Ugh, Love is so complicated!! Why can’t it always be easy ??!!!
This was the cutest! The pace started so well, fortifying my interest. I could already Ugh, Love is so complicated!! Why can’t it always be easy ??!!!
This was the cutest! The pace started so well, fortifying my interest. I could already tell that this book would be full of love from how Sophie and her family cared for each other. It was clear that they had already been through so much, yet their love was powerful. I loved the main character, Emma. She is such a relatable girly. Charley Yates, on the other hand, I have a love-hate relationship with. He’s full of mixed signals. I will say though that if you understand why he does what he does, it’s not so hard to like him. I don’t necessarily want him for Emma though. I still enjoyed their unique relationship-building. It’s quite distinctive from other romances I’ve read.
The humor in this book is top-notch! It's one of my favorite aspects of the story and had me laughing out loud more than once.
“..the most dangerous thing in the world isn’t natural disasters, or wars, or weapons. It is unremarkable men with beautiful smiles and even bigger pr“..the most dangerous thing in the world isn’t natural disasters, or wars, or weapons. It is unremarkable men with beautiful smiles and even bigger promises.”
This book was a gripping read from start to finish. It was chilling and uncomfortable at times, but these elements were necessary to expose us to the harsh realities of our world. I couldn’t help but pay attention from start to finish.
Many POVs felt initially unnecessary but gave us multiple perspectives in this angst-driven story. The POVs were necessary to reveal how missing people affect the lives of various people. One of my favorite parts of the book was how the flaws of our law enforcement were highlighted. Certain people are given more attention when they go through some unfortunate circumstances, while sometimes no one seems to give a whoop about certain classes and races. It was a superb thing to touch on.
Word on the street is that the secret to great fantasy books is ✨dragons✨ I was really drawn to Raeve’s sense of justice. Although the beginning part Word on the street is that the secret to great fantasy books is ✨dragons✨ I was really drawn to Raeve’s sense of justice. Although the beginning part was boring, Raeve’s characters kept me through it. As the story progressed, there were more questions that I really wanted the answers to. The plot kept getting more and more interesting as more things were revealed. I wasn't even drawn to the romance that much, that is of course, I learned MORE! I have finished the book, and I still need many questions answered!!! I am looking forward to the next book. ...more
It's safe to say that I was not in love with Not In Love, but I would put this in the “really liked” category. This was sort of a modern “forbidden” rIt's safe to say that I was not in love with Not In Love, but I would put this in the “really liked” category. This was sort of a modern “forbidden” romance that was exciting in the beginning but failed to keep up the excitement for me. Sure, every page has a smutty scene, but that didn't do it for me.
At first, I thought I didn’t care about the other part of the story between Eli and his partners and them wanting the startup to Kline. However, as the story progresses, it becomes deeper and central to most events. I felt that was something a little different from previous Hazelwood’s books where the romance did not take up much of the book as the sciency bits did. Dare I say I prefer science bits more? Nevertheless, I did like the characters, especially as we learned more about them.
While Not In Love may not be my top pick from Hazelwood's collection, it hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for her works. I'm still eager to delve into her other books and see what unique stories and characters she has in store.
Ah, this was great! It was so REAL. It was refreshing to read a romance that wasn’t always butterflies but a romance that shows that love is also abouAh, this was great! It was so REAL. It was refreshing to read a romance that wasn’t always butterflies but a romance that shows that love is also about choices. We were met with tough conversations that I don’t regret being exposed to. It is the reality of real-life people.
I was genuinely scared this was insta-love due to the chemistry between Emma and Justin, but I couldn’t help but fall in love slowly with their growth together. Their relationship had an initial spark, but it still somewhat felt like a slow burn that made their connection feel more real. They really had some hard decisions to make that I wasn’t sure I would make if I was in their situation. When I thought it was done with all the emotional stuff, Jimenez brought in more and more.
Also, Jimenez did a great job connecting the previous books to this story. Everything flowed effortlessly.
The way this book started with the love interests' insane chemistry told me that I would finish this one, even if it ended badly. I did finish it! AltThe way this book started with the love interests' insane chemistry told me that I would finish this one, even if it ended badly. I did finish it! Although, I don’t know why I got so bored quickly. Perhaps the chemistry seemed to fall off quickly, particularly since the characters weren’t stimulating my interest. Sometimes it's lovely not to have terribly complicated characters and stick to more relatable ones, but sometimes they can become dull if the story's events are not that unique. I also found some of the character's actions questionable, which again didn't help with me liking them.
Although a cute story, it is quite forgettable and may never cross my mind. However, it would still be something I would certainly read to pass the time.
Unfortunately, the premise was more exciting than the actual book itself. However, this was still a fun book to read in that great moral issues were bUnfortunately, the premise was more exciting than the actual book itself. However, this was still a fun book to read in that great moral issues were being discussed here. The main ethical issue was money and the precise way it is wielded as power by disgusting people. I like that it highlighted a very relevant issue in our modern world. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really care about any character in the book. I also couldn’t care about the romance, especially because chemistry was seriously lacking.
I think this was still cute, but I wanted to feel more!!
I thought I might struggle with this one, but I’m glad I read it till the end. I just really struggled to care at first because although this premise I thought I might struggle with this one, but I’m glad I read it till the end. I just really struggled to care at first because although this premise was interesting, the characters were not that interesting. It wasn’t until the “reappearance” that things started to kick off. Bel is undoubtedly brilliant and was clearly underestimated. She notices a lot of things and is always working out things mentally. Paying attention in the book is very important because details keep resurfacing. I thought several details didn’t matter at first, but Jackson does a great job in that every word she writes is not in vain.
I stuck it out to the end too because a lot of suspense started early, especially when a good amount of the book was left. I didn’t see many things coming, and I will admit that some points did feel over the edge. When I thought the reveals and twists were over, more and more kept coming.
While the individual characters may have been less captivating, the strength of the overall story compensated. I found myself thoroughly satisfied with this book and would recommend it to others. ...more
Reading books like these make me consider a career in sports. Naaa, I’m kidding. Keep sports far away from me.
This was quite adorable! I’m delighted Reading books like these make me consider a career in sports. Naaa, I’m kidding. Keep sports far away from me.
This was quite adorable! I’m delighted this was a dual POV because both Derek's and Nora’s individual thoughts were very needed. I’ve always been obsessed with second-chance romance due to the intense history characters always have. Derek and Nora’s history is absolutely there in the book since they profoundly affect each other.
Although I couldn’t connect with Derek and Nora individually, I liked that they still battled regular people's issues, which made them more relatable.
Although this wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking, as a lot of it was full of tropes, it was overall an enjoyable read....more
Books can have different effects on me, but there's always something about those that make you think.
I couldn’t help but immediately pretend that I wBooks can have different effects on me, but there's always something about those that make you think.
I couldn’t help but immediately pretend that I was one of the people thrust into a life where the unknown became known. Knowing when one will die is something that I have contemplated many times in my life but never actually sat down to think of the multitude of consequences this can have….well, until I read this book, of course.
Erlick is impressive for capturing this dystopian world in the eyes of eight people. It was truly impressive how the story seamlessly transitions through each of them. From start to finish, I was intrigued by their individual lives and the events' overall impact on a global scale. Through the lives of these eight people, we saw that such a world can bring out the worst and best in people and break and strengthen relationships. Many times, moral questions were brought up that I didn’t even know the answer to.
The measure highlighted human nature's highs and lows when it feels there are limited options. It has made me question many things I thought I knew. I’m happy I read this and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about themselves....more
Reading Beth, Michael, and Nicole's different points of view illustrated the complexity of their story, as each saw things a little bit differently. IReading Beth, Michael, and Nicole's different points of view illustrated the complexity of their story, as each saw things a little bit differently. I thought it was only a matter of time before I gravitated towards one of the siblings more, but this didn’t necessarily happen. The tension among them was strong, and I was compelled to understand the demons that haunted the family. They were all deeply affected by things unknown, making this more chilling.
The shock early in the story grew my interest in more questions that needed to be answered. I was mostly blank about the answers, but I’m surprised that some of my suspicions were confirmed. This story highlights how people make certain decisions when they feel they can’t make better ones. This was a decent read!
That angsty prologue was meant to tell me something was about to go down, so I should put on my helmet for the ride! I realized my helmet was unnecessThat angsty prologue was meant to tell me something was about to go down, so I should put on my helmet for the ride! I realized my helmet was unnecessary as I read, but I still enjoyed the ride.
After the prologue, we are slowly eased into the story as we get introduced to Megan and the other people in her life. I’m sure many single mothers could initially relate to Megan’s life, maybe until we delve into more of the secrets. As the story progressed, it did feel like countless things were happening simultaneously. Each event and suspicious moment seemed independent but connected as the story went well. I will say that most of the reveals were underwhelming and didn’t feel unique in the overall crime/mystery genre. I did like that there was some uncertainty left at the end to leave the book still in our heads.
Henry didn’t slowly ease us into this book's messiness but gave it to us immediately. This ensured that I wasn’t going anywhere but finishing the bookHenry didn’t slowly ease us into this book's messiness but gave it to us immediately. This ensured that I wasn’t going anywhere but finishing the book to the end, and boy, I’m glad I did.
Yes, maybe Funny Story is labeled as a romance, but I swear it’s more than that. I felt it was about learning to love yourself and making sure you don’t let people ever make you feel less than you are. I was constantly shocked by how much the people in Daphne’s life were such a disappointment, and I was angry for her the entirety of this. Henry, however, with Daphne’s growth by the end, made all my emotions worth it.
Aside from the obvious horrible characters, everyone was great. Sometimes, with books, you wonder what a character's point is, but they all contributed generously to the theme of friendships, love, family, and growth. Ashley, in particular, deserves her book. She was such a great character who sometimes would speak out loud my exact thoughts when reacting to events in the story. Of course, honorable mentions include Julia, Miles’ incredible, hilarious sister, and Daphne’s loving mother and best friend.
Daphne and Miles's relationship was beautiful! It’s tough to do a romance wrong when you build a friendship between them and work your way to sexy sexy. Their story reveals that you see someone’s beauty as you get to know them, and it’s not always the first-day attraction nonsense. There are instances of fake dating, but it wasn’t overpowering in the story. They were incredibly raw with each other, sometimes bringing tears to my eyes. They were such a tease as the tension between them was a rollercoaster….the excellent kind. In the ending parts, their relationship got confusing due to some events, and I was terrified Henry would be unable to save this book. Henry, however, surprised me with the characters' actions and revealed that the characters have grown and have learned from past mistakes.
Funny Story was sad, witty, and raw, and cute. And sad again. Then funny again. I’ve said in a past book that Henry is a whole comedian, and she once again proves it. She also proved to me that she is great at making her characters relatable with all their strength and weaknesses and their freaking childhood. You know how everything links back to your childhood in psychology, and boy, did we delve into people’s childhoods here.
I was hooked from the beginning to start a “romance” book that felt more than a romance. I learned from Funny Story to love myself and tell people who belittle me to F off….respectfully. The characters were imperfect yet perfect at the same time, and there were many instances in the book that brought tons of emotions to me. I’m glad I read this, and you should too :)
“Eventually, it became a kind of sport to find the worst person I could and wipe them off the planet forever.”
Usually, when I read a book’s descriptio “Eventually, it became a kind of sport to find the worst person I could and wipe them off the planet forever.”
Usually, when I read a book’s description, I tend to have a good idea of what my feelings about the book might be. This one, however, was a romance book about two serial killers. I genuinely didn’t know what to expect. You all should have seen my face as I read the trigger warnings, but I love the unexpected and was excited to read this one.
I genuinely would love to live in a world where I casually talk to a friend or even a lover about plucking someone’s eyeballs out. Butcher and Blackbird, aka Rowan and Sloane, are serial killers, but they only kill what they describe as “monsters,” and rightly so! There was this instant connection that they felt with each other and that I felt, telling me this would be a fun ride. Imagine genuinely feeling like you’ll never meet someone who is okay with your “interesting” hobbies, and then you do! Even better, they engage in these same hobbies as well. This connection could be felt through their thoughts and the easy, fun banter throughout the book! Every killing scene was so anticipated and exciting as they met and continued to show us how fantastic their relationship was. I looked forward to seeing how their relationship grew every time they saw each other, as well as the same fun, easy banter. Yes, this book is described as dark, but I looked forward to each killing scene as they explained each monster's horrible actions. Maybe this revealed that I do have a little dark side to me.
My favorite part is the reminder that, yes, even though these people are doing uncanny things, they are still indeed human. I love learning about them, their past motivations, family, friends, fears, and so forth. It made me connect to them a little bit more. The ending was all right.
While I’m not rushing to read the next book, I hope it steps up and surpasses this one. ...more
“…If I allow myself to be angry, I will never stop.”
It was no mystery throughout the book that Tisaanah had been through a lot. Therefore, It was not “…If I allow myself to be angry, I will never stop.”
It was no mystery throughout the book that Tisaanah had been through a lot. Therefore, It was not a surprise that she would stop at nothing to save the people who suffered at the hands of cruel people. I was in awe of how she channeled her emotions and used it as her source of resilience.
I also liked the other characters, with one of them being the bold Maxantarius. He is someone who stands on business and doesn’t take shit from anyone. However, it is clear that he too has a past that he reveals throughout the book and will probably reveal more in the next one. I enjoyed Tisaanah and Maxantarius’ understanding of each other, which grew as they learned from each other.
It was a fast-paced book, but it felt right. In the beginning parts of the book, it was weird that I forgot that this was a book where people had powers, but as the book went on, the magnitude of these powers was apparent. As the book progresses, it is clear that many secrets need to be unfolded, and some do. Overall, I loved being on the journey with them, and the remaining parts of the book hint at what is coming. I can’t say that I’m in a rush to start the book, but I am curious to know how this book could possie the tip of the iceberg.