titalindaslibrary's Reviews (687)

Meh…I should’ve DNF’ed. Also shouldn’t have done this on audio. It’s difficult to differentiate between the different POVs. 

While I like the slower, contemplative pace of most translated Japanese fiction, it frustrated me in this one. 

This series is such a comfort read for me 💖

Damn…she’s kinda toxic and a little delulu, but she makes some good points! 

A great “no plot, just vibes” book filled with acerbic takes on social media, obsession, envy, sexism, white supremacy, and the patriarchy. I might’ve wanted to shake our unnamed narrator in frustration over her poor decisions, but most of the time I was nodding my head going “oh hey, I recognize this feeling or thought.” 

What happened to the original plot of the movie?? 🥲

Here’s the thing - I love this world and the cast of characters. Where this book lost me was the twist it took in an attempt to expand on its feminist ideology. Because we can all agree sexism is bad, right? For both men and women. However this book made it seem like misandry is just the opposing force to misogyny, ignoring and deliberately misrepresenting how misandry is a RESPONSE to misogyny. I am so disappointed by this turn in events and am debating if I should even pick up the last book now 😭 

Also it started to grate on me how convenient every single problem that arose was solved by Deka suddenly developing new powers. It just happened so quickly and repeatedly throughout, I never felt as if these skills and advancements were ever earned. 

To be clear, I will read anything this woman writes. I ate this book up and it brought me out of a slump! 

My personal rating just reflects some of my feelings about certain writing choices (“his fingers felt like a summer morning” I’m sorry, are you saying he has warm hands??) and an unresolved mini mystery that’s teased at throughout. I also wish our cast of side characters were fleshed out better. I feel like I was barely able to distinguish between all the boys in the house besides Finn.

Other than that, I enjoyed my time with this book! There are so many endearing moments between our two main characters, and I love the way this particular grumpyXsunshine dynamic played out. They both helped each other find a more balanced version of themselves. 

I don't know how to rate poetry, much less write a review for it. But I do recommend this short collection by Yaffa.

My overall feeling: meh? 🤷🏻‍♀️

The first half where we get the vampire’s perspective was gory and fascinating. Really enjoyed that half. But the second half from our human woman is far slower and really drags the story down. 

I might not have been in the mood for this to properly enjoy it, but still. I’m left feeling confused on what the author was trying to say or accomplish with this story. 

WW2 historical fiction is a tired genre full of Western perspectives, so to read a book with a Malaysian viewpoint was refreshing! Unfortunately, it was filled with lackluster characters with flattened narratives full of telling versus showing. It's not bad for a debut, but I just wanted so much more from it and am frustrated because I see the potential! I hope more SEA authors explore this genre and share their stories.

I read this as an audiobook and highly recommend it. The narrator, Samantha Tan, did a fantastic job. If you do pick this up, consider reading it on audio!

Only Tia Williams could take some of my least favorite tropes (fated romance/insta lust) and create a book I loved!

So the magical realism plotline was spectacular, because it’s giving Addie LaRue but from a Black man’s perspective with a focus on Harlem’s history! AKA: so much better (imo at least 😘).

And yes, I did tear up at the end. I knew what would happen, but still. Miss Della was a treasure, and I adored the entire cast of characters in this novel. The tie in with William’s previous book, Seven Days in June, was delightful! I loved seeing Eva and Shane make a tiny appearance. 

BRB, running to read Deanna Grey’s entire backlist because I need more of the serotonin this book gave me 🥹🥰