I was today years old when I learned you can, in fact, go wrong with a fae romance. Oops. I mean, I know someone will read this and love it, but as haI was today years old when I learned you can, in fact, go wrong with a fae romance. Oops. I mean, I know someone will read this and love it, but as hard as I tried, I just couldn't.
It felt very generic, even cringy in parts, maybe because I chose the audiobook, maybe not, but still.
The worldbuilding was virtually nonexistent, I was 40% in when I realised I didn't even know what the world was supposed to look like (nor did I care, to be fair), because there was so little info about it.
The main focus of the story was absolutely the romance, but I didn't even like that. It went from 0-100 in the first few chapters, there was no build up, no tension, no yearning, just constant horniness from both of the MCs.
Which is fine, if you're here for the smut, but if you like a little bit of plot with it, then you'll be left wanting.
And honestly, the constant misogyny in the beginning bugged me to no end. There wasn't a single male character who was alright, they were all awful.
With that said, she had a lot more chemistry with Vane than with Atakan. I believe that this book would've been a bit more fun if he was the main love interest.
The second half of the book did get better, but marginally. It almost earned a 3 star rating but not quite. It slowed down on the constant steam and tried to introduce some plot, but it wasn't enough to save it as a whole.
I also wasn't fully vibing with the writing style, but I would be open to trying another book by this author.
I loved the use of colours and the art style, as well as the fairytale vibes near the end, but everything else wasn't anything spectacular. I'm actualI loved the use of colours and the art style, as well as the fairytale vibes near the end, but everything else wasn't anything spectacular. I'm actually a bit disappointed that I didn't like it more. I would read something by this author again though, because it seems like this was a one off. ...more
Giving this a three star rating because it wasn't bad, I just didn't like it as much as I was hoping to. It's probably a 2.5, but since it's Pride MonGiving this a three star rating because it wasn't bad, I just didn't like it as much as I was hoping to. It's probably a 2.5, but since it's Pride Month, I wanna be nice, hence rounding it up.
Anyway, I'm not sure the audiobook was the correct choice because it was so hard to follow from the get go, there were a lot of characters and I had trouble remembering who was who, and none of them were particularly fleshed out.
The romance was okay, but there was barely any chemistry there. The mystery is probably the only thing that kept this book going, but even that needed a bit more substance. The premise was interesting, I'm not quite sure it managed to accomplish what it set out to do though.
Writing style wise, I have no complaints and would consider reading another book by this author. I'm kind of surprised it's not a debut, I feel like it should've been better based on the number of books the author has previously written, but yeah, sometimes a book is just okay....more
So, I have never seen the movies or read the books, and thought it would be a good idea to at least read the first book, since there's a new movie comSo, I have never seen the movies or read the books, and thought it would be a good idea to at least read the first book, since there's a new movie coming out. Not the best decision on my part, I need to learn that reading the book before every single movie isn't always necessary (tell that to my brain though).
I know that this came out in the 90s, and I'm aware it was a very thin-is-in kind of time, but that still doesn't make the casual fatphobia okay to me, nor is it something I want to read about in such great detail.
Perhaps I'm a bit too sensitive, because I struggled with an eating disorder for half of my life, but I couldn't stand to read the way Bridget wrote about herself, thought about herself, how others treated her etc.
On top, Daniel was insufferable, and I felt as if I'd spent eons waiting for Mark Darcy to become a love interest.
And then there was literally zero development, ZERO, they went from meeting to nothing to meeting again to nothing and then suddenly by the end of the book all is grand and he's in love with her??? Where did that come from? I also didn't feel even the tiniest spark between them, they were just so...dull?
There were some parts of the book that were okay, even somewhat funny (like Darcy staring at the bunny tail, I did smile at that) and slightly relatable, and I could see why so many people fell in love with the story, but it was just too much for me.
Hopefully the movie tackles the whole thing better, because I want to give it a chance. But the rest of the books, I'm going to have to pass on....more
I was hoping I'd love this as much as The Kiss Countdown, and while I did like it, it wasn't as good. I just wanted a lil more from the story. But theI was hoping I'd love this as much as The Kiss Countdown, and while I did like it, it wasn't as good. I just wanted a lil more from the story. But the romance was okay, the forced proximity handled well (Mars simulation!!), we got more space facts (yay), and it was funny.
Though at times Brianna and Roman seemed unbalanced in their attraction, she definitely liked him more than he liked her. I wish we got to peek inside his head so we'd know if that's really the case. I also feel like their relationship is based more on lust than love, and I don't think I truly got to know either of them as characters.
But maybe this is just a one-off, and Etta Easton's next book will be great like the first. Fingers crossed. ...more
To be honest, I listened to this just to finish the series. I didn't like it any better than the past two, but, like them, it wasn't bad. The music asTo be honest, I listened to this just to finish the series. I didn't like it any better than the past two, but, like them, it wasn't bad. The music aspect certainly helped, though I wish the story had a bit more depth....more
An attempt was made...unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I was kinda bored, there was a lot more telling than showing and I felt zero connection toAn attempt was made...unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I was kinda bored, there was a lot more telling than showing and I felt zero connection to the characters. The plot twist was obvious from the get go, the romance went from 0-100 with no development in between (or after), the whole thing felt so shallow. The world wasn't bad, and the writing was okay, but that's the extent of it.
I'm sure someone will love this, but that someone isn't me. I'll still give the author's scifi book a chance though.
This was my very first book by Han Kang, and it seemed like almost everyone was loving it so I figured I'd probably like it too. WELL, about that...I This was my very first book by Han Kang, and it seemed like almost everyone was loving it so I figured I'd probably like it too. WELL, about that...I don't think I read the same book as everyone else. Maybe some of it is due to the translation, but I'm also not sure how different the book could be in its original language, the story is still the same.
What I liked is that it's short and a fast read, the main character gave up eating meat and (view spoiler)[she thinks she's a tree at the end (hide spoiler)], which is something we were gradually building up to, plus, who doesn't wanna be in sync with nature?
What didn't work for me was pretty much everything else, the (multiple!!) sexual assaults of both the main character and her sister, as well as their constant sexualisation being at the forefront.
I hated reading the male PoVs, they were a little too convincing, like if I didn't know the author was a woman, I would've thought this to be written by a man.
Then there's poor Yeong-hye being force fed meat by her own family, not just once either.
She was clearly unwell, and everyone was so focused on her not eating meat that they missed everything else that was going on. If my family cared as little about me & treated me the way Yeong-hye's treated her, hell, I'd think I was (view spoiler)[a tree (hide spoiler)] too.
The first two parts were like a train wreck that you can't look away from, and then the third one was just there. Very flat. Kinda confusing. Especially the ending, it was abrupt and didn't feel like the best place to end the book.
I think The Vegetarian would've been better if the whole thing had been told from Yeong-hye's perspective. Because yes, I do want to know more about her dreams, the ones that pushed her to become a vegetarian. She's who I want to listen to, not her nor her sister's husband, and not her sister.
Despite this, I would be open to trying another book by Kang in the future, hopefully that one will work better for me....more
I can't believe this was written by the same person who wrote Planes, Trains, and All the Feels because WHAT IS THIS?? I really did not care for it whI can't believe this was written by the same person who wrote Planes, Trains, and All the Feels because WHAT IS THIS?? I really did not care for it whatsoever.
I couldn't feel the chemistry between the two leads, and at the start I even shipped Nora with Benji because he was, at least, more interesting than Sebastian.
The first half of the book was overall better, the second is where it really went downhill for me. I kept rolling my eyes every time there was a sex scene, because they felt really out of place in this story. Not to compare AGAIN, but I didn't get this feeling with the other book I read by Livy Hart, so this just wasn't put together the best.
The audiobook was fine, and I liked the feuding families, but that's about it. Maaaybe I'd read Benji's story if he got one and maaaaybe I'd give Hart's other books a try, because there's always a chance they could work for me like PTAATF did. ...more
I know I'm overanalyzing a smutty novella, but hear me out. This line?
"I've known her for longer than most people know their own kids."
My headcannon iI know I'm overanalyzing a smutty novella, but hear me out. This line?
"I've known her for longer than most people know their own kids."
My headcannon is that they're actually in their 50s/60s.
Because in the book, they met when she was 18 and he was 21 and they wrote to each other etc, eventually something happened and they haven't seen each other in 7 years so I know they're closer to 30 than 50, but say they knew each other for 10 years, I don't think most people lose their parents that young. I did at 13, but I'm not the majority.
This is just my detail oriented mind, maybe the line was supposed to be that he knew her BETTER than people know their own kids, that would make more sense.
ANYWAY, the novella was fine. I've read similar ones before that I liked better, so I knew what to expect. I was hoping I'd love it though, but alas.
The writing was okay, but it didn't really do anything for me, neither did the characters. I actually kind of disliked both of them, which made it hard for me to care about their storyline.
I agree with the people who said the ending felt rushed, it doesn't feel like their story was properly concluded. There will be another book though, following different characters.
I'm not sure if I'd read it, even if these two make a cameo, maybe I'll give it some thought and then decide.
Yeah, it's a no from me. It's a three hour long audiobook, and even sped up I kept wishing it would just END. I wanted to dnf multiple times through, Yeah, it's a no from me. It's a three hour long audiobook, and even sped up I kept wishing it would just END. I wanted to dnf multiple times through, but said c'mon it's not that long, you can do this. And getting to the ending wasn't worth it.
This is my second read by this author, but since I previously read the Snowman book, which is different to all her other works, I feel like this is my actual first read by her. I'll give one of her longer books a try and see if that works better for me, but if it's similar to this one...
Also, little girl as a nickname...that was definitely A CHOICE. The audiobook was okay I guess, performance wise I mean, but I hated the male PoV, despite the narrator's effort. Wouldn't recommend unless if you're already a fan of the author....more
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't for me. And I tried to like it so so bad, I've been really excited about reading it, but I had trouble liking the This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't for me. And I tried to like it so so bad, I've been really excited about reading it, but I had trouble liking the characters and found their story to be boring, even on audiobook. But I'd still recommend it to people who think they might like it.
Sue me, but I liked the first book so much better. This one had almost zero plot, it was all smut and horror elements which is fine, I just personallySue me, but I liked the first book so much better. This one had almost zero plot, it was all smut and horror elements which is fine, I just personally need more to fully engage with a book.
I found myself rolling my eyes at some of Lux's lines, which didn't happen in À La Folie, so it's safe to say I'm disappointed! Johnny ended up being more entertaining, although his chapters were by far the sickest/darkest.
I feel like Maison De Fous also upped the ridiculous factor, like that bit near the end with the customers in masks and black robes...very silly, but I don't think this book takes itself very seriously anyway.
I'll still read book three, hopefully it'll have just a tiny bit of plot, I'm not asking for much, I swear....more
Okay umm...this was certainly...a book. It started off okay, but as soon as the smut came in I wasn't having as good of a time, because it took over tOkay umm...this was certainly...a book. It started off okay, but as soon as the smut came in I wasn't having as good of a time, because it took over the plot. And said plot was barely there to begin with.
For most of the book, Kage is away doing mafia stuff off-page, while Nat sits at home waiting for him to show up once in a while when he has a few free minutes. She finally gets up and does something in the last third, and that's the best part of the book.
Like, if the whole book was like that, it would have gotten a much higher rating from me. It saves it from being a complete flop.
And that ending normally could've convinced me to give the next book a try, but seeing as I've read another book by this author and didn't like it much, I don't think that's the wisest course of action.
It actually DOES read like Pen Pal, but somehow worse plot wise. I think Geissinger's style isn't a good match for me, I'm not sure if I should give her a 3rd chance, or if it'll just be more of the same.
Don't have much to say about this that I didn't already say in my review for their first book, but at least in this one they dropped the whole "I, JimDon't have much to say about this that I didn't already say in my review for their first book, but at least in this one they dropped the whole "I, Jim Bob" and "I, Michelle" thing, so it was less confusing. They repeated some stories from that other book too, but most of them were new, occasionally interesting.
I laughed when I got to that "romance books are to women what porn is to men" part and how they give girls/women unrealistic expectations...BYEEEEE. So ridiculous. Like not even "proper" historical romances Michelle? Really now?? What a sad world.
Anyway, another Duggar book done, a few more to go. ...more
I was looking forward to reading this book because I thought it would make me connect to the characters more than the first one, but that didn't happeI was looking forward to reading this book because I thought it would make me connect to the characters more than the first one, but that didn't happen. I'd even say the first book was better, because this one dragged on and felt repetitive.
I also didn't end up liking Rhett at all, he annoyed me more than anything. And every time he called Cara "his little nightmare" I wanted to roll my eyes because it happened so damn much, like ok we get it.
As for Cara, her transition from trying to run away, to wanting to stay with Rhett, was so sudden that it wasn't believable. I feel like that could've been developed better.
I'll still give the next book a try and see where it goes, who knows, Sloan's book might be better....more
Thieves' Gambit, but if Thieves' Gambit was boring. I literally have nothing to say about it, can't believe this is the same author who wrote Not YourThieves' Gambit, but if Thieves' Gambit was boring. I literally have nothing to say about it, can't believe this is the same author who wrote Not Your Average Hot Guy (both of those books were so silly and fun). Bonus points for Sunflower and Sunflower ONLY. ...more
I had high expectations for The Neighbour Favor, it was just alright, I had no real expectations for The Partner Plot and it was still just okay. It'sI had high expectations for The Neighbour Favor, it was just alright, I had no real expectations for The Partner Plot and it was still just okay. It's possible this author's adult titles don't work for me as much as her YA ones might, but I haven't gotten to those yet so I can't really compare.
So, much like in that other book, there's nothing particularly wrong here, the writing was fine, the characters (by themselves) were interesting enough, the second chance and (fake) marriage of convenience tropes worked alright together, and we even got a bit of a crossover which I'm a fan of.
But the chemistry between the two leads was lukewarm at best. I think they had more chemistry as teens than as adults, it was as if it all sizzled out over the years they've been apart. And we got a lot more pages about their careers than we did about their romance, so is it really a wonder I didn't feel it?
What I did like, is that there was no third act breakup and pretty much no angst during their reunion. Because I can promise you, if I got angst & a breakup on top of me not feeling the romance, I would've been so upset.
Will I read the next one? Undecided as of now. I might, to be a completionist, or if I need an easier read/listen. But I'm thinking if that one also doesn't work for me, and I try one of the YA books and that doesn't work for me either, then this author isn't for me. ...more
Oh boy, do I wish this was the book for me! I actually did like it at the very beginning and thought it seemed promising, maybe even a four star read,Oh boy, do I wish this was the book for me! I actually did like it at the very beginning and thought it seemed promising, maybe even a four star read, but then the guys were introduced, Chelsea and Basil started their not-dating-but-kinda-dating thing and their back and forth with each other became exhausting.
Chelsea told Basil what she was like early on, and he just didn't listen. They're both stubborn, but in different ways. I often got annoyed with how Chelsea treated him, but also got annoyed at the expectations Basil placed on her, knowing she wouldn't be able to fulfil them, but asking her to anyway.
I don't think they're right for each other. I feel like Elizabeth and Evan are a more balanced couple, and their romance was more engaging to me than Chelsea and Basil's.
I also feel a bit bamboozled, because, based on the cover, I was expecting this book to be set in Greece, or at least half of it, but the Greece part doesn't come in until 80 something percent. The rest of it is set in the US which is okay, it's just not what I thought it would be.
Plot wise, not much happened, I felt as if I was reading the same thing over and over again. The biggest focus was definitely on the relationship and there didn't seem to be enough room to explore anything else.
But I liked the friendship crumbs we got at the start, Elizabeth and Chelsea function well together and I'm certain that, if this had been a book about their travelling adventures instead, my rating would be higher.
I also liked the Greek culture and food, the way Basil's family interacted with each other...it was sweet.
The ending was okay, but still frustrating, because these two CANNOT go a few days without arguing over commitment or lack thereof. Yes, they do eventually agree on something, and it seems like it's all sunshine and rainbows, but I just don't believe it, I'm sorry.
Now, I have to mention this one line that rubbed me the wrong way. Basil is talking to his family on the phone and saying how there was a reason he moved to Charlottesville despite his family's protests and "You'd think I moved to the most dangerous neighbourhood in Beirut by the way my mom fretted and nagged".
I want to know if that line was really necessary??? And why say Beirut, why not say an American city, since he's in America? I do wonder if the author has ever been to Lebanon, or has friends/family there, because they'd tell you - there are no dangerous neighbourhoods in Beirut!
There are less safe ones, sure, but outright dangerous, no. Literally any capital city has areas where you wouldn't wanna be at night, for one reason or another, so why was Beirut singled out?
This line made it into the final copy, as far as I'm aware, so that was certainly...a choice. I'm surprised no one else noticed it, to be honest.
The rest of the book was vetted by a Greek-American, so you can be sure things are correct. I liked that the author chose to write endearments in Greek, and then after in Latin script. I'm used to authors just using Latin script straight up for languages like Russian that use the Cyrillic alphabet, so I'm glad that some effort was put in to write it as it's actually written.
That's about it from me for this book, I really was hoping I'd like it, but it wasn't meant to be.
2.5
*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more