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nextonmytbr's Reviews (220)
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Canada for this e-ARC!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Enjoyed the concept of the story. Two chefs with immense talent and difficult pasts coming together to not only be a great team at work but also as real life partners.
My dislikes were the dialogue did not feel natural. It felt like too charactery as opposed to feeling like natural conversations. What was meant as cute banter fell very flat. I also feel that the main two characters did things that felt out of character? Their actions didn’t line up to what we the reader knew about them. The whole time we are led to believe how important this job is to our FMC but when she gets fired/quits she’s so flippant about it. The resolution of her missing parents was given one chapter even though we are told how important this is to her. Our MMC is supposed to be a disciplined renowned top chef but when he discovers our FMC lied about finishing culinary school he covers for her even though on the previous chapter he fired another employee for the exact same thing! Make it make sense?
Now clearly I still finished the book, and gave it 3 stars. There were some cute moments! I love the found family with the other restaurant employees (humor was strong with the side characters) and the spice scenes were good (now some of the pillow talk could’ve been better here too). The story felt strongest during the MMC reunion with his family. I felt the connection and I really cared about the outcome. It didn’t feel forced and you felt the love from his parents in those scenes. Overall this was a strong debut and with just a few tweaks I could see this author putting out even better work!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
Enjoyed the concept of the story. Two chefs with immense talent and difficult pasts coming together to not only be a great team at work but also as real life partners.
My dislikes were the dialogue did not feel natural. It felt like too charactery as opposed to feeling like natural conversations. What was meant as cute banter fell very flat. I also feel that the main two characters did things that felt out of character? Their actions didn’t line up to what we the reader knew about them. The whole time we are led to believe how important this job is to our FMC but when she gets fired/quits she’s so flippant about it. The resolution of her missing parents was given one chapter even though we are told how important this is to her. Our MMC is supposed to be a disciplined renowned top chef but when he discovers our FMC lied about finishing culinary school he covers for her even though on the previous chapter he fired another employee for the exact same thing! Make it make sense?
Now clearly I still finished the book, and gave it 3 stars. There were some cute moments! I love the found family with the other restaurant employees (humor was strong with the side characters) and the spice scenes were good (now some of the pillow talk could’ve been better here too). The story felt strongest during the MMC reunion with his family. I felt the connection and I really cared about the outcome. It didn’t feel forced and you felt the love from his parents in those scenes. Overall this was a strong debut and with just a few tweaks I could see this author putting out even better work!
Invisible Girl follows three POVs. We have, Saffyre, a young high school student who spends a lot of time alone wondering the neighborhood. Owen, a recently suspended teacher in his 30s who makes some questionable decisions. And finally, Cat, who is a mostly stay-at-home mom of two kids and wife to Roan Fours (child psychologist).
The three stories seem very unrelated until you are slowly introduced to the different ways in which they are all connected. There are terrifying assaults occurring around the neighborhood and then one Valentine's Day night Saffyre goes missing.
This story was so compelling to read because there are so many clues that you are trying to put together as a reader to figure out the mystery of the disappearance. I have to say it took me a while to finish this one because of two reasons: first, I was so creeped out by the story. I don't read too many dark stories and this one as a female had me feeling icky (look up trigger warnings) and secondly, since there was a lot of jumping around with POV and timeline it was easy to get confused with where you were in the story.
Now that all being said this was such a good thriller! Lisa Jewell's writing I argue is some of the best I've seen in a thriller truly and I love just the level of attention to detail with this one. Sometimes I feel that writers will throw in weird facts just to try and confuse the reader but with Lisa Jewell everything has meaning or significance and every detail adds to the story!
The three stories seem very unrelated until you are slowly introduced to the different ways in which they are all connected. There are terrifying assaults occurring around the neighborhood and then one Valentine's Day night Saffyre goes missing.
This story was so compelling to read because there are so many clues that you are trying to put together as a reader to figure out the mystery of the disappearance. I have to say it took me a while to finish this one because of two reasons: first, I was so creeped out by the story. I don't read too many dark stories and this one as a female had me feeling icky (look up trigger warnings) and secondly, since there was a lot of jumping around with POV and timeline it was easy to get confused with where you were in the story.
Now that all being said this was such a good thriller! Lisa Jewell's writing I argue is some of the best I've seen in a thriller truly and I love just the level of attention to detail with this one. Sometimes I feel that writers will throw in weird facts just to try and confuse the reader but with Lisa Jewell everything has meaning or significance and every detail adds to the story!
I’m will be the first to say that you guys were all right. Okay. I was wrong, there I said it. Because previously if you caught by reviews for Book 1 and 2 in the Throne of Glass series you will know that I gave them four stars. And I went into Heir of Fire (book 3) with very low expectations. But let me be the first to tell you just how good this book was. The hype is all too real! I don’t even know how to explain how I feel about this book let alone what the book was about without spoilers. But gosh let me try.
Our story picks up after the events of book 2, and Celaena is sent on a mission by the evil King of Adarlan on a far off continent. Finally, we leave the glass castle and are introduced to a whole bunch of new creatures and places. There is a huge focus on Celaena dealing with her grief, and depression. We learn so much about her backstory and her motivations. We are introduced to major new characters, the magic system is further developed, and bigger puzzle pieces of the evil king’s master plan are revealed. At first the different POVs were confusing but once I got in the groove of the story it felt easier to switch between the storylines. And I even found myself loving each one! I finally feel like everything we learned in book 1-2 is paying off because the emotional impact this story had on me was unmatched! I felt so deeply for each of our characters and the action scenes had me on the edge of my seat! Of course, literally, the last 20 pages of this book shattered my heart and left on such a huge cliffhanger. I need the next book now and CANNOT wait to see what happens next!
Our story picks up after the events of book 2, and Celaena is sent on a mission by the evil King of Adarlan on a far off continent. Finally, we leave the glass castle and are introduced to a whole bunch of new creatures and places. There is a huge focus on Celaena dealing with her grief, and depression. We learn so much about her backstory and her motivations. We are introduced to major new characters, the magic system is further developed, and bigger puzzle pieces of the evil king’s master plan are revealed. At first the different POVs were confusing but once I got in the groove of the story it felt easier to switch between the storylines. And I even found myself loving each one! I finally feel like everything we learned in book 1-2 is paying off because the emotional impact this story had on me was unmatched! I felt so deeply for each of our characters and the action scenes had me on the edge of my seat! Of course, literally, the last 20 pages of this book shattered my heart and left on such a huge cliffhanger. I need the next book now and CANNOT wait to see what happens next!
A Crane Among Wolves takes place in Korea in 1506 (Joseon dynasty) during the terrifying reign of King Yeonsan - considered the worst tyrant in Korean history.
We follow 17 year-old Iseul who is trying to rescue her sister from the king and Prince Daehyun who is plotting to dethrone his horrible half-brother. With this set up alone you have the makings of a perfect enemies to lovers plot! But June Hur doesn't stop there. You also have a mysterious and unknown killer, Nameless Flower, who is murdering government officials and anyone they suspect sympathizes with King Yeonsan.
What I'm left with after finishing this perfect story is all the descriptions of the atrocities the king committed, from abuse, kidnapping women, murder, violence, animal cruelty... I mean gosh the list goes on and on. And while the book is YA I felt that all these important historical moments were described with the appropriate tone and seriousness that subjects like those warrants. I enjoyed googling the Korean words I didn't know, although the author does a great job of giving us the definitions with context and learning about real events of Korean history. The found family aspects, the description of the love you feel for your family, the building up we have throughout the story of this big coup that is being planned, it all just comes together for such a wonderful story.
I felt such a range of emotions while reading this. From interest in the history, to curiosity in trying to solve the murder mystery, to swooning over Iseul and Daehyun, to laughing at their remarks, to being sad at tragedies that happen (chapter 42 had me screaming!)... I mean this really had it all!
Keep reading for light spoilers!!!
The other aspect I am left with is the relationship between Iseul and Daehyun. This is YA so no spice, I can't even say that is closed door because we get only a couple of kissing scenes and yet I feel this relationship is one the most romantic ones I have read to date! It felt like they had a very special connection and really saw and understood each other completely even with the tragedies they were facing.
Quotes that highlight the gorgeous writing with light spoilers!
Quote from Iseul's POV: "He stared down at me, and in his expression was the face of privilege - cruel, indifferent, and cold."
Quote from Iseul's POV: "Her absence had stripped me bare, down to the very sinew of my being, and I had no choice but to face the truth: I did love my sister."....."More than ever, now, I was afraid of this love for her, afraid of the intolerable agony that came with loving anyone at all."
Quote from Iseul's POV: "There were moments, I knew, when the earth and stars eclipsed each other. Yet I had never thought it possible that my heart and mind would move in such a way, shifting within the expanse and centering my attention on the man before me."
Quote from Daehyun POV: "The monthslong grief that had left him wretched. The overwhelming darkness. EThe hours upon hours of torment. Weeping until his entire body ached. He could not go back to it. He gritted his teeth and refused to feel and waited for the numbing fog to roll in."
Quote from Daehyun POV: "Iseul's laughter rung outside, vibrant, and bewitching. Daehyun caught himself listening, unable to speak or move, seized by curiosity."
We follow 17 year-old Iseul who is trying to rescue her sister from the king and Prince Daehyun who is plotting to dethrone his horrible half-brother. With this set up alone you have the makings of a perfect enemies to lovers plot! But June Hur doesn't stop there. You also have a mysterious and unknown killer, Nameless Flower, who is murdering government officials and anyone they suspect sympathizes with King Yeonsan.
What I'm left with after finishing this perfect story is all the descriptions of the atrocities the king committed, from abuse, kidnapping women, murder, violence, animal cruelty... I mean gosh the list goes on and on. And while the book is YA I felt that all these important historical moments were described with the appropriate tone and seriousness that subjects like those warrants. I enjoyed googling the Korean words I didn't know, although the author does a great job of giving us the definitions with context and learning about real events of Korean history. The found family aspects, the description of the love you feel for your family, the building up we have throughout the story of this big coup that is being planned, it all just comes together for such a wonderful story.
I felt such a range of emotions while reading this. From interest in the history, to curiosity in trying to solve the murder mystery, to swooning over Iseul and Daehyun, to laughing at their remarks, to being sad at tragedies that happen (chapter 42 had me screaming!)... I mean this really had it all!
Keep reading for light spoilers!!!
The other aspect I am left with is the relationship between Iseul and Daehyun. This is YA so no spice, I can't even say that is closed door because we get only a couple of kissing scenes and yet I feel this relationship is one the most romantic ones I have read to date! It felt like they had a very special connection and really saw and understood each other completely even with the tragedies they were facing.
Quotes that highlight the gorgeous writing with light spoilers!
Quote from Iseul's POV: "He stared down at me, and in his expression was the face of privilege - cruel, indifferent, and cold."
Quote from Iseul's POV: "Her absence had stripped me bare, down to the very sinew of my being, and I had no choice but to face the truth: I did love my sister."....."More than ever, now, I was afraid of this love for her, afraid of the intolerable agony that came with loving anyone at all."
Quote from Iseul's POV: "There were moments, I knew, when the earth and stars eclipsed each other. Yet I had never thought it possible that my heart and mind would move in such a way, shifting within the expanse and centering my attention on the man before me."
Quote from Daehyun POV: "The monthslong grief that had left him wretched. The overwhelming darkness. EThe hours upon hours of torment. Weeping until his entire body ached. He could not go back to it. He gritted his teeth and refused to feel and waited for the numbing fog to roll in."
Quote from Daehyun POV: "Iseul's laughter rung outside, vibrant, and bewitching. Daehyun caught himself listening, unable to speak or move, seized by curiosity."
Wow! This book really takes you on a journey! Our prologue starts by giving us the POV of each Blue sister. We have Avery -a recovering addict turned lawyer, Bonnie - a former boxer hiding in LA, and Lucky - a model living a huge party-life in Paris. The fourth Blue sister, Nicky, has tragically passed away and now one year after her death Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky are trying to process their grief and navigate their relationship with each other and themselves.
It's so crazy that these are not real people because this read like I was living inside another person. The hurt, pain, and anger each sister feels felt like my own! And the tension between each relationship was so palpable! This was interesting in that there wasn't really a single character that you could deem the "good guy" because they all had flaws and their actions were sometimes frustrating. And yet..... you couldn't help but root for them. You wanted them to overcome their obstacles and better their lives. This is a character study so do go into it knowing you don't get much in terms of plot but the past/present timelines in my opinion keep the story moving forward at a good pace. I also personally enjoyed that it was only 12 chapters because it tricked my brain into thinking it was a short read but the chapters are actually quite long. That is a testament to the writing again that so much emotion was conveyed with such precision! And the story ended in a way that is true to real life - because it was not the most perfect of happily ever after's. Each sister dealt with the consequences of their actions in very real ways. Overall, a great read that I think will really stay with me!
(Please read the trigger warnings for this one!)
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this arc!
It's so crazy that these are not real people because this read like I was living inside another person. The hurt, pain, and anger each sister feels felt like my own! And the tension between each relationship was so palpable! This was interesting in that there wasn't really a single character that you could deem the "good guy" because they all had flaws and their actions were sometimes frustrating. And yet..... you couldn't help but root for them. You wanted them to overcome their obstacles and better their lives. This is a character study so do go into it knowing you don't get much in terms of plot but the past/present timelines in my opinion keep the story moving forward at a good pace. I also personally enjoyed that it was only 12 chapters because it tricked my brain into thinking it was a short read but the chapters are actually quite long. That is a testament to the writing again that so much emotion was conveyed with such precision! And the story ended in a way that is true to real life - because it was not the most perfect of happily ever after's. Each sister dealt with the consequences of their actions in very real ways. Overall, a great read that I think will really stay with me!
(Please read the trigger warnings for this one!)
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this arc!
Okay okay this was cute! Truly! It’s everything you can expect from a Sarah Adams rom com! And I swooned and teared up! That reveal on the last chapter….. I’m a hopeless romantic okay?
I gave four stars only because Nora was just too quirky sometimes. Her catch phrases and obsessions with color coding and organizing was too much sometimes…. To give you an example she wears a yellow tshirt with a huge smiley face and a hat with the words “mac and cheese” or something like that to her profesional office in an unironic way. She even calls her self obnoxious so I feel bad for feeling this way but she did make me cringe at times.
I really enjoyed the dyslexia representation. And if you are afraid of spice in your books this one has only one open door chapter that was super mild IMO and can totally be skipped. I enjoyed the very real conversations about maturity in relationships and the struggle of balancing your career and relationships. There wasn’t really a third act breakup (thank goodness) because I almost thought there was going to be one. And of course one of the fun things about this story is seeing the couple and characters from the first book (the cheat sheet)! Overall a great read!
I gave four stars only because Nora was just too quirky sometimes. Her catch phrases and obsessions with color coding and organizing was too much sometimes…. To give you an example she wears a yellow tshirt with a huge smiley face and a hat with the words “mac and cheese” or something like that to her profesional office in an unironic way. She even calls her self obnoxious so I feel bad for feeling this way but she did make me cringe at times.
I really enjoyed the dyslexia representation. And if you are afraid of spice in your books this one has only one open door chapter that was super mild IMO and can totally be skipped. I enjoyed the very real conversations about maturity in relationships and the struggle of balancing your career and relationships. There wasn’t really a third act breakup (thank goodness) because I almost thought there was going to be one. And of course one of the fun things about this story is seeing the couple and characters from the first book (the cheat sheet)! Overall a great read!
Um wow!! This was such an epic ya fantasy! I loved every minute of this!
We follow two POVS. Laia, who makes a bargain and finds herself suddenly a slave to a cruel master and Elias, who is an elite soldier at Blackcliff Military Academy but wants to be free. Both have endured unspeakable tragedies at the hands of the Martial Empire and are thrust together by what seems like some greater destiny! Very quickly this world is set up and the stakes feel very high! I was surprised at how graphic this story was. I mean it’s still ya graphic but wow I really felt for our characters and what they had to endure. Every chapter for real was action, world-building, twists, and turns! There’s political intrigue, strange magic, creatures, prophesies and a bit of a love triangle (which I eat up!!) Then come to find out this is a quartet!! Sign me up! I can’t wait to read the other books!
We follow two POVS. Laia, who makes a bargain and finds herself suddenly a slave to a cruel master and Elias, who is an elite soldier at Blackcliff Military Academy but wants to be free. Both have endured unspeakable tragedies at the hands of the Martial Empire and are thrust together by what seems like some greater destiny! Very quickly this world is set up and the stakes feel very high! I was surprised at how graphic this story was. I mean it’s still ya graphic but wow I really felt for our characters and what they had to endure. Every chapter for real was action, world-building, twists, and turns! There’s political intrigue, strange magic, creatures, prophesies and a bit of a love triangle (which I eat up!!) Then come to find out this is a quartet!! Sign me up! I can’t wait to read the other books!