Wow. Did I just rate this 4 stars?! I did! I really did! Why did I like this one so much? I honestly can’t decide if this is book 3 is my fav…they areWow. Did I just rate this 4 stars?! I did! I really did! Why did I like this one so much? I honestly can’t decide if this is book 3 is my fav…they are neck and neck.
You know, I was not exactly looking forward to reading this one because as hilarious as Vlad is, there wasn’t anything romantically appealing. He was there for comic relief. I mean, potty humor? Come on.
But, the author reframes that almost immediately by explaining he has a gluten allergy! Ok! So we don’t have to suffer through a whole book of him farting and shitting! And there was a reason for it all along which makes it less gross. lol
I love, love, love Alexis and Noah popping up. I’m not a Colton fan.
I really, truly enjoyed Elena and Vlad’s relationship. It was simple and complex and loving and hot! I don’t have more to say beyond that…I read the 4 books back-to-back and now I’m in withdrawal. I wish the author would give sequels to some. Mack, Alexis, Noah, Vlad and Elena are my favs. I would love more Malcolm. And I wish Elena and Alexis became besties. lolll the author has just created this universe of characters and I love it. Each universe has its own sub universe…
Anywho…Vlad and Elena…love! It was charming and sweet and loving and hot and funny and it even had some straight up suspense! Oh! I did like the dynamic between Colton and Elena even though I’m not a Colton fan. ...more
**spoiler alert** I’ve read three of the books in this series so far and I’ve noticed a trend that the author really favors strong, wealthy men and sm**spoiler alert** I’ve read three of the books in this series so far and I’ve noticed a trend that the author really favors strong, wealthy men and small women. Seriously, all the men in the book club are extremely successful and wealthy. Whereas Thea, Liv and Alexis are not. What’s up with that? So not cool…
Liv’s issues I saw coming a mile away…in the first book actually. And this book furthers my cause to rename the “enemies to lovers” trope to “adversaries to lovers” because, at no point, would I ever describe these two as enemies.
I really enjoy Mack as a character and man, does he have some depth here. I think it’s totally far fetched that Liv would just walk away from him for keeping a secret that his dad is a murderer. I don’t like that their reunion was so rushed. I’m really disappointed Noah and Alexis didn’t meet in this book. I read their story first (on accident) and I really liked them. Their story picks up 18 months or so after this one ends I think…now I want to go back and reread it.
Despite the things I didn’t like, I still thought that Mack and Liv were very swoon worthy. I read this book straight through whereas the first book took me a couple of days. Even though I thought Liv’s treatment of Jessica and Alexis was really cringe. I was so glad when Alexis told her to gtfo.
I would say 3.25 - 3.5 stars for this entry....more
**spoiler alert** So, I didn’t love this book but I also didn’t hate it. I liked Gavin’s character and I love the idea of a bromance book club…or real**spoiler alert** So, I didn’t love this book but I also didn’t hate it. I liked Gavin’s character and I love the idea of a bromance book club…or really the idea of non-toxic males willing to put in the work to be enlightened, aware humans. The book club is the highlight of this series.
Thea, however, was grating and I’m disappointed we only got maybe a 5 page chapter on her “backstory” and really doing any work on herself.
Look, I am very much anti-men, however I do NOT subscribe to this whole idea of blaming men for one’s problems. Like, Liv calling Gavin and asshole…exsqueeze, for what? I was fully expecting Thea to talk to Nessa about her marriage struggles with Del. It’s a shame she didn’t have a more active role in Thea’s support system and instead that all fell on Liv…someone clearly as deeply flawed as her sister.
Thea and Gavin both had work to do and I think Thea had more than Gavin, honestly. Her wounds were deeper and older…again, bummer we didn’t get more of her acknowledging her role and journey to self-awareness. How would things have played out if her dad said he did regret having her? I mean, come on. This was the jerk father? I’m just not feeling very confident about these two in the long run…not that I matters, since it’s a fictional book.
Would have garnered a 4 star rating if she’d left out the bit about likening veganism to a disease. It’s the 21st century, get your head out of your aWould have garnered a 4 star rating if she’d left out the bit about likening veganism to a disease. It’s the 21st century, get your head out of your ass.
I did enjoy the juxtaposition of the two females switching lives. I think I would have liked it more if the mother (Marian) was out of the picture…there were just too many characters. Leena could have found her way to healing without Marian taking up any dialogue.
I am a sucker for romance and I think Eileen’s romance with Arnold was handled much better. I liked Leena and Jackson but I didn’t think they spent enough time together (on page) before they ended up hooking up. I would have like more.
There was so much going on leaving a lot to tackle in a relatively short work so the flipping between Leena/Eileen didn’t really allow me to fully sink into either one. ...more
This book is the linchpin of my entire studies on English literature. It led me to the Zora Neale Hurston festival and to making a pilgrimage to her gThis book is the linchpin of my entire studies on English literature. It led me to the Zora Neale Hurston festival and to making a pilgrimage to her grave where I left a copy of my thesis. Beautiful, beautiful storyteller. This work is an essential. ...more
My first foray into Steinbeck and it did not disappoint. I can easily see why his writing is considered classic American literature and now I will be My first foray into Steinbeck and it did not disappoint. I can easily see why his writing is considered classic American literature and now I will be making my way through the rest of his bibliography. ...more
**spoiler alert** Wow. I JUST finished this book. I have to let it digest and then I can write my review.
36 hours later…
Anyone who looks at my reading**spoiler alert** Wow. I JUST finished this book. I have to let it digest and then I can write my review.
36 hours later…
Anyone who looks at my reading history here on GR will see that I read about a book a day and have been for like a month at least. Most of these are ConRoms and I feel like I’ve seen it all. With that in mind, this is (hands down) one of my favorites that I’ve read. More than just fluff. It reminds me of Meet Me in Paradise in that there is more depth. The author took me on a journey, willingly. It was a beautiful journey, at that, for these two characters. They found their strength and fought their demons together and on their own.
Where to start. Is it with how much of myself I see in January and all her doubts and anxiety and fear? Or how I actually cried when January texted Shadia that she needs her and then called her mom? That moment made my dried up, shriveled and petrified heart actually beat for a moment.
While this story did feature the “haven’t seen/spoken to/interacted with each other in years” trope (which she has a penchant for - see People We Meet on Vacation) I managed to not let that detract from my experience. Being perfectly honest, I did have to consciously suppress that disbelief many times throughout…I just find the notion distracting and not very realistic. I’ve yet to find a book where this trope is handled to my satisfaction. I believe you can have a strong connection with someone and not see them for sometime and that connection is still there, but that connection has to be more than one heated dance and a few interactions in the classroom. This is really my only gripe with this work. Oh, I guess the ending too. lol a surprise engagement? Ehhhhhh…coulda done without that. I kept hoping Gus would propose or do something swoon worthy with the dedication of his book. ...more
**spoiler alert** I know 2 stars may seem a bit harsh, but it’s really more of a 2.5 stars rating. And I’m only rating it like so because of the writi**spoiler alert** I know 2 stars may seem a bit harsh, but it’s really more of a 2.5 stars rating. And I’m only rating it like so because of the writing. Where was the editor? There were too many spots where it felt like I was reading a high schooler’s creative writing assignment. Really, when it came to the dialogue. Particularly at the beginning and during the argument at the basketball court. It was kinda cringe. Just like Liya storming over to Jay’s place with the shoes and him saying “damn woman.” Also cringe. Also, how did she know where he lived? And he ran a bit too hot and cold. Like, one moment he’s like “yeah, Kajaal - let’s get some coffee” and the next he’s telling Liya he misses her? #confused
There were some nice moments like when Jay and Liya reunite in Dallas. I wish that all Liya had to do was say “Murkesh” while looking at Jay with such sadness and then he’d make the connection during that climatic confrontation.
I do like how slow their relationship progressed because they both needed to build trust. I wish we’d seen a bit more of Liya helping Jay through his baggage…to help him believe he deserved this…just a little bit more. But I do like how he called her out on her patterns and was providing reassurance like when she said they weren’t exclusive and she just meant he had an out and he replied with “Don’t think for a second that there’s even a chance of me walking away from this. You understand me?”...more
**spoiler alert** Absolutely a solid 4 stars. Sorry…I have to save my 5 stars for Hemingway…Steinbeck…Hurston…lol I started this book and did not put **spoiler alert** Absolutely a solid 4 stars. Sorry…I have to save my 5 stars for Hemingway…Steinbeck…Hurston…lol I started this book and did not put it down till it was finished. My eyes were burning with exhaustion, but I didn’t want to stop. When I finished, I thought “This! This is how you develop a relationship!” While Lucy and Josh have been co-workers for some time (at least a couple years?) the whole story only takes place over the course of a couple of weeks. The author deftly handles the sparring in a way that the reader can look back and be like “ohhhh they were totally flirting!” Or they can see the hidden tone or meaning. It felt totally natural for things to progress as they did and once the cap came off the bottle for Josh, there was no putting it back on. And ugh! His line about finally getting her on his couch! Swoon!! The story made me laugh out loud and I found myself repeating (also, out loud) some of the dialogue. All signs of good writing and characters. I do wish we’d gotten to see Josh and Lucy at the strawberry farm, but oh well. I’ll have to be content with their plan to go “take me with you…” It’s crazy how well they knew each other and this set up Josh’s ability to pull stuff out of Lucy when she was freaking out. I really loved that aspect of their dynamic. It was obvious she’s freaking but couldn’t communicate the “what.” I might just have to give this book another read…there were so many good-bits. ...more
**spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this book…I read it in a few hours. Wish I could rate it a 3.5. It made me laugh out loud (which I think is always **spoiler alert** I really enjoyed this book…I read it in a few hours. Wish I could rate it a 3.5. It made me laugh out loud (which I think is always a sign of good writing) and I LOVE the concept of 90% of the story taking place in the course of one night. Who can’t identify with wanting to be a fly on the wall sometimes? Well Effie inadvertently made that happen with unexpected (and sometimes heartbreaking) consequences. I really enjoyed the dynamic with her siblings too…wish there had been more of the three of them. The only fault I have is the amount of time that passed between when Effie and Joe broke up to when the story picks up. I guess they had this strong bond and knew each other since forever, but 4 years seems like too much time to pass for them to just pick back up where they left off…how about cutting that in half? Aside from that, this was a cute and funny read with touches of depth and organic character development. ...more
**spoiler alert** This book creeped me out because it was too dang similar to real life royals. The parallels were too familiar and I couldn’t help bu**spoiler alert** This book creeped me out because it was too dang similar to real life royals. The parallels were too familiar and I couldn’t help but picture Kate, Liz, Harry, Wills and Charles. Beyond that, I was filled with anxiety for 2/3s of it. I saw another review mention 75 pages of unnecessary pain and I second that. The reader could see it coming and knew what would happen but it took forever to trudge through it. And Bex’s sister…what an entirely unlikeable character! It was awful! The authors would have been better off leaving out all the drama to really focus on the two leads…the time jumps between sections left out parts I would have liked to experience like when Bex and Nick first got together…that’s the best freaking part!!! I feel like I don’t really know much about Bex or Nick after 450 or so pages. Am I team Bex or Team Nick or Team any of these characters? The jury is still out. With all this being said, did I still read the sequel? Yes. ...more
**spoiler alert** Part 2 is moderately better than Part 1 although enormously more far fetched. I hate that Freddie/Daphne had this amazing wedding wh**spoiler alert** Part 2 is moderately better than Part 1 although enormously more far fetched. I hate that Freddie/Daphne had this amazing wedding while Bex was called a slut. I did enjoy Bex and Eleanor’s relationship finally developing. And Nick going to a therapist was refreshing (although why didn’t Bex ever join for a session or two?!). Thankfully there wasn’t as much angst in this one as Part 1, but Part 2 made up for that in spades with the types of storylines you’d expect to play out on Maury or Jerry Springer. And after 450 more pages, I still have no idea about what kind of person/future Queen Bex will be. With things like unflattering photos while pregnant and sneaking around as Margo or the horrid portrait, it gives the reader little hope that the future Queen has any poise or decorum or maturity. She just seems like a farce and it’s hard to root for a character like that. For a story that spans at least a decade, there seems to be minimal character development. Maybe it’s like Eleanor said…people don’t really change. ...more
I am surprised this book is rated so low. I loved all the characters and the drama and story and romance. It’s right up there with The Grisha Trilogy I am surprised this book is rated so low. I loved all the characters and the drama and story and romance. It’s right up there with The Grisha Trilogy for me. I’m about to start the second book and hope it doesn’t disappoint. ...more
**spoiler alert** I’ve read a fair amount of YA dystopian books and I enjoyed the Snow White set in Star Wars element. What worked against this is tha**spoiler alert** I’ve read a fair amount of YA dystopian books and I enjoyed the Snow White set in Star Wars element. What worked against this is that it’s a single installment which left some parts of the story feeling rushed or forced. Even if the events were spread out across two books, that would really allow more depth to Essie and Dane’s relationship as well as Essie’s journey from a Thandan “rat” to Princess. It felt like Essie made that transition with the turn of a page. And it’s like 200+ pages into when we learn she was molested by her father as a child?! Still an enjoyable read that exhibits a strong female lead despite her circumstances. And the drones were a great, and original, supporting cast. ...more