Colton and Gretchen had great chemistry, and their banter was so enjoyable. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamicThis might be my favorite book in the series.
Colton and Gretchen had great chemistry, and their banter was so enjoyable. Their grumpy/sunshine dynamic was a winner, and I adored them to bits.
It was fun to see the bros again! I love how they are always there for each other and how they hold Colton accountable and call out his mistakes. Also they’re just so darn hilarious!
The lessons of romance novels had taught them all how to be better men, better partners, and better friends to one another.
Gretchen's family is frustrating, but the author did a good job of showing the weird dynamic that moms sometimes have with their sons where they pretend to be blind to their flaws.
Honestly, I think this might be my favorite book by this author. It had the perfect mix of humor, heart, and romance.
“I find that reporters and writers who come here don’t actually want to listen to me or hear my thoughts, except where I might validate what they a“I find that reporters and writers who come here don’t actually want to listen to me or hear my thoughts, except where I might validate what they already believe.”
i forgot how to breathe while reading this book. stab after stab, straight to the heart....more
I honestly don't know how to review this book. There were parts i liked and others I didn't. I sympathised with Aaron and his situation, all the terriI honestly don't know how to review this book. There were parts i liked and others I didn't. I sympathised with Aaron and his situation, all the terrible things that happened that turned him into a person who doesn't open up and always questions others intentions.
But that didn't stop me from being irritated with him for most of the book.
I liked the save the bookshop plot and the friends he made a long the way. Chad and Ira were such wholesome characters and i loved the builder guys.
The romance part was bland and uninteresting. And i had to stop myself from shouting at Hannah to run far away from this dude.
In conclusion I'm happy with how the story ended although it was a very lacklustre read.
This book had me on edge the entire time. Just when i thought things couldn't get worse, it somehow did.
Review to come ___ This one has been on my tbr This book had me on edge the entire time. Just when i thought things couldn't get worse, it somehow did.
Review to come ___ This one has been on my tbr for a while ...more
“To tell you the truth, I don't get how we can almost unanimously agree that murder is wrong, yet when it comes to rape some people still see shade“To tell you the truth, I don't get how we can almost unanimously agree that murder is wrong, yet when it comes to rape some people still see shades of gray.”
Megan Goldin wrote the heck out of The Night Swim! When I began, I had my doubts, as it tackles a topic I find hard to read about. However, once I started listening I could not stop!
I have never listened to podcasts before but now I see why people love them so much. It was really interesting listening to the episodes of the podcast which are also included in the book.
I enjoyed the present timeline more than the chapters set in the past. Court room settings always has an extra element of drama that I cannot resist. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the trial would proceed and hanging on to the words of every witness.
The mystery of what happened to Jenny had me two folds more invested in the story.
This book highlighted the horrible ugliness of rape and everything surrounding it. Everything the victim has to endure afterwards, once coming forth. Reliving the nightmare over and over and the emotional trauma of having to face the rapist in court while also enduring public opinion.
This was challenging, there were times I had to press pause and take a few deep breaths but it was definitely worth the read. The Night Swim was such a unique thriller, I hope this isn’t the last of Rachel Krall and her podcast.
For the last few days this book has taken over my life. When I wasn’t reading late into the night, I was constantly thinking about it or discussing itFor the last few days this book has taken over my life. When I wasn’t reading late into the night, I was constantly thinking about it or discussing it with my friends.
I was hoping The Dragon Republic would floor me exactly the way The Poppy War did. Astonishingly, it did more than that. Reading this book was nothing short of exhilarating.
From page one it did not let up. I was in a constant state of anxiety waiting for the next twist and turn. Every new reveal, betrayal and manipulation gave me whiplash. I was left gasping, more astounded than before.
Kuang did not pull any punches. The action was head-spinning and the violence (which often left me feeling nauseous) was rendered in such an authentic and appropriate way to each scene.
Knowing that Kuang draws from real sources of Chinese history makes the brutality reflected in the pages hit you harder than ever.
“The world is chaotic and war is fundamentally unpredictable and at the end of the day you don’t know who will be the last man standing. You don’t know anything going into a battle. You only know the stakes.”
The author painted a beautiful picture as she expanded the world building and history of Nikan. She delivered the politics and military strategy in a fresh and riveting way that had me on tenterhooks, desperate to know more. I especially loved reading the naval battle scenes which were so very vivid.
In between this harsh landscape Kuang gives us funny and tender moments that I hoarded with a protective ferocity akin to a dragon hoarding gold.
The cast of characters consisted of new and old faces — each distinct and with apparent flaws.
The trauma and psychological side effects suffered by all was shown so well. The old cast from book one has changed so much after everything they’ve endured, each coping (or not coping) in their own way.
The anger was a shield. The anger helped her to keep from remembering what she’d done. […] She was afraid that if she stopped being angry, she might crack apart.
At the beginning of the book Rin is in an extremely dark place. She’s struggling to deal with grief and guilt while trying to escape Altan’s ghost and losing the battle against her opium addiction. The only thing she has to hold onto is her rage and her need for revenge. This left her vulnerable and susceptible to manipulation. Even though our girl makes some terrible decisions I still want the best for her and I remain hopeful.
I especially loved Kitay in this one. The sweet cinnamon roll of a boy he was in book one is no more. He has been hardened by war and haunted by Golyn Niis. Now he is filled with a quiet fury which he pours into everything he dedicates himself to. He is such a good friend to Rin, and I will not recover if some terrible happens to him in the next book.
The ending was an unexpected stab in the heart. I could not believe what I was reading. I read it several times in fact just to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. A chant of “no no no” did not stop me from careening head first into the twist so cleverly layed out.
After, I lay in the dark, speechless and dazed. Unable to form a coherent thought, my mind churning and a stampede of emotions running through my whole body.
If I look back now to everything that happened in this single book, it was A LOT— but it was all so well executed and put together.
I am counting the hours till I can read the final book. I have no doubt that Kuang is going to deliver a sizzling conclusion to this already mind blowing series.
CONTENT WARNINGS:violence, murder, genocide, rape, self harm, mutilation, human experimentation
If Rebecca Kuang's intention was to give us all trust issues then she definitely accomplished that.
This could be the end of their story or the begIf Rebecca Kuang's intention was to give us all trust issues then she definitely accomplished that.
This could be the end of their story or the beginning of a glorious chapter.
This book had a different feel to it. Knowing that it is the last installment and that the fate of Nikan is in such peril fills the reader with undeniable dread. You don’t know who to trust. Walking on tiptoes, peaking around corners waiting for the next hit to your heart.
I’m going to be honest here and tell you that I thought the middle section to be very draggy. I know, I know. This series has always been a slow paced one. And usually it didn’t bother me.
However
I think because I knew there would be no happy ending, I was filled with such a sense of foreboding, watching as Rin and the state of Nikan just kept on spiralling downwards. ((Anxiety inducing tbh))
I had to pep talk myself into continuing. I even put the book down for a couple of days to recharge my mind. But then I got back into it and just had to know how things would go down.
The politics, action scenes, military strategy and battles were my favourite. The Burning God features mainly siege and guerilla warfare tactics that I found highly interesting.
Anyone who has read this series can appreciate how well the author depicts the real cruelties of war, blends in real parts of history, doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff and does not romanticise it the way many authors do.
War didn’t end, not so cleanly—it just kept building up in little hurts that piled on one another until they exploded afresh into raw new wounds.
Rin travels a lot throughout this book which means we get to see even more of Nikan. From enchanting mountains and war torn, famine ravaged countrysides to modern cities – it was all so resplendent and graphic.
The new additions to the cast of characters were an interesting bunch. By now I’ve learnt my lesson and knew not to trust anybody. In this series everyone is out for themselves.
We’ve seen Rin go through so much hardships throughout this trilogy. You cannot deny that she has suffered and has a right to the rage she is filled with. After how things ended in The Dragon Republic, Rin has had to learn to become a leader. Something I really liked was that she wasn’t one of those ‘over-night leaders’ so often seen in fantasy. She didn’t just wake up one day with all the skills. She makes mistakes and she learns and despite not wanting to, listens to advice given to her.
“Do you know what your problem is?” Daji asked. “You’ve been fighting this entire war on the defensive. You’re still thinking like someone on the run. But it’s time you started thinking like a ruler.”
Even so, Rin has become alarmingly ruthless. She has traded her humanity for power. And there is no coming back from that.
Kitay, my pure child. He remains the light of this whole series. His friendship with Rin brought me so much joy and the beauty of their bond was a contrast to the harsh, brutal situations they were surrounded with.
[…]trusted first Daji and then Vaisra, and they’d both sold her away without blinking. From now on Rin took charge of her own fate.
I have one word for the ending: traumatising.
Just thinking about this ending makes me want to howl in agony. Since finishing this book I’ve been trying (in vain) to flush it out of my system with adorable and sickeningly cute reads. It hasn’t helped one bit.
Even though I thought that some things still needed to be addressed (that’s one of the reasons my rating is 4 instead of a full 5) this was a spectacular conclusion to a series that will stay with me for years to come.
Ending it any differently would not have felt authentic to this story and because I’m a masochistic fool — I cannot wait to read it all over again ...more
You know when you read the first few chapters of a book and you’re overcome by a feeling, a knowing, that this book is going to stick with you. That yYou know when you read the first few chapters of a book and you’re overcome by a feeling, a knowing, that this book is going to stick with you. That you don’t know what’s going to happen next, but you can tell you’re going to love it? — that’s what The Poppy War made me feel.
The writing was exquisite. It drew me in, and kept me hooked. It felt like I was watching a movie in my head, everything was so vivid, mesmerising but also heartbreaking. From descriptions of the setting, to the history and world building. Wow. I’m completely in awe of the authors skill. With each chapter I became more and more obsessed with this world and this story.
I loved the elements of magic and mythology combined with the history and war.
There was constantly a lot of new information to process and so many characters that I had to start keeping a log of who’s who — but honestly that just added to my enjoyment.
The first portion is set during Rin’s time at the academy is slow paced. After that things really start picking up.
I cannot say there was one moment I was bored or uninterested, even during the slower chapters.
The setting was fantastic. I’m so used to reading western centric fantasy and this just made me realize how much I need Asian fantasy in my life.
Something that I enjoy most as a reader is learning through fiction. The author draws from real Chinese historic events such as the Opium Wars, the Second Sino-Japanese War and The Rape of Nanking.
I immediately found myself looking up these events, wanting to know more. It hit me so hard to find out that all these atrocities actually happened and people don’t speak about it.
This book while an enjoyable read was also very hard to read. It portrays the very real horrors of war and there were times I was crying my eyes out for all the suffering Rin had witnessed. (content and trigger warnings at the end of this review)
Rin, I admire the most. She fought tooth and nail for her place at Sinegard and didn’t let the others who thought she had no right to be there bring her down. She was fierce and determined. And yes, when war came knocking she realised she wasn’t as prepared as she’d thought. War and circumstances changed her and she ends up making questionable decisions that I didn’t agree with, however I still wanted the best for her (I’m still worried about her and I’m so scared for her in the next books eeeek! ).
Altan was also another character I really enjoyed reading about. There were times I hated him but at the end of the day I think Kuang did such a great job creating this character who has been used as a weapon, treated like an animal, who is driven by vengeance and hate.
The character growth we see in the span of one book left me shook. Some characters I thought were garbage become dear to me (*cough* Nezha *cough*). Kuang makes sure we see the flaws in every character, the basics of human nature, the cruelty humans are capable of when they think others are lesser.
The ending left me teary eyed and with a hunger for more. I’m sad that I didn’t read this book when it came out but now I’m glad because I can immediately continue on to book 2 and there’s not much time I have to wait till the final book is released ...more
This was so addictive. From the first page I was hooked. The writing was easy and the chapters alternated between present and past events. We get bothThis was so addictive. From the first page I was hooked. The writing was easy and the chapters alternated between present and past events. We get both Patty and Rose Gold’s POV, it was great to be able to read both sides of the story.
These two were all kinds of messed up. I thought Patty would be the probalmatic one but both of their thoughts and actions were scary as hell.
But even through all the crazy stuff, it was still highly entertaining and gripping.
The ending was a slow build up —which means I could see the plot twist a mile away. I didn’t mind that, plot twists don’t always have to surprise me in order for me to enjoy a book, it just needs to be well thought out and written.
I’d recommend this as a great book to take with on holiday or even to the beach. It’s an easy enough book to read in a day! __ Buddy reading with: May, Warda & Ameerah. I hope this blows us away!!...more
Layla Patel's life in New York has fallen apart, so she moves back to San Francisco where she hopes to have a fresh start and to be closer to her famiLayla Patel's life in New York has fallen apart, so she moves back to San Francisco where she hopes to have a fresh start and to be closer to her family.
When her dad offers her the use of the office above the family's successful restaurant, Layla is determined to start her own business. But Layla's father suffers a heartattack just before he's able to inform Sam Mehta, CEO of a corporate downsizing company, that the office is no longer available.
After the shock of realising the predicament they're in, they agree to share the office.
Both of them are in for a surprise when suitors start knocking on their door looking for Layla. Layla's dad also failed to mention that he set up 10 blind dates for her. She decides to go on these dates with the help of Sam to see if her soul mate might be one of these men.
The first half of this book was great! This book is steeped in Indian culture and I loved that! It felt cozy and I was living for every mention of jalebi, garam masala and samosas. I loved Layla and I loved that we both agree that dal is the best comfort food and we both make roti when in need of a stress relief.
It was ridiculously funny, dramatic and slightly unrealistic and I was okay with that.
What I wasn't okay with was when things took a turn for the worst at about 70% in and just... Stayed like that.
Without spoiling, I'll just say that Sam did something shitty and terrible and I don't think he redeemed himself properly. It was brushed over way too easily for my liking. If it was me, I would not have forgiven him.
I lost respect for Layla after that.
This book could easily have been a 5 star for me. I was having a fun time until Sam messed it all up. I still feel a bit crushed, and my disappointment is huge.
“But I'm sick of this bloody jagged graph. You know, two steps up, one step down. It's so painful. It's so slow. It's like this endless game of snakes
“But I'm sick of this bloody jagged graph. You know, two steps up, one step down. It's so painful. It's so slow. It's like this endless game of snakes and ladders." And Mum just looked at me as if she wanted to laugh or maybe cry, and said, "But Audrey, that's what life is. We're all on a jagged graph. I know I am. Up a bit, down a bit. That's life.”
Audrey struggles with many things. The after effects of something that happened at school has left her unable to brave the outside world, or talk to strangers and she wears sunglasses even indoors. The day she's set to return to school is soon approaching and now Audrey wants her life back. With the help if her therapist and her brothers friend Linus she starts to break out of her comfort zone.
I absolutely loved the humour and family aspect of this book. The mother was intense and annoying sometimes, but mostly I found her arguments with Audrey's brother, Frank, supremely funny.
There were parts that made me laugh so hard, I almost cried. I loved Felix and Audrey's dad most.
As I said, I adored the humour but I also wished more of the story was concentrated on Audrey and her struggles. I couldn't fully connect with Audrey because we don't actually know what happened to her. An incident which started all this keeps getting referred to, and even Audrey hints at it, almost tauntingly, but it's never explained!??!
I'd totally read a book about her families shenanigans. They're just too funny.
This was my first Kinsella book, and I kind of get why her books are so popular. This was quick and fun. I highly recommend the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job.
___ I've been assured that this book will make me laugh. Buddy reading with this crew: Warda, Türkan, Fares and Karima — so we can all laugh together!...more
I need to gather my thoughts on this one. Review to come • 3.5 stars •
___ Why cry alone, when you can cry with your friends? Buddy reading with May, AmeI need to gather my thoughts on this one. Review to come • 3.5 stars •
___ Why cry alone, when you can cry with your friends? Buddy reading with May, Ameerah and Warda...more
Every year Maelyn Jones, her family and two other family's have spent have spent Christmas together in a cabin in Utah. It's her favourite place in thEvery year Maelyn Jones, her family and two other family's have spent have spent Christmas together in a cabin in Utah. It's her favourite place in the world, but this year is a bit different. Her life isn't on the track she'd like it to be, she made the hugest mistake with a childhood friend Toby, has unrequited feelings for his brother Andrew and worst of all: the cabin will soon be sold.
Mae makes a desperate wish asking the universe to show her what will make her happy.
As Mae and her family are leaving the cabin they get into a car crash and she wakes up back on the plane a week earlier, flying to Utah once again. Mae has to live the same holiday over and over until she figures out what will break the time loop.
This was a ‘the-right-book-at-the-right-time’ kind of situation. During this pandemic I've been looking for books that would pull me in and I'm always grateful when I do find one. In a Holidaze was like that. Through this book I was able to switch off my worries and disappear into Mae's life.
The writing duo really excel in a writing style that makes for effortless reading.
The found family aspect of this book was so freaking heartwarming. I loved everything about the cabin, the activities and traditions, the families that came together religiously every year to be together. Their love for one another was palpable.
I wanted to be there with them.
Our protagonist, Mae, was very relatable. I loved Andrew and I thought Benny was precious.
Living the same week over and over might not make sense but I thought it was very fun and interesting seeing Mae try to figure out what she needed to change in order for her normal timeline to resume.
This book made me smile and forget the crazy world we live in right now. I highly recommend.
Lyssa Kay Adams served us in this one. It had everything I was expecting. Humour and tenderness, swoonworthy scenes as well as parts that had me chokeLyssa Kay Adams served us in this one. It had everything I was expecting. Humour and tenderness, swoonworthy scenes as well as parts that had me choked up. The day LKA announces the end of this series will be a dark day indeed.
Alexis shot to fame when she came forward as a victim of a celebrity chef's sexual harassment. Her cat cafe has since become a safe haven for other women. Her life is once again changed when a woman comes to her cafe claiming to be her sister.
Noah, computer genius and former ‘hacktavist’, is Alexis's best friend. They are inseparable. But Noah is struggling to hide the fact that he is utterly in love with her. And so he turns to his friends in The Bromance Book Club for help him out of the friend zone.
These books warm my heart from start to finish. The writing was as I expected: easy to gobble up in one sitting!
I know the much loved enemies-to-lovers trope has been crowned the best all tropes. I strongly disagree. Friends to lovers is the superior trope. And no, I don't take criticism on this point ...more
Second chance romance and a book club for guys who are trying to repair their relationships by reading romance novels ‹-- that alone made me read thisSecond chance romance and a book club for guys who are trying to repair their relationships by reading romance novels ‹-- that alone made me read this book ...more
SPOILER ALERT! Seriously though, if you have not read this book, what are you even doing here?
**spoiler alert** ALL HAIL THE MAAS-TER!! [image]
SPOILER ALERT! Seriously though, if you have not read this book, what are you even doing here?
Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom
I discovered the Throne of Glass series three years ago. I read the first book in e-book format and the next day I BEGGED my sister to take me to the bookstore so that I could purchase the rest of the series. BEST DECISION EVER.
It's been a week since I've read this and I still can't form coherent thoughts. Kingdom of Ash was everything I expected and more. My emotions are frayed. I will most probably write a better in depth review when I reread this book. But for now this will have to do.
My tears were apparent from the first page. Tears of joy and reads of extreme pain.
Faces collide and all the loose ends (even ones I wasn't even aware of) came together. This book was the perfect conclusion to a fantastic series.
Things that made me cry: • Aelin being tortured • Fenrys being forced to watch • Fenrys not being able to do anything for the queen he wished he could serve • Rowan helpless as Aelin screamed “Take it off” • Aedion in pain and kicking Lysandra out into the snow • Gavriel worrying that Aedion hates him • Aelin and Dorian deciding to seal the Wyrdgate together • Dorian's dad taking his place • Lorcan hating himself for what he did on the beach • The Thirteen Yielding • Gavriel protecting Aedion till death
Things that made me smile: • When Fenrys broke free of the blood oath • Rowan's vision of his future family with Aelin • Yrene pregnant • Hassan and Aelin meeting • Bore and Yeran caring about each other • Manon's proposal • Manon kicking the matrons butt • Aelin seeing Chaol walking • Aelin/Chaol and Yrene reunion • Manon officially crowned queen • Evangeline melting Darrow's heart • the breaking of the curse • Ansel offering to share the Wastes with the witches • Yrene opening her own Torre Cesme • ALL MY FAVES GETTING THEIR HEA