Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via The Author Agency, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to the author and the Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via The Author Agency, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to the author and the Author Agency for the opportunity!
As soon as I saw the premise I knew I needed to read this ...more
PERFECTION, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL. LOVE THESE TWO. THEIR DYNAMIC AND GROWTH. Taeju's character growth alone is somI'm caught up to ch 94 as of July 2024.
PERFECTION, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL. LOVE THESE TWO. THEIR DYNAMIC AND GROWTH. Taeju's character growth alone is something I wish we see in many many many many more leads. Their relationship is so good.
Euihyun and Euiyoung's relationship is adorable. The "second love interest" was done well here.
I'm so excited to be following along newly released chapters, which is super rare for me!!!
I regret not continuing it last month or earlier when I was supposed to awekrljg. I'M DOING GOOD NOW THOUGH RIGHT? RIGHT??? ...more
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Random House Ballantine/InkDisclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Random House Ballantine/Inklore for the opportunity!
I've always wanted to read the novel after having read the manhwa adaptation of Under the Oak Tree and am glad to say that the novel held up pretty well! One of the main things I loved from the manhwa was the exploration of Maxi's character development, which I feel like the pacing of the story overall makes it kind of hard to explore in novel form, but I still enjoy seeing how things played out in the some ways very slow burn and in other ways, very quick burn romance of Riftan and Maxi.
Using this novel to reread was a really great experience because it reminded me of how much I adore them, even with the miscommunication/lack of communication. The challenges of an arranged marriage with a 3-year-gap to a sudden reunion and navigating through building a home in a castle, and overseeing so many people was touched upon well here, and I think still gives a nice flavor as the manhwa did. The writing style made it really easy to read too, and I appreciate the translation of the story.
But the biggest challenge for me was that I feel like I had to kind of rely on me imagining the webtoon art while reading this to feel the emotions that I did. If people hated Riftan in the manhwa but forgave him for the hot art, it'd probably be a lot harder to do here where we don't really get to see how attractive Riftan is physically through the descriptions and the spice.
I think for someone reading the story for the first time, it would make rooting for him a little difficult and the romantic vibes might be a little hard to feel (depending on your taste of buildup I guess, hahaha!) In this form, it was hard to see the emotions play out (I hesitate to say "as well" as the manhwa because I think while the art helps a lot, it isn't the main factor in a way.) Because the kind of matter-of-fact writing style makes you feel kind of more of an observer, but that could also just be me! My highest recommendation would be to start with the manhwa first then come to the novel because it does still feel nice to read.
I would still be interested in reading volume two, but I feel like I'm more excited to read the manhwa....more
Series Review - May 2024 81 chapters - Look, I impulsively started this today because of the cover found on Manga Updates early this morning and suddenSeries Review - May 2024 81 chapters - Look, I impulsively started this today because of the cover found on Manga Updates early this morning and suddenly finished by the afternoon. ...more
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Ballantine Books for the opDisclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Ballantine Books for the opportunity!
I really wanted to love this one since the premise is one that I absolutely love, but it was hard for me to connect with the characters and the story in the execution. I think that the star chart + astrology stuff became too much of a focus in the explanation and various readings, but there were some charming moments. It was nice to see the various vignettes tie together. Some might enjoy it, but I wish that it had a bit more cozy cat cafe vibes and a stronger hook....more
After reading Drop Dead, I was really happy with the ending but knew that I would absolutely be up for more. If book one was a little more focused on After reading Drop Dead, I was really happy with the ending but knew that I would absolutely be up for more. If book one was a little more focused on Ethan, then Heart Throb was definitely a more focus on Simon and with the way things were playinng out and the way vampire society was being expanded, I must admit I had set some expectations for myself that I'm COPIUMING will be touched upon in book 3. ...more
I absolutely love Dom and Silas's dynamic so much. They are both physically and emotionally so perfect together. I absolutely love Dom and Silas's dynamic so much. They are both physically and emotionally so perfect together. ...more
Why did I have to find out about this book right now when it's freaking coming out October 2025???? Why did I have to find out about this book right now when it's freaking coming out October 2025???? ...more
I mean, maybe I don't need a placeholder for GR purposes, but also like I kinda want one so here we go.I mean, maybe I don't need a placeholder for GR purposes, but also like I kinda want one so here we go....more
2.5 rounded down. First off, the narrator did a really great job with diversifying the voices and adding personality to the characters and the writing2.5 rounded down. First off, the narrator did a really great job with diversifying the voices and adding personality to the characters and the writing!!! That said, the voice for Avra got a little bit frustrating to listen to after a while with following him....more
DNF 20%. I immediately fell in love with the cover and was really itching for gothic vampire atmospheric vibes the blurb had been teasing about, and uDNF 20%. I immediately fell in love with the cover and was really itching for gothic vampire atmospheric vibes the blurb had been teasing about, and unfortunately, I had completely different expectations going into this book than what we ultimately got. It was hard for me to connect with the events of the story and the characters as I didn't expect the humourous with a lot of the inner monologue and a lot of the inner monologue was honestly just tough to get through too. I didn't feel invested in most of what I read because of this mismatch. I think if it was marketed differently it would have worked better. And while the journals and all was a nice homage to Dracula, it still felt very surface level to me. The dialogue also felt stiff and awkward at times imo.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Del Rey for the opportunity!...more
THEY'RE PERFECT. DOMESTIC VIBES EVERYWHERE. I LOVE THEM. I can't wait for vol 4!!!THEY'RE PERFECT. DOMESTIC VIBES EVERYWHERE. I LOVE THEM. I can't wait for vol 4!!!...more
I love when the side couple ends up becoming bigger than the first main couple that the original story is labeled as a prequel to the side couple on GI love when the side couple ends up becoming bigger than the first main couple that the original story is labeled as a prequel to the side couple on Goodreads lmao. ...more
This could've been my mood, but I had trouble getting into this one. The writing was very stiff imo, the main characters didn't sound like mid 20s-30sThis could've been my mood, but I had trouble getting into this one. The writing was very stiff imo, the main characters didn't sound like mid 20s-30s guys at all, and the chemistry was lacking for a lot of the way through. The miscommunication was also very frustrating and the pacing felt off almost the entire time.
I REALLY REALLY am always craving racing romances, and I desperately wish this worked better for me. I just didn't understand how I was supposed to root for these two as a couple especially with how they individually behaved and thought. The racing parts were fine at least, but there was a lot more show than tell in most of this. Full RTC....more
1.5 rounded down. This read a little young adult when I went into it with adult fantasy expectations, and it was for the most part okay for a coming o1.5 rounded down. This read a little young adult when I went into it with adult fantasy expectations, and it was for the most part okay for a coming of age story!!! But like, I really wanted the cozy, witchy vibes and there was a lot of telling than showing that it made things a bit awkward for my taste. I really wanted to fall in love with the characters and vibe with the romance, but I think the mismatch in expectations, preference in writing style and whatnot made it hard for me to connect.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via Netgalley, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to Redhook for the opportunity!...more
This was recommended by a friend to be my first danmei and ugh, I'M SO HAPPY IT WAS EVEN IF I SUFFERED THROUGH SO MUCH PAIN. It was such a good pain!!This was recommended by a friend to be my first danmei and ugh, I'M SO HAPPY IT WAS EVEN IF I SUFFERED THROUGH SO MUCH PAIN. It was such a good pain!! ALL THE EMOTIONS I FELT. ...more
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