lassmallesen's reviews
18 reviews

Adore You by Nicole Falls

In this first instalment of the Accidentally In Love series called “Adore you” then debut author Nicole Falls tells Devorah’s and Ellis’ story. Devorah is reluctant to date Ellis despite being in love with him for the majority of her life because a) he is her ex’s brother and she fears their mothers disapproval and b) because Ellis has in the past been known to be non-committal. Will Ellis succeed to convince Devorah to take it to the next level or is Devorah’s insistence on keeping their relationship a secret from their family bound to cause some trouble?

I had a blast flying through these 166 pages. I loved the band of side characters introduced: Devorah’s and Ellis’ shared best friend Cadence, Ellis’ brother Everett and of course Celena the series’s second instalment’s main character. I loved Nicole Falls’ writing style. It shone especially bright because of its wittiness. Even though I didn’t care much for the couple’s conflict (though that might just be because of my abhorrence of the reformed-player-trope in general; this girl is a pessimist and doesn’t believe that people change; in my humble opinion: once a commitment-phob always a commitment-phob), I can only recommend this one! If you are looking for a breezy afternoon read that will make you chuckle, this is the one for you.

Smitten by Nicole Falls

Smitten is the second instalment in Nicole Falls accidentally in love series and features Celena and Kareem. Celena is struggling to come to terms with a recent break-up after her ex has ghosted her unexpectedly and without any explanation. She is set up on a speed dating event by her bestie where she meets Kareem. Kareem has recently moved back home to start his own business and to help out his mother and grandmother. Where will their instant chemistry lead them?

This is my third and favourite book so far by Nicole Falls. While I had been a fan of the author’s witty writing style before this one had me also fall in love with the love interest Kareem. I loved his corny lines and how thoughtful and considerate he was, knowing Celena had just experienced hurt. Where are the real life Kareems hiding? :) Sometimes I can get annoyed with “unnecessary romance novel conflict” which I often feel is just a plot device. I don’t know how you did it, Nicole Falls, but even without any such “romance novel conflict” Celena’s and Kareem’s story had me glued to my e-reader. A definite recommendation.

You Can't Plan Love by Synithia Williams

This is the story of Kenyatta and Malcolm. Kenyatta has been disappointed in the past by men who she gave her heart to. So to avoid further heartbreak in the future, she comes up with the “perfect plan” to marry a man who is “safe and reliable” and most importantly who doesn’t get her juices flowing. So that’s why she says “yes” when her boyfriend Brad asks her to marry him, even though she isn’t in love with him. What she doesn’t anticipate though, is her boss Malcolm’s - who she’s been secretly pining for since the day she got hired - reaction to her engagement. Can she keep denying the chemistry between them when he suddenly starts flirting with her? And what will Brad do once he learns about Kenyatta’s attraction to Malcom?

I read and loved Synithia’s “Jackson Falls Series” last year, so I was looking forward to dive into one of her earlier works. But I don’t think this one is for me. While Synithia’s writing had me glued to my e-reader way past my bedtime and the smut was on point, I disliked Brad and the whole storyline around him. Kenyatta’s insistence on continuing her relationship with Brad despite ALL the red flags was exhausting bordering on annoying. And the turn the story took in the last 25 % of the book...? I really wasn’t here for it

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

This book left me mostly confused. I don’t know if it’s due to the fact that English is a foreign language to me or it’s because of cultural cues that went right over my head

Didn't Mean To Love You by Christina C. Jones

It was nice to be back with this lovely group of shop owners. I love the trio infernal Eddie, Simone and Vivienne. That being said I wasn’t the biggest fan of Carter and Vivienne’s love story. But that might just be because of my personal dislike of the daddy/mommy issues trope as a means of conflict to prevent the couple to commit. Despite that I did like Carter’s family story line at the end of the book.

What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi

I don’t know but this book left me all confused

Blessed Moon by L.S. Bethel

I liked this one. But be aware this sequel had more typos than the first one. I liked the romance between the mc and the li, but it was all the subplots that kept me engaged. If you looking for smut though, this is not your book. I am looking forward to #3 in the series

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Can’t say I enjoyed this one. If I hadn’t committed myself to read through my physical tbr I don’t think I would have finished this. The writing is good, but the context? I understand classics are products of their time and this is probably an accurate account of the sentiments of the time, but still all the displayed -isms here (The depiction and treatment of mental illness, the allusion to the British empire and its practices (occupation and missionary work i.e.), depiction of different social classes, the inequality in Jane’s and Rochester’s relationships, etc.) told me, that maybe classics are not something I enjoy reading.

Do the Work: Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way by Steven Pressfield

I guess this one does what it’s supposed to do

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Well that was violent