Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings, in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book so much. It seemed like a cute romance that also dealt with some heavier topics. However, this book fell just short of my expectations. Don’t get me wrong there was plenty of cute moments and discussion of anxiety. It just didn’t land the way I expected.

Let’s talk about Harper. From the beginning, it was insta love for me. Meaning I liked her character a lot. She had depth, was funny, and was enjoyable to read about. However, the more I listened the more she became unbearable. She started to make decisions that bugged me and would repeat the same things over and over again. I understand that she had major anxiety, and these are some things you would do if you had anxiety. However, the way they were written was annoying. In the end, she had the chance to redeem herself but by that point, I was too annoyed.

Now Dan. I love Dan, and wish the story was mostly about him. He is in dental school against his will. Wading through familial guilt and loathing. Yet he keeps moving forward, always making sure those in his life are cared for. He was the perfect gentleman to Harper. However, Harper walked all over him. He honestly deserved better.

The story. It was cute if you ignore the annoying Harper moments. There were ups and downs, cute dates, funny friends, real situations. I have one major qualm with the story though. Harper got majorly drunk one day, and Dan was pretty sober. Harper made a complete full of herself, taking off her dress and trying to seduce Dan. Being the gentleman that he is, he put her shirt back on her and tucked her into bed. That whole moment just felt gross, and unneeded. Made Harper feel like a 16-year-old girl, not 26. So in short, I guess I didn’t like the story that much.

Finally, the audiobook portion. There were two narrators for this story because it was told from dual perspectives. I loved Emily Lawrence! She did such a good job with her pacing, and tone. Vikas Adams did great while narrating Dan's thoughts or conversations with men. However, as soon as he had to voice a female, the voice got all breathy and cringy to hear. It made all the women sound young and like a seductress, even in serious moments. Besides that, I liked the audiobook portion.

Content Warnings

Remember Me by Estelle Laure

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 52%.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read Remember Me by Estelle Laure in exchange for an honest review.

Let me just start by saying the concept of this book is incredible. A way to have your memories removed, to save you from reliving, or feeling, traumatic events. What could go wrong. This book explores what could go wrong when one young woman discovered that her body felt the old memories, but her brain wasn’t making the connections. She wanted it reversed, but is that even possible.

So I love the concept, however, the execution just wasn’t there. The story felt shallow, like it was missing something. It felt as if I was reading the very first draft, the one where you get the plot details down and plan to add the depth later. This book had the opportunity to be amazing, I still think it could be with some tweaking. But alas, it is what it is. I believe that this book will be amazing for some people, but for me it didn’t work out. I just couldn’t shake the feeling of wanting more.

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Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher

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emotional hopeful lighthearted sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book has left me speechless! However, NetGalley gave me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for a review. Thus, I must do my best to find the right words to say.

Can I just start with the writing style? It was beautiful. The words all followed so well, almost like a song. The metaphors and similes moved together, intertwining to create this beautiful piece. On multiple occasions, I had to pause the book, or rewind, to let the words get the attention they deserve. I definitely spent most of my drives to work, sitting in awe with my mouth hanging open.

Now the story. The. Story. I didn’t know what to expect, as I’ve been slowly inching away from books about high schoolers. When it came to this book though, I didn’t care. In fact, I really enjoyed the high school aspect. Full Flight is told in alternating perspectives of Anna and Weston, which I’m a huge sucker for. Anna was the perfect protagonist. Equal parts whimsical and real. She had me aching for Christmas and my journal. And Weston, don’t even get me started on this beautiful, broken boy. After Anna claimed Weston was helping her prepare for their band concert duet, the two spent long hours growing close and exploring new things. They brought music to life and gave each other the words they needed to share what was on their mind. I could not have asked for a better love story.

Getting mildly “spoily” here. As much as this book brought me butterflies, it also brought me tears. The grief held in some of the pages legitimately tore me apart. Left me crying in the parking lot of a tire shop and on the way to work. This book perfectly captured the reality of love, music, life, and grief.

Major spoilers here.

That darn Kauaʻi ʻōʻō left me sobbing more times than I’d like to share. Even before I knew this book was a tragedy. Just imagining it all alone, and being hopeful when it heard the recording. Then at the end when the duet was truly finished. Also the glow-in-the-dark stars. The one Anna put in the casket had me gripping my steering wheel holding back sobs. The light is going to die out without light to charge it. Weston will be in the dark, but still under the same sky. Anyway, my heart is gone, a soggy blanket.

Content Warnings