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hmgauthier's Reviews (243)
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“We know matters of the heart take you a little while to figure out.”
“How much of your free time do you spend thinking of new and exciting things to be anxious about?”
This is a stunning debut and it has my whole heart. Did I follow most of the science? No. But I a got Vico Ortiz narration and Fantastic Four Space gays and LIVED for every moment.
The story is filled with heart and lush characters. And my god, the yearning, so much yearning.
This is the first audiobook I’ve ever listened too and I can’t recommend the audio version enough!!
Some aspects of it fell flat for me personally, mostly how characters were described in the first few chapters and some personally cringy aspects of character interaction (LOTS of sticking out tongues for characters in their late 20s). The writing at times was simplistic and I forgot this was new adult over YA.
“How much of your free time do you spend thinking of new and exciting things to be anxious about?”
This is a stunning debut and it has my whole heart. Did I follow most of the science? No. But I a got Vico Ortiz narration and Fantastic Four Space gays and LIVED for every moment.
The story is filled with heart and lush characters. And my god, the yearning, so much yearning.
This is the first audiobook I’ve ever listened too and I can’t recommend the audio version enough!!
Some aspects of it fell flat for me personally, mostly how characters were described in the first few chapters and some personally cringy aspects of character interaction (LOTS of sticking out tongues for characters in their late 20s). The writing at times was simplistic and I forgot this was new adult over YA.
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
“I began to truly understand that there was so much more the world had to offer than just the small bubble … I had grown accustomed to.”
I have long followed Kacie on instagram and it’s so funny but I could hear her voice as I read the story. I really loved the story of Kacie and Dario first meeting and the backstory to her booking her flight to Italy. I also love that she acknowledges her privilege of traveling as a straight white woman!
I think my favorite aspects of the book were about Italian culture and especially how Italians take time to deeply enjoy life and slow down. I absolutely saw myself when Kacie wrote about hustle culture and how fast paced Americans, especially NY’ers can be. It was a nice reminder to slow down. My second favorite aspect was the reminder that we can’t let fear stop us from doing things just because they are scary. As her story proves, great things can live on the other side of our comfort zones.
I don’t generally read books like this as they can sometimes come off as preachy but I genuinely enjoyed the read.
My one issue with the book were the Harry Potter references. They are unneeded, we as a society have move past the collective need to talk about HP when the author has proved to be a hateful bigot and the books are 20+ years old, I think newer references would be more appropriate.
“I began to truly understand that there was so much more the world had to offer than just the small bubble … I had grown accustomed to.”
I have long followed Kacie on instagram and it’s so funny but I could hear her voice as I read the story. I really loved the story of Kacie and Dario first meeting and the backstory to her booking her flight to Italy. I also love that she acknowledges her privilege of traveling as a straight white woman!
I think my favorite aspects of the book were about Italian culture and especially how Italians take time to deeply enjoy life and slow down. I absolutely saw myself when Kacie wrote about hustle culture and how fast paced Americans, especially NY’ers can be. It was a nice reminder to slow down. My second favorite aspect was the reminder that we can’t let fear stop us from doing things just because they are scary. As her story proves, great things can live on the other side of our comfort zones.
I don’t generally read books like this as they can sometimes come off as preachy but I genuinely enjoyed the read.
My one issue with the book were the Harry Potter references. They are unneeded, we as a society have move past the collective need to talk about HP when the author has proved to be a hateful bigot and the books are 20+ years old, I think newer references would be more appropriate.
Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
“I cannot make someone who hasn’t a heart understand what it’s like to break one.”
DNF around 50%.
The book is described as being a “hilarious romantic puzzle” and I struggled to see anything in this read as hilarious.
The combination of the blackmail plot and age gap just wasn’t for me. I understand it’s a miscommunication trope but it all felt rather icky and ridiculous.
I really liked the Daniel and Clarence breakup and the vibe Daniel and Luke had once they met but I really can’t get past the instant love aspect and the miscommunication.
Someone else may really enjoy the story but this just wasn’t for me.
“I cannot make someone who hasn’t a heart understand what it’s like to break one.”
DNF around 50%.
The book is described as being a “hilarious romantic puzzle” and I struggled to see anything in this read as hilarious.
The combination of the blackmail plot and age gap just wasn’t for me. I understand it’s a miscommunication trope but it all felt rather icky and ridiculous.
I really liked the Daniel and Clarence breakup and the vibe Daniel and Luke had once they met but I really can’t get past the instant love aspect and the miscommunication.
Someone else may really enjoy the story but this just wasn’t for me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You’re trying to be helpful to avoid your own feelings.”
“You may be the only good thing I’ve ever wanted.”
This is the second book I’ve read by Alison Saft this year and I cannot recommend her books enough. I do think A Dark and Drowning Tide is a stronger book and shows off the authors command of the craft better, A Fragile Enchantment is still an enchanting read.
I positively loved the fantasy Bridgerton vibe of the book and how magic was so engrained into society.
I understand peoples dislike of the ending and feeling like it was all tied up with a bow too quickly. But it leaves room for spin off/sequels and I think the the universe (and realities) Saft wrote about presents a more honest, complicated view that can’t be summarized in an epilogue.
The romance was deeply swoon-worthy and while Niamh was a little annoying at times she was mostly endearing.
The pacing of the first third of the story was a little off for me, it felt like it took a little to long to get into the story but it was gorgeous and fun nonetheless.
“You may be the only good thing I’ve ever wanted.”
This is the second book I’ve read by Alison Saft this year and I cannot recommend her books enough. I do think A Dark and Drowning Tide is a stronger book and shows off the authors command of the craft better, A Fragile Enchantment is still an enchanting read.
I positively loved the fantasy Bridgerton vibe of the book and how magic was so engrained into society.
I understand peoples dislike of the ending and feeling like it was all tied up with a bow too quickly. But it leaves room for spin off/sequels and I think the the universe (and realities) Saft wrote about presents a more honest, complicated view that can’t be summarized in an epilogue.
The romance was deeply swoon-worthy and while Niamh was a little annoying at times she was mostly endearing.
The pacing of the first third of the story was a little off for me, it felt like it took a little to long to get into the story but it was gorgeous and fun nonetheless.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
“There was nothing she could say other than she did not want to be seen, or known. She wanted to be safe.”
The acknowledgments call it a rom-quest which is a perfect phrase. The whole book felt like a hug, a perfect low stakes romantic read.
I love the character development and how therapists are called heart healers.
The aspects I struggled with was some of the world building and a little more information about how the magic aspect works would have been helpful.
I can’t recommend this enough.
“There was nothing she could say other than she did not want to be seen, or known. She wanted to be safe.”
The acknowledgments call it a rom-quest which is a perfect phrase. The whole book felt like a hug, a perfect low stakes romantic read.
I love the character development and how therapists are called heart healers.
The aspects I struggled with was some of the world building and a little more information about how the magic aspect works would have been helpful.
I can’t recommend this enough.
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
“I’m the one who brings light to the dark.”
I should have loved this book. A horror novel that takes place in a 19th century whaling village? Love the concept.
It failed in the execution for me. The pace was horrendously slow and the characters were sort of unbearable. In an attempt to fill the story with atmosphere, it killed the stories ability to create suspense and the actual horror of the story was flat. I very much skimmed post page 100.
I will say, the epilogue was interesting. I would rather a book that started there than ending on that note. Now THAT would be a folklore/horror novel.
“I’m the one who brings light to the dark.”
I should have loved this book. A horror novel that takes place in a 19th century whaling village? Love the concept.
It failed in the execution for me. The pace was horrendously slow and the characters were sort of unbearable. In an attempt to fill the story with atmosphere, it killed the stories ability to create suspense and the actual horror of the story was flat. I very much skimmed post page 100.
I will say, the epilogue was interesting. I would rather a book that started there than ending on that note. Now THAT would be a folklore/horror novel.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
“You are an experience. My foolish heart can’t take it.”
I really wanted to like this but it felt rather boring and flat.
Things I enjoyed: the inclusion of the disillusion Michelangelo, “find the lady,” Giacomo and Khalid, and the premise.
I struggled with the pacing of this story, it felt like the story only really came alive two thirds of the way through. I know I was supposed to root for these characters but I never really got to that point for the most part. Honestly, it felt like I was forcing myself through this read at times.
This book was reaching for Oceans 11 but didn’t really differentiate itself from the pack in terms of the heist genre. I wanted to like it so much more.
“You are an experience. My foolish heart can’t take it.”
I really wanted to like this but it felt rather boring and flat.
Things I enjoyed: the inclusion of the disillusion Michelangelo, “find the lady,” Giacomo and Khalid, and the premise.
I struggled with the pacing of this story, it felt like the story only really came alive two thirds of the way through. I know I was supposed to root for these characters but I never really got to that point for the most part. Honestly, it felt like I was forcing myself through this read at times.
This book was reaching for Oceans 11 but didn’t really differentiate itself from the pack in terms of the heist genre. I wanted to like it so much more.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review!
“You’re awful.”
“I’m aware.”
This book contains so many of my favorite elements: an adult sapphic love story, slow burn, adventure, intense political elements that serve the story, and a compelling cast of characters.
I knew from the first pages I would love Lorelei and Sylvia. And even knowing that I underestimated how much these women would stick with me.
I love so much about this tale: the authors gorgeous command of language, being wrong about the “bad guy,” “back in the days when wishes still held power” and all the variations, and the theme of shedding your ghosts.
Lorelei’s faith was an incredibly moving and dynamic aspect of her character.
I struggled with the world building. It felt like a lot of information too fast and not enough overall. It wasn’t detrimental to my understanding the story but it would have helped with a fuller/more complete picture. The end of the story felt like it was wrapped up fast, I wish I got to hear more about the civil war and what happened in the four months that last chapter covers. I would have loved to know more.
I can’t wait to hold this book in my hands!! There is so much in this story to love.
“You’re awful.”
“I’m aware.”
This book contains so many of my favorite elements: an adult sapphic love story, slow burn, adventure, intense political elements that serve the story, and a compelling cast of characters.
I knew from the first pages I would love Lorelei and Sylvia. And even knowing that I underestimated how much these women would stick with me.
I love so much about this tale: the authors gorgeous command of language, being wrong about the “bad guy,” “back in the days when wishes still held power” and all the variations, and the theme of shedding your ghosts.
Lorelei’s faith was an incredibly moving and dynamic aspect of her character.
I struggled with the world building. It felt like a lot of information too fast and not enough overall. It wasn’t detrimental to my understanding the story but it would have helped with a fuller/more complete picture. The end of the story felt like it was wrapped up fast, I wish I got to hear more about the civil war and what happened in the four months that last chapter covers. I would have loved to know more.
I can’t wait to hold this book in my hands!! There is so much in this story to love.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated