First of all, Quinn Riley is just outstanding! I took a chance with this book just because it was narrated by Quinn, but when I started listenin3.75/5
First of all, Quinn Riley is just outstanding! I took a chance with this book just because it was narrated by Quinn, but when I started listening, I was equally drawn to the storyline. It's a celebrity story. The storytelling is slow but steady. The MCs are well-written. The chemistry between the MCs feels authentic. The attraction, the teasing moments—everything is very organic until the break-up. Well, if it was at all a break-up, because both Savannah and Brynn were not ready to address the elephant in the room. And why did they break up, btw? Ah, that flimsy reason and Savannah's unreasonably dogged behavior? I mean, come on... was this even a reason to drag the issue for almost a year?! I didn't buy it.
Well, there were a couple of sex scenes, and that too almost after 90% of the story. Yes, there could have been some intimacy earlier, but that never felt like a big miss.
Overall, it is a nice slow burn (with some loose ends) to listen to....more
"Might as well be an Ocean" is a high-octane romance, to say the least. The characters are gray, like us, and therefore relatable. I have so many thou"Might as well be an Ocean" is a high-octane romance, to say the least. The characters are gray, like us, and therefore relatable. I have so many thoughts swirling in my mind regarding the story, which prompts me to write this review.
First of all, a big shout-out to Ms. McKnight for creating such flesh-and-bone characters. Oh my god, where do I even start? From Mara Davis to Nita Patel, each character is beautifully crafted. But my favorite is Mara Davis. Oh boy! Ms. McKnight has breathed life into her. A person grappling with huge abandonment issues and being neurodivergent, Mara struggles to accept happiness, hence those lofty ice walls around her. At times, readers may want to shake her to infuse some sense into her. She's as stubborn as a rhino and a pain in the arse for Fayth Havens and us. But one can't hate her; on the contrary, Mara will garner readers' sympathy. Her overly traumatized childhood (or absolute absence of it) shaped her into the adult Mara.
This book is written from the first-person POV, so we get to know Mara Davis up close and personal. It is as if we are walking with Mara Davis side by side, experiencing and understanding life with her. But all said and done, Mara Davis is crystal clear about one thing—she loves Fayth Havens. The North Star of Mara's life, the anchor to her drifting ship, is Fayth Havens.
This brings me to discuss the second MC, Fayth Havens. It has been properly established that Fayth also loves Mara deeply and is very patient with her, but sometimes I couldn't wrap my head around some of her actions (though I do understand that with Mara, she was walking on eggshells)... Especially her stance regarding Derrick, who was a bully to Mara. Given the fact that Fayth knew Mara like she knows the back of her hand... then why? So, I can't say I fully understand Fayth Havens, although I would like to cut her some slack; it was never easy to stick with Mara, a raging rhino. Of course, in the latter part of the story, I see Fayth rise above her usual self and tackle the bull by the horns. Anyway, we've been promised to get to know Fayth properly in the next release. So, keeping my fingers crossed... Fayth Havens... I am waiting to hear your part of the tale. ...more
I have listened to the entire Bright Falls series, so I was anticipating the same magnificent storytelling. Well, the storytelling is magnificen3.75/5
I have listened to the entire Bright Falls series, so I was anticipating the same magnificent storytelling. Well, the storytelling is magnificent, but I really didn't understand the plot. Why did both of the MCs assume so much? Why, being best friends for so long, didn't they talk about their feelings? And why did one of them decide to flee the scene at the eleventh hour, hell, at the last minute before the twelfth hour? Ugh, there are so many whys, and I'm not convinced. ☹️...more
I don't want to rate this masterpiece. This book is an amazing experience.
I finished The Unfinished Line two weeks ago, and since then I've been wI don't want to rate this masterpiece. This book is an amazing experience.
I finished The Unfinished Line two weeks ago, and since then I've been wondering whether I finished the book or if this damn book finished me! Let me tell you, readers—those yet to read—it is not just any run-of-the-mill love story. This is a journey of two beautifully crafted main characters who see life through two very different lenses. As readers, we walk alongside them to share their love, their pain, and everything that comes with life.
So, why am I writing this review so late? Because this book left me with a void that needed time to fill up—or maybe it never will. I could still remember, after finishing this book, I cried so hard that I couldn't breathe for a few moments. Even today, as I write my view, my eyes well up remembering the last line of Scene 53, Take 2. In short, it's crushing. It will rip out your heart and stomp on it like it's nothing.
I am accustomed to Jen's rich writing style. And let me tell you, I have an enormous fictional character crush on Catherine and Amelia Walker. With UFL, it has to be Dillion Sinclair. Her characterisation is just outstanding—so very flesh and blood. There was never a moment while reading when I thought, "Oh, this is just a fictional character..."
This is mainly the story of a highly ambitious individual who is so very tunnel-visioned when it comes to her sport. I'm not discussing the whys because that would give away too many spoilers.
On the other hand, Kameryn Kingsbury is everything Dillion is not. Perhaps that keeps them glued together until, of course... Kameryn Kingsbury is a breath of fresh air for Dillion and for us. She is what makes this highly charged narrative breathable. If I am in awe of Dillion, then I am in love with Kam. Her helplessness in front of Dillion's doggedness felt so palpable. And I hate Dillion for Take 1. Why? Why couldn't she see beyond her ambition? Why couldn't she accept that life is far more interesting with someone like Kam by her side? How could she be so selfish? Yes, Ms. Lyon, from where I stand (as far as Take 1 is concerned), I would say she acted selfishly. She constantly shut down Kam and never actually wanted to address the black hole inside her, (view spoiler)[ultimately succumbing to it. (hide spoiler)]
Before this review goes out of hand, I would like to say this is an amazingly written story, and one shouldn't restrict oneself from reading this masterpiece just because it falls under the Sapphic genre. Jen Lyon is a master storyteller. Period. Though my rational brain understands that Take 1 is 'THE END', my heart never agrees with it. One reason being, I couldn't accept Kam's torment. Her defeat to hold Dillion, to hold them. I couldn't see her swallowing the fact that she was not enough for Dillion, (view spoiler)[that she couldn't matter when Dillion decided to put a full stop on everything, including her own life. (hide spoiler)]
My only disagreement is that Take 2 seemed too late and too little after the devastation that Take 1 brought to me.
My parting thought is this: life is a movie with no scope for "should have been," so we must spend it wisely and sometimes ponder the devastation we might cause by simply not considering those who tag along with us, no matter what.
If this review makes any sense to you, please read this book.
As much as I liked the fighting for control, I can't say the same thing for this one. It felt slightly dragged and monotonous somewhere in the middle As much as I liked the fighting for control, I can't say the same thing for this one. It felt slightly dragged and monotonous somewhere in the middle of the story. Though it was quite refreshing to read a romance between two women who were nearing their 50s. ...more
Well, what happens when Lee Winter adorns her comic hat? A fun ride is guaranteed. But honestly speaking, it never felt like there was a romance be4/5
Well, what happens when Lee Winter adorns her comic hat? A fun ride is guaranteed. But honestly speaking, it never felt like there was a romance between the MCs. On second thought, did Lee even want to serve it as a romance? The friendship part was more palpable, though.
Anyways, when it is Lee Winter, two things are guaranteed: a solid story and well-formed characters....more
The Art of Us was an overwhelming read for me. I am not in the right headspace to write something analytical, yet here I am, sharing my views on 4.5/5
The Art of Us was an overwhelming read for me. I am not in the right headspace to write something analytical, yet here I am, sharing my views on this emotionally draining book. I can’t remember the last time I felt like such an emotional wreck after reading a book. I almost lost count of how many times my vision blurred; I felt so heavy in my chest. It’s sappy, folks.
The story grabs me by the neck from the first paragraph. Alexandra Woodson, a valedictorian medal holder, had little idea that she would fall for an eighteen-year-old art student who has a penchant for cheesy pickup lines. That Charlee Parker would crack her icy exterior and proclaim her heart� forever. Though I really felt for Chris and Kari, the moment Alex met Charlee at the exhibition and locked eyes, it was game over for both of them. Alex and Charlee both wanted to play it right, but the heart wants what it wants, and you have to hurt people to make your story right.
This book constantly throws us between the past and the present to show that every current action has its roots in Alex and Charlee's past. The author was successful in her attempt to keep us glued to our seats on this roller-coaster ride. The storytelling was superb, with great character development, including the side characters. I especially want to know more about Vinny. Dude, she was hilarious and practical.
But... I have one issue with the story. It could have been trimmed by two or three chapters because, after a certain point, it felt a tad dragged out unnecessarily. Especially Alex's indecisiveness was drawn out longer than I would have liked.
All said and done, this book is very good for die-hard romantics. As I mentioned earlier, it’s very emotional—a tearjerker, to be precise.
My final thought about the book: sometimes we read books that reflect our own journeys, and we always see a piece of ourselves in those pages. That’s why they feel so close to our hearts....more
Tryst Six Venom, also known as T6V, has been quite the wild ride for me. Despite being a young adult book, I didn't feel like a fish out of wate3.80/5
Tryst Six Venom, also known as T6V, has been quite the wild ride for me. Despite being a young adult book, I didn't feel like a fish out of water diving into its world.
The main characters were incredibly well-developed, with Olivia Jaegar stealing the spotlight as my personal favorite. She was a rebel with a cause, confidently owning her identity. On the other hand, Clay's bullying behavior seemed like a front to hide her true self, even from herself. Both girls played the hate-game with no holds barred. Yes, there was plenty of bullying and hate-fu**, folks.
The dynamic between Liv and her brothers, especially Macon, was a standout for me. Liv needed a solid support system to truly flourish.
While the story was engaging, I did find it dragging a bit in the middle. Trimming a few pages could have kept the pace snappy. The hate-fueled game between the characters went on a tad too long, making the transition to head-over-heels love feel a bit delayed.
But did I enjoy it? Absolutely! Enemies-to-lovers is my guilty pleasure, and this book delivered one of the best enemies-to-lovers romances I've come across in recent memory....more
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