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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Reflective main character
Healthy family dynamic
Predictable plot
Characters that show willingness to grow
Annoying pov switches
Simple writing style
Healthy family dynamic
Predictable plot
Characters that show willingness to grow
Annoying pov switches
Simple writing style
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Would I have picked up this book if I didn’t watch the tv series? No. Would I care to read on if I hadn’t watched the series? Also no. Ruby Bell is the quintessential wallflower of Maxton Hall prep school who falls in opposites-attract style for the popular rich kid jock James Beaufort. It’s YA romance as anticipated, filled with Gossip Girl style drama, emotional teen decision-making, and miscommunication. I’m not as angry about the trope because developmentally it fits. I’m pleasantly surprised I prefer the tv show (as I’m typically a “books are always better” stan) and am glad that it covered the book pretty much to a T. Maybe will read on, definitely will watch on, to see how everything unfolds. Teenage me would’ve eaten this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Alcohol
Moderate: Violence
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
While the ending of this book made me incredibly angry, I was invested enough to get there. (The author’s apology for the ending in her acknowledgements was not enough 😡😂.) I surprised myself with how quickly I ate this up. A bit toxic and definitely a teen drama, but there were moments of depth and character development I didn’t expect. Glad I have the next book on deck.
Notes: I have NOT watched the show Maxton Hall and went in completely blind.
Also, if anyone sees this and thinks it’s young adult, there is one explicit open door romance scene and I’d put this squarely in the New Adult category.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the free digital review copy.
Full review at: cassieetter.com/eclecticallybookish/reviews/save-me
Notes: I have NOT watched the show Maxton Hall and went in completely blind.
Also, if anyone sees this and thinks it’s young adult, there is one explicit open door romance scene and I’d put this squarely in the New Adult category.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the free digital review copy.
Full review at: cassieetter.com/eclecticallybookish/reviews/save-me
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/6.
🌶️/5.
I watched Maxton Hall series 2 times before finally reading the book.
I’m actually surprised by how much the serie was the same as in the book. They definitely did a good job there.
Anyways tbh I skimmed chapter 1 & 2 because I knew what was in it but after that I was glued to my kindle. This was the greatest book ever but it definitely leaves you hooked.
I was on the edge of my seat with that ending just like I was every time I watched the last ep of S1 but I got more info through the book.
Book has potential to be great but it also has potential to be a let down because of miscommunication. With that said I love Ruby and I trust that she won’t let miscommunication stand in her way and I hope James fight for himself because this book the poor guy was beating by the whole universe and not even Percy came through for him.
I also hope Lydia‘s relationship with Ruby grows into real friendship.
🌶️/5.
I watched Maxton Hall series 2 times before finally reading the book.
I’m actually surprised by how much the serie was the same as in the book. They definitely did a good job there.
Anyways tbh I skimmed chapter 1 & 2 because I knew what was in it but after that I was glued to my kindle. This was the greatest book ever but it definitely leaves you hooked.
I was on the edge of my seat with that ending just like I was every time I watched the last ep of S1 but I got more info through the book.
Book has potential to be great but it also has potential to be a let down because of miscommunication. With that said I love Ruby and I trust that she won’t let miscommunication stand in her way and I hope James fight for himself because this book the poor guy was beating by the whole universe and not even Percy came through for him.
I also hope Lydia‘s relationship with Ruby grows into real friendship.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
funny
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 beautiful, well-earned stars to one of my most anticipated reads of the year (that also might successfully get me out of the weird reading slump I've been in all year?!)
I should preface this review by saying I've watched "Maxton Hall" Season 1 approximately 20 times since it was released. I knew going in that I would most likely really like/love this book because that show is such a work of art to me. (What can I say, I am a sucker for the 'she can't swim' trope lol).
Even so, I am genuinely so pleased with this book. Ironically, it has two things I usually strongly dislike: enemies-to-lovers and first-person POV. But this book was so, so good. I loved seeing how it differed from the show and loved being in Ruby and James' heads. I love that this book is not just a romance: it's about class differences, education, familial expectations, ambition, and morals. It's about becoming the best version of yourself, not just for yourself, but for the person you love, too.
There were so many lines that I felt myself relating to from both Ruby and James' perspectives.
I loved watching Ruby and James' relationship ebb and flow, and I think they both still have quite a bit of growing to do, but I can't wait. I just love, love, love them so much.
I do think if I hadn't seen the show beforehand, I would mostly like give this a 4 star rating, as I do think the writing can be a bit Wattpad-esque at times (I say as a past Wattpad writer lol) - but honestly it's giving everything it needs to and I am SOOOO mad I have to wait two months for the next translated version to come out.
Also just have to really commend the actors that play Ruby/James. They cast them perfectly and they bring these characters to life in a way that goes beyond the writing.
I'm so glad they made the series and translated these books. Count me as an official Mona Kasten fan!
I should preface this review by saying I've watched "Maxton Hall" Season 1 approximately 20 times since it was released. I knew going in that I would most likely really like/love this book because that show is such a work of art to me. (What can I say, I am a sucker for the 'she can't swim' trope lol).
Even so, I am genuinely so pleased with this book. Ironically, it has two things I usually strongly dislike: enemies-to-lovers and first-person POV. But this book was so, so good. I loved seeing how it differed from the show and loved being in Ruby and James' heads. I love that this book is not just a romance: it's about class differences, education, familial expectations, ambition, and morals. It's about becoming the best version of yourself, not just for yourself, but for the person you love, too.
There were so many lines that I felt myself relating to from both Ruby and James' perspectives.
I loved watching Ruby and James' relationship ebb and flow, and I think they both still have quite a bit of growing to do, but I can't wait. I just love, love, love them so much.
I do think if I hadn't seen the show beforehand, I would mostly like give this a 4 star rating, as I do think the writing can be a bit Wattpad-esque at times (I say as a past Wattpad writer lol) - but honestly it's giving everything it needs to and I am SOOOO mad I have to wait two months for the next translated version to come out.
Also just have to really commend the actors that play Ruby/James. They cast them perfectly and they bring these characters to life in a way that goes beyond the writing.
I'm so glad they made the series and translated these books. Count me as an official Mona Kasten fan!