2.5 stars. This was good, but not great. I loved the gymnastics portion but I think everything was just slightly under-developed and ripped-from-the-h2.5 stars. This was good, but not great. I loved the gymnastics portion but I think everything was just slightly under-developed and ripped-from-the-headlines for my personal taste. Glad I read it during the Olympics because it did increase my enjoyment....more
Lovely and haunting and quiet and sad: some of my favorite things to read. It urged me to consider what's truly meaningful in this life when there's sLovely and haunting and quiet and sad: some of my favorite things to read. It urged me to consider what's truly meaningful in this life when there's so much noise all around, and what it takes to hold onto it in a world that often tries to take it away.
This series has come to mean so much to me and it's hard to fathom the fact that it's over. With this bI LOVE THIS BOOK WITH MY ENTIRE HEART AND SOUL.
This series has come to mean so much to me and it's hard to fathom the fact that it's over. With this book, B. K. Borison reminded me why I have long considered her as one of my ultimate favorite romance writers, on par with Emily Henry. She is THAT good.
Borison managed to take a trope that I don't generally care for (one-night stand/friends with benefits) and turned it into such a gripping, poignant, heart-mending love story where I was with Nova and Charlie every single step of the way. There was such gorgeous buildup to their one-night stand and then the progression of their relationship from there was perfect as they slowly learned they didn't have to sacrifice anything to be together, but instead, they found out what home, safety, and security looks like. They discovered the freedom that comes from finding that one person who sees you down to your bones and helps to lift the burden, the one who makes the accomplishments so much sweeter, the one you can come home to and just be your authentic self.
There is so much heart packed into every single sentence, every word, of this novel. I can tell that B. K. Borison loves writing, she loves being in this world. It's warm and cozy and oh-so-lovely, inhabited by larger than life characters. As Chloe Liese said in her review, the characters felt lived-in, like they are real people with hopes and dreams and insecurities. It's rare that romances are able to strike the balance between physical and emotional intimacy, but B. K. Borison did it effortlessly. The steam was there, yes, but so were the heartfelt talks and the sense of genuine love they had for each other. They cared for each other and showed it in everything they did, and their communication was PERFECT. I also thought the final conflict was done with such a light hand. It was realistic and didn't drag on for too long.
Charlie and Nova are such beautiful characters and I'm glad they found their home in each other. But the side characters shined SO much in this too. Let me tell you, there were moments with Luka and Stella that had me screaming and kicking my feet. ALSO BECKETT, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. And Caleb and Layla's interactions were like her cinnamon apple strudel cupcakes, a perfect complement to the sweetness of the rest of the story. I LOVED LOVED LOVED the found family and it brought me to tears multiple times.
This was a perfect ending to the series. A perfect romance book, actually. I hugged it to my chest when I finished. Truly, I screamed, I cried, I kicked my little feet, I giggled, and I haven't had a reaction like this to a romance in so long.
I can't wait to return to the pages of Lovelight Farms whenever I need a pick-me-up. If you haven't read this yet, you are truly missing out on one of the most wholesome and beautiful romance series out there.
Is it time for B. K. Borison's next book yet? Rest assured I will be buying literally everything and anything she writes in the future....more
I've read a lot of books in my day, but James Baldwin's writing is on another level. I am absolutely astonished at his ability to turn a phrase and coI've read a lot of books in my day, but James Baldwin's writing is on another level. I am absolutely astonished at his ability to turn a phrase and communicate such complex emotions and themes. I need some time to reflect on what I just read, but I reserve the right to raise my rating.
One of those books that absolutely must be reread....more
It is a CRIME that this book has been sitting on my shelf collecting dust for years without picking it up. R. F. Kuang can do no wrong in my eyes. TheIt is a CRIME that this book has been sitting on my shelf collecting dust for years without picking it up. R. F. Kuang can do no wrong in my eyes. The amount of character development and plot that Kuang was able to pack into a little over 500 pages is more than most authors are able to fit into an entire trilogy.
I am absolutely blown away, but I've come to expect nothing less from R. F. Kuang. Don't be surprised if I end up marathoning this entire series this month.
Phenomenal. Truly an exemplary debut (HOW!) novel from one of the most creative and genius writers working today (and I will die on this hill!)....more