Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Loveable characters:
No
The drama was okay but overall exhausting and a vicious cycle I was not invested in.
The author clearly wants to tug on your heartstrings with themes of childhood friendship and love, but it just didn't work for me.
I can enjoy a toxic relationship in fiction, but it should be mutual. Magnolia and BJ’s dynamic isn’t toxic, it was basically one-sided psychological abuse. He was selfish, manipulative, incapable of putting Magnolia’s feelings above his own fleeting gratification, and treated her like a toy he refused to let go of... he is the definition of man child.
And Magnolia? She just kept coming back. I wanted to root for her, truly, but it’s impossible when she barely showed any self-respect or sense of worth. She’s is a striking, intelligent, and magnetic woman, but she allowed herself to be repeatedly broken by a man who sleeps his way through London under the guise of loving her??
There was no romance imo just toxicity on a loop, and I didn't care to read about it lol
The author clearly wants to tug on your heartstrings with themes of childhood friendship and love, but it just didn't work for me.
I can enjoy a toxic relationship in fiction, but it should be mutual. Magnolia and BJ’s dynamic isn’t toxic, it was basically one-sided psychological abuse. He was selfish, manipulative, incapable of putting Magnolia’s feelings above his own fleeting gratification, and treated her like a toy he refused to let go of... he is the definition of man child.
And Magnolia? She just kept coming back. I wanted to root for her, truly, but it’s impossible when she barely showed any self-respect or sense of worth. She’s is a striking, intelligent, and magnetic woman, but she allowed herself to be repeatedly broken by a man who sleeps his way through London under the guise of loving her??
There was no romance imo just toxicity on a loop, and I didn't care to read about it lol
3.5 stars
I saw on Booktok a video saying “If you liked this as a kid (The Clique series) you’ll like this as an adult (Magnolia Parks).” Thanks to that video I decided to give the audiobook a try. Luckily, the narration for both Magnolia & BJ’s characters was entertaining.
The Clique series by Lisi Harrison came out when I was in school and I loved the drama, the mean girls and I couldn’t put the books down. Magnolia Parks for sure has the same vibes. It is rich kids, tabloids, drugs, sex and messy love interests.
Though I’m here for the drama, I would have expected this to be more adult oriented. However, Magnolia and BJ act like teenagers instead of young adults. They have zero emotional intelligence and basically spend the entire time wanting to be together but purposely hurting each other instead of moving on or fixing their issues.
At some point I just got tired of Magnolia. It was just too much that she acted like she didn’t know what she was doing and how she was impacting the men around her. But BJ is so immature that he wants Magnolia but since he can’t have her, he makes a point of showing how happy he is without her, even though he isn’t.
Then Magnolia picks BJ over Tom and I lost interest…. Until the ending revealed all the drama and now I’m sort of invested. I’ve read the second book (Daisy’s story) is better so I might give it a go.
I saw on Booktok a video saying “If you liked this as a kid (The Clique series) you’ll like this as an adult (Magnolia Parks).” Thanks to that video I decided to give the audiobook a try. Luckily, the narration for both Magnolia & BJ’s characters was entertaining.
The Clique series by Lisi Harrison came out when I was in school and I loved the drama, the mean girls and I couldn’t put the books down. Magnolia Parks for sure has the same vibes. It is rich kids, tabloids, drugs, sex and messy love interests.
Though I’m here for the drama, I would have expected this to be more adult oriented. However, Magnolia and BJ act like teenagers instead of young adults. They have zero emotional intelligence and basically spend the entire time wanting to be together but purposely hurting each other instead of moving on or fixing their issues.
At some point I just got tired of Magnolia. It was just too much that she acted like she didn’t know what she was doing and how she was impacting the men around her. But BJ is so immature that he wants Magnolia but since he can’t have her, he makes a point of showing how happy he is without her, even though he isn’t.
Then Magnolia picks BJ over Tom and I lost interest…. Until the ending revealed all the drama and now I’m sort of invested. I’ve read the second book (Daisy’s story) is better so I might give it a go.
Det känns lustigt att jag haft två sågningar som leder fram till denna recension, sågningar där jag attackerar karaktärerna i båda fallen. Och så kommer jag här nu med en romance, genren jag tror de flesta hyser föga respekt för, och säger att i den här boken hittar vi, i min mening, GRYMMA jagberättare som jag kan stanna hos förevigt.
Såhär, det är en bok med två fokalisatorer, två perspektiv: Magnolia Parks och BJ Ballentine (lmao i know han heter verkligen så). De har varit ihop en gång i tiden men är det inte längre, på grund av Något som Hände.
De här två är varsina nyanser av AS. De är sämst på olika sätt: ytliga, dryga, jobbiga, defensiva, problematiska, you name it. Samtidigt som det aldrig i boken blir någon större moralpanik kring detta, vilket jag tycker är uppfriskande. De är två kändisar och de är jobbiga, det känns dels realistiskt, dels väldigt underhållande.
Men de är verkligen tydliga karaktärer, de är sina egna personer och har väldigt egna, jag vågar till och med säga originella, röster. UPPFRISKANDE !
Aja, den här boken är bara svinrolig. Det talas inte om några viktiga saker alls, det handlar bara om de här två personernas relationsdrama och karaktärerna är så insnurrade i det där att det är typ allt de tänker på. Boken är också oförskämt lång för hur lite den handlar om, men det gör typ inget för den är så dum och kul. Jag antar att mycket handlar om inställningen till boken, försöker man ta det här 100% seriöst så blir man nog knäpp som läsare. Man måste nog tänka sig det lite som en dokusåpa, och att de här karaktärerna är menade att vara både irriterande och asroliga samtidigt, för då blir det här grejt.
Såhär, det är en bok med två fokalisatorer, två perspektiv: Magnolia Parks och BJ Ballentine (lmao i know han heter verkligen så). De har varit ihop en gång i tiden men är det inte längre, på grund av Något som Hände.
De här två är varsina nyanser av AS. De är sämst på olika sätt: ytliga, dryga, jobbiga, defensiva, problematiska, you name it. Samtidigt som det aldrig i boken blir någon större moralpanik kring detta, vilket jag tycker är uppfriskande. De är två kändisar och de är jobbiga, det känns dels realistiskt, dels väldigt underhållande.
Men de är verkligen tydliga karaktärer, de är sina egna personer och har väldigt egna, jag vågar till och med säga originella, röster. UPPFRISKANDE !
Aja, den här boken är bara svinrolig. Det talas inte om några viktiga saker alls, det handlar bara om de här två personernas relationsdrama och karaktärerna är så insnurrade i det där att det är typ allt de tänker på. Boken är också oförskämt lång för hur lite den handlar om, men det gör typ inget för den är så dum och kul. Jag antar att mycket handlar om inställningen till boken, försöker man ta det här 100% seriöst så blir man nog knäpp som läsare. Man måste nog tänka sig det lite som en dokusåpa, och att de här karaktärerna är menade att vara både irriterande och asroliga samtidigt, för då blir det här grejt.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
I think this is a great book for someone who just wants something easy and entertaining to read. I’d describe this as like the reality television of books, it’s entertaining but I don’t think it’s life changing or really makes you think deeper about anything.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not your typical romance novel. The concept on whether love is enough to be together or not. The rich and clothes focus vibes are a bit annoying though
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well well well well well well.....
I don't even know where to start. This book was shit. But also... entertaining? (It honestly makes me cringe that I thought any part of this book was positive).
I hate 100% of the characters; genuinely cannot think of a single character that has any redeemable qualities. Actually I take that back #justiceforTom!!! But other than Tom, who did not receive his well deserved justice, every other character cheated (most hated trope of all time) and were in love with multiple people at the same time?? That just made their love seem false and was not believable at all.
I guess it's partially on me because I knew there was going to be cheating going in. But oh my god it was every major plot point and plot twist (the last one I saw coming). BJ does NOT deserve Magnolia, but also Magnolia needs to leave this douche once and for all!!! Like there's something called no contact? Maybe try that instead of sleeping over every night... And the fact that he's still sleeping with other girls while this is going on? Why are you settling for such a sleaze bag girlll. Get some standards. You had so many better options omllll
ALSO, ok so I do not want to continue this series but! JULIAN HAITES.
I don't even know where to start. This book was shit. But also... entertaining? (It honestly makes me cringe that I thought any part of this book was positive).
I hate 100% of the characters; genuinely cannot think of a single character that has any redeemable qualities. Actually I take that back #justiceforTom!!! But other than Tom, who did not receive his well deserved justice, every other character cheated (most hated trope of all time) and were in love with multiple people at the same time?? That just made their love seem false and was not believable at all.
I guess it's partially on me because I knew there was going to be cheating going in. But oh my god it was every major plot point and plot twist (the last one I saw coming). BJ does NOT deserve Magnolia, but also Magnolia needs to leave this douche once and for all!!! Like there's something called no contact? Maybe try that instead of sleeping over every night... And the fact that he's still sleeping with other girls while this is going on? Why are you settling for such a sleaze bag girlll. Get some standards. You had so many better options omllll
ALSO, ok so I do not want to continue this series but! JULIAN HAITES.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes