I always feel awkward rating classics since I don't feel as though I can give an objective review without making it a homework assignment (although, in this case it will be since it's required reading for my master's). If I were to rate and review this simply as a reader, as I do other books, I would give this a mid-rating. I didn't hate it, but it wasn't great. I didn't feel connected to anyone and the characters seemed pretty one-dimensional to me, although I did like how it ended.

Most modern romances end with flowers and frills, but this one ended in a simple and curt way. The situation was complicated and out of both of their control, which broke my heart. I loved how the ending brought everything together and both characters learned lessons. There were redeeming qualities, but I was also bored to tears throughout most of it.

The one thing that really got under my skin was

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how much of a controlling asshole Carol could be. She's supposed to be our love interest to look up to, but she talked down to Therese all the time and demanded that she play piano when she really didn't want to. Therese never stood up to her, which is part of her character arc. It's difficult to stand up to someone when you're used to saying "yes." Carol exploited that for a good while and I hated it.

However, I did like how

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Therese tried to move on at the end. She stood her ground and refused to see Carol, which I didn't think was completely warranted. You can't blame Carol for wanting to see her daughter and making any kind of choice in order to make that happen -- especially considering this was written in the 1950s. The fact that Therese blamed her for choosing her daughter over their relationship was a little off-putting, but I'm glad that she tried to move on and that the ending was sweet. She decided to blow off an actress that she had similar feelings for to ambush Carol at a restaurant. It's an early grand gesture that wasn't super cheesy.

Overall, if you're looking for a book written in the 1950s with a lesbian romance, this one may be for you.

I fucking loved this book. Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to Legends & Lattes, but I think it works perfectly if you read them in publication order. You’ll get warm and fuzzies from the references if you read L&L first.

This is a small town romance without the romance (at the center anyway) with major RPG vibes. Think different types of fantasy creatures, a main quest and side quests, all while trying to save a failing bookshop and eating delicious baked goods from the cute baker down the way.

(I want to see a video game from Gallina’s point of view. I would play that shit.)

Did I cry at the end? Yes, yes I did.

One of the easiest five star ratings I've ever given, The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer has become an all-time favorite of mine. I borrowed it from the library, but after finishing the acknowledgements, I immediately ran to purchase myself a copy for my Kindle. I will be re-reading it and I wanted to keep my annotations I made.

This book is beyond quotable. There are so many beautiful phrases and drops of wisdom in these pages. Along with the plot being irresistible, I couldn't help but fall in love with the writing itself. I've tried writing a description for this book that doesn't underplay its impact, but I'm failing here. Just know that this book is everything and if you're looking for a story that will break your heart, put it back together again... this is it.

I did have two problems with this book, but they're tiny.

The first: the marketing. The Wishing Game was inspired by Willy Wonka and his factory, which I can definitely see the influences of. It's described as whimsical and romantic. While it is both of those things, it's not only those things. There are touches of whimsy and the romance is nice, but don't go into it for those reasons. I feel as though you'll get disappointed. The romance is definitely a subplot, even though it's adorable, and the whimsy is a curtain for much deeper and darker things.

The second: the narration for Hugo. I didn't love the narrator's voice for him, even though he's my favorite character. That's all.

Told in third person omnipresent, we get multiple view points from different character perspectives, which I adored. I feel as though this deepened the story since not all characters knew what was going on, but it gave us a fun bird's eye view as readers.

We have a book about books, but not in the way that you’d think. This isn’t a cute romance between a bookseller and a reader, like many in this trope. This is a heartfelt story about the power of stories, what a work of fiction can mean to someone as they age. How a book can act as a shield, a therapist, and a mentor all at once. Specifically, how a book can form a personality when read young and bring comfort to dark situations, giving you tools to face the world.

Despite being a book about a children’s series and a game on an island, The Wishing Game is dark. Bring a flashlight.

If you liked this, read: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (and vise versa). Similar vibes with a gay older gentlemen who wants to help children. The whimsy is there, the deeper meanings are there, the romance is there (but in the background). Definitely check it out.

I desperately wanted to love this book. I was prepared to be head over heels, but I found it okay. The flowers on the front cover, the vibes of a royal wedding, magic that could be sewn into clothing? All of that screamed spring to me and so I made it my first spring read of the year. I also paid full price because I loved Saft's other work.

Here's the deal: I didn't feel connected with any of the characters (except for maybe Rosa and Sinclaire) and I wasn't buying the romance. The whole reason I picked up this book was for the enemies to lovers and there wasn't enough of that. The beginning held potential because he was snarky and perfect at first, but then the romance started to build and I lost interest.

While I actively read with audiobooks, I don't like having to rely on them to finish a book.

One of the things I enjoy the most about her writing in general is the way she’s able to talk about serious issues alongside the rom-com vibe. The banter is great, there’s plenty of laugh out loud and awkward moments, but there are heartfelt topics that slap you in the face, too.

Such a sweet spring read. I finished reading this at my desk with the window open, watching and listening to the rain.

While Recipe for a Charmed Life is definitely a romance, it’s mostly about an estranged relationship between a mother and her daughter, finding your identity, overcoming failure, and practicing forgiveness.

This series is my new obsession. Why the fuck did I wait so long??