hazel22i's reviews
165 reviews

The Summer We Fell by Elizabeth O'Roark

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

2.25

This book will appeal to anyone who loves the miscommunication trope haha. The two protagonists interact through their minds, as if they're mind readers or something. 

Despite the lie-filled nature of many of the characters, the love story between Luke and Juliet is truly touching. While Grady may not be my fav, but he provides a lot of drama and conflict throughout the story 😂 Grady gets what he deserves, and I like how Luke protects Juliet every time someone's shits on her.

+ I can't wait until Caleb's book is released!! I freaking love the single parent trope aaah 😫😫💖

Color Me Pretty by B. Celeste

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Oh my goodness 😭😭 I've read this book before, but I put it on hold for two years. And now what? It's 2023, and I reread it again

I lived for the drama. Fr. Della, is relatable due to her insecurities and is able to fight them off using the strong support of the love interest, Theo.

Despite her wealth, Della chooses to remain lowkey and humble, not letting her status or power get in the way of who she is as a person. I love that for her. I don't really care about the romance tho, but, goddamn, the drama kept me hooked.

+ I'm not joking when I say I teared up reading the epilogue 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder

Moderate: Drug use

Minor: Murder and Death of parent

Red Thorns by Rina Kent

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

0.75

Idk. I feel like this book, in its core, is like a remake of Vicious Prince in many ways. Is it just me? What sets it apart is the lack of romance between them, creating tension driven by lust rather than romance. Their relationship is fueled solely by their physical desires 

The Gossip Games by Allie Sarah
Did not finish book. Stopped at 67%.

The narrative style can be overwhelming at times, making it difficult to keep track of who's doing what. This resulted in the overall story feeling incoherent and unfocused

Whatever It Takes by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.5

“We’re going to make this work, Willow. Because you’re my girl, and that’s not going to change.” 🦋

I am honestly at a loss as to how to feel about this book. The main characters are relatively new to the core eight, and I think I would need to continue reading to really get to know them and their dynamics. I do like the interaction between Gillow, as they seem to make a cute couple. Maybe the second book will provide more context and help me get more invested in the characters and their relationship

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

0.25

This was effing stupid. Don't get me wrong, I support all women, but not Isabel Conklin; she is sick in the head. 😮‍💨 Why she keeps coming back to the two brothers??? She tries to fuck their heads up. She dated two Fishers, they kissed and all. And for me, IT'S WEIRD AS FUCK. LEAVE THEM ALONE, FIRST LOVE OR NOT IT'S JUST A PUPPY LOVE!! Seriously tho, would you date brothers, break up and marry one of them? Would you NOT feel awkward when you have family gatherings?? Belly is selfish. The brothers deserve better. That's it.

Some parts that I hated:

1. She agrees to marry Jere. Bro is literally guilty for hooking up with other girl while they were on "a break" 2. She pushes Con away, by saying hurtful words. He just wants you back, man.... 3. She TALKS BACK to her mum just to marry the immature boy??? Lmfao, girl, he cheats on you 😭 4. Keeps comparing herself that she is better than Taylor. Girl, Tay is so much better than you. Fuck you.

(I also didn't like Jeremy, he's weird, doesn't take the wedding seriously. He behaves like an asshole like his "fraternity brothers" oh- and a daddy's boy. And she thinks he's a man now?? He's still a boy. Conrad is the man, and is literally the future doctor who affords to pay his own bills, missy.)

P/S: I haven't watched the two seasons of the tv series. So probably watching it later now that I have finished the book series lolol

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

adventurous lighthearted relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

Girl, please. Why can't she just make up her mind?? You know what. Belly needs a therapy more than Conrad at this point 😭😭 whether it's Jere or Con, she better choose Con cuz Jere is hung up on his ex LOLLLLL

Belly is still annoying, and a whining little baby. She's no different than Taylor if she wants me to knock some sense into her, yeah. She's such a pick me girl

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

1.75

I have a love-hate relationship with this book. One minute I like it, then I hate it.

Alright. Belly is that one teenager that just hit their puberty; and all they think is boys, boys and boys. Why does she think that every boy she meets wants to kiss her??? I'm so–

And something I found funny is that she hates Taylor for talking (and kissing) with her brother, Jere and Con. Girl, chill?? Summer was meant to be fun!!!!! She wants to gatekeep them so bad. (Plus she keeps sticking her tongue out in every chapter, which I found quite annoying.)

Anywaysss, I want Taylor to end up with Steven tho. I love my parents 🤭 and let's not forget about our mysterious boy, Conrad (I'd kil anyone just to have him)😍😍🤍🤍🫶🏼

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao

challenging emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

1.25

I hated how Thao portrayed Jules as a WOMAN who was not only self centered but an unlikeable character. Her character is quite irritating, and yes, I disliked her. She's selfish. She doesn't have any feelings at all; she only thinks about herself.

The only thing that kept me reading this book was that I was curious and wanted to know what happened before Sam's death (why did Jules ignore his calls and texts?) But well??? We had no answers. (Idk if I'm on crack but I couldn't recall if there's any flashback about it) I told y'all, men don't deserve to write romances!!!

I also think that the connection between them has no point in the plot. Jules is not like Mia from IIS, only that Sam is a musician like Adam. The fantasy is more like the manga, YN. 

However... it's not lived up to expectations. I expected that Jules would go back in time and save Sam from the accident but Idk about y'all tho.
 
P/S: Thao's writing is fine; nothing is dull, but there are too many plot holes. It should've been a comic instead of a whole novel.

Nevertheless by Jeongseo

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A

5.0

She definitely deserves the ending 🫶🏼 no woman or girl should be suffered in a toxic relationship, especially with the guy that is a false alarm 🫶🏼