This sounded good in theory. Witches are tied to one of the seasons, when their powers are the strongest, while Clara, our main character, is tied to This sounded good in theory. Witches are tied to one of the seasons, when their powers are the strongest, while Clara, our main character, is tied to all four seasons and she has to learn how to control her powers. The concept and the magic system might not be that original, but I still found them intriguing.
What didn't work for me is the execution. The story is simplistic, repetitive and dull. It feels very generic and there wasn't much depth to the worldbuilding or characters. Clara's love interest, Sang, is nice enough, but I never felt any chemistry between them. It's an ok story, but nothing about it pulled me in. I finished it mostly because I was listening to the audio version. ...more
This is such an atmospheric and beautifully written story, even though it's quite dark and gruesome. More than I'm usually comfortable with. 4.5 stars
This is such an atmospheric and beautifully written story, even though it's quite dark and gruesome. More than I'm usually comfortable with.
I have to say that there were a couple things that I knew or guessed, but that didn't take away from how completely invested I was in the storyline and the characters.
The only unfortunate outcome of reading this book is that I don't see myself walking in the forest or eating mushrooms anytime soon. ...more
This was an interesting reading experience. All the characters in this book are insufferable, there are a few icky scenes that I had to skim through, This was an interesting reading experience. All the characters in this book are insufferable, there are a few icky scenes that I had to skim through, and I can't say that everything that happens here makes total sense. And yet I was fully immersed in this story.
I really liked the setting, the atmosphere and the family dynamic. I read this for the horror vibes and the pretty cover, but ended up being super invested in the toxic relationships between the family members. ...more
I enjoyed this more than I expected. Right from the start, I really liked the small town setting and the atmosphere. Even though the story t3.75 stars
I enjoyed this more than I expected. Right from the start, I really liked the small town setting and the atmosphere. Even though the story takes place in a hot and humid Florida coastal town during spring/summer months, the fact that the whole town is haunted makes it a perfect read for October.
I liked Cassie and Nick as the main characters. I liked Cassie's independence and how relatable she felt sometimes. Nick gets bonus points for being a bit grumpy coffee shop owner. Their initial dynamics was really fun. The romance is more on the slow-burn side with nothing that exciting happening, but it is equally balanced with a ghost storyline which I was super invested in.
The story is not too spooky, though. It's very light and sweet. I enjoyed learning about the town, meeting all the lovely and quirky characters, including the ghosts, and I liked the friendships. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I have a feeling who it might be about. ...more
I was in the mood for a fun Halloween read and the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the beginning and the small town fall vibes. HowevI was in the mood for a fun Halloween read and the premise of this one sounded interesting. I liked the beginning and the small town fall vibes. However, everything else, from the storyline to the romance part, wasn't that exciting. I even started getting bored in the second half of the book.
I listened to the audiobook and the narration wasn't my favourite. An actual Welsh accent would have been nice. ...more
Interesting premise and concept. The illustrations and descriptions of furniture at the beginning of each chapter look really cool. I liked how they gInteresting premise and concept. The illustrations and descriptions of furniture at the beginning of each chapter look really cool. I liked how they get weirder as the story gets darker (the pdf is available when listening to the audiobook).
However, the story itself was a letdown for me. It started promising, but ultimately I didn't find it that exciting and none of the events really surprised me. It gets gory towards the end, which is something I'm not a fan of, but the story itself wasn't scary at all. The characters were a bit flat and I didn't get attached to any of them. I did like the ending, sort of. ...more
I expected this to be a fun read, but I found the story underwhelming.
The characters are quite bland and don't have much personality or chem1.5 stars
I expected this to be a fun read, but I found the story underwhelming.
The characters are quite bland and don't have much personality or chemistry between them. Cassie feels like a person who can't even help herself, let alone someone else. I didn't find her 'I'm-not-like-other-artists' appealing at all. Frederick being a vampire doesn't bring much to the story.
Cassie instantly falls for Frederick, just because he is so handsome and she can't stop drooling over him. He is not impressed the first time they meet, but then he sees her in a towel and, suddenly, he is smitten with everything she does. That's it for the relationship development.
The last 20% ruined the story for me. The whole plot line at the end of the book is just ridiculous.
The writing is ok. I liked the notes they were exchanging, especially Frederick's. But there is lack of consistency and many things remain surface level. Also, Cassie's constant inner monologues disrupted the natural flow of the conversation....more
Mixed feelings about this book. I have to say that I enjoyed it when I started it and it was going well for a while. I liked the diverse cast2.5 stars
Mixed feelings about this book. I have to say that I enjoyed it when I started it and it was going well for a while. I liked the diverse cast of characters and it was fun watching Mika work with the girls.
As the story progressed it started to fizzle out for me. It was a bit repetitive at times and predictable, and there wasn't much character development. The overall premise reminded me too much of The House in the Cerulean Sea. I love that one, but this one pales in comparison.
The romance part didn't work for me at all. It felt forced and I didn't feel any chemistry between Mika and Jamie. The s*x scene came out of nowhere. It felt cringey and I don't think it fit with this type of story.
This was my first read by this author and I'm not sold on the writing style, to be honest. It feels kind of simplistic and childish at times.
This is the type of book that goes so well with a blanket and a cup of something hot. I loved the small town setting and all the fall vibes. The storyThis is the type of book that goes so well with a blanket and a cup of something hot. I loved the small town setting and all the fall vibes. The story is really beautiful and there is certainly more to it than 'just' romance and a baking contest.
The relationship between Dev and Clark is really sweet and it develops in a very natural way. I'm only surprised it took them so long to get to this point. But they are great together. No drama here, thankfully.
I loved all the side characters, too. I haven't read the previous two books, but I had no problems following this story and I think we get enough information about the other couples.
I have to say that I'm very interested in Mal's character and I'd like to read the next book set in this world. I have my eye on one person I'd like to see him with. Hope I'm right. ...more
It took me a while to finish this book. No idea why it was so hard for me to get into it, I used to love the series. Or rather, I used to love book 1 It took me a while to finish this book. No idea why it was so hard for me to get into it, I used to love the series. Or rather, I used to love book 1 - I've read it many times. I also remember really enjoying the first few chapters of this one when they first came out.
I struggled with Edward's character this time around. Being in his head felt pretty exhausting, what with all the thoughts he could hear, Alice's visions and his inner monologues. There were also certain things he did that I used to find romantic in book 1, but reading about them from his POV felt really creepy.
In my opinion, the book could have been shorter. I don't mind long books, but there were scenes in this one that really dragged for me to the point where I was skimming through them and I felt they affected the pace of the story.
Even though this book didn't give me the same feelings as the original series, I still think it was an ok read. I did enjoy seeing some parts of the story from Edward's point of view. It made me like some characters even more, and some other even less. And I really liked the epilogue....more