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142 reviews
Rules of Convenience by H. L. Munn
4.75
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ SPOILER FREE
⭐ 4.75/5
Rules of Convenience, by @fromthelibraryof_xo , is a contemporary romance, with short chapters.
It's Helen's debut novel, and what a debut it is! She's coming in strong! 💪🏻
I didn't read the synopsis so I went in kinda blind. Of course, I was aware of the big tropes but that's about it! At first I was worried it was gonna be quite uneventful but I became interested in the characters, their relationship, and then the pace picked up. Things started happening and I was INVESTED.
Amelia, Riley, and pretty much everyone in the book, feel like real people. They're so well written I felt like I actually knew them. One thing that bothered me a liiiiittle bit (hence the .25 off the rating) is that Riley's temper felt a little too much from time to time. Maybe a little too possessive to my liking. But that's very subjective and a personal ick!
Bear in mind that it's a closed door romance, so for us SJM (and others) readers, it's a big tease! (Chapter 31, that's you I'm talking about 👀) Still very enjoyable nonetheless!
I love how the chapters' titles are a quote from the chapter itself (especially chapter 33 #Suits). I also love it when books have other media in them, and Helen listened! She included text messages and I love them. Some made me laugh out loud, like when Amelia tries to leave the group chat but is added back in right away 🤣
I don't like miscommunication tropes in general but I liked how it was portrayed here and I'm glad it didn't last for chapters on end! Very well executed! 👏🏻
I'm very curious to see what happens next! Book 2 couldn't come faster 😍
Good job Helen, I'm very proud of you ❤️
Bonus point for the cover 😍 how pretty is it??
Thank you so much @sunnybabepr and of course @fromthelibraryof_xo for the eARC
⭐ 4.75/5
Rules of Convenience, by @fromthelibraryof_xo , is a contemporary romance, with short chapters.
It's Helen's debut novel, and what a debut it is! She's coming in strong! 💪🏻
I didn't read the synopsis so I went in kinda blind. Of course, I was aware of the big tropes but that's about it! At first I was worried it was gonna be quite uneventful but I became interested in the characters, their relationship, and then the pace picked up. Things started happening and I was INVESTED.
Amelia, Riley, and pretty much everyone in the book, feel like real people. They're so well written I felt like I actually knew them. One thing that bothered me a liiiiittle bit (hence the .25 off the rating) is that Riley's temper felt a little too much from time to time. Maybe a little too possessive to my liking. But that's very subjective and a personal ick!
Bear in mind that it's a closed door romance, so for us SJM (and others) readers, it's a big tease! (Chapter 31, that's you I'm talking about 👀) Still very enjoyable nonetheless!
I love how the chapters' titles are a quote from the chapter itself (especially chapter 33 #Suits). I also love it when books have other media in them, and Helen listened! She included text messages and I love them. Some made me laugh out loud, like when Amelia tries to leave the group chat but is added back in right away 🤣
I don't like miscommunication tropes in general but I liked how it was portrayed here and I'm glad it didn't last for chapters on end! Very well executed! 👏🏻
I'm very curious to see what happens next! Book 2 couldn't come faster 😍
Good job Helen, I'm very proud of you ❤️
Bonus point for the cover 😍 how pretty is it??
Thank you so much @sunnybabepr and of course @fromthelibraryof_xo for the eARC
Kill Joy by Holly Jackson
4.0
Kill Joy by @hojay92 is a fast-paced novella. It's a prequel to the A Good Girl's Guide To Murder series.
I absolutely loved the series, so reading this novella was a must.
It's not suuuuuper related to the story, in the sense that it's not directly following the same plot. It's a fun little novella with a few hints and foreshadowing. After reading it, you actually understand how and why Pip decided to cover Andie's murder. So even if you haven't read the series yet, you get more into her head and it gives you more insights.
It's really fun to read after you've read the series because you actually get the little Easter eggs.
I just love Holly Jackson's writing. I could literally read anything from her. I love that she always adds different media to her books, like journal entries, interviews, or in this case, paper clues. It makes the reading experience even better, in my opinion. It's just fun! I love it ❤️
I absolutely loved the series, so reading this novella was a must.
It's not suuuuuper related to the story, in the sense that it's not directly following the same plot. It's a fun little novella with a few hints and foreshadowing. After reading it, you actually understand how and why Pip decided to cover Andie's murder. So even if you haven't read the series yet, you get more into her head and it gives you more insights.
It's really fun to read after you've read the series because you actually get the little Easter eggs.
I just love Holly Jackson's writing. I could literally read anything from her. I love that she always adds different media to her books, like journal entries, interviews, or in this case, paper clues. It makes the reading experience even better, in my opinion. It's just fun! I love it ❤️
Beach Read by Emily Henry
3.75
Beach Read by Emily Henry is a medium-paced romance.
I haven't read much romance yet, but I enjoyed this one!
It reads very easily. It's lighthearted and perfect for when you're reading for 24h straight and don't want anything too complicated 🤪
I liked the funny statements and the comebacks January always has.
The reason why I took a couple stars off is because I did find it predictable. It's a classic happily ever after romance after all! BUT I still found it cute and heartwarming.
I really liked how Emily Henry tackled the subject of grief and the characters' growth from their difficult past.
It's a slow burn so, yes, at times, it seemed really slow and I really wanted everything to move faster. I found the chapters dragged on from time to time.
I was also conflicted because it felt like the relationship happened quite fast, but still with a slow burn at the same time?
It is very romantic, we can't take that away from this book! I even had to read some parts to my boyfriend!
I'm really curious to read more from her now! What's your favorite Emily Henry book?
I haven't read much romance yet, but I enjoyed this one!
It reads very easily. It's lighthearted and perfect for when you're reading for 24h straight and don't want anything too complicated 🤪
I liked the funny statements and the comebacks January always has.
The reason why I took a couple stars off is because I did find it predictable. It's a classic happily ever after romance after all! BUT I still found it cute and heartwarming.
I really liked how Emily Henry tackled the subject of grief and the characters' growth from their difficult past.
It's a slow burn so, yes, at times, it seemed really slow and I really wanted everything to move faster. I found the chapters dragged on from time to time.
I was also conflicted because it felt like the relationship happened quite fast, but still with a slow burn at the same time?
It is very romantic, we can't take that away from this book! I even had to read some parts to my boyfriend!
I'm really curious to read more from her now! What's your favorite Emily Henry book?
Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham
5.0
Family Style by @thiendog is a non-fiction graphic novel.
This book was very different from what I usually read. First of all: it's a graphic novel! I think it's the first one I ever read. It's a memoir, relating how his parents tried their hardest to immigrate and live the American dream, and offer him and his brother a better life.
You follow not only Thien's parents' journey, but also his own, growing up in a foreign country, where you try to learn a new language and culture to fit in.
It's very endearing to actually see the emotions and the characters grow.
Grab your tissues because it's emotional, and also mouth watering 🤤. Each chapter is a food or drink, to represent his life changing. And yes, you'll want to eat everything.
I grabbed this book on BookOutlet because I thought the cover was really cute and my grandfather is Vietnamese, hence my absolute love for Vietnamese food and culture. It's only when reading it that I realised it was signed! 🥹 It's my first signed copy and I'm really glad it's this one 🥰
This book was very different from what I usually read. First of all: it's a graphic novel! I think it's the first one I ever read. It's a memoir, relating how his parents tried their hardest to immigrate and live the American dream, and offer him and his brother a better life.
You follow not only Thien's parents' journey, but also his own, growing up in a foreign country, where you try to learn a new language and culture to fit in.
It's very endearing to actually see the emotions and the characters grow.
Grab your tissues because it's emotional, and also mouth watering 🤤. Each chapter is a food or drink, to represent his life changing. And yes, you'll want to eat everything.
I grabbed this book on BookOutlet because I thought the cover was really cute and my grandfather is Vietnamese, hence my absolute love for Vietnamese food and culture. It's only when reading it that I realised it was signed! 🥹 It's my first signed copy and I'm really glad it's this one 🥰
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
4.0
A Phở Love Story, by Loan Le, is a medium-paced YA contemporary romance.
This is a really cute Romeo and Juliet inspired story, involving Vietnamese characters in the midst of a family feud.
My grandfather is Vietnamese so I'm familiar with the culture, but it's always nice to read more about it. The author describes really well the food (🤤) so I suggest you get yourself some phở, bubble tea or something because you'll eventually crave them. It's very interesting that she talks about a variety of Vietnamese food, not just the "basic" ones that everyone knows about.
I also like how the parents speak Vietnamese and you actually get the sentences not translated. Obviously, it's still very easy to understand what they say, with context. I liked to use my translator to get a grasp of what the words actually mean.
Linh is also an artist, so the whole artistic aspect of the book is really beautiful to read about. The psychological aspect, with the parental approval and acceptance is very interesting and well-written.
I overall really liked this story, but I felt like while being medium-paced, some things felt rushed. Like the moment they start their relationship for instance. I also felt like most of the banter happens at the end of the book.
For all of you romance readers, I highly recommend that you read this book!
This is a really cute Romeo and Juliet inspired story, involving Vietnamese characters in the midst of a family feud.
My grandfather is Vietnamese so I'm familiar with the culture, but it's always nice to read more about it. The author describes really well the food (🤤) so I suggest you get yourself some phở, bubble tea or something because you'll eventually crave them. It's very interesting that she talks about a variety of Vietnamese food, not just the "basic" ones that everyone knows about.
I also like how the parents speak Vietnamese and you actually get the sentences not translated. Obviously, it's still very easy to understand what they say, with context. I liked to use my translator to get a grasp of what the words actually mean.
Linh is also an artist, so the whole artistic aspect of the book is really beautiful to read about. The psychological aspect, with the parental approval and acceptance is very interesting and well-written.
I overall really liked this story, but I felt like while being medium-paced, some things felt rushed. Like the moment they start their relationship for instance. I also felt like most of the banter happens at the end of the book.
For all of you romance readers, I highly recommend that you read this book!
The Therapist by S.A. Falk
fast-paced
4.5
The Therapist, by S.A. Falk, is a fast-paced thriller, with short chapters.
It was a real page turner! I was captivated from the start. I wanted to know what was gonna happen next and who the copycat murderer is! You get two POVs with the psychiatrist's and the murderer's.
I had my doubts about the final outcome, but I was doubting everything until the last minute! If that's not a sign it's a good read, I don't know what is!
I've always loved a good psychological thriller. I love the whole therapy-themed aspects and this book did not disappoint!
The writing style is really good and keeps the reader into the story! It all flows perfectly and you just don't want to put the book down.
Thank you so much to @netgalley @safalkauthor and @stormbooks_co for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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It was a real page turner! I was captivated from the start. I wanted to know what was gonna happen next and who the copycat murderer is! You get two POVs with the psychiatrist's and the murderer's.
I had my doubts about the final outcome, but I was doubting everything until the last minute! If that's not a sign it's a good read, I don't know what is!
I've always loved a good psychological thriller. I love the whole therapy-themed aspects and this book did not disappoint!
The writing style is really good and keeps the reader into the story! It all flows perfectly and you just don't want to put the book down.
Thank you so much to @netgalley @safalkauthor and @stormbooks_co for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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Taqawan by Éric Plamondon
2.75
This is really not my cup of tea. I read this for a bookclub so this review is extremely biased since I'm usually not into historical fiction. This was not an exception.
I was, however, kinda interested in the line story going on with the main character's mentioned. BUT, as soon as the historical parts were coming back, I'd lose focus.
Thankfully, the chapters are very short.
I didn't really like how it's written. It goes back and forth between information and it kinda seems like your zapping channels on TV, getting random facts about things, and then going back to the story.
I can see why people enjoy this book. It's very informative and it is quite sad to read how their life is and how they're being treated.
I was, however, kinda interested in the line story going on with the main character's mentioned. BUT, as soon as the historical parts were coming back, I'd lose focus.
Thankfully, the chapters are very short.
I didn't really like how it's written. It goes back and forth between information and it kinda seems like your zapping channels on TV, getting random facts about things, and then going back to the story.
I can see why people enjoy this book. It's very informative and it is quite sad to read how their life is and how they're being treated.