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aspineline's Reviews (413)
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️✨ This altered my brain chemistry in a horrible way. I wish I was the person I was before I read this. I knew this was going to be unhinged (the author states it in her intro) but this quickly jumped way across the line to vile and off putting.
It started off with potential (that is being EXTREMELY generous) because let’s be real we are not reading a book like this for the writing or plot. But there was nothing here. I hated Tem; death to her. Her one personality trait was being horny. The characters all had no depth or dimension. I am personally offended by the author claiming inspo from fanfic Draco for Leo’s lame ass (it’s giving ‘how dare you stand where he stood’). The one thing the book had going for it was smut but this quickly became disgusting. Having sex immediately after she broke her pelvis? My eyes are bleeding. I had to hate read/skim the last 40% because I had invested 300 pgs and refused to DNF based on the sunk cost fallacy (honestly my mistake). I cannot believe this got published. End scene.
It started off with potential (that is being EXTREMELY generous) because let’s be real we are not reading a book like this for the writing or plot. But there was nothing here. I hated Tem; death to her. Her one personality trait was being horny. The characters all had no depth or dimension. I am personally offended by the author claiming inspo from fanfic Draco for Leo’s lame ass (it’s giving ‘how dare you stand where he stood’). The one thing the book had going for it was smut but this quickly became disgusting. Having sex immediately after she broke her pelvis? My eyes are bleeding. I had to hate read/skim the last 40% because I had invested 300 pgs and refused to DNF based on the sunk cost fallacy (honestly my mistake). I cannot believe this got published. End scene.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️✨ I don’t have much to say other than I wish I didn’t read this. I loved the second book in this series but this one felt like a drawn out soap opera where nothing really happened. This book primarily consisted of recaps of conversations we already had seen happen. It was SO repetitive and long winded. I could not believe how many times we were rehashing the same things. I don’t read as much YA, but I find it hard to believe that YA series need to be this heavy handed. It read like Roberts thought the audience was too stupid to understand what was going on. The fact that it clocked in at almost 600 pages—straight to jail. There was MAYBE 200 pages of plot, and I predicted a twist at 20% in. This was so cheesy and overall a snooze. I am glad it’s over. Be gone from me, mid romantasy series 👋🏻
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️ I appreciate how Winstead aimed to explore the complicated and at times problematic sect of true crime fanatics in this book. This is certainly a relevant topic in today’s landscape with podcasts like Crime Junkie topping charts weekly. And I do think there’s lots to explore here—are these people vigilante heroes seeking justice behind a computer screen? Or are they exhibitionists making a hobby/content out of people’s tragedies and interfering with investigations? Unfortunately this didn’t come across here because all the characters are capital d DUMB. The police, the FBI, the side characters, the five in their little group…they had no nuance. They ALL make baffling stupid and unrealistic decisions REPEATEDLY throughout the story. We are supposed to believe these morons are the only people capable of cracking these cases? 🫠 I can’t. Everyone was annoying and unlikeable. Their actions frustrated me so much that it took away from the story. On top of that, I guessed the plot twist at 25% (and I feel very confident you would too). All of this topped off with poor pacing and a sloppy, unsatisfying ending. Woof.
This is my least favorite Ashley Winstead book. A 400+ pg letdown.
This is my least favorite Ashley Winstead book. A 400+ pg letdown.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was such a beautiful book. Though Jimenez does have a bit of a simple writing style (IMO), it doesn’t even matter here because the story and message shines through so clearly. I could see this being a movie; it almost reads like a screenplay. It took me on a roller coaster of emotions from laughter (shout out to Come on Eileen and the Rhysand comparisons) to tears running down my face.
This book hit a lot of personal spots for me. My dad has early onset dementia, so I connected to Sam’s experience with caretaking. Her family’s dynamic was so believable. And Xavier 🥰 this is why we love make believe men. I was rooting for these two so much. You could really feel their love for each other despite the challenges of long distance relationships (another thing I can relate to 😇).
There were some very poignant lines towards the end regarding loving someone with dementia as well as being a witness to life. I read this on Libby but I think I’m going to buy a copy (trophy🏆) for my bookshelf. Read: high praise!! Jimenez should be proud of this one. ❤️🩹
This book hit a lot of personal spots for me. My dad has early onset dementia, so I connected to Sam’s experience with caretaking. Her family’s dynamic was so believable. And Xavier 🥰 this is why we love make believe men. I was rooting for these two so much. You could really feel their love for each other despite the challenges of long distance relationships (another thing I can relate to 😇).
There were some very poignant lines towards the end regarding loving someone with dementia as well as being a witness to life. I read this on Libby but I think I’m going to buy a copy (trophy🏆) for my bookshelf. Read: high praise!! Jimenez should be proud of this one. ❤️🩹
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ OUCH. I knew this one would hurt, but ow.
I really liked some things, and then others just did not work for me.
Faves-
-the foreshadowing. From chapter one, Haymitch says ‘I’m not a drink myself’. Suzanne Collin’s why are you hurting us!!!
-the last 40 pages of the book. I know it’s a bit like gratuitous trauma porn, but you really get a feel for Haymitch’s guilt and humiliation. It helps you understand his motivations in the original trilogy.
-the connections to BOSAS and the original trilogy
What Didn’t Work
-it’s been awhile since I read the original books, and I know they are YA..but was the language always so simplistic? The writing felt different to me. It was so pared down, bordering on emotionless and matter-of-fact. When Haymitch killed the Careers I felt nothing.
-Too much is this book felt like reading The Hunger Games in a different font. Yes, there were some changes, but it felt way too similar. It makes me question whether this story needed to be told.
-this probably ties into my issue above, but for a series that is typically so compelling, this didn’t hold my interest very well. Again, it felt like I was reading something I already knew.
I will always love the original trilogy and I think this is an important story, especially in today’s world. But for how excited I was for this release, it netted out ‘just okay with an insanely sad ending that I knew was coming’.
I really liked some things, and then others just did not work for me.
Faves-
-the foreshadowing. From chapter one, Haymitch says ‘I’m not a drink myself’. Suzanne Collin’s why are you hurting us!!!
-the last 40 pages of the book. I know it’s a bit like gratuitous trauma porn, but you really get a feel for Haymitch’s guilt and humiliation. It helps you understand his motivations in the original trilogy.
-the connections to BOSAS and the original trilogy
What Didn’t Work
-it’s been awhile since I read the original books, and I know they are YA..but was the language always so simplistic? The writing felt different to me. It was so pared down, bordering on emotionless and matter-of-fact. When Haymitch killed the Careers I felt nothing.
-Too much is this book felt like reading The Hunger Games in a different font. Yes, there were some changes, but it felt way too similar. It makes me question whether this story needed to be told.
-this probably ties into my issue above, but for a series that is typically so compelling, this didn’t hold my interest very well. Again, it felt like I was reading something I already knew.
I will always love the original trilogy and I think this is an important story, especially in today’s world. But for how excited I was for this release, it netted out ‘just okay with an insanely sad ending that I knew was coming’.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review! If you want to suck down an entire book in one sitting on a summer vacation (possibly in a bikini on a beach with a cocktail in hand 👙) this is your book!! Jane is an insecure former child star who thinks she is destined for a supporting role in life. Currently working on getting her new film project off the ground, Jane teams up with Dan, a hipster cinematographer who has rubbed her the wrong way professionally in the past. In pursuit of their project, they head to the Hamptons to nail down a lead single for their movie from a current pop super star, who happens to be a ghost from Jane’s childhood past.
So many things worked for me in this story. First, Jane was so easy to root for and relatable. Who hasn’t had an ugly duckling phase in middle school? I also loved how Monaghan explored how girls who aren’t ‘perfect’ get relegated to the ‘goofy sidekick friend’ role. It was sweet to see Dan help Jane come out of her shell and be herself (and as a naturally curly-haired girl who has spent a lot of time in the past taming my mane, I loved how Jane’s naturally curly hair appeared more as her acceptance of herself grew). Also, introverted men with man buns are not typically my jam, but Dan did it for me. I love a yearning man and my guy was down soooooo bad. And besides the main characters, Dan’s family dynamic adds so much warmth and coziness to the story. I mean, a big Irish family on a potato farm in the Hamptons—could my Irish heart be any more smitten?? 🤩 And when Jane described seeing his parents’ love as being each other’s house keys 🔑 🔑 Protect this family at all costs.
Monaghan’s writing really shines in this story. I felt instantly transported to summer. The background of the Hamptons and Dan’s parents’ home was so dreamy. There is also a short scene that involves painting that was incredibly romantic. She writes, ‘I wish the salty air were a blanket I could pull up over us’ excuse me!?!! How gorgeous!!!
I have read ‘Same Time Next Summer’ and ‘Summer Romance’ and in my opinion this one blew both of those out of the water. The only thing I found a bit grating was the number of references to The Notebook (was this needed?). Overall I loved this book and will be recommending it to any girlfriend who needs an easy beach read this summer.
So many things worked for me in this story. First, Jane was so easy to root for and relatable. Who hasn’t had an ugly duckling phase in middle school? I also loved how Monaghan explored how girls who aren’t ‘perfect’ get relegated to the ‘goofy sidekick friend’ role. It was sweet to see Dan help Jane come out of her shell and be herself (and as a naturally curly-haired girl who has spent a lot of time in the past taming my mane, I loved how Jane’s naturally curly hair appeared more as her acceptance of herself grew). Also, introverted men with man buns are not typically my jam, but Dan did it for me. I love a yearning man and my guy was down soooooo bad. And besides the main characters, Dan’s family dynamic adds so much warmth and coziness to the story. I mean, a big Irish family on a potato farm in the Hamptons—could my Irish heart be any more smitten?? 🤩 And when Jane described seeing his parents’ love as being each other’s house keys 🔑 🔑 Protect this family at all costs.
Monaghan’s writing really shines in this story. I felt instantly transported to summer. The background of the Hamptons and Dan’s parents’ home was so dreamy. There is also a short scene that involves painting that was incredibly romantic. She writes, ‘I wish the salty air were a blanket I could pull up over us’ excuse me!?!! How gorgeous!!!
I have read ‘Same Time Next Summer’ and ‘Summer Romance’ and in my opinion this one blew both of those out of the water. The only thing I found a bit grating was the number of references to The Notebook (was this needed?). Overall I loved this book and will be recommending it to any girlfriend who needs an easy beach read this summer.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨I was intimidated to start a Brandon Sanderson novel but my husband really wanted to do a buddy read 😅 And I’m glad he encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone! I now understand how Sanderson has amassed such a following—he is an amazing storyteller. His world building is masterful. I loved the magical system he created as well as the characters. This book was packed with plot twists and character development arcs. I felt like I was along for the adventure with Kelsier’s crew while reading this 🥹reall😎😎😎It did get a big long (for me) and had some slow chapters, but I enjoyed this story very much!
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review! This is my second 831 novella and I have to say it’s fun to start and finish a story in one sitting. Even though this is less than 200 pages, this story explores deep themes. Cassidy is in her late 20s and completely burned out with life. Currently flailing in work and her personal life, she escapes to her hometown of Berkeley, California to reset. Along the way she reconnects with her best friend as well as her high school rival, Leon.
For me, the most interesting aspect of this story was Cassidy’s experience as the ‘Gen Z Monica Lewinsky’. She has a lot of trauma after being publicly shamed, objectified, and bullied for a sexual experience she has with a senator with she was twenty-two. Her grief impacts how she views herself, her relationships, and her potential. As Cassidy says, ‘the inside of my head is so loud’. Wow. This is certainly an applicable topic today with the pervasive bullying and cancel culture online (and the ever present misogyny in this country, but I digress).
While this book does have steamy moments, it’s a lot more than that. It’s ultimately about the characters figuring out young adulthood—a theme,I think, that will resonate with many readers (looking the BookTok population here). My biggest criticism is just personal preference—I think a novella is too short for a true enemies to lovers arc. Cassidy and Leon have chemistry, and they may not have been the friendliest at first, but they were never enemies. Regardless, I enjoyed this quite a lot, even more than I thought I would!
My favorite quote: ‘Grief is a spiral, I keep moving further and further away from it, but I still have to pass the same points on the circle every now and again, and I hate it every time’. ❤️
For me, the most interesting aspect of this story was Cassidy’s experience as the ‘Gen Z Monica Lewinsky’. She has a lot of trauma after being publicly shamed, objectified, and bullied for a sexual experience she has with a senator with she was twenty-two. Her grief impacts how she views herself, her relationships, and her potential. As Cassidy says, ‘the inside of my head is so loud’. Wow. This is certainly an applicable topic today with the pervasive bullying and cancel culture online (and the ever present misogyny in this country, but I digress).
While this book does have steamy moments, it’s a lot more than that. It’s ultimately about the characters figuring out young adulthood—a theme,I think, that will resonate with many readers (looking the BookTok population here). My biggest criticism is just personal preference—I think a novella is too short for a true enemies to lovers arc. Cassidy and Leon have chemistry, and they may not have been the friendliest at first, but they were never enemies. Regardless, I enjoyed this quite a lot, even more than I thought I would!
My favorite quote: ‘Grief is a spiral, I keep moving further and further away from it, but I still have to pass the same points on the circle every now and again, and I hate it every time’. ❤️
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️ If Ava Reid has no fans, I’m dead; I just wish I enjoyed this one more.
Fable for the End of the World is a dystopian YA novel about two star-crossed teenage girls (extra points for LGBTQ inclusion and diversity 🏳️🌈) forced to either hunt or be hunted. Reid is very transparent about her inspiration from The Hunger Games, but for me, it was a little too similar. The dichotomy of the haves vs the have nots, the sensationalized and filmed games of people being killed, the protagonists who fall in love—sound familiar? I also typically adore Reid’s atmospheric writing but it was missing here.
This is not a bad book, it just has been done before. This coupled with some slow parts lead me to net out just ‘okay’ on this one. But I still love Ava Reid and will gobble up anything she writes 👸🏼
Fable for the End of the World is a dystopian YA novel about two star-crossed teenage girls (extra points for LGBTQ inclusion and diversity 🏳️🌈) forced to either hunt or be hunted. Reid is very transparent about her inspiration from The Hunger Games, but for me, it was a little too similar. The dichotomy of the haves vs the have nots, the sensationalized and filmed games of people being killed, the protagonists who fall in love—sound familiar? I also typically adore Reid’s atmospheric writing but it was missing here.
This is not a bad book, it just has been done before. This coupled with some slow parts lead me to net out just ‘okay’ on this one. But I still love Ava Reid and will gobble up anything she writes 👸🏼