I've got to admit I didn't have very high expectations going into this story. Fake dating is one of my least favorite tropes, and I've yet to find a rI've got to admit I didn't have very high expectations going into this story. Fake dating is one of my least favorite tropes, and I've yet to find a romcom that I love. Imagine my surprise to find myself genuinely enjoying the story. It even managed to make me laugh out loud a few times.
The first half was definitely stronger than the second half, which felt unnecessarily long and sort of lost me after a while. Overall, though, this was a sweet and surprisingly funny story. British humor just seems to work for me. ...more
Even though I was able to finish this story, I never felt fully invested in anything happening in it. I would've enjoyed it a lot more if it had begunEven though I was able to finish this story, I never felt fully invested in anything happening in it. I would've enjoyed it a lot more if it had begun at the beginning of Kyran and Silvano's relationship rather than 10 years down the line. I would've had a better understanding of their relationship, and it would've made their feelings for each other more impactful. As is, it's decent, though not memorable. 2.5 stars, rounded up...more
This story far exceeded my expectations. If you decide to read it, keep in mind that it's actually comprised of six chronological short stories that eThis story far exceeded my expectations. If you decide to read it, keep in mind that it's actually comprised of six chronological short stories that each feature at least one, sometimes long, bdsm scene. It can be a bit much if you read it all in one go, but it didn't bother me because I just I skimmed through any scenes that I didn't feel like reading. The ones I did read were hot af, so no complaints from me. The overall story is really, really good. Malcolm and North are a great couple, and I loved how much they complimented each other's personalities and kinks. If you are able to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend it. Craig Richards' voice was perfect for this story. His grunts and growls were ...more
“I’ve loved you all my life. It’s part of who I am as a person. I don’t know who the fuck I am if I can’t love you, if I’m not allowed to love you, if“I’ve loved you all my life. It’s part of who I am as a person. I don’t know who the fuck I am if I can’t love you, if I’m not allowed to love you, if you don’t want me around. Even if I marry someone else, it wouldn’t change anything. I would still be miserable. I would still love you. I will stop loving you the day I stop breathing.”
Ugh. I actually thought the whole miscommunication thing was over in volume 1. Volume 2 ramps it up to a whole new level. This entire volume was a fouUgh. I actually thought the whole miscommunication thing was over in volume 1. Volume 2 ramps it up to a whole new level. This entire volume was a four-way miscommunication thing between 4 different people. It was so annoying to read aaand!! when the volume ended 150 pages later, NONE of those miscommunications were resolved. ...more
I'm not sure how to rate this. It was a terrifying dystopian story that I will be thinking about for days. I really should've stopped rMinor spoilers:
I'm not sure how to rate this. It was a terrifying dystopian story that I will be thinking about for days. I really should've stopped reading when the instructors started repeatedly slapping the A.I. robots - called "dolls" in this story - in order to make them cry because it only got worse from there. The abuse of both the dolls and the mothers was hard to stomach. When dolls started trying to run away and mothers felt driven to suicide, I really really should've quit. This story left me in a funk, and I don't want to read anything like it again. No rating....more
So, this is an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t enjoy Us Against You nearly as much as I did Beartown. The setup for the story felt unnecessarily longSo, this is an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t enjoy Us Against You nearly as much as I did Beartown. The setup for the story felt unnecessarily long, and once it did get going (at roughly the 30% mark?) the pacing continued to feel off. Also, there were only a few uplifting moments throughout the story. In Beartown, all of the heart-wrenching and/or infuriating moments were balanced out by an equal number of touching and heartwarming ones. In this story, the negative emotions of anger, disappointment, betrayal, and sadness far outweighed everything else. That isn’t to say that happy moments weren’t present; they just seemed to be overshadowed up by everything else going on. 2.5 stars...more
"There are few words that are harder to explain than "loyalty." It's always regarded as a positive characteristic, because a lot of people would say t"There are few words that are harder to explain than "loyalty." It's always regarded as a positive characteristic, because a lot of people would say that many of the best things people do for each other occur precisely because of loyalty. The only problem is that many of the very worst things we do to each other occur because of the same thing."
This story was incredible; one of the best stories I've read all year.
5++ stars for the story as well as the audiobook....more
I didn't really like this story, but at the same time, I didn't hate it either. To be honest, I'm surprised that I was able to finish it because at noI didn't really like this story, but at the same time, I didn't hate it either. To be honest, I'm surprised that I was able to finish it because at no point in the story was I ever truly invested in what El was going through. She was a failed actress who didn't have any dreams, passions, or future plans to work towards. She did make some friends in college, but perhaps because they reminded her of her failed dreams, she slowly started distancing herself from them.
In 8th grade, she attended a private school via financial aid and was exposed to children from wealthy families. She felt like an outsider among them but comforted herself with the idea that one day she'd become a famous actress, and they'd tell everyone they knew that they went to school with her, however briefly.
Of course, that never happened, and right before her 30th birthday, one of only two friends that she made that year invited her to a party where she once again rubbed elbows with the elites. It was at this party that she met Bryce. She wasn't particularly attracted to him, but was willing to get to know him because h was wealthy.
El allowed herself to be dragged into Bryce's world. He fell in love with her relatively quickly and when he asked her to move in with him and allow him to pay off all her bills and take care of her she chose to ignore all the red flags telling her that something wasn't right with him. When she was finally confronted with the type of person he really was, she had to make a decision about whether or not giving up her life of luxury was worth sacrificing her morals.
That synopsis may sound interesting, but the story itself did not deliver. The characters were all superficial and annoying ( think entitled rich people being entitled and rich ...more
If you're a mm omegaverse aficionado with a lactation kink (...or are just curious If you're a mm omegaverse aficionado with a lactation kink (...or are just curious ...more
Now I remember why I didn't immediately move on to volume two after finishing volume one. Despite a few funny moments in the middle, this volume - jusNow I remember why I didn't immediately move on to volume two after finishing volume one. Despite a few funny moments in the middle, this volume - just like the first one - was incredibly hard to get through. Remnants of Filth is the darkest, or maybe I should say angstiest, danmei that I've read so far. Everything about this story is bleak, sad, and morose. Mo Xi's anger and frustration with Gu Mang - his palpable heartache - permeates everything taking place within the story, and at times, it feels suffocating. The plot is just HEAVY.
As much as I want to immediately move on to the next book, I've read the reviews... this story doesn't let up until the very end of the series! My health can't take that much drama and angst back to back. ...more
I'd say that about 40% of this book is an actual memoir, while the remaining 60% is information and advice that the author feels would benefit a persoI'd say that about 40% of this book is an actual memoir, while the remaining 60% is information and advice that the author feels would benefit a person newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. Some of the topics discussed in this book are the flaws within the US healthcare system, the importance of mental health while dealing with a chronic illness, how having a chronic illness will affect your relationship with your partner, your friends, and your family, as well as what your rights are as an employee.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had picked a focus. The author's experience with IBD was heartbreaking. I don't have a chronic illness, but I do have a chronic disorder that allowed me to identify with many of the things she experienced. I appreciated her frankness when discussing her illness and all that was involved in getting a correct diagnosis.
The informational part of the book was relevant, insightful, and helpful. It did get a little preachy in some areas, but I agreed with almost everything she said so none of it really bothered me. What I didn't like was how we were constantly shifting from the memoir to the educational/advice stuff. I would've preferred it if the book were broken into two parts: the memoir and the other stuff. This would have made the memoir more poignant and seamless. Instead, she'd be talking about her experiences with doctors who downplayed her symptoms or made her feel confused or left out of her treatment plan - all told in very emotional language - then segue right into very clinical information on how to choose a doctor and deal with insurance companies that deny treatments or medication. It was very jarring, and it happened in every chapter.
Overall, this wasn't what I was expecting it to be, but I do think it would be helpful to others in similar situations. I almost feel like it should be marketed as more self-help(?) than memoir. 3 stars...more
When it comes to bl I’m used to so-called bully romances. One of my favorite series is Caste Heaven and that is probably one of the most problematic -When it comes to bl I’m used to so-called bully romances. One of my favorite series is Caste Heaven and that is probably one of the most problematic - wtf did I just read - English translated bl series outside of Korean Manhwa (...because let’s be honest, no one does problematic abusive “romances” quite like them! lol). Of course, there are always those lesser known oneshots that feature extreme forms of abuse, but those aren’t actually marketed as romances, and I’m talking about bls with official English translations.
Anyway, the bullying in this manga isn’t that extreme and it doesn’t even involve anything sexual. Hira has always been an outcast due to his social awkwardness and stutter. He doesn’t have any friends and is often teased by his classmates. No one physically abuses him, but the verbal abuse is bad enough that he struggles with thoughts of suicide. Kiyoi is this beautiful standoffish boy in his class that Kiyoi has a crush on. Because of this, he becomes a willing gofer for him and his group of friends. They all look down on him, constantly calling him their slave, but because of Kiyoki Hira does whatever they ask.
*sigh*
This story was just depressing. Unlike the MC from Caste Heaven who continually rebelled against his abuse and plotted ways to get back at those who hurt him, Hira just took it and felt happy, no, elated whenever Kiyoi showed him even the tiniest bit of consideration. I’m not sure that I liked this, but I am curious to see how Hira and Kiyoki’s relationship changes in the upcoming volumes. 2.5 stars...more
The way the Rufeng sect's secrets were put on blast for the entire cultivation realm!! The way the Rufeng sect's secrets were put on blast for the entire cultivation realm!! ...more