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
Basically, it's a fuck-fest fest with a wafer-thin plot. I DNF'd it after the 13th chapter. I tried to finish, but the mindless intimate scenes fel3/5
Basically, it's a fuck-fest fest with a wafer-thin plot. I DNF'd it after the 13th chapter. I tried to finish, but the mindless intimate scenes felt monotonous. It started on a funny note but failed to develop a coherent story. The main characters never build anything substantial to be considered as moving toward a relationship....more
"Aubrey McFadden is Never Getting Married" is truly a charming romance! It starts off with a solid prologue that immediately draws you in, setting 4/5
"Aubrey McFadden is Never Getting Married" is truly a charming romance! It starts off with a solid prologue that immediately draws you in, setting the stage for an engaging storyline that takes you through six weddings before Aubrey finally finds her happily ever after. Georgia Beers really takes her time to explore why Aubrey wanted to escape from wedding ceremonies and avoid her nemesis, Monica Wallace, only to fail hilariously. The characters are well-developed, making it a pleasure to follow their journey, despite a few bumps along the road.
Listening to the audiobook narrated by Lula Larkin was a treat, but it left me contemplating a few things. Why does Aubrey view Cody as a sweetheart when he clearly isn't? I mean, the guy runs away from his own wedding and then starts interfering in Aubrey and Monica's affairs. What's up with that? In my humble opinion, Cody's character could benefit from more consistency.
The situation of Aubrey and Monica being college mate without any connection, despite sharing the same group of friends, is indeed puzzling. It raises questions about why their paths never crossed and why Aubrey seemed oblivious to Monica, especially when everyone in their circle of friends apparently knew about Monica's feelings for Aubrey. It's interesting how Aubrey remained unaware of Monica's feelings even though others in their social circle were aware of it.
And hold on, Monica, Cody's best friend, had no idea that Cody was going to be the father of their unborn child? That's quite surprising!
I wish we could have seen things from Monica's perspective as well. I'm still having such a crush on her....more
The story of Nightingale is simply amazing. It tackled a difficult subject, and the author's in-depth research is evident. The plot was awesome,3.90/5
The story of Nightingale is simply amazing. It tackled a difficult subject, and the author's in-depth research is evident. The plot was awesome, but I struggled to connect with the story. It had the potential for a highly dramatic romance, but the storytelling didn't quite resonate with me. It felt more like I was watching a documentary rather than experiencing a captivating tale.
However, let me clarify that it is indeed a very good story with a high level of angst. It's worth noting that the intense angst may not be everyone's cup of tea....more
Natalie Keane, Hollywood gold, with a shiny Golden Globe to prove it. She's also living her truth as an out and proud lesbian, which is awesome. Bu4/5
Natalie Keane, Hollywood gold, with a shiny Golden Globe to prove it. She's also living her truth as an out and proud lesbian, which is awesome. But when the cameras stop rolling and she's chilling at home, that's when the perfect picture starts to crack. This gal's been through the wringer—stalked, kidnapped, and left with some serious mental scars. Plus, her childhood was no walk in the park, what with losing her mom in a crash and her dad being MIA.
Now, we've got Taylor Vaughn, who's basically a superhero without the cape. Ex-military, now a bodyguard to the stars, and yeah, she's got that whole 'I'm hot and I mean business' vibe going on. But that's just at the surface level; she's fighting her own battle with a back injury that's got her career hanging by a thread.
So, when word gets out that Natalie's creeper kidnapper is walking free thanks to parole, her team goes into stealth mode. They need a bodyguard who can blend in as Natalie's girlfriend, and Taylor's just the woman for the job.
Ms. Lacey scoops us up into this journey with Natalie and Taylor, stirring up a love story that's as strong as it is slow-burning—and totally satisfying. She's got a slick way of keeping the kidnapper in the mix without overdoing it, and you can't help but feel Natalie's jitters right along with her.
There's this one bit where they stumble upon Cassie the Kitten, and man, the tension's so thick with a capital T. The whole scene's a nail-biter, and as a reader I was just on my toes right there with Nat and Taylor apprehending that the Kidnapper might re-surface.
All in all, it's a solid read with just the right amount of heat. The main characters are fleshed out pretty well, but I gotta say, I wish there was more to Taylor. The whole 'dashing knight' angle didn't quite hit the mark for me. It's like digging into a dish that's almost there but missing that secret spice to make it truly mouthwatering.
But Natalie? She's penned down to a T. You get her—her fears, her edge, her tough spots, and her stubborn streak. She's as real as they come....more
Baylee's constant running away from relationships and from herself is like she's in this never-ending struggle with understanding attachment. Sh4.15/5
Baylee's constant running away from relationships and from herself is like she's in this never-ending struggle with understanding attachment. She's just trying to escape from this deep loneliness and the exhausting cycle of running away. She's not perfect, but I wouldn't just call her selfish. I think she's been living in survival mode, trying to avoid the pain that comes with getting too close to someone. But deep down, she wants a place to belong, someone to hold onto. Her childhood, being an orphan, taught her to avoid getting tied down, like a rolling stone that gathers no moss.
Tovi and Bay have a complex dynamic. Tovi came from a well-to-do background, but her parents never approved of her. Maybe that was one of the reasons why Tovi was with numerous partners, defying the standards set by her parents. Bay, on the other hand, an orphan who never knew what it is to have a family, was attracted to Tovi. But I really didn't like Tovi's handling towards Bay. Most of the time, Tovi treated Bay badly, used her, though she knew Bay really cared for her. From where I'm looking at this dynamics, I feel Tovi was Bay's first understanding towards attachment. Her first experience with love, though it was not a romantic love. What makes me wonder is that Bay, the flight risk, had always been loyal to Tovi. One may question why Bay allowed Tovi to use her. Sometimes people like Bay, who never got a chance to look up to somebody, don't think rationally. So, whatever seems irrational from our point of view may not be the same from Bay's.
Now, let's talk about Harper and Baylee. Harper is like the anchor that saves Baylee from herself, providing the stability she's always needed. Yes, Baylee needed stability but she never wanted to admit it. Their love story reminds me of Celeste Cameron and Amy of Denial, but with much less angst. Harper knew that the more she let Baylee have her freedom, the more Baylee would want to come back to her. Baylee is the kind of person who avoids getting too attached but will always come around later when the ties are looser. So, Harper gave her the space to do her own thing, knowing she'd come back in the end.
This story is like this intricate web, showing us the depths of Baylee's mind and her connections with the people in her life. It's like we're on this journey through the past and present, where every 'Present' thread is an extended version of a 'Past' thread. Well...isn't that Life? I especially love how cleverly the author tied together the two most important people in Bay's life with Rivers. Rivers is the bridge that brings together the two sides of love Bay felt for Tovi and Harper. Three different knots that tied Bay to the thread called life. In a way, Rivers is both the redemption and the reconciliation for Bay.
This story is all about the different shades of love and the complexities of life. If I had to nitpick, I'd say it could've been a bit shorter at times, and sometimes I find the pace of the story slow, very slow for my liking. The steam quotient of this story sits in the mid-lower category; then again, I never felt I am missing anything here. And I really wish I could've heard Harper's side of the story; dealing with someone like Baylee couldn't have been easy. Honestly speaking, I had to spend a fair amount of time to adjust my mind to get accustomed to the writing style of Ms. Macon.
So, what's the takeaway? For starters, it is a very well written debut novel. Secondly, the plot was like an intricate spider web. And lastly, characters were written too well and they felt very human. Very relatable.
By the way, spoiler alert: this story will make you cry without you even realizing it. It really tugs at the heartstrings....more
Don't Circle Or is a tale of redemption and coming full circle. The story begins with heartbreak followed by a life-altering accident that up4.9/5
Don't Circle Or is a tale of redemption and coming full circle. The story begins with heartbreak followed by a life-altering accident that upheaved the equilibrium of the Trimble family and as well as for Drew Hunter-Davidson. The author then takes her readers on a roller-coaster ride of past and present to establish that nothing is as powerful as time. Time acts as both the destroyer and the healer.
At its core, the story portrays common tropes like enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance, and childhood romance. The crafty storytelling aspect of this romance makes it an endearing tale of two lovers whose unwavering love undergoes numerous trials but emerges victorious in the end.
Morgan Trimble is a larger-than-life character. She is a passionate lover, a doting elder sister, and, most importantly, a brave person who transforms into a timid, guilt-ridden human being rapidly spiraling downward. Drew Hunter, on the other hand, is also a passionate lover, a loyal friend, but lacks the courage to accept her relationship with Morgan. She is a complex character, knowing what and who she wants but unable to gather the courage to come out.
This is an angsty love story where guilt plays a major role. Morgan's guilt takes her on an abysmally downward journey, leading her to succumb to substance usage. To make matters worse, Morgan serves as a catalyst to Sierra's unfortunate demise, adding to her monumental guilt. Drew also bears her share of misery, squarely blaming herself for the Trimble family debacle and Morgan's mental state. At certain points in the storyline, I felt a bit angry with her, somewhat believing she was indeed responsible for the accident. Both characters undergo significant changes over time, eventually leading them to a happy ending.
The story also showcases how the same characters behave differently in almost identical situations from the past. Throughout the story, readers will experience a sense of déjà vu.
The intimate scenes between the two lovers are written with great passion and authenticity. The way Morgan handles Drew in their early years feels raw and genuine. Drew's patience and unwavering dedication to Morgan later on is a testament to their deep love for each other. One of the standout moments is when Drew asks Morgan to be her first, revealing her vulnerable side as she offers herself completely to Morgan in every sense. The depth of emotion and connection between the two main characters in this scene is exceptional.
Don't Circle Or masterfully deepens the emotional connections between its characters, drawing the readers into a world where every feeling is vividly experienced. The story meticulously portrays the intricate web of emotions that bind the characters together, from the rawness of heartbreak to the complexities of guilt and the unwavering dedication of love. The intimate scenes are not merely displays of passion but rather moments that resonate with profound emotional depth, laying bare the characters' vulnerabilities and forging an unbreakable bond between them. This emotional richness creates an immersive experience, allowing readers to truly feel the depth of the characters' love, pain, and eventual triumph, making Don't Circle Or a poignant and unforgettable romance.
Before finishing, a spoiler alert: this is indeed a tear-jerker, so keep your tissue box handy. There were times I found myself crying without even realizing it, and let me tell you, it is a bad cry, uncontrollably bad......more
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