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kimu23's reviews
743 reviews
The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide by J. Elle
2.25
Hmm, I don’t know… I don’t really think this Ariel is the same Ariel as we all know. I wish we could see more of the sisters relationship because while we got more than the movie (the sisters only showing up for 10 seconds), I think the book didn’t explored as much as I want.
Also Mala is probably my fave of all the sisters and learning that she has a sea monster husband is so cool. I want to read more about her romance tbh because the plot is kinda boring. Obviously the plot will be simple because it’s based off Disney’s fairy tale and it’s YA so it was as I expected, BUT I didn’t expected Mala to have a (sea) monster husband!!! She got a forbidden romance of her own with a much interesting man than a normal human!!! Why can’t I see more of that??!!
In conclusion, it was a mediocre read and a bit of waste potentials.
Also Mala is probably my fave of all the sisters and learning that she has a sea monster husband is so cool. I want to read more about her romance tbh because the plot is kinda boring. Obviously the plot will be simple because it’s based off Disney’s fairy tale and it’s YA so it was as I expected, BUT I didn’t expected Mala to have a (sea) monster husband!!! She got a forbidden romance of her own with a much interesting man than a normal human!!! Why can’t I see more of that??!!
In conclusion, it was a mediocre read and a bit of waste potentials.
Spellhacker by M.K. England
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The story itself is nothing special and I was well aware of that before I started it. I want to read something light and easy to listen as an audiobook while doing other things. However while I had low expectations, I wish at the very least I could like the characters or the found family aspect.
The narration keeps repeating that Diz’s real family is her group of her friends, their ‘family, Jaesin and Ania are their ‘parents’ blablablah…
However I haven’t read anything that proved it. In fact throughout the story, Diz was iced out by her ‘found family’. Whether she deserved it or not doesn’t matter to me, what matters is that the author doesn’t show me anything that I want from this book.
Anyway, the author’s first book is better (or at least I remember it being better…)
The narration keeps repeating that Diz’s real family is her group of her friends, their ‘family, Jaesin and Ania are their ‘parents’ blablablah…
However I haven’t read anything that proved it. In fact throughout the story, Diz was iced out by her ‘found family’. Whether she deserved it or not doesn’t matter to me, what matters is that the author doesn’t show me anything that I want from this book.
Anyway, the author’s first book is better (or at least I remember it being better…)
More Than a Mistress by Mary Balogh
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Love Jane as a character, but I don’t really like Jocelyn. I also don’t really get the romance.
This book took me way to long to read. Mary Balogh’s writing style is very dull (to me). It literally puts me in a reading slump. I have to read some trashy romance (which I DNFed) and some light hearted audiobooks so that I won’t give up. I think her books are probably not for me.
This book took me way to long to read. Mary Balogh’s writing style is very dull (to me). It literally puts me in a reading slump. I have to read some trashy romance (which I DNFed) and some light hearted audiobooks so that I won’t give up. I think her books are probably not for me.
Debating Darcy by Sayantani DasGupta
2.5
*2.5
It’s an easy and light read but it doesn’t really worked as a P&P modern retelling. I don’t mind some of the extra-ness and the theatrical of the characters. I figured it was a choice by the author but at the same time I wish she actually adapted it to modern language. It took me out of the story when Darcy (modern teenage boy) confessed with the word ‘ardently’. I think one of the good example of P&P modern retelling is Fire Island, it’s funny and is its own self yet also recognizable as a P&P retelling.
I also don’t really like Leela. I feel like if I read a P&P retelling and I’m on the side of Darcy a lot more times than Lizzie (or Leela in this case) then it’s kinda a failure. Like, the Hamilton is too much and it feels as if their ‘fights’ are just Leela making things up in her mind then getting mad at him. Colin is a very sweet guy but Leela is constantly rude and mean to him. Obviously the author wrote him to be this ‘weird nerd’ but personally I don’t think he deserved to be mocked and looked down on through out the book.
Anyway, it’s an okay YA romance. All the things it talked about (sexism etc) have already been talked about. It doesn’t really do anything new but it is still a good book to read if you want something light and easy.
It’s an easy and light read but it doesn’t really worked as a P&P modern retelling. I don’t mind some of the extra-ness and the theatrical of the characters. I figured it was a choice by the author but at the same time I wish she actually adapted it to modern language. It took me out of the story when Darcy (modern teenage boy) confessed with the word ‘ardently’. I think one of the good example of P&P modern retelling is Fire Island, it’s funny and is its own self yet also recognizable as a P&P retelling.
I also don’t really like Leela. I feel like if I read a P&P retelling and I’m on the side of Darcy a lot more times than Lizzie (or Leela in this case) then it’s kinda a failure. Like, the Hamilton is too much and it feels as if their ‘fights’ are just Leela making things up in her mind then getting mad at him. Colin is a very sweet guy but Leela is constantly rude and mean to him. Obviously the author wrote him to be this ‘weird nerd’ but personally I don’t think he deserved to be mocked and looked down on through out the book.
Anyway, it’s an okay YA romance. All the things it talked about (sexism etc) have already been talked about. It doesn’t really do anything new but it is still a good book to read if you want something light and easy.
To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
*3.5
The author clearly focused more on the comedy aspect instead of the romance and I wish she didn’t do that. The comedy is not that funny and all the characters are very stereotypical. The only thing that made me enjoy this book is Simi and Jack’s romance. I actually really like their dynamic and scenes. While I wish they got developed more and have more focus in the story, I love their romance. Simi and Chloe’s friendship is another thing that I like.
I can’t really call this book found family tbh because I don’t think they all bonded that much. Like, Simi, Jack and Chloe are probably the only one that have depths. The rest of the side characters are there to provide jokes and be stereotypical comedy characters with only one personality.
Anyway in conclusion, I had fun reading the romance and I think this would be great as a movie. It’s a decent and enjoyable romcom.
The author clearly focused more on the comedy aspect instead of the romance and I wish she didn’t do that. The comedy is not that funny and all the characters are very stereotypical. The only thing that made me enjoy this book is Simi and Jack’s romance. I actually really like their dynamic and scenes. While I wish they got developed more and have more focus in the story, I love their romance. Simi and Chloe’s friendship is another thing that I like.
I can’t really call this book found family tbh because I don’t think they all bonded that much. Like, Simi, Jack and Chloe are probably the only one that have depths. The rest of the side characters are there to provide jokes and be stereotypical comedy characters with only one personality.
Anyway in conclusion, I had fun reading the romance and I think this would be great as a movie. It’s a decent and enjoyable romcom.
Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
I just couldn’t get into it
Never a Hero by Vanessa Len
4.0
In book 1, I can see the potential of both romance but I leaned more to Aaron’s side. In this book, I can say for sure that I’m fully on Aaron’s team.
I think Nick’s romance feels repetitive sometimes because the author just keeps repeating the same ‘he is my soulmate, we’ll always find each other, I’ll always love him’ lines and how Nick is a true hero, how strong he is, how people are drawn to him etc… I don’t hate Nick and I still like some of his scenes with Joan but it does feel repetitive. I think I like the potential of book 1 Nick x Joan together than their actual romance.
On the other hand, Joan’s romantic scenes with Aaron in this book outdid book 1 by FAR. I enjoy every scenes they have together. I love how Joan is always so soft to Aaron and vice versa. They know each other so well. Joan only spent a few days with Aaron but she literally trusts him with her life. I know that Nick is probably the endgame but I hope I’m wrong and Aaron is the endgame.
Anyway I’m gonna be honest, the worldbuilding still feels very… whatever. I don’t think I care that much about characters (other than the main trio), in fact the side characters have less focus in this book. I also don’t care for the antagonists, like I don’t hate them and I just feel nothing for them.
In conclusion, the author ate the romance aspect and she should focused more on that in the sequel. Unfortunately the other aspects are mediocre.
I think Nick’s romance feels repetitive sometimes because the author just keeps repeating the same ‘he is my soulmate, we’ll always find each other, I’ll always love him’ lines and how Nick is a true hero, how strong he is, how people are drawn to him etc… I don’t hate Nick and I still like some of his scenes with Joan but it does feel repetitive. I think I like the potential of book 1 Nick x Joan together than their actual romance.
On the other hand, Joan’s romantic scenes with Aaron in this book outdid book 1 by FAR. I enjoy every scenes they have together. I love how Joan is always so soft to Aaron and vice versa. They know each other so well. Joan only spent a few days with Aaron but she literally trusts him with her life. I know that Nick is probably the endgame but I hope I’m wrong and Aaron is the endgame.
Anyway I’m gonna be honest, the worldbuilding still feels very… whatever. I don’t think I care that much about characters (other than the main trio), in fact the side characters have less focus in this book. I also don’t care for the antagonists, like I don’t hate them and I just feel nothing for them.
In conclusion, the author ate the romance aspect and she should focused more on that in the sequel. Unfortunately the other aspects are mediocre.
Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I understand why Helena hated Hastings, I will hate him too if that’s how he behaves around me. I also agree with the negative review calling him a hypocrite.
Despite that, I think Sherry Thomas’s writing suits me. Despite the fact that some of her books have questionable male leads, I usually end up liking the romance by the end of it.
There are at least 2 times the use of G slur in this novel but I guess racism against Romani people are to be expected in historical romance… At least it was just a mention of the G slur and not anything very racist…
Despite that, I think Sherry Thomas’s writing suits me. Despite the fact that some of her books have questionable male leads, I usually end up liking the romance by the end of it.
There are at least 2 times the use of G slur in this novel but I guess racism against Romani people are to be expected in historical romance… At least it was just a mention of the G slur and not anything very racist…