I've been a huge fan of Little Mix and Leigh-Anne since their first single Wings came out in 2012. They have been such a huge part of my life and shapI've been a huge fan of Little Mix and Leigh-Anne since their first single Wings came out in 2012. They have been such a huge part of my life and shaping me into the person I am today from a 13 year old to now a 25 year old! I have such fond memories of seeing them in concerts and I have met them as well. Meeting Leigh-Anne especially has always stood out to me because I had such a wonderful conversation with her and she made me feel very seen and loved.
I watched the documentary she made a few years ago which was incredibly powerful and through that I already knew some things about her experience as a black person in the band and in the music industry. But reading this book and getting more details and insight into her life, growing up and her immense drive and passion, the behind the scenes of X factor and Little Mix, her relationship(s), motherhood and her deep dive into race and being black in the music industry was all so interesting and powerful to read.
I loved listening to the audiobook as well since it's narrated by Leigh-Anne herself which makes it even more personal. I'm so immensely proud of how far she has come and everything she will do in the future and I'll be over here supporting her...more
Are we suprised I give this 5 stars? Absolutely not. The Shades of Magic trilogy is my favorite fantasy series of ALL TIME. I love those books and theAre we suprised I give this 5 stars? Absolutely not. The Shades of Magic trilogy is my favorite fantasy series of ALL TIME. I love those books and the characters so so much. So Fragile Threads of Power has been my most anticipated release ever since I first heard VE Schwab was going to write a new series in the same world(s).
And it was everything I could have hoped for and more. To be back with my favorite characters, who genuinely feel like family, was just amazing ...more
This was one of my most anticipated releases of this year and it didn't disappoint one bit. I've said it before and I'll say it again but Alix E HarroThis was one of my most anticipated releases of this year and it didn't disappoint one bit. I've said it before and I'll say it again but Alix E Harrow is an absolute genius and she's one of my favorite authors for a reason. The way she crafts stories, let the puzzle pieces fall into place while reading the story, while creating the most vivid gothic atmosphere and amazing characters. Wow just wow.
This book has so many elements I love: gothic atmosphere, a house as a character, slow burn gothic/fairytale like romance, unlikeable characters that you come to absolutely love, found family, cursed small towns, women fighting the patriarchy, complex family relationships, plot twists. The list could go on and on.
This story was a perfect bland of spooky eerie gothic and also a beautiful fairytale. That with the stunning writing from Alix E Harrow is definitely a new favorite book for me...more
I adore T Kingfisher writing, humour, heart and great world building and plot. This story definitely had high stakes but at the same time felt in4,5 ⭐
I adore T Kingfisher writing, humour, heart and great world building and plot. This story definitely had high stakes but at the same time felt incredibly wholesome and I laughed out loud multiple times...more
Such a wonderful and whimsical story that fits the light academia aesthetic perfectly. The cold snowy setting was described so well and I really4,75 ⭐
Such a wonderful and whimsical story that fits the light academia aesthetic perfectly. The cold snowy setting was described so well and I really felt immersed in the world. The descriptions of the fae were intriguing and genuinely dark at times, which I love.
The main character Emily is maybe not the most "likeable" but I adored her and her snarky comments. And her dynamic with her partner and rival Wendell was just amazing and gave you the most slow burn rivals to lovers romance.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the small town setting with all the wonderful side characters that I loved to read about. Emily, who doesn't like people at all, really warms up to them and it has the most lovely found family vibe.
There are no other characters that make me feel more at home and comforted than the Heartstopper characters, even after all these years of me being wiThere are no other characters that make me feel more at home and comforted than the Heartstopper characters, even after all these years of me being with them and this story and I am not ready for the final volume ...more
After reading and loving Sonora Reyes debut last year "The Lesbiana's guide to catholic school" this was one of my most anticipated releases this yearAfter reading and loving Sonora Reyes debut last year "The Lesbiana's guide to catholic school" this was one of my most anticipated releases this year and I absolutely loved it.
We follow Ariana who's autistic and has selective mutism, which means she can only speak when she feels safe (like when she's at home) which makes it difficult for her to form friendships and connection with other people in her school. So when popular Luis pays attention to her she feels flattered. Until he rapes her at a party and it doesn't click for her that it's rape for a while. She comes in contact with the Luis Ortega Survival Club, a group of people who have been hurt or wronged by Luis in some way and they get together to get revenge on Luis.
Because of this she starts to form some wonderful and genuine friendships and even a beautiful & cute sapphic love story develops. Queer found family is my favorite trope and this book definitely had that. It also discusses important topics around autism, identity, sexuality, consent, struggles with your parents etc.
Obviously this book deals with a very heavy topic throughout concerning sexual assault. So be aware of this before going into this book. In my opinion it dealt with it in a very sensitive and careful way, nothing was ever described graphically....more
De "Hoe Overleef ik" boeken en Francine Oomen waren zo'n groot onderdeel van mijn jeugd en hebben mij toen ook echt zo gevormd en geholpen dat ik echtDe "Hoe Overleef ik" boeken en Francine Oomen waren zo'n groot onderdeel van mijn jeugd en hebben mij toen ook echt zo gevormd en geholpen dat ik echt heel erg uitkeek naar dit nieuwe deel voor de HOI generatie die nu volwassen zijn. Het voelde vertrouwd en gehoord/gezien en heb wat traantjes moeten wegpinken...more
Was this the best book ever? no Was it a bit cringe at times? Yes Did I have an absolute blast reading this? Also yes Did it make me feel nostalgic and Was this the best book ever? no Was it a bit cringe at times? Yes Did I have an absolute blast reading this? Also yes Did it make me feel nostalgic and remind me of when I was 14 years old reading popular dystopian books? Yes. I mean Xaden reminded me a lot of Four from Divergent.
It took me a bit to get into the story but at a certain point I got hooked and sucked in and I couldn't stop reading and when I wasn't reading I was thinking about it. I was absolutely invested. I had so much fun reading this and I really liked the characters (and really disliked some) I mean if you get me crying for a side character's death (in a book where tons of people die) then you know I'm invested with the characters. And I absolutely loved the dragons, especially Tairn and Adarna like they deserve the world.
Also seeing the main character of the most popular (fantasy) book right now having a chronic illness/disabilty meant the absolute world to me. We see Violet struggling and in pain and her limitations and working with those limitations that her body and the symptoms bring and the fact that the world isn't designed for disabled people especially in this very competitive war academy. We see her adapt things and situations to her disability and using mobility aids. We see conversations around "weakness" and that not only physical strength makes you strong and an asset but that there's so much more to a person that can be seen and used as a strenght. It meant a lot to me and can see how it can means a lot to other people. Especially people that have hEDS themselves just like Violet.
Also I need the sequel right now because that ending? ...more
We follow Lo and Weston who have been good friends since college. Lo had to drop out of college because her fibromyalgia diagnosis. She's going t4,5 ⭐
We follow Lo and Weston who have been good friends since college. Lo had to drop out of college because her fibromyalgia diagnosis. She's going to turn 26 soon so no more health insurance, she gets fired from her nannying job and Camilla her best friend will move out with her husband so there's no way she can pay for her insurance and rent. Weston is an influencer that needs to better his image. They think they can both benefit from a fake marriage. Lo having health insurance and a place to live for one.
I initially picked this up because of the own voices chronic illness representation since the main character has fibromyalgia(just like the author) so let me start off by saying that this was so incredibly well done ...more
Wow, just wow. I just finished this book after only two sittings because I couldn't stop thinking about it and these characters. This was such an incrWow, just wow. I just finished this book after only two sittings because I couldn't stop thinking about it and these characters. This was such an incredibly beautiful and emotional but hopeful story. This was one of my most anticipated releases because I loved She Gets the Girl last year that Alyson Derrick co-wrote with her wife and this was her solo debut and it exceeded all my expectations.
We follow a queer Asian American girl named Stevie who lives in a very conservative and Catholic small town and she's been having a secret relationship with Nora, who she's planning to run away with to California to escape the small town and people in it. Until she gets into an accident and can't remember the last two years of her life, and Nora, because she's suffering with amnesia.
I was very nervous at first that that storyline would become a very ableist trope very fast or it would have the typical "suddenly getting all the memories back out of nowhere to create a happy ending" like you see a lot in fanfiction for example. And without spoiling too much, I'm here to reassure everyone that is worrying about that too, that that wasn't the case and I thought it was dealt with wonderfully and respectfully.
The intensity of this love story literally descending time and space and memories was so amazing and heartbreaking to read about at the same time. I was crying so much at multiple points, and that doesn't happen very fast with me at all. I can see this story staying with me for a very long time !
Before you read this please check trigger warnings ! Especially regarding homophobia and parental abuse...more
All the Bad Apples is one of my favourite books of all time and I also love The Spellbook of the Lost and Found. Sapphic horror is one of my favouriteAll the Bad Apples is one of my favourite books of all time and I also love The Spellbook of the Lost and Found. Sapphic horror is one of my favourite subgenres so when I knew that one of my favourite authors was coming out with a sapphic horror short story collection I was so excited and I mean this cover ...more
I've always loved a good pirate story. And this one was unique and absolutely amazing. First of all the fact that our main character, Amina al-Sirafi,I've always loved a good pirate story. And this one was unique and absolutely amazing. First of all the fact that our main character, Amina al-Sirafi, is a middle aged woman with a daughter who used to be a notorious pirate across the Indian Ocean is already amazing since we hardly have an older badass woman as a main character in a fantasy novel. When she is basically forced out of retirement to go on this mission she gathers her old crew (who are all absolutely amazing side characters I loved them so much ...more
Don't let the title and cover fool you and making you think that this is just a cute ya contemporary romance. Because it's written by Tess Sharpe (whoDon't let the title and cover fool you and making you think that this is just a cute ya contemporary romance. Because it's written by Tess Sharpe (who I've read and loved two books from before: the Girls I've been and Far From You) who throws in heavy themes and topics, but in such an incredible way.
In this book we follow Penny and Tate. Two girls who have been in each others lives for as long as they can remember because of the very strong (aka platonic soulmates) friendship between their moms. When a surgery forces both families to live together, the girls have to come to terms with their shared past and feelings they both ignore and push away.
I felt all emotions possible while reading this. One page you're smiling and giggling because of the slow burn romance, the next page you're crying because of all the hard things they have to deal with. There were moments my heart literally dropped in my chest and all I wanted was to hug these characters. But it was also so heartwarming to see how they were always there for eachother, helping and caring for one another like no one would.
It's a story full of grief, trauma, difficult family relationships (specifically between a mom and daughter), medical trauma and how to deal with all of that both internally and externally. It's real, it's raw and it's honest. The way Tess Sharpe writes is so honest and she doesn't shy away from anything. She makes her characters flawed and messy which only makes them feel even more real and three dimensional. They make mistakes, they mess up big time, but they learn and they grow.
All the side characters (the moms, the grandmother, the best friends) also feel very real!
This book reminded me why I still read and love YA contemporaries so much. Books like this come around which makes me feel so many emotions and teaches me things.
Definitely look up trigger warnings before reading this....more
Alix E Harrow quickly became one of my top favourite authors. I have given all her books 5 stars and all of them have left a lasting impression on me.Alix E Harrow quickly became one of my top favourite authors. I have given all her books 5 stars and all of them have left a lasting impression on me.
So when I saw everyone raving about this short story online (literally while I was reading Ten Thousand Doors of January back in January) I knew I had to pick it up. When I say that this 30 PAGE story made me feel more emotions than some full length novels. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I don't know how Harrow does it but she's a genius. The writing ...more
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