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elithebookish's Reviews (477)
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“What if I’m too much for you?”
“What if you’re perfect for me?”
I've been eagerly anticipating Emma's story since I first met her character, and she does not disappoint! Emma is relatable, sweet, kind and confident, and she's not slow with her comebacks to other people remarks haha. As this story was fairly easy to guess, she quickly bonds with Preston's family as his 'fake but undeniably perfect match' girlfriend, adventures happen, sort of heartbreak happen but at the end of the day, it will be HEA :) There are many good qualities to Em, so no wonder Preston falls for her hard. They both are good looking people, so sparks are flying and chemistry is there in aces! And Preston - he looks like he's hard to approach and is hard to crack, but he's mushy mushy inside lol. Also kind, cool and thoughtful dude. Plus, when time comes - he's a talker *wink wink
If you want summer setting with adorable, funny, sometimes cringy and romantic moments - this is for you! And yes yes, it is spicy! 😌
What to expect in BL&SN:
- fake dating
- sports
- age gap
- billionaire
- grumpy/sunshine
- forced proximity
- 5+? straight chapters of spice
- playful banter
- 'let's check how strong the table is'
- JERRY!
- noisy and funny grandma
Thank you Kat Singleton and Valentine PR, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
“What if you’re perfect for me?”
I've been eagerly anticipating Emma's story since I first met her character, and she does not disappoint! Emma is relatable, sweet, kind and confident, and she's not slow with her comebacks to other people remarks haha. As this story was fairly easy to guess, she quickly bonds with Preston's family as his 'fake but undeniably perfect match' girlfriend, adventures happen, sort of heartbreak happen but at the end of the day, it will be HEA :) There are many good qualities to Em, so no wonder Preston falls for her hard. They both are good looking people, so sparks are flying and chemistry is there in aces! And Preston - he looks like he's hard to approach and is hard to crack, but he's mushy mushy inside lol. Also kind, cool and thoughtful dude. Plus, when time comes - he's a talker *wink wink
If you want summer setting with adorable, funny, sometimes cringy and romantic moments - this is for you! And yes yes, it is spicy! 😌
What to expect in BL&SN:
- fake dating
- sports
- age gap
- billionaire
- grumpy/sunshine
- forced proximity
- 5+? straight chapters of spice
- playful banter
- 'let's check how strong the table is'
- JERRY!
- noisy and funny grandma
Thank you Kat Singleton and Valentine PR, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Well.. I did like it but this had so much potential wasted I wanted to cry :/
Some things that I liked - deadly game setting, lore, 'opposite twins' vibe and I'm sucker for characters who are starved for affection and touch.
Now, I know you babes want to know about spice - to be honest, I was disappointed by it. The first scene that they had - it felt like author 'just because it's needed' wrote it. For me it felt awkward somehow and I had no better reactions that 'huh..?' And I would not say it's enemies to lovers because it felt very insta-love. The writing - if I need to describe it, it would be 'tell not show'. I hope story will be checked again because it needs another round of edit. Also, it felt very, very repetitive and often I got annoyed. If everything would be shortened and some character 'inner thoughts' would be taken out, I would probably rate it higher and the feeling of dragging would not be here.
I am curious to see how this will continue, so I will be picking up next book I think.
Actual rating 2.75 ?
Thank you to Rebecca L. Garcia, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Some things that I liked - deadly game setting, lore, 'opposite twins' vibe and I'm sucker for characters who are starved for affection and touch.
Now, I know you babes want to know about spice - to be honest, I was disappointed by it. The first scene that they had - it felt like author 'just because it's needed' wrote it. For me it felt awkward somehow and I had no better reactions that 'huh..?' And I would not say it's enemies to lovers because it felt very insta-love. The writing - if I need to describe it, it would be 'tell not show'. I hope story will be checked again because it needs another round of edit. Also, it felt very, very repetitive and often I got annoyed. If everything would be shortened and some character 'inner thoughts' would be taken out, I would probably rate it higher and the feeling of dragging would not be here.
I am curious to see how this will continue, so I will be picking up next book I think.
Actual rating 2.75 ?
Thank you to Rebecca L. Garcia, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
What to expect:
* Ex Boyfriend’s Dad
* Gruff Cowboy
* Snowed in together
* So much “We Shouldn’t”
* Mountain ranch setting
* Age-gap (she’s 25 + he’s 42)
* Br-eding k!nk (w/o pregnancy)
* He gives her a job… and his Hat
* Interconnected-Standalone
I don't know in what sort of funk I was, but I had such a hard time reading this. I was skipping and rolling my eyes often, and that's a damn shame because I know I would have liked it better if my 'whatever the eff is wrong with me' vibe was not present. Aside for above troupes, this story had insta horny-ness, 'oh damn, we should not be doing this, Daddy' vibes .. too much of manhandling (for me, shocker.. I know), somehow predictable ending (or not ending, but x character reaction and 'situation reveal') and other things that I don't care to mention anymore. I didn't click with fmc nor mmc, so yeah 😶🌫️
I know this story WILL find it's home with the right readers, so I think a lot of people will truly enjoy this. Happy reading, folks!
Actual rating: 2.5 (I don't want to really bomb rating, so I'll give 3)
Thank you to Elliott Rose, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
* Ex Boyfriend’s Dad
* Gruff Cowboy
* Snowed in together
* So much “We Shouldn’t”
* Mountain ranch setting
* Age-gap (she’s 25 + he’s 42)
* Br-eding k!nk (w/o pregnancy)
* He gives her a job… and his Hat
* Interconnected-Standalone
I don't know in what sort of funk I was, but I had such a hard time reading this. I was skipping and rolling my eyes often, and that's a damn shame because I know I would have liked it better if my 'whatever the eff is wrong with me' vibe was not present. Aside for above troupes, this story had insta horny-ness, 'oh damn, we should not be doing this, Daddy' vibes .. too much of manhandling (for me, shocker.. I know), somehow predictable ending (or not ending, but x character reaction and 'situation reveal') and other things that I don't care to mention anymore. I didn't click with fmc nor mmc, so yeah 😶🌫️
I know this story WILL find it's home with the right readers, so I think a lot of people will truly enjoy this. Happy reading, folks!
Actual rating: 2.5 (I don't want to really bomb rating, so I'll give 3)
Thank you to Elliott Rose, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙚*𝙩𝙝. 𝙄𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣.
Dark Poetic Depravity. That's what Cardinal House is.
In short - Wolf is shot by his brother and ends up in the hospital, where he meets Luna - a nurse who works night shifts in the trauma department. As Wolf begins to recover, he starts developing feelings for her (quite quick, I may add, but somehow it feels very organic). However, Luna has a tormented past and lives with her abusive uncle. Determined to protect her, Wolf vows to do whatever it takes to ensure Luna's safety and happiness..
K.L. Taylor-Lane did a fantastic job conveying the characters' emotions, making me feel everything they experienced. It was a memorable and so messed up read, and I can't wait to read the rest of the stories of the Blackwell brothers 😌
FYI - this book is not for everyone, so I really advise checking out the CW/TW before reading it.
What you can expect:
🐇 Amnesia
🐇 Hurt/Comfort
🐇 He Falls First
🐇 Nurse/Patient
🐇 Broody/Sunshine
🐇 Graveyard
🐇 Criminal Organisation
🐇 Emotional Scars
🐇 Dark Pasts & trauma galore
🐇 Protective MMC
🐇 'Touch her & get offed'
🐇 Obsessed MMC
4.5 stars
Thank you K.L. Taylor-Lane for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Dark Poetic Depravity. That's what Cardinal House is.
In short - Wolf is shot by his brother and ends up in the hospital, where he meets Luna - a nurse who works night shifts in the trauma department. As Wolf begins to recover, he starts developing feelings for her (quite quick, I may add, but somehow it feels very organic). However, Luna has a tormented past and lives with her abusive uncle. Determined to protect her, Wolf vows to do whatever it takes to ensure Luna's safety and happiness..
K.L. Taylor-Lane did a fantastic job conveying the characters' emotions, making me feel everything they experienced. It was a memorable and so messed up read, and I can't wait to read the rest of the stories of the Blackwell brothers 😌
FYI - this book is not for everyone, so I really advise checking out the CW/TW before reading it.
What you can expect:
🐇 Amnesia
🐇 Hurt/Comfort
🐇 He Falls First
🐇 Nurse/Patient
🐇 Broody/Sunshine
🐇 Graveyard
🐇 Criminal Organisation
🐇 Emotional Scars
🐇 Dark Pasts & trauma galore
🐇 Protective MMC
🐇 'Touch her & get offed'
🐇 Obsessed MMC
4.5 stars
Thank you K.L. Taylor-Lane for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Your name is a poison on my tongue. It sticks to the roof of my mouth and swells my throat. You’re a disease, Kelly. Every time I see you, I want to crawl out of my own skin. You absolutely wreck my nerves and my sanity. To put myself anywhere near you feels like I’m cutting my own wrists.”
I'm writing this review while listening to the official CHAOS playlist + sipping white wine and damn.. I already miss Young Decay gang and their loved ones.
CHAOS is an adult, rockstar dark romance with:
☠️ Fake Dating
☠️ Black Cat/Golden retriever vibes
☠️ Hate to Love
☠️ She’s the plus size, grumpy actress/model with dark secrets
☠️ He’s the extroverted, crop-top-wearing, bi, tattooed lead singer of a metalcore band
☠️ Rage s💥x
☠️ He falls head-over-fucking-heels first
☠️ Neurodivergent rep (auDHD & ADHD)
☠️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
☠️ Please check TW's!!! (once updated, they will be shown here)
Please read MADNESS before this, so you get ALL THE FEELS!!
I will be honest - I didn't like Wren for fair bit of the book, but ofc she wormed herself beneath my skin closer to the end (as did Reed under hers). Overall - I absolutely loved Reed. I already liked him in MADNESS (same with Bon and Zeb - who will get their own books YAY)! And Wren is many things, but not broken. That girl is badass bitch and actually sweet, when she lets herself be free.
I can't express how happy I felt reading CHAOS (and MADNESS too), because music is such a big part of me (also my emo lizard brain was extra happy). I basically grew up/lived at music school. I sang solo, in choir and played piano + folk instrument that no one knows the name (nor how it looks) 😂. It's called kokle (plucked string instrument) if you google it lol. I take my imaginary hat off for Jack, because she created strong feelings for me when I read how Reed viewed his life as a musician. What he thinks of his fans, his journey and their future in this industry. I felt like I was part of their cult and was in every of their gigs. Man - I wish YD were real 🥲
In conclusion- if you enjoy music scene, mystery with danger, wonderful and enigmatic characters, great chemistry between main (and side) characters, spicy and *for some - unusual smut scenes - this is for you! Take a ride with them - you will not be sorry!!
“Break beautiful,” I whisper. “ Don’t be afraid of me. I’ll pick up all your pieces.”
“Music has been my grounding force. It has been my higher power. It carried me through moments I didn’t think I’d recover from.”
“I think my madness has found a home in yours.”
MADNESS review :)
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Both photos from Pinterest
Thank you Jack Whitney and Wicked Reads for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
I'm writing this review while listening to the official CHAOS playlist + sipping white wine and damn.. I already miss Young Decay gang and their loved ones.
CHAOS is an adult, rockstar dark romance with:
☠️ Fake Dating
☠️ Black Cat/Golden retriever vibes
☠️ Hate to Love
☠️ She’s the plus size, grumpy actress/model with dark secrets
☠️ He’s the extroverted, crop-top-wearing, bi, tattooed lead singer of a metalcore band
☠️ Rage s💥x
☠️ He falls head-over-fucking-heels first
☠️ Neurodivergent rep (auDHD & ADHD)
☠️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
☠️ Please check TW's!!! (once updated, they will be shown here)
Please read MADNESS before this, so you get ALL THE FEELS!!
I will be honest - I didn't like Wren for fair bit of the book, but ofc she wormed herself beneath my skin closer to the end (as did Reed under hers). Overall - I absolutely loved Reed. I already liked him in MADNESS (same with Bon and Zeb - who will get their own books YAY)! And Wren is many things, but not broken. That girl is badass bitch and actually sweet, when she lets herself be free.
I can't express how happy I felt reading CHAOS (and MADNESS too), because music is such a big part of me (also my emo lizard brain was extra happy). I basically grew up/lived at music school. I sang solo, in choir and played piano + folk instrument that no one knows the name (nor how it looks) 😂. It's called kokle (plucked string instrument) if you google it lol. I take my imaginary hat off for Jack, because she created strong feelings for me when I read how Reed viewed his life as a musician. What he thinks of his fans, his journey and their future in this industry. I felt like I was part of their cult and was in every of their gigs. Man - I wish YD were real 🥲
In conclusion- if you enjoy music scene, mystery with danger, wonderful and enigmatic characters, great chemistry between main (and side) characters, spicy and *for some - unusual smut scenes - this is for you! Take a ride with them - you will not be sorry!!
“Break beautiful,” I whisper. “ Don’t be afraid of me. I’ll pick up all your pieces.”
“Music has been my grounding force. It has been my higher power. It carried me through moments I didn’t think I’d recover from.”
“I think my madness has found a home in yours.”
MADNESS review :)
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Both photos from Pinterest
Thank you Jack Whitney and Wicked Reads for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
''Where is your sense of wonder? Sometimes I think you would sooner let a cyanometer tell you what color the sky is, rather than simply looking up.''
I realize I'm in the minority here, as many readers have loved this book, but it just didn't resonate with me as much as I hoped it would. In theory, “A Dark and Drowning Tide” by the blurb alone is my gem but the more I read this story the more I wanted to scream. However, what perplexed me is that I finished the entire book despite not liking a single character. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them. In fact, I should gift Lorelei an extra signet ring as a congratulations, because she is the first main character I've disliked after just a few sentences.
Some minuses first so I can finish with something positive afterwards. The slow-burn romance gave me no emotions. Characters were either dull or irritating. What is even communication? We don't know her. On the positive side, I appreciated the themes of academic rivalry, the murder-mystery aspect, and the intriguing lore surrounding myths, creatures, and legends. But, alas, when everything was put together—plot and characters—it just didn't work for me. I know this story will find it's target audience, but again, I'm sadly not one of them.
Thank you NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing for providing me with an ARC of this book!
p.s. This cover should be framed 🖤
I realize I'm in the minority here, as many readers have loved this book, but it just didn't resonate with me as much as I hoped it would. In theory, “A Dark and Drowning Tide” by the blurb alone is my gem but the more I read this story the more I wanted to scream. However, what perplexed me is that I finished the entire book despite not liking a single character. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of them. In fact, I should gift Lorelei an extra signet ring as a congratulations, because she is the first main character I've disliked after just a few sentences.
Some minuses first so I can finish with something positive afterwards. The slow-burn romance gave me no emotions. Characters were either dull or irritating. What is even communication? We don't know her. On the positive side, I appreciated the themes of academic rivalry, the murder-mystery aspect, and the intriguing lore surrounding myths, creatures, and legends. But, alas, when everything was put together—plot and characters—it just didn't work for me. I know this story will find it's target audience, but again, I'm sadly not one of them.
Thank you NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing for providing me with an ARC of this book!
p.s. This cover should be framed 🖤
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
One might call Hikari extraordinarily ordinary. One day, she takes up a new hobby--imagining what a romance would be like between her pretty friend Mari and the cute guy in their class, Ohtani. It's all in harmless fun, until the roles start to get tangled in Hikari's mind. Does she really have to be just the best friend in this love story? And just who is on Ohtani's mind when his eyes drift away...?
Now, blurb sounded interesting enough and I saw couple reviews that gave me an idea that I would probably enjoy it. But, alas, I was not one of those readers. For the life of me, I could not be interested in this story. Aside from the cute art and switching pov, this manga felt bit all over the place. Jokes didn't land with me, some scenes were unnecessary and some text was repeated? Either misprint or I really just didn't get the idea behind it. Vibe was there, potential was there but well.. I guess this was not for me.
If you like short story about seemingly ordinary life around high schoolers - this is for you!
One might call Hikari extraordinarily ordinary. One day, she takes up a new hobby--imagining what a romance would be like between her pretty friend Mari and the cute guy in their class, Ohtani. It's all in harmless fun, until the roles start to get tangled in Hikari's mind. Does she really have to be just the best friend in this love story? And just who is on Ohtani's mind when his eyes drift away...?
Now, blurb sounded interesting enough and I saw couple reviews that gave me an idea that I would probably enjoy it. But, alas, I was not one of those readers. For the life of me, I could not be interested in this story. Aside from the cute art and switching pov, this manga felt bit all over the place. Jokes didn't land with me, some scenes were unnecessary and some text was repeated? Either misprint or I really just didn't get the idea behind it. Vibe was there, potential was there but well.. I guess this was not for me.
If you like short story about seemingly ordinary life around high schoolers - this is for you!
Short, lovely and beautiful manga!
It could be a standalone but by the looks of it, it will have more volumes (or at least 1?). Was not sure about it. Either way, if there will be another volum I will pick it up.
This story of Kyo and Ozaki is more of a feeling as it does not focus on plot. Art is absolutely wonderful and I'm very glad to see Taisho - era here.
The pacing and chemistry could be better though. If truly this is the first volume, then I guess it will be better later but if not - it's not satisfactory somehow. This story is overall nice - nothing crazy or complicated. I wish I was more enourmed by their relationship but I am not. Either way - if you want a quick and cute read, this is it!
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
It could be a standalone but by the looks of it, it will have more volumes (or at least 1?). Was not sure about it. Either way, if there will be another volum I will pick it up.
This story of Kyo and Ozaki is more of a feeling as it does not focus on plot. Art is absolutely wonderful and I'm very glad to see Taisho - era here.
The pacing and chemistry could be better though. If truly this is the first volume, then I guess it will be better later but if not - it's not satisfactory somehow. This story is overall nice - nothing crazy or complicated. I wish I was more enourmed by their relationship but I am not. Either way - if you want a quick and cute read, this is it!
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Even though I have seen all available Blue Lock episodes on Crunchyroll - I also wanted to start manga at some point. In my opinion, Blue Lock is somewhat psychological sports story, where instead of strengthening overall teamwork, the main focus is on individual character development. Be selfish, be hungry! This manga serves as a great introduction for those unfamiliar with Japanese manga or the sport it portrays, as author explains the concept in a straightforward manner, ensuring readers don’t feel overwhelmed or confused. Some cringy dialogues aside, even if you are not a hardcore sports fan - I think everyone will enjoy this quite unrealistic but eye catching manga series. Also, Isagi is so relatable in regards of overthinking and semi-spacing out haha
Even though I have seen all available Blue Lock episodes on Crunchyroll - I also wanted to start manga at some point. In my opinion, Blue Lock is somewhat psychological sports story, where instead of strengthening overall teamwork, the main focus is on individual character development. Be selfish, be hungry! This manga serves as a great introduction for those unfamiliar with Japanese manga or the sport it portrays, as author explains the concept in a straightforward manner, ensuring readers don’t feel overwhelmed or confused. Some cringy dialogues aside, even if you are not a hardcore sports fan - I think everyone will enjoy this quite unrealistic but eye catching manga series. Also, Isagi is so relatable in regards of overthinking and semi-spacing out haha