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rubybereading's Reviews (95)
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The ending made me smile (literally the last 2 lines), and I loved the free-spirited attitude/nature of the mom, but this was incredibly boring and gave me NO reason to care about the characters. I'm glad it was only -0.00002 seconds long, but that's probably also part of the problem. This felt lazy, even for a short story. Like the writer didn't care and was just like, "hunh. Just take this. I'm sleepy", and Amazon was like "Sure. Whatever. It'll do." Smh. I could've saved my -0.00002 seconds of time, but oh well. đ¤ˇđ˝ââď¸
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5âď¸, but wouldâve been 5 if it wasnât so long, wordy and repetitive with the inner thoughts, dialogue, and interactions among the characters.
Pros: So cute seeing their relationship and feelings grow! And how protective they both were of each other. It was even adorable how they tried to fight it! I loved their best friends too. Especially Gibbs!
Cons: long-winded and redundant AF! This book couldâve easily been 1/2 as long. Its adorableness made the length bearable though.
Overall: I loved it! It reminded me of some of my own puppy love from HS (but theirs was WAY more intense). Still, it rode the middle for me through most of the book, UNTIL (!!!) the âSongs for Shannonâ playlist! đđđ I was through after that! I fell apart and could barely get myself back together. I hated the cliffhanger at the end, but Iâm looking forward to the next book in the series. Not right now, though! This was WAY too long. I need a quick break from this story before I dive back in. Sheesh! đ
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is very long-winded and wordy, but it's so adorable. Reminds me of high school. Puppy love is so cute!
Listening to Part 2 immediately!! â¤ď¸â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
dark
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
This was a heart-thumping suspenseful and almost scary short story. I did NOT expect that ending AT ALL! I need to read or watch something fluffy so some of those scenes don't work into my dreams tonight (the mental image of somebody watching somebody else through their window scares the CRAP out of me!!!). Sheeeeeesh! The only thing that could've made this story better is if it was longer and more drawn out to build even more suspense.
Actually, now that I think about it, it kind of read like it WAS originally a longer story that was cut short in big chunks-not delicately edited--but that's fine. If not for that, though, this would've been closer to a 5-star read for me.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
1.75
This book was a hard one. I chose it because it was already in my kindle app from YEARS ago (it was a free Amazon First Reads selection) so it was easily accessible and I was trying to get out of a 2 decade long reading slump. But, MY GOD, this was hard to get through. The first half dragged on for what felt like months. Way too much character building and background story to lead up to the action. I almost nf'd it so many times, but I was determined to finish it since I hadn't read a book in vears (I've read mabe 4 or 5 books in the past 20 years-most between 2016 to 2018-though I own many books and was a very avid reader before I had kids).
This book was a hard one. I chose it because it was already in my kindle app from YEARS ago (it was a free Amazon First Reads selection) so it was easily accessible and I was trying to get out of a 2 decade long reading slump. But, MY GOD, this was hard to get through. The first half dragged on for what felt like months. Way too much character building and background story to lead up to the action. I almost nf'd it so many times, but I was determined to finish it since I hadn't read a book in vears (I've read mabe 4 or 5 books in the past 20 years-most between 2016 to 2018-though I own many books and was a very avid reader before I had kids).
I'm trying to get back to the kind of reader I used to be when I was reading at least 2-4 books a week in my teens and early 20s, so I forced myself to finish it. I'm a little glad I did though.
Once it picked up the pace, just over halfway through it, it did get okay enough. It did feel like all the action and the "twisty" stuff got jammed in real quick like they just wanted to go ahead and get it over with, but it was suspenseful and had some good twists and turns that made me stay up late to finish it the final night of the TWO whole weeks it took me to force-feed it to myself. That being said, I actually would maybe even give it 2.5 stars if the climax had started to build a little sooner. Overall, it was okay at the end. I even almost shed a tear, but that was because one little piece of the end hit close to home. I definitely won't be reading another one by the writer, but she tried. I can appreciate that if nothing else. I do wish I had chosen a better book to get me out of my slump though. Oh well.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.25
A STRONG 4.25*!!...To be fair, I 1: JUST started reading again after many years of not reading, so I feel like a brand new reader again, like I'm back in my teens. 2: this is my first fantasy book (like, EVER...literally in life), so I have no context or previous experience with this genre to base my opinions off of. You know what I mean?? Like, I didn't grow up listening to mariachi. So if I randomly hear mariachi, I couldn't tell you if it's good mariachi. I can only tell you if I liked it because it made me do a little two-step or bounce a shoulder or something. Ya know?? & 3: I had been puffing or sipping throughout the majority of my reading experience with this book, so that probably influenced my enjoyment of it. Lol! Idk, but I DID enjoy it!
A STRONG 4.25*!!...To be fair, I 1: JUST started reading again after many years of not reading, so I feel like a brand new reader again, like I'm back in my teens. 2: this is my first fantasy book (like, EVER...literally in life), so I have no context or previous experience with this genre to base my opinions off of. You know what I mean?? Like, I didn't grow up listening to mariachi. So if I randomly hear mariachi, I couldn't tell you if it's good mariachi. I can only tell you if I liked it because it made me do a little two-step or bounce a shoulder or something. Ya know?? & 3: I had been puffing or sipping throughout the majority of my reading experience with this book, so that probably influenced my enjoyment of it. Lol! Idk, but I DID enjoy it!
But anyway, Chiillileee!! Ok, for this to be my first ever fantasy read, I'm definitely not disappointed. It was so good! I actually want to read more fantasy and I did NOT expect that.
Since I'm typically only interested in "urban" romance dramas, family dramas, or thrillers, this book was a test for me to try something new and outside of my comfort zone, and I'm glad I did!
***{This whole paragraph has 'light' spoilers! The next ones do not'***
I thought Rayan and Lettle's love story was beautiful. Furi and Yeeran's felt rushed though. One day Furi still hates her and then suddenly there's mutual sexual tension, they smash, and now they're in love! Idk. Neither one felt like the types to fall in love like that, especially given the start of their relationship.
As far as the plot, a lot of it was a little predictable, but I still got hit with a couple of whammies. Lol! I did feel like there were too many twists and turns thrown in at the end, but I chose to just read it like a movie at that point (since that's how a lot of big reveals happen in movies). I do think the book should've been a little longer in order to hash all of that out a little smoother.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book--especially from like 60-the 90% mark. That portion of the book almost made it a 5* read for me. That is the portion I puffed the most while reading, though-to be fair. Still, I'm looking forward to the next
installment.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh. My. GAWD!!! This was soooooo tf goooooDUH!! So real and raw and SO well written! Where do I even start?? Trying to go into detail would do this book NO justice. This book, damnit, had me on a WHIRLWIND of emotions damnit! I laughed. I cried. I shouted. I cussed at least 4 different characters out! I hurt. I was happy one minute, sad the next, furious at other times. I mightâve even been scared a time or 2. Lmao! Whatâs some other emotions?? Iâm sure I had them! Iâm legit sad itâs over. I feel like Iâm going through withdrawals! I had to keep reminding myself this is FICTION and I donât know these ppl! What is wrong with me?? Damn you, Kennedy Ryan! Damn you for writing this and making me feel so strongly. Iâm definitely looking up her other books and saving up for my next haul. Just take ALL my damn money! đŠ
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine. I didnât hate it. I didnât love it. I could take it or leave it. It was slightly offensive but also slightly funny. I chuckled once or twice.
This is my 2nd Freida McFadden book (The Perfect Son was the 1st one). Also, both were audiobooks and both were the only ones where I didn't hate something about the narrators, so that's a plus. I'Il probably do a physical or ebook next time, though, for a little variety or to see if I'll officially become a fan. So far, she seems to be a good choice when you need a quick hit that's not too intense and doesn't make you think too hard. Theyâre fine. Whatever. Lol!
This is my 2nd Freida McFadden book (The Perfect Son was the 1st one). Also, both were audiobooks and both were the only ones where I didn't hate something about the narrators, so that's a plus. I'Il probably do a physical or ebook next time, though, for a little variety or to see if I'll officially become a fan. So far, she seems to be a good choice when you need a quick hit that's not too intense and doesn't make you think too hard. Theyâre fine. Whatever. Lol!
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edit: moved this down from 4 to 3.25 stars. I initially rated and reviewed as soon as I was done with it because I was pleasantly surprised that I ended up enjoying the story despite its flaws. But, after sleeping on it, I canât stop thinking about how annoying it was. The over the top use of AAVE, the repetitive use of âlowkeyâ, âI swear to Godâ and âhellaâ. The excessive Black pop culture references. Etc etc etc. I also did not like the main character at all and wished he would just stfu sometimes. I hated how he talked to Alexis (his love interest), his grandma, and basically everybody he interacted with. He was not likeable at all. I literally hated the first half of the book. The 3rd quarter was meh. It only got good in the last 25%. That was enough for me to no longer hate it. So I still donât feel comfortable going less than 3 stars, because there were some strong points and a lot of potential. I do not, however, plan to read the next installments. This one was a little too cringey for me. Even if I do, it will definitely NOT be via audiobook. The unnecessary pauses with quick inhales in the middle of sentences was too distracting for me. It was literally every other sentenceâsometimes 2 to 3 in ONE sentence. I thought he would get more comfortable and natural with the flow of his words by the end and stop with the dramatic pauses, but he never did. I had to listen to an entire 15 (?) hours of that! Omg it irritated my soul! Anyway, the original review is still unchanged below.
This one had to grow on me. At first, I was bored and a little annoyed. It was very preachy at the beginning. Near the middle, it felt like too much of a history lesson and I felt like the author was using the college setting as a crutch. But then I realized itâs because a lot of ppl ARE uninformed about traditional Pan-African spirituality and so it was necessary to add the info (though it felt like a plea to be accepted, and Iâm like âwho cares if they donât?? Be you!â). Even though I just wanted to get it over with, I did start to appreciate the representation and the inclusion of historical figures in ancient Pan-African spirituality. Then, in the last 10 or so chapters, it got SO good! Especially the last 10-25%. The revelations were revelating! I was like, âwhaaat??âŚ.oh sh*tâŚ*gasp*â like every other minute. Lol! I can appreciate the book now. It still doesnât feel like itâs for me, but who it is for is a good one for them! Iâm not mad at it!
This one had to grow on me. At first, I was bored and a little annoyed. It was very preachy at the beginning. Near the middle, it felt like too much of a history lesson and I felt like the author was using the college setting as a crutch. But then I realized itâs because a lot of ppl ARE uninformed about traditional Pan-African spirituality and so it was necessary to add the info (though it felt like a plea to be accepted, and Iâm like âwho cares if they donât?? Be you!â). Even though I just wanted to get it over with, I did start to appreciate the representation and the inclusion of historical figures in ancient Pan-African spirituality. Then, in the last 10 or so chapters, it got SO good! Especially the last 10-25%. The revelations were revelating! I was like, âwhaaat??âŚ.oh sh*tâŚ*gasp*â like every other minute. Lol! I can appreciate the book now. It still doesnât feel like itâs for me, but who it is for is a good one for them! Iâm not mad at it!
Side note: this was another audiobookâonly my 4th ever, with the 1st one being only a month or so agoâand I donât think audiobooks are for me. Something about the narrators always annoy me and distracts me from the story, making it less enjoyable. So, this one gets extra credit because I ended up enjoying it even though the narrator annoyed me. He kept doing this thing that a lot of dramatic actors do where they pause and do a quick inhale in the middle of sentencesâusually before the last word or last few wordsâfor emphasis or dramatic effect or something?? Idk, but he did it EXCESSIVELY throughout the ENTIRE BOOK (!!!) including some parts of sentences that made no sense to do it. Like at the beginning of chapter 33 where he says he smelled the scent of âsausage, scrambled eggs andâŚ*quick inhale* baconâ. He did this LITERALLY the whole time, and it annoyed THE CRAP out of me. I wish I had gotten a physical copy instead, because I did end up enjoying it despite the distracting acting style of the narrator. That was why it was bumped up to 4 stars. Otherwise, it probably wouldâve been a 3.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
OMG!! Wow wow wow!! This was intense. This took me almost a full month to finish because I was reading a few other (very much LESS intense) books at the same time. Turns out, those other books served as perfect palate cleansers in between all the heavy subject matters, plot, and character treatment and especially character BUILDING of the more relevant characters of the book. This book shocked me!
I thought it was going to be very mid based on the first few chapters. Midway through, I was intrigued and enjoyed the story, thinking it was a very solid book that still left much to be desired. So, I paused reading this for a few days (a few separate times) and instead spent those times starting and or finishing a few other books that were, again, much less
"intense". Maybe I'm a lightweight. Idk. But this book was A LOT for me (first it was the colorism shoved down our throats in the first chapter, the plot jumps throughout, and then the torture and treatment the girls were going through, the heavy subject matter, the gore, etc). I ended up deciding to finish it JUST to get it over with so I could move on (since I'm trying NOT to DNF any books). And then, MY GOD (!!!). Somewhere after the halfway point, it took me to a whole nother REALM! This book turned me every which way but loose gotdamnit! And it left me wanting MORE! This book could've and probably SHOULD'VE been twice as long. That's part of my only slight criticism: there were time lapses throughout the story where the reader is just given the basic gist of what happened during the lapses instead of making it a part of the plot. The whole "telling us instead of showing us". It would've been nice to be able to read more of the character growth, experiences that enhanced her abilities, growth in strength and self-esteem, etc. Instead, there were multiple points in the story where we're told days, weeks and even months went by and something significant happened or occurred to the main character, and then the story would just continue from there. I would've preferred reading about it in detail, and definitely would not have minded if the book was even twice as long in order to do so. And I would've had to be literally peeled away from the pages! That would've made this book perfect! Still, it's a 5* for me! Having the palate cleansers and the short breaks definitely made this a better read for me though. Nonetheless, 5 star! 5 star! 5 star!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, War
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Sexual harassment