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ashefaye's reviews
126 reviews
Jack & Frost Bake-Off by Amanda P. Jones
4.0
TW: Discussion of family members passing, neglectful father, narcissistic mother
I really loved this book! It was really cute and just the book I needed right now! I only have a couple slight critiques. I wish there was more detail in locations like what the baking show set looked like, my mind just fell blank on what to imagine with the vague details. Some of the time skips through me off, I would’ve liked to have read about each of the challenges and how Jack and Meg’s relationship grew in between each one. Otherwise I loved it tho! Also I saw someone say that it was a closed door romance, but honestly it’s just cute and fluffy. Nothing was ever implied as far as I noticed (Unless you count some of the flirtations.) I will definitely be reading the other books from this author!
I really loved this book! It was really cute and just the book I needed right now! I only have a couple slight critiques. I wish there was more detail in locations like what the baking show set looked like, my mind just fell blank on what to imagine with the vague details. Some of the time skips through me off, I would’ve liked to have read about each of the challenges and how Jack and Meg’s relationship grew in between each one. Otherwise I loved it tho! Also I saw someone say that it was a closed door romance, but honestly it’s just cute and fluffy. Nothing was ever implied as far as I noticed (Unless you count some of the flirtations.) I will definitely be reading the other books from this author!
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan, Rachel Cohn
3.0
This is a really cute story. I love concept of it and the story was just cute and silly. There were some parts I felt very uncomfortable reading, especially the underage drinking. But overall, I really enjoyed it and it quenched my thirst for a cute fluffy romance.
So, This Is Christmas by Tracy Andreen
2.0
TW: Lots of curse words, underage drinking, mentions of drug use, young age pregnancy, and sexual advances, parental separation
Oh boy, where do I start with this book?
Honestly, I almost DNFed after 2 chapters. What made me keep reading? I was bored at work and needed something that wasn’t too interesting to fill in the gaps.
I’ll start off with what I enjoyed. I really liked the romance a lot. It’s really slow burn and builds through out the whole book. So you really get to know the characters and watch the relationship grow. The silly Christmas antics were funny and some gave me secondhand embarrassment for the characters. Arthur was kind of horrible in the beginning and I’m not a fan of British Stereotypes, but there were some scenes that reminded me of my British friends. So at least there was some realness to his character.
Now for the parts that I didn’t like. For one I had read about the author being a writer for Hallmark and Lifetime movies, so a lot of things that were put in this book really surprised me. I guess she’s really trying to push to break out of writing wholesome movies.
To start, there were a lot of curse words throughout the book. Now I don’t mind curse words in a book, usually I just gloss over them. But when you put so many of them in every single chapter, it really starts to make the writing look bad. It just felt trashy to me and like the author is trying too hard to be a young cool kid.
Next was Mia, the so-called best friend. Honestly, I really wanted Finley to punch her in the face. I’m sorry but if Finley is your best friend and you’re upset because she went off to a different school and didn’t text you, then why didn’t you text her to check in??? Why didn’t YOU check up on her?! If she doesn’t answer then it’s on her or if you’re the only doing the check ups then it’s ok to cut ties, but communication is a 2 way street here. Also yes if you have a crush on a guy that one of your friends might like, you should absolutely talk to them about it. If you’re thinking about dating their ex-boyfriend, then you definitely need to talk to them about it! It’s called boundaries and again communication. I don’t even think Mia was her friend to begin with. I’m also upset that Finley never stood up for herself during any of their conversations.
Lastly what I want to talk about is how much I hate that adult authors think it’s ok to encourage underage drinking, drug use, and anything to do with sex. Now I’m not gonna pretend like I don’t know this stuff happens in the world, because I know it does. But I don’t think authors notice that they could be actually encouraging this through their writing. The characters in this book are 16 and reading a book about kids getting drunk or high or pregnant, which is written by an adult, is just really gross to me. Why do you think that encouraging this behavior is ok? Are you gonna teach your children that all of that is ok? If they were in college it would make more sense, but we’re talking about juniors who are still growing and developing. It’s the main reason I wanted to DNF right away in the beginning.
Overall this book reminded me of Dash & Lily, just an extremely less sophisticated version of it. I won’t be reading the second book or anything else written by this author.
Oh boy, where do I start with this book?
Honestly, I almost DNFed after 2 chapters. What made me keep reading? I was bored at work and needed something that wasn’t too interesting to fill in the gaps.
I’ll start off with what I enjoyed. I really liked the romance a lot. It’s really slow burn and builds through out the whole book. So you really get to know the characters and watch the relationship grow. The silly Christmas antics were funny and some gave me secondhand embarrassment for the characters. Arthur was kind of horrible in the beginning and I’m not a fan of British Stereotypes, but there were some scenes that reminded me of my British friends. So at least there was some realness to his character.
Now for the parts that I didn’t like. For one I had read about the author being a writer for Hallmark and Lifetime movies, so a lot of things that were put in this book really surprised me. I guess she’s really trying to push to break out of writing wholesome movies.
To start, there were a lot of curse words throughout the book. Now I don’t mind curse words in a book, usually I just gloss over them. But when you put so many of them in every single chapter, it really starts to make the writing look bad. It just felt trashy to me and like the author is trying too hard to be a young cool kid.
Next was Mia, the so-called best friend. Honestly, I really wanted Finley to punch her in the face. I’m sorry but if Finley is your best friend and you’re upset because she went off to a different school and didn’t text you, then why didn’t you text her to check in??? Why didn’t YOU check up on her?! If she doesn’t answer then it’s on her or if you’re the only doing the check ups then it’s ok to cut ties, but communication is a 2 way street here. Also yes if you have a crush on a guy that one of your friends might like, you should absolutely talk to them about it. If you’re thinking about dating their ex-boyfriend, then you definitely need to talk to them about it! It’s called boundaries and again communication. I don’t even think Mia was her friend to begin with. I’m also upset that Finley never stood up for herself during any of their conversations.
Lastly what I want to talk about is how much I hate that adult authors think it’s ok to encourage underage drinking, drug use, and anything to do with sex. Now I’m not gonna pretend like I don’t know this stuff happens in the world, because I know it does. But I don’t think authors notice that they could be actually encouraging this through their writing. The characters in this book are 16 and reading a book about kids getting drunk or high or pregnant, which is written by an adult, is just really gross to me. Why do you think that encouraging this behavior is ok? Are you gonna teach your children that all of that is ok? If they were in college it would make more sense, but we’re talking about juniors who are still growing and developing. It’s the main reason I wanted to DNF right away in the beginning.
Overall this book reminded me of Dash & Lily, just an extremely less sophisticated version of it. I won’t be reading the second book or anything else written by this author.
My Knight Before Christmas by Amanda P. Jones
3.0
TW: mentions the passing of a family member and cheating from a past relationship
So I read Jack and Frost first which I liked a lot better. I kinda felt like this story was rushed or maybe it was just too short. The characters were very one dimensional; Avery really annoyed me because she was either drooling over Liam or saying “I don’t trust him! Good riddance!” Girl, make up your mind! Also Liam was waaaay too cocky to think everything was just gonna be fine after a talk, couple texts, and 1 date. The friends were horrible from the very beginning as well. There was never a Christmas aspect aside from the epilogue, which was extremely disappointing. Overall since I read Jack and Frost, I can tell the author definitely has some potential. They just really need to work on the details for surroundings and what characters look, building emotions and connections, etc. A lot of telling and not enough showing. I’m excited to read Holly and Mr. Ivy next year tho and can’t wait to see how the author grows in her stories!
So I read Jack and Frost first which I liked a lot better. I kinda felt like this story was rushed or maybe it was just too short. The characters were very one dimensional; Avery really annoyed me because she was either drooling over Liam or saying “I don’t trust him! Good riddance!” Girl, make up your mind! Also Liam was waaaay too cocky to think everything was just gonna be fine after a talk, couple texts, and 1 date. The friends were horrible from the very beginning as well. There was never a Christmas aspect aside from the epilogue, which was extremely disappointing. Overall since I read Jack and Frost, I can tell the author definitely has some potential. They just really need to work on the details for surroundings and what characters look, building emotions and connections, etc. A lot of telling and not enough showing. I’m excited to read Holly and Mr. Ivy next year tho and can’t wait to see how the author grows in her stories!
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore
4.0
Trigger Warnings: almost drowning, kidnapping, imprisonment, starvation, abusive parents, descriptions of dead bodies, sexual content (open door scene)
Well this book took me through a whirlwind lol. I won’t give too many spoilers for this story but I will mention what I liked and what I disliked, which will include small parts of the story in it. They won’t be very descriptive though.
Let’s start with the beginning and how much it threw me off from everything I knew after reading Bitterblue. I was kinda upset that Bitterblue and Sapphire lost their Aladdin and Jasmine thing that they had going on, but at the same time I liked that it showed over time people move on. I also wasn’t expecting the “replacement” to be Giddon…. I loved it though! Oh man, I ate all of that up! Bitterblue and Giddon’s relationship was the sweetest thing I have read, which was something I really needed. Whenever I read their chapters I would almost be in tears. Giddon has so many good quotes that I almost want to go back and annotate them so I can remember them forever. I just really loved those two!
However there was one character I really did not like, Lovisa. I knew almost nothing about her character at all. All that I knew is that she’s the daughter of 2 head government figures, her mother is abusive, her dad is a liar with rage fits, and all she talks and thinks about is sex. This girl needed therapy. There were chapters of her trying to convince her best friend to have sex with her just so she could be distracted from stress. The stress of her witnessing someone be murdered and also trying to save Bitterblue. Like what? I was so mad that her friend gave in too. Also I already have issues with sex scenes due to triggers, but sex scenes that involve people underage just gives me the ick. I don’t think adult authors should openly write that stuff, if anything just make it closed door.
Lovisa and Bitterblue’s relationship was horrible too. Lovisa just acted like a stubborn child and was mad at literally anyone for being happy. I understand that her life was turned upside down, but girl talk to these people! They want to help you! Her attitude was so annoying. Maybe it’s because I just don’t connect with her character at all and see things differently. For a while I felt like she wasn’t even needed in the book. She gets a bit better towards the end about working on government changes and she’s free from her family, but that’s not till the last 2 chapters.
As for the book overall, I enjoyed it. I think it could’ve been shortened quite a bit or added more segments about The Keeper and the foxes. I will read Seasparrow, but after that I don’t know if I’ll continue with any more of the series. I think it should’ve just remained as a trilogy.
Well this book took me through a whirlwind lol. I won’t give too many spoilers for this story but I will mention what I liked and what I disliked, which will include small parts of the story in it. They won’t be very descriptive though.
Let’s start with the beginning and how much it threw me off from everything I knew after reading Bitterblue. I was kinda upset that Bitterblue and Sapphire lost their Aladdin and Jasmine thing that they had going on, but at the same time I liked that it showed over time people move on. I also wasn’t expecting the “replacement” to be Giddon…. I loved it though! Oh man, I ate all of that up! Bitterblue and Giddon’s relationship was the sweetest thing I have read, which was something I really needed. Whenever I read their chapters I would almost be in tears. Giddon has so many good quotes that I almost want to go back and annotate them so I can remember them forever. I just really loved those two!
However there was one character I really did not like, Lovisa. I knew almost nothing about her character at all. All that I knew is that she’s the daughter of 2 head government figures, her mother is abusive, her dad is a liar with rage fits, and all she talks and thinks about is sex. This girl needed therapy. There were chapters of her trying to convince her best friend to have sex with her just so she could be distracted from stress. The stress of her witnessing someone be murdered and also trying to save Bitterblue. Like what? I was so mad that her friend gave in too. Also I already have issues with sex scenes due to triggers, but sex scenes that involve people underage just gives me the ick. I don’t think adult authors should openly write that stuff, if anything just make it closed door.
Lovisa and Bitterblue’s relationship was horrible too. Lovisa just acted like a stubborn child and was mad at literally anyone for being happy. I understand that her life was turned upside down, but girl talk to these people! They want to help you! Her attitude was so annoying. Maybe it’s because I just don’t connect with her character at all and see things differently. For a while I felt like she wasn’t even needed in the book. She gets a bit better towards the end about working on government changes and she’s free from her family, but that’s not till the last 2 chapters.
As for the book overall, I enjoyed it. I think it could’ve been shortened quite a bit or added more segments about The Keeper and the foxes. I will read Seasparrow, but after that I don’t know if I’ll continue with any more of the series. I think it should’ve just remained as a trilogy.
When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord
4.0
Content Warnings: Curse words, mentions of drinking/being drunk and “doing the deed,” a mother giving up her child
If you really love Broadway and like the show/movie Mamma Mia then I highly recommend reading this book! It was very cute and silly! The main character was annoying at first, but I kinda got over it as the story went. The reverse Mamma Mia thing was really interesting, though I kinda had a feeling I already knew who it was. In the end, I was partially right but I didn’t really like that we didn’t get much about her actual mom. There was only 2 scenes where they interacted which didn’t feel like enough for any type of connection to build, so it just felt out of place. As for the romance, it’s cute and fluffy. I like the way Emma Lord writes the build up and this one felt a bit more like rivals to lovers than Tweet Cute did. Though the search for her mom did take up most of the story and I would’ve liked more moments between the couple. Also this book has way more curse words than Tweet Cute did. I don’t mind curse words as long as they aren’t happening every other word or sentence lol. But, as a theater person myself, I think it would’ve been interesting if the author kept to stage swear words and made a joke out of it. Idk that’s just my thoughts/opinion. Overall I really liked it and it was a cute read for Valentine’s! Now excuse me while I go make a milkshake
If you really love Broadway and like the show/movie Mamma Mia then I highly recommend reading this book! It was very cute and silly! The main character was annoying at first, but I kinda got over it as the story went. The reverse Mamma Mia thing was really interesting, though I kinda had a feeling I already knew who it was. In the end, I was partially right but I didn’t really like that we didn’t get much about her actual mom. There was only 2 scenes where they interacted which didn’t feel like enough for any type of connection to build, so it just felt out of place. As for the romance, it’s cute and fluffy. I like the way Emma Lord writes the build up and this one felt a bit more like rivals to lovers than Tweet Cute did. Though the search for her mom did take up most of the story and I would’ve liked more moments between the couple. Also this book has way more curse words than Tweet Cute did. I don’t mind curse words as long as they aren’t happening every other word or sentence lol. But, as a theater person myself, I think it would’ve been interesting if the author kept to stage swear words and made a joke out of it. Idk that’s just my thoughts/opinion. Overall I really liked it and it was a cute read for Valentine’s! Now excuse me while I go make a milkshake
Fairest by Marissa Meyer
3.0
TW: Deformity, Fire/being burned, manipulation, abuse, mentions of underage sex, death/murder, blood
Well I already knew I wasn’t gonna like this book before I started it. I also had an idea of how everything was gonna play out when I did finally start reading. But I will say if you deal with a lot of past trauma or are easily triggered, please skip this book in the series. Don’t worry you aren’t missing much. Also this is definitely NOT a redemption story for Levana at all! There were so many things that I was not ok with in this story, but it did show how evil and sadistic Levana has always been and what things/events happened in her life to make her that way. I really hated reading this, especially since there were no chapter stops, but Marissa Meyer’s way of story telling is really well written. So it gets 3 stars just for that!
Well I already knew I wasn’t gonna like this book before I started it. I also had an idea of how everything was gonna play out when I did finally start reading. But I will say if you deal with a lot of past trauma or are easily triggered, please skip this book in the series. Don’t worry you aren’t missing much. Also this is definitely NOT a redemption story for Levana at all! There were so many things that I was not ok with in this story, but it did show how evil and sadistic Levana has always been and what things/events happened in her life to make her that way. I really hated reading this, especially since there were no chapter stops, but Marissa Meyer’s way of story telling is really well written. So it gets 3 stars just for that!
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
3.0
Trigger Warnings: Violence, descriptions of people recently killed, blood, extremely minor sexual suggestions/flirtations, one curse word
This book info dumped but told me nothing at the same time lol. I actually had to read the summary to understand what the basic story was in the beginning. I believe the original was written in German? So I’m wondering if some of it got lost in translation.
Anyways, the characters were kinda annoying. Gwen gets upset whenever Gideon points out that she knows nothing of what’s happening. Then she inner monologues about how she knows nothing about history, despite saying she’s passed history tests and knows stuff from movies. Like huh? Girl, are you smart or not like pick one! Then Gideon is extremely wishy-washy. Like one moment he thinks he’s all better than her and hates her, while the next he’s comforting and flirtatious. Also he goes to plant a kiss on her after knowing her for 2 days! 2 DAYS!!! Not to mention he’s making passes at her cousin too. Just ew! Also Gwen is really oblivious to how arrogant and entitled her cousin is. Home girl needs help.
On the other end, the mystery to this story was very intriguing. It’s probably the only thing that made me read it so fast and wonder what will happen next. I’m really hoping the second book might be better. As I mentioned the book has some info dumping about different family members, but still doesn’t explain a lot for the plot. I feel like I’ve barely skimmed the surface for this trilogy, so here’s hoping that book 2 is better!
This book info dumped but told me nothing at the same time lol. I actually had to read the summary to understand what the basic story was in the beginning. I believe the original was written in German? So I’m wondering if some of it got lost in translation.
Anyways, the characters were kinda annoying. Gwen gets upset whenever Gideon points out that she knows nothing of what’s happening. Then she inner monologues about how she knows nothing about history, despite saying she’s passed history tests and knows stuff from movies. Like huh? Girl, are you smart or not like pick one! Then Gideon is extremely wishy-washy. Like one moment he thinks he’s all better than her and hates her, while the next he’s comforting and flirtatious. Also he goes to plant a kiss on her after knowing her for 2 days! 2 DAYS!!! Not to mention he’s making passes at her cousin too. Just ew! Also Gwen is really oblivious to how arrogant and entitled her cousin is. Home girl needs help.
On the other end, the mystery to this story was very intriguing. It’s probably the only thing that made me read it so fast and wonder what will happen next. I’m really hoping the second book might be better. As I mentioned the book has some info dumping about different family members, but still doesn’t explain a lot for the plot. I feel like I’ve barely skimmed the surface for this trilogy, so here’s hoping that book 2 is better!
break your glass slippers by Amanda Lovelace
4.0
All Trigger Warnings were posted inside of the book itself, but I will still post them here for future readers: child abuse, toxic friendships, toxic romantic relationships, sexual harassment, eating disorders, fatphobia, suicide, trauma, curse words
Seeing the author have such consideration for the readers beforehand made me feel extremely safe. The page of TWs reminded me to read this slowly and to take care of myself afterwards. While the poetry didn’t quite feel like poetry to me; I did enjoy the small yet heavy messages each of them carried. One page would have something sad or painful while the other would remind you that you are strong and you are loved. A lot of it brought up difficult memories for me, but it also helped me with strength, hope, and peace. The illustrations throughout the pages were absolutely gorgeous. I also really love the fairytale aspect and how Cinderella’s story can connect with different areas of struggle throughout someone’s life. This book definitely helped with some of my healing and gave me reminders that I really needed to hear from myself.
I can’t wait to read the next part for next year’s Poetry Month!
Seeing the author have such consideration for the readers beforehand made me feel extremely safe. The page of TWs reminded me to read this slowly and to take care of myself afterwards. While the poetry didn’t quite feel like poetry to me; I did enjoy the small yet heavy messages each of them carried. One page would have something sad or painful while the other would remind you that you are strong and you are loved. A lot of it brought up difficult memories for me, but it also helped me with strength, hope, and peace. The illustrations throughout the pages were absolutely gorgeous. I also really love the fairytale aspect and how Cinderella’s story can connect with different areas of struggle throughout someone’s life. This book definitely helped with some of my healing and gave me reminders that I really needed to hear from myself.
I can’t wait to read the next part for next year’s Poetry Month!
A Whole New World by Liz Braswell
2.0
Trigger Warnings: Blood, Death, violent descriptions of death, the dead brought back
So um… 2 stars was kinda generous on my part if I’m being honest. I’m actually really sad because I really wanted to love this book. But the story really lacked description and an editor. Obviously in the beginning it was kinda ok, we all know the beginning of the movie Aladdin so lack of description is already filled in. Though I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when the domes of the Agrabah castle are called, and I quote, “golden onions.” I had a hard time taking it seriously after that, but I tried my best to push on. The rest of the book was a blank slate for me. No description of places, struggles, characters, relationships, etc. Aladdin and Jasmine had zero chemistry. The genie was kinda unlikeable. Jafar had no end goal or any reason as to why he was trying to break the laws of magic. There’s literally more plot in the live action movie which I don’t really favor honestly. The only time descriptions came in to play was to describe a gruesome death. So they can be written, but it feels like the rest of the story was very lazy. The book had so much potential, but it really flopped. Part of me hopes that maybe someday it’ll be rewritten.
So um… 2 stars was kinda generous on my part if I’m being honest. I’m actually really sad because I really wanted to love this book. But the story really lacked description and an editor. Obviously in the beginning it was kinda ok, we all know the beginning of the movie Aladdin so lack of description is already filled in. Though I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when the domes of the Agrabah castle are called, and I quote, “golden onions.” I had a hard time taking it seriously after that, but I tried my best to push on. The rest of the book was a blank slate for me. No description of places, struggles, characters, relationships, etc. Aladdin and Jasmine had zero chemistry. The genie was kinda unlikeable. Jafar had no end goal or any reason as to why he was trying to break the laws of magic. There’s literally more plot in the live action movie which I don’t really favor honestly. The only time descriptions came in to play was to describe a gruesome death. So they can be written, but it feels like the rest of the story was very lazy. The book had so much potential, but it really flopped. Part of me hopes that maybe someday it’ll be rewritten.