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alohabooksandbujos's reviews
1017 reviews
To Sir, with Love by Lauren Layne
4.0
I devoured this book fairly quickly. Cute and quirky, strong-willed female lead, playful banter, finding yourself- it ticks a fair amount of boxes. It’s an easy, feel good read but the premise of the book is fairly obvious and became somewhat frustrating when it was played as this giant mystery. If you’re looking for a quick and easy read that has the rom-com vibes and playful banter, this book won’t disappoint
When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker
5.0
I’m all for the gut-wrenching, slap you around, make you feel *all* of the feelings books and this was it. The last little bit of the book feels somewhat rushed and leaves you on a bit of a hanger so I’m disappointed that there isn’t a second book. Overall, reading it makes you question multiple scenarios, you try and read faster just to get to the answer and for a good portion of the book you have no idea what is going on. Drama, love, heartbreak, coming together after heartbreak and disaster- take your pick because the author gives it to you
Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
5.0
My first Colleen Hoover book and I can totally understand the hype and devoted fan base she’s acquired. It’s a novel that takes you through all of the emotions. You love the characters but get so frustrated at them as you get to know them. Hoover knows how to write so you get angry, feel the heartbreak, love the characters and want to cry along with them. A great book to introduce Hoover and I’ve already purchased another.
Three More Months by Sarah Echavarre
3.0
I wanted to love this more but it was just ok. You can feel the love and heart that went into this novel but it just didn’t wow me. It was slow going and I pushed through. It really started to look up about halfway despite the main character, Chloe, kind of annoying me. I didn’t love her, I was empathetic but didn’t feel connected. I’m disappointed at the turn it took at the end though the author did end it in a somewhat satisfying way. Prior to reading, I thought this would go in a similar but still different way and I’m not a fan of the turn it took. Overall, not mad I finished it but it’s not in my list of favorites.
What I Left Behind by Jennifer Archer
4.0
I was so pleasantly surprised with this book. Allyson has a cafe and is engaged but her past has always held her back. The decision she made as a young woman haunts her and has held her back in forming relationships and trusting those who love her not to abandon her. When Nick shows up, we’re taken along the ride of forgiveness, love, and moving on. A beautiful story on how the choices we make can haunt us and sometimes we only need to forgive ourselves to be happy and embrace life.
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
3.0
I wanted to love this, so many fantastic reviews but it was just ok. It’s a cute and heartwarming tale of a daughter taking over her fathers bookstore and the description makes you feel like you’ll be pulled on this magical journey of love and meeting people.
However, it’s told from a lot of different perspectives, there are accidents and betrayals, everyone is falling in love or trying to regain love, it’s just too much. For something that had so much going on, it was very slow moving. I trudged through this and while the ending is sweet it also leaves you going “Wait but what about this that was hinted at 100 pages ago”. A few things brought up and never addressed again. I think my biggest qualm over it is that with so many perspectives being told, it’s hard to really connect with any of the characters.
I didn’t love it but I enjoyed the overall premise and can appreciate what I wanted it to be.
However, it’s told from a lot of different perspectives, there are accidents and betrayals, everyone is falling in love or trying to regain love, it’s just too much. For something that had so much going on, it was very slow moving. I trudged through this and while the ending is sweet it also leaves you going “Wait but what about this that was hinted at 100 pages ago”. A few things brought up and never addressed again. I think my biggest qualm over it is that with so many perspectives being told, it’s hard to really connect with any of the characters.
I didn’t love it but I enjoyed the overall premise and can appreciate what I wanted it to be.
Eating Her Christmas Cookies by Alina Jacobs
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed it. It was an easy and quick read to round out the year. It’s a typical Christmas lover tries to win over the “Grinch” storyline. Was I annoyed over every “villain” being a narcissistic stalker? Yeah. Despite the title being so in your face sexual, it took a while to get there and when it did I got vaguely annoyed. Instead of building the steamy scenes it was just back to back sex scenes and male-driven comments of “tightness” to the point I started to skip over it. It ended on a good note and I was almost excited to start the next one but it seems to just be the same storyline, different character so despite liking this I just don’t think I’ll pick another one up.
Josh and Gemma Make a Baby by Sarah Ready
4.0
When Gemma decides she’s taking her life into her own hands by having a baby on her own through IVF, who better to ask than her brother’s best friend? She’s tired of waiting on her Prince Charming and being envious of everyone else in her life. Little does she know through this journey she’ll discover things aren’t always as they seem.
I really enjoyed this story. It was quirky and romantic and funny. The characters are madly frustrating at some points because Sarah Ready knows how to make you fall in love with them. Several points in the book I wanted to rush through just so I could figure out what happens. It’s a novel of accepting people and taking a deeper look, of accepting and loving yourself, and of being vulnerable.
I really enjoyed this story. It was quirky and romantic and funny. The characters are madly frustrating at some points because Sarah Ready knows how to make you fall in love with them. Several points in the book I wanted to rush through just so I could figure out what happens. It’s a novel of accepting people and taking a deeper look, of accepting and loving yourself, and of being vulnerable.