This copy contained two short stories, "Kitchen" and "Moonlight Shadow". The stories explain loss in such an organic way, as they rely heavily on internal monologue. So you're immersed very quickly into the character's mental state, emotions and thoughts.

Eriko is trans, I thought they were kind and genuine but I did not like the way they were treated. The main character Mikage and Eriko's son Yoichi and on the surface accepting but consistently refer to Eriko as 'really a man' and that doesn't sit right with me. Granted Kitchen was written in the 1980s so the positive depiction of Eriko was progressive but I didn't like the comments by either characters.

I liked this, it's not every day that I get to read a book that brings Indian culture to life. I loved the Hindi and the inclusion of Indian foods - especially pani puri because that is a favourite, also samosas and ladoo. I found the story enjoyable and how the immigrant experience and societal pressure were included. I found the characters warm. Prem and Kareena complement each other well. I'm glad that both had different but similar relationships with their families. Overall: I think don't read too much into it (which I kinda did) and it's a good read.

Now the issues: okay what was up with Charlie I feel like Charlie could've gone, other anatomical words were used in conjunction so why couldn't we stick with them. second, I didn't understand 

  Prem's struggle was it that he couldn't say he loved her or that he didn't believe in love because nothing was clear. For most of the book, it was that he couldn't 'feel' love or that he didn't believe in love. But at that end, it was that he couldn't say he loves people... It was odd. Then he doesn't say he loves her to her face he says it as kind of a general statement to the TV audience which sucked because she got up and said it to his face. I found some statements repetitive e.g. the memory about eggs came up like three times. Also, Prem at times was hella possible and I don't like that- don't interrupt DnD night. Also, there's like no background info in Gori like who is she, what was their life together like, did he tell her he loved her... and the Kareena's dad sucks he did not redeem himself.

Not continuing with the series.

I just didn't like the vibe of the FMC within the first 16 ish pages and really don't have the will to carry on till or if it gets better.

Okay, so I got this for free because of Earth Day or something Amazon was running. But after reading a bit into it, I looked up some reviews and found that the author committed plagiarism. The books has been copied from what a GoodReads review says is this book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17728235-2

So I won't be finishing this.

This book was long, and normally I don't mind but it was long for no reason. I felt like the plot could've been wrapped up around the 350 - 450 page mark and been rewarding. There was the same issue several times in the book 

that he slept around with a lot of people and the FMC was afraid he would do the same to her 

  like it was the overarching 'difficulty' that the protagonists had to overcome and they did.

The 

  nude picture plot was unnecessary - it only extended the book and didn't really do anything for the plot 

except maybe highlighting that there still wasn't that level of trust between the two MCs, especially when one was always running away? in a way instead of just communicating the issue to the other, we could've saved 30 pages on that plot alone. 

Other issues were that the guy could not take no for an answer, and personally, I don't find that appealing. I get that he had to chase for the plot and that it's a romance trope but it is a problem. Also, why was the MMC so childish. At one point the FMC was like I'm not like the other girls he's been with I'm different... (I want a long-term relationship) I mean the FMC did say she wasn't doing the 'not like other girls' thing but really... as if the girl at the beginning didn't want something more with the MMC.

Despite the issues I had, I was rooting for them and it was a good romance read.

Okay, I do not like poetry it isn't a category I navigate towards. The last time I read any sort of poetry was for my English Lit GCSE. So I've avoided it for seven solid years, and for good reason. I don't think this was for me. It's not a reflection of the book but rather that I personally, should not read a category that I know I won't like in the hopes it'll change my mind. 

I gave it a three because it's not the worst thing I've ever read and to rate it poorly simply because I don't like poetry would not be an accurate reflection of it's content.

I read it dnf'd it then picked it back up and finished it.

It was alright, the next day I remembered some of the plot but mainly remember it having a cutesy vibe from it.