Finally! An Ali Hazelwood book that I really enjoyed since The Love Hypothesis. This was so close to 5 stars, but there were just some little things tFinally! An Ali Hazelwood book that I really enjoyed since The Love Hypothesis. This was so close to 5 stars, but there were just some little things that stuck out to me and I just couldn't get there.
Oh Scarlett and Lukas. I adored them. Scarlett was so quiet and awkward and Lukas was just quiet and brooding but yet they worked together. When the two of them were together, you could feel their connection and more than just the "kink" that threw them together in the first place. It was nice to see Lukas open up as the book went on. There was so much more to his personality and I just loved who he was. Same with Scarlett, I just wish she would have stood up to Pen a little more.
As for the kink in the book. I am not an expert in that field, nor do I claim to be. Was this 100% accurate? Most likely not. There were even parts where I was like, this isn't even that kinky. I did keep expecting her to push it a little further based on how big of a deal Pen made it out to be when she broke up with Lukas. But Hazelwood kept it pretty light on that front and I honestly was okay with it.
The part that I really disliked was pretty much everything with Pen. While I loved that Scarlett felt that she had a best friend in Pen, you could always tell something was missing. It didn't help that Pen refused to tell people that her and Lukas broke up (big red flag). You add that with Scarlett not telling Pen about her true feelings for Luk and you just know a blow up is going to happen. It was expected and it was frustrating because it could have 100% been avoided.
But overall, I really enjoyed the story and it gives me faith that Hazelwood's debut wasn't just a fluke. ...more
So yeah, I knew nothing about this book going in. So imagine my shock when I discovered it was a retelling of The Great Probably would round up to 3.5
So yeah, I knew nothing about this book going in. So imagine my shock when I discovered it was a retelling of The Great Gatsby. With magic.
The book centers around Jordan Baker. Now I read Gatsby but it's been years. I really only remember the main characteristics and the ending. I don't really remember Jordan but I guarantee it's not the Jordan from this book. This Jordan was queer, Asian, and comes across as fearless in an age where most doors were closed to her because of her race. She puts on this brave face in front of everyone but you can see the cracks beginning to wear on her.
It was also interesting seeing Gatbsy through these eyes. While the story was told by Jordan and supposed to be hers, I felt it was more Gatsby leaning and not Gatsby adjacent which is what I would have preferred more.
I also did like the introduction of the magic but I wish it was explained a little more and used a little more. It felt like we just barely brushed the edges of this new world before it ended so it was almost like why was it added in the first place? I don't know. I feel like this book messed with my head. The writing was beautiful, the prose just flowed but I'm just not sure where it flowed and I can't seem to wrap it up in my mind. But is definitely one worth reading and one that will stick with me. ...more
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