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lifeofchrstnlvly's reviews
193 reviews
The Stopover by TL Swan
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Wow. This book was bad! There was a plot, but it was so bad. It was a mess. Most of the things that happened didn't make sense (one example: Jameson sees Emily as a f**k buddy, but he woke up one morning and decided she was the one. Now I know this happens in real life, but for them, it was too convenient just to keep the plot going. They didn't even know each other that much and now you're telling me you are suddenly in love and you want to marry her?).
Jameson and Emily were stuck in an endless loop of sleeping together, then Emily finds something to get mad about, then sleeping together, then Emily finds something to be mad about, then repeat. I lost count how long this went on.
Emily was the most annoying FMC I ever read. She was in her 20s, but she kept acting like a high schooler. It was a pain knowing her thoughts, because it was to childish. As for Jameson, I don't know why someone would fall in love with him. During one of their conversations, Jameson found out Emily sometimes have her food delivered. He was flabbergasted because he thought she should not let other people touch her food. What if they put drugs in her food causing her to pass out and sleep without any idea to what's happening? What if the delivery person comes back to Emily's house and r**e her? Why was this Jameson's line of thinking, you ask? Because, and I quote, "If I were a rapist, that's what I would do." Yup, straight from Jameson's mouth.
Listen, every time I read romance books, I leave my morals out the door, lock myself inside the book's universe, and read. I'm used to reading books with loose morals and I'm not a prude when it comes to this (I read the Cat & Mouse duet and I didn't have a problem with Zade). But what Jameson said was a huge red flag. Why would you even write that?! Why would you let your character "fall in love" (in quotations because honestly, they weren't really in love - they were just in lust) with someone who thinks like that? At this point, I just pitied the characters who were left in the hands of this author.
They fight over the smallest things. They make a big deal out of everything, especially Emily. One frown from Jameson makes her think that he hates him. Are they really in their 20s and 30s? So childish and immature.
I'm not against the grumpy/sunshine and boss/employee tropes (I loved the Dreamland billionaire series), but it was overdone in this book. Also, why was it so long? It didn't need to be 500+ pages. The third act breakup was thrown to the readers just so there will be tension.
If you haven't guessed it already, this is a 1 star read. If I could give a 0 star rating, I would, but the lowest rating I give to any book as bad as this is 1 star since I still give credit to authors who write books (even if their works are so freaking bad).
Jameson and Emily were stuck in an endless loop of sleeping together, then Emily finds something to get mad about, then sleeping together, then Emily finds something to be mad about, then repeat. I lost count how long this went on.
Emily was the most annoying FMC I ever read. She was in her 20s, but she kept acting like a high schooler. It was a pain knowing her thoughts, because it was to childish. As for Jameson, I don't know why someone would fall in love with him. During one of their conversations, Jameson found out Emily sometimes have her food delivered. He was flabbergasted because he thought she should not let other people touch her food. What if they put drugs in her food causing her to pass out and sleep without any idea to what's happening? What if the delivery person comes back to Emily's house and r**e her? Why was this Jameson's line of thinking, you ask? Because, and I quote, "If I were a rapist, that's what I would do." Yup, straight from Jameson's mouth.
Listen, every time I read romance books, I leave my morals out the door, lock myself inside the book's universe, and read. I'm used to reading books with loose morals and I'm not a prude when it comes to this (I read the Cat & Mouse duet and I didn't have a problem with Zade). But what Jameson said was a huge red flag. Why would you even write that?! Why would you let your character "fall in love" (in quotations because honestly, they weren't really in love - they were just in lust) with someone who thinks like that? At this point, I just pitied the characters who were left in the hands of this author.
They fight over the smallest things. They make a big deal out of everything, especially Emily. One frown from Jameson makes her think that he hates him. Are they really in their 20s and 30s? So childish and immature.
I'm not against the grumpy/sunshine and boss/employee tropes (I loved the Dreamland billionaire series), but it was overdone in this book. Also, why was it so long? It didn't need to be 500+ pages. The third act breakup was thrown to the readers just so there will be tension.
If you haven't guessed it already, this is a 1 star read. If I could give a 0 star rating, I would, but the lowest rating I give to any book as bad as this is 1 star since I still give credit to authors who write books (even if their works are so freaking bad).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Infidelity and Rape
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.5
**review to follow**
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Wow. 2nd DNF of the year and it's only January 3 (DNFed at 59%)!
I tried to like it. I really did. I know it's YA (and I love reading YA books, no matter the genre), but the writing was too juvenile. It was too dramatic to the point that it was unnecessarily wordy. I was only skimming this book. First chapter in, I knew I will not like it. The way they talk? No one talks like that. It was an endless loop of, "I am yours. You are mine." Kissing on the lips since they were 8 years old? I'm not a prude, but come on.
I didn't feel any attachment to the characters. I don't like them not because I didn't like the author's writing - they just weren't likeable. I didn't care if anyone dies.
The last book that made me this irritated/angry was We Were Liars. Both of them are not worth the hype.
I tried to like it. I really did. I know it's YA (and I love reading YA books, no matter the genre), but the writing was too juvenile. It was too dramatic to the point that it was unnecessarily wordy. I was only skimming this book. First chapter in, I knew I will not like it. The way they talk? No one talks like that. It was an endless loop of, "I am yours. You are mine." Kissing on the lips since they were 8 years old? I'm not a prude, but come on.
I didn't feel any attachment to the characters. I don't like them not because I didn't like the author's writing - they just weren't likeable. I didn't care if anyone dies.
The last book that made me this irritated/angry was We Were Liars. Both of them are not worth the hype.
101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
There are essays that are misleading because of this thought process. Aside from that, I don't think you get your money's worth in buying this book. The "wisdom" the author imparts can be freely read online. We have tons of self-help articles that express things more coherently than this book.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
DNFed at 62%. Honestly, I should have stopped reading this a long time ago. I finally decided that enough is enough.
I started reading this book last May 2022, but for some reason, I found myself dreading the thought of reading this book. At first I thought I was not the target audience (it's written for people in their 20s), but I realized 2 things:
I started reading this book last May 2022, but for some reason, I found myself dreading the thought of reading this book. At first I thought I was not the target audience (it's written for people in their 20s), but I realized 2 things:
- I love YA books targeted to much younger audiences, and
- the main reason why I didn't like the book was because some of the thoughts shared are just... wrong. One example was when the author said that you can't control what you observe, how you react and generate, and what you allow to experience.
There are essays that are misleading because of this thought process. Aside from that, I don't think you get your money's worth in buying this book. The "wisdom" the author imparts can be freely read online. We have tons of self-help articles that express things more coherently than this book.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
First of all, 🖕 Maggan & William and 🤍 Ramona & Bobo.
Backman's writing always amazes me. He never fails to leave me in awe of how he can perfectly capture humans, especially their emotions. He always slaps you with the truth, not because you need it, but because it's his nature to tell the truth. It doesn't matter if you'll be hit with the harsh reality. What matters is he tells the truth so blatantly. He reminds you how raw our emotions are. He forces you to look within, without being too preachy about it.
One of the things I like about Backman is you can expect him to not write women in his books the way other male authors do. He writes each character carefully and accurately. He treats them the way they should be treated. Female characters are not written poorly just because he isn't a woman who writes about something he doesn't understand. We need more male authors like him.
It caused me pain. I reminded me of things. But both are necessary.
5 freaking stars. Of course.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
How you choose to act is up to you. It always has been.
First of all, 🖕 Maggan & William and 🤍 Ramona & Bobo.
She's been left standing in the snow like a bare tree trunk without any bark, unprotected now that he's no longer here.
Backman's writing always amazes me. He never fails to leave me in awe of how he can perfectly capture humans, especially their emotions. He always slaps you with the truth, not because you need it, but because it's his nature to tell the truth. It doesn't matter if you'll be hit with the harsh reality. What matters is he tells the truth so blatantly. He reminds you how raw our emotions are. He forces you to look within, without being too preachy about it.
One of the things I like about Backman is you can expect him to not write women in his books the way other male authors do. He writes each character carefully and accurately. He treats them the way they should be treated. Female characters are not written poorly just because he isn't a woman who writes about something he doesn't understand. We need more male authors like him.
It caused me pain. I reminded me of things. But both are necessary.
5 freaking stars. Of course.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Homophobia and Suicide
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
Yes, Terms and Conditions > The Fine Print. I loved Cal's and Iris' relationship. I liked the banter between them. I resigned myself to thinking fake dating/marriage is one of the tropes I love. The representation in this book was also good.
I can't wait for Final Offer/Cal's story.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
You might have gone about all the steps in the wrong order, but that doesn't mean you can't restart from the beginning and try again.
Yes, Terms and Conditions > The Fine Print. I loved Cal's and Iris' relationship. I liked the banter between them. I resigned myself to thinking fake dating/marriage is one of the tropes I love. The representation in this book was also good.
I can't wait for Final Offer/Cal's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Baggage Claim by Juliana Smith
It was predictable. You know Finn and Olive will fall in love. The reason for Olive and Sarah's conflict was obvious from the start. I felt like the build up for the conflict reveal was too dragging. It might have been better if it was revealed around the 40% mark, and the rest of the book was focused on Finn and Olive's love story (fine... including Olive's healing).
Denise's heart-to-heart talk with Olive didn't help, either.
WTF?! I know as a mom, she thought she meant well, but come on... no wonder Sarah did what she did. Denise was an enabler. My other problem with that scene was Olive clearly didn't hear that, and she only focused on the part Denise said about Finn. GIRL, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? Your own mother was telling you her f*cked up reason why you should move on from your ex's and sister's betrayal, and you focused on what she said about Finn?
The 1 star is for Finn. Nothing else.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I used to say I didn’t believe in fate. I always thought, ultimately, your choices—good or bad—controlled your destiny. As it turned out, fate was tangible, and it was a bitch.
It was predictable. You know Finn and Olive will fall in love. The reason for Olive and Sarah's conflict was obvious from the start. I felt like the build up for the conflict reveal was too dragging. It might have been better if it was revealed around the 40% mark, and the rest of the book was focused on Finn and Olive's love story (fine... including Olive's healing).
But, I am the first to tell you that love doesn’t understand what’s right or wrong. Sometimes love has no boundaries, and I think they found that out in an instant.
The 1 star is for Finn. Nothing else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
My only issue with this book? Why are they fictional?
**full review to follow**
**full review to follow**
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Was it good? No.
Was it entertaining? A little?
Will I still the rest of the series? Maybe.
2 words: alien sm*t. đź¤
Was it entertaining? A little?
Will I still the rest of the series? Maybe.
2 words: alien sm*t. đź¤
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
What did you do when someone told you a story about how they were abused? Did you tell them to move past it? Did you ask them they are just imagining things? Did you believe them?
Or were you one of the (rare) people in this awful society who actually helped them? (side note: this book made me appreciate my mom for always sticking up for me)
Please, please, please search CWs and ensure you are in the right state of mind before reading this book. While it is beautifully written because it perfectly depicted how grooming works, some parts are triggering even if you didn't experience grooming personally.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When Strane and I met, I was fifteen and he was forty-two.
My Dark Vanessa was one of the hardest books I ever read because of how raw it was. It explored the effects of abuse, particularly grooming. It had a plot, but it was more character driven. It was beautifully written you can't help but be disgusted and angry, both at the abusers and our society. The ending was not satisfactory for some, but let's face it: this is our reality.
But what have they done when faced with situations in which they could actually make a difference?
What did you do when someone told you a story about how they were abused? Did you tell them to move past it? Did you ask them they are just imagining things? Did you believe them?
Or were you one of the (rare) people in this awful society who actually helped them? (side note: this book made me appreciate my mom for always sticking up for me)
Please, please, please search CWs and ensure you are in the right state of mind before reading this book. While it is beautifully written because it perfectly depicted how grooming works, some parts are triggering even if you didn't experience grooming personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment