I had no idea what to expect with this novella but I’m so glad I read it! In a way it gave me the closure I didn’t get from the last book.
B-ˏˋ3.5 ☆ˊ�-
I had no idea what to expect with this novella but I’m so glad I read it! In a way it gave me the closure I didn’t get from the last book.
Being back with my babies is always great and getting a glimpse at their future was the closure I didn’t know I needed. The plot was engaging as well which I was not expecting. Jennifer added a mini chapter for each character where we see them at twelve which I really liked and honestly it just left me wanting more of their stories.
Was this absolutely needed? Not really, but I think lovers of this series will appreciate this mini novella. The interactions of our beloved characters and solving one last mystery with them left me with all the nostalgia not gonna lie. After finishing the fourth book I didn’t feel anything, just that something was missing, but in the end of this I could feel such longing. I’m really gonna miss them.
Overall, it was such a good wrap on the series....more
THE BLURB!!? Omg I just know this book is going to make me suffer in the best way. I can feel the angst from this alone!!! Rio is about to claim his nTHE BLURB!!? Omg I just know this book is going to make me suffer in the best way. I can feel the angst from this alone!!! Rio is about to claim his number one spot finally (I mean he’s had it since the beginning)!
┈┈┈┈� � ・┈┈┈�
WE FINALLY HAVE THE TROPEEEEES!! And spoiler alert they’re perfect!!! How soon is too soon to give this 5 stars?
₊˚♟️₊✧┶� “And nothing hurts the way hope does when you take it away.�
-ˏˋ3.75☆ˊ�- � edit: had to lower it a bit
�--my thoughts--�
I have mixed emot₊˚♟️₊✧┶� “And nothing hurts the way hope does when you take it away.�
-ˏˋ3.75☆ˊ�- � edit: had to lower it a bit
�--my thoughts--�
I have mixed emotions on this one. I liked it, but I was expecting more. It was underwhelming in a way. Maybe that’s on me because after the ending of the third I set expectations that might’ve been too high. I still enjoyed the overall vibe and being back with these characters but I wasn’t eager to turn the page and see what was going to happen next.
“Sometimes, the serial killer across from you quoted Shakespeare. Sometimes, the most dangerous people were the ones you trusted most.�
�--plot--�
In the beginning there’s a whole plot that I thought was a bit pointless. It felt like the author put it there so we could experience Michael’s relationship with his dad. It felt kind of forced in a way.
“Sometimes, the hardest thing to be is the one who lives.�
And the overall plot was a bit boring and simplistic at times. There wasn’t much significant stuff happening or the way it was being written didn’t push me enough to be turning the page. Also, it became so confusing. Especially because of the sudden wave of new characters. So many names, so much past and present info being thrown was overwhelming in a way that became confusing and unclear. Oh and everyone was easily connected to everyone and everything. A little lazy if you ask me, especially given it’s the final book. There were still elements of surprise that kept the plot entertaining enough to keep me reading though.
“Every empire needs its queen.�
�--characters--�
The characters as always were the best part, no doubt! I love their dynamic together! They’re just so fun. There were such precious moments that melted my heart like the moment Lia and Sloane shared or seeing Michael and Dean support each other in their own way. I do wish we had some more moments with some characters and that some dynamics were wrapped up better in the end.
�--final thoughts--�
I really enjoyed the series overall and I would recommend even though I was expecting more of the plot not gonna lie. But it’s a really good ya mystery series, that’s simple, quick and hooks you from the beginning with its plot and compelling characters. I am going to miss these characters and their interactions so much! Still have the novella though, I don’t know what to expect from that.
˚₊� ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I’ll never watch the sun set again without thinking of her.
-ˏˋ3.25 ☆ˊ�-
╰┈� Griffin and Nadia met when she was only 19 and he blows her ˚₊� ͟͟͞͞➳❥ I’ll never watch the sun set again without thinking of her.
-ˏˋ3.25 ☆ˊ�-
╰┈� Griffin and Nadia met when she was only 19 and he blows her away with the best kiss she ever had. Two years go by and the universe brings them together again. The problem is she’s 14 years younger than him and his best friend’s little sister, but he can’t seem to stay away. And she doesn’t want him to.
After reading the previous book I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be my cup of tea and I was right. My main problem were the characters, I just couldn’t connect with them. I don’t think this is a bad book by any means but it just wasn’t for me. I thought it was cute and enjoyable but like every other book in this series there was something missing.
I know some people don’t like age gap but I didn’t mind it. My problem was the “best friend’s brother� trope, or lack thereof. I think the author wanted to approach a different trope in this book and because this is a popular one she ran with it. But it’s not shown anywhere in the book. It’s said that Griffin and Stephan are “best friends� but that’s it. They didn’t act like they knew each other let alone be “bffs�. It felt like sometimes the author would throw it around so that it felt like a forbidden relationship and so there was tension and plot but to me it was just frustrating. And same thing with the age gap, apart from the main characters no one cared about the 14 years�
Nadia is described to be so mature for her age because she’s suffered through so much since she was young, but to me she was sooooo immature! She had some actions that I didn’t agree with and said some stuff that no adult would say. And she’s young still I know, but it was repeated time and time again that she was wise beyond her years, yet she read like a teen most of the time. And Griffin was meh. I din’t like him, I din’t hate him. I sympathized with him and what he went through but I wish it was better developed.
I did like the development of their relationship, and that they managed to find healing in each other. There was however a random plot element that was thrown near the end out of nowhere and I didn’t like how it was handled and solved. But I liked seeing Griffin working for it in the end. Also I like Elsie’s writing but given she’s creating a new world I think there’s some parts that could be better explained and developed.
Overall, I’ve gotta say I was expecting more from this series mainly because of all the praise Elsie receives, but it’s her debut series after all. I’m really excited to jump into chestnut springs and see what all the fuss is about!
⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊�LiL’s 2025 in review୧₊‿︵‧� ₊⊹ �wishing you all an amazing year filled with love, joy and loads of five star reads. this is my first time d⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊�LiL’s 2025 in review୧₊‿︵‧� ₊⊹ �wishing you all an amazing year filled with love, joy and loads of five star reads. this is my first time doing this and i’m so excited.
i. goals⋆༘˚� � read 50 books (11/50) � finish at least 5 series � write more reviews � read more thrillers and dark academia � do at least two buddy reads � read emily henry
ii. most anticipated releases⋆༘˚� ❶ onyx storm (21st jan) ❶ unloved (4th feb) ❶ the conditions of will (1st apr) ❶ fearless (8th apr) ❶ king of envy (29th apr) ❶ rewind it back (20th may) ❶ atmosphere (3rd jun) ❶ love arranged (19th aug)
iii. priority standalones⋆༘˚� ❶ a little life ❶ daisy jones and the six ❶ lore ❶ beach read ❶ people we meet on vacation ❶ darling venom ❶ babel
iv. series to start/finish⋆༘˚� ❶ throne of glass [5/8] � � throne of glass � crown of midnight � the assassins blade � heir of fire � queen of shadows � empire of storms � tower of dawn � kingdom of ash
❶ the naturals [4.5/4.5] � � the naturals � killer instinct � all in � bad blood � twelve
❶ magnolia parks [3/7] � � magnolia parks � daisy haites � magnolia parks the long way home � daisy haites the great undoing � magnolia parks into the dark � daisy haites [untitled] � daisy haites [untitled]
❶ king of sins [4/7] � � king of wrath � king of pride � king of greed � king of sloth � king of envy � king of gluttony � king of lust
❶ windy city series [4/5] � � mile high � the right move � caught up � play along � rewind it back
❶ lakefront billionaires [2/3] � � love redesigned � love unwritten � love arranged
❶ gold rush ranch [4.5/4.5] � � off to the races � out of the gate � a photo finish � the front runner � a false start
❶ devil’s night [2/5] � � corrupt � hideaway � kill switch � conclave � nightfall � fire night
❶ never after [1/6] � � hooked � scarred � wretched � twisted � crossed � hexed
❶ priest [1/3.5] � � priest � midnight mass � sinner � saint
No other possible rating. None. I just finished and I can’t stop crying. Wow. They have my heart and soul. Forever. FRTC
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈�
·:*¨� Pre-ˏˋ5 ☆ˊ�-
No other possible rating. None. I just finished and I can’t stop crying. Wow. They have my heart and soul. Forever. FRTC
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈�
·:*¨� Pre-read ༻�*:·
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL, I’M REALLY READING THIS!!!!! Can you hear me scream!? I’m so exciteeeeeed!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAA ...more
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