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shreya_north's reviews
36 reviews
Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
3.0
Alisha Rai's novel, "Girl Gone Viral" is a bittersweet love story between widowed ex-model, Katrina King and her bodyguard, Jas Singh, after a picture taken out of context goes viral. Rai weaves a beautiful story of Katrina and Jas's deepening relationship while also tackling the subjects of anxiety, toxic parental relationships, and grief.
I loved Jas's dedication to Katrina and Katrina's strong-willed personality. However, when it came to connecting with the characters, I found it difficult to connect with Katrina because I felt like there were too many subplots woven into her story. As for Jas, his difficult relationship with his family, specifically his grandfather, seemed to be an out-of-the-blue conflict. I think the numerous subplots made it difficult for me to properly understand the character's backstories. Additionally, the conflicts seemed to be resolved too easily, especially with Jas's grandfather.
The cover is gorgeous, though! I loved the crossover between this book and the characters from Rai's other books. I loved Jas's protectiveness and willingness to give Katrina her space. I think if the conflict with her father was introduced earlier in the novel instead of being kept a secret from the reader, then I would have felt more satisfaction when Katrina finally stood up to him. Her need to constantly cook when anxious made sense when we finally learned how her father would withhold food from her unless she met his outrageous demands, but throughout most of the story it wasn't explained or given a little bit of context - she would just randomly begin cooking, which I think would have made more sense to the reader if we had an idea of what she had gone through. I would have also liked to know more about Katrina's past as a model. Regardless, though, I loved the confrontation scene, even if it fell a bit flat.
Overall, if you're looking for a sweet romance with a little spice at the end, then "Girl Gone Viral" is a pretty good book!
I loved Jas's dedication to Katrina and Katrina's strong-willed personality. However, when it came to connecting with the characters, I found it difficult to connect with Katrina because I felt like there were too many subplots woven into her story. As for Jas, his difficult relationship with his family, specifically his grandfather, seemed to be an out-of-the-blue conflict. I think the numerous subplots made it difficult for me to properly understand the character's backstories. Additionally, the conflicts seemed to be resolved too easily, especially with Jas's grandfather.
The cover is gorgeous, though! I loved the crossover between this book and the characters from Rai's other books. I loved Jas's protectiveness and willingness to give Katrina her space. I think if the conflict with her father was introduced earlier in the novel instead of being kept a secret from the reader, then I would have felt more satisfaction when Katrina finally stood up to him. Her need to constantly cook when anxious made sense when we finally learned how her father would withhold food from her unless she met his outrageous demands, but throughout most of the story it wasn't explained or given a little bit of context - she would just randomly begin cooking, which I think would have made more sense to the reader if we had an idea of what she had gone through. I would have also liked to know more about Katrina's past as a model. Regardless, though, I loved the confrontation scene, even if it fell a bit flat.
Overall, if you're looking for a sweet romance with a little spice at the end, then "Girl Gone Viral" is a pretty good book!
Juliet Dove, Queen of Love by Bruce Coville
4.0
This book was one of the first books to completely capture my heart and drag it into the romance world! Juliet Dove, Queen of Love follows Juliet as she navigates adolescence and also the twisting world that is romance. I think most people (myself included) have wished to be the center of attention, and seeing how it pans out for Juliet works well as a cautionary tale of wanting to be too greedy! I loved the Greek Mythology embedded into the story as well; Eros and Psyche was one of my favorite stories and always will be! I do wish there would be more of the mythology involved, or more of the repercussions of love, but overall, I very much enjoyed this story!
Murder by Invitation Only by Colleen Cambridge
3.0
I'm always perusing the library section where new books have been bought, and as of recently, I've become particularly smitten with mystery novels, though arguably it's been a longstanding lover of mine since Nancy Drew entered my life and Agatha Christie joined. Seeing as "A Murder by Invitation Only", written by Colleen Cambridge, shared similar themes with one of my favorite novels, "And Then There Were None," I was excited to pick up this book, and now that I've completed it, I'm moderately satisfied![b:Murder by Invitation Only|75567981|Murder by Invitation Only (Phyllida Bright #3)|Colleen Cambridge|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1672834444l/75567981._SY75_.jpg|100887360]
The book follows our detective by night, and housekeeper by day, Phyllida Bright, who carries an air of mystery to herself. She's invited to a Murder Game hosted by the Wokesleys - Cliff and his wife, Beatrice, who are new to the neighborhood. But the murder becomes real and the cast of people involved in the game are considered suspects, each with a compelling and twisting backstory. There are also the characters of Agatha Christie (who plays less of a role than expected), Mrs. Treacle, the housekeeper, and a few other maids. There's also electric tension between Phyllida and Joshua Bradford, a butler who works in Christie's home.
I will admit, Phyllida and Bradford (as he's called in the novel) have the best chemistry, much better, I'd argue, than Phyllida and Dr. Bhatt, though she does treat Dr. Bhatt with more respect than she does Bradford. The mystery was convoluted, but a bit too much so. Special attention was drawn to certain objects that eventually revealed who the murderer was, and it wasn't as subtle as I was expecting. Discerning who the murderer was was also easier than I expected because everything was essentially spoonfed to us. I suppose I can't parallel too much to "And Then There Were None", but I think I was expecting more of a reveal, and I'll admit, I was a little underwhelmed by the end.
However, I did enjoy the book! The smaller cast of characters and their distinct personalities helped me remember who was who, and I have a special fondness for Ginny and Bradford. The romance that's embedded within the story is left with a few loose ends, such as Stanley's unrequited love for Ginny, Elton's crush on Phyllida (who, I presume, must be in her thirties?), and the incredible romantic tension we have between Phyllida and Bradford. Cambridge does an excellent job describing her characters and setting, and her vocabulary index is magnificent. I just think there was more showing than there was telling.
The main character, Phyllida, is a mixed bag for me. While I did enjoy her brave moments and her strength, not to mention her ability to easily take charge and calm a room, I felt that she was too arrogant, in the sense that she seemed to know everything and gave the answers to the reader, even when the answer is meant to be not so clear. She's crass and at times, vexing to read about, but I won't judge too much on her character because it's what makes her unique. Despite that, I did find it incredibly hard to sympathize with her, especially with her treatment of Myrtle and Bradford. She's quite the capable detective, though, and I enjoyed seeing how her every-day tasks morphed into solving the murder!
All in all, this was an excellent cozy mystery, and I'll most definitely be reading the next book in the Phyllida Bright series! The secret of who Jamie is, and what will happen between her and Bradford is keeping me on edge like a hook danging sweets in front of me!
The book follows our detective by night, and housekeeper by day, Phyllida Bright, who carries an air of mystery to herself. She's invited to a Murder Game hosted by the Wokesleys - Cliff and his wife, Beatrice, who are new to the neighborhood. But the murder becomes real and the cast of people involved in the game are considered suspects, each with a compelling and twisting backstory. There are also the characters of Agatha Christie (who plays less of a role than expected), Mrs. Treacle, the housekeeper, and a few other maids. There's also electric tension between Phyllida and Joshua Bradford, a butler who works in Christie's home.
I will admit, Phyllida and Bradford (as he's called in the novel) have the best chemistry, much better, I'd argue, than Phyllida and Dr. Bhatt, though she does treat Dr. Bhatt with more respect than she does Bradford. The mystery was convoluted, but a bit too much so. Special attention was drawn to certain objects that eventually revealed who the murderer was, and it wasn't as subtle as I was expecting. Discerning who the murderer was was also easier than I expected because everything was essentially spoonfed to us. I suppose I can't parallel too much to "And Then There Were None", but I think I was expecting more of a reveal, and I'll admit, I was a little underwhelmed by the end.
However, I did enjoy the book! The smaller cast of characters and their distinct personalities helped me remember who was who, and I have a special fondness for Ginny and Bradford. The romance that's embedded within the story is left with a few loose ends, such as Stanley's unrequited love for Ginny, Elton's crush on Phyllida (who, I presume, must be in her thirties?), and the incredible romantic tension we have between Phyllida and Bradford. Cambridge does an excellent job describing her characters and setting, and her vocabulary index is magnificent. I just think there was more showing than there was telling.
The main character, Phyllida, is a mixed bag for me. While I did enjoy her brave moments and her strength, not to mention her ability to easily take charge and calm a room, I felt that she was too arrogant, in the sense that she seemed to know everything and gave the answers to the reader, even when the answer is meant to be not so clear. She's crass and at times, vexing to read about, but I won't judge too much on her character because it's what makes her unique. Despite that, I did find it incredibly hard to sympathize with her, especially with her treatment of Myrtle and Bradford. She's quite the capable detective, though, and I enjoyed seeing how her every-day tasks morphed into solving the murder!
All in all, this was an excellent cozy mystery, and I'll most definitely be reading the next book in the Phyllida Bright series! The secret of who Jamie is, and what will happen between her and Bradford is keeping me on edge like a hook danging sweets in front of me!
Ancilla by Sera Maddox Drake
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Ancilla" by Sera Maddox Drake is sophisticated, twisted (in a good way), and encapsulates the perfect mix of magick, erotica, and storytelling. The story follows a female protagonist, who is referred to as "Ancilla", the Latin for a maidservant, though she is hardly much so in the sense of her willpower, confidence, and eagerness to learn and adapt. Disowned by her wealthy family for her self-concept (her bisexuality, mainly), she drops out of college and subsequently meets Magister, a shy librarian who becomes her Dom and teaches her how to become a Dom, since it's something that Ancilla is interested in.
To anyone who's looking to find actual GOOD erotica "Ancilla" is the book for you. I'd keep in mind the trigger warnings, as some particular scenes with BDSM play can be disturbing for some readers, but Maddox Drake is excellent in highlighting the consensual relationship that Ancilla and Magister have. Not only that, but she humanizes them. There's more to Ancilla and Magister than their sexual fantasies. Ancilla is intelligent and eager to learn. Magister is soft-spoken, a bookworm, and a gamer. He's also one of the best-written men I've ever read of in my life. The prose is eloquent, and while at times it's difficult to understand the conversations between Ancilla and Magister because of the complexity and depth that they go into with magick, it's still very interesting to read! I'd absolutely recommend this book!
"Ancilla" by Sera Maddox Drake is sophisticated, twisted (in a good way), and encapsulates the perfect mix of magick, erotica, and storytelling. The story follows a female protagonist, who is referred to as "Ancilla", the Latin for a maidservant, though she is hardly much so in the sense of her willpower, confidence, and eagerness to learn and adapt. Disowned by her wealthy family for her self-concept (her bisexuality, mainly), she drops out of college and subsequently meets Magister, a shy librarian who becomes her Dom and teaches her how to become a Dom, since it's something that Ancilla is interested in.
To anyone who's looking to find actual GOOD erotica "Ancilla" is the book for you. I'd keep in mind the trigger warnings, as some particular scenes with BDSM play can be disturbing for some readers, but Maddox Drake is excellent in highlighting the consensual relationship that Ancilla and Magister have. Not only that, but she humanizes them. There's more to Ancilla and Magister than their sexual fantasies. Ancilla is intelligent and eager to learn. Magister is soft-spoken, a bookworm, and a gamer. He's also one of the best-written men I've ever read of in my life. The prose is eloquent, and while at times it's difficult to understand the conversations between Ancilla and Magister because of the complexity and depth that they go into with magick, it's still very interesting to read! I'd absolutely recommend this book!
Made Over by Meredith: A spicy best friend's brother novella by Sophie Andrews
4.0
I had the honor of reading Made Over by Meredith as my first ARC ever, so thank you to Sophie Andrews for taking the chance on me and allowing me to step into Meredith and Aiden's life! If you're looking for a better version of "He's All That" with a sassy but good-hearted teacher FMC and a nerdy accountant with skillful bedroom hands, this novella is for you!
Even though this novella is a bonus story to the previous protagonists, Claire and Jimmy, it feels like a story on its own. Stepping into both the worlds of Meredith and Aiden in this dual-POV story brought so many bittersweet emotions, but Andrews gives us the happy ending we know Meredith and Aiden deserve.
Meredith was a breath of fresh air as a character. Despite being your 'typical blonde', she's carrying the burden of being less than what is expected of her, and she reminds me a lot of Elle Woods. Meredith plays life on her own terms and doesn't take crap from anyone. But when it comes to love, she's blocked all routes to her heart, even though it's clear to every except her that she's falling head over heels for her best friend's brother, Aiden Hart. Even though we don't know much about Meredith's backstory, we know enough to understand that despite her wealthy upbringing, she's a grounded, good-natured person who won't allow anyone to dictate her life. She, just like many people, wants to be loved for her authentic self, and seeing Aiden give her the love and outlet she needs is a beautiful experience as a reader!
Aiden is a wolf in sheep's clothing and in a good way! He's your typical shy, sweetheart nerd who's looking for love, and even though Meredith is convinced that he's found it in a girl he meets at the bar named Celeste, Aiden's always had his eyes on Meredith. He's perceptive and able to understand Meredith's reluctance to be her authentic self. He's also extremely good in the bedroom (
Even though this novella is a bonus story to the previous protagonists, Claire and Jimmy, it feels like a story on its own. Stepping into both the worlds of Meredith and Aiden in this dual-POV story brought so many bittersweet emotions, but Andrews gives us the happy ending we know Meredith and Aiden deserve.
Meredith was a breath of fresh air as a character. Despite being your 'typical blonde', she's carrying the burden of being less than what is expected of her, and she reminds me a lot of Elle Woods. Meredith plays life on her own terms and doesn't take crap from anyone. But when it comes to love, she's blocked all routes to her heart, even though it's clear to every except her that she's falling head over heels for her best friend's brother, Aiden Hart. Even though we don't know much about Meredith's backstory, we know enough to understand that despite her wealthy upbringing, she's a grounded, good-natured person who won't allow anyone to dictate her life. She, just like many people, wants to be loved for her authentic self, and seeing Aiden give her the love and outlet she needs is a beautiful experience as a reader!
Aiden is a wolf in sheep's clothing and in a good way! He's your typical shy, sweetheart nerd who's looking for love, and even though Meredith is convinced that he's found it in a girl he meets at the bar named Celeste, Aiden's always had his eyes on Meredith. He's perceptive and able to understand Meredith's reluctance to be her authentic self. He's also extremely good in the bedroom (