the demon dimension stuff at the end, so I seriously feel like I just read this for the first time.

And despite how enormous this thing is, I surprisingly don’t have that much to say about it that I haven’t already mentioned before. Clary and Jace are awesome and adorable. Alec and Magnus are awesome and adorable. Sebastian is a creepy mofo, but his scene in the very end is HEARTBREAKING. *Sobs* Simon and Izzy give me life, I love them so much and Simon’s drunk scene is amazing. And Jem you guys. JEM. OH MY GOD. When he talks about his parabatai and seeing Tessa again?!?!?



The one thing I was super surprised about during this book were the Blackthorns. I vaguely remembered Jules and Emma making an appearance, but that was about it. I can’t BELIEVE I forgot that the other kids are in this too. AND MY POOR MARK!!! Ugh! I was so invested in their story when this was done, I IMMEDIATELY started reading Lady Midnight. NO ONE CAN HURT MY BABIES!!! NO ONE!!

FINAL WORD

This book felt a little too long, but I really loved how it all ended. Such an awesome series!

#1 ↦ [b:City of Bones|256683|City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730315s/256683.jpg|2267189] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#2 ↦ [b:City of Ashes|1582996|City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1432730356s/1582996.jpg|1575860] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#3 ↦ [b:City of Glass|3777732|City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1369452339s/3777732.jpg|3443248] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4 ↦ [b:City of Fallen Angels|6752378|City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1369452302s/6752378.jpg|6948844] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#5 ↦ [b:City of Lost Souls|8755776|City of Lost Souls (The Mortal Instruments, #5)|Cassandra Clare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460477703s/8755776.jpg|13629058] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#6 ↦ City of Heavenly Fire ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧

The Laughing Listener
October 2018
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Length: 4 hours & 27 minutes

Story Rating: 4 Stars
Performance Rating: 4 Stars
Overall Rating: 4 Stars

This book was terrible and crazy and hilarious and I FREAKING LOVED IT. Starting it was like being thrown into a tornado because I had no idea what was going on, but Myst the sassy Valkyrie kept me hooked. I loved how fierce she was and her sense of humor was top notch. The plot of this book is insane, but it’s also a romance novel and I’m here for the cheap thrills. I’m also really intrigued by this universe! Never in my life have I read anything about the Valkyrie and all the other creatures had a new spin to them that was refreshing. I’m already excited to read more outrageous stories about these characters.

FINAL WORD

This was hilarious, both intentionally and unintentionally. If you love the cheap romantic thrills like I do, this is a great, fun read.

The Laughing Listener
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Elizabeth Evans
Length: 12 hours & 47 minutes

Story Rating: 3.5 Stars
Performance Rating: 5 Stars
Overall Rating: 4 Stars

After recently finishing ACOTAR and ACOMAF, I preordered the paperback of [b:A Court of Wings and Ruin|23766634|A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485528243s/23766634.jpg|25126752] and [b:A Court of Frost and Starlight|31076583|A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #3.1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1517328945s/31076583.jpg|54810660]. During the one week I had to wait for their delivery, I was a complete nutter. I was going out of my mind wondering what was going to happen to my favorite characters and I needed a distraction. And what better distraction than ANOTHER [a:Sarah J. Maas|3433047|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1269281353p2/3433047.jpg] masterpiece???



As it turns out, this was a horrible idea because I went into it already comparing the two series. Despite being by the same author, I soon realized you just can’t do that with these books. They’re completely different. And although I didn't enjoy this as much as ACOTAR, I still found this a lot of fun to read.

THE GOOD

Actually the more of this audiobook I listened to, the more I began comparing it to [b:Red Queen|22328546|Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)|Victoria Aveyard|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1449778912s/22328546.jpg|25037051]??? Am I the only one who thought these books were practically the same?? Strong female protagonist living among the royals of an oppressed nation and forced to train with two hunky dudes lusting after her. I mean, COME ON! Honestly, I didn't care for Red Queen that much. It was fun in a CW-teen-drama kind of way, but completely predictable (imo). But by the time I finished this book, I realized this is what I WISH Red Queen had been.

First of all, I really LOOOOOOOOVED the sass machine that was Celaena Sardothien. I can definitely see how some people would find her annoying because she DID spend and ungodly amount of time whining. But it surprisingly didn't bother me because I could tell it was wall she uses to protect herself, and that is just completely relatable to me. Plus, it was awesome watching her kick butt!! I love me a girl who can talk fashion and then beat the hell out of a guy. QUEEN.



And her friendship with Princess Nehemia was great!! I love both of them so much! #GirlPower

I'm also really intrigued by all the magical elements in this. Obviously that's going to be a big part of the series later on and I'm super curious to see how. Really hoping that means these books will get better the deeper I go into the series. *Crosses fingers*

THE UGLY

Some of the tropes in this made eye roll so hard. Like the whole competition thing? I mean, I get it. She had to prove herself to become the King's champion, they don't just hand that title out to ANY criminal. But it's just so overdone these days.

And the love triangle??? Uggggggggh. Most boring love triangle EVER. I loved Celaena so much, but could not get into Dorian the low-key douchebag or Chaol the uptight debbie downer. And watching them all dance around each other (sometimes literally) was so tedious after a while. I've waited so long to read this book that I already know she doesn't end up with either of them (THANK GOD), which is honestly a big reason why I'm going to continue the series. Because I can't with these guys. If anything I'm #TeamChaol but he better liven up in the next one.

FINAL WORD

This book was fun to read and I have the feeling it's going to get better in the series from here. *Knocks on every wooden surface in a 50 foot radius* Celaena is AWESOME and I can't wait to see what happens next!

#0.5 ↦ [b:The Assassin's Blade|18243700|The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384362444s/18243700.jpg|25691778] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#1 ↦ Throne of Glass ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#2 ↦ [b:Crown of Midnight|17167166|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391580481s/17167166.jpg|21581860] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#3 ↦ [b:Heir of Fire|20613470|Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460846511s/20613470.jpg|25128502] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4 ↦ [b:Queen of Shadows|18006496|Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441230104s/18006496.jpg|25272067] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#5 ↦ [b:Empire of Storms|28260587|Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463107108s/28260587.jpg|25272004] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#6 ↦ [b:Tower of Dawn|31450852|Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497973101s/31450852.jpg|51681900] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#7 ↦ [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531922609s/33590260.jpg|25272014] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦

The Laughing Listener
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Elizabeth Evans
Length: 12 hours & 24 minutes

Story Rating: 4 Stars
Performance Rating: 5 Stars
Overall Rating: 4 Stars

Phew! Jeez. This was kind of a rough one to get through ya'll. Not because it was bad, but dang, what a roller coaster. First I dragged my feet on this because I thought there would be more of the dull love triangle from the last book. Then I dragged my feet because I fell in love with Chaol, but already knew it wouldn't last. I was STRESSED. And THEN I had to take a break halfway through because Sarah J. Maas just RIPPED MY HEART OUT. Okay. All right. I see you SJM. Lulling me into a false sense of security before stabbing me in the back. I SEE HOW IT IS.



First of all, WHY ARE ALL THE MEN IN THIS BOOK IDIOTS?!?!?! Like seriously, they’re all ABSOLUTE MORONS. Thank god Nehemia and Celaena were around to make all the SMART, RATIONAL DECISIONS. Ugh.



Also, I just can’t believe

that NEHEMIA IS DEAD?!?!?! WHYYYYYYY????? *Sobs* And I have so many conflicting feelings about it! Chaol was soooooo stupid for keeping quiet about the King’s plans for Nehemia, but I also know he didn’t do it maliciously (right???). And then Celaena tries to MURDER him and I was like, WHOA. I mean, does he really deserve to die for it?!?! But on the other hand, I completely understand where Celaena’s coming from because she’s been through so much and just lost her only friend.

UGGGGGH WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO BE MAD AT?!?!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME SJM?????

Okay, outburst over. I feel better.

It’s odd, for the first half of this book I was lulled into the sort of vague interest I felt during the first one. I wrote this off as just a fun read until the Chaol/Celaena ship started really gaining traction. Even though I knew it was doomed from the start, I couldn’t help thinking they were THE CUTEST. After that the hits just kept on coming. The ending half of this book definitely wasn’t short on plot twists because it felt like I got repeatedly slapped in the face.



And the last half was just SO AMAZINGLY GOOD that it completely made up for the disinterest I felt in the beginning. FANDOM, I HAVE ARRIVED.

FINAL WORD
It’s official, I’m completely here for this series now. The last half of this book was so good, I’m totally sold and MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

#0.5 ↦ [b:The Assassin's Blade|18243700|The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384362444s/18243700.jpg|25691778] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#1 ↦ [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495278054s/7896527.jpg|11138426] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#2 ↦ Crown of Midnight ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#3 ↦ [b:Heir of Fire|20613470|Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460846511s/20613470.jpg|25128502] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4 ↦ [b:Queen of Shadows|18006496|Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441230104s/18006496.jpg|25272067] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#5 ↦ [b:Empire of Storms|28260587|Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463107108s/28260587.jpg|25272004] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#6 ↦ [b:Tower of Dawn|31450852|Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497973101s/31450852.jpg|51681900] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#7 ↦ [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531922609s/33590260.jpg|25272014] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦

The Laughing Listener
June 2018
Format: Paperback

Rating: 5 Stars

Oh my god. I just... I Can’t believe how far this series has come? Everyone told me that it would get better, but I was still woefully underprepared for the sheer adoration I have for this series now. I mean, remember my first review?? REMEMBER WHEN I CALLED THRONE OF GLASS MEDIOCRE?? REMEMBER WHEN I CALLED DORIAN A LOW-KEY DOUCHEBAG AND CHAOL AN UPTIGHT DEBBIE DOWNER?????? How did I even get here?!



THE GOOD

I’m really tempted to just write the name “Rowan” in this section and leave it at that, but I’ll refrain. That won’t stop me from TOTALLY GUSHING THOUGH. I mean???? THIS guy. I love him so much?? I don’t really understand how it happened because he’s a complete tool in the beginning, but I still somehow fell in love with him. It was AMAAAAAAAZING watching his relationship with Aelin (or Celeana? I don’t know what to call her now. Aelin has fewer letters…) slowly grow over the course of the book. And that blood oath scene at the end?!?!?!?! *Swoons* I can’t wait to see their romance grow over the coming novels.

And I finally met Manon you guys!! I LOVE HER SO MUCH. Watching her find Abraxos and bond with him was the best! They’re both completely heartless and bloodthirsty, but still somehow manage to be adorable. And it’s interesting that she and the Thirteen are on the King’s side of things right now. I’m super curious to see how that unravels later. If I get to see Manon kick the King’s ass, my life will be complete.

Plus, Aedion is the cutest!! His devotion and love for Aelin was so sweet and I’m so excited for their meeting in Queen of Shadows (because I refuse to believe he’ll actually get executed. Just… NO).

So many new awesome characters!! I could definitely feel the plot shifting and expanding out from where it started in the first two books. Things are slowly getting bigger and more meaningful. We’re finally seeing other terrains and witnessing the effects the King’s decisions have on the populace. And even though this book felt a little transitional, I didn’t even mind because I LOVE this new direction the story is going.

THE UGLY

Poor Dorian. That guy can’t catch a break can he? It was odd, I really loved Dorian’s character in this book because he’s grown so much from where he started in Throne of Glass, but I was completely bored with his storyline. Even though it was great seeing him find someone nice like Sorscha, I knew the entire trajectory of their relationship from the very beginning. And when sandwiched in between the exciting events happening to Aelin and Manon, it felt so dull!



Also, I’m back to being annoyed at Chaol. What was his deal?? He won me over in Crown of Midnight because he was really sweet with Aelin and I felt bad that he got screwed over in the whole Nehemia debacle. *Quietly sobs* But he was so indecisive!! Aedion was all “BRO, what are you doing?? Are you on Aelin’s side or the King’s???” And Chaol is like, “Idk man, I’m just loyal to my Prince bromance.” What?? THAT’S NOT AN ANSWER!! How can you stand by the King AT ALL after learning about the despicable things he’s been doing???? Ugh. Chaol was a complete weenie in this book and I didn’t like it.

FINAL WORD

I LOVED IT!!! By far the best book in the series so far! These new characters are giving my life and I can’t wait to read Queen of Shadows.

#0.5 ↦ [b:The Assassin's Blade|18243700|The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384362444s/18243700.jpg|25691778] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#1 ↦ [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495278054s/7896527.jpg|11138426] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#2 ↦ [b:Crown of Midnight|17167166|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391580481s/17167166.jpg|21581860] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#3 ↦ Heir of Fire ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4 ↦ [b:Queen of Shadows|18006496|Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441230104s/18006496.jpg|25272067] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#5 ↦ [b:Empire of Storms|28260587|Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass, #5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463107108s/28260587.jpg|25272004] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#6 ↦ [b:Tower of Dawn|31450852|Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497973101s/31450852.jpg|51681900] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#7 ↦ [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531922609s/33590260.jpg|25272014] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦

The Laughing Listener
October 2018
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Elizabeth Evans
Length: 25 hours & 18 minutes

Story Rating: 4.5 Stars
Performance Rating: 5 Stars
Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars

Ohhhhhh boy. How do I even begin to unpack this monster book?? I’m sitting here staring at my computer and I don’t even know where to start. It was AWESOME. And heartbreaking. And wonderful. And complete torture. SJM really knows how to hit a girl in the feels.


Actual footage of SJM shattering my soul.

Okay, first of all, THE SHIPS. Damn does Sara J. Maas know how get me on a bandwagon. I am so here for all these ships and I loooooooved seeing them all develop!! Aelin and Rowan are FREAKING ADORABLE. Aedion and Lysandra are adorable. Manon and Dorian are… Well, not adorable, but definitely badass. And hell, I don’t even like Lorcan (more on that later) and I was still shipping him and Elide together. All these relationships are giving me LIFE and I can’t wait to see where they go in the next one. *Bites nails nervously because everyone probably won’t make it*

It was also suuuuuuper cool seeing so many little things in the past books come back around full circle. Stuff from The Assassin’s Blade and Throne of Glass came into play once more and I love how it’s all connecting together! I already want to reread the books when this is all over to try and catch things I missed.

That being said, I HAVE FEELINGS. LOTS AND LOTS OF FEELINGS. (Very minor spoiler coming your way).

I’ve discovered that Fenrys is actually a sarcastic marshmallow and I LOVE HIM. That ending on the beach absolutely WRECKED ME and my badass Queen Aelin and my Fenrys BETTER BE OKAY DAMMIT. Seriously guys, I was reading the ending of this at 3am the other night and crying like a baby.

And Elena?? Oh my god, FREAKING ELENA?!?! I feel like I’ve been Dumbledored, except worse because I hate Elena now. The Betrayal!! I can’t handle it. And Lorcan. Uggggggggh Lorcan. I’m riding the struggle bus with his character. My hatred for Maeve runs so deep in my soul that I genuinely can’t understand how he could love her at all. He almost hooked me when he was with Elide because they were super cute together, but then the ending happened and all that progress was RUINED. I can’t with him. WHAT AN IDIOT. WHYYYYYYYYYYY????







The only sort-of negative comment I have is that it kind of felt like this story floundered a little?? In the past books there was a clear character arc for Aelin and I didn’t get that as much this time. It seemed like she ended where she began. HOWEVER—before you all throw vegetables at me—I know that SJM did this on purpose. The whole time I was reading this, it felt like there wasn’t a clear direction. We were just following these characters as they bounced around from place to place. Aedion kept making comments like “What are we doing?? We’re wasting time!” and I would think, man, he’s right. What’s going on? After six freaking books you’d think I’d learn my lesson and trust in Aelin a little more, but I didn’t. Instead I was a bit frustrated and puzzled and the extra length of this book didn’t help.

Of course, there’s a big reveal at the end where everything comes together. Aelin (as always) had her secrets that she couldn’t tell anyone else, which means the reader couldn’t know either. So there WAS an arc, but it was hidden??? I have conflicting feelings about this now because I understand why it was necessary. I just wish there had been a way to let the reader in on what was going on a little. It felt like Queen of Shadows toed this line well by letting us see parts of Aelin’s schemes while still hiding the rest for dramatic effect and I wanted more of that in this one.

FINAL WORD

THIS. BOOK. WRECKED. ME. I love seeing all these amazing characters come together and now I’m DYING to know what happens in the next book. I’M SO STRESSED Y’ALL. I NEED EVERYONE TO BE OKAY.

#0.5 ↦ [b:The Assassin’s Blade|18243700|The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1384362444s/18243700.jpg|25691778] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#1 ↦ [b:Throne of Glass|7896527|Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1495278054s/7896527.jpg|11138426] ↦ ✦✦✦✧✧
#2 ↦ [b:Crown of Midnight|17167166|Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1391580481s/17167166.jpg|21581860] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#3 ↦ [b:Heir of Fire|20613470|Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1460846511s/20613470.jpg|25128502] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4 ↦ [b:Queen of Shadows|18006496|Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1441230104s/18006496.jpg|25272067] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#5 ↦ Empire of Storms ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#6 ↦ [b:Tower of Dawn|31450852|Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass, #6)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497973101s/31450852.jpg|51681900] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#7 ↦ [b:Kingdom of Ash|33590260|Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)|Sarah J. Maas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1531922609s/33590260.jpg|25272014] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦

The Laughing Listener
October 2018
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Robert Petkoff
Length: 11 hours & 30 minutes

Story Rating: 3 Stars
Performance Rating: 5 Stars
Overall Rating: 3 Stars

This was cute! Without giving away spoilers, I was more than a little concerned about the relationship dynamic in the beginning and where it was going. But Emma gets Lachlan to wake up and back the hell off and it was a lot better after that.



I really enjoyed these characters and watching their relationship grow, even if Emma got on my nerves a little sometimes. This also felt a little too long, especially compared to the first book, but I still had fun listening to it.

And major shout out to my guy Robert Petkoff who did an amazing job narrating. The various voices he does for each character are freaking awesome and his accents are out of this world! Highly recommend this audiobook if you’re looking for a fun listen.

FINAL WORD

Cute!! I loved this and I’m loving these books! It’s an easy, fun way to pass the time and I can’t wait to keep going in the series.

The Laughing Listener
June 2018
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Ali Ahn
Length: 10 hours & 30 minutes

Story Rating: 4 Stars
Performance Rating: 3 Stars
Overall Rating: 4 Stars



*Sighs dreamily* I freaking love this book. Although to be fair, about 83% of my love is pure nostalgia. This was a reread for me and I was suuuuuuuper worried my middle school memories would make the real thing dull in comparison. But I’m both relieved and excited to report that’s not the case!

It’s been at least a decade since I last read this and I can still relate to it HARD. Remy and I share the exact same jaded cynicism, which is probably a depressingly terrible thing to say, but it’s still such a relief to see on paper. Remy’s not perfect and makes a lot of terrible mistakes, but that’s actually what I love most about her. Even though she makes some questionable decisions, I understood her motivation behind everything and Dessen did a fantastic job of making Remy feel REAL. Remy might be a fictional character, but she still somehow gives me hope that maybe love isn’t as hopeless as it sometimes seems.

And let’s be honest, Dexter is the one carrying this story. The FREAKING ADORABLE hilarious musician with the FREAKING ADORABLE curly hair and the FREAKING ADORABLE dog named Monkey is pretty much why we’re all here. I love him SO MUCH. And reading the banter between him and his band mates was just the best. I want a Dexter of my own!!!



The downside to Dessen books is that once you’ve read one, you’ve kind of read them all because most of them follow the same general formula. I’ve read four now and even though I love their light hearted romance, there’s nothing revolutionary about them. This was the very first Dessen book I ever read, which is why it holds such a big place in my heart. But if you’ve read her other work, don’t expect anything too different with this one.

Oh, and by the way. Remy’s friends are kind of terrible??? I don’t remember them being that bitchy the first time around, but DAMN. Really wanted to slap her friend Chloe in the face a few times. Just saying.

FINAL WORD

Loved it! Another light hearted romance that brings the humor and is easy to relate to. DIBS ON DEXTER.