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paupereads's reviews
50 reviews
Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Well, that was unexpected because it became the second book I read from the author, Jesse Q Susanto. This is the first book before. Didn't you see that coming. Like the other series, each book does not connect each other beside the character. And, now, we have met Sharlot & George.
The premises were interesting. Who didn't get curious to know about parents that catfish each kid and lead them into a fake relationship situation? But, for me, it's not like what I expect. It started well. But, from the middle until the end, I got bored. The relationship buidling between the two main characters did not feel connected. Sometimes, I am confused at the moment to realize what just they did and make them interested in each other? It doesn't have to be something big, but in this novel, I still can't find out why that thing can happen?
If I am comparing with didn't see that coming, it might be the author used the same formula, middle clase, chinese background, popular, or etc— and I think that the reason I got bored easily. But, looking at both novels in the same universe, I still try to handle it.
I am annoyed a lot with Sharlot. Not typically, the girl's character will get to give points for me. A convokillers? Yes. And, George, I don't know too much - He's just typically a rich guy like the others, I guess?
For Young Adult, teenager-talk, and an Indonesian background in other perspectives, this novel is still worth it to read. It's must be good humor for some people. But, someone might choose not to finish this. How about you?
The premises were interesting. Who didn't get curious to know about parents that catfish each kid and lead them into a fake relationship situation? But, for me, it's not like what I expect. It started well. But, from the middle until the end, I got bored. The relationship buidling between the two main characters did not feel connected. Sometimes, I am confused at the moment to realize what just they did and make them interested in each other? It doesn't have to be something big, but in this novel, I still can't find out why that thing can happen?
If I am comparing with didn't see that coming, it might be the author used the same formula, middle clase, chinese background, popular, or etc— and I think that the reason I got bored easily. But, looking at both novels in the same universe, I still try to handle it.
I am annoyed a lot with Sharlot. Not typically, the girl's character will get to give points for me. A convokillers? Yes. And, George, I don't know too much - He's just typically a rich guy like the others, I guess?
For Young Adult, teenager-talk, and an Indonesian background in other perspectives, this novel is still worth it to read. It's must be good humor for some people. But, someone might choose not to finish this. How about you?
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Reading this impulsive because I saw some reviews, this novel is so amazing. And, none of this true truly made me speechless since the first time I read. Just like the title, I ended up questioning the whole plot. Who's teeling the truth?
You will meet Josie, a girl that she (kind of) described herself as a victim of child grooming, living with her abuse husband, and the kids that are so complicated. After knowing this, you must feel sad about her, right? But, wait a moment after twist by twist appeared and the reader might be thinking twice about her. Should I trust her? Believe with me - But, she was a girl I don't want to meet in real life. A liar is manipulative, dramatic, and problematic. But what made her like this?
And, Alix, a podcaster, for me, she was the person who REALLY got a lot disavantaged after meeting Josie. With a pure heart, I want to help that girl. But, in the end, she must lose anything. Is she stupid to let Josie come into her life? She's not. That pure of misfortune of her and turned out into (maybe) trauma.
Josie, I see her as a woman who is traumatic. To let her feel, she luckily found Alix, the girl who had the same birthday with her. When she found out Alix's husband had a problem with drinking, Josie has a assumption, Alix had the same situation with her. A bad husband. Why is she trying so hard to make Alix hate her husband? Josie acted like she was the one who got hurt.
When Alix winds out more secret Josie, the reader will lose turst slowly with her. What? All the things are made up? Or Josie told the truth, but no one saved her? Who's teeling the truth? Or is everyone lying?
This novel made the reader have a trust issue to each character, to the stories, even to what they believed. Well, I love this. The novel gives a lot of twists, but it's still blends well with the plot. Even though the truth still becomes a mistery in the end, it's still gives us a statifying ending!
You will meet Josie, a girl that she (kind of) described herself as a victim of child grooming, living with her abuse husband, and the kids that are so complicated. After knowing this, you must feel sad about her, right? But, wait a moment after twist by twist appeared and the reader might be thinking twice about her. Should I trust her? Believe with me - But, she was a girl I don't want to meet in real life. A liar is manipulative, dramatic, and problematic. But what made her like this?
And, Alix, a podcaster, for me, she was the person who REALLY got a lot disavantaged after meeting Josie. With a pure heart, I want to help that girl. But, in the end, she must lose anything. Is she stupid to let Josie come into her life? She's not. That pure of misfortune of her and turned out into (maybe) trauma.
Josie, I see her as a woman who is traumatic. To let her feel, she luckily found Alix, the girl who had the same birthday with her. When she found out Alix's husband had a problem with drinking, Josie has a assumption, Alix had the same situation with her. A bad husband. Why is she trying so hard to make Alix hate her husband? Josie acted like she was the one who got hurt.
When Alix winds out more secret Josie, the reader will lose turst slowly with her. What? All the things are made up? Or Josie told the truth, but no one saved her? Who's teeling the truth? Or is everyone lying?
This novel made the reader have a trust issue to each character, to the stories, even to what they believed. Well, I love this. The novel gives a lot of twists, but it's still blends well with the plot. Even though the truth still becomes a mistery in the end, it's still gives us a statifying ending!
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
It was an amazing experience to read THE SEVEN YEAR SLIP. I am waiting so long. But, luckily, I got a chance to skip the line loan on LIBBY. I can see anywhere. People said this novel so lovely. Mostly, they are given four until five stars in the end. How about me?
We are following the background story about the female protagonist, Lemon, and it is easier to call her like this). She is working in publishing and close with her aunt. The relationship between them explained as a partner. Her aunt loves to travel around the world, typically a woman who chooses freedom rather than anything. To be honest, I am envied with that relationship.
Then, we know how she ended up in her aunt's apartment. After her aunt died, the place belonged to her. The apartment itself is explained as a plave with magic.
Her aunt said, “One moment you are in the present in the hall— The next you open the door and you slip through time into the past. Seven years.”
Then, a little quieter, “It’s always seven years.”
That is how she met Iwan.
Iwan is another protagonist character who described living in the same apartment but different seven years. They met accidentally, and their relationship becoming more close day by day.
I thought It would be a bit longer to realize she and I were separated for seven years. But, the plot itself shows us that she quickly knows that. I imagined the plot is more focus on the development of their relationship in the past, then, something happened, they will meet again in the future as the end. But, the plot is more interesting. I was surprised when I knew it had a past and present time. The story is still realistic even though the author put magical realism concepts on it.
Do I love Iwan? Yes! A cute and handsome boy! I think his love language was physical touch? Haha. How did he call her with a cute nickname? That cute! And, I also love lemon character development.
In the end, I love the concept of this story. Every chapter like gives us something new. It's blended well between the past and the present time. The twists on it also make the story more fun to follow. It is also cute to see how both characters love each other!
We are following the background story about the female protagonist, Lemon, and it is easier to call her like this). She is working in publishing and close with her aunt. The relationship between them explained as a partner. Her aunt loves to travel around the world, typically a woman who chooses freedom rather than anything. To be honest, I am envied with that relationship.
Then, we know how she ended up in her aunt's apartment. After her aunt died, the place belonged to her. The apartment itself is explained as a plave with magic.
Her aunt said, “One moment you are in the present in the hall— The next you open the door and you slip through time into the past. Seven years.”
Then, a little quieter, “It’s always seven years.”
That is how she met Iwan.
Iwan is another protagonist character who described living in the same apartment but different seven years. They met accidentally, and their relationship becoming more close day by day.
I thought It would be a bit longer to realize she and I were separated for seven years. But, the plot itself shows us that she quickly knows that. I imagined the plot is more focus on the development of their relationship in the past, then, something happened, they will meet again in the future as the end. But, the plot is more interesting. I was surprised when I knew it had a past and present time. The story is still realistic even though the author put magical realism concepts on it.
Do I love Iwan? Yes! A cute and handsome boy! I think his love language was physical touch? Haha. How did he call her with a cute nickname? That cute! And, I also love lemon character development.
In the end, I love the concept of this story. Every chapter like gives us something new. It's blended well between the past and the present time. The twists on it also make the story more fun to follow. It is also cute to see how both characters love each other!
A Love Like This by Ayu Rianna
Kembali lagi mmebaca metropop dan menjadi buku dari author Indonesia pertama di tahun 2024. Sudah lama penasaran dengan karya sang penulis, dan akhirnya berkesempatan untuk bisa baca.
Membicarakan tentang trauma dan kesempatan kedua, novel jni menbawa kesan tersendiri. Dua topik tersebut cukup terbilang berat, namun sang penulis cukup lihai membuatnya terkesan ringan. Premis A Love Like This mungkin tidak sespesial itu, tapi bisa membuat kamu jatuh cinta karena para tokoh terbilang realitis.
I love Lei a lot. Dia cowok sangat amat sabar dalam segala hal. Kok bisa? Tapi, kalau dipikir-pikir aku pun pernah mengalami pengalaman menunggu seseorang cukup lama walaupun memiliki akhir berbeda. Mungkin, perasaan Lei yang sekarang bisa dideskripsikan juga sebagai bentuk penyesalan atas kesempatannya yang hilang. Rasa sukanya tidak pernah hilang, namun dia mencoba untuk terbiasa sehingga merasa lupa. Dan, ketika Selena datang, dia sadar masih mencintainya.
Selena sebagai karakter lain membuat aku terpukau, dia memiliki perkembangan karakter baik. Semula diperlihatkan sebagai wanita penuh ambisi dan kuat. Namun, terdapat sisi lain, rapuh, takut, tidak percaya diri, tidak percaya siapapun, dan semua terbentuk karena trauma masa lalu. Namun, dia kembali menjadi wanita yang lebih hidup setelah melalui perjalanan cukup panjang untuk sampai ke titik itu dan aku seperti melihat perjuangannya. Aku merasa seperti temannya.
Alex, seandainya dia dimunculkan lebih intens mungkin cerita akan terkesan berbeda, tidak terlalu heart-warming? Mungkin. Tapi, aku sadar kalau sang author memang ingin kisah diantara dua pemeran utama berjalan baik dengan konsep saling menyadari dan memahami. Jadi, tidak ada drama spesifik dalam hubungan yang terbentuk.
Secara garis besar, aku suka dengan A love like this! Topik yang terbilang berat bisa dibawa dengan cukup ringan sehingga pesan tersampaikan dengan baik kepada pembaca! <3
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Membicarakan tentang trauma dan kesempatan kedua, novel jni menbawa kesan tersendiri. Dua topik tersebut cukup terbilang berat, namun sang penulis cukup lihai membuatnya terkesan ringan. Premis A Love Like This mungkin tidak sespesial itu, tapi bisa membuat kamu jatuh cinta karena para tokoh terbilang realitis.
I love Lei a lot. Dia cowok sangat amat sabar dalam segala hal. Kok bisa? Tapi, kalau dipikir-pikir aku pun pernah mengalami pengalaman menunggu seseorang cukup lama walaupun memiliki akhir berbeda. Mungkin, perasaan Lei yang sekarang bisa dideskripsikan juga sebagai bentuk penyesalan atas kesempatannya yang hilang. Rasa sukanya tidak pernah hilang, namun dia mencoba untuk terbiasa sehingga merasa lupa. Dan, ketika Selena datang, dia sadar masih mencintainya.
Selena sebagai karakter lain membuat aku terpukau, dia memiliki perkembangan karakter baik. Semula diperlihatkan sebagai wanita penuh ambisi dan kuat. Namun, terdapat sisi lain, rapuh, takut, tidak percaya diri, tidak percaya siapapun, dan semua terbentuk karena trauma masa lalu. Namun, dia kembali menjadi wanita yang lebih hidup setelah melalui perjalanan cukup panjang untuk sampai ke titik itu dan aku seperti melihat perjuangannya. Aku merasa seperti temannya.
Alex, seandainya dia dimunculkan lebih intens mungkin cerita akan terkesan berbeda, tidak terlalu heart-warming? Mungkin. Tapi, aku sadar kalau sang author memang ingin kisah diantara dua pemeran utama berjalan baik dengan konsep saling menyadari dan memahami. Jadi, tidak ada drama spesifik dalam hubungan yang terbentuk.
Secara garis besar, aku suka dengan A love like this! Topik yang terbilang berat bisa dibawa dengan cukup ringan sehingga pesan tersampaikan dengan baik kepada pembaca! <3
This Time It's Real by Ann Liang
This Time It's Real successfully gave a cute, heartwarming, also addictive storyline for people who misses their young love story. When we are looking for the trope, there is nothing impressive on it. Just like other trope with fake dating during high school. But, ANN LIANG can make me feel like watching a chinese drama. I can see and feel the happiness sensation in every chapter of this novel. I do not feel like I am belong to a book for Young Adult, but this novel is exceptional. The story began with chaotic cute moments from Eliza, the protagonist, and then following with an agreement with Caz that made their must in relationships. It's cute! Super cute! The grumpry girl with the shining boy pretended to love each other until he realized their feeling was not lying. Caz as populqr boy is kind of my dream boy when I was young. I love him. I love how he doesn't lie about his feelings to Eliza. I love that he becomes so brave to confess his feelings. Eliza becomes a confused one, well, rather than angry with her denial thingy and pretending not like Caz, I moslty laughing on it. That's cute. I just love the storyline, even though it was kind of fast-paced, but I can still see and feel the dynamic in their relationship.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
WILDFIRE made me remember all the teenangers series or movie. It was so similar, the plot, the characters, and also the trope. It is not a kind of story with huge conflict, Hanna Grace just wants us to feel the atmosphere of falling in love as teenagers. The story progresses quite quickly because it is stranger-lovers trope because that one night stands, so it is not really hard to build up the relationship between two characters in the same place. One thing I want to highlight from the characters' relationship is communications. As teenagers, mostly we are made up own assumptions and it's become a misscumication. But, it is less for them. A story that is cute, spicy (I think not really), and if you want to be nostalgic with your old love story when you were in teenagers, well, wildfire is enough for you.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
ABBY JIMENEZ successfully brings the fake dating trope, the cliche romance story that we know becomes so fun to read. I am not typically a reader who loves that trope. But, YOURS TRULY hits differently. The emotional feeling I got so complicated, It felt like I was flying in the sky. But, at some moments, I am falling.
YOURS TRULY gives a good understanding of the relationship, a mixed feeling between the two characters, it gives me enlightenment regarding starting a relationship. Can we start it even if we are still haunted by our past? Is that okay if we try to cover up our sadness with something that can make us look happy? A trust issue, own assumption, and miscommunication between two characters made up based on the one problem, THEIR PAST LIVES. And, that made me realize, the thing that makes us complicated is ourselves.
The plot seems slow, but it is packaged well. Building a relationship to support the fake thing is quite difficult, it is very natural for that to move quite slowly. It doesn't force two characters to immediately connect and it allows me to follow how each of them develops.
BRIANA. I can't blame her for feeling she is not worth everything, even if she thinks herself not enough to start again a relationship. I feel sad about her. But, seeing how she is trying to always look good in front of people, I want to give her the best hug. I know, it is hard to wake up again and trust someone. She cares so much about the people around her, she is smart. I love how passionate she is to help Jacob. Even though, it is fake at the beginning, but, she is trying hard and gives a best to make it look real, Her effort is good.
JACOB. At first, he looks like a character that will not growing up, someone that will stuck in the basement, and I don't think he will do something that can impress us (as a reader). But, after I read all of this. He deserves to be loved. Bro, what can I SAY ABOUT HIM? A perfect man? GIVE HIM 100+ FOR ALL HIS EFFORT. I see him as a flower. Calm, walk slowly, and at the right time, bloom beautifully.I didn't expect him to be so honest with Bri? I thought he would keep quiet!
WHAT I LOVE? The relationship. EVERYTHING. I love it. I love to see how the relationship growing up well. I love to see the end was good! Well, Bri and Jacob REALLY choose AVI to become the name of their daughter. I LOVE IT. From jokes into something memorable.
WHAT I DISLIKE? Not suprise to me saying a miscommunication trope is not my style. I don't really love to see someone too much make their own assumption. Thats all.
IN THE END, I LOVE IT.
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
YOURS TRULY gives a good understanding of the relationship, a mixed feeling between the two characters, it gives me enlightenment regarding starting a relationship. Can we start it even if we are still haunted by our past? Is that okay if we try to cover up our sadness with something that can make us look happy? A trust issue, own assumption, and miscommunication between two characters made up based on the one problem, THEIR PAST LIVES. And, that made me realize, the thing that makes us complicated is ourselves.
The plot seems slow, but it is packaged well. Building a relationship to support the fake thing is quite difficult, it is very natural for that to move quite slowly. It doesn't force two characters to immediately connect and it allows me to follow how each of them develops.
BRIANA. I can't blame her for feeling she is not worth everything, even if she thinks herself not enough to start again a relationship. I feel sad about her. But, seeing how she is trying to always look good in front of people, I want to give her the best hug. I know, it is hard to wake up again and trust someone. She cares so much about the people around her, she is smart. I love how passionate she is to help Jacob. Even though, it is fake at the beginning, but, she is trying hard and gives a best to make it look real, Her effort is good.
JACOB. At first, he looks like a character that will not growing up, someone that will stuck in the basement, and I don't think he will do something that can impress us (as a reader). But, after I read all of this. He deserves to be loved. Bro, what can I SAY ABOUT HIM? A perfect man? GIVE HIM 100+ FOR ALL HIS EFFORT. I see him as a flower. Calm, walk slowly, and at the right time, bloom beautifully.I didn't expect him to be so honest with Bri? I thought he would keep quiet!
WHAT I LOVE? The relationship. EVERYTHING. I love it. I love to see how the relationship growing up well. I love to see the end was good! Well, Bri and Jacob REALLY choose AVI to become the name of their daughter. I LOVE IT. From jokes into something memorable.
WHAT I DISLIKE? Not suprise to me saying a miscommunication trope is not my style. I don't really love to see someone too much make their own assumption. Thats all.
IN THE END, I LOVE IT.
You, with a View by Jessica Joyce
funny
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I do not think the trope on this novel si enemis to lovers because since the first time Noelle and Theo met, They acted like not kind of enemies that moslty showing up in other novel. They have known each other for the past 10 years, I mean, for a long time both of you didn't meet each other, I mean, are you still thinking he is your rival or something else? I think it is not. It is just a past feeling that currently the characters are feeling again because of unexpected meetings. And, surprisingly, we don't have to need a long time to see both of Noelle and Theo liking each other. No strong character developments, and also, I don't feel the dynamic of their relationship. Rather than following their relationship, I prefer to get to know more about Grandma and Paul story. I am confused with the highlight for the whole story even though I know the purpose is. I seem to see two things being forced simultaneously. But, I don't want to say this is bad. I still love their interactions and also a plus for Paul, I love him so much!