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chaptersofmay's Reviews (319)
This Lovely City is a spirited and kinetic historical tale with a meaningful insight into the Windrush generation. As the blurb says, it “teaches us that even in the face of anger and fear, there is always hope.”
Lawrie is a Jamaican man, is fresh off the Empire Windrush, answering London’s call to help labour shortages. Lawrie expected to be welcomed with open arms and valued for his hard work, but quickly realised reality is far from what was promised. Still, he falls for Evie, a biracial girl who is finally among a community that makes her feel as though she belongs. Along with his friends, Aston, Sonny, and Moses, Lawrie find relief in music and jazz bars, as they navigate a racially tense city and search for a future of prosperity. But when a devastating discovery is made at Clapham Common, fingers point to the local Caribbean community, and more specifically to Lawrie.
It’s fascinating how Hare portrays the way Lawrie faces societal racism as he works as a postman by day and a musician by night. I also love the post-war, South London atmosphere she built from the beginning of the book. There’s vivid detailing of the actualities of bomb-ruined homes, changing neighbourhoods and rationing for necessities during 1948 and 1950. It feels deeply authentic, and very easy to picture. I really struggled to stomach some of the prejudice aggressions and phrases used towards the Black characters in the book, but sadly, it’s accurate. And Hare doesn't hold back from displaying the truths of hatred and violence in post-war Britain.
The characters of Evie and Lawrie make brilliant narrators for this book. Its chapters alternate between their POVs, as their young love blooms against the odds. I listened to the audiobook, and the use of Jamaican accents for Caribbean characters and jazz music between the chapters brought this book to life. The love between the two characters is an interesting backdrop to their own identity struggles, financial challenges, and other shortcomings. It inspires hope, and you can’t help but root for them.
I really like the way the murder mystery narrative was laced with prejudices in British society just after the war and Lawrie and Evie’s hopeful love story. The pace was occasionally too slow for me, and some chapters felt too long. However, it’s both grounding and stirring, and filled with emotion. On the whole, This Lovely City is a stellar debut.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Lawrie is a Jamaican man, is fresh off the Empire Windrush, answering London’s call to help labour shortages. Lawrie expected to be welcomed with open arms and valued for his hard work, but quickly realised reality is far from what was promised. Still, he falls for Evie, a biracial girl who is finally among a community that makes her feel as though she belongs. Along with his friends, Aston, Sonny, and Moses, Lawrie find relief in music and jazz bars, as they navigate a racially tense city and search for a future of prosperity. But when a devastating discovery is made at Clapham Common, fingers point to the local Caribbean community, and more specifically to Lawrie.
It’s fascinating how Hare portrays the way Lawrie faces societal racism as he works as a postman by day and a musician by night. I also love the post-war, South London atmosphere she built from the beginning of the book. There’s vivid detailing of the actualities of bomb-ruined homes, changing neighbourhoods and rationing for necessities during 1948 and 1950. It feels deeply authentic, and very easy to picture. I really struggled to stomach some of the prejudice aggressions and phrases used towards the Black characters in the book, but sadly, it’s accurate. And Hare doesn't hold back from displaying the truths of hatred and violence in post-war Britain.
The characters of Evie and Lawrie make brilliant narrators for this book. Its chapters alternate between their POVs, as their young love blooms against the odds. I listened to the audiobook, and the use of Jamaican accents for Caribbean characters and jazz music between the chapters brought this book to life. The love between the two characters is an interesting backdrop to their own identity struggles, financial challenges, and other shortcomings. It inspires hope, and you can’t help but root for them.
I really like the way the murder mystery narrative was laced with prejudices in British society just after the war and Lawrie and Evie’s hopeful love story. The pace was occasionally too slow for me, and some chapters felt too long. However, it’s both grounding and stirring, and filled with emotion. On the whole, This Lovely City is a stellar debut.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
An American Marriage is a vividly painful and emotional read. It examines the ugliness, beauty, and complexity of love and commitment. This rendering tale of love and loss cuts so deep, its influence is inevitable. Roy and Celestial are married only a “year and some change” when Roy is unjustly imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Their bliss comes to a devastating halt. The couple try to navigate a one-sided marriage, but understandably, it’s not easy to maintain. Then Roy is released, 7 years early.
Jones creates two incredibly well-developed characters in Roy and Celestial. They’re intelligent, passionate and witty, but fierce and selfish. Their imperfections are all too realistic. Roy and Celestial are so three-dimensional you cannot help but imagine yourself in their place. With the use of multiple perspectives, the author creates distinctive personalities between both the main and secondary characters. Each voice was holding on to some kind of pain, even when mixed with joy and success.
An American Marriage has an engaging pace. Years of marriage can be illustrated with drawn out narrative, but Jones wonderfully lures you into Roy and Celestial’s lives by lacing every thought with striking emotion. I can’t relate to any of the circumstances the characters face, yet I found myself crying with them. I struggled to take sides when it came to their broken relationship, because it’s too difficult to fault humans for being humans.
The book also explores racial inequality within the criminal justice system, and how these prejudices can tear apart families and destroy lives. It’s tragic and crushing, but within the story there is still growth and hope. Tayari Jones’ novel is sincerely frank. Her use of eloquent and rich metaphors in a first-person narrative makes each dilemma all the more expressive. I think the use of letters in the book also helped with this. The words of the characters carry weight, and in addition to the well-crafted plot, this book is a rue glimpse into a realistic and imperfect American Marriage.
Rather than a love story, An American Marriage is a story about love. It explores the deep and intense feeling in all its many and messy forms. It’s one of those books that just cannot be put down. The story and the characters are too addictive. With secondary themes of race, society, morality and family, Jones pushes the reader to wonder whether we really do have control of our emotions, or freedom in our lives.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Jones creates two incredibly well-developed characters in Roy and Celestial. They’re intelligent, passionate and witty, but fierce and selfish. Their imperfections are all too realistic. Roy and Celestial are so three-dimensional you cannot help but imagine yourself in their place. With the use of multiple perspectives, the author creates distinctive personalities between both the main and secondary characters. Each voice was holding on to some kind of pain, even when mixed with joy and success.
An American Marriage has an engaging pace. Years of marriage can be illustrated with drawn out narrative, but Jones wonderfully lures you into Roy and Celestial’s lives by lacing every thought with striking emotion. I can’t relate to any of the circumstances the characters face, yet I found myself crying with them. I struggled to take sides when it came to their broken relationship, because it’s too difficult to fault humans for being humans.
The book also explores racial inequality within the criminal justice system, and how these prejudices can tear apart families and destroy lives. It’s tragic and crushing, but within the story there is still growth and hope. Tayari Jones’ novel is sincerely frank. Her use of eloquent and rich metaphors in a first-person narrative makes each dilemma all the more expressive. I think the use of letters in the book also helped with this. The words of the characters carry weight, and in addition to the well-crafted plot, this book is a rue glimpse into a realistic and imperfect American Marriage.
Rather than a love story, An American Marriage is a story about love. It explores the deep and intense feeling in all its many and messy forms. It’s one of those books that just cannot be put down. The story and the characters are too addictive. With secondary themes of race, society, morality and family, Jones pushes the reader to wonder whether we really do have control of our emotions, or freedom in our lives.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Ask Again, Yes is the eventful story of two families in the suburbs, a young forbidden love, and the effect of catastrophe decades after its destruction.
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are two NYPD cops living next door to one another in Gilliam, an Upstate New York contemporary suburb. Francis' wife, Lena is lonely in her marriage, while Anne, Brian's wife, is emotionally distant and mentally low. After a calamitous confrontation, the families become distant and bitter. But Francis and Lena's daughter, Kate, and Brian and Anne's son, Peter, fall in love. And beneath the family drama, emotional turmoil, and explosive history, their love is fighting hard to blossom. The novel then spans through the years and lives of its characters.
Mary Beth Keane writes with an empathy and grace that makes Ask Again, Yes a touching and emotional read. But this book is totally character-driven. The personalities are well-developed, complex, and entertaining. Regrettably, the plot is doesn’t have much direction and the pace of the book is very slow, meaning the characters had to carry the entire story. There’s very little rush or excitement, even during the book’s most dramatic moments. As a result, my interest waivered. However, I really like the characters – every single one. They’re full of texture and I love how the decades shaped them.
I really like how layered the book feels, especially with Peter and Kate at its core. Their Romeo and Juliet romance sounds simple, but mixed with imperfect family dynamics, this story is far from straightforward. Ask Again, Yes dives into mental health, forgiveness, addiction, and commitment as the characters try to navigate life with their path crumbling beneath them. The depictions of various familial relationships is deeply moving, especially in a web of toxicity and spite. It pushes the reader to ponder just how powerful love, trust, and forgiveness can be. And how they motivate us to do better.
This novel is not an easy read. Its detail requires concentration and compassion. But the fascinating characters, extensive timeline, and analysis of human behaviour saved it from my DNF pile.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Francis Gleeson and Brian Stanhope are two NYPD cops living next door to one another in Gilliam, an Upstate New York contemporary suburb. Francis' wife, Lena is lonely in her marriage, while Anne, Brian's wife, is emotionally distant and mentally low. After a calamitous confrontation, the families become distant and bitter. But Francis and Lena's daughter, Kate, and Brian and Anne's son, Peter, fall in love. And beneath the family drama, emotional turmoil, and explosive history, their love is fighting hard to blossom. The novel then spans through the years and lives of its characters.
Mary Beth Keane writes with an empathy and grace that makes Ask Again, Yes a touching and emotional read. But this book is totally character-driven. The personalities are well-developed, complex, and entertaining. Regrettably, the plot is doesn’t have much direction and the pace of the book is very slow, meaning the characters had to carry the entire story. There’s very little rush or excitement, even during the book’s most dramatic moments. As a result, my interest waivered. However, I really like the characters – every single one. They’re full of texture and I love how the decades shaped them.
I really like how layered the book feels, especially with Peter and Kate at its core. Their Romeo and Juliet romance sounds simple, but mixed with imperfect family dynamics, this story is far from straightforward. Ask Again, Yes dives into mental health, forgiveness, addiction, and commitment as the characters try to navigate life with their path crumbling beneath them. The depictions of various familial relationships is deeply moving, especially in a web of toxicity and spite. It pushes the reader to ponder just how powerful love, trust, and forgiveness can be. And how they motivate us to do better.
This novel is not an easy read. Its detail requires concentration and compassion. But the fascinating characters, extensive timeline, and analysis of human behaviour saved it from my DNF pile.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Anna K is a fun retelling with a youthful and modern twist. I have summary knowledge of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, but you don't have to be familiar with the classic to appreciate the contemporary. The setting, characters, and scandals, remind me significantly of a CW drama. And like Crazy Rich Asians and Gossip Girl, it’s certainly the kind of story that would sparkle on screen.
The titular character is a Korean-American girl who was born into privilege and seems to be enjoying life as an ‘it girl’. Her entire future is essentially mapped out for her, but a chance meeting at Grand Central pushes Anna to wonder whether or not the lifelong plan is what she wants after all.
I like the character of Anna, but I don’t love her and she definitely didn’t feel like a main character. Her personality lacked consistency, and didn’t take shape until halfway through the book. In fact, I didn’t take to any of the characters besides Dustin. Anna K has an array of personalities, but they shadowed the central love story. It all felt a little noisy as there was little distinction between the tones of voice of the teenagers, so many of them blurred into one.
I also found that the teens in this book came off as whiny and unrealistic, rather than lively and amusing. Sadly, I’m most disappointed by the romance. The connection between Anna and Vronsky didn't feel legitimate, so it was a challenge to invest in a one-dimensional relationship.
However, I really like the many narratives flowing at once. It’s not just a book about rich kids, it also provides insight into racial prejudices and micro-aggressions from the POV of Korean characters, as well as society’s view of interracial relationships. Mental health, poverty, and adultery are also themes in Anna K. And the variety of complex family dynamics adds weight to the fluffier parts of the book. It’s just a shame there was drug use on every other page, it grew tiresome and lost its shock factor pretty quickly.
Still, the modern New York City setting is the best backdrop for this kind of narrative. There’s automatically an air of unattainable luxury, and with the addition of pop culture references, Anna K reads like a creative and fashionable book.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
The titular character is a Korean-American girl who was born into privilege and seems to be enjoying life as an ‘it girl’. Her entire future is essentially mapped out for her, but a chance meeting at Grand Central pushes Anna to wonder whether or not the lifelong plan is what she wants after all.
I like the character of Anna, but I don’t love her and she definitely didn’t feel like a main character. Her personality lacked consistency, and didn’t take shape until halfway through the book. In fact, I didn’t take to any of the characters besides Dustin. Anna K has an array of personalities, but they shadowed the central love story. It all felt a little noisy as there was little distinction between the tones of voice of the teenagers, so many of them blurred into one.
I also found that the teens in this book came off as whiny and unrealistic, rather than lively and amusing. Sadly, I’m most disappointed by the romance. The connection between Anna and Vronsky didn't feel legitimate, so it was a challenge to invest in a one-dimensional relationship.
However, I really like the many narratives flowing at once. It’s not just a book about rich kids, it also provides insight into racial prejudices and micro-aggressions from the POV of Korean characters, as well as society’s view of interracial relationships. Mental health, poverty, and adultery are also themes in Anna K. And the variety of complex family dynamics adds weight to the fluffier parts of the book. It’s just a shame there was drug use on every other page, it grew tiresome and lost its shock factor pretty quickly.
Still, the modern New York City setting is the best backdrop for this kind of narrative. There’s automatically an air of unattainable luxury, and with the addition of pop culture references, Anna K reads like a creative and fashionable book.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Americanah is the definition of a must-read. Adichie’s writing is intelligent, gripping, and full of life. And the story itself is charming and witty, but grounded in profound truths.
The story follows Ifemelu and Obinze. They’re Nigerian teenagers in love, with their minds set on the American Dream. Ifemelu receives the opportunity to attend college in the US, with Obinze promising to join her. But the world has changed post 9/11, so Obinze ends up living as an undocumented immigrant in the UK. The two come from very different backgrounds, and we see how they end up on very different paths later in life.
Americanah feels like a study of human nature and the fine threads that form an individual. Adichie ingeniously captures thought and feeling through the complexities of her characters. They are interesting and well-developed, with a grainy authenticity that’s impossible to ignore. I bought into their personalities and their romance very easily. Ifemelu in particular is judicious, headstrong, and highly opinionated, but I like the flaws embedded in her personality. The way she confronts discrimination, corruption and personal choices through her blog is fiercely fascinating. But while she reaches many wins, she is also promptly made aware of her own blackness in a new territory.
I really like how the plot lingers to explore the book’s many themes. This only heightens its absorbing factor. There is a moment where Ifemelu sits to have her hair braided. I can relate, and it’s natural to let your mind wander as you sit through hours of pulling and plaiting. As she reflects, the narrative weaves seamlessly through the past and present, adding to the fullness of the story. It’s not a light and breezy novel, but the challenges and perspectives it presents are what make it so special.
Adichie's emotive but unyielding tone of voice is a joy to read, but at times it did feel 'preachy'. As well as race, identity and justice, Americanah is about hope. And these enduring themes are explored in a way that’s relevant to 21st century culture. It leaves no stone unturned and no questions left unanswered, but plenty of food for thought. A truly memorising read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
The story follows Ifemelu and Obinze. They’re Nigerian teenagers in love, with their minds set on the American Dream. Ifemelu receives the opportunity to attend college in the US, with Obinze promising to join her. But the world has changed post 9/11, so Obinze ends up living as an undocumented immigrant in the UK. The two come from very different backgrounds, and we see how they end up on very different paths later in life.
Americanah feels like a study of human nature and the fine threads that form an individual. Adichie ingeniously captures thought and feeling through the complexities of her characters. They are interesting and well-developed, with a grainy authenticity that’s impossible to ignore. I bought into their personalities and their romance very easily. Ifemelu in particular is judicious, headstrong, and highly opinionated, but I like the flaws embedded in her personality. The way she confronts discrimination, corruption and personal choices through her blog is fiercely fascinating. But while she reaches many wins, she is also promptly made aware of her own blackness in a new territory.
I really like how the plot lingers to explore the book’s many themes. This only heightens its absorbing factor. There is a moment where Ifemelu sits to have her hair braided. I can relate, and it’s natural to let your mind wander as you sit through hours of pulling and plaiting. As she reflects, the narrative weaves seamlessly through the past and present, adding to the fullness of the story. It’s not a light and breezy novel, but the challenges and perspectives it presents are what make it so special.
Adichie's emotive but unyielding tone of voice is a joy to read, but at times it did feel 'preachy'. As well as race, identity and justice, Americanah is about hope. And these enduring themes are explored in a way that’s relevant to 21st century culture. It leaves no stone unturned and no questions left unanswered, but plenty of food for thought. A truly memorising read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Take a Hint, Dani Brown is the hilariously romantic tale of Danika Brown, a PhD student, and Zafir Ansari a rugby-player-turned-security-guard. Dani is an ambitious realist, and an all-round badass. Zafir is the brooding, sensitive, hopeless romantic. A video of them quickly goes viral, and as the internet dubs them #DrRugbae, they take advantage of the publicity to help Zaf’s start-up charity.
Both the protagonists are bursting with personality in this book. Their sharp back-and-forth highlights Hibbert’s talent for playful conversation. Their dynamic was so entertaining! There’s something about insults with flirty undertones that will always be funny to me. And I found the dialogue to be one of the most captivating elements of this novel.
I also love the diversity between the Danika and Zafir. Their race, body type, and personality differ but they fit together perfectly. The secondary characters are delightful too. Dani’s sisters are amusingly quick-witted as always, while Zaf’s family are adorably charming.
Dani is a cynic when it comes to romance. Despite her fiery and blunt personality, she still comes across as very loveable human. Nevertheless, Zaf is easily my favourite character in the book (and funnily, Red was my favourite in Chloe’s book). I love that Zaf’s a romance-reading titan. All he wants is a happy ending. He also suffers from grief and anxiety, which is openly discussed throughout the book, and expertly covered. I found his way of thinking to very relatable and realistic, and his vulnerability is refreshing to read. He comes across as a big, aloof, grouch, but in reality he’s a bit of a gentle giant. His goal is to combat toxic masculinity through sports and therapy – he’s too pure!
I’ll forever be a fan of Talia Hibbert’s writing. The way she portrays thought, emotion and awareness always makes her books so compelling! It’s difficult not to become wrapped in the lives of these characters because they’re so well-layered and refined. The drama, which occurs in almost every contemporary romance, is very believable. And I think the main reason is because the nature and traits of the characters are so well-developed, there’s little for the reader to question. As I saw the events unfold I thought, “Yep, that’s exactly how Dani would react.” Components like this make even the conflict a gratifying reading experience.
In comparison to Chloe’s story, I felt this book didn’t have the same addictive flow. I struggled with the pacing in the middle, as the characters and the storyline fell into a bit of a limbo. Fortunately, Hibbert’s moving and expressive writing made up for this, and the story picks up again as it rounds to a close. Although this book didn’t beat Get a Life, Chloe Brown for me, it was still an enjoyable (and swoon-worthy) read. I can’t wait to read Eve’s book next year!
Overall, Take a Hint, Dani Brown is an awesome addition to The Brown Sisters series. If you’re a fan of the friends-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes, as well as diverse romance that sits on the steamier side, this is the book for you.
PS: Talia Hibbert included a trigger warning at the beginning of this book. Why don’t all authors do this?!
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Both the protagonists are bursting with personality in this book. Their sharp back-and-forth highlights Hibbert’s talent for playful conversation. Their dynamic was so entertaining! There’s something about insults with flirty undertones that will always be funny to me. And I found the dialogue to be one of the most captivating elements of this novel.
I also love the diversity between the Danika and Zafir. Their race, body type, and personality differ but they fit together perfectly. The secondary characters are delightful too. Dani’s sisters are amusingly quick-witted as always, while Zaf’s family are adorably charming.
Dani is a cynic when it comes to romance. Despite her fiery and blunt personality, she still comes across as very loveable human. Nevertheless, Zaf is easily my favourite character in the book (and funnily, Red was my favourite in Chloe’s book). I love that Zaf’s a romance-reading titan. All he wants is a happy ending. He also suffers from grief and anxiety, which is openly discussed throughout the book, and expertly covered. I found his way of thinking to very relatable and realistic, and his vulnerability is refreshing to read. He comes across as a big, aloof, grouch, but in reality he’s a bit of a gentle giant. His goal is to combat toxic masculinity through sports and therapy – he’s too pure!
I’ll forever be a fan of Talia Hibbert’s writing. The way she portrays thought, emotion and awareness always makes her books so compelling! It’s difficult not to become wrapped in the lives of these characters because they’re so well-layered and refined. The drama, which occurs in almost every contemporary romance, is very believable. And I think the main reason is because the nature and traits of the characters are so well-developed, there’s little for the reader to question. As I saw the events unfold I thought, “Yep, that’s exactly how Dani would react.” Components like this make even the conflict a gratifying reading experience.
In comparison to Chloe’s story, I felt this book didn’t have the same addictive flow. I struggled with the pacing in the middle, as the characters and the storyline fell into a bit of a limbo. Fortunately, Hibbert’s moving and expressive writing made up for this, and the story picks up again as it rounds to a close. Although this book didn’t beat Get a Life, Chloe Brown for me, it was still an enjoyable (and swoon-worthy) read. I can’t wait to read Eve’s book next year!
Overall, Take a Hint, Dani Brown is an awesome addition to The Brown Sisters series. If you’re a fan of the friends-to-lovers and fake relationship tropes, as well as diverse romance that sits on the steamier side, this is the book for you.
PS: Talia Hibbert included a trigger warning at the beginning of this book. Why don’t all authors do this?!
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
As a fan of Celeste Ng, Gillian Flynn, and Liane Moriarty, I was looking forward to exploring a complicated web of suburban mystery. And while Good Neighbors has its scathing secrets and dark twists, the apocalyptic tone and unexpected ending didn’t land as hard as I had hoped.
I enjoyed the darkness this book had, especially as it’s been a while since I enjoyed a mystery or thriller. The book’s narrative is combined with news articles, retrospective interviews from the future, and plenty of twists surrounding the Maple Street Murders. This is the book’s most compelling factor, and it has unpredictable moments which continue to be manipulated and piloted by neighbourhood gossip.
Through the chapters, we learn more about each character, their past and present. The main conflict surrounds Rhea, self-appointed queen bee, and the The Wilde family. My hopes were high for a little middle-class drama and suburban rule-breaking. But in complete honesty, there were times I was bewildered by their behaviours and personalities. Some of their acts are truly detestable. And the story becomes more disturbing as more secrets, lies, and a massive sinkhole is revealed. It also reads like a cautionary tale, exposing the very worst of gossip, prejudice, social standings in humanity.
Good Neighbors leaves you with a lot to ponder. It may not be a favourite, but has plenty of surreal turns to maintain interest. The book is dark and peculiar, but the breakdown of a cookie cutter neighbourhood and use of absorbing articles clippings made it a worthwhile read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
I enjoyed the darkness this book had, especially as it’s been a while since I enjoyed a mystery or thriller. The book’s narrative is combined with news articles, retrospective interviews from the future, and plenty of twists surrounding the Maple Street Murders. This is the book’s most compelling factor, and it has unpredictable moments which continue to be manipulated and piloted by neighbourhood gossip.
Through the chapters, we learn more about each character, their past and present. The main conflict surrounds Rhea, self-appointed queen bee, and the The Wilde family. My hopes were high for a little middle-class drama and suburban rule-breaking. But in complete honesty, there were times I was bewildered by their behaviours and personalities. Some of their acts are truly detestable. And the story becomes more disturbing as more secrets, lies, and a massive sinkhole is revealed. It also reads like a cautionary tale, exposing the very worst of gossip, prejudice, social standings in humanity.
Good Neighbors leaves you with a lot to ponder. It may not be a favourite, but has plenty of surreal turns to maintain interest. The book is dark and peculiar, but the breakdown of a cookie cutter neighbourhood and use of absorbing articles clippings made it a worthwhile read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
The Spanish Love Deception is a deliciously playful and passionate romantic-comedy, perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and enticing slow-burners.
Catalina “Lina” Martín and Aaron Blackford are office adversaries. They can barely be in the same room together. But with her sister’s wedding getting closer, and no one to claim as a date, Lina has no choice but to let her aggravating colleague play her doting boyfriend for the sake of saving face. Not only do they have to pretend to be in love, they have to do so in front of Lina’s ex-boyfriend and her extended family, in a grand deception under the Spanish sun.
I’m a huge enemies-to-lovers fan, it’s my favourite trope, so to see it play out in The Spanish Love Deception was a delight. The back and forth between Lina and Aaron has the perfect balance of humour and playfulness. Although the romance is waaaay steamier than I'm used to or could have anticipated, there are some sweeter, more heartfelt moments between the couple that I appreciated.
Armas’ easy and witty writing makes the love story gratifying. I adored the frequent use of Spanish too. For me, it’s essential that the narrator of the story has a likeable voice, the author did a great job at creating a charismatic and relatable narrator in Lina. The book relies on quick-witted dialogue and the engaging thoughts of the character, which gives it a personal feel. As the story is told entirely from Lina's point of view, there isn't a deep dive into Aaron's mind, but his actions, expressions, and blue eyes speak for him.
I really like that there were a few events within the plot that I didn't see coming. They not only helped to establish the dynamic between Lina and Aaron and give the slow burning narrative a few more layers. I don't have the best patience for slower love stories, but enjoyed the banter between Aaron and Lina, and the unfolding of smaller events in the book's milder moments. However, the most gripping part of this slow burn is the ever-building tension. It gets heavier and thicker with each chapter, and in some moments I was holding my breath as I read.
Overall, The Spanish Love Deception is a wonderful debut. It’s very clear the author is a romance reader and fanatic, and this shines in her writing. The story builds butterfly-like anticipation from the beginning, with the romantic payoff feeling worth the read. The enemies-to-lovers trope harmonises with the fake dating façade to create a gratifying romantic comedy.
I can’t wait to see what Elena does next!
Catalina “Lina” Martín and Aaron Blackford are office adversaries. They can barely be in the same room together. But with her sister’s wedding getting closer, and no one to claim as a date, Lina has no choice but to let her aggravating colleague play her doting boyfriend for the sake of saving face. Not only do they have to pretend to be in love, they have to do so in front of Lina’s ex-boyfriend and her extended family, in a grand deception under the Spanish sun.
I’m a huge enemies-to-lovers fan, it’s my favourite trope, so to see it play out in The Spanish Love Deception was a delight. The back and forth between Lina and Aaron has the perfect balance of humour and playfulness. Although the romance is waaaay steamier than I'm used to or could have anticipated, there are some sweeter, more heartfelt moments between the couple that I appreciated.
Armas’ easy and witty writing makes the love story gratifying. I adored the frequent use of Spanish too. For me, it’s essential that the narrator of the story has a likeable voice, the author did a great job at creating a charismatic and relatable narrator in Lina. The book relies on quick-witted dialogue and the engaging thoughts of the character, which gives it a personal feel. As the story is told entirely from Lina's point of view, there isn't a deep dive into Aaron's mind, but his actions, expressions, and blue eyes speak for him.
I really like that there were a few events within the plot that I didn't see coming. They not only helped to establish the dynamic between Lina and Aaron and give the slow burning narrative a few more layers. I don't have the best patience for slower love stories, but enjoyed the banter between Aaron and Lina, and the unfolding of smaller events in the book's milder moments. However, the most gripping part of this slow burn is the ever-building tension. It gets heavier and thicker with each chapter, and in some moments I was holding my breath as I read.
Overall, The Spanish Love Deception is a wonderful debut. It’s very clear the author is a romance reader and fanatic, and this shines in her writing. The story builds butterfly-like anticipation from the beginning, with the romantic payoff feeling worth the read. The enemies-to-lovers trope harmonises with the fake dating façade to create a gratifying romantic comedy.
I can’t wait to see what Elena does next!
Transcendent Kingdom is a beautiful and extraordinarily moving novel that explores belief and science in the face of familial loss and addiction.
The story follows Gifty, the daughter in a family of Ghanaian immigrants in Alabama. Although now studying at Stanford University, Gifty did not have the easiest childhood. Her father abandoned her, her talented athletic brother died of an overdose, and her mother is slowly fading with depression. Gifty turns to science for answers and truth, seeking to understand her loss, struggling to hold on to her faith, and processing the grief in her family.
Yaa Gyasi’s versatile writing is so powerfully gripping, I would have loved this book regardless of its narrative. She is a master of breaking down deeper themes with ease, and lacing heavier subjects together without dragging the book’s pace. Transcendent Kingdom dives into race, science, mental health and religion, but it never feels overcrowded. I particularly like how Gyasi represents trust in science, it’s hard to believe she isn't a scientist herself. It’s a refreshing take as the author acknowledges the limitations of even the most complex beliefs, and it sustained my interest from start to finish.
I adore Gifty. Her ability to turn trial into desire to understand is a driving force in Transcendent Kingdom. She carries an enormous weight, and as the reader, you can’t help but feel the mass of every emotional burden. The plot jumps between three different significant periods in Gifty’s life, making the characters feel relatable and multidimensional.
A huge highlight in Transcendent Kingdom is the continuous references to Ghanaian culture. The displacement within the family as they immigrate becomes even more obvious in the contrasts in their surroundings. The slow awakenings and realizations that unravel with each chapter underscore the hope and heartbreak of this incredible journey.
Transcendent Kingdom is a truly fascinating work of fiction. Its depth and tragedy isn’t watered down, but presented in a stirringly honest voice that hits close to home. Systemic racism, reliance on faith, the importance of science, and the impact of addiction are all skilfully studied with a self-awareness that makes this book and unforgettable read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
The story follows Gifty, the daughter in a family of Ghanaian immigrants in Alabama. Although now studying at Stanford University, Gifty did not have the easiest childhood. Her father abandoned her, her talented athletic brother died of an overdose, and her mother is slowly fading with depression. Gifty turns to science for answers and truth, seeking to understand her loss, struggling to hold on to her faith, and processing the grief in her family.
Yaa Gyasi’s versatile writing is so powerfully gripping, I would have loved this book regardless of its narrative. She is a master of breaking down deeper themes with ease, and lacing heavier subjects together without dragging the book’s pace. Transcendent Kingdom dives into race, science, mental health and religion, but it never feels overcrowded. I particularly like how Gyasi represents trust in science, it’s hard to believe she isn't a scientist herself. It’s a refreshing take as the author acknowledges the limitations of even the most complex beliefs, and it sustained my interest from start to finish.
I adore Gifty. Her ability to turn trial into desire to understand is a driving force in Transcendent Kingdom. She carries an enormous weight, and as the reader, you can’t help but feel the mass of every emotional burden. The plot jumps between three different significant periods in Gifty’s life, making the characters feel relatable and multidimensional.
A huge highlight in Transcendent Kingdom is the continuous references to Ghanaian culture. The displacement within the family as they immigrate becomes even more obvious in the contrasts in their surroundings. The slow awakenings and realizations that unravel with each chapter underscore the hope and heartbreak of this incredible journey.
Transcendent Kingdom is a truly fascinating work of fiction. Its depth and tragedy isn’t watered down, but presented in a stirringly honest voice that hits close to home. Systemic racism, reliance on faith, the importance of science, and the impact of addiction are all skilfully studied with a self-awareness that makes this book and unforgettable read.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Eve Brown is walking chaos. There's no other way to describe her. But she’s determined to grow up and prove herself. She’s determined to feel like she’s good at something. And she’s determined to get a job at a small B&B in the Lake District. With bright purple braids and an air of anarchy, Eve sets out on a voyage of growth and self-discovery, even if it means working for the very frosty Jacob Wayne.
Talia Hibbert’s writing is truly a source of joy. And her comedic timing shines in Act Your Age, Eve Brown. While I found Chloe’s story to be the most moving, Dani’s to have the most personality, Eve’s story has the most hilarity. Through this trilogy, Hibbert had given the third Brown sister her own voice of independence and poise, even if she is literally a tornado of a woman.
The dynamic between Eve and Jacob is brilliantly playful from the beginning. However, I went into this book thinking it would have some real enemies-to-lovers magic, but that element was lacking for me. Eve and Jacob didn’t hate each other enough to be nemeses as the premise suggests, they just have different personalities. Still, as they have opposing dispositions, there’s lots of room for humour and entertainment in their mishaps and conversations. The back-and-forth between the two is full of wit and dry comedy which adds to the slow-burning tension building through each chapter.
I love the plus size representation through Eve. And there is autism representation through the character of Jacob, although I can’t personally speak on how accurate it is. Still, he’s never portrayed as a caricature or tool for amusement, which I really like. His personality also compliments Eve’s very well, showing that opposites can attract, match, and bloom. ASD in both men and women, as well as mental health, abandonment and identity are all explored in a way that is both moving and comprehensible.
The Lakes was the perfect backdrop to this book. It wonderfully contrasts with Eve and her bright purple braids, and it also gives the story a small town feel. The romance was on occasion too steamy for me, but that didn’t stop the read being a dreamy escape. I also love the book’s focus on self-confidence and perfection. Eve is constantly learning to turn in herself and her talents, and her development alongside Jacob makes for an inspiring and refreshing journey.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown may still be my favourite of the three, but The Brown Sisters series on the whole is superbly charming. Hibbert knows how to craft modern love stories with interesting and diverse characters, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram
Talia Hibbert’s writing is truly a source of joy. And her comedic timing shines in Act Your Age, Eve Brown. While I found Chloe’s story to be the most moving, Dani’s to have the most personality, Eve’s story has the most hilarity. Through this trilogy, Hibbert had given the third Brown sister her own voice of independence and poise, even if she is literally a tornado of a woman.
The dynamic between Eve and Jacob is brilliantly playful from the beginning. However, I went into this book thinking it would have some real enemies-to-lovers magic, but that element was lacking for me. Eve and Jacob didn’t hate each other enough to be nemeses as the premise suggests, they just have different personalities. Still, as they have opposing dispositions, there’s lots of room for humour and entertainment in their mishaps and conversations. The back-and-forth between the two is full of wit and dry comedy which adds to the slow-burning tension building through each chapter.
I love the plus size representation through Eve. And there is autism representation through the character of Jacob, although I can’t personally speak on how accurate it is. Still, he’s never portrayed as a caricature or tool for amusement, which I really like. His personality also compliments Eve’s very well, showing that opposites can attract, match, and bloom. ASD in both men and women, as well as mental health, abandonment and identity are all explored in a way that is both moving and comprehensible.
The Lakes was the perfect backdrop to this book. It wonderfully contrasts with Eve and her bright purple braids, and it also gives the story a small town feel. The romance was on occasion too steamy for me, but that didn’t stop the read being a dreamy escape. I also love the book’s focus on self-confidence and perfection. Eve is constantly learning to turn in herself and her talents, and her development alongside Jacob makes for an inspiring and refreshing journey.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown may still be my favourite of the three, but The Brown Sisters series on the whole is superbly charming. Hibbert knows how to craft modern love stories with interesting and diverse characters, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram