Amy's Updates en-US Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:55:37 -0700 60 Amy's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg UserChallenge61074036 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:55:37 -0700 <![CDATA[ Amy has challenged herself to read 18 books in 2025. ]]> /user/show/19421167-amy-j 11627
She has read 14 books toward her goal of 18 books.
 
14 of 18 (78%)
Create your own 2025 Reading Challenge » ]]> GiveawayRequest699229183 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:15:15 -0700 <![CDATA[<a href="/user/show/19421167-amy-j">Amy J</a> entered a giveaway]]> /giveaway/show/409892-heir-of-storms Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray ]]> Review7359571798 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 06:31:40 -0800 <![CDATA[Amy added 'Summer Reading']]> /review/show/7359571798 Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay Amy gave 4 stars to Summer Reading (Paperback) by Jenn McKinlay
I thought this was cute! I liked that it wasn't just about Sam and Ben, but also Sam's relationship with her brother and I love that they got to be closer! Librarian Ben was very hot and Chef Sam knew her way around the kitchen. I don't think I've read about a character with this severe dyslexia and ADHD in a while and seeing how she had to cope with things was great. And her discovering audiobooks to enjoy reading was so lovely! I'm not sure what it's like to have dyslexia but the author choosing to make the font friendly and adjust the formatting of the book was nice.
I feel like Sam's negative experience in school really impacted how she saw her dyslexia but it did feel like it was used more as a personality trait and genetic condition, the way her self-consciousness kept creeping up on it. Especially having some of her dates ghost her because they found out she had dyslexia seemed a bit extreme but who knows, could just be a point of fiction. The plot about Ben trying to find his father was nice but honestly, with the summary, I was expecting that and the cookbook to be mentioned a lot earlier in the book. I did like that Sam and Ben hit it off very early on, that was sweet.
Overall, I enjoyed reading it. It's always nice to read about someone discovering books, whatever format they might be with the added bonus of out love interest being a librarian was very nice. ]]> Review7355562734 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:26:46 -0800 <![CDATA[Amy added 'Unfortunately Yours']]> /review/show/7355562734 Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey Amy gave 3 stars to Unfortunately Yours (A Vine Mess, #2) by Tessa Bailey
I wasn't really sure what I was expecting from this, but it was just alright. I'm not really sure August and Natalie really were in love when they said they were, it didn't feel like they knew each other that well or long for it to be love, but they were still cute enough together, I suppose. I am glad that they both were attracted to each other at the beginning and the reasoning behind the hate was a bit of a first date/meeting gone wrong. It was fun seeing their bickering and the prank war was absolutely hilarious to watch. The family dynamics of the Voses were interesting and I did love it getting better by the end. It was definitely lighthearted enough and a quick read which was good for me in this moment so not the worst. ]]> Review7355510860 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:42:30 -0800 <![CDATA[Amy added 'Onyx Storm']]> /review/show/7355510860 Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Amy gave 3 stars to Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, #3) by Rebecca Yarros
Well, that was something. And of course, the ending is always the most intriguing bit, especially in this one since Violet doesn't remember the last 12 hours! I will say, reading this, I appreciate getting to see more of Violet's regular pain and how much she does her best to ignore and compartmentalize it. It's probably not the most healthy, but I get it. I know it's something that I was wondering about in the first two books, but I probably just missed it? Or it wasn't as plain to see.
The two plots, trying to find a cure for Xaden and finding Andarna's family, had such potential though neither had a great payoff. Xaden literally ended up in the same position as the last book and I was expecting more out of Andarna but she somehow came back too? But a lot of this book felt like massive filler and I definitely agree with others, this definitely should've stayed a trilogy instead of expanded into five books. These past two books felt very similar in the structure, with the constant attacks and battles and needs to show off everyone's fighting skills which got very tedious and repetitive after a while. I did love seeing Violet's faith and love for Xaden and him not giving up either, but again, I did get tired of hearing the descriptions of how beautiful Xaden was. The ending was also a bit unexpected, along with getting a surprise Rhiannon and Imogen chapter. Not sure how much those really added in the overall scheme of things.
I feel like a lot of Yarros' writing style tries to build mystique with the characters knowing what's going on and trying to allude to something so that we can find out later, but it's just really confusing. Like when Violet's like, I have an idea but I don't want to be right about it so we don't get to see her actual idea until 100 pages later and we forget that she had a big idea in the first place.
Also, a lot of the students who are just kinda mentioned were easily forgotten, like I had no memory of who Quinn was for example. I was wondering if we were going to see Xaden's mom, since it was mentioned she was still alive, so that was interesting to see how that played out. And hearing about Violet's grandma makes me think that we're going to meet her as well. Aaric's signet was really cool when it finally manifested and his brother is an arrogant prince and I'm glad Violet broke up with him, though it was fun seeing the tables turned and Xaden being jealous this time. And I'm glad that Dain and Violet are on better terms and we do really need to see more of the Sorrengail siblings just chilling together. Especially after what happened with Mira, oof. I do wonder if she's planning some sort of romance between Dain and Violet, especially cause her dad thought they'd end up together and I have no idea how Xaden will be even featured in the next one, unless she just spends the whole book trying to find him. And my guy Tairn is the best! I do wonder why he and Sgaeyl literally seem to hate their mate's choice of rider, like shouldn't you at least like them a tiny bit cause they keep your mate alive? Whatever I guess.
Actually, writing this review brings to the front one of the things that bothers me in this series. So many things happen in their character arcs and journeys that it's hard to keep track of everything cause a lot of could really be pared down, imo. I enjoyed it well enough, I suppose, and I do want to know how this all ends, but I'm definitely going to need to reread all three of this when the next one comes out but I'm solidly in the very casual fan camp of this series which is a shame, cause there was such potential. ]]> ReadStatus9118165345 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:33:26 -0800 <![CDATA[Amy has read 'Onyx Storm']]> /review/show/7355510860 Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Amy has read Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
]]> Review6919558786 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:30:51 -0800 <![CDATA[Amy added 'Beach Read']]> /review/show/6919558786 Beach Read by Emily Henry Amy gave 4 stars to Beach Read (Paperback) by Emily Henry
Wow, this was so good to read and I definitely teared up near the end when January got the letters. I really love how fleshed out Emily Henry makes her characters and it not just being a straight up romantic love story, but also exploring love in friendship and family too. Gus having a tragic past and being drawn to January was so lovely. And I love how they got to know each other and opened up. I feel like I never know how to describe my feelings after reading these books, but they're just perfect for me.
(12/7/24):
I just read the epilogue included in the new edition of the book, and omg, it was so cute! I love how Emily's books are kind of in the same universe with the brief cameos of our stars of Book Lovers and People We Meet on Vacation. And it was so lovely seeing Gus and January still so in love and they like each other too! And the baby reveal, so sweet I need to go to the dentist! ]]> ReadStatus8537965046 Sat, 19 Oct 2024 18:00:25 -0700 <![CDATA[Amy wants to read 'Assistant to the Villain']]> /review/show/6939397781 Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Amy wants to read Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
]]> ReadStatus8537958735 Sat, 19 Oct 2024 17:57:56 -0700 <![CDATA[Amy finished reading 'The Downstairs Girl']]> /review/show/6939386514 The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Amy finished reading The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
]]> ReadStatus8522852943 Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:23:00 -0700 <![CDATA[Amy wants to read 'Happy Medium']]> /review/show/6928692402 Happy Medium by Sarah Adler Amy wants to read Happy Medium by Sarah Adler
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