So, the start of this book was great - cute, flirty, fun banter between Charlie and Emma - but it just slowly descended for me as it went on. Th3/5 ⭐️
So, the start of this book was great - cute, flirty, fun banter between Charlie and Emma - but it just slowly descended for me as it went on. The drama increased to a point that was just borderline ridiculous to me - and I love some fun, soap opera level drama - but this was trying to be somewhat realistic and grounded and it just did not work for me (the car crash was what started the descent). The chemistry between Charlie and Emma started off pretty strong but also became less and less believable. It's a cute premise, two screen-writers writing a rom-com together as they fall in love, and Center's writing is enjoyable, but it just didn't hit the mark for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Center, and St. Martin's Press for my early access to this....more
A cozy fantasy that I'm obsessed with? Unheard of, but here we are. Here are just a few of the reasons this is no less than 5 stars for me: - Riv5/5 ⭐️
A cozy fantasy that I'm obsessed with? Unheard of, but here we are. Here are just a few of the reasons this is no less than 5 stars for me: - Rivals to lovers - Dual POV - He falls first - Stubborn, witty, and hilarious banter between FMC and MMC - One bed trope (with a hilarious twist) - Elevator scene (no more needs to be said) - Protective and jealous MMC - Tension and spice that is perfectly paced
I was laughing out loud throughout this and can't say enough great things. This is probably at the top of my favorite romance books for the year.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tessonja Odette and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for my early access to this....more
I really enjoyed White's, "Hell Followed With Us" and found that there were quite a few similarities between the two books. "Compound Fracture" 4/5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed White's, "Hell Followed With Us" and found that there were quite a few similarities between the two books. "Compound Fracture" leans more as a thriller rather than horror and there is less gore in this book. The protagonists and several of the friend characters in both HFWU and CF were written pretty similarly and had analogous arcs. I feel that while I enjoyed the plot of HFWU a bit better, there was more of a complexity and nuance to many of the characters and their arcs in CF. White in both books does a nice job writing about life as a young trans man and in CF there is some great autism representation.
It's clear that Miles has a love for his home in Appalachia but has to struggle and fight against oppressors and bigots while simultaneously carving out a space of community to feel safe and survive. A great read for anyone, but especially for YA readers.
Thank you to NetGalley, Andrew Joseph White, and Peachtree Teen for my early access to this....more
"Death's Country" is a modern retelling of the classic Orpheus and Eurydice mythology with a polyamorous love triad set in Miami. It's written3.5/5 ⭐️
"Death's Country" is a modern retelling of the classic Orpheus and Eurydice mythology with a polyamorous love triad set in Miami. It's written in verses, much like Romero's other works, and reads more like a story rather than poetry. I enjoyed this but didn't like it as much as her other book I've read, "The Ghosts of Rose Hill." I think there was just a bit too much going on plot wise. The relationship between Andres, Renee, and Liora moved too quickly and didn't feel fully developed. Romero does do a nice job of tackling some darker themes that are important, especially for YA readers (check the TW's). The ideas in this are interesting and meaningful, but the execution just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, R.M. Romero and Peachtree Teen for my early access to this....more
I feel bad putting this in the 2 ⭐️ ranking, but I just cannot recommend this book to anyone. I enjoyed the first book in this series, (I didn2.5/5 ⭐️
I feel bad putting this in the 2 ⭐️ ranking, but I just cannot recommend this book to anyone. I enjoyed the first book in this series, (I didn't love it, like I know a lot of other people have) but this sequel was just not good.
There's just no tension, at all - there's a lack of tension in the developing relationship between Remy, Malekh, and Xiaodan and there was nothing really driving the plot forward. The action was lacking and the few moments we had of it were poorly written. The majority of this book was just court politics, which I normally find interesting in fantasy books, but it was so incredibly boring and never really mattered. The ending was a hot mess and felt rushed, which is wild considering how slow most of the book felt.
There was one character in particular who had a complete 180 and was just a completely different person in this. I thought there was going to be set-up for a redemption arc, but there was nothing, very confusing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rin Chupeco and Saga Press for my access to this....more
Wow, this was such a great debut! Hazel and Ash knew each other from when they were in high school and have had limited encounters in college 4.5/5 ⭐️
Wow, this was such a great debut! Hazel and Ash knew each other from when they were in high school and have had limited encounters in college and now grad school where they frequently feud over a coveted green chair in a coffee shop. They share a ride together back home where they have to encounter their families over the holidays and work through baggage they've both been carrying.
Sweeney did a great job of creating believable and well-rounded characters who have struggles that are well-incorporated into the story. Hazel and Ash's chemistry is apparent right from the start and the angst that follows is just too good. It was a cozy, heart felt, and steamy read that would be perfect for the holidays. I can't wait to see what Sweeney writes in the future with a debut like this!
Thank you to NetGalley, Melanie Sweeney, and Penguin Group Putnam for my early access to this....more
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