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yunsq's reviews
148 reviews
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
4.25
I finally was in the right mood for this internet-favourite. And I devoured this book in two sittings. The first time before I slept and the next morning I woke up I finished the book. This is the second time I've done this two-sittings read in a month! I am on a reading streak and I am so here for it.
WHERE DO IT BEGIN. I completely understand why everyone loves this book. The love was exploratory, obsessive, head-over-heels and the love-making was all-consuming, soft and so so tender. It was the perfect "we only have eyes for each other" trope and I was all about it. The love story between Stella and Michael and their respective insecurities and reservations were all believable. Not absurd, like a lot of the other romances I've come across.
The Kiss Quotient isn't perfect though. There were a few icks about this book. For one, how Michael referred to his past clients as "crazy" numerous times irked me every time he mentioned it.
I enjoyed this book, a lot. Maybe too much. And found myself chuckling and giggling to myself, lost in the pages. Sucked into the world of Stella and Michael. But I think if I were to judge this more critically, I'd have loved to read a more nuanced love story.
WHERE DO IT BEGIN. I completely understand why everyone loves this book. The love was exploratory, obsessive, head-over-heels and the love-making was all-consuming, soft and so so tender. It was the perfect "we only have eyes for each other" trope and I was all about it. The love story between Stella and Michael and their respective insecurities and reservations were all believable. Not absurd, like a lot of the other romances I've come across.
The Kiss Quotient isn't perfect though. There were a few icks about this book. For one, how Michael referred to his past clients as "crazy" numerous times irked me every time he mentioned it.
I enjoyed this book, a lot. Maybe too much. And found myself chuckling and giggling to myself, lost in the pages. Sucked into the world of Stella and Michael. But I think if I were to judge this more critically, I'd have loved to read a more nuanced love story.
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
lighthearted
2.75
I liked the switcheroo and thought the reality baking competition scenes were pretty exciting to follow!! It’s why I chose to read it in the first place! I was looking for some lighthearted, baked goods distraction and it provided.
The final chapters were too vanilla and hallmark-y for me. I guess the ending would’ve had a different effect on me or someone who loves Christmas! if I were remotely into Christmas at all maybe it’d have sparked some bright Christmas spirits and joy. Also I don’t think Brett deserved that happy ending lol.
The final chapters were too vanilla and hallmark-y for me. I guess the ending would’ve had a different effect on me or someone who loves Christmas! if I were remotely into Christmas at all maybe it’d have sparked some bright Christmas spirits and joy. Also I don’t think Brett deserved that happy ending lol.
Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah
4.5
2nd read. Bumped up half a star. Kia Abdullah’s writing is ever so gripping and nerve-wrecking at the same time.
The Roughest Draft by Austin Siegemund-Broka, Emily Wibberley
4.0
I saw a review that said that this book is written with love. And I agree. For each other (the co-authors); for love as a concept, emotion, action; for the characters and for writing. I found that beautiful and very entrancing. Perhaps not the right word to use but I needed to read on to find out how this story could get any more lyrical and beautiful!
The audiobook too, is amazing. The pages of Nathan and Katrina finally sharing their first kiss and their first time in bed, were intimate and immersive, yet respectful of reader-character boundaries. It doesn’t scream typical romance steaminess where the reader is almost made to feel a type of way — hot rushes to the head or overwhelming flushes of desire. Instead, it carefully presents this long-awaited and (supposedly!!) impatient moment with prose that prioritise the characters’ (and readers’) state of mind. As a reader, I didn’t just feel for Kat and Nathan. But I saw them too. And I think that’s something this book excelled at.
However, I did wish to see a bit more of the friendship between Harriet and Katrina/Harriet and Nathan. I thought what they shared in common was special, and I’d have loved to have more insight on what friendships between published authors are like!!
The audiobook too, is amazing. The pages of Nathan and Katrina finally sharing their first kiss and their first time in bed, were intimate and immersive, yet respectful of reader-character boundaries. It doesn’t scream typical romance steaminess where the reader is almost made to feel a type of way — hot rushes to the head or overwhelming flushes of desire. Instead, it carefully presents this long-awaited and (supposedly!!) impatient moment with prose that prioritise the characters’ (and readers’) state of mind. As a reader, I didn’t just feel for Kat and Nathan. But I saw them too. And I think that’s something this book excelled at.
However, I did wish to see a bit more of the friendship between Harriet and Katrina/Harriet and Nathan. I thought what they shared in common was special, and I’d have loved to have more insight on what friendships between published authors are like!!
The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
3.0
I picked this up immediately after finishing ‘The Good Sister’, Hepworth’s other book because I really enjoyed my time with that. Hepworth has a way with weaving how characters relate to each other really well to her readers. It’s like… I am there in the same room as them. But this one fell short. I was hopeful, and turning pages really quickly until the big reveal. And I was sorely disappointed.
I’m also unsure if infertility was properly represented in this book.
This book had so much potential!!!!
I’m also unsure if infertility was properly represented in this book.
This book had so much potential!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Murder
Moderate: Abortion and Death of parent
Minor: Grief
The Caregiver by Samuel Park
5.0
“She was one of the objects, too, shining, shining—being loved by that rambunctious, boisterous star.”