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thebookishsprig's reviews
55 reviews
Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh
4.5
Johnny and Shannon’s story continues. What can I say? These book broke me, this story feels real and beautiful. Johnny is protective of Shannon, but not only her, but her siblings and mom. And they care deeply for each other.
The life that Shannon has been born into is vastly different than my own, so there’s an element that’s mentioned throughout Binding 13 and Keeping 13 that I didn’t even realize was happening. And although it’s completely heartbreaking, it also opens your eyes to different life experiences that others have, even the most terrible ones. And for that reason alone, I would recommend this book, if only to open your eyes to those around you.
As with Binding 13, please check the trigger warnings if you need to.
The life that Shannon has been born into is vastly different than my own, so there’s an element that’s mentioned throughout Binding 13 and Keeping 13 that I didn’t even realize was happening. And although it’s completely heartbreaking, it also opens your eyes to different life experiences that others have, even the most terrible ones. And for that reason alone, I would recommend this book, if only to open your eyes to those around you.
As with Binding 13, please check the trigger warnings if you need to.
Magnolia Parks: Into the Dark by Jessa Hastings
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Can we go higher than 5🌟?
I won’t lie to you. This was a tough read, it’s grief filled—be warned. But it was beautiful and beautifully written, as always. I cried throughout this entire book, it was absolutely heart wrenching. I had to take my time reading this one, not for any reason other than I knew from the jump that this book would wrap up the story of Magnolia and BJ. It’s this bittersweet feeling that with every page turned, that you’re one page closer to never reading their story again.
I saw so much of myself in Magnolia, I think that’s why this was also tough to read. It was like a lightbulb moment of “holy shit, I’m not alone.” And it was lovely and awful, but perfectly perfect and I’m thankful for them, for her, for Jessa to have written what she did, for those of us that need this, that needed to heal. Thank you. I am forever grateful for you, for the bookish community that introduced me to the Magnolia Parks Universe.
Literally crying as I even write this review. The only thing that’s holding me together is that Christian and Daisy’s story will continue.
I won’t lie to you. This was a tough read, it’s grief filled—be warned. But it was beautiful and beautifully written, as always. I cried throughout this entire book, it was absolutely heart wrenching. I had to take my time reading this one, not for any reason other than I knew from the jump that this book would wrap up the story of Magnolia and BJ. It’s this bittersweet feeling that with every page turned, that you’re one page closer to never reading their story again.
I saw so much of myself in Magnolia, I think that’s why this was also tough to read. It was like a lightbulb moment of “holy shit, I’m not alone.” And it was lovely and awful, but perfectly perfect and I’m thankful for them, for her, for Jessa to have written what she did, for those of us that need this, that needed to heal. Thank you. I am forever grateful for you, for the bookish community that introduced me to the Magnolia Parks Universe.
Literally crying as I even write this review. The only thing that’s holding me together is that Christian and Daisy’s story will continue.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
5.0
So far, this is the most beautiful book I’ve read. I felt every emotion under the sun and sobbed like a baby on 2 flights. I’ll read this one over and over again.
Bunny by Mona Awad
5.0
5 stars. but honestly, wtf did i just read? part one was slow, part 2 was intriguing, part 3 sucked me in and the ending… well, 5 stars. but honestly… wtf did i just read?
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
4.0
4.5 ⭐️! this was a delightful read! a really cute YA romance that depicted teenage love and friendship in a sweet way. i found myself giggling throughout the whole thing and i really enjoyed Celine and Bradley’s character development and how they evolved and grew. truthfully, this book was unfairly cute.
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss
4.0
4.5 ⭐️ it started off a little slow slow for me, but it was lovely to have all the background of the characters and world building. i found myself sobbing and screaming throughout, which explains my rating.
also, thank you Jenny Bayliss for creating a cast of diverse characters. we often forget how important it is to see ourselves and others in stories, and in this one i felt seen.
also, thank you Jenny Bayliss for creating a cast of diverse characters. we often forget how important it is to see ourselves and others in stories, and in this one i felt seen.
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
4.5
The Boys of Tommen 🩵
I love Johnny and Shannon’s story so much. This book will suck you in immediately. I finished Binding 13 at 2:30 in the morning and started Keeping 13 right after if that tells you how much I love them.
I will say that this book is heavy, I would absolute suggest looking up the trigger warnings if you need to and Chloe does a wonderful job of mentioning some of them before the book starts, in the Author’s Note. Personally it’s hard to believe that this if considered YA, but I understand that the characters are teens and the story is told in their point of view.
What happened to these characters made me angry, while crying simultaneously, and I’m sure that their story will stay with me for a very long time.
Also, this book ends on a cliff-hanger. So if you end up invested in their lives part of the way through… go ahead and get the next one.
I love Johnny and Shannon’s story so much. This book will suck you in immediately. I finished Binding 13 at 2:30 in the morning and started Keeping 13 right after if that tells you how much I love them.
I will say that this book is heavy, I would absolute suggest looking up the trigger warnings if you need to and Chloe does a wonderful job of mentioning some of them before the book starts, in the Author’s Note. Personally it’s hard to believe that this if considered YA, but I understand that the characters are teens and the story is told in their point of view.
What happened to these characters made me angry, while crying simultaneously, and I’m sure that their story will stay with me for a very long time.
Also, this book ends on a cliff-hanger. So if you end up invested in their lives part of the way through… go ahead and get the next one.