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thebooknerdscorner's reviews
1451 reviews
The Ding-Dong Altar Boy and Other Tales of an Affirmation Junkie by Donald Osborn, Anna Henkens Schmidt
4.0
A collection of real-life short stories that showcase just how exciting (and random) a single person's life can be!
After reading the first memoir written by Donald and Anna, "Where We Land," I was so happy to learn that these two have more stories to share with the world! This one is a collection of short stories that showcase a variety of different life experiences. Some of them are insane (like stumbling across a dead body on a run or diving headfirst into a wildfire) where others are more down to Earth and relatable (such as sneaking into the movies with a truckload of friends or enduring an extreme meltdown from a grouchy little sister). As with any collection, some of these stories truly shine while others aren't quite as brilliant.
I enjoyed learning more about Don and his family; there was so many things that caught me completely off guard despite the fact I've read an entire memoir about him already. Reading about his early years had me alarmed that some people can be this stupid, but I also see how taking risks really can build character. Don certainly grew up in a different era than I (I mean, he grew up in the 70s and I grew up in the early 2000s, so that's no surprise), and I found reading about his childhood to be quite enlightening. The way that this memoir recollects weird instances that occur over Don's entire life is pretty neat; there's a little something for everyone!
One of my favorite parts about this memoir is the simple fact that it really shows that everyone has a story to tell. Yes, Don has done some crazy things that most people will never experience (such as compete in a demo derby or heck, even fly a plane), but the majority of these stories are something that the average person can relate to themselves. Even if you don't do anything that you view as spectacular during your time on this planet, so many instances make for an amazing story if you know how to tell it right. I think this is a really neat sentiment and I hope that other people will feel just as comforted reading about Don's life as I did.
I read this one a few stories a night before bed, which I think is honestly the perfect way to read this memoir. There are so many different lessons and experiences to dig into, and I think digesting them slowly over time is the best way to consume them.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with "The Ding-Dong Altar Boy." Some of these stories are pretty insane, but this memoir does a fantastic job at making even the most mundane parts of life seem extraordinary. I am so glad that I have forged a connection with Anna online and that I had the opportunity to join her street team. I look forward to seeing what other stories that this dynamic duo has to share with the world. As long as they'll keep sending stories my way, I'll keep on reading them!
After reading the first memoir written by Donald and Anna, "Where We Land," I was so happy to learn that these two have more stories to share with the world! This one is a collection of short stories that showcase a variety of different life experiences. Some of them are insane (like stumbling across a dead body on a run or diving headfirst into a wildfire) where others are more down to Earth and relatable (such as sneaking into the movies with a truckload of friends or enduring an extreme meltdown from a grouchy little sister). As with any collection, some of these stories truly shine while others aren't quite as brilliant.
I enjoyed learning more about Don and his family; there was so many things that caught me completely off guard despite the fact I've read an entire memoir about him already. Reading about his early years had me alarmed that some people can be this stupid, but I also see how taking risks really can build character. Don certainly grew up in a different era than I (I mean, he grew up in the 70s and I grew up in the early 2000s, so that's no surprise), and I found reading about his childhood to be quite enlightening. The way that this memoir recollects weird instances that occur over Don's entire life is pretty neat; there's a little something for everyone!
One of my favorite parts about this memoir is the simple fact that it really shows that everyone has a story to tell. Yes, Don has done some crazy things that most people will never experience (such as compete in a demo derby or heck, even fly a plane), but the majority of these stories are something that the average person can relate to themselves. Even if you don't do anything that you view as spectacular during your time on this planet, so many instances make for an amazing story if you know how to tell it right. I think this is a really neat sentiment and I hope that other people will feel just as comforted reading about Don's life as I did.
I read this one a few stories a night before bed, which I think is honestly the perfect way to read this memoir. There are so many different lessons and experiences to dig into, and I think digesting them slowly over time is the best way to consume them.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with "The Ding-Dong Altar Boy." Some of these stories are pretty insane, but this memoir does a fantastic job at making even the most mundane parts of life seem extraordinary. I am so glad that I have forged a connection with Anna online and that I had the opportunity to join her street team. I look forward to seeing what other stories that this dynamic duo has to share with the world. As long as they'll keep sending stories my way, I'll keep on reading them!
Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories by Sandra Proudman
"Shame and Social Media" by Anna Meriano: ππ
"Pride and Prejudice" starring an influencer in space. I personally found this one to be slightly annoying with all of the slang, but I did find the vlogging format to be intriguing. Darcy Fitz, the love interest, was by far my favorite part of this mediocre story.
"Break in Case of Persephone" by Olivia Abtahi: ππππ
This is a hopeful tale that reimagines the myth of Hades and Persephone. It touches on themes of embracing the future, letting go of fear, and finding your individual happiness no matter what it takes. I thought the curse element was neat, even if the story wasn't the most unique.
"Thornfield" by Monica Sanz: πππ
"Jane Eyre" but with brujas. I'm not overly familiar with "Jane Eyre" and I find that I am rather confused by every reimaging that I encounter, so here's another sign that I really need to read this classic novel. I thought it was neat how the magic enhanced the hatred and betrayal that is so important in this story. I found the dual timeline to be a bit jarring at first, but it certainly added to the tension in the long run.
"La Cotorra y El FlamboyΓ‘n" by Amparo Ortiz: ππππ
This one is a remix of "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde, which I quite frankly, have never even heard of. Despite this, I wasn't confused and I found myself liking this one quite a bit. The prose was immaculate and I found the ending to be quite emotional. It's mostly a dark tale, but it has a hint of hope at the end.
"Goldi and the Three Bodies" by Saraciea J. Fennell: πππππ
"Goldilocks and the Three Bears" but with a vampire twist. This was the first one in the anthology where I thought to myself, "this person understood the assignment." Though the story itself is vastly different than the classic children's story, the way that it was inspired by the original was so smart. The intense vibe also propelled the story forward.
"The Mortal Coil" by David Bowles: πππ
In a futuristic world set on (I believe) Mars, "Hamlet" is brought to life (and killed) like never before. The thing that stood out to me the most was the usage of an Old English-type Spanish. I'm not an expert on the variations of the Spanish language, but the feel that this evoked was real neat. The way that Hamlet's tale is retold is witty, such as his father's ghost being brought back as a robot. The twist ending of this one was also well executed.
"Juna and the Fox Boy" by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland: πππππ
"Beauty and the Beast" but with a fox boy and some chick named Juna. This one was one of my favorites in the entire collection. It was quite hilarious and I found myself cackling aloud several times. The banter between Juna and Lago is peak and I couldn't help but smile at their chemistry. This one feels like a classic fairy tale and evoked a nostalgic feeling.
"Prefiero No" by Alexandra Villasante: πππ
I was honestly pretty lost in this one. It's based on Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener," which I've never heard of either. I kinda just liked the vibes in this one, despite not knowing what was happening whatsoever in the story and knowing nothing about the source material.
"Trespassers Will Be. . ." by Torrey Maldonado: πππππ
This New York horror story retells the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur. I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology, so I found this one to be cool. The way that racism was explored was quite poignant and I totally dig the fact that the racist man was a literal monster. I was so mad when I flipped the final page on this one; I would have read this one as a full-length novel!
"Isla Bella" by Ari Tison: ππππ
"The Great Gatsby" ends up in Costa Rica with three teens who've acquired an internship opportunity. This one really hones in on anti-colonialism and respecting the natural world. I must say, I haven't read "The Great Gatsby," but the ending has me wondering just what in the world that book is actually about.
"Evermore" by NoNieqa Ramos: πππππ
"Evermore" is a remix on Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven." I absolutely adore this poem, so my expectations were quite high going into this one. And Ramos did not disappoint! This story features a futuristic society that is still not widely accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community. As Lenore and Zadie spend more time with one another, they begin to experience what it means to truly be themselves without fear. This story/poem raises questions about what lengths one would go to achieve an inclusive world despite the consequences.
"Celia's Song" by Laura Pohl: πππ
In this retelling of "The Little Mermaid," Celia will do anything to protect her little sisters. Even if it means never going to the surface and concealing the powers of her golden heart. This one follows a similar arc to most "Little Mermaid" stories, but it wasn't a boring read either.
"Esmeralda" by Jasminne Mendez: ππ
A retelling of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" that I found to be utterly pointless. I like how the characters are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but I found the pacing and overall atmosphere of the story to just be weird. But hey, honor isn't dead, I guess.
"Twenty Thousand Leagues Away From Me" by Eric Smith: ππππ
This one is evidently based on Jules Vernes' "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." This story is set in a dystopian world in which humans have totally trashed the Earth's oceans. It has messages about conserving the planet and respecting animals, which I can definitely get behind.
"Heart of the Sea" by Zoraida CΓ³rdova: πππ
"Frankenstein" but with mechanical mermaids. A young Vic builds a robotic mermaid and names her Fisher, because he created her to catch fish for him. Just like in the original tale, this backfires and the automation has more emotions than Vic could have ever thought possible. I also appreciate that this one was told from "the monster's" PoV.
"Tesoro" by Sandra Proudman: πππ
The final selection by the anthology's editor Sandra Proudman retells Hemmingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" (which is a book that I have actually read!). I wasn't a huge fan of this one, but Proudman's prose is still solid. I did also really like the saying about how there is always water in the desert and hope will persist no matter how hopeless the scenario seems.
Overall, I had a decent time with "Relit," but I wish I had stronger feelings about a few of the stories. But in my opinion, "Evermore" alone is worth the time I put into this entire collection. I am a huge fan of Latine mythology, so this one was a fun one to dive into, especially because I also adore retellings. Some of the source materials were a tad random for the average human, but I know enough about miscellaneous literature to not be completely lost. This one will definitely be added to plenty of my future recommendation lists!
4.0
A collection of 16 tales all inspired by classic stories with Latine characters taking center stage.
From beloved fairy tales such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid" to iconic Greek myths, "Relit" is brimming with retellings of iconic stories in fresh and vibrant new ways all edited by Sandra Proudman, the author of "SalvaciΓ³n," a YA remix of Disney's "Zorro."
I've been so excited to read "Relit" for quite some time now. I am a sucker for retellings, so I figured an anthology of them would be quite entertaining. When I finally got my hands on this one, I was pleasantly surprised by how random some of the inspiration stories were. I thought the majority of them were going to be fairy tales, but this anthology was brimming in works inspired by Shakespeare, Poe, Melville, Shelley, and so many others. As with most anthologies, a few stories really stand out and a few really fell off the bandwagon. I wish this one would have had a slightly more consistent feel to it; about half of the stories are dystopian which tied them together somewhat, but the only thing they all have in common is that they reimagine a classic story. Also, I love how there was a segment of the original story before each reimaging. It made it abundantly clear which story was being retold, and it took all of the guess work out of reading this anthology.
From beloved fairy tales such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid" to iconic Greek myths, "Relit" is brimming with retellings of iconic stories in fresh and vibrant new ways all edited by Sandra Proudman, the author of "SalvaciΓ³n," a YA remix of Disney's "Zorro."
I've been so excited to read "Relit" for quite some time now. I am a sucker for retellings, so I figured an anthology of them would be quite entertaining. When I finally got my hands on this one, I was pleasantly surprised by how random some of the inspiration stories were. I thought the majority of them were going to be fairy tales, but this anthology was brimming in works inspired by Shakespeare, Poe, Melville, Shelley, and so many others. As with most anthologies, a few stories really stand out and a few really fell off the bandwagon. I wish this one would have had a slightly more consistent feel to it; about half of the stories are dystopian which tied them together somewhat, but the only thing they all have in common is that they reimagine a classic story. Also, I love how there was a segment of the original story before each reimaging. It made it abundantly clear which story was being retold, and it took all of the guess work out of reading this anthology.
"Shame and Social Media" by Anna Meriano: ππ
"Pride and Prejudice" starring an influencer in space. I personally found this one to be slightly annoying with all of the slang, but I did find the vlogging format to be intriguing. Darcy Fitz, the love interest, was by far my favorite part of this mediocre story.
"Break in Case of Persephone" by Olivia Abtahi: ππππ
This is a hopeful tale that reimagines the myth of Hades and Persephone. It touches on themes of embracing the future, letting go of fear, and finding your individual happiness no matter what it takes. I thought the curse element was neat, even if the story wasn't the most unique.
"Thornfield" by Monica Sanz: πππ
"Jane Eyre" but with brujas. I'm not overly familiar with "Jane Eyre" and I find that I am rather confused by every reimaging that I encounter, so here's another sign that I really need to read this classic novel. I thought it was neat how the magic enhanced the hatred and betrayal that is so important in this story. I found the dual timeline to be a bit jarring at first, but it certainly added to the tension in the long run.
"La Cotorra y El FlamboyΓ‘n" by Amparo Ortiz: ππππ
This one is a remix of "The Nightingale and the Rose" by Oscar Wilde, which I quite frankly, have never even heard of. Despite this, I wasn't confused and I found myself liking this one quite a bit. The prose was immaculate and I found the ending to be quite emotional. It's mostly a dark tale, but it has a hint of hope at the end.
"Goldi and the Three Bodies" by Saraciea J. Fennell: πππππ
"Goldilocks and the Three Bears" but with a vampire twist. This was the first one in the anthology where I thought to myself, "this person understood the assignment." Though the story itself is vastly different than the classic children's story, the way that it was inspired by the original was so smart. The intense vibe also propelled the story forward.
"The Mortal Coil" by David Bowles: πππ
In a futuristic world set on (I believe) Mars, "Hamlet" is brought to life (and killed) like never before. The thing that stood out to me the most was the usage of an Old English-type Spanish. I'm not an expert on the variations of the Spanish language, but the feel that this evoked was real neat. The way that Hamlet's tale is retold is witty, such as his father's ghost being brought back as a robot. The twist ending of this one was also well executed.
"Juna and the Fox Boy" by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland: πππππ
"Beauty and the Beast" but with a fox boy and some chick named Juna. This one was one of my favorites in the entire collection. It was quite hilarious and I found myself cackling aloud several times. The banter between Juna and Lago is peak and I couldn't help but smile at their chemistry. This one feels like a classic fairy tale and evoked a nostalgic feeling.
"Prefiero No" by Alexandra Villasante: πππ
I was honestly pretty lost in this one. It's based on Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener," which I've never heard of either. I kinda just liked the vibes in this one, despite not knowing what was happening whatsoever in the story and knowing nothing about the source material.
"Trespassers Will Be. . ." by Torrey Maldonado: πππππ
This New York horror story retells the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur. I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology, so I found this one to be cool. The way that racism was explored was quite poignant and I totally dig the fact that the racist man was a literal monster. I was so mad when I flipped the final page on this one; I would have read this one as a full-length novel!
"Isla Bella" by Ari Tison: ππππ
"The Great Gatsby" ends up in Costa Rica with three teens who've acquired an internship opportunity. This one really hones in on anti-colonialism and respecting the natural world. I must say, I haven't read "The Great Gatsby," but the ending has me wondering just what in the world that book is actually about.
"Evermore" by NoNieqa Ramos: πππππ
"Evermore" is a remix on Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven." I absolutely adore this poem, so my expectations were quite high going into this one. And Ramos did not disappoint! This story features a futuristic society that is still not widely accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community. As Lenore and Zadie spend more time with one another, they begin to experience what it means to truly be themselves without fear. This story/poem raises questions about what lengths one would go to achieve an inclusive world despite the consequences.
"Celia's Song" by Laura Pohl: πππ
In this retelling of "The Little Mermaid," Celia will do anything to protect her little sisters. Even if it means never going to the surface and concealing the powers of her golden heart. This one follows a similar arc to most "Little Mermaid" stories, but it wasn't a boring read either.
"Esmeralda" by Jasminne Mendez: ππ
A retelling of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" that I found to be utterly pointless. I like how the characters are members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but I found the pacing and overall atmosphere of the story to just be weird. But hey, honor isn't dead, I guess.
"Twenty Thousand Leagues Away From Me" by Eric Smith: ππππ
This one is evidently based on Jules Vernes' "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." This story is set in a dystopian world in which humans have totally trashed the Earth's oceans. It has messages about conserving the planet and respecting animals, which I can definitely get behind.
"Heart of the Sea" by Zoraida CΓ³rdova: πππ
"Frankenstein" but with mechanical mermaids. A young Vic builds a robotic mermaid and names her Fisher, because he created her to catch fish for him. Just like in the original tale, this backfires and the automation has more emotions than Vic could have ever thought possible. I also appreciate that this one was told from "the monster's" PoV.
"Tesoro" by Sandra Proudman: πππ
The final selection by the anthology's editor Sandra Proudman retells Hemmingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" (which is a book that I have actually read!). I wasn't a huge fan of this one, but Proudman's prose is still solid. I did also really like the saying about how there is always water in the desert and hope will persist no matter how hopeless the scenario seems.
Overall, I had a decent time with "Relit," but I wish I had stronger feelings about a few of the stories. But in my opinion, "Evermore" alone is worth the time I put into this entire collection. I am a huge fan of Latine mythology, so this one was a fun one to dive into, especially because I also adore retellings. Some of the source materials were a tad random for the average human, but I know enough about miscellaneous literature to not be completely lost. This one will definitely be added to plenty of my future recommendation lists!
Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce
Quinn Norton finally has the chance to start over after her family moves cities to be closer to her aging grandmother. Quinn is grateful to leave her old town after her ex-friends and previous D&D group turned against her. When she ends up stumbling into Logan Weber on her first day of class, things are really starting to look up. That is until she joins his D&D troupe, and he starts acting rather icy towards her. Unsure why the charming boy is now turning stone cold, Quinn still can't help but feel inevitably attracted to him. The more time they spend alone together, the harder it gets for Quinn and Logan to not crave each other's presence.
I absolutely adore "Dungeons and Drama," so I snatched this one up as soon as my library added it to their newly purchased shelf. I wasn't as immediately hooked on this one as I was the first novel, but it didn't take long for Quinn and Logan's relationship to grow on me either.
The tension between Quinn and Logan is electric. From the very start, I could tell how badly they wanted to get to know each other deeper but were scared due to the fact that their D&D group has a rule specifically stating no romance between party members. Seeing them be so successful at avoiding acting on their feelings only adds to the tension as I patiently waited for their wills to finally break down. Quick note, the things that Logan says are actually so hot, like come on, who does he think he is teasing Quinn like that?
My favorite part about this book has to be Quinn's mischievous grandmother. She was constantly meddling in Quinn's life and making up excuses to have Logan around. The fact that Grandma shipped these two so strongly really had me wheezing with laughter; I can't say no to a great matchmaker! And all the messages about growing older, embracing life to the fullest, and not letting age constrict one's lifestyle were also very potent. Go Grandma!
The overall nerdiness was turned up to the max in this one. This one featured a group of D&D geeks who go as far as to livestream their sessions like Critical Role. They attend a comic con together, make jewelry from dice, and just have the darndest time hanging out with one another. If only everyone had a group of friends like this in real life.
I was literally cackling by the time I came to the end of this one. The grand reveal at the end was so funny I couldn't help but laugh aloud. The entire scenario was just too good, and it definitely had a big rom-com grand gesture feel to it. No spoilers, but man, it did some good for my soul.
Overall, "Dating and Dragons" was such a hysterical good time that oozed with the nerdiest of romances. I adore the cast of characters (especially Quinn's grandmother) and couldn't get enough of the hilarious interactions between everyone. The "will they, won't they" pull in the relationship added just the right amount of tension to this perfectly gooey sweet romance. I can't wait to devour more of Boyce's books in the future, the nerdier the better!
5.0
Kristy Boyce does it again with another nerdy D&D romance that had me absolutely cackling by the end!
Quinn Norton finally has the chance to start over after her family moves cities to be closer to her aging grandmother. Quinn is grateful to leave her old town after her ex-friends and previous D&D group turned against her. When she ends up stumbling into Logan Weber on her first day of class, things are really starting to look up. That is until she joins his D&D troupe, and he starts acting rather icy towards her. Unsure why the charming boy is now turning stone cold, Quinn still can't help but feel inevitably attracted to him. The more time they spend alone together, the harder it gets for Quinn and Logan to not crave each other's presence.
I absolutely adore "Dungeons and Drama," so I snatched this one up as soon as my library added it to their newly purchased shelf. I wasn't as immediately hooked on this one as I was the first novel, but it didn't take long for Quinn and Logan's relationship to grow on me either.
The tension between Quinn and Logan is electric. From the very start, I could tell how badly they wanted to get to know each other deeper but were scared due to the fact that their D&D group has a rule specifically stating no romance between party members. Seeing them be so successful at avoiding acting on their feelings only adds to the tension as I patiently waited for their wills to finally break down. Quick note, the things that Logan says are actually so hot, like come on, who does he think he is teasing Quinn like that?
My favorite part about this book has to be Quinn's mischievous grandmother. She was constantly meddling in Quinn's life and making up excuses to have Logan around. The fact that Grandma shipped these two so strongly really had me wheezing with laughter; I can't say no to a great matchmaker! And all the messages about growing older, embracing life to the fullest, and not letting age constrict one's lifestyle were also very potent. Go Grandma!
The overall nerdiness was turned up to the max in this one. This one featured a group of D&D geeks who go as far as to livestream their sessions like Critical Role. They attend a comic con together, make jewelry from dice, and just have the darndest time hanging out with one another. If only everyone had a group of friends like this in real life.
I was literally cackling by the time I came to the end of this one. The grand reveal at the end was so funny I couldn't help but laugh aloud. The entire scenario was just too good, and it definitely had a big rom-com grand gesture feel to it. No spoilers, but man, it did some good for my soul.
Overall, "Dating and Dragons" was such a hysterical good time that oozed with the nerdiest of romances. I adore the cast of characters (especially Quinn's grandmother) and couldn't get enough of the hilarious interactions between everyone. The "will they, won't they" pull in the relationship added just the right amount of tension to this perfectly gooey sweet romance. I can't wait to devour more of Boyce's books in the future, the nerdier the better!
House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt
5.0
A girl desperate to solve the murder of her best friend finds herself a part of an elite secret society who seems to be both cursed and haunted by a vengeful ghost.
Violet "Vi" Harper isn't convinced that her best friend's death was an accident. Desperate for revenge and a chance to find out the truth about Emoree, Violet enrolls in the illustrious boarding school that was the site of Em's "accident." Upon arriving at the school, Violet encounters one of the headmistress's sons, Calvin Lockwell, who also happens to be the brother of Violet's prime suspect. Despite the fact that he is an obnoxious brat who may or may not be related to a murderer, Violet can't stop the attraction that is beginning to form between them. After only knowing Calvin for a matter of days, Violet begins to learn that the Lockwell's are hiding many dangerous secrets. Violet knows that she should get away while she can, be Violet finds herself being dragged deeper into this dark mystery and the secrets that await her at the bottom of the rabbit hole.
This one drew me in from the very first chapter. The murder mystery element of this book had me instantly interested and the dark academia vibes were tangible from the very first page. Once Calvin entered the scene, I found it hard to rip myself away from this darkly fantastical world.
The vibes in this book are absolutely immaculate. The creepiness of all the nursery rhymes, poems, and stories sprinkled throughout this book had me squealing; I am a sucker for using such childish things to induce horrific feelings. This book is so thoroughly soaked in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and I ate up every second of it. From the Queen of the Hart's to the rabbit mask at the masquerade ball to Violet's middle name being Alice, there are so many little shoutouts to this iconic story. The ways that the madness element that is so prominent in Wonderland adds to the horror is crazy, and I totally applaud Arndt for this!
Speaking of the horror, the paranormal haunting that extends through this whole novel is so spooky and had me flipping through the pages rapid fire. I don't want to go into too many details, but the entire situation involving the Lockwell's is so masterful and honestly one of the most compelling magical tragedies that I've read about in a while.
And the romance? I was beyond sold! Violet and Calvin have the best banter (I highlighted so many passages) and I found myself giddy by their interactions. The tension between these two is palpable and really adds to the thrill of the book, especially towards the end. The "will they, won't they" microtrope truly goes crazy in this book.
I don't want to say too much about this book, because it truly depends on the shock factor. I adore the world, the characters, and the writing, so I enjoyed this one from start to finish. You'll just have to trust my word and give this book a chance if the vibes sound promising to you.
Overall, "House of Hearts" is a truly wild ride that I can't recommend enough! I ate up the immaculate vibes, the tense and swoonworthy romance, as well as the murder mystery plot. The paranormal elements made this book so intense, and the nursery rhymes really added to the creep factor. I adore all the references to Wonderland, and the fact that they so expertly add to the thrill ride as well as character development is such a plus. I would recommend this to anyone who loves paranormal thrillers, dark academia, "Alice in Wonderland," or folk horror. I need to get my hands on "Together We Rot" sooner rather than later; this one has me seriously hooked on Arndt's work!
Violet "Vi" Harper isn't convinced that her best friend's death was an accident. Desperate for revenge and a chance to find out the truth about Emoree, Violet enrolls in the illustrious boarding school that was the site of Em's "accident." Upon arriving at the school, Violet encounters one of the headmistress's sons, Calvin Lockwell, who also happens to be the brother of Violet's prime suspect. Despite the fact that he is an obnoxious brat who may or may not be related to a murderer, Violet can't stop the attraction that is beginning to form between them. After only knowing Calvin for a matter of days, Violet begins to learn that the Lockwell's are hiding many dangerous secrets. Violet knows that she should get away while she can, be Violet finds herself being dragged deeper into this dark mystery and the secrets that await her at the bottom of the rabbit hole.
This one drew me in from the very first chapter. The murder mystery element of this book had me instantly interested and the dark academia vibes were tangible from the very first page. Once Calvin entered the scene, I found it hard to rip myself away from this darkly fantastical world.
The vibes in this book are absolutely immaculate. The creepiness of all the nursery rhymes, poems, and stories sprinkled throughout this book had me squealing; I am a sucker for using such childish things to induce horrific feelings. This book is so thoroughly soaked in "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and I ate up every second of it. From the Queen of the Hart's to the rabbit mask at the masquerade ball to Violet's middle name being Alice, there are so many little shoutouts to this iconic story. The ways that the madness element that is so prominent in Wonderland adds to the horror is crazy, and I totally applaud Arndt for this!
Speaking of the horror, the paranormal haunting that extends through this whole novel is so spooky and had me flipping through the pages rapid fire. I don't want to go into too many details, but the entire situation involving the Lockwell's is so masterful and honestly one of the most compelling magical tragedies that I've read about in a while.
And the romance? I was beyond sold! Violet and Calvin have the best banter (I highlighted so many passages) and I found myself giddy by their interactions. The tension between these two is palpable and really adds to the thrill of the book, especially towards the end. The "will they, won't they" microtrope truly goes crazy in this book.
I don't want to say too much about this book, because it truly depends on the shock factor. I adore the world, the characters, and the writing, so I enjoyed this one from start to finish. You'll just have to trust my word and give this book a chance if the vibes sound promising to you.
Overall, "House of Hearts" is a truly wild ride that I can't recommend enough! I ate up the immaculate vibes, the tense and swoonworthy romance, as well as the murder mystery plot. The paranormal elements made this book so intense, and the nursery rhymes really added to the creep factor. I adore all the references to Wonderland, and the fact that they so expertly add to the thrill ride as well as character development is such a plus. I would recommend this to anyone who loves paranormal thrillers, dark academia, "Alice in Wonderland," or folk horror. I need to get my hands on "Together We Rot" sooner rather than later; this one has me seriously hooked on Arndt's work!
Lady's Knight by Meagan Spooner, Amie Kaufman
2.0
Hidden identities, a jousting competition, and whispers of dragons abound in this sapphic historical romance.
Gwen has spent her entire life pretending that she is someone that she isn't. Not only has she taken over her father's blacksmith, but she's also queer and dreams of being a knight in a time where none of these things are acceptable. When Gwen runs into the glamorous noblewoman, Isobelle of Avington, she learns what it means to truly be oneself. Isobelle isn't afraid to seize the reins of her life and concoct a plan to keep her from being forced to marry any of the knights competing in the Tournament of Dragonslayers. Secrets abound as Gwen and Isobelle endeavor to keep Gwen's hidden identity of Sir Gawain hidden from the entire kingdom. If the two can manage to win the tournament, they'll both be free. But if they fail? Well, let's leave that to your imagination, shall we?
I was really hoping that this one would be a funny lesbian knight and noblewoman romance, but it was just so boring. Literally nothing in this book felt original. exciting, or unpredictable. The way that the authors decided to pen this novel certainly didn't help this matter any either. Between the weird segments that the narrator stepped in to tell the story momentarily and the chapter headers, little of this book had any shock factor whatsoever.
I'm not a huge fan of fight scenes in general, but the ones in this book were especially tedious to read. Seriously, the long one at the end almost had me falling asleep and I seriously considered stopping reading this book with only twenty some pages to go.
The biggest positive takeaway I have from this book is the feminist messages. Gwen has always been forced to hide her true strengths both in the forge and in combat. Isobelle's entire life has always been controlled by others, and she is trying to escape from a loveless marriage. They are both queer, which also isn't remotely accepted during their time. This story focuses a ton on defying the path that society has laid out for us, and defying expectations. Also, the bits about being your true self were sweet, I guess.
Overall, "Lady's Knight" was just not that enjoyable of a book for me to read. I found it to be boring, predictable, and often repetitive. I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters and I felt super underwhelmed by the romance. I can appreciate some of the feminist themes and messages, but that's about it.
Gwen has spent her entire life pretending that she is someone that she isn't. Not only has she taken over her father's blacksmith, but she's also queer and dreams of being a knight in a time where none of these things are acceptable. When Gwen runs into the glamorous noblewoman, Isobelle of Avington, she learns what it means to truly be oneself. Isobelle isn't afraid to seize the reins of her life and concoct a plan to keep her from being forced to marry any of the knights competing in the Tournament of Dragonslayers. Secrets abound as Gwen and Isobelle endeavor to keep Gwen's hidden identity of Sir Gawain hidden from the entire kingdom. If the two can manage to win the tournament, they'll both be free. But if they fail? Well, let's leave that to your imagination, shall we?
I was really hoping that this one would be a funny lesbian knight and noblewoman romance, but it was just so boring. Literally nothing in this book felt original. exciting, or unpredictable. The way that the authors decided to pen this novel certainly didn't help this matter any either. Between the weird segments that the narrator stepped in to tell the story momentarily and the chapter headers, little of this book had any shock factor whatsoever.
I'm not a huge fan of fight scenes in general, but the ones in this book were especially tedious to read. Seriously, the long one at the end almost had me falling asleep and I seriously considered stopping reading this book with only twenty some pages to go.
The biggest positive takeaway I have from this book is the feminist messages. Gwen has always been forced to hide her true strengths both in the forge and in combat. Isobelle's entire life has always been controlled by others, and she is trying to escape from a loveless marriage. They are both queer, which also isn't remotely accepted during their time. This story focuses a ton on defying the path that society has laid out for us, and defying expectations. Also, the bits about being your true self were sweet, I guess.
Overall, "Lady's Knight" was just not that enjoyable of a book for me to read. I found it to be boring, predictable, and often repetitive. I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters and I felt super underwhelmed by the romance. I can appreciate some of the feminist themes and messages, but that's about it.
The Build-A-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver
4.0
When a struggling journalist meets a bumbling techie, the worst date in the history of ever occursβis it possible to salvage this situation and build the perfect boyfriend?
Eli Francis is stuck as an executive assistant at an online magazine by the name of Vent. He dreams of being a full-time writer, but he hasn't caught a break. Eli's also hung up over his ex-boyfriend of seven years, Keith. When his roommates get sick of his mopey behavior, they set him up with the gloriously handsome Peter Park. Unfortunately, the date is an epic disaster that only has Eli feeling worse. That is, until his boss takes interest in the incident and begs Eli to give Peter a second chance and convinces him to secretly write an article about how Eli is fixing up Peter to be a better dater. As Eli and Peter's fake-dating arrangement begins, Eli believes that he'll finally have the article that will grant him the promotion he deserves. But putting yourself in a fake relationship is never easy on the heart, especially when one has a hard time opening up to others. Will this end in disaster for the two men, or will their hearts manage to come out of the encounter unscathed?
This book showed up unexpectedly in my inbox one day, making me feel as though I had no obligation to read it. However, the title and the cover caught my eye; I tend to love MM romances, so I couldn't logically pass this one up. And boy am I glad I didn't. This story is filled with so much humor and heart, while also offering a window into what it is like to be a member of the queer community in various different ways. There are some very serious themes, and the romance has a realistic arc despite it also giving a rom com experience that made me want to kick my feet and giggle constantly.
From the very start of this book, I really liked Eli as a character. Seeing him stuck in a secretarial job that places so much burden on his shoulders made me pity him, but it also made me curious to see how his life would change throughout the course of this novel. The first few chapters honestly reminded me of "The Office," which I found to be quite fun. Seeing how stuck Eil was on his relationship with Keith really had Eli starting this book really down in the dumps. I think it is so easy to feel like a failure in today's society which expects one to be successful as soon as they graduate from college. Eli is certainly entering mid-life crisis territory, and I found this relatable despite the fact that I'm not even twenty yet.
When Peter finally entered the scene, I couldn't stop giggling. Their first date is an absolute disaster, but it is easy to tell that Peter is such a sweet boy who is truly just inexperienced. I loved Peter pretty much from the first interaction, so it was easy to start shipping these two early on.
After the two boys make their dating pact, the story truly comes to life. The dates that these two go on are all so cute. From ice skating, to bowling, to rock climbing, to jazz clubbing, the experiences that these two collect are priceless and adorable. The general bantering and flirting between Eli and Peter was so funny, and it had me wondering just how far this fake romance would go before it all fell apart.
Speaking of falling apart, I actually didn't hate the third act conflict in this story. It felt very reasonable, and I totally understand why both men made the decisions that they did. I don't fault either of them; I honestly would have accepted if their relationship didn't pan out in the end. This book really plays on classic rom com movies, but it does a great job of showcasing how real-life romance isn't like it is in the movies. The epilogue was pretty adorable though, so I'm not complaining about how everything panned out.
The way that this book dives into how being Asian and gay intersect with one another and often make it even harder to just exist in society was heartbreaking. I'm so glad Deaver also made it a priority to highlight all the good experiences that Peter had growing up in a Southern red state; they handled the nuances and complexities of interconnected identities so well.
I must admit, I wasn't a huge fan of all the steamy scenes in this book. There are only like two major ones, but they were still a bit too much for me. Some spicy scenes are starting to grow on me, but I still really don't like dirty talk while in bed; it just makes me really uncomfortable, so it was a little hard for me to get through these scenes. I did think they were an interesting learning experience about trans expectations and courtesies in the bedroom, though.
Overall, I found "The Build-a-Boyfriend Project" to be a fun MM adult rom com that offered plenty of insight on the publishing industry and the queer community. The fake dating element was pulled off well in this one and I didn't mind the third act conflict. Both Eli and Peter are great characters, and I came to love them both in their own right. This is my first introduction to Deaver's work and can say with certainty that I will definitely be checking out more of their work in the future!
Eli Francis is stuck as an executive assistant at an online magazine by the name of Vent. He dreams of being a full-time writer, but he hasn't caught a break. Eli's also hung up over his ex-boyfriend of seven years, Keith. When his roommates get sick of his mopey behavior, they set him up with the gloriously handsome Peter Park. Unfortunately, the date is an epic disaster that only has Eli feeling worse. That is, until his boss takes interest in the incident and begs Eli to give Peter a second chance and convinces him to secretly write an article about how Eli is fixing up Peter to be a better dater. As Eli and Peter's fake-dating arrangement begins, Eli believes that he'll finally have the article that will grant him the promotion he deserves. But putting yourself in a fake relationship is never easy on the heart, especially when one has a hard time opening up to others. Will this end in disaster for the two men, or will their hearts manage to come out of the encounter unscathed?
This book showed up unexpectedly in my inbox one day, making me feel as though I had no obligation to read it. However, the title and the cover caught my eye; I tend to love MM romances, so I couldn't logically pass this one up. And boy am I glad I didn't. This story is filled with so much humor and heart, while also offering a window into what it is like to be a member of the queer community in various different ways. There are some very serious themes, and the romance has a realistic arc despite it also giving a rom com experience that made me want to kick my feet and giggle constantly.
From the very start of this book, I really liked Eli as a character. Seeing him stuck in a secretarial job that places so much burden on his shoulders made me pity him, but it also made me curious to see how his life would change throughout the course of this novel. The first few chapters honestly reminded me of "The Office," which I found to be quite fun. Seeing how stuck Eil was on his relationship with Keith really had Eli starting this book really down in the dumps. I think it is so easy to feel like a failure in today's society which expects one to be successful as soon as they graduate from college. Eli is certainly entering mid-life crisis territory, and I found this relatable despite the fact that I'm not even twenty yet.
When Peter finally entered the scene, I couldn't stop giggling. Their first date is an absolute disaster, but it is easy to tell that Peter is such a sweet boy who is truly just inexperienced. I loved Peter pretty much from the first interaction, so it was easy to start shipping these two early on.
After the two boys make their dating pact, the story truly comes to life. The dates that these two go on are all so cute. From ice skating, to bowling, to rock climbing, to jazz clubbing, the experiences that these two collect are priceless and adorable. The general bantering and flirting between Eli and Peter was so funny, and it had me wondering just how far this fake romance would go before it all fell apart.
Speaking of falling apart, I actually didn't hate the third act conflict in this story. It felt very reasonable, and I totally understand why both men made the decisions that they did. I don't fault either of them; I honestly would have accepted if their relationship didn't pan out in the end. This book really plays on classic rom com movies, but it does a great job of showcasing how real-life romance isn't like it is in the movies. The epilogue was pretty adorable though, so I'm not complaining about how everything panned out.
The way that this book dives into how being Asian and gay intersect with one another and often make it even harder to just exist in society was heartbreaking. I'm so glad Deaver also made it a priority to highlight all the good experiences that Peter had growing up in a Southern red state; they handled the nuances and complexities of interconnected identities so well.
I must admit, I wasn't a huge fan of all the steamy scenes in this book. There are only like two major ones, but they were still a bit too much for me. Some spicy scenes are starting to grow on me, but I still really don't like dirty talk while in bed; it just makes me really uncomfortable, so it was a little hard for me to get through these scenes. I did think they were an interesting learning experience about trans expectations and courtesies in the bedroom, though.
Overall, I found "The Build-a-Boyfriend Project" to be a fun MM adult rom com that offered plenty of insight on the publishing industry and the queer community. The fake dating element was pulled off well in this one and I didn't mind the third act conflict. Both Eli and Peter are great characters, and I came to love them both in their own right. This is my first introduction to Deaver's work and can say with certainty that I will definitely be checking out more of their work in the future!
Sea Change by Susan Fletcher
4.0
A sci-fi retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that speculates what could happen with the gene modifying technology that humanity now possesses.
In a world ravaged by the effects of genetically modifying children, Turtle is part of the Mer, a group of children who have been cast out of society due to the fact that they have developed gills through an illegal procedure. One day while scavenging underwater, Turtle saves a boy who was caught under some rubble. Turtle believes that they are destined to be and will do anything in her capability to be reunited with him. As she begins to spend more and more time with this mysterious boy on the surface, she grows farther and farther from her Mer family. Pulled between the world under the water and the one above land, Turtle must put everything on the line and choose what life she truly wants for herself.
I am a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, so when I saw this science fiction remix inspired by "The Little Mermaid," I just had to get my hands on it. Once I learned that this book involved genetically modifying using CRISPR technology, I was instantly hooked and so curious to learn more about the futuristic world that Fletcher paints for the reader.
"The Little Mermaid" vibes are strong out of the gate due to the first scene starting with Turtle rescuing Kai, our mysterious boy from the surface. Turtle eventually runs into Kai on land and can't help but want to spend more time with him. The more she invests in Kai, the more she begins to wonder if she could escape the Mer and live on the surface. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that this book follows the original story more than it follows Disney's version of the tale. Changing yourself to try to meet someone else's expectations is just about as dangerous and unhealthy as a relationship can get, and I think Ariel and Turtle have proved this time and time again.
As the story progresses, we get to see all sorts of people who have been affected by genetic modifications. There are people with huge ears, noses like bloodhounds, those with odd colored eyes and skin, and even those who barely need to sleep. This tale really begs us to consider just how far genetic modifying should go. Should we only use it to cure disease? Should we use it to cure disabilities that could undermine a perfectly healthy and proud group of people? Should we create transhuman individuals that have a better chance of surviving all the suffering that we are putting our planet through? Should genetic modification even be available if only the rich can use it? All these questions are extremely fascinating to think about, and this book does a great job of kickstarting an intriguing discussion while also utilizing a fantastical element.
In my opinion, the ending of this book wrapped up a tad quicker than I preferred, but it leaves a lasting imprint of hope in a world filled with desperate people. It gave me enough crumbs that I was mostly satisfied, so I'm not going to complain all that much.
Overall, "Sea Change" is a speculative retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that takes a deep dive into the consequences that genetic modification on humans could entail. It explores powerful themes of prejudice, self-acceptance, and learning to embrace hope in the darkness. It also looks into expectations in romantic situations and the difference between healthy and toxic relationships. It may not be the most original book, but I was still captivated by the story that Fletcher strove to tell. I would definitely recommend for fans of fairy tell retellings, speculative science, and immersive dystopian worlds.
In a world ravaged by the effects of genetically modifying children, Turtle is part of the Mer, a group of children who have been cast out of society due to the fact that they have developed gills through an illegal procedure. One day while scavenging underwater, Turtle saves a boy who was caught under some rubble. Turtle believes that they are destined to be and will do anything in her capability to be reunited with him. As she begins to spend more and more time with this mysterious boy on the surface, she grows farther and farther from her Mer family. Pulled between the world under the water and the one above land, Turtle must put everything on the line and choose what life she truly wants for herself.
I am a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, so when I saw this science fiction remix inspired by "The Little Mermaid," I just had to get my hands on it. Once I learned that this book involved genetically modifying using CRISPR technology, I was instantly hooked and so curious to learn more about the futuristic world that Fletcher paints for the reader.
"The Little Mermaid" vibes are strong out of the gate due to the first scene starting with Turtle rescuing Kai, our mysterious boy from the surface. Turtle eventually runs into Kai on land and can't help but want to spend more time with him. The more she invests in Kai, the more she begins to wonder if she could escape the Mer and live on the surface. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that this book follows the original story more than it follows Disney's version of the tale. Changing yourself to try to meet someone else's expectations is just about as dangerous and unhealthy as a relationship can get, and I think Ariel and Turtle have proved this time and time again.
As the story progresses, we get to see all sorts of people who have been affected by genetic modifications. There are people with huge ears, noses like bloodhounds, those with odd colored eyes and skin, and even those who barely need to sleep. This tale really begs us to consider just how far genetic modifying should go. Should we only use it to cure disease? Should we use it to cure disabilities that could undermine a perfectly healthy and proud group of people? Should we create transhuman individuals that have a better chance of surviving all the suffering that we are putting our planet through? Should genetic modification even be available if only the rich can use it? All these questions are extremely fascinating to think about, and this book does a great job of kickstarting an intriguing discussion while also utilizing a fantastical element.
In my opinion, the ending of this book wrapped up a tad quicker than I preferred, but it leaves a lasting imprint of hope in a world filled with desperate people. It gave me enough crumbs that I was mostly satisfied, so I'm not going to complain all that much.
Overall, "Sea Change" is a speculative retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that takes a deep dive into the consequences that genetic modification on humans could entail. It explores powerful themes of prejudice, self-acceptance, and learning to embrace hope in the darkness. It also looks into expectations in romantic situations and the difference between healthy and toxic relationships. It may not be the most original book, but I was still captivated by the story that Fletcher strove to tell. I would definitely recommend for fans of fairy tell retellings, speculative science, and immersive dystopian worlds.
Potions and Prejudice by Tee Harlowe
5.0
A "Pride and Prejudice" inspired fantasy starring a spunky magicless family of witches and a grumpy tavern owner.
Elspeth Moonflower will do anything to keep her family safe. In a world where living in the Witchlands without magic is illegal, the Moonflower sisters have been on the run ever since their grandmother accidently cursed them on her deathbed. Working as traveling apothecaries, the Moonflowers never stay in one place for long. That is, until their cart breaks down outside the cozy village of Thistlegrove. With no other choice now that their magical wagon is out of commission, Elspeth reluctantly agrees to stay in the town for the time being. She didn't expect that she'd keep running into Draven Darkstone, the broody tavern owner who seems to plague her very existence. When witch meets warlock, vehement hatred forms. . . but sparks also begin to fly.
I loved the prequel "Magic & Matchmaking," so I was beyond excited to return to Thistlegrove and be reunited with the spunky townspeople. Much like the first book, there is a grouchy sentient cottage that the Moonflowers have to learn to tame, the romance is spicy and sweet, and Morty is once again back to her matchmaking schemes.
Elspeth and Draven are such an amazing couple. I liked Draven in the prequel, so I was stoked to learn that this story followed his HEA. He's just as grumpy as ever, but we get to see such a sweet and caring side of him when he is with his sister, Georgie, and his lover, Elspeth. I didn't think I'd love Elspeth as much as I do due to her overbearing mannerism and her need to control everything, but she grew on me rather quickly. I don't adore them as much as Riven and Emma, but I still love them immensely. Their chemistry is strong, but not my absolute favorite when it came to the physical scenes.
Seeing the Moonflower siblings interact with one another was one of my favorite parts of this book. Despite their being four sisters, I never once confused them or questioned why one of them existed. Elspeth, Adelaide, Auggie, and Prue are all iconic in their own right and the sisterly bickering that occurs between them is so realistic but filled with so much care. I can't wait to see all of their happily ever afters play out in the next books in this series.
Elspeth and Draven have both dealt with their fair share of grief and betrayal. Elspeth's father abandoned her family after they lost their magic, which is so devasting but seems to happen time and time again in fantastical societies. Draven's parents both passed away during a terrible magical accident, which has left him as sole caretaker of his little sister. Draven and Elspeth both fall into the role of protective older siblings, which gave them very powerful common ground.
This story actually had way more similarities to "Pride and Prejudice" than I expected. There is a ball scene, one of the Moonflowers sisters fall ill forcing Elspeth to go to Draven's manor when a dangerous storm happens, and the Elizabeth vs Darcy vibes are strong. I thought this was going to be very loosely inspired by Jane Austen's work, so I am glad to report that this one is a stronger retelling than I initially thought.
Before I go, I have to mention Edgar, Herman's scaredy cat brother who is a notorious worrywart. He is a completely different talking dragon than his brother, but he is just as entertaining to read about. Plus, I relate to Edgar way more. I'm excited to see what personalities the rest of their siblings have and what adventures they will all have throughout the remainder of the series.
Overall, "Potions & Prejudice" was a great way to launch the "Moonflower Witches" romance series. Elspeth and Draven are both stellar main characters, and the residents of Thistlegrove are iconic as ever. I can tell that this series is a spicy cozy romantasy that will bring comfort to many people. I look forward to reading all the future installments in the series and getting to know everyone in Thistlegrove ever more. I love Elspeth, Adelaide, Auggie, and Prue all in turn, so I am so excited to discover each of their happily ever afters over time.
Elspeth Moonflower will do anything to keep her family safe. In a world where living in the Witchlands without magic is illegal, the Moonflower sisters have been on the run ever since their grandmother accidently cursed them on her deathbed. Working as traveling apothecaries, the Moonflowers never stay in one place for long. That is, until their cart breaks down outside the cozy village of Thistlegrove. With no other choice now that their magical wagon is out of commission, Elspeth reluctantly agrees to stay in the town for the time being. She didn't expect that she'd keep running into Draven Darkstone, the broody tavern owner who seems to plague her very existence. When witch meets warlock, vehement hatred forms. . . but sparks also begin to fly.
I loved the prequel "Magic & Matchmaking," so I was beyond excited to return to Thistlegrove and be reunited with the spunky townspeople. Much like the first book, there is a grouchy sentient cottage that the Moonflowers have to learn to tame, the romance is spicy and sweet, and Morty is once again back to her matchmaking schemes.
Elspeth and Draven are such an amazing couple. I liked Draven in the prequel, so I was stoked to learn that this story followed his HEA. He's just as grumpy as ever, but we get to see such a sweet and caring side of him when he is with his sister, Georgie, and his lover, Elspeth. I didn't think I'd love Elspeth as much as I do due to her overbearing mannerism and her need to control everything, but she grew on me rather quickly. I don't adore them as much as Riven and Emma, but I still love them immensely. Their chemistry is strong, but not my absolute favorite when it came to the physical scenes.
Seeing the Moonflower siblings interact with one another was one of my favorite parts of this book. Despite their being four sisters, I never once confused them or questioned why one of them existed. Elspeth, Adelaide, Auggie, and Prue are all iconic in their own right and the sisterly bickering that occurs between them is so realistic but filled with so much care. I can't wait to see all of their happily ever afters play out in the next books in this series.
Elspeth and Draven have both dealt with their fair share of grief and betrayal. Elspeth's father abandoned her family after they lost their magic, which is so devasting but seems to happen time and time again in fantastical societies. Draven's parents both passed away during a terrible magical accident, which has left him as sole caretaker of his little sister. Draven and Elspeth both fall into the role of protective older siblings, which gave them very powerful common ground.
This story actually had way more similarities to "Pride and Prejudice" than I expected. There is a ball scene, one of the Moonflowers sisters fall ill forcing Elspeth to go to Draven's manor when a dangerous storm happens, and the Elizabeth vs Darcy vibes are strong. I thought this was going to be very loosely inspired by Jane Austen's work, so I am glad to report that this one is a stronger retelling than I initially thought.
Before I go, I have to mention Edgar, Herman's scaredy cat brother who is a notorious worrywart. He is a completely different talking dragon than his brother, but he is just as entertaining to read about. Plus, I relate to Edgar way more. I'm excited to see what personalities the rest of their siblings have and what adventures they will all have throughout the remainder of the series.
Overall, "Potions & Prejudice" was a great way to launch the "Moonflower Witches" romance series. Elspeth and Draven are both stellar main characters, and the residents of Thistlegrove are iconic as ever. I can tell that this series is a spicy cozy romantasy that will bring comfort to many people. I look forward to reading all the future installments in the series and getting to know everyone in Thistlegrove ever more. I love Elspeth, Adelaide, Auggie, and Prue all in turn, so I am so excited to discover each of their happily ever afters over time.
Didn't See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
3.0
A gamer romance that takes a deep dive into the misogynistic online world that mirrors the sexism in everyday society.
Kiki Siregar has always been the most confident girl in the room. That is, except when she plays online multiplayer games. In order to avoid sexist comments and constant harassment, Kiki plays anonymously as a guy. Even her best online friend, Sourdawg, doesn't know her true identity. This isn't a problem, until Kiki transfers to a new private school that Sourdawg just so happens to attend. Unaware of Sourdawg's true identity, Kiki feels the pressure of trying to discover who he is in real life before her secret is blown.
I must say, Kiki was one of my favorite characters in "Well, That Was Unexpected," so I was happy to learn that she was the main character in this one. I would never have guessed that she was a gamer, but I thought this was a really cool twist. She seemed so glamorous when she was beside Sharlot, but she's much more down to earth than I had originally pegged her as.
The best part of this book is how unabashedly it attacks misogyny and sexism. Treating women unfairly is common all over, but it seems to be even more extreme in the conservative Far East. It was heartbreaking to see Kiki dismissed time and time again due to her gender alone. The way that Kiki is treated online and in person was totally unacceptable. Unfortunately, many young girls and women are treated like this constantly, so it is so important to bring up the effects of misogyny every now and then.
The imbalance of power between men and women and those with wealth and those without is devastating. This book highlights that so thoroughly. Jonas is a rich kid who flaunts his wealth and abuses his power as often as he physically can. He is quite misogynistic, revels in putting others down, and is quite the pain to Kiki the entire novel. It's hard to have any empathy for people like him, but this book does a great job at showcasing where people like him are coming from despite all their wrong doings.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book when Kiki spent her time trying to adapt to her new school, investigating who Sourdawg is, and meddling with Eleanor Roosevelt's nefarious schemes. However, once the fake-dating/blackmail thing started, I felt rather uncomfortable by the whole situation. I couldn't believe that Kiki would let others take advantage of her like that. I understand that she was severely depressed due to the constant bullying, but I can't believe she lowered herself that far for that long. It made it hard for me to really enjoy the last half of this book.
If Kiki would have literally talked to anyone (her parents, Liam, her best friends, etc), she situation could have been greatly improved so much earlier. I understand why an author would pen Kiki's decisions how Sutanto did, but it's hard for me to understand why Kiki kept everything to herself for practically no reason. There were so many points in this book where I said to myself "If she doesn't talk to Liam here, she's actually an idiot." And then she never did, which made my heart break. Liam is too sweet to have to deal with the kinds of emotional turmoil that Kiki put him through; I would totally understand if he reacted less than positive to Kiki's antics.
Overall, "Didn't See That Coming" was an enjoyable, humorous gamer romance that blatantly told misogyny to stuff it. Kiki and Liam are both great characters that I was rooting for despite all their less than brilliant decisions. I wish the weird fake-dating/blackmail thing in the middle didn't happen, but I still enjoyed most of my time with this one. I look forward to checking out more of Sutanto's work in the future; her books all sound so funny and interesting!
Kiki Siregar has always been the most confident girl in the room. That is, except when she plays online multiplayer games. In order to avoid sexist comments and constant harassment, Kiki plays anonymously as a guy. Even her best online friend, Sourdawg, doesn't know her true identity. This isn't a problem, until Kiki transfers to a new private school that Sourdawg just so happens to attend. Unaware of Sourdawg's true identity, Kiki feels the pressure of trying to discover who he is in real life before her secret is blown.
I must say, Kiki was one of my favorite characters in "Well, That Was Unexpected," so I was happy to learn that she was the main character in this one. I would never have guessed that she was a gamer, but I thought this was a really cool twist. She seemed so glamorous when she was beside Sharlot, but she's much more down to earth than I had originally pegged her as.
The best part of this book is how unabashedly it attacks misogyny and sexism. Treating women unfairly is common all over, but it seems to be even more extreme in the conservative Far East. It was heartbreaking to see Kiki dismissed time and time again due to her gender alone. The way that Kiki is treated online and in person was totally unacceptable. Unfortunately, many young girls and women are treated like this constantly, so it is so important to bring up the effects of misogyny every now and then.
The imbalance of power between men and women and those with wealth and those without is devastating. This book highlights that so thoroughly. Jonas is a rich kid who flaunts his wealth and abuses his power as often as he physically can. He is quite misogynistic, revels in putting others down, and is quite the pain to Kiki the entire novel. It's hard to have any empathy for people like him, but this book does a great job at showcasing where people like him are coming from despite all their wrong doings.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book when Kiki spent her time trying to adapt to her new school, investigating who Sourdawg is, and meddling with Eleanor Roosevelt's nefarious schemes. However, once the fake-dating/blackmail thing started, I felt rather uncomfortable by the whole situation. I couldn't believe that Kiki would let others take advantage of her like that. I understand that she was severely depressed due to the constant bullying, but I can't believe she lowered herself that far for that long. It made it hard for me to really enjoy the last half of this book.
If Kiki would have literally talked to anyone (her parents, Liam, her best friends, etc), she situation could have been greatly improved so much earlier. I understand why an author would pen Kiki's decisions how Sutanto did, but it's hard for me to understand why Kiki kept everything to herself for practically no reason. There were so many points in this book where I said to myself "If she doesn't talk to Liam here, she's actually an idiot." And then she never did, which made my heart break. Liam is too sweet to have to deal with the kinds of emotional turmoil that Kiki put him through; I would totally understand if he reacted less than positive to Kiki's antics.
Overall, "Didn't See That Coming" was an enjoyable, humorous gamer romance that blatantly told misogyny to stuff it. Kiki and Liam are both great characters that I was rooting for despite all their less than brilliant decisions. I wish the weird fake-dating/blackmail thing in the middle didn't happen, but I still enjoyed most of my time with this one. I look forward to checking out more of Sutanto's work in the future; her books all sound so funny and interesting!
Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto
3.0
A one of them is famous YA rom com that takes place among the beautiful backdrop of scenic Indonesia.
Sharlot Citra is ready to go all the way with her boyfriend. That is, until her mother catches her in the act and whisks her away to Indonesia, the country her mother grew up in. George Clooney Tanuwijaya is just an average guyβif you don't take into account that he was born into a family of millionaires. And what do teenage boys get up to in their free time? They pleasure themselves, of course. When George's father walks in on him during the act, he is also grounded. Desperate for their children to be in a relationship that they consider positive, the two's parents set them up with one another on the most awkward date in Indonesian history. At least they'll never have to see each other again. Except that's not the case when they run into the press and George and Sharlot are made out to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Now, the two most fake date their way out of some sticky situations. . . and avoid the ever-growing sexual tension that they both feel.
This is my first book by Sutanto, and I think it was a fairly good introduction to her work. Her writing is witty, the banter is so natural, and her character's thoughts are totally uncensored. I wasn't ready for how brash the first couple of chapters were; these two were just so horny! There isn't anything wrong about a couple of teenagers both trying to sexually please themselves and getting caught by their parents, but I just wasn't expecting it, especially right out of the gates. This definitely did a great job at showcasing the in-your-face humor style that Sutanto thrives in.
The premise of this one is quite comical with Sharlot and George both being punished for not being proper young adults and their parents trying to set them up through an online platform. My biggest complaint about the entire situation is the fake dating element. I was shocked that the two didn't tell each other that their parents were the ones behind it all from the very first moment they met, and I just found it so petty that it just drug on the entire novel. I get that fake dating is a well-loved trope, there is just so many lies involved that it made me uncomfortable at times.
I love how deeply this book explores parent-children relationships and how they change over time. Sharlot goes through a point where she realizes that her mother had a life before her, which may seem obvious, but I feel like it's something that all kids with parents experience at some point. There's another instance in this book where George realizes that he is proud of his aunt and that has him doing a double take. It is so rare for the young to let the elders in their lives know that they are indeed proud of them too. Relationships are a two-way street, but it often doesn't feel that way in society.
Seeing Sharlot connect with her heritage and her culture was another great part about this book. Combine this with the fact that George is one of the most famous young adults in Indonesia and this book had a rollicking good rom com vibe. The two had to constantly act all chummy for the press and it was fun to watch the point when the fake dating turned real despite not loving all the circumstances that led to them faking a relationship.
Overall, "Well, That Was Unexpected" was a mostly good time that had me laughing aloud while also having me connect with the messages that were being portrayed. I definitely had to suspend my belief a time or two over the course of reading this book, but that's to be expected in a fake dating one of them is famous type plot line. Sutanto has a very interesting sense of humor, which I'm excited to read more of in the future. I'm curious to see what I'll think of this book's companion which I'll be reading next.
Sharlot Citra is ready to go all the way with her boyfriend. That is, until her mother catches her in the act and whisks her away to Indonesia, the country her mother grew up in. George Clooney Tanuwijaya is just an average guyβif you don't take into account that he was born into a family of millionaires. And what do teenage boys get up to in their free time? They pleasure themselves, of course. When George's father walks in on him during the act, he is also grounded. Desperate for their children to be in a relationship that they consider positive, the two's parents set them up with one another on the most awkward date in Indonesian history. At least they'll never have to see each other again. Except that's not the case when they run into the press and George and Sharlot are made out to be boyfriend and girlfriend. Now, the two most fake date their way out of some sticky situations. . . and avoid the ever-growing sexual tension that they both feel.
This is my first book by Sutanto, and I think it was a fairly good introduction to her work. Her writing is witty, the banter is so natural, and her character's thoughts are totally uncensored. I wasn't ready for how brash the first couple of chapters were; these two were just so horny! There isn't anything wrong about a couple of teenagers both trying to sexually please themselves and getting caught by their parents, but I just wasn't expecting it, especially right out of the gates. This definitely did a great job at showcasing the in-your-face humor style that Sutanto thrives in.
The premise of this one is quite comical with Sharlot and George both being punished for not being proper young adults and their parents trying to set them up through an online platform. My biggest complaint about the entire situation is the fake dating element. I was shocked that the two didn't tell each other that their parents were the ones behind it all from the very first moment they met, and I just found it so petty that it just drug on the entire novel. I get that fake dating is a well-loved trope, there is just so many lies involved that it made me uncomfortable at times.
I love how deeply this book explores parent-children relationships and how they change over time. Sharlot goes through a point where she realizes that her mother had a life before her, which may seem obvious, but I feel like it's something that all kids with parents experience at some point. There's another instance in this book where George realizes that he is proud of his aunt and that has him doing a double take. It is so rare for the young to let the elders in their lives know that they are indeed proud of them too. Relationships are a two-way street, but it often doesn't feel that way in society.
Seeing Sharlot connect with her heritage and her culture was another great part about this book. Combine this with the fact that George is one of the most famous young adults in Indonesia and this book had a rollicking good rom com vibe. The two had to constantly act all chummy for the press and it was fun to watch the point when the fake dating turned real despite not loving all the circumstances that led to them faking a relationship.
Overall, "Well, That Was Unexpected" was a mostly good time that had me laughing aloud while also having me connect with the messages that were being portrayed. I definitely had to suspend my belief a time or two over the course of reading this book, but that's to be expected in a fake dating one of them is famous type plot line. Sutanto has a very interesting sense of humor, which I'm excited to read more of in the future. I'm curious to see what I'll think of this book's companion which I'll be reading next.