“The possibility of you is better than the reality of anyone else.�
—ĔĔĔadzt the book———�
Age: NA Genres: Contemporary Romance Writing: 6/10 �2.5 stars�
“The possibility of you is better than the reality of anyone else.�
—ĔĔĔadzt the book———�
Age: NA Genres: Contemporary Romance Writing: 6/10 Quotes: 4/10 World building: n/a Characters: 5/10 Romance: 5/10 My rating: 5/10
trigger warnings: Death of a Parent, Sexual Harassment, Emotional Abuse, Toxic Relationship, Death, Injury Detail, Physical Abuse, Grief, etc.
———my thoughts——�
I wasn’t entirely expecting to love this book, but I was expecting I would enjoy it more than the last one. But sadly, no. And that’s almost completely due to Josh Chen. Do I like him? Do I hate him? That’s a very good question, because I’m not entirely sure myself. There were parts where I was smiling at something he did for Jules, but for more often I was rolling my eyes at his drama or wanting to punch him due to something he said. After a particular scene near the end, I actually wanted to throw my kindle at the wall. He was so incredibly awful to Jules, and she doesn’t deserve it. The third act break ups are becoming quite predictable, but let me tell you, there should have been SO much more grovelling from Josh in this one. Also, if he could stop thinking Jules is just her red hair or her beauty for one moment, that would be really nice. Jules is not inherently a bad character. Yeah, she’s kind of annoying sometimes and her background couldn’t be more unbelievable, but I don’t hate her. Of the four girls, she’s probably my third favourite. Outside of the characters (and their drama) there wasn’t much plot. I’ve learned to expect that in Ana Huang books, but I still think it would give the storyline the direction it desperately needs. Even something small would be better, just as a distraction from the romance and terrible smut. However, I’ve heard that the fourth book (Twisted Lies) is the best of the series, and while I’m a little dubious...I hope I enjoy it even a little more than this.
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“I went from wanting to kill you…to willing to kill for you.�
“You’re it for me. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, a year, or decades from now, that’ll never change.�
———random extra thoughts——�
How much better Alex is in every book but his own is hilarious to me ...more
Age: New Adult Genres: Contemporary Romance Writing: 6/10 Quotes: 7/10 World bu�4 stars�
“You and me against the world, princess.�
—ĔĔĔadzt the book———�
Age: New Adult Genres: Contemporary Romance Writing: 6/10 Quotes: 7/10 World building: n/a Characters: 8/10 Romance: 8/10 My rating: 7.5/10
trigger warnings: Child Abuse (past), Mentions of Addiction, Grief, Death of a Parent, Gun Violence, Mentions of Kidnapping, Violence, etc.
———my thoughts——�
This is quite possibly one of the most bingeable series I’ve ever read. I’d loved Bridget in Twisted Lies, so I was delightfully surprised to find that this definitely my favourite Ana Huang so far. (Out of the two I’ve read) Yes, there’s the overprotective, possessiveness that always puts me off, but this time it kind of made sense. Unlike Alex (who just seems to hate everyone for no reason) Rhys is Bridget’s bodyguard. He has a reason to be protective, and I’ll even let the possessive parts go. I also loved the slow burn part to it—even with all the time jumps, it still felt obvious that this was something that had been building for years. Like the first book, there isn’t a lot of plot except the romance, but the coronation and everything that came with it was quite fun to read—and utterly ridiculous of course. But it’s the kind of ridiculous I enjoy, one that completely embraces how unrealistic it is. Bridget was my favourite side character in book one, and her character has just improved from there. She feels like someone I would actually enjoy knowing, with her kindness and the way she always feels genuine. Rhys is the best kind of grumpy bodyguard, with all the banter and irritated grumbling I’ve ever read in my life. How protective of Bridget he was made me smile, and they’re just ADORABLE. Twisted Games actually felt a little bit like a fairytale, with the princess and her guard. Maybe that’s why I ended up enjoying it more than the first book—because it’s a little closer to my beloved fantasy. Or maybe it’s just because of Rhys and Bridget. With their slow burn romance, they feel like they were destined to be together.
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“Men. They always ruined it by opening their mouths.�
“But someone once told me we always end up where we're meant to be, and this is where I'm meant to be. With you.�
“A small smile touched Rhys’s lips. “I always knew you would make a great queen.� “I’m not queen yet.� “You don’t need a crown to be queen, princess.�
“You filled a part of my soul I always thought would be empty, and you healed scars I never knew existed. And I realized... it's not that I didn't believe in love before. It's that I was saving it all for you.�
“I was a rule follower by nature. It was how I’d survived most of my life. But for Bridget, I would break every rule in the book.�
“Trust me, princess. I would rather end my own life than ask you to do anything that might hurt you.�
“I was a lightning rod, and Rhys was the strike that lit me up from the inside out.�
“If only she could see herself the way I saw her. Beautiful, smart, strong. Perfect in every way that mattered.�
———random extra thoughts——�
Though if I’m being completely honest, I did have The Princess Diaries flashbacks.
Age: NA/A Genres: Romance Writing: 3/10 Quotes: 4/10 World building: n/a Characters: 4/10 Romance: 2/10 My r�2 stars�
“Yes, Sunshine?�
—ĔĔĔadzt the book———�
Age: NA/A Genres: Romance Writing: 3/10 Quotes: 4/10 World building: n/a Characters: 4/10 Romance: 2/10 My rating: 4/10
trigger warnings: Mentions of Suicide, Death, Murder, Manipulation, Gaslighting, Violence, Kidnapping, Gun Violence, Death of a Parent, etc.
———my thoughts——�
Was this a good book? Certainly not. Was it ridiculously fun to read? Yes. I’m pretty sure the author didn’t mean it to be this hilarious, but the amount of times i cackled like a madwoman are uncountable. The writing is...not great. There wasn’t really any plot overall, and it just felt like a bunch of side quests rammed together. Add in the fact that this is CERTAINLY the most unrealistic romance I have ever read...and you’re probably beginning to wonder that I even read it at all. In all honesty, I needed something I could devour in a couple of sittings—and I did end up reading it in like four hours, so it fulfilled its purpose. I did briefly think of rounding my rating up...but then I hit the singing scene and decided, no, two stars sounds about right. The characters were also a large part in my dislike for this book. The side characters were great (I’m actually excited about Bridget and Jules’s books) but our main characters? First we have Ava. Who’s entire personality is being cute, happy and fun. (She’s not actually that bad) And then we have Alex. I swear, the way he flipped between crazy asshole and nice guy almost gave me whiplash. Add in the fact that he was so busy being EVIL and BAD that he forgot to have an actual personality beside that, and we have a mmc I kind of hate. I enjoy possessiveness to a certain degree...but are we sure he’s not actually insane? He must have threatened at least half the male population by now, and that’s ok? He’s practically the definition of walking red flag (and not in a good way) And we can’t forget the smut! By the second scene, I was contemplating just skipping it altogether, but my eyes were stuck to my kindle screen in some sort of horrified fascination. (Eye bleach would be much appreciated) So all in all...I might just be braindead due to sleep deprivation, but I’m going to continue this series.
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
Maybe I’ll come back to add them later, but I can’t be bothered right now...
———random extra thoughts——�
At least it’s one book down on my December Tbr ...more
Remember how I said the ending of book four felt like being winded? Well, this one feels like being run over by a fucking train. Repeatedly. At this point, the nickname ‘Trauma Academy� is becoming all too real. Because I love this series...but I kind of also hate it. And when I say I was not just crying...but SOBBING, I’m not joking. For every second of happiness we got it felt like we got three hours of pain back. So let’s start with the happy parts first. The characters continue to get better and better, and the relationships? PERFECT. BlueLance are my angels and I would LITERALLY die for them, they are the sweetest. and have such a happy ending in this book With every book, my love for ToryDarius grows. The way they go running together? How he brings her coffee? The way they’re finally being adorable together? UGH. I love it. The other heirs are veering between being assholes and the most supportive sweethearts as usual (I still don’t like Seth, and no one can change my mind). Geraldine and Max? I didn’t see it coming, and I would absolutely love it...if Geraldine would speak like a normal person for one page. There’s only so long I can cope with her calling Max a “floppy barracuda� without wanting to throw my kindle across the room. And the FRIENDSHIPS? Darcy and Darius being sweet with each other is the cutest, and everyone was so happy! Until everything went wrong. (I’m smiling through tears right now) I can quite honestly say that I haven’t been so broken by a book in a long time. Actually, I’m pretty sure I ended up shouting at my little sister for trying to talk to me while I was reading the last 50 pages...so take that as you will. The thought of reading three more books (with book nine to be released next year) is too terrifying to consider right now, so I’m on a self-enforced break—at least for a while.
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“But I’m going to prove it to you. I’m going to do everything I can to make it up to you, for the rest of my life if that’s what it takes. I’ll never forgive myself for bringing this curse on us. And I’m never going to stop loving you either.�
“If you love someone, truly love them, you’ll bear your soul to them and let them be the keeper of your heart no matter how fragile or damaged it might be. And if they love you then they’ll do everything in their power to keep it safe, to nurture and protect it and heal over all the old wounds.�
“So stop selling yourself short. Stop selling her short. And decide right here and now that you’re going to fight for your girl. Really fight for her. Not just achieve this bullshit mission to right all your wrongs against her. Prove to her that you deserve her and then climb up into the fucking sky and tear the stars right out of it for her if they still don’t agree.�
“I couldn’t let Darius Acrux have my heart. No matter how much I ached for him.�
“This isn’t it. I won’t let him go. I’ll follow him beyond the veil. I’ll climb into the stars and drag his soul back out of them if I have to. This. Is. Not. It.�
“The fact that Tory had given him that little friendship bracelet � which he religiously wore every day without comment � was the cutest damn thing ever.�
—ĔĔĔsDzԲ—ĔĔ�
Til Forever Falls Apart - Ashe I Walk The Line - Halsey Die First - Nessa Barrett
———random extra thoughts——�
Honestly wondering if I should just wait for book nine? though the waiting is probably part of the experience
Have you ever been winded? Had the air completely knocked out of you? Well, that’s what the ending of this book feels like. I was warned...but I was not prepared. And apparently the cliffhangers only get worse. But anyway, was this my favourite so far? Both yes and no. What I’ve realised is while the writing can be extremely irritating, the simplicity is what makes these books so addictive and easy to read. Don’t get me wrong, I adore beautiful writing, but there’s just something so enjoyable about being able to read these so fast. They’re fast paced most of the time, but even in the slower chapters there’s this sense of urgency. Again, like book three, all the character’s arcs are amazing. I’m getting to know each of them better, and I feel like I’m finally at the point where I understand most of their actions. BlueLance are my favourites. They make me smile, giggle, kick my legs in the air, and make me so happy whenever they’re on page together. Every word they say to each other and every glance is just precious. ToryDarius on the other hand, are the bonfire to BlueLance’s flickering firelight. Taking “I love you but I hate you� to a whole other level (and putting us all through 12 anxiety attacks in the meantime), I feel like they both became so much more themselves in this book. The other heirs are their usual gorgeous bullying selves (Seth was such an asshole) and Caleb feels a little more himself again. I’m going to be honest here though...am I the only one who finds Geraldine annoying? Yes, she’s sweet, but her odd metaphors and phrases make me cringe every time. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book—and I’m prepared to cry.
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“Because I couldn’t keep away from her, that much was becoming abundantly clear. So I’d just have to keep being her villain.�
“So this crystal is a promise from me that I’m yours. For now. Forever. Or till it all goes to shit, I don’t know which yet.�
“Because you’re in my head all the time. You pulse through my blood with each beat of my heart. I live for every scrap of attention you offer me and suffer through every moment you spend ignoring me,�
“Happy birthday, Lance,� she whispered and for the first time in fucking years, it really was a happy one.�
“I don’t want you on your knees. I want you fighting me and hating me and fucking me like you mean it. You’re Roxanya Vega and you weren’t built to bow to anyone,� he growled passionately. “You want me to hate you?� I asked in surprise. “I want you to feel for me. And I’ll take hate if that’s all you’re offering.�
“She is so…everything. Does she know how everything she is?�
“I’d rather be sobbing with sorrow, screaming in fear, laughing until I was breathless or riding the very edge of a high than just keeping to the middle path.�
“The next time you want to drown in them, tell me about it.� “Why?� “Because if you’re going to drown then I’m going to drown with you.�
“Blue. I’m one hundred percent a lunatic for you. And I don’t give a damn.�
—ĔĔĔsDzԲ—ĔĔ�
Wonderland -Taylor Swift Ruin My Life - Zara Larsson
———random extra thoughts——�
BlueLance and ToryDarius are just everything ...more
“Cold was easier to bear when you’d never been warm.�
—ĔĔĔadzt the book———�
Age: Adult Genres: Paranormal Writing: 6/10 Quotes: 7/10 World building: 6/10 Characters: 5/10 Romance: 4/10 My rating: 6/10
trigger warnings: Death, Gun Violence, Death of a Parent, Violence, Kidnapping, Injury Detail, Loss of an eye, Grief, Murder, Blood, Self Harm (for magical purposes), Blood, etc
———my thoughts——�
A dead body is always a good start to a book. However, it doesn’t make up for how painfully slow this was. With three (mostly) alternating POVs from our three protagonists, it took a long time for the story to get anywhere. Each of them had a journey (be it metaphorical or physical) before the characters were actually all together, and it felt like too much build up over a too-long period of time. It’s not even like the writing is bad, it just felt longwinded, and stopped the flow of the story. I love descriptive writing, but I have a limit. There’s a point where it feels more of a hidarence then a help. I also felt like there was too much buildup for such an anticlimactic ending. The “villains� were almost too easy to dispose of (I was expecting something FAR more devastating) and it all wrapped up too well. But even with all these complaints, there were still parts I enjoyed. The magic system, for one, was fascinating, and I wish we could have had more detail/depth on that. There were also a few characters I liked—mostly Nicolas. Any eccentric 20-something posh Englishman ends up making me laugh at least once, and he was sometimes the only thing that kept me going throughout particularly long chapters. Some of the quotes were also particularly beautiful, and I especially liked Ester’s defiance and determination throughout. Overall, would I say that I enjoyed this? Not especially. The problems I had with especially the writing ended up making the book feel even longer, and sometimes almost boring. Still, I firmly believe in “it’s not the book, it’s me� though, so take this with a pinch of salt.
—ĔĔĔqܴdzٱ—ĔĔ�
“When you're growing up, you don't ask whether your family's good, do you? Especially if you don't know anything else. They're just your family.�
“All these stories, what did they add up to? A life?�
�...it's the steps themselves that make a path, instead of the other way round. We are creating even as we believe we are following.�
“She was a person made for the present, not the past. She couldn't afford to forget that.�
“Killing had been added, suddenly, to the list of what she was capable of. It had gone from unthinkable to possible. Was this how people tipped over into darkness?�
“Later, as the sisters grew, Esther hyperfocused on their differences, but as a little kid she'd been far more hypnotised by their sameness.�
“It was like tasting a feeling and the feeling was power.�
'I'm not a prince,' said Nicholas. 'Technically, I'm a very minor baron.'
Lyra (Cardan's tail's version)
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