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gretchenplz's Reviews (542)
I've been trying to figure out how to review this book.
It is a story of great human suffering, but also great human triumph and love. I think my feelings are complicated because I'm not sure how I feel about the established narrative that "love conquers all," even genocide. Knowing this is based on a true story softens my opinion greatly, I will admit.
I think this glosses over a lot of the suffering and pain that came from the Holocaust in a way that is perhaps unfair but, at the same time, highlights some interesting pain points that aren't typically discussed, like doing what you have to do to survive, even if that means tattooing your own people or participating unwillingly in sexual acts. It's complicated, and you do what you have to, and you find comfort where you can.
I found the writing very good (and the narration of the audio book was spectacular).
It is a story of great human suffering, but also great human triumph and love. I think my feelings are complicated because I'm not sure how I feel about the established narrative that "love conquers all," even genocide. Knowing this is based on a true story softens my opinion greatly, I will admit.
I think this glosses over a lot of the suffering and pain that came from the Holocaust in a way that is perhaps unfair but, at the same time, highlights some interesting pain points that aren't typically discussed, like doing what you have to do to survive, even if that means tattooing your own people or participating unwillingly in sexual acts. It's complicated, and you do what you have to, and you find comfort where you can.
I found the writing very good (and the narration of the audio book was spectacular).
Turns out I have never had a unique experience.
Got a little long and rambly around 70% and had a few too many Taylor Swift lyric quotes (even for me).
Got a little long and rambly around 70% and had a few too many Taylor Swift lyric quotes (even for me).
This book was so close to a three-star.
I was going to give this three stars until the absolutely bizarre miscommunication. I had literally been thinking just a chapter before "ok, cool, are we finally going to get a couple that doesn't miscommunicate in the final 25%?!" Then we get a just totally random and unnecessary extra storyline that makes no sense.
Stella is by far my favorite of the FMCs, but there is just too much going on here.
The stalker stuff was ok because it was an inciting incident, but the corporate espionage and art heist stuff were just too much. The books did not need to all link up.
I've said this throughout the entire series, but it just really needs a good, critical edit. The books are so long and the stories are often so convoluted that it's annoying.
And all the guys f*ck the same, so even that stops being fun after a while.
Also, if I had to hear Christian described as "dangerous" one more time...
There were also a lot of unknowns left at the end. What favor will Jules owe Christian? I was sure he'd call it in when the miscommunication happened to try to get Stella back. What are the ~rumors~ surrounding Christian that the father mentioned multiple times?
I wish that the author had just written a mafia romance series, like they clearly wanted to, instead of this college student/post-grad/sketchy billionaires series.
I will, however, take more of the Valhalla Club, thooooo.
ETA: I just remembered that they don’t have sex until 60% and it is not a good enough slow burn for that ok BYE
I was going to give this three stars until the absolutely bizarre miscommunication. I had literally been thinking just a chapter before "ok, cool, are we finally going to get a couple that doesn't miscommunicate in the final 25%?!" Then we get a just totally random and unnecessary extra storyline that makes no sense.
Stella is by far my favorite of the FMCs, but there is just too much going on here.
The stalker stuff was ok because it was an inciting incident, but the corporate espionage and art heist stuff were just too much. The books did not need to all link up.
I've said this throughout the entire series, but it just really needs a good, critical edit. The books are so long and the stories are often so convoluted that it's annoying.
And all the guys f*ck the same, so even that stops being fun after a while.
Also, if I had to hear Christian described as "dangerous" one more time...
There were also a lot of unknowns left at the end. What favor will Jules owe Christian? I was sure he'd call it in when the miscommunication happened to try to get Stella back. What are the ~rumors~ surrounding Christian that the father mentioned multiple times?
I wish that the author had just written a mafia romance series, like they clearly wanted to, instead of this college student/post-grad/sketchy billionaires series.
I will, however, take more of the Valhalla Club, thooooo.
ETA: I just remembered that they don’t have sex until 60% and it is not a good enough slow burn for that ok BYE
Lauren really hit her stride with this fourth book. I loveeeeee a fake dating trope and she threw in the one bed trope and redemption arc trope in at the same time?? Still wishing for more spice, however.
The Iron Man ending have me tearing up. I’m going to miss this series so much.
The Iron Man ending have me tearing up. I’m going to miss this series so much.
This was an excellent and sincere memoir that hits all the highs of Harry Potter-fame, while also touching on the lows (without it being too low), and ending with a sincere moral.
Tom definitely knows his audience and is an excellent narrator, creating a story that is authentic and doesn't feel ghostwritten at all. Because of this, there are some small quips I have with the memoir overall, in terms of organization within the first 60% and some repetitive aspects, but it did not dull my overall enjoyment at all.
Dang, if that ending to the Afterward didn't get me a bit teary-eyed.
Tom definitely knows his audience and is an excellent narrator, creating a story that is authentic and doesn't feel ghostwritten at all. Because of this, there are some small quips I have with the memoir overall, in terms of organization within the first 60% and some repetitive aspects, but it did not dull my overall enjoyment at all.
Dang, if that ending to the Afterward didn't get me a bit teary-eyed.
Stassi really has a voice that is all her own and I adore it.
I just absolutely adore Rosie Danan.
There is something so refreshing about every book she writes, especially how unapologetically sex positive they are.
This book scratched that urban fantasy/romcom itch just perfectly, incorporating in just enough fantasy without making us suffer though any sort of world building. One of my favorite things about her writing is how there is always character growth/plot points that make you look in the mirror and think “hmm, do I need to do that too?”
I didn’t know enemies to lovers could be a plot, not just a trope, but this was brilliant. Great banter, laugh out loud inner monologues, perfectly spicy scenes.
Not my favorite of her books (The Roommate remains top tier, IMO), but damnit if I didn’t adore this.
I’m soooo hoping we get a Patrick and Ceilidh book next!!!
There is something so refreshing about every book she writes, especially how unapologetically sex positive they are.
This book scratched that urban fantasy/romcom itch just perfectly, incorporating in just enough fantasy without making us suffer though any sort of world building. One of my favorite things about her writing is how there is always character growth/plot points that make you look in the mirror and think “hmm, do I need to do that too?”
I didn’t know enemies to lovers could be a plot, not just a trope, but this was brilliant. Great banter, laugh out loud inner monologues, perfectly spicy scenes.
Not my favorite of her books (The Roommate remains top tier, IMO), but damnit if I didn’t adore this.
I’m soooo hoping we get a Patrick and Ceilidh book next!!!
This book was 60% overhyped, but the 40% that wasn’t was amazing.
We know I’m a sucker for sports romances, so I enjoyed this book, even after all the criticism I’m about to write. The characters were good, the story was cute, and I love reading F1 stories.
BUT I’m begging for an editor to get their hands on this book. I’ll do it. Literally, I will do it. Grammatical errors, redundant dialogue, a scene that was referenced but not actually in the book, a plot I figured out as soon as we learned our hero has mommy/daddy issues... The steamy scenes were a little awkward? So close, yet so far.
If I had to read “throaty laugh” one more time....
I’m a sucker for a good redemption arc so I was here for the bad boy, asshole, manwhore character but it just wasn’t all the way there. I don’t think the heroine was THAT bad, but the “handed everything, tagging along for free” thing is boring. I wish she’d have just been hired as the team social media person from the jump and had the secret relationship be because of the team, not the brother.
I thought the book had a lot of potential but just like the author was trying too hard. Not enough character development. Not enough chemistry outside of physical lust.
Which book is about Jax because........ *purrrr*
BUT I’m begging for an editor to get their hands on this book. I’ll do it. Literally, I will do it. Grammatical errors, redundant dialogue, a scene that was referenced but not actually in the book, a plot I figured out as soon as we learned our hero has mommy/daddy issues... The steamy scenes were a little awkward? So close, yet so far.
If I had to read “throaty laugh” one more time....
I’m a sucker for a good redemption arc so I was here for the bad boy, asshole, manwhore character but it just wasn’t all the way there. I don’t think the heroine was THAT bad, but the “handed everything, tagging along for free” thing is boring. I wish she’d have just been hired as the team social media person from the jump and had the secret relationship be because of the team, not the brother.
I thought the book had a lot of potential but just like the author was trying too hard. Not enough character development. Not enough chemistry outside of physical lust.
Which book is about Jax because........ *purrrr*