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porkleekdumpling's Reviews (373)
emotional
Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC
"'Tis a good reminder, lass. When you believe in something, it bears fruit."
Wow. I am actually really surprised at how much I like this. I've tried reading it several times and I just couldn't get past the first chapter. Not that it was terrible, it just didn't grab my attention and maybe I wasn't in the mood. But I'm really trying to read all my ARCs and this one was next on the list so I sat down and just read it. Then, I just couldn't stop reading it.
I love the writing style. It brings out the magical aspect of the book.
I like the characters. Their chemistry is undeniable. Questionable choices were made, especially on Oskar's part, but it can't be perfect. A character talking to another character thinking they don't understand them is always amusing.
Evie, her paintings, and the connection with Oskar and his family are all very intriguing. I really liked the chapters with Oskar's journal writings.
Overall, very unputdownable once you start reading it. It just has this certain charm that I don't think I'm capable of describing.
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emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Note: Thank you to Lori Edelman from Get Red PR for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was time for her to make her own life.
Very well-written and very balanced. It's not overwhelmingly miserable nor light-hearted and that balance gives the novel a realistic feel. It is quite an uplifting read and will definitely make you feel like for every bad, there will always be something good and sometimes the good comes unexpectedly but if we keep trying and living, there will always be something to look forward to.
I love that Josie is both compassionate but not to the point that she's a pushover. She's very relatable; someone who's trying to find her place in this world. The characters were done very well and they were all quite memorable because there were several characters introduced, some more important and prominent than others, but it was easy to remember who's who.
I'm not really sold on the romance aspect. I don't know...I just didn't feel it. To me, it felt more like just a very good friendship.
It did feel like the ending was a little rushed with the plot twist(s?) and the reveal but it was still satisfying.
For someone who very rarely reads historical fiction, I really enjoyed this one. I think it's bingeable and heartwarming.
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dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Note: Thank you to the publisher, Catapult, for providing me with an ARC.
At times, I found myself incredibly interested in the story but, for most of the book, I found myself zoning out. I found the initial chapters more interesting than the rest of the book; although there were some interesting parts later on, as well. I felt like the witch hunt and trial dragged on; it should be the most interesting part, but I really zoned out during those chapters. I think the writing is beautiful but I don’t think it helps with the tone of the book. I was expecting to feel the anger, hopelessness, insanity, etc. of the characters but I didn’t really feel anything, and it was just very underwhelming. The characters were interesting but they weren’t developed very well so I didn’t find myself caring about them.
Overall, it felt like a tedious read and I wished I loved the actual story as much as I loved its synopsis.
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At times, I found myself incredibly interested in the story but, for most of the book, I found myself zoning out. I found the initial chapters more interesting than the rest of the book; although there were some interesting parts later on, as well. I felt like the witch hunt and trial dragged on; it should be the most interesting part, but I really zoned out during those chapters. I think the writing is beautiful but I don’t think it helps with the tone of the book. I was expecting to feel the anger, hopelessness, insanity, etc. of the characters but I didn’t really feel anything, and it was just very underwhelming. The characters were interesting but they weren’t developed very well so I didn’t find myself caring about them.
Overall, it felt like a tedious read and I wished I loved the actual story as much as I loved its synopsis.
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relaxing
medium-paced
Note: Thank you to Lori Edelman from Get Red PR for providing me with an ARC via BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.
He couldn’t resist her. He’d tried. And even though he was up a river without a paddle, he didn’t care, because when it came to how he felt about her, reason and logic were in low supply.
I’ve heard of Jill Shalvis and I’ve seen her books several times but this is the first time I actually read something written by her and I need to fix that ASAP.
The Friendship Pact is the second book in Jill Shalvis’ Sunrise Cove series. I haven’t read the first book but each book can be treated as a standalone.
Tae and Riggs had a short but spicy past together and I immediately felt the chemistry as soon as they met again. Riggs is only planning to stay in Sunrise Cove during the summer so he tells Tae that they should just be friends; but a unicorn onesie (and a shocking discovery) changed all of that.
There’s a lot of hurt going around in this book but it’s not a depressing read. There’s a lightheartedness to it that balances it all out. In fact, I think I can actually say that this book is a comfort read.
I loved all the characters in this book. I really got invested in their lives and when the big dramatic moment came near the end, I actually got teary-eyed. The writing is great and easily digestible so it’s perfect for bingeing. Heat level is perfect (imo)🔥🔥.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I’m definitely gonna be looking into Jill Shalvis’ other books! (my tbr is crying)
“Oh, I have plenty of fears,” [Tae] said.
“Name one.”
“Falling for you.”
This stunned [Riggs] into silence.
slow-paced
“There will be little rubs and disappointments every where, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere.”
I actually ended up liking Fanny! I don't know when it exactly happened but I found myself acknowledging it when she didn't let herself get bullied into saying yes to someone's proposal (although there was a part where I got scared and though that she was gonna change her mind). She has this quiet strength which is admirable.
Writing is great; it is Austen, after all. However, the story is quite dull and I didn't care about the characters at all. Actually, I disliked them. They were all like the perfect examples of shallowness. Here, a bunch of rich kids who, despite all the good education they received, still can't distinguish right from wrong. And here, a bunch of adults who are (1) too busy to care; (2) not busy but still don't care; or (3) busybodies.
Not a fan of the ending.
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lighthearted
slow-paced
Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC
The beginning really hooked me in and I was excited to keep going. It was ridiculous and I thought it was what I was looking for at that time. However, instead of becoming more invested, I started losing interest.
Everything was just so meh and I didn't feel the chemistry. When it got to the part revealing how she lost her memories, the tension was lost so it felt very anticlimactic.
It was still quite a fun read but I don't know...I might have been expecting something more (or different?).
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The beginning really hooked me in and I was excited to keep going. It was ridiculous and I thought it was what I was looking for at that time. However, instead of becoming more invested, I started losing interest.
Everything was just so meh and I didn't feel the chemistry. When it got to the part revealing how she lost her memories, the tension was lost so it felt very anticlimactic.
It was still quite a fun read but I don't know...I might have been expecting something more (or different?).
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adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
“I guess I was wrong. ‘How are you’ isn’t an easier place to start.”
Did I drop everything and read this book once it was released? Yes, yes I absolutely did.
I don’t think I’ve ever used the adjectives exciting/thrilling to describe a Christina Lauren book but that’s exactly how I would describe Something Wilder. Christina Lauren stay true to what they write best – romantic comedy – but they’ve also given this book something fresh (i.e. the adventure and treasure hunting) to make it more unique than their other books. I love that they’re experimenting with their writing while still making sure that it’s undoubtedly a Christina Lauren book.
I think there’s a good balance between the romance and adventure. I do wish the book talked more about how Lily and Leo’s relationship developed because it just sounds really cute from the snippets that was included. It seemed like Leo had to win Lily over and based on how they are, I bet that would be enjoyable to read, too. With that said, the chemistry is certainly on point. The moment leading up to them seeing each other again just had me so giddy.
There is that one part which I thought should have been treated as a bigger plot point but like, it happened, a little squabble, then the characters were like okay, we’ll do this, and then that was it. (That’s very vague but I don’t want to spoil it.)
Leo Grady, you smooth talker.
“I think the problem is that I’m not the kind of person to fall in and out of love . . . I mean, I fell in love once and stayed there.”
I can see why Lily fell for his charms. Speaking of Lily, you can’t hate her. She’s just great!
Out of all the good reasons to read this book, I think you should read it because of Walter Gibb. I just want everyone to “meet” Walter Gibb.
“You’re a sweetheart, Walt. Don’t let Nicole into your pants.”
Note: Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC
Finished it for the sake of finishing it.
There were some moments that kinda grabbed my attention, mostly when Rue interacted with her father. But nothing really stuck with me. I powered through it but I've thought about putting it on the DNF pile so many times. I felt like I was zoning out for most of it. If you ask me to talk about this book/describe the magic or the world, I will not be able to tell you anything and I really tried to focus.
The main character has so many issues to deal with and there's suddenly romance? It was RIDICULOUSLY UNNECESSARY and I'm one of those who, most of the time, enjoys romance in YA Fantasy novels.
I love flashbacks. It doesn't matter if I'm reading about it or watching it, I just love flashbacks. However, I felt no enjoyment with the flashbacks in Wings of Ebony. They just felt out of place.
I will not be reading the next book.
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Finished it for the sake of finishing it.
There were some moments that kinda grabbed my attention, mostly when Rue interacted with her father. But nothing really stuck with me. I powered through it but I've thought about putting it on the DNF pile so many times. I felt like I was zoning out for most of it. If you ask me to talk about this book/describe the magic or the world, I will not be able to tell you anything and I really tried to focus.
The main character has so many issues to deal with and there's suddenly romance? It was RIDICULOUSLY UNNECESSARY and I'm one of those who, most of the time, enjoys romance in YA Fantasy novels.
I love flashbacks. It doesn't matter if I'm reading about it or watching it, I just love flashbacks. However, I felt no enjoyment with the flashbacks in Wings of Ebony. They just felt out of place.
I will not be reading the next book.
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dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
"Me an' you."
"You...an' me."