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risse's reviews
74 reviews
Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death by Caitlin Doughty
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.0
four stars! ☆•°.
'will my cat eat my eyeballs?' covers a lot of interesting info about death, corpses, and funerals. it's fun reading the questions and how the author takes complex concepts into simpler words, plus her humour was funny. would recommend!
'will my cat eat my eyeballs?' covers a lot of interesting info about death, corpses, and funerals. it's fun reading the questions and how the author takes complex concepts into simpler words, plus her humour was funny. would recommend!
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
The Villainess Needs a Tyrant by Eun sae ro / 은새로 / Kim peul / 킴플
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Marry My Husband by sungsojak, Studio LICO
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
The First Night With the Duke by MSG, Teava, Hwang DoTol
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Would You Rather by Allison Ashley
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-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
five stars! ★ Childhood friends to lovers + marriage of convincience + cinnamon roll characters = Would You Rather by Allison Ashely.
This is so freaking good! I always love the Friends to Lovers trope because of the mutual and secret pining that these two characters have. The longing, the yearning, those that-should-be-me scenes, and the domesticities like cooking/buying their favorite food, fixing their hair, holding hands, forehead kisses, and more. If you want that, READ THIS!
My heart is too full. This is so swoony. Would You Rather follow Noah's proposal for him and Mia to get married so she could still study and pursue her dream without worrying about her health insurance. The fact that they have been friends since 7, fell in love at 18, and got married at 30 was so wonderful and cute.
I like that Noah soon decided to take care of himself too, after carrying grief for a lot of years. Both of them, Mia and Noah, have a self-less love for each other, and I'm swooning for that.
I really like the title for a reason: Whenever Mia and Noah are stuck in an awkward or weird situation, they break that atmosphere by throwing "Would You Rather" questions. And I think that's why it's titled "Would You Rather" because now they break their friendship (which they have been stuck in for so many years) and they both bravely decide to pursue something much deeper in their relationship: love, connection, intimacy, and marriage.
It's like this: would you rather stay friends with a person you love or risk your friendship to be in a relationship?
Mia and Noah: The latter.
This is so freaking good! I always love the Friends to Lovers trope because of the mutual and secret pining that these two characters have. The longing, the yearning, those that-should-be-me scenes, and the domesticities like cooking/buying their favorite food, fixing their hair, holding hands, forehead kisses, and more. If you want that, READ THIS!
My heart is too full. This is so swoony. Would You Rather follow Noah's proposal for him and Mia to get married so she could still study and pursue her dream without worrying about her health insurance. The fact that they have been friends since 7, fell in love at 18, and got married at 30 was so wonderful and cute.
I like that Noah soon decided to take care of himself too, after carrying grief for a lot of years. Both of them, Mia and Noah, have a self-less love for each other, and I'm swooning for that.
I really like the title for a reason: Whenever Mia and Noah are stuck in an awkward or weird situation, they break that atmosphere by throwing "Would You Rather" questions. And I think that's why it's titled "Would You Rather" because now they break their friendship (which they have been stuck in for so many years) and they both bravely decide to pursue something much deeper in their relationship: love, connection, intimacy, and marriage.
It's like this: would you rather stay friends with a person you love or risk your friendship to be in a relationship?
Mia and Noah: The latter.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
three stars! ★ Reverse bodyguard trope? I'm here for it.
I was actually looking for a book where the woman is the bodyguard, but then Katherine Center's book came in. And that's what I'm looking for.
The Bodyguard is such a cute story and hilarious. Did I say hilarious? Hannah is such a badass, with a sense of humour I'm in love with. If I were Jack, I would always be laughing too.
Well, his character is not what I really expected. He's a well-known actor; I thought he could be broody or jack-ass (lmao, did you see what I did there? Anyway), but he's a complete cinnamon roll!
There were a couple of things that didn't suit me: However, Hannah is funny. Sometimes her inner monologue is too long and too much. Sometimes I just tend to skim it all.
It was hard for me to adjust to the writing style, but later on, I enjoyed it. At first, Hannah and Jack seemed to have weak chemistry, and it lacked tension. The stalker thing is very anti-climatic.
Needless to say, I loved the ending/epilogue even though it was mostly told and did not show anything. Hannah just laid everything out.
If you enjoy the reverse bodyguard, fake relationship, and one-bed tropes, I would recommend it.
I was actually looking for a book where the woman is the bodyguard, but then Katherine Center's book came in. And that's what I'm looking for.
The Bodyguard is such a cute story and hilarious. Did I say hilarious? Hannah is such a badass, with a sense of humour I'm in love with. If I were Jack, I would always be laughing too.
Well, his character is not what I really expected. He's a well-known actor; I thought he could be broody or jack-ass (lmao, did you see what I did there? Anyway), but he's a complete cinnamon roll!
There were a couple of things that didn't suit me: However, Hannah is funny. Sometimes her inner monologue is too long and too much. Sometimes I just tend to skim it all.
It was hard for me to adjust to the writing style, but later on, I enjoyed it. At first, Hannah and Jack seemed to have weak chemistry, and it lacked tension. The stalker thing is very anti-climatic.
Needless to say, I loved the ending/epilogue even though it was mostly told and did not show anything. Hannah just laid everything out.
If you enjoy the reverse bodyguard, fake relationship, and one-bed tropes, I would recommend it.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
4.5
four point five stars! ★ The yearning—I repeat—THE YEARNING!
After reading all of Ali Hazelwood's published books, I really think that she's so good at writing characters that are so full of yearning. It just makes me want to scream and throw everything my hands have landed on! Because that's what I want!
I took one star for a few reasons: the unnecessary last act was ridiculous, but if you think about it, it added some more dynamics than The Love Hypothesis. The execution is what makes it worse.
But for the most part, I love everything! The writing style was very entertaining. It's what keeps me reading Ali's books. I find her characters so lovely, even though most of them have the same appearance denominator; a girl is small; a guy is tall and big.
I love the Marie Curie references because—hello?!—me too, I very much loved her! I like how the author expresses her own point of view in this book about Grad Admissions, being a woman in STEM, being BIPOC, and marginalized women.
Levi Ward, my god! His yearning for Bee for years was so heartwarming. His long, sweet monologues were just everything. I don't consider this book really grabbed on the miscommunication trope; it was a common peet peeve of others, but I loved this! I'm swooning. My heart is so full!
Highly, highly, recommended! Read this in exchange for my heart.
After reading all of Ali Hazelwood's published books, I really think that she's so good at writing characters that are so full of yearning. It just makes me want to scream and throw everything my hands have landed on! Because that's what I want!
I took one star for a few reasons: the unnecessary last act was ridiculous, but if you think about it, it added some more dynamics than The Love Hypothesis. The execution is what makes it worse.
But for the most part, I love everything! The writing style was very entertaining. It's what keeps me reading Ali's books. I find her characters so lovely, even though most of them have the same appearance denominator; a girl is small; a guy is tall and big.
I love the Marie Curie references because—hello?!—me too, I very much loved her! I like how the author expresses her own point of view in this book about Grad Admissions, being a woman in STEM, being BIPOC, and marginalized women.
Levi Ward, my god! His yearning for Bee for years was so heartwarming. His long, sweet monologues were just everything. I don't consider this book really grabbed on the miscommunication trope; it was a common peet peeve of others, but I loved this! I'm swooning. My heart is so full!
Highly, highly, recommended! Read this in exchange for my heart.
Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong
Mga tanong na natira sa isip ko at iba pa:
Overall, nagustuhan ko siya. Iba talaga ang hatak ni Bob Ong, maliban sa pa-TagLish siya magkwento, nahahaluan niya ng komedya at mga iilang sapal sa mukha na katotohanan na ginagawa ng mga tao at mga Pilipino. Kasama na dito ang patungkol sa korap na gobyerno, sa mabilis na pag-usbong ng ekonomiya, teknolohiya, at iba pa.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
four stars! ★ Paker, nagbabasa lang ako bakit sa 'kin n'yo ililipat ang mga kaibigan ni Mama Susan?!
Okay, matagal ko ng gustong basahin to pero mas mabilis kong matapos yung ibang libro. Nong isang araw, nakita ko na ma-a-adapt to as a pelikula (pelikula ba? Ewan) na gaganapin ni Joshua Garcia. Syempre, ayaw ko magpahuli kaya binasa ko na agad.
Alam kong horror tong story na to, na-excite din ako kasi marami akong nababasang magandang komento sa libro na to, na kabaliktaran naman dito sa GoodReads.
Sobrang lakas ng tama sa akin kasi nakasulat in epistolary form, I'm a big fan sa mga gantong book. It follows Gelo Manansala, na nahilig sa pagsusulat sa journal nang makasanayan na nya dahil sa pa-project ni Mrs. Lao.
Pinakita ni Gelo ang buhat niya bilang estudyante, bilang kaibigan, ang buhay niya sa paninirahan niya sa kanyang Tito at Tita, kasama ng mga pinsan nya. Nang malaman niyang nagkasakit ang kaniyang Lola, umuwi siya sa probinsiyang Tarmanes, at doon na nagsimula ang kababalaghan at misteryo. (Char, ang drama HAHA!)
Unang-una, curious na ako kung sinong tinutukoy ni Gelo sa mga unang journal entry niya tungkol sa isang babae na kalaunan ay sinabi din ni Mama Susan.
Ito ang mga nagustuhan ko sa k'wento:
Okay, matagal ko ng gustong basahin to pero mas mabilis kong matapos yung ibang libro. Nong isang araw, nakita ko na ma-a-adapt to as a pelikula (pelikula ba? Ewan) na gaganapin ni Joshua Garcia. Syempre, ayaw ko magpahuli kaya binasa ko na agad.
Alam kong horror tong story na to, na-excite din ako kasi marami akong nababasang magandang komento sa libro na to, na kabaliktaran naman dito sa GoodReads.
Sobrang lakas ng tama sa akin kasi nakasulat in epistolary form, I'm a big fan sa mga gantong book. It follows Gelo Manansala, na nahilig sa pagsusulat sa journal nang makasanayan na nya dahil sa pa-project ni Mrs. Lao.
Pinakita ni Gelo ang buhat niya bilang estudyante, bilang kaibigan, ang buhay niya sa paninirahan niya sa kanyang Tito at Tita, kasama ng mga pinsan nya. Nang malaman niyang nagkasakit ang kaniyang Lola, umuwi siya sa probinsiyang Tarmanes, at doon na nagsimula ang kababalaghan at misteryo. (Char, ang drama HAHA!)
Unang-una, curious na ako kung sinong tinutukoy ni Gelo sa mga unang journal entry niya tungkol sa isang babae na kalaunan ay sinabi din ni Mama Susan.
Ito ang mga nagustuhan ko sa k'wento:
- yung structure niya mismo as epistolary.
- the writing dahil sobrang relatable ang pagsusulat at pananalita ni Gelo. TagLish at natutuwa ako sa "Paker!" (Ang babaw ng kaligayahan ko, lol)
- yung paunti-unting build-up ng tension at yung takot ko.
- gustong-gusto ko ang mga horror na gumagamit ng kulto o relihiyon, para sa akin mas natatakot ako doon kaysa sa mga multo. Yung mga bulto—putek!—h'wag mo kong palapitin lahit sa maliit ng Santo Niño.
- yung pagka-desciptive ng bawat eksena lalo na kapag kasama ang mha bulto at si Mama Susan.
Mga tanong na natira sa isip ko at iba pa:
- so, patay na si Lola Susan noong una pa lang, ibig sabihin may sumapi kay Mama Susan?
- sino ang kontrabida dito? Si Mama Susan ba mismo o ang mga espirito? O wala?
- ang hipokrito ni Gelo, aakalain mong biktima siya pero siya mismo ang karugtong ng kasalanan na ginawa ng magulang niya. Pero on the bright side, mas naging dynamic at hindi two-dimentional ang karakter niya.
- putek, yung mga Latin?! Grabe ang pagpipigil ko na hindi basahin 'yun kahit sa utak ko. 😭
- na-astig-an ako sa ending, parang may kasama siya sa pagsusulat sa journal niya. Maaring masamang espirito, ang kaluluwa ni Mama Susan, o ang kaluluwang napaalis ng Kapatiran sa katawan ni Joselito (?).
- yung illustration sa huli, nagulat ako! Putek na yan! Mama Susan, magdahan-dahan ka. 💀
- yung nga huling salita, matatakutin ako so natural na natakot ako. Parang hinabilin ni Gelo ang pagdadasal ng kaluluwa niya sa nagbabasa.
Overall, nagustuhan ko siya. Iba talaga ang hatak ni Bob Ong, maliban sa pa-TagLish siya magkwento, nahahaluan niya ng komedya at mga iilang sapal sa mukha na katotohanan na ginagawa ng mga tao at mga Pilipino. Kasama na dito ang patungkol sa korap na gobyerno, sa mabilis na pag-usbong ng ekonomiya, teknolohiya, at iba pa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Gore, Addiction, and Blood
Minor: Abortion
Ghosted by J.M. Darhower
I admired Kennedy so much! Reading her side of the story through her notebook was so heartbreaking for me. Kennedy was so young to fall in love and face the rough parts of the world and industry that she tried so hard for Jonny to get in. Kennedy has a self-less love for Jonathan, which I find so brave because you put that person as your priority. At the same time, it breaks my heart because it makes you so fragile and vulnerable, and once that person leaves, it will absolutely destroy you.
Which takes me to Jonny/Jonathan. I like that he loves Kennedy and chooses to run and chase his dream. It always makes a story so heartwarming with characters chasing the dream they love. But I think he got so blinded by that dream. With addiction, drugs, and women, he destroyed himself... and Kennedy as well. I hate that to the core.
Though it was admirable of him to muster the courage to seek treatment for himself, Kennedy, and their child. Maddie was such a sweet girl, and Kennedy was a strong and brave woman. The side characters were awesome too. Meghan and Jacks were hilarious and real go-getters.
How I wish the story or the author gave Kennedy some time to shine more. She was portrayed as always writing, so I thought later in the story she would be successful and write her own book. Kennedy helped Jonny to achieve his dream. I was hoping that Jonny would reciprocate that support too. I think the author decided that Kennedy's only purpose (and success) was to have Maddie (their kid), which was fine; she's a mother now. But was it so bad to have an external success?
Nonetheless, I love the story, the characters, the elements, and all! Though it definitely left me bittersweet because the ending was somewhat anti-climatic, I was really looking forward to seeing Kennedy.
Highly recommended!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
four stars! ★ It left me with a bittersweet after-read.
Ghosted hits differently. I like how the characters really have depth within their stories and personalities. It has a second chance romance and a pregnancy romance. What makes this interesting for me is the addiction, drugs, and alcoholism elements here, because it's a taboo topic for me, and I always get terrified with stories that tackle similar topics because I always think that it will end badly.
However, this story took a turn. It was inspiring. I hadn't admired a character this much until Jonathan and Kennedy. (Though I have a love-hate impression of Jonathan.)
Ghosted hits differently. I like how the characters really have depth within their stories and personalities. It has a second chance romance and a pregnancy romance. What makes this interesting for me is the addiction, drugs, and alcoholism elements here, because it's a taboo topic for me, and I always get terrified with stories that tackle similar topics because I always think that it will end badly.
However, this story took a turn. It was inspiring. I hadn't admired a character this much until Jonathan and Kennedy. (Though I have a love-hate impression of Jonathan.)
I admired Kennedy so much! Reading her side of the story through her notebook was so heartbreaking for me. Kennedy was so young to fall in love and face the rough parts of the world and industry that she tried so hard for Jonny to get in. Kennedy has a self-less love for Jonathan, which I find so brave because you put that person as your priority. At the same time, it breaks my heart because it makes you so fragile and vulnerable, and once that person leaves, it will absolutely destroy you.
He took my heart with him when he left, but I’m going to need it back. I’m going to need it for what’s to come, so I can try to protect it, so it doesn’t shatter when this new version of you hits bottom.
Which takes me to Jonny/Jonathan. I like that he loves Kennedy and chooses to run and chase his dream. It always makes a story so heartwarming with characters chasing the dream they love. But I think he got so blinded by that dream. With addiction, drugs, and women, he destroyed himself... and Kennedy as well. I hate that to the core.
Because it’s coming, Jonathan. Your dream has become my nightmare, and I’m begging you to let me wake up.
Though it was admirable of him to muster the courage to seek treatment for himself, Kennedy, and their child. Maddie was such a sweet girl, and Kennedy was a strong and brave woman. The side characters were awesome too. Meghan and Jacks were hilarious and real go-getters.
How I wish the story or the author gave Kennedy some time to shine more. She was portrayed as always writing, so I thought later in the story she would be successful and write her own book. Kennedy helped Jonny to achieve his dream. I was hoping that Jonny would reciprocate that support too. I think the author decided that Kennedy's only purpose (and success) was to have Maddie (their kid), which was fine; she's a mother now. But was it so bad to have an external success?
You don’t know this, but that woman? Even as she smiles, she’s utterly terrified. Your love is more than enough for her, but she feels pieces of it slipping away. Something inside of her is disintegrating. Her dream. She’s losing it.
Nonetheless, I love the story, the characters, the elements, and all! Though it definitely left me bittersweet because the ending was somewhat anti-climatic, I was really looking forward to seeing Kennedy.
Highly recommended!
It became the story of a wandering man, one whose dream was killing him.
It became the story of a heartbroken woman, one who found her purpose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug use, and Pregnancy