its_beautifully_bookish's reviews
170 reviews

XOXO by Axie Oh

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Overall Rating: 4⭐️

Format: paperback

Favourite Quote: “You can’t aim to please everyone, you can only aim to please yourself.”

Tropes: high school, undercover love, insta love, friends to lovers, K-pop romance

The storyline was so sweet so cute and it was such an easy read. I read it so quickly cause I just could not put it down. The characters were lovable there was angst there was tension. There was confusion there was miscommunication that’s obviously a bit of love friendships it just had everything you’d want in a cute easy romance book!! 

If it was to dive a bit deeper for me, there wasn’t enough of an ending. It was quite short but I think that’s just like when I watch K dramas I just did not wanted to end. I wanted a second series! Hahah 

Jenny is a character was so relatable I think I would’ve liked for her to stick up to her mum but I understand the circumstances and she didn’t but I think I would’ve loved an epilogue of her going back to Korea? I think that would’ve just helped ease the pain of this book not being never-ending. Haha

Jenny and Jaewoo were so cute!! There was a fair bit of miscommunication or hidden feeling with them but the story didn’t drag it out too far which I loved!! Sori and Nathaniel omg my hearttttt I presume book 2 is about them? I hope so!!! Gawd they need a happy ever after!! 

I think I was most annoyed with the mum but she kind of redeemed herself near the end but maybe not enough for me… I loved the members of XOXO I wonder if they all will get a book I was soooo curious about Sun! He reminded me of a character in a Kdrama I watched recently the brother in Melo Movie? I don’t know I think it was the description given it had my heart strings pulled, he was so aloof! Youngmin was adorable!! 

And the rest of Jennys friends! I just loved how she was so comfortable with them all and how the friendships grew I enjoyed it, such a shame she left !!! Ugh I am writing this review after literally just finishing the book so I think my opinions on there being no season two are going to be very fresh right now haha

Uncle Jay and Grandma were great characters also they definitely played important roles with the character development in the story.

I’m absolutely obsessed with the cover. It literally depicts the typical scene of every K drama anybody who watches K dramas knows the look of the street. love next door is the first one that’s coming to mine for me! The colours are so clever they’re vibrant but they’re almost like a dark pastel? I’m not a great fan of yellow on a cover but it just works so well with this book.

Oh my goodness!! so a bit of background this is the first high school romance I’ve read since probably being in high school and being able to relate to the characters that’s just something that I like to do but I read Axie’s books before and I couldn’t help myself being a K-pop lover. I had to read this book and I am so so glad I did!! I think she might be a new comfort auto by author of mine!

Overall if you can’t tell I really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it to anybody looking for an easy enjoyable romance read it is pretty closed door there’s a few moments where you think something might happen but it just wasn’t needed.

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

adventurous dark funny lighthearted relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Overall Rating: 3⭐️

Format: paperback

Favourite Quote: “It's okay to love your darkness and still love yourself. It doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you a whole one.“

Tropes: friends with benefits, small town romance, forced proximity, serial killer, dark secrets

Fionn and Rose had a very different story to the others on this series. I think the author best describes this in the acknowledgment section, Scythe and Sparrow was a book rooted in healing. 

I enjoyed the main aspects of this book but for me it wasn’t a favourite of mine. At times I was a bit lost or found I would struggle to find the overall storyline in the book. So many things were happening, it was linear but also lost at points for me. 

I did struggle at the start on the first kill and then the way Rose so quickly opened up to Fionn although this is a fictional book I did find that a bit difficult to follow, especially the second kill. 

I saw the list of trigger warnings on the front of the book and much like the other books (sans ice cream in my opinion!!) they were not that heavy more of a dark humour section at the start of the book because when these topics arose in the story they were not strong and abrasive, they were there but loosely for me.

I liked the raccoon scene when we first met it in the clinic, loved that they formed a bond so funny! 

I was a bit annoyed we didn’t get Roses POV on the baking ovens it was just Fionn after the fact, I really wanted to see it from her perspective how it happened how she got injured as it was spoke in the last book I thought it would go into detail in this one like it did in other parts but .. it just didn’t 

I wasn’t sure on Fionn at points I couldn’t realky connect with his character and k really wanted to!! I just couldn’t quite click not sure why but I found him adorable with the crochet sisters for sure!

I have toyed between a 4 and a 3 mainly because this book was bought for me and it’s only just been released and I loved the last book in the series but overall I do have to give it a three. When I really look into how I feel about the storyline, I just don’t understand it..

The Bonus Chapter AND 2 Epilogues was a different approach I haven’t experienced this before from an author! Is Autumn a sneak peek into a new series starting, it was in first person which was interesting… we shall see I guess! 

3 ⭐ I enjoyed this book. It was a good read. Might recommend if you like the tropes or author. For me it didn't hit the spot at the time.

Consider Me by Becka Mack

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Overall Rating: 3⭐️

Format: paperback 

Favourite Quote: “My heart chooses you because you’re feisty and fierce. You’re sarcastic and you know how to clap back at me, and I love those bits of confidence. But I love when you show me your sensitive side, too, and I love that you think you hide it so well but actually wear it in your sleeve”

Tropes: hockey romance, golden retriever mmc, miss communication, reformed playboy, fast paced

Starting this review off by saying I love the characters in the book very lovable and sweet, the cover is watercolour and very subtle which I adore it’s my favourite addition of the covers to date. 

For me the book was a bit longer than necessary especially when I look at the actual time frame set in the book. The first break / reunion was about 35% and I felt like that part of the book with some added structure would have been enough it was sweet and cute and had me laughing. 

Carter and Olivia were really cute. I feel like Emmett and Cara were also very well suited loved Hank I mean who wouldn’t love Hank what a great character!! I think maybe Carter sister and either Garrett which I’m more strongly leaning towards or Adam might be one of the next books I’ve not looked but I feel like something is going to happen there like I say I’m leaning towards Garrett…

Courtney I hope she rots in jail that’s all I’m gonna say about her. But the actual scenario which I’m on about I feel like it was blown slightly out of proportion on and a bit dramatic, the police station scene did have me thinking other things.. And I loved Jem and his sister they were so adorable.!

Then the book almost kept repeating the same scenarios, for me it got repetitive and at points because they had already worked through this particular issue and then reverted straight back to it.. 

I think maybe it could’ve been a book one and book 2 sort of scenario just a thought it was a good read, but it was quite a big read.

The chapters felt long and most of the writing was heavily detailed which for some may work but for me on this particular book it was too much. 

I would say the book itself felt more like a TV series rather than a film if that makes any sense? The best way to describe it for me anyway there were lots of different episodes leading up to a finale rather than one film following one smooth simple narrative. This one was more detailed and had different parts to it.

As I said the characters where fun and the basic storyline I enjoyed but for me it just wasn’t the right fit, but I am glad I read this book and didn’t want to DNF.

3 ⭐ from me means I enjoyed this book. It was a good read. Might recommend if you like the tropes or author. For me it didn't hit the spot at the time.

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

challenging funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Overall Rating: 4⭐️

Format: Paperback

Favourite Quote: “Maybe I could be the one thing you don’t overthink, all right?“

Tropes: slow burn, fast paced, he falls first, workplace romance, small town

Soooooo good!!! This book was a fast paced slow burn read that was just what I needed!! 

Wes what a guy!! I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book! Bethany was so relatable love love love!!

No miss communication I don’t think I mean many a small small bit? But nothing like the usual and third act break ups it was such a strong couple vibe through out, I can’t decide which is my favourite of the series… it might still be fix her up I can still remember the storyline now and I read it a few years back but maybe Bethany and Wes have creeped up there now on my re read list… I mean I think what stops it being the favourite is so much happening so fast for me if I had to choose! 

Book one in this series is a go to re read for me and I think this book will be the same it was such a comfort read for me think slow burn fast paced romance with enemies to lovers lightly sprinkled in - LOVE!

The niece was adorable and the ice cream shop moment my heart it was adorable!!

Loved MMCs determination he had his sites set and his intentions made clear it was so easy to read along, yes there was an age gap but I wouldn’t say it was massive!! The step sister was an interesting turn and also the sister in law sounds like a right whack job! But I guess if it works it works ?? 

If it was me I actually think I would have liked it to be slower I read it in probably *just counting reading time* less than 24 hours.. devoured!! And then when I realised the time frame of the book I thought the ending was a bit crazy for me I needed more time plugged into the relationship but it was a spicy sweet read I overall enjoyed!

The cover didn’t do Wes any justice it was very simple but the story was so good it didn’t bother me as much as it normally would… what stopped it being a 5 star for me was some typos in the print so it wasn’t a 5 for me but it was very high!!

Bethany what a queen she was! Hiding behind A mask but Wes seeing straight through adorable and definitely an easy read if you are looking for one!

The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim

adventurous challenging lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Overall Rating: 3⭐️

Format: Hardback

Favourite Quote: “Surround yourself with those who’ll love you always through your mistakes and your faults. Make a family that will find you more beautiful every day, even when your hair is white with age. Be the light that makes someone’s lantern shine.“

Tropes: young adult, asian folklore, chosen one, forbidden magic, fated mates

I have so many mixed emotions with this book, first off the cover I have the hardback in the pastel greens and pinks is absolutely stunning. It shines in the Sun and I am obsessed. But if I was to tell dive deeper into the covers meaning all kids are obviously a homage to Raikama and her sister, but the overall title and the book comes across like it is about the dragon and it’s really not. I don’t quite understand the actual core of this story is it that Raikama  is actually a core character in these books which is why her series comes next to pull it all together I don’t know.

I think I’m slightly annoyed. I get it. It says the dragons promise and it’s her promise to her stepmother to return the pearl to the wrath but I don’t know. I wouldn’t say there was a lot of of dragon content so it did really take me by surprise.

Also the wrath I don’t think all of my questions have been answered. Why was he so aloof? Why did you all of a sudden help then? Disappear? I just don’t really understand his part in the story.

I liked Seryu as a dragon. He was at first obviously a best friend but then he kind of turned and went a bit strange as well so I’m really torn on my review. I did love the book but I feel like there’s so many unanswered questions.

I cried at the ending it made sense but it didn’t. Is it going to connect to a different story? Maybe to pull through like a big universe potentially? As a whole, I really did love Takkans character I loved Shiori I was a bit annoyed the way she’s now partially trapped but like I said before, maybe that links into a new story but that I guess I was looking for a happily ever after and yes they did get one but they almost got part of it taken away as well even after everything they’ve done!

I thought it was quite sad that the brothers arm got damaged. I’ll try not to spoil it too much but again that was kind of mentioned near the end, but they didn’t really go into detail on how he then move forward in Kiata.

I absolutely loved the map at the beginning of these books. It’s so beautifully detailed and such stunning illustrations. I love love loved it.

I did actually fall in love with Takkan he was a very beautiful soul I think because I’ve read similar books with Asian folklore I was expecting something different from this book. But I did enjoy it at the same time however I would definitely say I’ve got quite a few questions still but maybe they’ll be answered in the next books.

For me a 3 ⭐ means I enjoyed this book.

It was a good read. Might recommend if you like the tropes or author. For me it didn't hit the spot at the time.

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Overall Rating: 4⭐️

Format: paperback

Favourite Quote: “No one loves anything they're miserably chained to”

Tropes: closed door, small town romance, slow burn, found family, no third act breakup

Soooooo cute!! This story was so so cute I haven’t read a closed door in so long and it was so needed! I think I remember crying at one point the emotion in this book was good!! 

Love love love Noah a grumpy baker yessss sirrr!! Amelia was sweet and she definitely grew on me but I loved the sisters I forgot there was 3 of them but book 3 will definitely be interesting! 

The cover is sweet the beard shade on Noah kind of does him dirty but it’s a sweet cover for a sweet book.

I am so so happy there was no third act break up sometimes they can be so overkill! That manager though.. pure evil I didn’t see it coming with the mum at all I fell for it!

Fell for Mabel and Hazel they were a hoot! And how everyone showed such strong found family vibes I was smitten with this town all over again *I read book 2 first it was a mistake I promise !! Hahah

I will definitely be adding the next book to my tbr!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Overall Rating: 2⭐️

Format: paperback

Favourite Quote: “But it is worth noting that to be good at something is not quite the same as loving it.”

Tropes: coming of age, video games, relationships, childhood friends, multiple povs

This book was different than any book I’ve read. I felt like it was a biography but at the same time a tragedy. The writing was really different. It kept going from past to future to present and it wasn’t quite clear for me. The direction the story was trying to go.

You’re probably wondering why I didn’t stop reading the book because at points I wanted to see where it went the reasoning behind certain parts of the story and the journey that they went on where it would conclude

I found the story it says it’s about love but not about Sam and Sadie but then I found the story was primarily about them and their story but I wouldn’t necessarily say it was about love. There was a lot of dark themes darkness in the story if I was to describe it like that Themes that were written very calmly and yet they were actually quite severe.

An example would be Dov he was a very controlling toxic character and yeah, I feel like the story brushed over this really easily.

I loved the cover of this book very great looking and it was what initially made me want to read it! The vibrant colours and the wave on the front too, it was nice to find out the reasoning behind the name being Macbeth.

I really liked Marx and I’m struggling to find the reason for his passing. I can understand it in the sense of this book just throw tragedy and tragedy and turning point and shock and surprise throughout but I found there was not a lot of good in the book. there was not a lot of positive and there was not a lot of happiness. I think that’s what’s confusing me that the book says it’s about love but they don’t love themselves. they don’t love each other they don’t love other people.

I’m not saying it’s a bad book, but it definitely wasn’t the book for me. The concepts I either haven’t grasped them or they’re not concepts that I would regularly read.

A reminder a 2 ⭐ from me means I wasn't a fan. Personally I just could not get onboard with this book. I wont be as fast to recommend this book as I had a hard time finishing it but I didn't feel like DNFing.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum

challenging hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Overall Rating: 5⭐️

Format: Paperback

Favourite Quote: “Reading makes you see with clearer eyes and understand the world better. When you do that , you become stronger - the feeling you associate with success. But at the same time with pain. Within the pages, there's much suffering, beyond that we've gone through in our finite experience of life. You'll read about suffering you didn't know existed. Having experienced their pain through words, it becomes a lot harder to focus on pursuing individual happiness and success. Reading makes you deviate further from the textbook definition of success because books don't make us go ahead of or above anyone else; they guide us to stand alongside others. We become more compassionate. To read is to see things from someone else's perspective, and that naturally leads you to stop and look out for other people, rather than chase after success in the rat race. If more people read, I think the world would become a better place.“

Tropes: reflective, thought provoking, healing fiction, power of second chances, the magic of books

By the rating you can probably already guess how much I enjoyed this book, I feel like my reading this year is going to be a lot less romance and more of these thought provoking stories. That being said there was an underlying tone of romance nearer the end. It was almost like a really slow slow burn but never really caught fire.

I really really enjoyed the way this book was written. It was so thought provoking every chapter made you think and see things from a different perspective and it wasn’t just that you saw it for the characters you were able to replicate that in your own life and be able to compare the two.

What I enjoyed is the slow pace of the book without the story dragging itself, it also broached very respectfully topics that many would rather not discuss and I really enjoyed thinking and reading about it all through this book.

I loved how this book spoke of the power of books and the power of reading, we all joke and share our reading with each other but if we do sit down and reflect we realise what a special and important hobby it is and what tools in life reading provides us!

I do feel like my review is not going to be detailed enough but I don’t think anything will truly do this story justice and help anyone who hasn’t read it understand what it was to be fully immersed in this story yet not feel consumed by it. It was beautiful!

I enjoyed each chapter as an individual and loved how they were carefully threaded together as a full storyline, the bookshop owner and the coffee bean seller, the barrister and the young boy, the boys mother and a women taking a break, the writer. All unique and playing a role in their own way.

I don’t think I’ve had such a thought provoking book in so long. I have read one recently but they are both so completely different but good in their own ways. I think if I had this book on a Kindle I would’ve highlighted most of it. I don’t currently tap my books but I really feel like I wanted to tap this book because it was just so incredible but then I wouldn’t have had any tabs left because I would’ve literally tapped pages every page…!! 

The amount of quotes that you stopped to think about and digest was so so good normally I read a book within three days. But I think I spent overall between 10 and 15 days on this book not because I wasn’t enjoying it I absolutely loved it but what I really liked is I wanted to put it down after a chapter and really think about how that chapter made me feel.

The authors note was really beautiful as well again more reflecting and more meaningful words written. I feel like this review is not gonna do this book justice.

Initially if I’m honest the reason I picked up this book is the cover is so so beautiful it’s detailed but it’s simple and it’s colourful but not overpowering and it really fits the story so well I can just imagine which characters are showing on the book. I am interested who the woman walking the dog is and all the chapters you can see her walking on the bottom of the pages. I don’t know why but I haven’t figured out who that is? I don’t remember a woman with a dog in the book. Is it the author?

So the cover pulled me in and the fact that it was about a book shop owner, but the story stole my heart!! 

I will definitely be looking out for more of this authors books.

Exes and O's by Amy Lea

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective

3.0

Overall Rating: 4⭐️

Format: paperback 

Favourite Quote: “when you’re with the right person, being in love never feels like the bottom is going to fall out”

Tropes: forced proximity, miscommunication, roommates, second chance, love at first sight

I really loved this book! It was a mix of sweet and cute but it did have that funny best friend banter too! It was so enjoyable much like the first book, I did struggle to pick up who was who at points because I read book one ages ago…

Did I mention how much I love that the fmc is a reader?! I loveeee the way she was throwing tropes out there and searching for her second chance romance, I am not a fan of second chance romance so very happy it turned into a roommates, forced proximity. 

I loveeeeedddd the Epilogue in this book that is I would call a perfect perfect proposal !! I mean if I was giving ideas I would throw this book at my partner and say page for page this .. thisssss is what I like hahahahah

So this was one hell of a slow burn myyyy gaaawwwddddddd!! And a roommates situation?! So good I loved Angie! I found in parts it went so a fast! But others so slow!! 

I found the final third act break up a bit different it wasn’t very full on but it had elements that really could have gone further I would say it was more miss communication than a third act break up. And it was more of a soft one of those too, the face the turned around and said he fell at first sight.. butttt I loved all the Disney princesses and family members.

Will there be a book on the bestie Mel or??? We shall seeeee!! I would definitely read more of this authors books love love loved all the bookish references too.

3 ⭐ means I enjoyed this book. I had fun reading it. Would recommend if you like the tropes or author. For me it didn't hit the spot at the time.

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring tense

3.0

Overall Rating: 3⭐️

Format: paperback

Favourite Quote: "Making Tallulah laugh was like taking a shower in sunshine. It just rained down in the form of warmth at the top of his head, coating him down to his toes."

Tropes: slow burn, age gap, daddy x nanny, sports romance, single dad

This book shocked me at first I probably should’ve read the blurb but I was gifted the book and I thought I read the first book in the series loved it. Let’s give this one go and then all of a sudden I was hit with the daddy trope and I have never read a daddy trope as far as I’m aware at first I was like should I stop? But then I met me and daddy Burgess. WOWW

The rooftop was really cute, it saw I think supposed to be a hockey romance but I didn’t really get that vibe I think there was one hockey scene or maybe 2 chapters through out.

He had so many layers he wasn’t just a grumpy old man and he wasn’t even that old but I absolutely loved this book. I can’t decide if I prefer this book to book one or not. They both had a lot of depth, and her story…I didn’t quite expect it! it wasn’t as heavy as it could’ve been, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I would like something with the sister or parents visited or something because I kept holding it out for a moment with them and they just wasn’t but I thought it was very sweet and I loved how they integrate the daughter into it even if I didn’t appreciate the daughter attitude but then again she was a kid so fair enough. Haha

Wasn’t a big fan of the kids mum one minute she was supportive silent in the story the next minute she just kind of a bit of an arse like why are you judging him and her.  stick to your own relationship? You just want him to be happy like you don’t wanna be with him back off!

I really like that the wedding was in the story. I thought that was really sweet. It was a really cute story. There were obviously a few bits here and then I think it got a bit messy when they had the third act break up sort of thing and it was kind of too unclear who was at fault But overall I did really enjoy it and as my first daddy trope I was thoroughly impressed!!

3 ⭐ means I enjoyed this book. I had fun reading it. Would recommend if you like the tropes or author. For me it didn't hit the spot at the time.