I don't know what to say, other than this: CLo are a motherfucking Diamond Match together, and I think this might be their best creation yet. I absoluI don't know what to say, other than this: CLo are a motherfucking Diamond Match together, and I think this might be their best creation yet. I absolutely loved every single second, and I'm sad it's over....more
Favorite book of 2019 so far. And let me tell you, it's going to be really hard to top Alex and Henry's story. Politics and romance all in one pretty Favorite book of 2019 so far. And let me tell you, it's going to be really hard to top Alex and Henry's story. Politics and romance all in one pretty package? And they're boys? SIGN ME UP!
Casey McQuiston's debut novel is off the charts amazing, and I don't care what you're doing or reading or what right now, but you need to stop, grab this book, and enjoy the heck out of it. (And also maybe wish it could be a true story because yeah).
Alex Claremont-Diaz is the first son of the United States. Henry is the freaking Prince of England.. Sworn enemies after their first meeting at the Olympics a few years back. At least according to Alex. That is, until they're required to socialize at a royal wedding, and 'socializing' leads to a $75,000 wedding cake being smashed when these two go crashing into it. Photos of the entire debacle end up splashed all over the front page of the rags. The White House and the Castle are in damage control mode, thinking that throwing Alex and Henry together for some photo ops will prove the two are actually friends, and that the wedding disaster was all just a happy accident among mates.
What starts out as a rough relationship eventually morphs into an unlikely friendship, and then, even more. Alex is in the middle of a reelection campaign for his mom (aka President Mom), and he's ambitious about this own political future. The stakes are high, but he can't resist Henry's draw. The young man he once saw as arrogant and rude quickly becomes so much more, and it's not long before all the hatred has disappeared and now their biggest obstacle is their status among two different countries.
I don't want to give away too much--just that I hesitated reading this because the cover was a bit cheesy. I saw so many people recommend it I decided to request it, and I am SO GLAD I DID. Because I am still thinking about it days later and looking forward to a re-read very soon....more
I don't have the words for how much I adored this book. Just go read it. Seriously.I don't have the words for how much I adored this book. Just go read it. Seriously....more
Leisa, we need to talk. How is it that every time you write a book you manage to use all 80,000 words to kick me in the feels? Seriously. This was a cLeisa, we need to talk. How is it that every time you write a book you manage to use all 80,000 words to kick me in the feels? Seriously. This was a complete roller coaster of emotions. The good feels. The bad feels. THE FREAKING UST. That tension was just...gah. I have no words for how good it was. I couldn't put it down. I really want to pick it back up now that I've finished it.
HOW SOON ARE YOU FINISHING THE NEXT ONE BECAUSE I NEED IT!...more
*** Thank you to HarperTeen for graciously providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
This might be one of my favorite YA boo*** Thank you to HarperTeen for graciously providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. ***
This might be one of my favorite YA books of all time. No, scratch that. It is. It’s my favorite. Of all time.
My original review said something along the lines of what an emotional mess I was, and how powerful the words were. I encouraged readers not to wait on this one. And it still holds true. DO NOT WAIT. READ THIS BOOK.
If you love important topics, diversity, beautiful words, epic love stories, perfect boys and of course, breakdancing, you won’t be sorry. Tahereh Mafi’s power with words and storytelling is absolutely brilliant. Her account of life, post 9/11, is so raw and real and paints an incredible picture of how prejudice and privilege shape the lives people live, and the choices they make. There are two sides, and it’s not easy to see things from someone else’s perspective until you’ve experienced it for yourself.
Shirin doesn’t trust anyone. She’s been stereotyped and teased mercilessly for what she believes. She exists in America, post 9/11, where individuals who are Muslim are being placed in a category because of acts of terrorism committed in the name of those same beliefs. Shirin is one of those people whose life, attitude and behavior has become influenced on a daily basis by unfair prejudice.
And then she meets Ocean, her new lab partner...
His name was Ocean.
People took one look at my face and they expected my name to be strange, but one look at this dude’s very Ken-Barbie face an I had not expected his name to be Ocean.
“My parents are weird,� was all he said by way of explanation.
Needless to say, sweet little Ken Doll looking Ocean is not prepared for Shirin.
”Listen, I don’t know what you’ve already decided about what you think my life is like, but I’m not about to be sold off by my parents for a pile of goats, okay?�
“Herd of goats,� he said, clearing his throat. “It’s a herd—�
“Whatever the hell kind of goats, I don’t care.�
Shirin thinks that joking about her religion and the stereotypes that so many have about it is the easiest way for her to cope with other people. She has walls. Great Walls. And Ocean has no idea how to handle it. He’s never experienced what Shirin has. He’s a white boy who lives under the veil of invisible privilege. He’s attractive and smart and good at sports. How could he ever understand?
”I just want to know what’s going on,� I said. “I don’t understand why you’re trying so hard to be my friend. I don’t understand why you keep showing up in my life. Do you, like, feel sorry for me or something?�
“Oh.� He raised his eyebrows. “Wow.�
“Because if you’re just being nice to me because you feel sorry for me, please don’t.�
He smiled, a little, and only to himself. “You don’t understand,� he said. It wasn’t a question.
“No, I don’t understand. I’m trying to understand and I don’t understand and it’s freaking me out.�
He laughed, just once. “Why is it freaking you out?�
“It just is.�
“O첹.�
“You know what?� I shook my head. “Never mind. I think I should go.�
“Don’t� � He sighed, hard, cutting himself off. “Don’t go.� He mussed his hair, muttered, �Jesus Christ,� under his breath, and finally said, “I just think you seem cool, okay?� He looked at me. “Is that so hard to believe?�
“Kind of.�
“I also think you’re really goddamn beautiful but you just won’t give me a chance to be cool about this, will you?�
Ultimately, for me, this book was about experience vs. naivety. Shirin is experienced in the ugly ways the world works. Ocean is not. These two are forced into a situation where they have to learn from each other. Where they have to accept how unfair life can be and how sometimes, no matter how hard you try to pretend that bad things don’t exist: they do. It’s eye opening. It’s sad. It’s powerful. It’s beautiful. I had legit hand over heart moments where I had to stop, take a few minutes, and then go back in. And I’m not sure I’ll ever come up with the proper words to convey how deep into my heart their story has buried itself, but I hope you decide to give it a chance because it's so very worth your time....more
These characters were far from perfect. As someone who has suffered from infertility, thMy feels have feels right now.
I don't even know what to say.
These characters were far from perfect. As someone who has suffered from infertility, this one hit home in a big, big way for me. I felt both of them deep in my bones, but I especially felt Quinn. Her thoughts. Her feelings. I understand how it feels to dread every month, to be upset when your period comes. I know how it feels to be disappointed, time after time.
And Graham...god, he was...I know some people will hate him for his decisions in their story--but all I could see in him was my own husband, and I can't wait to go home tonight and remind him how much I love him, because as hard as infertility is on me, and at times, our relationship because I don't always share those feelings with him...he's what matters, and sometimes it takes something as simple as reading a book to realize that...sometimes, like for Quinn, it takes a much more difficult situation to open your eyes.
I have been anti-Colleen-Hoover-endings for the last three or four books I've read by her, so of course I was absolutely dreading the outcome of Quinn and Graham's story. I am happy to say that for once, I'm not disappointed at all. This book was very hard to read, but it was also so important for me personally that I had to give it all my stars. She did such a great job telling this story, and I am thankful for it....more
I can't even communicate right now about how much this book owned me from the very first page. It's been a really long time since I've put any books oI can't even communicate right now about how much this book owned me from the very first page. It's been a really long time since I've put any books on my favorites shelf, and this one is at the top of the list right now because GAH it was so good. Most definitely my favorite Christina Lauren novel to date. The story, the characters, the freaking heart that went into this shows on every. single. page. All of it was just perfect. I want to go back and experience it all for the first time again....more
Full disclosure: I one hundred percent expected to hate this book. I went in with the most cynical of views, but after a few good friends recommended Full disclosure: I one hundred percent expected to hate this book. I went in with the most cynical of views, but after a few good friends recommended it, I felt like I needed to see what the fuss was all about, and though I felt like it started a little slow, man did the end make up for it. I ended up falling so hard for Josh and Lucy's love story, and now I'm sad it's over and there are no more pages to read. I'll definitely be looking forward to Thorne's next book to see what she has in store....more
Looking back, this book is so basic it’s almost embarrassing: It’s just one guy’s story, the lamest autobiography ever of falling in love. Love fails Looking back, this book is so basic it’s almost embarrassing: It’s just one guy’s story, the lamest autobiography ever of falling in love. Love fails for a million reasons—distance, infidelity, pride, religion, money, illness. Why is this story any more worthy?
It felt like it was. It felt important. Living in this town is suffocating in so many ways. But if a tree falls in the woods, maybe it makes no sound.
And if a boy falls for the bishop’s closeted son, maybe it makes no story.
As heartbreaking as it is...this quote? It's probably in my top five favorites of all time. Because this story? It is important. It's so very, very important. This book, man. It hit me right in the feels. And I can't say thank you enough to Christina and Lauren for being brave enough to write it, and for doing it in a way that was beautiful and poignant and just...perfectly heartbreaking and real.
As the younger sister of a gay man, who also happened to be hopelessly, madly in love with his Mormon best friend as a teenager--the son of a Bishop, in fact--it made me hurt, not just for my brother, who lets be honest, I already knew was forever changed because of what he experienced falling in love with someone whose Faith would not allow them to see beyond anything besides man+woman=the only way, but for all the kids out there like my brother and his friend. Like Sebastian and Tanner, who are afraid to be who they are simply because society hasn't yet caught up with our world. I wish every queer kid had a Jenna and a Dan and an Autumn. I wish every kid was given the strength to just be. I wish things were different. And I hope. I hope that at least one kid reads this book and finds their strength. Finds their peace. And finds the happiness they truly deserve. Nobody should have to hide from the world. Nobody should have to hide from their family.
And most of all, nobody should have to hide from themselves. Because no matter who you are, love is love is love is love is love....more
Loooooooooooved this one. I have so missed Jeanette's words, and this was the perfect return. Looking forward to her next book very, very much!! Loooooooooooved this one. I have so missed Jeanette's words, and this was the perfect return. Looking forward to her next book very, very much!!...more
I love Elle Kennedy's hockey boys. I loved Sarina's hockey boys too. Put them together and what do you get? NEAR PERFECTION, YOU GUYS. This book. THIS I love Elle Kennedy's hockey boys. I loved Sarina's hockey boys too. Put them together and what do you get? NEAR PERFECTION, YOU GUYS. This book. THIS BOOK. I loved Ryan. I loved Jamie. I couldn't stop reading and I'm so sad it's over and I'll never get to experience it for the first time ever again. I am seriously hoping there are more from this series, because DAMN DAMN DAMN did I love it....more
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