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bookedwithsylvia's reviews
96 reviews
Pack Up the Moon by Kristan Higgins
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Grief can look different for everyone and while I have read other books that tackle grief this one is so far the best one.
One of my favorite things about Pack Up The Moon is that it gives you the opportunity to get to know Lauren not just through the letters he left for Joshua but also through chapters showing moments in her life! From the grief of losing her father to her family and best friend all from her point of view. This made the book so much more emotional for me (there were literal tears on my book pages) and it also helped me with my own grief.
Now for Joshua, wonderful and amazing Joshua. God he was in so much pain and I felt it every time he spoke or thought about his wife had me tearing up I am not ashamed to say I cried for the majority of this book 🥹❤️ the way he loved his wife and trusted her even when he wasn’t so sure about her suggestions was everything! Their marriage like all marriages faced many challenges but it was so full of love and care for each other.
I absolutely enjoyed the introduction of new characters throughout Joshua’s journey of grief because although some were random they made a huge impact on the story no matter how small everything had a purpose!
From the format of the chapters which for some reason I always find comfort when it all just flows to the entire delivery of this emotional story this book was just overall amazing!
One of my favorite things about Pack Up The Moon is that it gives you the opportunity to get to know Lauren not just through the letters he left for Joshua but also through chapters showing moments in her life! From the grief of losing her father to her family and best friend all from her point of view. This made the book so much more emotional for me (there were literal tears on my book pages) and it also helped me with my own grief.
Now for Joshua, wonderful and amazing Joshua. God he was in so much pain and I felt it every time he spoke or thought about his wife had me tearing up I am not ashamed to say I cried for the majority of this book 🥹❤️ the way he loved his wife and trusted her even when he wasn’t so sure about her suggestions was everything! Their marriage like all marriages faced many challenges but it was so full of love and care for each other.
I absolutely enjoyed the introduction of new characters throughout Joshua’s journey of grief because although some were random they made a huge impact on the story no matter how small everything had a purpose!
From the format of the chapters which for some reason I always find comfort when it all just flows to the entire delivery of this emotional story this book was just overall amazing!
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I connected with this book in ways I wasn’t really expecting. I had never heard of it until we voted on it at thebohobookclub for our pick this month, but I am so glad it was the pick this month.
I actually listened to the audiobook and it was beautiful that way. From the start I could relate to having a loved one in a hospital room and feeling like the doctors are just guessing, even if it isn’t their fault it’s a frustrating feeling 😅
Her friendship with Sam was amazing! The fact that during every single time change I kept on worrying if it was going to affect their friendship is telling about how much I needed them to always be friends 🥰❤️
At the end of it I had so many questions about her relationship with Tommy and also wish there would’ve been like an epilogue giving more of how her life worked out once she finally decided to stop time traveling but overall I really enjoyed this one.
Many of us probably wish we could change things about our lives or see how different our lives would be if we had made different decisions, This Time Tomorrow does a good job at showing that sometimes the things we want aren’t always the best and that there are some situations that just can’t be changed!
This is an amazing story about the love that exists between father and daughter, even if it’s not always perfect ❤️
I actually listened to the audiobook and it was beautiful that way. From the start I could relate to having a loved one in a hospital room and feeling like the doctors are just guessing, even if it isn’t their fault it’s a frustrating feeling 😅
Her friendship with Sam was amazing! The fact that during every single time change I kept on worrying if it was going to affect their friendship is telling about how much I needed them to always be friends 🥰❤️
At the end of it I had so many questions about her relationship with Tommy and also wish there would’ve been like an epilogue giving more of how her life worked out once she finally decided to stop time traveling but overall I really enjoyed this one.
Many of us probably wish we could change things about our lives or see how different our lives would be if we had made different decisions, This Time Tomorrow does a good job at showing that sometimes the things we want aren’t always the best and that there are some situations that just can’t be changed!
This is an amazing story about the love that exists between father and daughter, even if it’s not always perfect ❤️
The Sizzle Paradox by Lily Menon
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As someone with a Bachelors in Psychology and enrolled in a Masters Program in Counseling Psychology I thought the plot for this book was really interesting!
The start was strong and I loved it! The humor and just that initial introduction to the friends part of a friends to lovers trope :) I found the way that she rated her experiences with possible romantic partners very interesting and didn’t really mind the one thing people seemed to have an issue with throughout, that thesis and dissertation were used interchangeably.
Other things like her putting herself taking her feelings into consideration when it came to the research also didn’t really bother me because it makes sense that she’d want to have something to prove that she knows what she’s talking about 🤷🏻♀️
I think what got me was the middle, at a certain point I stopped connecting with Lyric Bishop and I kept on looking forward to Kian Montgomery’s parts instead 😅❤️
The ending felt kind of rushed to me and I didn’t quite understand how things shifted so fast… like I understood what I was reading but it felt like things were moving on too quick.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book!
The start was strong and I loved it! The humor and just that initial introduction to the friends part of a friends to lovers trope :) I found the way that she rated her experiences with possible romantic partners very interesting and didn’t really mind the one thing people seemed to have an issue with throughout, that thesis and dissertation were used interchangeably.
Other things like her putting herself taking her feelings into consideration when it came to the research also didn’t really bother me because it makes sense that she’d want to have something to prove that she knows what she’s talking about 🤷🏻♀️
I think what got me was the middle, at a certain point I stopped connecting with Lyric Bishop and I kept on looking forward to Kian Montgomery’s parts instead 😅❤️
The ending felt kind of rushed to me and I didn’t quite understand how things shifted so fast… like I understood what I was reading but it felt like things were moving on too quick.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book!
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was recommended to me a while ago and OMG it was soooo worth it!🔥
Everything about it, I loved the story, the plot and the characters! Especially Hades 🥵🔥 I didn’t want it to end because I was just absolutely in love! I listened to the audiobook while following along which some of you that have followed me for a bit know that that is my preferred reading method by far! And I gotta say it payed off with this one ❤️🔥
There were two narrators and both did an amazing job at capturing the essence of the characters! Persephone was amazing and every hades chapter had me WEAK 🥵! Hades chapters were probably my favorites lol simply because I loved the narration it was so HOT!🔥
A lot of people were saying they didn’t understand the fact that it’s based on greek mythology but there’s not really powers and such it’s more of modern take on it, which I guess confused some people… I honestly can’t relate because nothing about this book was confusing! Everything was explained and made prefect sense to me.
Can’t wait to read the rest of this series ❤️🔥
Everything about it, I loved the story, the plot and the characters! Especially Hades 🥵🔥 I didn’t want it to end because I was just absolutely in love! I listened to the audiobook while following along which some of you that have followed me for a bit know that that is my preferred reading method by far! And I gotta say it payed off with this one ❤️🔥
There were two narrators and both did an amazing job at capturing the essence of the characters! Persephone was amazing and every hades chapter had me WEAK 🥵! Hades chapters were probably my favorites lol simply because I loved the narration it was so HOT!🔥
A lot of people were saying they didn’t understand the fact that it’s based on greek mythology but there’s not really powers and such it’s more of modern take on it, which I guess confused some people… I honestly can’t relate because nothing about this book was confusing! Everything was explained and made prefect sense to me.
Can’t wait to read the rest of this series ❤️🔥
Give Me More by Sara Cate
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I just want to start by saying thank you to Sara Cate and her team for giving me this opportunity ❤️
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with the Salacious Players’ Club series 🤭❤️ I love everything about it. and now having read Give Me More just intensifies everything I was already feeling about it!
My girl Isabel! If I could trade spots with her I would in a heartbeat 😍 haha now that we’ve got that out of the way. I loved her! Her reactions, her drive to go after the things she wanted and the way she supported the two hot af men was perfect ❗️I think the best wife award goes to our beautiful and sexy Red ❤️
Now for the man behind the idea! Hunter 👀 Him figuring out his logic behind his desires was extremely satisfying as well as figuring out what he truly wanted from their arrangement! His character was consistent in the sense of his personality but developed so freaking beautifully 😍❗️
I didn’t want to pick a favorite but DRAKE 🔥🥵 I love love love him! Every single time he stood up for himself I was rooting for him and going crazy because it was so HOT! Anytime drake spoke I needed to chill because my husband kept looking at me and asking me if I was ok haha which obviously I was but this tall blonde handsome man just had me excited for his every word 😍❤️
Sara Cate went above and beyond in not only giving us the perfect 🌶🔥 but also the plot! Coming to terms with one’s sexual orientation isn’t always easy but with the right people to support it can be liberating ❤️
• MMF
• It’s always been you
• One bed
• Best friends wife/husband
It’s no secret that I am obsessed with the Salacious Players’ Club series 🤭❤️ I love everything about it. and now having read Give Me More just intensifies everything I was already feeling about it!
My girl Isabel! If I could trade spots with her I would in a heartbeat 😍 haha now that we’ve got that out of the way. I loved her! Her reactions, her drive to go after the things she wanted and the way she supported the two hot af men was perfect ❗️I think the best wife award goes to our beautiful and sexy Red ❤️
Now for the man behind the idea! Hunter 👀 Him figuring out his logic behind his desires was extremely satisfying as well as figuring out what he truly wanted from their arrangement! His character was consistent in the sense of his personality but developed so freaking beautifully 😍❗️
I didn’t want to pick a favorite but DRAKE 🔥🥵 I love love love him! Every single time he stood up for himself I was rooting for him and going crazy because it was so HOT! Anytime drake spoke I needed to chill because my husband kept looking at me and asking me if I was ok haha which obviously I was but this tall blonde handsome man just had me excited for his every word 😍❤️
Sara Cate went above and beyond in not only giving us the perfect 🌶🔥 but also the plot! Coming to terms with one’s sexual orientation isn’t always easy but with the right people to support it can be liberating ❤️
• MMF
• It’s always been you
• One bed
• Best friends wife/husband
The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Some of you might agree with me and some of you might disagree and if you’re the latter I quite simply don’t want to hear it lol this book was amazing!
As a born and raised Mexicana I absolutely loved the concept of this book. From the history to the descriptions of everything and the perfect way that it all tied together with the magic that Andres kept at bay. And now that we’re on the topic of Andres! I don’t know but he just gave me the best vibes 🥹❤️ he was caring, respectful and kind! His calmness often helped calm me down and i loved that!
I think a HUGE take away from this book is that there has always been and still is some discrimination against Mexicans that are mestizos (someone that has both european and indigenous background) as well as Mexicans that are more prietos (darker complexion) than Mexicans that are fair skinned within mexico. It’s something that should’ve changed with how long it’s been but is still there :( I have three sisters and I am the more prietita out of the three, and comments about my skin color in comparison to my sisters have definitely always been made at some point or another… the reason why I emphasize Mexicans is because the setting of the book is Mexico but this unfortunately also true amongst other Hispanics and Latinos/as.
Beatriz to me is a symbol of a strong Mexican/Latina woman because she didn’t let anybody tell her she was crazy or that she wasn’t pretty enough or fair skinned enough and she made her own path 🥹❤️ was it an easy one? no but that’s what made me love her even more!
Also the plot twists are freaking crazy! Just when I thought I knew what the ending would be it just wasn’t! Absolutely loved this book!❤️
As a born and raised Mexicana I absolutely loved the concept of this book. From the history to the descriptions of everything and the perfect way that it all tied together with the magic that Andres kept at bay. And now that we’re on the topic of Andres! I don’t know but he just gave me the best vibes 🥹❤️ he was caring, respectful and kind! His calmness often helped calm me down and i loved that!
I think a HUGE take away from this book is that there has always been and still is some discrimination against Mexicans that are mestizos (someone that has both european and indigenous background) as well as Mexicans that are more prietos (darker complexion) than Mexicans that are fair skinned within mexico. It’s something that should’ve changed with how long it’s been but is still there :( I have three sisters and I am the more prietita out of the three, and comments about my skin color in comparison to my sisters have definitely always been made at some point or another… the reason why I emphasize Mexicans is because the setting of the book is Mexico but this unfortunately also true amongst other Hispanics and Latinos/as.
Beatriz to me is a symbol of a strong Mexican/Latina woman because she didn’t let anybody tell her she was crazy or that she wasn’t pretty enough or fair skinned enough and she made her own path 🥹❤️ was it an easy one? no but that’s what made me love her even more!
Also the plot twists are freaking crazy! Just when I thought I knew what the ending would be it just wasn’t! Absolutely loved this book!❤️
Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one was such an experience! As someone who watches k-dramas for some reason this one just felt like I was watching one! Before I dive more into this review I do want to thank Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this opportunity!
Now back to Booked on a Feeling haha. From the romance to the progression I just felt super comfortable reading this 🥰 it was a change of pace but a good kind!
I wanted to be friends with Lizzy Chung if only to be able to complete to do lists haha it just feels so rewarding when you’re able to just mark something as done :) so I definitely understood her excitement! It was the way Jack did little things for her here and there that made this a TRUE friends to lovers.
What I mean by that is that they were friends for 20 years before their romance FINALLY happened and in those two decades jack park got to know her the most. Knowing the things she liked or disliked, her little quirks and even things that stressed her out so when he would do things even before her even asking really showed that he was always attentive of her in the best way 😍❤️
It was dual pov so I really enjoyed having both sides of the story but because it was third person it was a bit hard to stay focused BUUUUUT that is just me! I know there’s people that love third person pov, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t it just depends so if you are one that loves third person then this won’t be a big deal at all and you’ll love this!
Now back to Booked on a Feeling haha. From the romance to the progression I just felt super comfortable reading this 🥰 it was a change of pace but a good kind!
I wanted to be friends with Lizzy Chung if only to be able to complete to do lists haha it just feels so rewarding when you’re able to just mark something as done :) so I definitely understood her excitement! It was the way Jack did little things for her here and there that made this a TRUE friends to lovers.
What I mean by that is that they were friends for 20 years before their romance FINALLY happened and in those two decades jack park got to know her the most. Knowing the things she liked or disliked, her little quirks and even things that stressed her out so when he would do things even before her even asking really showed that he was always attentive of her in the best way 😍❤️
It was dual pov so I really enjoyed having both sides of the story but because it was third person it was a bit hard to stay focused BUUUUUT that is just me! I know there’s people that love third person pov, sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t it just depends so if you are one that loves third person then this won’t be a big deal at all and you’ll love this!
Go Hex Yourself by Jessica Clare
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First order of business is Ben freaking Magnus 😍❤️ gosh was he everything!
I listened to the audiobook while following along and I just love when there are different narrators for the female and the male. It was definitely a gift when a Ben Magnus chapter was next cause y’all it was sooo good 🤤❤️ he could talk about anything and I would listen 10000%
I felt bad for Reggie and the struggle she had with her parents because parents are supposed to love their children not use them! I was honestly hoping Ben would curse them if only to teach them a lesson! Haha but alas that’s all I am going to say about that 💀
This was a very fun and entertaining read for sure! Very romcom but with a hint of spice 🌶🔥
There were a few things I could do without but that would be more of a personal preference so they don’t really matter haha, overall though this book is perfect as a comfort read 🥰
I listened to the audiobook while following along and I just love when there are different narrators for the female and the male. It was definitely a gift when a Ben Magnus chapter was next cause y’all it was sooo good 🤤❤️ he could talk about anything and I would listen 10000%
I felt bad for Reggie and the struggle she had with her parents because parents are supposed to love their children not use them! I was honestly hoping Ben would curse them if only to teach them a lesson! Haha but alas that’s all I am going to say about that 💀
This was a very fun and entertaining read for sure! Very romcom but with a hint of spice 🌶🔥
There were a few things I could do without but that would be more of a personal preference so they don’t really matter haha, overall though this book is perfect as a comfort read 🥰
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Alright! I have finally read the big 3 by Emily Henry haha
People We Meet On Vacation started a little bit slow for me, I wasn’t quite sure how I would rate it in the beginning because of that buuuut I just couldn’t help but fall in love with Alex Nilsen 🫶🏼❤️
He and I just seemed to have too much in common with the things we dislike and that was super hilarious to me 🤣 I feel like he could be my best friend too! Everything about him was just too good!
I don’t want to spoil too much so I’ll just say this the way that Poppy and him turned from best friends to lovers made COMPLETE sense‼️ sometimes in a friends to lovers they don’t always fit right but Poppy and Alex fit perfectly.
From their banter to their care for each other ❤️ their friendship was just bound to turn into something more :) and although I don’t typically love a friends to lovers this book is the exception!
People We Meet On Vacation started a little bit slow for me, I wasn’t quite sure how I would rate it in the beginning because of that buuuut I just couldn’t help but fall in love with Alex Nilsen 🫶🏼❤️
He and I just seemed to have too much in common with the things we dislike and that was super hilarious to me 🤣 I feel like he could be my best friend too! Everything about him was just too good!
I don’t want to spoil too much so I’ll just say this the way that Poppy and him turned from best friends to lovers made COMPLETE sense‼️ sometimes in a friends to lovers they don’t always fit right but Poppy and Alex fit perfectly.
From their banter to their care for each other ❤️ their friendship was just bound to turn into something more :) and although I don’t typically love a friends to lovers this book is the exception!
Mercy by Sara Cate
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It is no secret that I love the Salacious Players’ Club series! and that’s what makes this review so hard 🥹❤️ this is the fourth and final book from the series (as far as I know buuut if there’s a slight chance of another book in the series I will be all over that haha)
First let’s talk about Sophie!🫶🏼 I love beau’s friendship with her I feel like it really contributed to his character development in a fun way (hopefully that makes sense) her harsh honesty was one of my favorite things 🤣💀
Alright now for the spice 🌶 that y’all know I love in any book written by Sara Cate! She really knows how to balance the spice and the plot in her books and I love it!
This book was everything I needed! Ever since I read Praise I wanted a story with Beau (read my Praise review to see that lol) and the fact that Beau got his story and Maggie got hers and it was together 🔥🔥🔥 it was just perfect!
The character development with Beau was BEAUTIFUL and HOT 🥵🔥 I just knew a book with him would be amazing and Maggie was just the perfect woman to tame Beau 🤤 I don’t think I’ll be thinking about anything else for a while lol
• Best friend’s son
• Taboo romance
• Domme/sub 🔥🔥🔥
• Reverse age gap 🤤🌶
First let’s talk about Sophie!🫶🏼 I love beau’s friendship with her I feel like it really contributed to his character development in a fun way (hopefully that makes sense) her harsh honesty was one of my favorite things 🤣💀
Alright now for the spice 🌶 that y’all know I love in any book written by Sara Cate! She really knows how to balance the spice and the plot in her books and I love it!
This book was everything I needed! Ever since I read Praise I wanted a story with Beau (read my Praise review to see that lol) and the fact that Beau got his story and Maggie got hers and it was together 🔥🔥🔥 it was just perfect!
The character development with Beau was BEAUTIFUL and HOT 🥵🔥 I just knew a book with him would be amazing and Maggie was just the perfect woman to tame Beau 🤤 I don’t think I’ll be thinking about anything else for a while lol
• Best friend’s son
• Taboo romance
• Domme/sub 🔥🔥🔥
• Reverse age gap 🤤🌶