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Set in a Philippines still recovering from COVID-19, Your Place Next Year tells a quiet, low-key romance between two tired, disillusioned adults - with one finding peace in the beautiful beaches of La Union and with one reevaluating their idea of success outside the capitalist framework of the corporate world.
Short and sweet (with slight steam), this novella delivered what it set out to do - and sometimes, that's enough.
Recommended!
Short and sweet (with slight steam), this novella delivered what it set out to do - and sometimes, that's enough.
Recommended!
First things first, this novel is neither romance nor comedy. Do not believe the marketing team.
Full thoughts to follow. (And yes, I'm still conflicted.)
Full thoughts to follow. (And yes, I'm still conflicted.)
Hello, I'm the most recent convert to church of Miss Rilzy Adams. Amen.
Final impressions:
• Can confirm that this is the blind date to end all blind dates.
• In fact, if none of my friends conspire to set me up with a hot guy via fake anti-Valentine's Day girls' trip, are they really my friends? (Don't answer that.)
• Insta-love is usually a miss for me, but surprisingly, it worked really, really well for Love Scammed.
• Despite the quick romantic buildup between the characters, Monae and Hudson still came across as well-developed, dimensional characters.
• This was delightfully steamy and dreamy, which is definitely a winning combo.
• Fun, light, and wonderfully tender!
• Love Scammed is perfect for readers looking for some feel-good escapism with whirlwind romance and generous helpings of smut.
Highly recommended!
Final impressions:
• Can confirm that this is the blind date to end all blind dates.
• In fact, if none of my friends conspire to set me up with a hot guy via fake anti-Valentine's Day girls' trip, are they really my friends? (Don't answer that.)
• Insta-love is usually a miss for me, but surprisingly, it worked really, really well for Love Scammed.
• Despite the quick romantic buildup between the characters, Monae and Hudson still came across as well-developed, dimensional characters.
• This was delightfully steamy and dreamy, which is definitely a winning combo.
• Fun, light, and wonderfully tender!
• Love Scammed is perfect for readers looking for some feel-good escapism with whirlwind romance and generous helpings of smut.
Highly recommended!
I've got to give props to Nyle DiMarco. I literally paused the audiobook halfway to binge-watch the entire season 22 of America's Next Top Model out of curiosity. Well-done.
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As far as celebrity memoirs go, this book isn't too revolutionary or impressive. However, I will say that Deaf Utopia serves as an excellent introduction into the Deaf community and their culture. It's a valuable, non-intimidating read that may be a little too repetitive (at times) but also highlights great points on inclusivity, ASL as a real language, and everyone's right to accessible communication.
There are numerous limitations with this memoir, especially since a lot of it is anchored to Nyle DiMarco's experiences on reality TV. While I personally enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tidbits regarding both shows (America's Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars), I can understand other reviewers' criticism on the book's choppiness in writing and limited depth in certain discussions or arguments made in the text. However, I think that these flaws were heavily outweighed by DiMarco's enthusiasm, optimism, and unwavering, heartfelt commitment to the Deaf community. He's done amazing, awe-inspiring work and continues to do so.
My only reservation with this book is that, in questioning and exploring his sexuality, there are a few offhand comments made in the text that require further inspection and may be jarring to queer readers. I personally didn't find them to be problematic or harmful, but I do believe that prospective queer consumers deserve a quick heads up.
At the end of the day, this isn't academic writing - and I don't think that this book's intention is to provide readers with a graduate degree in Deafness and Deaf Inclusivity. (Marginalized folks don't exist to educate, btw.) Instead, as clearly explained by the title, Deaf Utopia is very much a love letter - and an endearingly genuine one at that.
Recommended with caution.
-
As far as celebrity memoirs go, this book isn't too revolutionary or impressive. However, I will say that Deaf Utopia serves as an excellent introduction into the Deaf community and their culture. It's a valuable, non-intimidating read that may be a little too repetitive (at times) but also highlights great points on inclusivity, ASL as a real language, and everyone's right to accessible communication.
There are numerous limitations with this memoir, especially since a lot of it is anchored to Nyle DiMarco's experiences on reality TV. While I personally enjoyed the behind-the-scenes tidbits regarding both shows (America's Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars), I can understand other reviewers' criticism on the book's choppiness in writing and limited depth in certain discussions or arguments made in the text. However, I think that these flaws were heavily outweighed by DiMarco's enthusiasm, optimism, and unwavering, heartfelt commitment to the Deaf community. He's done amazing, awe-inspiring work and continues to do so.
My only reservation with this book is that, in questioning and exploring his sexuality, there are a few offhand comments made in the text that require further inspection and may be jarring to queer readers. I personally didn't find them to be problematic or harmful, but I do believe that prospective queer consumers deserve a quick heads up.
At the end of the day, this isn't academic writing - and I don't think that this book's intention is to provide readers with a graduate degree in Deafness and Deaf Inclusivity. (Marginalized folks don't exist to educate, btw.) Instead, as clearly explained by the title, Deaf Utopia is very much a love letter - and an endearingly genuine one at that.
Recommended with caution.
