So I read Cinderella is Dead which I liked, This Poison Heart which I disliked, and now You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight which sits somewhere in theSo I read Cinderella is Dead which I liked, This Poison Heart which I disliked, and now You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight which sits somewhere in the middle.
I didn't like or dislike it, I have no strong feelings toward it, and I don't regret listening to it. But I do think I probably would've enjoyed it a smidge more if I read it myself, because the narration was monotone in parts.
It didn't feel like I should be on the edge of my seat, more like I was sitting in a coffee shop and someone was telling me a story (which is also an okay vibe, don't get me wrong, just not what I was expecting here).
The book is short, but took a while to get going and during that time I didn't find myself getting attached to any of the characters except Charity.
I really liked the setting though, and the idea was there and it went well during the first half. The second half was a bit...eh? It didn't lose me, and it wasn't bad, but it didn't feel like that second half was the same book as the first half.
The ending was open, but I liked it. And as someone who doesn't normally like open endings - this is a very good thing. It was satisfying.
Hopefully Kalynn Bayron's next book will work better for me....more
I remember being so upset when book two was pushed back, then the same happened with this one, and then when it finally came out, I didn't immediatelyI remember being so upset when book two was pushed back, then the same happened with this one, and then when it finally came out, I didn't immediately jump on it because I didn't want this series to end. But all good things must, and this is my series finishing year so it was time.
I loved The Feast Makers, it was a fast paced and chaotic read (was there ever any doubt?), H. A. Clarke made sure the Scapegracers went out with a bang.
Everything that needed wrapping up was, there was a lot of action and the most romance we've seen in the series so far. Sideways finally ends up with someone, and I ship it 100%. But I honestly would've been fine with any other character, they're all great.
The ending seemed a bit rushed, the final confrontation was over too fast, but I don't really care in the grand scheme of things. All I care about is the happiness of my babies, which was achieved!!!
While this book wasn't quite on the same level as the past two, it's still so powerful, so raw, so loud, so punk, and so unapologetically queer and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's perfection, even if I'm giving it 4 stars.
As a side(ways) note, I can't believe The Scapegracers hasn't blown up yet, it's criminally underrated....more
I was going to start this review with the most romantic quote in existence, but then I thought it would be sort of a spoiler so UNFORTUNATELY, I'm notI was going to start this review with the most romantic quote in existence, but then I thought it would be sort of a spoiler so UNFORTUNATELY, I'm not going to do that. Just know that it's the best.
This book had a bit of a different feel than the other two in the series, with soooo many cameos/crossovers that made my heart happy. If you've read the Chosen and the Keepers series then I'm sure you'll love this aspect too.
I HAVE TO SAY THOUGH, I *THOUGHT* THAT I WAS READY, but I was not ready for the amount of tears I shed. ALMOST TEN DAYS I'VE BEEN CRYING OVER THIS BOOK. TEN. DAYS. TEN.
Meg Anne, your friendly neighbourhood heartbreaker.
We had so many emotional moments throughout that I just had to cry, you know? In a way this is an end of an era, since all the Chosen got their happy endings. AND MY BABIES DESERVE IT!
We also got three epilogues, one with Ronan and Reyna, one with my meow meow whose name I probably shouldn't say because spoiler, and one with the best best-friend one could ever ask for, Bast. I loved all of them.
The latter two leave room for possible spinoffs, AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT, BAST IS GETTING HIS OWN BOOK! It has a fitting title too, I'm so excited to see his adventures next year.
I'm hoping that the other person gets their own book too, if not series, so they can fall in love properly this time. I feel like we didn't get to know their world that well the first time around so there's a lot to explore.
This is my first 5 stars book of the year, very deserved for what it put me through. And, like I said before, it's impossible to pick a favourite series now. All of Meg's books are just that good. And when we get even more of them? *chef's kiss*
*Thank you to the amazing author and Booksprout for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
MEG ANNE LIKES TO MAKE HER CHARACTERS SUFFER, and we too must suffer with them, yup. One day I will stop crying over Meg's books (no I won't) but todaMEG ANNE LIKES TO MAKE HER CHARACTERS SUFFER, and we too must suffer with them, yup. One day I will stop crying over Meg's books (no I won't) but today is absolutely not that day.
WHY CAN'T THEY JUST BE HAPPY??? WHY??? I'll have to wait till book three to see why so meanwhile, let me tell you about how I got chills while reading this book.
I was sitting and reading chapter 22, blissfully unaware that the best thing ever was about to happen at the end of it, then it did and then I got chills and started crying (because of course I did) AND I AM STILL CRYING NOW. It was so perfect. AND I AM SO HAPPY (but also mad about the cliffhanger later).
I just...Meg...what are you doing to my poor heart???
Queen of Whispers and Mist was just as good as the first book in the series, it's an adventurous journey full of pirates, monsters, and slightly deranged Gods bent on revenge, what's not to love?
I was honestly not expecting the pirates, but being a pirate lover I am not complaining. I want to go and join Captain No Beard's crew now and sing some shanties with them. Someone invent a book world teleportation device, please.
As for the deranged God...yes he's the little meow meow I referred to before, but how can you NOT love him? It's impossible. My love for this character transcends series. I'm a goner.
AND BAST, who I somehow forgot to mention the last time around, is the most precious baby, he must be protected at all times. I live for his humour. We all need a bestie like Bast. He deserves his own happy ending too.
Lastly, if you have a chance to listen and read at the same time I STRONGLY suggest you do because the audiobook is perfection and adds a whole new dimension to the world and characters.
I think Meg chose the narrators for all of her series perfectly because they always bring the story to life in the best way.
EXTRA BONUS POINTS FOR THE not so Tiny minotaur!!!
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
So Ronan and Reyna finally got their own series. I knew I'd love it, as I do all of Meg Anne's books, but this? This is a straight up masterpiece I WASo Ronan and Reyna finally got their own series. I knew I'd love it, as I do all of Meg Anne's books, but this? This is a straight up masterpiece I WAS NOT PREPARED. I have no idea how I'm supposed to pick a favourite series now.
SERIOUSLY THOUGH, Meg's writing gets better and better with each book, and in Prisoner of Steel and Shadow I am simply blown away by how brilliantly connected everything is to the previous books (which you should read by the way).
I was planning to reread all that came before, but didn't have time to which didn't turn out to be a problem because I jumped back into the world with ease so newer readers won't have any problems getting into the story either.
Now, can we talk about how romantic, and at times heartbreaking, this book is? AGAIN, I WAS NOT READY.
Ronan loves Reyna so much that it hurts *ME*. I just want to cry when I think about it. He proves his love again and again throughout the book.
Reyna meanwhile doesn't remember poor Ronan (HENCE THE HEARTBREAK!!!), so he has to do everything in his power to make her memories come back which ends up being a contest where he might lose his life. No biggie, just another day for one of the Chosen.
We also got to see some old faces, one I wasn't expecting, but was pleasantly surprised to see which I shouldn't be because they're kind of evil but I can't hate this character, I really can't. Sorry.
THEY'RE THE VICTIM ACTUALLY, THEY DID NOTHING WRONG!!! THEY'RE MY LITTLE MEOW MEOW OKAY? OKAY.
If you knew who I was talking about dear reader...ANYWAY, I loooove the twists, I love the pain, I love the romance and the plot and the one steamy scene we got that deserves a mention because it was hot.
WHAT I HATE IS THE CLIFFHANGER, and by hate I mean I love but also hate, like a 50/50 thing. How many times do I have to use the words "cruel" and "Meg" in the same sentence? At least one more. A VERY CRUEL WAY TO END A BOOK, MEG. HOW ARE YOU EXPECTING ME TO BREATHE???
All the stars, and an extra star for the future therapy bills.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I technically read this twice, once by myself and then when I realised it was included in the Deal with the Demon audiobook I read (listened to) it agI technically read this twice, once by myself and then when I realised it was included in the Deal with the Demon audiobook I read (listened to) it again. So will I log it twice? We'll see.
It's a novella that answers some questions from the end of the first Mate Games series and provides an introduction to the spinoff series. You can choose to start with this one if you want, but it's better to read the other series first so you can understand the whole world and how it got to this point.
I am super excited to see what will happen when Rosie and Gavin meet again in the main series, I CAN ALREADY TELL HE'LL BE SO MAD, I'M LIVING FOR IT. And I'm also looking forward to getting to know him better, since we didn't get to aside from certain preferences.
Rosie is so cute, she'll be a good main character, I'm sure.
And the audio is good too, if you have a chance to listen to it I highly recommend it. On I go now to Deal with the Demon, I may or may not listen to it for several hours straight....more
This one isn't a full five stars, more like 4.5, just because I felt like the stakes were higher for some moments earlier in the book than they were fThis one isn't a full five stars, more like 4.5, just because I felt like the stakes were higher for some moments earlier in the book than they were for the ending battle. It was still an excellent conclusion though, one that kept me wanting to readreadread until I finished it.
Speaking of, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S OVER??? The second series, which means only two more to go...and the worst part is we won't be getting any more Mate Games until NEXT YEAR!!! BOOOOOOOO.
IT'S ONLY MAY, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH MY LIFE???
I know Meg & Kim have a contemporary RH coming meanwhile, so I guess WE WILL BE FED. I actually am not that big of a fan of contemporary RH books (they don't work as well in my brain as fantasy ones do), but I trust these two to make it work. Also cowboys? Yes, count me in.
Ok now, the one thing everyone's been waiting for...my opinion on Pan after his redemption arc.
DRUM ROLL PLEASE.
I don't hate him anymore.
EVERYONE CHEER.
He's almost...endearing by the end??? I have no idea how that happened. But okay, I'm giving credit where credit is due, he did his part, he paid for his (many) sins, I forgive him now, everyone's happy.
BUT! He's still my least favourite mate. I think he could've jumped over Gavin, if Gavin didn't get some development. So my final mate ranking is staying the same as it was.
I loved seeing Asher and Ben develop too, Asher grew into his new self, and Ben found the courage to protect his friends. Remi is still Remi, still my fav munchkin, and Rosie is brave, but she's been brave since the start.
In this book everyone is really starting to feel like a family, with how they're getting along, it's so precious. I really love all of them (yes, even Captain Aubergine).
This also makes their times together even more fun to read, see guys, isn't it better when you actually like each other?
Also the banter/humour, top notch. You can always count on Kim & Meg to make you smile, laugh, giggle while reading. I love stepping into their world and feeling like I just came home. I don't want to part with these characters, and I never will.
The audiobook was great as always, narrators perfect etc etc. But Stella sounded a bit different this time around, I can't really put my finger on it, it just wasn't exactly the same as before.
Like for example for the past several books I had no problem distinguishing the female characters speaking (she voices all of them), but in this one it was a bit confusing (I switched between just listening and reading & listening so in those parts where I was just listening I was like wait a second who's speaking now?).
It wasn't a huge deal though, and it could just be my ears being weird.
And yeah, there we go, another game finished, a new one brewing on the horizon...I am super excited for it because I have a thing for supernatural prisons...and a pirate? Made for me, mhm.
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
PAN!!! I AM COMING FOR YOU!!! YOU WON'T ESCAPE ME!!!!!
He's even worse in this book, which I figured would be the case since he took over Asher's bodyPAN!!! I AM COMING FOR YOU!!! YOU WON'T ESCAPE ME!!!!!
He's even worse in this book, which I figured would be the case since he took over Asher's body, but...I hate him almost as much as I hated Kingston from the first series.
HE HURT POOR REMI, THAT'S UNFORGIVABLE. And there was also chapter 28...yeah, he's not coming back from this, I fear.
This whole book was angst filled (much of it thanks to Pan, ahem), Rosie is back from the dead (sort of), and the guys have to learn to deal with it in their own ways.
Ben took it the hardest, I just want to send him a truckload of hugs. I'm glad he came around by the end, but even if he didn't I knew he would in the next book for sure.
I like Gavin a bit more now, but he still comes after the twins and Asher. Since there's only one more book left I doubt this will change, but we'll see.
Rosie's possessive side was funny and cute, now that she's a you know what, it'll probably come out more often.
We also got to see some special cameos, and if this is your first encounter with those characters, you need to go back to the beginning and read their story. THANK ME LATER.
My favourite cameo came in the form of a certain priest. And I know he wasn't just my favourite. Wink wink.
I love that these books are around 10 ish hours long on audio (some more, some less), but I never feel like they're long, you know? I listened to around 75% of this one today, went by in a flash.
Some of that is thanks to the narrators, who I think get better and better each time they narrate Meg & Kim's characters. Once again, they were the perfect choice.
I'm now ready for the final book, and for the apocalypse (let's be real, I'm always ready for apocalypses). I do hope our characters will manage to stop it...this time.
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I AM GOING TO NEED TO HUG MY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROG PLUSHIE AND HAVE A LITTLE SNACK AFTER WHAT THIS BHELLO MOTHER OF ALL CLIFFHANGERS, HOW DO YOU DO?
I AM GOING TO NEED TO HUG MY EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROG PLUSHIE AND HAVE A LITTLE SNACK AFTER WHAT THIS BOOK'S ENDING PUT ME THOUGH.
It was so out of nowhere, I was not prepared. HOW WILL IT GET FIXED HOWWWWW??? AND IT BETTER GET FIXED OR ELSE!!!
Other than that, the rest of the book was mostly calm, except of course the steamy scenes. There's an apocalypse brewing in the background and now I'm thinking we're probably going to get two more series after this one? Dear Meg and Kim please don't make me turn out to be wrong.
When the book started I was a bit scared about what Gavin would do and how he'd fit into the whole dynamic, but by the end he's slowly carving a place for himself. I think I'll like him even more in the next book.
The Mercer twins & Asher are still my faves though, a very very slight advantage to the twins, but Asher isn't far behind.
And Pan is kind of getting on my nerves, he really is a BRAT. He keeps acting like Rosie is only his and a toy (which okay, to him she kind of is) and he's so selfish and HAVENT YOU EVER HEARD OF "SHARING IS CARING" PAN? HUH? Of course you haven't. He has some growing up to do.
I noticed that Rosie also hasn't really thought that much about Pan when she's mentioning her mates in this book. Right now I don't mind this because I'm not that fond of him, but if his attitude gets better then hopefully he'll find his own place with Rosie too.
It's definitely funny though, that Pan seemed to realise he belongs to Rosie before she realised it herself.
ANYWAY, it's about that time where I have to thank Kim and Meg for continuing to brighten my days with every Crombie cameo. It's ridiculous how much I love that man. And it's not just Crombie who appeared here, but I won't spoil it.
And as always the audio was perfection, the narrators are putting bits of their soul into these characters and it shows.
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
The biggest endorsement I can give for this book is the fact that when I woke up yesterday morning I knew that I had an appointment at 2pm. Then I staThe biggest endorsement I can give for this book is the fact that when I woke up yesterday morning I knew that I had an appointment at 2pm. Then I started reading and listening to Deal with the Demon and I was so into it, so immersed in the world, that I completely forgot about my appointment.
Luckily, my mother remembered it, reminded me at 1pm, I (unwillingly) separated myself from this book, managed to get ready and go where I needed to go.
SO, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING LINED UP I'M TELLING YOU TO CANCEL IT BEFORE STARTING THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP READING ONCE YOU START. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
If you've read the previous Mate Games series then you're already a bit familiar with Rosie, our main character, and if not that's okay because you'll get to know her during the course of the book. But Rosie dearest is still getting to know herself, so in a way the reader is growing with her.
As the title says, Rosie makes a deal with a demon, in exchange for safety. Does this go as planned? Noooope.
I like that the demon is purple, one of my favourite colours. And it goes well with the background colours of the covers for this series.
With that said, Pan is surprisingly not my favourite mate (is he a mate DUN DUN DUN), YOU'D THINK HE WOULD BE, WITH HIS HORNS AND TAIL, BUT NO.
I'm actually having a hard time choosing between the Mercer twins and Asher for my favourite mate spot, they're all equally good for Rosie.
Pan is kind of selfish and has his own nefarious purposes so until he sorts that out he's staying after the holy trio.
And Gavin...we still don't know him enough, so we'll see if he'll outrank the three in some other book.
I have a feeling this book/series is steamier than the first Mate Games was? Also funnier, one of my favourite scenes is Rosie's drunk texting, it was hilarious.
We can't forget the Crombie cameo, when Lilith showed up I was hoping he would too and I was not disappointed.
And the ending was a, you guessed it, cliffhanger. A really good one at that, I can't even be mad. I'm so close to reading the sneak peak but I think that will only make the wait until the next book harder because I'd want to continue immediately and THERE IS NO MORE for now.
Finally, the narration. I could tell this would be good based on the prequel but wow. Wow. Every character's voice sounded so perfect, I'm in awe. Even the side characters had so much personality that I felt like I was listening to them telling me a story, or like I was with them in the room while everything was going down. GET THE AUDIOBOOK, YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
*Thank you to the authors for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*...more
I've been really excited for this book for a couple of months now and I'm glad I got the chance to read it, because it's a fun read, with romance, pirI've been really excited for this book for a couple of months now and I'm glad I got the chance to read it, because it's a fun read, with romance, pirates, politics and even some emotional moments too.
I do wish it had more action, the bigger focus was on the politics and romance, and the action was mostly at the start and at the end.
The characters were likable, I don't have any faves though. Xích Si seemed like she'd be my fav, but she acted immature throughout the book and didn't quite seem like a parent.
The romance was a little odd, considering one of them is a ship, but you know what? It worked. I'd like more spaceship romances with sentient ships now, please.
I also like that it's a standalone (for now?) and on the shorter side. It ended at 91% on my Kindle so it was a bit shorter than I thought it would be, but it's fine. Things were wrapped up nicely, but if we got more books or short stories about the characters I wouldn't complain.
Of course, I have to mention the world building which was one of the best parts of the book for me. I'd like to explore this world some more.
Finally, the one thing that bugged me is the ace/aro rep which was...I don't know how to say it. It wasn't bad per se, but one ace character was the villain, and another that seemed to be aro wasn't painted in a good light either. Do I think this was on purpose? I hope not. Because if it was...
Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing what other ace/aro people make of this, I'm pretty sure one of my ace friends loved this book so it could just be down to personal rep preference.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
I liked the writing style, everything else was just okay. The majority of the book was steam with barely any plot and it felt too convenient that theyI liked the writing style, everything else was just okay. The majority of the book was steam with barely any plot and it felt too convenient that they'd find Sadie thanks to a random encounter and that she's the perfect fit for them....more
Blood Debts has one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen, and an amazing premise, but sadly it didn't deliver on what it was supposed to.
The writingBlood Debts has one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen, and an amazing premise, but sadly it didn't deliver on what it was supposed to.
The writing immediately stuck out, and I'm glad to see it's not just me. In most books I don't notice it, it's fine, etc. But in some books it either blows me away with how good it is, or it keeps taking me out of the story with how bad it is.
It's not quite at that level here, but the writing really didn't work for me. Like others have said, it's very immature and kept getting on my nerves.
This book is almost too modern for me? The way the characters speak doesn't really fit into a fantasy novel, even an urban fantasy one.
I liked the setting though, and I wish we saw more of it. I don't think it was used to its full potential.
I also like the magic system, and the plot, even though the latter was predictable. There were two things that surprised me, but neither was a huge plot point.
As for the characters, I'm not sure how I feel about them. I can't say that I liked or disliked anyone, except Aurora who was my favourite.
Clement and Cristina are the main characters who both have PoVs in first person, but we also got PoVs from other characters in third person.
I think the first person ones were written better than the third person ones. In the third person PoVs, the writing style's faults were even more evident, so that made me think that the author was probably more comfortable writing in first.
The ending wrapped up some loose ends, but not all of them, so there'll probably be a sequel in the future. I can't imagine it just ending like this.
Oh, and I have to mention the ONE steamy scene which I wasn't expecting in a YA novel? It's kind of out of nowhere, I don't mind that it's there, but Clement's character didn't seem like he would just up and do that so fast...but yeah that scene was different from the rest of the book.
Bonus points for all the LGBT rep.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
Sienna is an MMA trainer, and a good one at that. When she walks in on her boyfriend Jax cheating on her with her sister Beth, she doesn't know what tSienna is an MMA trainer, and a good one at that. When she walks in on her boyfriend Jax cheating on her with her sister Beth, she doesn't know what to do. But a plan starts to form when fate throws her in the direction of one Kayden Williams, who happens to be Jax's rival in the cage.
The two of them decide to work together to take Jax down, and may end up falling in love in the process.
Okay, I am SO HAPPY that this book worked for me in ways that Perfect Illusion didn't. I couldn't get through that one, but this one was so fun to read.
Not only is Claudia Tan skilled in writing MMA fighters (because our girl Sienna is one too), but the chemistry between the characters was off the charts too.
From their very first meeting, Sienna and Kayden had sparks and those sparks only got bigger and bigger as the book went on. The only thing I mind is that they were ready to permanently tattoo each other's names on their skin after a very short time together.
In general the romance happened pretty fast, but it felt like it didn't because of the training sessions in between. I wouldn't have minded if it wasn't for the previously mentioned tattoos and other stuff I won't spoil. Too fast!!! But they're cute.
Kayden is like a rock on the outside and a marshmallow on the inside. I like that he wasn't embarrassed around Sienna and could speak his mind and that he even blushed.
Sienna is great too, she's one of those characters that actually stays committed to what they say and I love her for that. I wish her revenge plan worked out a little differently though.
Jax...nothing could redeem him, I'm sorry. Beth too, I don't like her.
Brent and Evans were adorable, and good supportive characters.
One thing that happened here that I really didn't like is near the end, I wouldn't call it miscommunication, but one of the characters didn't trust the other enough which results in...something and that something was so annoying, I wanted to smack that character for doing it. But it's something that happens in a lot of romance books so it's not that surprising, I just get annoyed whenever it does.
So overall I really enjoyed this. It's somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars so I'll round it up to 4.
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*...more
Me: I'm in it for the plot! Katee Robert: Plot you say? None of that!
That's basically what this book was, no plot, just relationship building and smut.Me: I'm in it for the plot! Katee Robert: Plot you say? None of that!
That's basically what this book was, no plot, just relationship building and smut. I don't know if I want to continue with the last book just to finish it, or if I should save myself the trouble....more
I don't have that much to say about this, it's fine, and I'm going to continue the series for the plot (shocking) because it seems interesting. If youI don't have that much to say about this, it's fine, and I'm going to continue the series for the plot (shocking) because it seems interesting. If you're a fan of nonstop smut then you might like it more....more
This is probably the most boring book I've read this year, and that's not saying a lot since we're not even a full two months in, but my God, was I boThis is probably the most boring book I've read this year, and that's not saying a lot since we're not even a full two months in, but my God, was I bored.
My expectations were probably too high, because the previous book was the best in the series so I thought it would go up from there. I was wrong.
As a whole, Katee Robert's books have never really worked for me so that might be a part of the reason why I didn't enjoy this.
Before starting Radiant Sin I added the next book to my tbr, but when I started it I ended up removing it because honestly, I don't like this series. The first book was okay, I didn't like the second, the third was the best like I said and I did like it, but this one I hated.
So I don't need to be a completionist and finish a series I'm not enjoying. Especially one that isn't even super connected storyline wise. I just don't. And I think I'll take a long break from Katee Robert's books, unless if something truly amazing - never been done before - can't resist reading it etc etc appears....more
See, this could've been something if the murder mystery was the only thing going on, but the romance had to ruin it.
Taylor is cringy, but Myles is eveSee, this could've been something if the murder mystery was the only thing going on, but the romance had to ruin it.
Taylor is cringy, but Myles is even worse. And together? They're the cringiest couple that has ever dared to cringe.
I think if we only got Taylor's PoV, MAYBE the romance wouldn't be so bad. But instead we got a dual PoV and being in Myles's head was not a good time. I would smack him with the poor jellyfish that stung Jude. And no, the jellyfish didn't do anything to me, but the point still stands.
This man meets her, and immediately thinks about her in sexual scenarios, but it's not even that, it's that it's not sexy, and it's supposed to be sexy, since this is a romance novel.
Then that same day he licks her stomach area and STEALS HER PANTIES which he goes on to keep in his pocket and feels them until she steals them back days later. HOW IS THIS HOT AND NOT CREEPY???
And then there's the typical "they want each other but she wants a relationship and he doesn't so they shouldn't be together but they are oh so attracted to each other that they just can't help it" until they eventually admit their feelings and solve the mystery. Hurray.
I think Tessa Bailey could write a good thriller, the potential is there, but the characters would have to be dramatically different. I'm hoping that the rest of her books are different, because I've been meaning to read them and I'd prefer not to hate them, you know.
2 stars only because it wasn't totally terrible (the mystery) and it's easy to read....more
Not bad, not bad at all, though I do wish I liked it more. The premise seemed really interesting, but the execution could've been a little better.
I haNot bad, not bad at all, though I do wish I liked it more. The premise seemed really interesting, but the execution could've been a little better.
I had trouble differentiating between the two MCs on audiobook (it might be different if you're reading it by yourself), they were so similar.
Eventually, there was enough development for me to say okay yes, this is Iyanu and this is Kitan, but you easily could've switched them around at any point in the story and it wouldn't have really mattered.
The mystery aspect wasn't the strongest, but I was reading this more for the vibes anyway, which were on point. I liked the writing style as well, the social commentary, the Nigerian culture woven in, and the romances which were sweet.
I'd recommend this to a younger YA audience primarily, I think they'd enjoy it most of all.