**spoiler alert** Did anyone else feel like this started right in the middle? Because it felt to me like I spent the whole time reading trying to catc**spoiler alert** Did anyone else feel like this started right in the middle? Because it felt to me like I spent the whole time reading trying to catch up with the story.
Honestly? I'm just glad I can finally cross this one off my NG shelf.
I can see the potential. But the worldbuilding needs more work. And I could never understand the characters' motives. I was so confused (am I just stupid?) for the most part.
I'm sorry if this review isn't making sense. But if that's how you feel reading this very short review, then you know exactly how I felt reading the entirety of this book.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley....more
I can see why so many readers would love this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
I liked the writing style- it felt dreamy and magical. But I felt I can see why so many readers would love this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.
I liked the writing style- it felt dreamy and magical. But I felt so disconnected from the story. I didn't care at all about any of the characters. And also why did the romance come out of nowhere?
I'm so disappointed I didn't love this one. Maybe the me in an alternate universe did.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss+ to read and review....more
“Hand you the right storybook, and you are capable of anything.”
I don’t know if there’s been anyReview originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.
“Hand you the right storybook, and you are capable of anything.”
I don’t know if there’s been any confirmation that this will be the final book? So I will hold on to hope that there will be more stories and adventures from Emily, Wendell and my favorite Shadow.
What do I say that hasn’t already been said? This series is beyond fascinating! And magical. And oh, so beautifully written! I love going on adventures with Emily and her inquisitorial, no-nonsense brain full of Faerie facts and myths and stories. I am transported every time and I don’t ever want to leave.
I do have one objection with this instalment. I didn’t get enough of Wendell?! But I love seeing how down bad he is for our dear Emily. He’s so smitten it’s beyond adorable!
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales was the perfect read for Christmas Eve! Atmospheric, lovely, and adventurous with a dash of beheading and a smidge of bloodthirstiness.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print....more
This was such a delightful read! I love the funny scenes. Review originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.
“You could never be a side character.”
This was such a delightful read! I love the funny scenes. And all the happy scenes. Even the sad ones. Those that gave me butterflies in my stomach. The swoony scenes. The banter. The emails! Oh my gosh, the emails! I’m so glad I spent my weekend falling head over heels in love with Jack and Emily!
I read this in one sitting. I can’t believe it’s my first Sarah Adams book?! And considering how much I love it, it will definitely not be the last.
My heart goes out to Emily Walker and her gentle, loving, generous soul. I just wanted to hug her. Give her some sense of comfort. Maybe hold her hand to let her know she has someone on her side. She felt so real to me. And I took comfort in her character because I see parts of myself in her.
Jack is one of the greenest green flag to ever exist. That pancake scene? Melted my heart right out. People I know IRL wonder why I’m single… this is why. If I can’t have a real life Jackson Bennett then I don’t want any man. Lol
Kudos to the author for giving us characters who can communicate. (I guess a perk of being a writer is being good with words?) Jack and Emily are not without issues and childhood trauma (because who doesn’t?) And they do have things they keep secret and close to heart. And they both have vulnerabilities they don’t want advertised. But they’re honest when it counts. Really I’m just glad there was none of the dreaded miscommunication trope.
Jack and Emily are both teachers. I would have wanted to see them in a school setting. See how they relate to their students and fellow teachers. They both seemed to feel strongly about teaching and helping the kids. I don’t know. I guess it feels a bit like a loss not to see them firsthand in that setting.
This book is a warm, cozy blanket and hot chocolate on a snowy day.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print....more
This started off great. But I slowly lost interest about halfway through the book.
I love that the FMC, Aemyra, is so unapologetically her. She knows wThis started off great. But I slowly lost interest about halfway through the book.
I love that the FMC, Aemyra, is so unapologetically her. She knows what she wants and she's not afraid to go after it.
Is there a word that would mean a lot worse than misogyny? Because that is the world of A Fate Forged in Fire. It hurt to read. It was brutal. It was unforgiving. And I would rally behind Aemyra anytime.
I wasn't particularly a fan of the romance. I can't believe I'm saying this but I would have been fine without it.
I don't have any strong feelings for this book. I don't exactly love it but I can't say I hate it either.
I've read tons of fantasy books with the same premise as this one. I guess that's why I'm giving this an average rating because nothing really stood out to me.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review....more
I find it really hard to do this but I have to for the sake of my sanity.
DNF @ 22%
My main issue- and I honestly couldn't get past this- was the prose.I find it really hard to do this but I have to for the sake of my sanity.
DNF @ 22%
My main issue- and I honestly couldn't get past this- was the prose. It felt... unnecessary. I'm a prose girl but this one was just severely overwritten. I think I would have loved it otherwise.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review....more
I was so excited when I first heard about this. And I am immensely in awe of the cover. But overall, the story feI don't know. I guess I... liked it?
I was so excited when I first heard about this. And I am immensely in awe of the cover. But overall, the story felt mediocre at best.
I was not a fan of the romance. There wasn't enough buildup. It bordered a lot on insta-love. It could have been the most delicious enemies to lovers. To my greatest disappointment however, it wasn't.
There is something about the author's writing style that feels effortless to read. I love that. But I did find myself confused at times. And I had to reread some lines to reorient myself on what exactly was happening.
This felt a lot longer than it needed to be. And for the last hundred pages or so I kept checking on how far from the end I was. There were some twists but I kinda guessed some of them. And some were presented in a... boring way. If that makes sense?
All things considered this was an okay read for me. Only I wish it was better.
I received an ARC from Harper Voyager US to read and review....more
“I experience first-hand what it feels like to be loved fiercely but quietly.”
If you’re thinkingReview originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.
“I experience first-hand what it feels like to be loved fiercely but quietly.”
If you’re thinking this book is going to be something cutesy, fun, sweet and funny… you’re most definitely right.
I give all my thanks to Penguin Random House SEA for sending me an arc! I can’t even tell you how excited I was when it arrived in the mail!
What can I say to make you all pick up this book? I don’t know. But I’ll try.
Ellie is the most adorable MC to ever exist. I love her sunshine. I love her loyalty to Lyla. I love her love for her nieces. (And her obsession with cheese donuts.) And I love her the most for how much she feels so real and relatable. It sucks to feel so lost sometimes when everyone else seems to have it all figured out. Sometimes it all feels like a race I have no hope of finishing. Or worse no hope of ever finding my way through. I love Ellie because in the few short hours I spent with her character, she made me feel hopeful and in love with possibilities.
You know how some people are dependable no matter what kind of situation? Those people you know with absolute certainty and confidence you can rely on when everything is falling apart around you? Dion feels like the most sturdy wall you can lean on. Sometimes I wonder what it takes to be that kind of person. I envy that kind of person.
Cheese Donuts is an adorable rom com with no shortage of equally endearing characters. But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Dion lost a parent when he was young. It’s the kind of loss that can change the whole trajectory of one’s life. I wouldn’t even know how to deal with this kind of loss. Ellie is suffering from endometriosis. I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s like. How hard it must be.
I found myself grinning and laughing and having my heart stolen by a certain doll-face doctor while reading Cheese Donuts. But there were also moments I found myself fighting tears and having my heart cracked open.
All my love goes out to this book. I’m so glad I read it.
I also have a newfound appreciation for the PTA. (They can rule the world if they wanted. But they’re probably still voting on it.)
Now can someone please tell me where to get some Mochaccino donuts? I need to try it asap.
I received an ARC from the publisher to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print....more
“Inspiring indecency is something of a specialty of mine.”
What the-
WHAT THE HELL?!
It was just gReview originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.
“Inspiring indecency is something of a specialty of mine.”
What the-
WHAT THE HELL?!
It was just getting good and it ended? IT. ENDED. WHY?!
Okay, I need to calm down.
Calming thoughts…
Book three is so far away. Is book three the last one? I don’t know. Just as I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Because book three is SO FAR AWAY.
I know, I know. This “review” isn’t much of a review.
I love Ada and Rian. Like I’ve said before. So nothing new. There are still a lot of secrets between them. Ada’s mostly. But I feel like Rian has to meet her halfway. Although I do understand if he’s skeptical to trust her. (I would be too, honestly.) These two has a long way to go before I see them sailing into their HEA. Huh, maybe book three isn’t the end of the series?
This book (series?) has a hard time giving anything straight. It’s always going in circles and nothing is ever as it seems. Don’t believe anything that comes out of anyone’s mouths. Especially not Ada’s. (I think I have Rian’s trust issues now.) Ada cares about what happens to Earth and she really wants to fix everything that’s wrong with it. She just has a quite convoluted way of going about it? She doesn’t seem to trust anyone. Not really. Not even Rian. She likes him, yes. But she can’t fully trust him. She’s used to doing things her own way. She’s very independent. She’s smart and she’s #girlboss. I love her sass and I love her confidence.
I feel so bad for Rian. I don’t think he’s ready for whatever comes next. I don’t think he knows how to deal with Ada. Much less come to terms with his feelings. He’s very conflicted.
Ada and Rian are giving me a headache and upping my anxiety. I can’t wait for book three!
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print....more
I have never expected more from a book than I did with this one. My expectations were through the roof. To say I was obsessed with this the first timeI have never expected more from a book than I did with this one. My expectations were through the roof. To say I was obsessed with this the first time I heard about it was an understatement. Unfortunately, it didn't work out as well as I hoped.
I expected enemies to lovers but really it was more strangers to reluctant allies to lovers. The romance felt mostly bland to me. I did not feel the chemistry. I did not swoon so hard that had my feet kicking. Nor did I find myself squealing with delight.
I found it really hard to get lost in the story. I thought I just needed to get used to the writing style but I guess I never did.
The action scenes needed more... action. If that makes sense?
Overall, this was... okay? And if it's in your radar I'd say go for it. As for me, I'm just really sad and a bit disappointed.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley....more
“What lies inside of you is pain. The kind that burns worlds to the ground.”
My thoughts on the bReview originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.
“What lies inside of you is pain. The kind that burns worlds to the ground.”
My thoughts on the book…. numbered because my thoughts are all over the place and I’m having so. many. feelings. This is me trying to keep myself organized.
1. SCREAAAAAMIIIIING
2. I can’t deny that I loved the last half of the book more than the first.
3. The magic system was interesting. Although I can’t say I fully understand it.
4. I would have really appreciated a map. And maybe a glossary of sorts?
5. Reid of Mireh is the greenest green flag to exist ever, ever. I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
6. Vaasa’s strength and brutality was something unbelievably terrifying and beautiful to behold.
7. The SLOWEST of slow burn.
8. WHAT THE HECK?! WHY?!
9. November is so far away. (I read this in July.)
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print....more
Revenge centered plot can be a hit or miss. The reveReview originally posted on my blog, Chasing Chapters.
“And sometimes, karma needed a little help.”
Revenge centered plot can be a hit or miss. The revenge antiques can become overly ridiculous and the MC can quickly become very unlikable. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case for Better than Revenge.
I mean sure Finley got too caught up with her revenge plans and whatnot that that was all she could focus on. It was all about Finley, Finley, Finley for most of the book. But then I realized why not? Her ex boyfriend deserved a takedown. What he did? You just don’t do that to people you claim to like. So yeah, I was Team Finley. Jensen sucked. And I think he should have groveled and apologized. (I am not counting that half ass apology we got.)
I read the Acknowledgements (I never not read the Acknowledgements actually) and Kasie West said that if there’s a lesson she would want us readers to takeaway from the book it’s this: Karma > Revenge. I’m going to need that printed on a shirt.
I want to talk about Theo Torres next. But I also don’t want to. I have mixed feelings about him. But maybe what’s important is that I like him more than I don’t.
Finley’s grandmother took the spotlight. She’s beyond adorable. She made me miss my own. I wish I had the chance to record some of my grandma’s stories. That would have been epic.
I’ve read almost all of the author’s books and Better than Revenge has secured its place on my top three favorites.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review. Quoted excerpt/s may change in the final print....more
Today is one of those days when I desperately wish that I'm eloquent in writing reviews. Because all I could think of doiOh my gosh. This was SO GOOD.
Today is one of those days when I desperately wish that I'm eloquent in writing reviews. Because all I could think of doing now is to scream about HOW AMAZING THIS BOOK WAS.
AAAAAHHHHHHH
I don't know which part of The God and the Gumiho I adore the most?! The banter, the hate (extreme annoyance?) to friendship to love, Seokga and his love for coffee, the grump x sunshine trope, Hani and all her colorful glory (Hani just feels like all the colors of the rainbow. If that makes sense?)... everything about this book was just lovely and adorable and entertaining and I just want to live in it.
I don't know about that ending though... it feels too good to be true? I'm hopeful but I'm a bit skeptical. I don't want to get my hopes up. I need book two. When's the sequel coming?!
I received an ARC from Del Rey to read and review....more
Unfortunately, I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. I expected a lot considering it was pitched as Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos. And I dUnfortunately, I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. I expected a lot considering it was pitched as Gossip Girl meets The Sopranos. And I don't know about you but I really love the cover.
I enjoyed the last half of the book more than the first. Probably because the first half was mostly about Tasha finding her footing on this "new life" she was suddenly thrust into. I didn't find Tasha particularly unlikable. But ngl, I didn't immediately like her either.
The last few chapters had some big reveals (although a bit predictable). But it definitely made me excited for book two!
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley to read and review....more
I tried. I promise I tried. But I had to dnf (finally) because thinking about finishing this had me stressed beyond measure.
I expected revengeDNF @58%
I tried. I promise I tried. But I had to dnf (finally) because thinking about finishing this had me stressed beyond measure.
I expected revenge plots and carefully planned schemes and vengeful, kickass characters. What I got was... not that. I was bored. I didn't care about anything. Or anyone. The romance was... ugh, NO.
I'm sorry this just didn't work out for me.
I received an ARC via Netgalley to read and review.