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awesomeeallyson's Reviews (900)
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Why did Joni's parents refuse to call her anything but her name? Why did the dad insist on calling her daughter? It felt so impersonal and weird, especially since we were never given an explanation or anything as to why. I don't know why this took me out, but it was jarring every time I read it.
I know Posten is know for her lightly magical elements in her stories, and usually that works for me, but I had so many questions about the mind-reading here. How were they able to think with each others thoughts in there heads? What was the rule for what was shared and what wasn't? I also kept getting distracted by that and it kept pulling me out of the story.
Posten is a great writer and so far I've loved all her stories. I love the magical elements and the romance always feels so genuine. The chemistry is great and her characters are always feel so real. Their arc and character growth feels natural and true to the storyline. This book is no different! If you like Posten's other books I am confident you will like this one as well. For me, personally, I just didn't connect with the magical element in this particular book. I had too many questions I just couldn't let go of, but I am confident that was a me issue and had nothing to do with the writing.
I know Posten is know for her lightly magical elements in her stories, and usually that works for me, but I had so many questions about the mind-reading here. How were they able to think with each others thoughts in there heads? What was the rule for what was shared and what wasn't? I also kept getting distracted by that and it kept pulling me out of the story.
Posten is a great writer and so far I've loved all her stories. I love the magical elements and the romance always feels so genuine. The chemistry is great and her characters are always feel so real. Their arc and character growth feels natural and true to the storyline. This book is no different! If you like Posten's other books I am confident you will like this one as well. For me, personally, I just didn't connect with the magical element in this particular book. I had too many questions I just couldn't let go of, but I am confident that was a me issue and had nothing to do with the writing.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
This was charming romance filled the covers with literary references that made the book an overall straight up joy to read. While the romance felt a little rushed and the characters didn't feel as fully fleshed out as I usually like, the ending made this book worth it. The character growth that Eileen faces is chefs kiss and the ending was perfect. Without giving too much away she gets her romance without losing herself and she realizes how to treat herself with care.
Ashley Posten is a wiz at injecting magic into the pages of her book and making her novels impossible to put down. I read this book in a weekend and loved every second of it.
Ashley Posten is a wiz at injecting magic into the pages of her book and making her novels impossible to put down. I read this book in a weekend and loved every second of it.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A cute quick romance with stunning artwork. We all know writing can drop you in the middle of a particular environment within a book but this graphic novel does that with the artwork alone. Quite a few times I felt like I was sitting in the Paris sunshine with the characters.
The writing was a bit clunky as we switched from English to French a few times, but overall I was able to follow the charming little storyline.
The writing was a bit clunky as we switched from English to French a few times, but overall I was able to follow the charming little storyline.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I mean, I finished the book...? I wanted to know how it ends, but I think that's the only thing that propelled me to keep reading. Honestly, I picked up this book because it was pretty but that's it's strongest asset I think.
The plot was weak and didn't do much to drive the story forward. This book is mostly about the love triangle, and at the start I was eager to see Dean get a redemption arc but man that did not happen. It quickly becomes clear Dean is exactly who we thought he was going to be which was very expected and very cliche. The other two characters, for me, felt very flat. Anna's biggest character trait was how tiny, pale, and unconventionally pretty she is while Leo's entire character is built around his golden boy status and likable personalty. Also, the we're-cousins-but-are-we thing was a bit weird. I mean, the book was overall a fun read and the mafia aspect was interesting. It felt like mafia based hogwarts but rated R and without the plot.
The plot was weak and didn't do much to drive the story forward. This book is mostly about the love triangle, and at the start I was eager to see Dean get a redemption arc but man that did not happen. It quickly becomes clear Dean is exactly who we thought he was going to be which was very expected and very cliche. The other two characters, for me, felt very flat. Anna's biggest character trait was how tiny, pale, and unconventionally pretty she is while Leo's entire character is built around his golden boy status and likable personalty. Also, the we're-cousins-but-are-we thing was a bit weird. I mean, the book was overall a fun read and the mafia aspect was interesting. It felt like mafia based hogwarts but rated R and without the plot.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is crazy! The first half I was incredibly undecided about what to think because it felt like a rip-off of yellowface but then it took an abrupt HARD LEFT into Midsommer territory and honestly, it felt like I was reading an entirely different book. The drastic change between the first half and second half is so abrupt in both plot and pacing. The first half honestly was a little slow but the ending felt like I was rolling down a hill and just couldn't get my feet under me. It might have been more so on me because I totally missed that this was a thriller book.
All that to say that I get the commentary and what Liann Zhang was trying to do. She did a good job of analyzing influencers and how perpetually online everyone is now and I really liked that aspect of it. I just think I wasn't the target audience for this book.
All that to say that I get the commentary and what Liann Zhang was trying to do. She did a good job of analyzing influencers and how perpetually online everyone is now and I really liked that aspect of it. I just think I wasn't the target audience for this book.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
There is so much hope and inspiration within this book. Colleen Kelly Alexander has incredible mental strength and physical strength - it's hard to fathom some of the trials she has been through. Her story is an inspiration and a lesson in how to try to have a good mindset, and a gentle reminder that hard days are hard and you are also allowed to feel bad for yourself a little bit. This book acts as a reminder that you have to keep moving forward, no matter how many times life knocks you down.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a feeling this book was going to be unlike any romance I've ever read based on the plot alone. I was so interested in see how Tarah handled a couple who used to love each other until life got in the way and have a second chance to reconnect after a long break. I loved how Wren and Ellis reflected on their past and what they did wrong to try to reconnect and fall in love, but more intentionally this time around.
This book handles hard conversations so well! Miscommunication who!? Not in this book! Wren and Ellis talk to each other and listen and talk through the hard conversations and honestly, that's goals. And even the side characters are so well thought out and intentional. Wren and Ellis had such a strong support system cheering them on and that was almost as heartwarming as them falling back in love.
I devoured this book and couldn't put it down. I loved every sentence and will definitely be picking up more Tarah DeWitt books in the future.
This book handles hard conversations so well! Miscommunication who!? Not in this book! Wren and Ellis talk to each other and listen and talk through the hard conversations and honestly, that's goals. And even the side characters are so well thought out and intentional. Wren and Ellis had such a strong support system cheering them on and that was almost as heartwarming as them falling back in love.
I devoured this book and couldn't put it down. I loved every sentence and will definitely be picking up more Tarah DeWitt books in the future.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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
I am an avid Olivie Blake fangirl and I do think that played a huge part in my high rating of this book. I would not recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t already read something by Olivie Blake or who is undecided on whether they like her writing style. Yes, this book is very verbose. It has a lot going on, it’s meandering, I think sometimes even Olivie doesn’t know where she’s going with some of the points and conversations. But the writing itself is stunning, it’s captivating even when I have no idea what’s going on and it’s fun to read if you just enjoy the ride and not try to hard to understand the deeper meaning of what’s happening.
On the surface level, some of the conversations are straight up funny and the characters are charming yet flawed in a deeply intrinsic way that makes me want to help them all and give them a hug. Or watch them perish. But let’s be clear, even though I finished the book I’m not 100% I even understood the deeper messages. But damn if that isn’t why I pick up an Olivie Blake novel in the first place, not to understand every sentence on my first read but to have a good time and trust Olivie’s process.
On the surface level, some of the conversations are straight up funny and the characters are charming yet flawed in a deeply intrinsic way that makes me want to help them all and give them a hug. Or watch them perish. But let’s be clear, even though I finished the book I’m not 100% I even understood the deeper messages. But damn if that isn’t why I pick up an Olivie Blake novel in the first place, not to understand every sentence on my first read but to have a good time and trust Olivie’s process.
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
Quicksilver is stuffed with all the best romance and fantasy tropes and I was here for every page. It's an trope indulgence from page 1 to page 609 and I devoured this book and enjoyed every single word. There's definitely a lot of similarities to other popular fantasty/romance books floating around right now so I could see how some may find this book repetitive. However, I found Callie Hart to be a captivating and fun writer. Her characters were charming and dynamic, yet still flawed in a realistic way, and the enemies-to-lovers chemistry was to die for. Even the side characters brought a special element to the book that left me giggling in my seat. I want Carrian's story and romance ASAP.
The plot sucked me in and once I was invested I hard a really hard time putting the book down. There were even some plot twists at the end that had me at the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed the combination of vampires, fae and elemental magic and how everything came together in the last few chapters of the book.
The only reason I am glad I waited so long to pick this book up is that it's a much shorter wait for the sequel in the fall. I cannot imagine having to wait a year to see what happens next!
The plot sucked me in and once I was invested I hard a really hard time putting the book down. There were even some plot twists at the end that had me at the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed the combination of vampires, fae and elemental magic and how everything came together in the last few chapters of the book.
The only reason I am glad I waited so long to pick this book up is that it's a much shorter wait for the sequel in the fall. I cannot imagine having to wait a year to see what happens next!