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"What, you think your extra limb is the size of a gourd or something? You can't overcompensate
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"What, you think your extra limb is the size of a gourd or something? You can't overcompensate your way into her favor when you're the very definition of a rectum"
This book single handedly ended my year-long reading slump. It had everything I could ever want in a fantasy book. I fell in love with the characters, the story, and the way I was always left guessing what was going to happen next. There's honestly not much for me to say other than I had an absolute blast reading this and I can't wait for the sequel!! Here's hoping I get ARCs for the rest of the series ...more
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I thought this book was so much fun!! The writing was super easy to fall into and made it easytrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
I thought this book was so much fun!! The writing was super easy to fall into and made it easy to get fully wrapped up in the story. I loved learning about Filipino mythology, flora and fauna, clothing, food, language, etc.
The only thing that, for me, kept this from being a 5 star read was only really an issue because I was being picky.
(view spoiler)[Me and MJ just didn’t mesh super well. I’m someone who reads a lot of books dealing with the main character rising to the throne and coming into power as a human or half human. And I think where this book lost me was the way MJ handled being the future Queen. Now just hear me out.
MJ gets taken from the human world to the magical kingdom she’s supposed to rule over. It’s made very clear in the beginning that MJ doesn’t really know her kingdom, people, or really anything about ruling. And yet, she’s still making all these decisions (like what she wears to a very important event when she decides to dress many levels below other people in attendance) and is being asked to speak at all these important events like meetings with other courts when she knows nothing about court politics, protocol, etc. I just feel like that was such an awful call on her advisors or whoever was just like “ok, MJ, take the lead.� Like don’t get me wrong here when I say my girl MJ was trying. But like, guys, cut her some slack and help a princess out??
ALSO SIDE NOTE BUT THAT ENDING?!?!?! BEGGING TO GET AN ARC FOR BOOK TWO (hide spoiler)]
That was the only thing that pulled me out of the story a bit and frustrated me. Otherwise, I had such a blast with this. Thank you so so so so so so much to Netgalley and the publishers of this book for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I’d highly recommend reading it if it interests you at all!!!
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Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, Recommended Age Rating: 12+ Reasons Why: Mild romance, no swearing that I noticed Overall Rating: B+++...more
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This book was honestly so fun to read! I love this series so much.
I will say that I felt realtrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
This book was honestly so fun to read! I love this series so much.
I will say that I felt really disappointed with (view spoiler)[the whole love triangle situation. Like girl basically ignored her chemistry with Michael, lowkey flirted with Dean in front of him, then chose Dean over Michael??? In what world is Dean better?? I understand that they both have traumatic backgrounds and understand that about each other blah blah blah. But when you have the super hot guy going after you who has fallen so hard, girl you don't pass that up unless you have a good reason. From my stand point, she doesn't even have close to the same amount of chemistry with Dean as she does with the hot one! And the hot one has the added advantage of being hot! I guess I don't understand it. Whatever (hide spoiler)]...more
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Is it too early to say this might be one of my favorite books of the year? I don't care I'm satrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
Is it too early to say this might be one of my favorite books of the year? I don't care I'm saying it anyway. THIS BOOK ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS. IT ACTUALLY SLAYED SO HARD.
I need to collect myself fully before finishing this review...
OK, I think I'm good now.
All I want to know is: how? How can a book be this good? The writing, the characters, the plot ...more
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This book was really fun! I think part of it was how nostalgic it felt for me and how it totaltrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
This book was really fun! I think part of it was how nostalgic it felt for me and how it totally gives that Salt Lake City, Utah vibe! As someone who used to live there but hasn't in a log time, I found this brought back a lot of memories for me about my experience living there.
Though there are things I didn't like as much about this book, I give it 4.5 stars for being fun, quick, and easy to read!
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Genre(s): YA, Romance, High School Recommended Age Rating: 13+ Reasons Why: Romance (making out and illusions to sex), domestic violence and abuse, alcohol (mentions), fat shaming, death (mentions), binge eating Recommended for Fans of: YA Romance Overall Rating: B++ Brief Summary: Jenna Vaughn used to be Jennifer -- or, as people in elementary school called her, Fatiffer. Being outcast at a young age, she grew really attached to the one person who would pay attention to her -- her friend Cameron Quick. When Cameron disappears one day and is assumed dead, Jenna moves to a new school and tries to reinvent herself as the person she wanted to be....more
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This book was SO GOOD OMGGGGGGG!!!!
Things I liked about the book!
The story and the writing wertrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
This book was SO GOOD OMGGGGGGG!!!!
Things I liked about the book!
The story and the writing were so good omg!! I did think the story was "obvious" at times but that only lasted a page or two every time. It was so hard to put down and such an amazing experience reading it!!
Things I didn't like about the book!
SPOILER!!!!!!(view spoiler)[I WANT GRAYSON AND AVERY TOGETHER SO BAD OMG HES SO MUCH HOTTER THAN JAMESON I CANT WITH HIM (hide spoiler)]END SPOILER!!!!!
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Genre(s): YA, Romance, Mystery Recommended Age Rating: 12+ Reasons Why: Language, romance (kissing), drugs and alcohol (mentions), weapons, and violence Recommended for Fans of:The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and We Were Liars by E. Lockhart Overall Rating: A+ Brief Summary: Avery Kylie Grambs still has more to figure out about why she was chosen to be Tobias Hawthorne's heir. With the help of Xander, Grayson, Nash, and Jameson she seems to have all the man-power she needs to solve the clues. That is . . . before the threats. Avery's life is in danger and the closer she gets, the more she questions whether the truth will really set her free....more
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This book was, overall, really good!
Things I liked about the book!
Starting off positive. I liktrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
This book was, overall, really good!
Things I liked about the book!
Starting off positive. I liked the story a lot. I could very easily get lost in it and read the whole thing in a single sitting. It was well written, addicting, and exciting all at once! I also love the was the author included Canadian and Nigerian culture in her story telling!!
Things I didn't like about the book!
My main gripe with this book was actually with my main girl Ada. (view spoiler)[Like how dare she invite her brother who was kicked out of their house years ago to her cousin's huge and super important wedding without telling anyone then just running home after??? Like, girl, this is a super important day for Genny and you're about to just spring a controversial family member on her and cause a scene??? Nah, I don't like that at all. Also, side note, I want to know what her family and friends thought about her at the end of her performance. Also who is she with? Is she dating Justin? (hide spoiler)]
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This book was . . . interesting. Let's break it down a bit.
“‘We’ll make it fun,� Ranbir says, dtrigger warning and other info at the end of the review
This book was . . . interesting. Let's break it down a bit.
“‘We’ll make it fun,� Ranbir says, dipping his bread again. ‘Pooper-scooper!’� (45)
Things I liked about the book!
Starting off positive. I really liked the vibe and flow of the story. It made the it easy to just sit down and binge read, which is something I like in books like this! The writing was also good too. It wasn't the most flowery or beautiful, but it did what it set out to do, and it was easy for me to get lost in the story because of it.
Things I didn't like about the book!
I think a list would better organize my thoughts on this one.
1) There was no chemistry between Maya and her supposed "love interests." I think part of it was because it moved so fast, but it was a little disappointing because I love a good romance. Also, remind me why they like Maya?
2) Maya did stupid stuff. And here's the thing, was that realistic? I'd like to think (as someone who is also 17) that I wouldn't do some of the things Maya did that I thought were . . . unprofessional . . . but I could also see people in my high school doing and saying the same things? So it felt weird to me. She seemed way younger than her age at times, but I've also been told I seem way older than my age, so maybe this one if just a me thing.
3) It gave off very Buzzfeed-Allure vibes. Which, yeah. Duh. But it read like something twelve year old me would've loved. We don't talk about me when I was younger. This brings back PTSD from getting advice off of the "What bagel are you quiz" and the "What is your dream job? We'll tell you after just 5 simple questions!" (Side note: that bagel quiz on Buzzfeed is brutal ...more
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This book was really something! It was well-written and was very entertaining throughout the wtrigger warnings and other info at the end of the review
This book was really something! It was well-written and was very entertaining throughout the whole story. I had rated this book 5 stars when I read it for the first time a few years ago, but since then I've changed and there were a few things in this book that really prevented me from keeping the 5 stars.
There was an instance of blatant body shaming that I had glossed over or not noticed years ago but now it makes me feel sick and that feeling followed me throughout the book. Most everything in this book is great, but the things like that and the offhanded comments characters make for no reason left a sour taste in my mouth.
It's unfortunate because I really did enjoy this book. It had a cool story, interesting characters, and always left me wondering what'll happen next.
I will say, as a re-read, certain things were extremely obvious. When I read this before I found the foreshadowing to be too little and I often felt like things came out of nowhere (but, then again, I wasn't very observant)
This book was good. I enjoyed it, but it could've been better. Solid 3.54 stars.
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Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Romance Recommended Age Rating: 13+ Reasons Why: Infrequent language (including the b-word), death (multiple mentions and accounts), weapons, fantasy violence, blood (constant), fat shaming, romance (kissing, hand holding) Recommended for Fans of: The Hunger Games and The Selection Overall Rating: B+ Brief Summary: Mare Barrow has red blood, and, in her world, people with red blood are treated like scum while the silver-blood royals are like Gods with their magic abilities and their wealth. Mare's 18th birthday is coming up and conscription is her biggest worry. Without a job, she's done for. Stealing can only get her so far, but it manages to get her a job at the royal palace. But the royal palace is dangerous for someone like Mare who is not like any of the other red-bloods she's ever heard of.
With the danger of her new knowledge she must learn to fight for what she believes in while also trying to sat afloat in a game she is not suited to play.
But we all know, power is a dangerous game....more
Book Title: People We Meet on Vacation Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Emily Henry Genre(s): Adult, Romance, Chick lit Recommended Age Rating: 15Book Title: People We Meet on Vacation Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Emily Henry Genre(s): Adult, Romance, Chick lit Recommended Age Rating: 15+ Reasons Why: Language (including the f-word), romance (including sex), alcohol, drugs, death Recommended for Fans of:Book Lovers by Emily Henry Overall Rating: A Brief Summary: Poppy and Alex have been best friends for over a decade, and every year they take a summer trip together. But on a trip to Croatia one year, everything changes and they end up going two years without talking. But when Alex's brother announces he's having a destination wedding, Poppy decides it's now or never for her and Alex. But their past haunts and delights them as they explore the past and try not to think too hard about the future. They have three free days and three weddings days to make this right.
This book was so much fun to read!! I absolutely loved learning about Poppy's relationship with Alex over the years and how that's led them to where and who they are now. Absolutely delightful <3
Book Title: Twilight Standalone or Series: First book in The Twilight Saga Author: Stephenie Meyer Genre(s): YA, Romance, Paranormal Recommended Age RatinBook Title: Twilight Standalone or Series: First book in The Twilight Saga Author: Stephenie Meyer Genre(s): YA, Romance, Paranormal Recommended Age Rating: 11-12+ Reasons Why: Extremely mild language (I believe a form of (view spoiler)[damn (hide spoiler)] was used twice), romance (kissing), suicide (mention), hospital (brief), fantasy violence Recommended for Fans of:Crave by Tracy Wolff and Marked by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (mother daughter) Overall Rating: C Brief Summary: Bella decides to move from living with her mom and step-dad in Phoenix, Arizona to live with her dad Charlie in a small town in Washington state called Forks. Things are hard for Bella, but are made even more complicated when the gorgeous boy Edward Cullen takes a sudden and intense dislike to her on her first day. They're curious about each other, but nothing could prepare them for the gravity of their relationship.
This book is a lot to take in. So let me start with what I didn't like about the book, then I'll defend my rating.
Things About This Book That Sucked (Pun Intended):
1.) The characters were flatter than the paper the book was made out of (seriously, I think mine was water damaged).
The characters were super annoying, flat, and had no personality besides how pale and gorgeous they were. Except for my girl Bella, of course, she was pale but ordinary-looking and was just so clumsy it was almost paralyzing. They were seriously so boring to read about and it made it hard to hold interest in the story. Like when Edward makes some creeper comment and Bella's like "But what about me?? How can you like Me." Were interesting characters so much to ask for? Cuz if I'm gonna be in ms. pick-me-girl's head at least make it interesting!
2.) The Writing Was Super Boring. (Also Shout Out To The Awful Pacing!)
My girl Stephanie decided we needed to hear about every second of Bella's day always. Like, OK, it'd be fine if anything she did was interesting, but it just wasn't. I don't want or need to hear about how you cooked Charlie dinner for the third time in 100 pages like, I get it, grown man living by himself or 15 years can't cook anything but scrambled eggs. Cool, but I don't really give a crap. Also that makes no sense. Not only that, but the sentence structure never really switched up enough to be interesting and there were so many typos I can't ...more
Book Title: Julieta and the Romeos Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Maria E. Andreu Genre(s): YA, Romance, Contemporary Recommended Age Rating: 11Book Title: Julieta and the Romeos Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Maria E. Andreu Genre(s): YA, Romance, Contemporary Recommended Age Rating: 11-12+ Reasons Why: No language that I notice, romance (kissing), alcohol (mention) Recommended for Fans of: Romance and A Ph� Love Story by Loan Lee Overall Rating: A+++ Brief Summary: Julieta has always wanted to be a writer, but working at her parent's Argentinian restaurant has made her question whether it was a viable carrier for her after all. When she gets the opportunity to go to a prestigious writing program in NYC for the summer, everything seems to be going right with her life. Especially when an online publishing assignment leads her to come in contact with the mysterious Happily Ever Drafter.
Well, until she meets the Romeos. Three guys enter, but who will win her heart?
Is it Ryan, her BFF's twin brother who she's never gotten along with.
Is it Lucas, the boy who's worked at her parent's restaurant forever and really gets her.
Or is it Calvin? The one Julieta's abuela introduces her to and is carefree in life.
Who is the mysterious writer? Who will win her heart?
I loved this book so much!!! It's totally worth the read. I had so much fun exploring the characters. Everything about this story was amazing....more
Book Title: Debating Darcy Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Sayantani DasGupta Genre(s): YA, Romance, Contemporary Recommended Age Rating: 11-12+ RBook Title: Debating Darcy Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Sayantani DasGupta Genre(s): YA, Romance, Contemporary Recommended Age Rating: 11-12+ Reasons Why: No language that I notice, talk of sexual assault, romance (kissing) Recommended for Fans of: Romance and speech and debate Overall Rating: A+++ Brief Summary: Leela Bose is on a public school speech and debate team, Firoze Darcy is on his elitist private school's. The two couldn't be more different, yet there's something about these two that they can't seem to stay apart despite the hatred flowing between them. Unluckily for them, they're forced to run into each other at the speech and debate competitions. But what will happen between them? Is Darcy who Leela thought he was?
This book was so addicting! I co-captain my school's debate team with my boyfriend as my debate partner, and let me just say, this book almost had too many parallels to my real life! Our debate coaches have the same names and are described to have the same fashion style (!!), we go against other rich and entitled schools (including private ones), and our team is easily the messiest one in the league hahaha. There's even more that I can't think of right now.
Overall, I'm completely obsessed with this book. The only thing I'd say I disliked was that Leela was a little too judgy and jumps to conclusions too fast, but other than that I loved it!!...more
Book Title: Betrayed Standalone or Series: Book 2 in the House of Night series Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (mother daughter) Genre(s): Young Adult, Book Title: Betrayed Standalone or Series: Book 2 in the House of Night series Author: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (mother daughter) Genre(s): Young Adult, Vampire, Romance Recommended Age Rating: 13-14+ Reasons Why: R-slur (multiple times), F-slur (multiple times), ableism, homophobia, transphobia, language (including the F-word), drugs, blood, alcohol, racism, sexism, romance (kissing, feeling, orgasm (mention, moaning), death, news stations (CNN and Fox News), and slut-shaming (basically the MC is a terrible person) Recommended for Fans of:Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and Crave by Tracy Wolff Overall Rating: D Brief Summary: Zoey Redbird has been a fledgling vampire for about two months now. Things have been a bumpy transition for her, but it's almost like she's getting used to not being human. With a boyfriend away at a competition, a new young vampire teacher, and a stubborn ex-boyfriend, things couldn't get more complicated -- or could they? With Zoey's first ritual as the head of the Dark Daughters and the threats on people she knew in her home town, things take a turn for the ugly as Zoey has to balance love, work, friendship, and loyalty. Things have never been more complicated.
Yeah, sooooooo, I don't know how I feel about this book. It was interesting enough, I guess. But a lot of not-okay things were said and done in this book that I have a hard time dealing with. If only I didn't feel obligated to continue this series and had access to better books to read ...more
Book Title: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Erika L. Sánchez Genre(s): Young Adult, Mental Health, FictioBook Title: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Erika L. Sánchez Genre(s): Young Adult, Mental Health, Fiction Recommended Age Rating: 13-14+ Reasons Why: Language (including the f-word), body shaming, drugs and alcohol, sex, homophobia, racism, suicide, mental health, death Recommended for Fans of:Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley Overall Rating: C+ Brief Summary: Olga was the perfect Mexican daughter. All she wanted to do was spend time with her parents and cook like Amá always wanted. She got good grades, always stayed home, and was everything her Mexican family wanted of her.
Olga was thought to be the perfect Mexican daughter. But when she is hit and killed by a semi truck, all the pressure goes back to her not-perfect sister Julia. But something doesn't sit right here. After Olga's passing, Julia learns that her sister might not have been as perfect as she had everyone believing she was.
If only Julia knew where to look.
So this book was interesting to say the least! It reminded me a lot of Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, except I found Julia to be a lot more whiny. It was still an interesting story though!
Book Title: It Ends With Us Standalone or Series: Book 1 in the It Ends With Us series Author: Colleen hoover Genre(s): Romance, Fiction, Adult RecommendeBook Title: It Ends With Us Standalone or Series: Book 1 in the It Ends With Us series Author: Colleen hoover Genre(s): Romance, Fiction, Adult Recommended Age Rating: 15-16+ Reasons Why: Suicide, heavy language, rape, abuse, sex, romance, alcohol, drugs Recommended for Fans of:How To Live on the Edge by Sarah Lynn Scheerger and other Colleen Hoover books Overall Rating: D Brief Summary: Lily Bloom's dad has just died. When staring at the stars on the roof of a building in Boston, Ryle shows up. Their connection is instant.
Months later after Lily has opened up her flower shop (a dream of hers) she unknowingly hires Ryle's sister, bringing them together once again.
Will they work out? Will Atlas, Lily's love interest from when she was 15 change anything?
Told both through Lily's perspective as an adult and her 15 year old self's diary entries (written in the form of letters to Ellen DeGeneres (of which aged like milk)).
Ummmmmm . . . naked truth here? This book almost had me rating it 5 stars. I fell into the ever-common trap of reading the author's note at the end, sobbing a little, then opening goodreads immediately after to review the book.
I can never do that; I need time to think.
The story itself was super annoying to read (view spoiler)[I hated the opening scene and the diary entries were so awful and boring (hide spoiler)] and I swear half of the time I was reading it it wasn't for enjoyment, but rather out of fear of where the author was taking this and whether it would continue down the whole I thought it was.
I am also not someone who has any triggers or stuff I actively avoid in books; I read about sexual assault and abuse all the time. But this was really hard for me to handle. I felt myself shaking. I cried. I felt sick reading it at points. This isn't a book that'll glide over the topic easily, but rather stays on it and lets it sit. I feel like there needs to be a trigger warning on this book as I'm sure many people have gone into it unknowingly and come out scarred.
Consider this your trigger warning: know that this book is hard to read. Know your limit.
I like the theme of "it's harder than it looks" and getting over the "just leave them, you idiot" mentality. Leaving is hard. Support the victim instead of accusing them. Help them get out of bad situations.
Book Title: The Nightingale Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Kristin Hannah Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance, WWII Recommended Age Rating: 14Book Title: The Nightingale Standalone or Series: Standalone Author: Kristin Hannah Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance, WWII Recommended Age Rating: 14+ Reasons Why: Sex (multiple mentions and brief descriptions), rape, violence, alcohol, and mild language Recommended for Fans of: Strong female leads and women fighting for themselves Overall Rating: A Brief Summary: Isabelle and Vianne are sisters living in Paris during WWII. Both girls are very different and deal with things in their own way, but they are strong. They don't need men to save them and they do everything they can to survive and help others.
Vianne is forced to billet German soldiers in her house as a single mother (her husband away in war). Isabelle fights with the resistance. Told from each of their perspectives, this story shows of the women behind the war and the strength they put into everything they did.
I absolutely loved this book. I sobbed on multiple occasions which is saying a lot because I normally don't cry when I read.
The beginning is veeeeeeery slow to get into, but it is worth every second because once you get into the groove you never want to get out.
Book Title: The Inheritance Games Standalone or Series: Book 1 in The Inheritance Games series Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes Genre(s): Young Adult, MysterBook Title: The Inheritance Games Standalone or Series: Book 1 in The Inheritance Games series Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes Genre(s): Young Adult, Mystery Thriller, Romance Recommended Age Rating: 11-12+ Reasons Why: Very mild language, romance (hand holding, kissing), Talk of abuse and death Recommended for Fans of: Romance, mysteries, and escape rooms (the thrill of puzzles) Overall Rating: A++ Brief Summary: Avery lives in poverty in Connecticut. Living with her sister Libby and her on-again off-again abusive boyfriend, Avery's whole life is planned out: do enough to keep straight A's, get a scholarship for college, and pick up as many shifts at work as she can manage.
But when Avery is visited at her school by an attorney stating her presence is required for a will reading in Texas, her whole world falls apart. What could a multi-billion dollar dead person want from her?
Let the inheritance games begin.
I haven't liked a book so much in what could be my entire life! I spent all day reading this book and absolutely falling into this story.
It was so well thought out and addicting I can't get enough!!!
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