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bookishdaylight's reviews
302 reviews
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This is such a lighthearted fun read about STEM-academia rivals to lovers that is somehow similar to the love hypothesis with the same font and cover.
This was just an easy read with more character development, fewer cringe situations, and a lot of Twilight references. It was wholesome, sweet, and charming and I loved every bit of the characters presented here. A fun found-family dynamic between friends with their banter and thrilling personalities.
The main characters are well presented with their history and there is a lot to divulge within these pages. Amazing representation of diabetes and a cute cameo of Olive and Adam which was so amusing to read. The storyline can be predictable with the intentions of the characters nevertheless this was very entertaining.
This was just an easy read with more character development, fewer cringe situations, and a lot of Twilight references. It was wholesome, sweet, and charming and I loved every bit of the characters presented here. A fun found-family dynamic between friends with their banter and thrilling personalities.
The main characters are well presented with their history and there is a lot to divulge within these pages. Amazing representation of diabetes and a cute cameo of Olive and Adam which was so amusing to read. The storyline can be predictable with the intentions of the characters nevertheless this was very entertaining.
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Two ruthless gangs with a volatile atmospheric feel. An intense gripping story about the survival of a mystery contagion, alliances with enemies, and rebellion. It is wonderfully explored with the rich culture and descriptive contrast of finding one's identity amidst the blood feud with the enemies.
Full of violence, graphic hate that screams I've always hated you and always will—merciless killers, brutal blows, petrifying full of doom of the inevitable ending. This fully embodies a great depiction of hatred so profoundly rooted and filled with disdain and malice.
The characters are amazingly portrayed with their personalities and I loved the contrast between Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. Both are ruthless but Roma has a heart filled with care for others while Juliette is cold, violent, and merciless and I love it. The tension and angst of the two are there with their hatred for one another. It beautifully encaptures the inevitable ending this two has full of pain, hate, and loss.
Overall, this is such a remarkable historical retelling of the classic Romeo & Juliet but this should not be compared to that story because the similarities are few and this is on another high level of a story.
Full of violence, graphic hate that screams I've always hated you and always will—merciless killers, brutal blows, petrifying full of doom of the inevitable ending. This fully embodies a great depiction of hatred so profoundly rooted and filled with disdain and malice.
The characters are amazingly portrayed with their personalities and I loved the contrast between Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. Both are ruthless but Roma has a heart filled with care for others while Juliette is cold, violent, and merciless and I love it. The tension and angst of the two are there with their hatred for one another. It beautifully encaptures the inevitable ending this two has full of pain, hate, and loss.
Overall, this is such a remarkable historical retelling of the classic Romeo & Juliet but this should not be compared to that story because the similarities are few and this is on another high level of a story.
Ms Perfectly Fine by Kate Callaghan
fast-paced
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story had a cute premise and an exciting beginning but the pacing was too fast and it all happened within a month.
There was no build-up to their relationship altogether, it was like they were already a couple with their interaction, with them living together they already made the steps without even doing anything. The forced banter seemed childish to me and they are in their mid-twenties so act like one. It was only three days and they already feel something for each other and for what exactly? it didn't make sense. Their relationship was insta-love and I would love to run from this trope.
The only good backstory here is Autumn, if there was more development on her background then I would have liked it more. I wanted to see her journey and hardships. Sadly, it lacked that and I was quite disappointed.
Elijah as a character is so cringe and had no personality whatsoever. It also showed that this is a rich people drama. They had to live together because the neighborhood is expensive. Excuse me. while you guys are fine with just throwing money at random purchases and being ok with it. Autumn for me seemed spoiled with that how she interacted with the other characters
Overall, this had the potential to be good but I was just disappointed.
This story had a cute premise and an exciting beginning but the pacing was too fast and it all happened within a month.
There was no build-up to their relationship altogether, it was like they were already a couple with their interaction, with them living together they already made the steps without even doing anything. The forced banter seemed childish to me and they are in their mid-twenties so act like one. It was only three days and they already feel something for each other and for what exactly? it didn't make sense. Their relationship was insta-love and I would love to run from this trope.
The only good backstory here is Autumn, if there was more development on her background then I would have liked it more. I wanted to see her journey and hardships. Sadly, it lacked that and I was quite disappointed.
Elijah as a character is so cringe and had no personality whatsoever. It also showed that this is a rich people drama. They had to live together because the neighborhood is expensive. Excuse me. while you guys are fine with just throwing money at random purchases and being ok with it. Autumn for me seemed spoiled with that how she interacted with the other characters
Overall, this had the potential to be good but I was just disappointed.
Dare You To Hate Me by B. Celeste
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
a bittersweet sad romance about new beginnings and reconciliation with old relationships. A beautiful story that embarks on finding oneself to find happiness.
“There are two types of strangers in the world—ones that you’ve never met before, and ones you share memories with.”
This somehow filled a void in my heart. An emotional story about survival, hope, and love. Escaping a toxic household and being on your own but being saddened by doing it, in the first place because realizing it's better to do so than stay. Setting boundaries and knowing your worth and having respect for yourself. A very raw type of discovery for a girl to have the courage to be on her own and find herself again.
“When you meet the right person, it doesn't matter what happens because fate will always bring you together. But it's your choices that will make them stay."
Sometimes friendships are a lifeline filled with love and care with the type of forever you want to have and this has the most comforting friends to lovers I've seen. An inspiring one with a big warm hug that everyone needs. Beautiful connections between the two characters with a great dynamic, full of passion, care, and patience.
“There are two types of strangers in the world—ones that you’ve never met before, and ones you share memories with.”
This somehow filled a void in my heart. An emotional story about survival, hope, and love. Escaping a toxic household and being on your own but being saddened by doing it, in the first place because realizing it's better to do so than stay. Setting boundaries and knowing your worth and having respect for yourself. A very raw type of discovery for a girl to have the courage to be on her own and find herself again.
“When you meet the right person, it doesn't matter what happens because fate will always bring you together. But it's your choices that will make them stay."
Sometimes friendships are a lifeline filled with love and care with the type of forever you want to have and this has the most comforting friends to lovers I've seen. An inspiring one with a big warm hug that everyone needs. Beautiful connections between the two characters with a great dynamic, full of passion, care, and patience.
Twisted Hate - Special Edition by Ana Huang
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This is tension in a nutshell with amazing banter and dynamic between two people who hate each other. This was a fun and witty story and the backstories of both main characters added the layers of what this book is.
I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book altogether, in the previous books, I didn't care for the hate that Josh and Jules had and it seemed childish for me in the other stories maybe for the reason of how it was described but now, the writing has improved and it makes such a big difference. The growth of each character was shown in a way you can understand their predicament, the way they think and act.
Alex Volkov is a changed man, and it was cute and admirable for Josh to take his advice and it was just so wholesome. Josh and Jules's banter is something else, I was laughing nonstop at the disdain comments that they had. The conflict tbh could've easily been avoided through communication, I mean they did but after handling it on their own.
It was so obvious Josh was whipped from the beginning, he just hated her because he had to ok, like no one would know and notice everything about a single person unless you're interested or you're like obsessed with that person. Yes, he hated her but he secretly in a tiny bit liked her.
Overall this book was fun and interesting.
I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book altogether, in the previous books, I didn't care for the hate that Josh and Jules had and it seemed childish for me in the other stories maybe for the reason of how it was described but now, the writing has improved and it makes such a big difference. The growth of each character was shown in a way you can understand their predicament, the way they think and act.
Alex Volkov is a changed man, and it was cute and admirable for Josh to take his advice and it was just so wholesome. Josh and Jules's banter is something else, I was laughing nonstop at the disdain comments that they had. The conflict tbh could've easily been avoided through communication, I mean they did but after handling it on their own.
It was so obvious Josh was whipped from the beginning, he just hated her because he had to ok, like no one would know and notice everything about a single person unless you're interested or you're like obsessed with that person. Yes, he hated her but he secretly in a tiny bit liked her.
Overall this book was fun and interesting.
Modern Divination by Isabel Agajanian
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
4.0
a cozy mysterious, dark academia, cottage core, rivals to lovers, with a beautiful slow-burn, atmospheric contemporary fantasy romance. A story that is more character driven with a subtle plot of action and adventure.
Two academic rivals with the most intricate personalities, with intense and bittersweet interaction but simultaneously genuine throughout the story. I liked how well-versed they are with each other and the realization and vulnerability of acknowledging it. This is a comfortable warm cup of coffee for me and the overall vibes that this book has given that top notch.
This was also very poetic and beautifully written, I love how descriptive it is and how well-immersive it is with the way it was written. There were moments I was confused which was half of the book though I was interested overall in the characters in the story and how they're relationship will develop. I'm not going to lie, At the beginning, I find Rory's personality very abrasive, with no filter, and overall mean whereas Theo is very indifferent, stoic, and attentive with a hint of gentleness. As their interactions intertwine throughout the story, I was glad that Rory has changed a bit in how she talked and acted, a wonderful character development she had as the story progressed.
Overall this was a stunning debut and I'm very curious about what happens next, especially with that ending.
Two academic rivals with the most intricate personalities, with intense and bittersweet interaction but simultaneously genuine throughout the story. I liked how well-versed they are with each other and the realization and vulnerability of acknowledging it. This is a comfortable warm cup of coffee for me and the overall vibes that this book has given that top notch.
This was also very poetic and beautifully written, I love how descriptive it is and how well-immersive it is with the way it was written. There were moments I was confused which was half of the book though I was interested overall in the characters in the story and how they're relationship will develop. I'm not going to lie, At the beginning, I find Rory's personality very abrasive, with no filter, and overall mean whereas Theo is very indifferent, stoic, and attentive with a hint of gentleness. As their interactions intertwine throughout the story, I was glad that Rory has changed a bit in how she talked and acted, a wonderful character development she had as the story progressed.
Overall this was a stunning debut and I'm very curious about what happens next, especially with that ending.
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.0
A heartwarming feel good friends to lovers romance about new beginnings and wonderful comforts that bring joy.
Untamed by Lilian T. James
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
Nothing happened, there were two povs that seemed irrelevant but I'm still curious about the whole plot.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
A historical fantasy romance set in war with an intense, thrilling, treacherous battle. This has great storytelling of two rival writers and how they try to survive during the war.
I simply love how this was written, it was beautifully crafted and equally heartbreaking with all the things that have happened throughout the story. The world-building is compelling and intense and I was easily immersed in the world full of dangerous adventures.
The romance aspect was so perfectly portrayed despite the chaos and vicious war going on in the story. A love full of hope, passion, and devotion that also felt like home. The relationship was the perfect balance with how ruthless the war is.
This was truly beautifully created and yet it'll break your heart with how love can cause great tragedy.
I simply love how this was written, it was beautifully crafted and equally heartbreaking with all the things that have happened throughout the story. The world-building is compelling and intense and I was easily immersed in the world full of dangerous adventures.
The romance aspect was so perfectly portrayed despite the chaos and vicious war going on in the story. A love full of hope, passion, and devotion that also felt like home. The relationship was the perfect balance with how ruthless the war is.
This was truly beautifully created and yet it'll break your heart with how love can cause great tragedy.
Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros
sad
slow-paced
2.0
A story that involves a family full of sorrow, resentment, regrets, anger, and loss. A sad small-town romance about second chances and mending relationships with your loved ones.
The town was filled with so many toxic mindsets and hateful energy towards both characters because of their past and their decision to see each other. That's what bothers me the most is how the main conflict is the town and how they wouldn't mind their business. I get that they couldn't leave because of their families, but the way they dictated their life was shocking.
The romance felt flat to me since I was so reminded of how Cam who is the love interest tells her every chapter that she is too good for him, and he doesn't deserve her, and everyone is going to hate her if she dates him. Cut the crap right now with all that excuses, If he truly wanted her, he would've fought, despite the hate and negative talk they've been hearing. I get that he has a past and he gets blamed by the town for that past but it wasn't his fault and he just let it get through him.
Xander who is Cam's older brother has so many negative motives and he's like the older brother who wants to destroy his other siblings. Even his family is toxic and I understand the slight reason for it because of Cam's past but his family and the way he gets treated by them is so unfair since it's not his fault that situation happened.
Both characters deserved better, they just really need to get the hell out of that town.
The town was filled with so many toxic mindsets and hateful energy towards both characters because of their past and their decision to see each other. That's what bothers me the most is how the main conflict is the town and how they wouldn't mind their business. I get that they couldn't leave because of their families, but the way they dictated their life was shocking.
The romance felt flat to me since I was so reminded of how Cam who is the love interest tells her every chapter that she is too good for him, and he doesn't deserve her, and everyone is going to hate her if she dates him. Cut the crap right now with all that excuses, If he truly wanted her, he would've fought, despite the hate and negative talk they've been hearing. I get that he has a past and he gets blamed by the town for that past but it wasn't his fault and he just let it get through him.
Xander who is Cam's older brother has so many negative motives and he's like the older brother who wants to destroy his other siblings. Even his family is toxic and I understand the slight reason for it because of Cam's past but his family and the way he gets treated by them is so unfair since it's not his fault that situation happened.
Both characters deserved better, they just really need to get the hell out of that town.