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aahrobot's Reviews (123)
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was okay? Not my fave. It’s like as the series went on, we kinda lost the plot. I get that these are cute romances meant to have zero/minimal drama but like. . . *crickets*
The drama just was ridiculous and pointless to me. Book one, we’ve got a media scandal/“fake” dating! Book two, we’ve got a sex tape scandal. Book three, “we dunno how we can date!!” (Didn’t like that one either). Book four, we’ve got some convoluted “flip flop” (🙄) drama that didn’t even matter in the long term and believing Declan wouldn’t have been happy with Eve and Pen. Just felt out of touch.
Love the message, hate the delivery. The spice wasn’t bad, but it was few and far between in comparison to the rest of the series. Just felt lack luster. Almost like a story of convenience. Why go look for the LOML when I can say it’s actually my sister-in-law’s assistant?!
tdlr; I was more interested in Billy and his mom than the actual main characters. Missing Chris & Trixie 😭🥲
The drama just was ridiculous and pointless to me. Book one, we’ve got a media scandal/“fake” dating! Book two, we’ve got a sex tape scandal. Book three, “we dunno how we can date!!” (Didn’t like that one either). Book four, we’ve got some convoluted “flip flop” (🙄) drama that didn’t even matter in the long term and believing Declan wouldn’t have been happy with Eve and Pen. Just felt out of touch.
Love the message, hate the delivery. The spice wasn’t bad, but it was few and far between in comparison to the rest of the series. Just felt lack luster. Almost like a story of convenience. Why go look for the LOML when I can say it’s actually my sister-in-law’s assistant?!
tdlr; I was more interested in Billy and his mom than the actual main characters. Missing Chris & Trixie 😭🥲
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love this book. Scary and a little funny with the right amount of gen z vibes, character growth, and the painful reality of grief. I was scared to look in the mirror, but I couldn’t stop reading.
Viv was an amazing and real character. Bri was a great friend. Ash was a misunderstood little emo baby. All so different, but so intertwined in the best (worst?) way.
Such an incredible debut novel and I cannot wait to see what more Tatiana Schlote-Bonne will give us.
Viv was an amazing and real character. Bri was a great friend. Ash was a misunderstood little emo baby. All so different, but so intertwined in the best (worst?) way.
Such an incredible debut novel and I cannot wait to see what more Tatiana Schlote-Bonne will give us.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
This was an adorable read. I really enjoy graphic novels, especially ones with storylines like Sunhead. Also, this whole thing was one huge queer-coming-of-age Twilight reference and I am HERE for that! I would absolutely love to read more about Rotem and Ayala.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This wasn’t bad, definitely had some good elements. But some of the story just felt lacking to me. I felt as if there wasn’t enough, I dunno, drama maybe? Just something more I guess.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think what this series has taught me is that I am not a slow burn kinda girlie. Like, don't get me wrong - I ache to yearn, but sometimes it's too much yearning. I dunno - maybe this book was just too slow for me.
I understand that the timeline of this book happens at the same time as the other two books, but it felt like I was getting the same book in a different POV. I felt as if there was no real suspense or frustration or build up. Things just happened and sometimes we never talked about it again. I felt like we jumped around a lot, timeline wise. Some of it just felt disjointed to me a little and it would have been nice, maybe, to have a bit more filler or just something.
As for the story, I really liked Rose. The circus, the tarot, the chaos - it was always fun to see what she had going on. Fionn was adorable and whiny and definitely benefited from some self-reflection. The spice, when we finally got there, wasn't too bad. Though using the words 'her channel' gave me the ick just a bit. Also, we got a warning for the cotton candy and when we got to that scene is was just like, 'really? that's it?'.
Also, Fionn - calling Leander?! You have two serial killer brothers and that's the call you make? You cannot convince me that, that choice was: one, the correct choice, and two, the choice that Fionn would have made!!!!!!!!
3 stars BARELY.
I understand that the timeline of this book happens at the same time as the other two books, but it felt like I was getting the same book in a different POV. I felt as if there was no real suspense or frustration or build up. Things just happened and sometimes we never talked about it again. I felt like we jumped around a lot, timeline wise. Some of it just felt disjointed to me a little and it would have been nice, maybe, to have a bit more filler or just something.
As for the story, I really liked Rose. The circus, the tarot, the chaos - it was always fun to see what she had going on. Fionn was adorable and whiny and definitely benefited from some self-reflection. The spice, when we finally got there, wasn't too bad. Though using the words 'her channel' gave me the ick just a bit. Also, we got a warning for the cotton candy and when we got to that scene is was just like, 'really? that's it?'.
Also, Fionn -
3 stars BARELY.
dark
emotional
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
Sav R. Miller will forever and always been an instant read for me. She just does everything so right (and wrong in the best way).
Stella and Leo? Ugh. Perfect. No notes. Also TWO bisexual main characters?! Incredible, truly. 10/10.
Seriously though, I really enjoyed this (as I always do with this author) and I might just read the rest of this series!
Stella and Leo? Ugh. Perfect. No notes. Also TWO bisexual main characters?! Incredible, truly. 10/10.
Seriously though, I really enjoyed this (as I always do with this author) and I might just read the rest of this series!
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
Hi - I loved this book. I am truly becoming a fan of contemporary literature because it's just (from what I've read) an endless stream of consciousness. And this book really hit me. The author wrote some paragraphs in the same way that I think; I, too, am jumping from talking about lying, to Abraham Lincoln, wondering where planes and cars are headed, about people's lives, where they came from, etc.
This book is heavy. Pizza Girl is a pregnant teenager, and pizza delivery driver, struggling with something (because honestly she wasn't struggling with JUST her dad's death). She becomes obsessed with Jenny, a mom who orders pickle and pepperoni pizza every Wednesday for her son, Adam. It's the kind of book where you should just take a deep breath and read it all in one sitting.
One section that I particularly enjoyed:
This book is heavy. Pizza Girl is a pregnant teenager, and pizza delivery driver, struggling with something (because honestly she wasn't struggling with JUST her dad's death). She becomes obsessed with Jenny, a mom who orders pickle and pepperoni pizza every Wednesday for her son, Adam. It's the kind of book where you should just take a deep breath and read it all in one sitting.
One section that I particularly enjoyed:
“Well, what do you like doing?” This was the most painful question he could ask, maybe because I knew how I would answer it—I liked eating cereal early in the morning on the front steps of the house, seeing how sure and confident Mom’s hands moved when she folded laundry, watching TV on mute while I listened to my iPod, reading under trees and watching sunlight leak through the leaves above and cast strange patterns on my skin and the pages, pulling off my jeans the minute I got home, Gummy Bears, I liked after we fucked, when we just lay in each other’s arms, not speaking—none of these answers were what he was looking for. I never applied to any colleges, never was able to answer the question of my future purpose.
It's just so...real and emotionally raw. When I was 18, I struggled to find a purpose, maybe we all do. What did I like doing? Hiding in my room, eating too many chips, walking around outside with no real place to go, convenience stores and movie theaters, lighting a candle after school and taking a nap until dinner was ready, and spending way too much time on the internet. (This is why I have to limit my contemporary fiction intake because I will just eat myself alive from the inside out).
This book ends with so many things unfinished, unanswered. And I'm okay with that. Life is so complex and sometimes, we never get answers for the things we want, we might never find peace no matter how desperate we may become. I found myself driving to work, wondering what happens when Pizza Girl gives birth. Did motherhood change her, make her feel fulfilled and have a purpose? Or was she so removed from the baby that she truly turned into her father, disappearing into the shed? I'll never know. And, really, that's exactly what the author wants to happen. Much like our main character, we are left wondering so many different possible things, staring at our hands on the steering wheel, and asking ourselves, 'Which parent will I end up like?'
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Alcohol
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
good for what it is, besties.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Big shoutout to Nina Rey and her team for the ARC of the best book ever! ❤
Seriously, I loved this book so much. All of the characters were fun, deep, emotional, and all so different in their own ways. I hope that as the series continues, we can dive deeper into Levi, Jake, and Emma.
Kamila and Cameron - you have my whole heart. The drama, the tension, the eventual love and compassion!!! I read this book so fast because I simply couldn't put it down. I have read a lot of spice in my time and this author truly gets it right. Not only was it well written, but there were no ridiculous words for body parts and it felt realistic. Sex positive also, which I always love to see.
Also, as soon as I saw 'Decode' by Paramore in the playlist, I KNEW there was going to be a Twilight reference. And there was (big fan here, if you don't already know). Speaking of music, I really loved how it was incorporated in this story. Not only do we get to know what Cameron is listening to when he's walking to class, but we get to know what songs Kami loves to dance to. It makes it so fun because that gives me the opportunity to listen alongside the characters.
And the nod to Gilmore Girls in the beginning? I was sold IMMEDIATELY. Small town college, cozy, fun, emotional with the right amount of friend, relationship, and family drama. And David? I hope you ROT!
One thing I didn't love, and this is definitely a personal thing that I am sure other people won't agree with, but I didn't like the translations. The main character and her family are Latina/o. Great. I assumed we would get some Spanish thrown in here and there, and we did. Amazing. But the translations after the dialogue threw me off a little. I know not everyone who reads this will be fluent like me, but I just didn't personally enjoy it. I've read other books that have used languages other than English without translating and it doesn't bother me. If I didn't know what it said, I would simply look it up. Again, this is just a personal preference and didn't take away from the story itself; just felt unnecessary to me.
TLDR; I absolutely LOVED this book. I cannot wait for the rest of the series, I can't wait to purchase the physical version, David sucks, Cameron is incredible, and Kamila is stunning/smart/funny/strong. So much fun and friendship and love and the perfect level of spice. 1000/10!!!
Seriously, I loved this book so much. All of the characters were fun, deep, emotional, and all so different in their own ways. I hope that as the series continues, we can dive deeper into Levi, Jake, and Emma.
Kamila and Cameron - you have my whole heart. The drama, the tension, the eventual love and compassion!!! I read this book so fast because I simply couldn't put it down. I have read a lot of spice in my time and this author truly gets it right. Not only was it well written, but there were no ridiculous words for body parts and it felt realistic. Sex positive also, which I always love to see.
Also, as soon as I saw 'Decode' by Paramore in the playlist, I KNEW there was going to be a Twilight reference. And there was (big fan here, if you don't already know). Speaking of music, I really loved how it was incorporated in this story. Not only do we get to know what Cameron is listening to when he's walking to class, but we get to know what songs Kami loves to dance to. It makes it so fun because that gives me the opportunity to listen alongside the characters.
And the nod to Gilmore Girls in the beginning? I was sold IMMEDIATELY. Small town college, cozy, fun, emotional with the right amount of friend, relationship, and family drama. And David? I hope you ROT!
One thing I didn't love, and this is definitely a personal thing that I am sure other people won't agree with, but I didn't like the translations. The main character and her family are Latina/o. Great. I assumed we would get some Spanish thrown in here and there, and we did. Amazing. But the translations after the dialogue threw me off a little. I know not everyone who reads this will be fluent like me, but I just didn't personally enjoy it. I've read other books that have used languages other than English without translating and it doesn't bother me. If I didn't know what it said, I would simply look it up. Again, this is just a personal preference and didn't take away from the story itself; just felt unnecessary to me.
TLDR; I absolutely LOVED this book. I cannot wait for the rest of the series, I can't wait to purchase the physical version, David sucks, Cameron is incredible, and Kamila is stunning/smart/funny/strong. So much fun and friendship and love and the perfect level of spice. 1000/10!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Body shaming, Infidelity, Physical abuse
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Listen, I am not a fantasy girlie. But this? This is it. I am genuinely surprised I enjoyed this especially because I struggled to get through the beginning. It definitely has a slow start, but once it picks up - worth it. In the last half, I didn't want to stop listening (actually annoyed me when I had to pause it).
Kissen? Talk about well-rounded queer, disabled representation. We love to see it! I loved her. I loved that she wasn't perfect and all powerful. She made mistakes and had hate in her heart that eventually grew into love for those around her.
Elogast - you tricky little thing!!Had me believing this man was gay. But shockingly no! He was just down bad for the king in a different, not good kinda way. I loved him, too. Our knight turned baker who is just trying to do his best while struggling with PTSD.
Inara and Skedi were adorable and only a little annoying. One thing I couldn't get past is that 'Skedi' sounds like a little kid trying to say the word spaghetti, so that's often how I pictured him.
Overall, I enjoyed this. Not something I would give five stars to just for the pacing and Skedi and some minor things I didn't enjoy. I am going to ATTEMPT to read book 2 because I feel invested. I really hope the pacing is better and not so slow/uneven. We will see (though the audiobook is SIXTEEN HOURS long!!!).
Before I go, let me share my favorite interaction between Elo and Kissen:
Kissen: "That's an interesting knife."
Elogast: "That's an interesting f*ck to give about it."
Kissen? Talk about well-rounded queer, disabled representation. We love to see it! I loved her. I loved that she wasn't perfect and all powerful. She made mistakes and had hate in her heart that eventually grew into love for those around her.
Elogast - you tricky little thing!!
Inara and Skedi were adorable and only a little annoying. One thing I couldn't get past is that 'Skedi' sounds like a little kid trying to say the word spaghetti, so that's often how I pictured him.
Overall, I enjoyed this. Not something I would give five stars to just for the pacing and Skedi and some minor things I didn't enjoy. I am going to ATTEMPT to read book 2 because I feel invested. I really hope the pacing is better and not so slow/uneven. We will see (though the audiobook is SIXTEEN HOURS long!!!).
Before I go, let me share my favorite interaction between Elo and Kissen:
Kissen: "That's an interesting knife."
Elogast: "That's an interesting f*ck to give about it."