Let me tell you about my favourite NA fantasy book of 2019. "It doesn’t end in death. It ends in hope."
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Let me tell you about my favourite NA fantasy book of 2019. _______________
A Story About A Witch Getting Hitched But Much More. Serpent and Dove stole my heart in so many ways and all I want to do is go back and read it all over again. This lush tale full of magic and intrigue is wildly imaginative but soft at the same time and if you're a fan of romance + fantasy, I highly recommend trying this!
The sales pitch; - enemies to lovers - kickass heroines - lovable side characters (ansel is the floofliest cinnamon roll) - THE ONE BED TROPE™ - witches and witchhunters - one badass song about a lady named Big Titty Liddy.
“I know if you aren’t swearing or singing about well-endowed barmaids, something is wrong.”
I honestly inhaled this and if it weren't for actually having to adult, I would have finished it in one sitting. Before I get into the crooks of my review, let's meet our two main characters;
Lou: [image]
Reid: [image]
If there's one thing about this book that completely sold me was the fact that I loved so many characters. Especially these two! The characters in this book had me crying, laughing and turning every page like an addict. Lou stayed true to herself throughout the entire book and was never sorry for being a badass female! I enjoyed her company right from the beginning and it was such a journey to watch her story unfold. Enter Reid... Reid was the horniest mess all encapsulated within the perfect gentleman. He was everything, to be honest. For all those people that mentioned their dynamic is so similar to Nina and Matthias from Six of Crows... you're absolutely right.
“You really think I could knock two fully grown men unconscious?” My husband’s reply came instantaneously. “Yes.”
Their banter was off the charts, and their chemistry practically flew off the page. Because this book was told in dual POV's, I thought it was going to be a problem to distinguish two separate voices, but that was not the case. Both these characters had such a wonderful character development throughout the story and even better, was seeing them grow together. I do have to say that this is completely a New Adult book, and not a YA. Reid and Lou definielty get hot and heavy ;)
“When you weren’t in bed, I thought maybe—maybe you’d—” “Left?” I said shrewdly. “It’s still on the agenda.”
For those who know my reviews, you know that I often fall into the overhype trap. I get very excited about books that have very high ratings and come in highly recommended, but then end up disappointed. I think I've finally found the winner, folks. The world-building (a lavish french renaissance-esque setting with a hub full of of illegal magic, a pleasure house with a mysterious lady, and the men of the church) was fantastic, and embedded within the story rather than separated by info-dumps. There were so many plot twists and character arcs that I was invested in more than just the romance between Reid and Lou, the story itself was fan-fucking-tastic. Truly such a magnificent debut! It was so easy to love this book.
“Can you put something on?” He waved a hand in my direction, the other firmly pressed against his eyes. “I can’t talk to you when you’re sitting there—sitting there—” “Naked?” His teeth clamped together with an audible snap. “Yes.”
I didn't want this story to end to put it plainly. I loved it so much that I'm just going to ignore the randomness of the last couple of chapters (hehe). One shoutout that I would also like to mention is the fact that this book had LGBT characters but didn't make it a big deal or put any spotlight on them. It was briefly mentioned as a passing comment that Coco had female lovers and then when the fucking Prince of the kingdom all but asked if Reid and Lou wanted to join Coco and him on a sexcapade??! Hell yes to queer characters that don't have "being queer" as their major character trait.
"Every minute you’re alive is a second chance to start over. I honor my past, but I don’t live in it. I choose this moment instead. Right here."
"Every minute you’re alive is a second chance to start over. I honor my past, but I don’t live in it. I choose this moment instead. Right here."
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Siri, how do I put my heart back together after Emma Scott so elegantly broke it in two? [image] _______________
I'm not crying, you're crying.
This book. This. heartbreakingly. beautiful. book. Emma Scott achieved the impossible with this book.
I want this book to be in every high school library. I want this book handed out at Pride. I want this book to be read by every single person that thinks that they're alone in love.
This book is ugly. It's heavy and more times than not, you feel like you can't carry it. It's tough to chew and harder to swallow. It made me wince and cringe and I had to put my kindle away many many times. But this book is necessary. It took many different forms of hate and showed how there is only one universal form of love.
Emma Scott will always be one of my favourite authors. This book is no exception and only deepened my love for her writing and aptitude for storytelling. Except, with this book - it wasn't really a story because the things that happen in this book are still happening. Someday, Someday deals with the plight of love. It deals with Max Kaufman who was thrown out of his house by his family for being found with a boy. Then, Silas Marsh who at a very young age was sent to sexuality conversion therapy where he was tortured and terrorized. It portrays the destructive and futile values of homophobia whilst dealing with people who are undergoing immense mental battles. It shows how Max and Silas find each other as recovering drug addicts but mostly, how they find themselves through each other.
So yes. Whatever you're imagining when I say that this book is heavy and deals with topics that are necessary, double it.
"Don’t let go. Hold on and you’ll be safe. Let go and you’ll never be the same again."
I think this was the toughest out of all Emma's books that I have read. So many times during reading, I found myself sobbing. Because through all the animosity, hatred and trauma within this book, it is nothing if not a story of forgiveness. I struggled with this book a lot, in all honesty. It's very hard to focus on a love story, a romance between two people who have such tragic histories. The narrative we were given was not light in any way and then we got these screenshots of Max and Silas slowly falling in love. But by then end, I realized that, that was the entire point.
It goes to say that I'm only a reader, and a very small drop in the ocean that is Emma's Entourage but I am so, so fucking proud of Emma Scott because of this book.
Someday, Someday is a heart-wrenching tour de force that steals the air right from your lungs. It's ambitiously driven by hope and after hurting you and ripping you apart, it builds you back up again. I'm proud of Emma because no matter how painful and upsetting Silas and Max's story was, she refused to make it pretty, because that wouldn't be the truth. That's why it's her most beautiful book to date.
My heart hurt for so many people (Eddie deserves nothing more than a hug and the best life). My only slight problem was that I found some things (mostly dialogue) to be jarring and occasionally insensitive. Although the story started off somewhat slow, I was captivated a third way in and then it became unputdownable. I can so safely say though that Emma writes the stories that I wish I had the chance to experience for the first time, every time I re-read them.
“Strip, Little Bird. Show us what you’ve got,” King whispers, just as he shoves me back to my feet. “Dance like you fuck. Like exactly how you taste.“Strip, Little Bird. Show us what you’ve got,” King whispers, just as he shoves me back to my feet. “Dance like you fuck. Like exactly how you taste.”
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Amo Jones didn't come to fucking play, fellas. _______________
Ever wonder what would happen if Cirque Du Soleil went rogue and ended in an orgy? In Peace Lies Havoc was a thrill-ride amongst many other rides, pun very much intended. It was addicting and full of angst that had me on the very edge... again, pun very much intended. The story was dark and gritty and never had me losing interest.
Before I start my review, I should probably mention that Amo Jones books are not for everyone. They weren't for me either until I tried this book on a whim because I am a die-hard fan of the circus-romance trope. I read a book by her last year that just did not sit right with me. I still hold strong to the points I made in that review but this just went to show me that surprises do really happen. Part of my reluctance to often try authors that I have had bad experiences with, again is the fact that I alike many others, loathe writing negative reviews. Because who really, wants to sit down and write all the things you felt were personally wrong with something?
I was so captivated by this book, it was almost dramatically ironic. Almost.
"I stopped breathing when I felt him behind me, his breathing on my nape. “We’ll be back for you, Little Bird.” The Shadow pressed into me from behind, his hard chest to my back. “I’ll always be back.”
I don't want to give a summary or a blurb to what this book is about because to be quite honest, I still don't know. It's a clusterfuck of emotions and stories that are so bizarre, you might actually believe them. I think I'm quite scared of Jones' mind because if she managed to whip up this story, who knows what else she's capable of?
I mean... this was a dark "captivity" romance set around a travelling sexual performance company had characters that made me want to hide. Then there was the mind games, angst games, murders, gangs/mobs, plot twists, stockholm syndrome (if you can call it that) and a seriously underrated trailer driver. Oh, and let's not forget this little nugget;
“Heads, I suck your pussy until you scream, to show this fool how a real man fucks. Or tails, I cut off each of your fingers and fuck you with them. Both will have you screamin’, baby. So, what will it be?”
* Cue the nervous laughter *
This wasn't perfect, I definitely found myself getting frustrated with some plotholes and annoyed at some of the events that unfolded. I wanted Dove to fight back harder and not be so oblivious, but then we might not have our story...Overall I was so hooked. The Brothers of Kiznitch are psychopathic and deliriously yummy even though they shouldn't be. If you're a fan of dark romance and haven't already read this gem, trust me... you won't regret it.
Also just a note: I need Kohen's story. I need Val and Rose to get together and kill all that sexual tension already. Kyrin and Kenan make my heart melt and we only got a second of them.
"Intimacy is just like murder; they both make your heart race and your palms sweat while leaving your thoughts in disarray, but then when you’re done, you’re left with the remnants of someone else’s soul or blood on your hands."
Amo Jones doesn't make any stops with this book. It's a rollercoaster from start to finish and I was left with my mouth hanging open, not knowing what the everloving fuck I just read. I'm kinda still speechless, don't let the review fool you.
[image] This was such a fast, cute and floofy read. I usually always enjoy Cosway's work and Happy-Go-Lucky“Have you been thinking about me, too?”
[image] This was such a fast, cute and floofy read. I usually always enjoy Cosway's work and Happy-Go-Lucky was no exception. It was something I cuddled up to with my coffee in the mornings and found myself smiling more often than not.
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Banter and Blunders
Whilst I enjoyed HGL, it does come with certain cliche and cringey moments. We have our main character Maisie who I thought would grate on my nerves after a while, but I actually ended up rooting for her during my reading process. Cameron was someone I ended up liking as Maisie got to know him more and I think both this aspects together completely sold the character development for me! HGL is definitely a light read with very tongue-in-cheek humor, and if you like a good-hearted office romance, you should definitely give this a shot!
The banter between Cameron and Maisie was at times cartoony but other times very adorable. My main issue with this story was that the 'mystery' didn't hook me as much as the romance did. I wish we got more of a gripping story arc because the potential was definitely there. As romance goes, this is completely a safe and comforting read -it's definitely more on the cute than sensual/sexy side... totally flew by!
"But then Cameron was kissing me again, and I couldn’t think straight. His hands were all over me, and I felt his hunger in the way he groaned when he massaged my breast over the top of my clothes. I sensed his desperation, like his lonely heart yearned for mine even if he’d never admit it."
This was really cute and had great writing but unfortunately fell flat towards the end for me...I really enjoyed the plot and the cutesy relationshipThis was really cute and had great writing but unfortunately fell flat towards the end for me...I really enjoyed the plot and the cutesy relationship between the two main characters but I just wished for more the entire time!...more
This had a really interesting premise and the scenes were steammmy. Unfortunately, both the plot and the characters felt like they were lackingThis had a really interesting premise and the scenes were steammmy. Unfortunately, both the plot and the characters felt like they were lacking something and I didn't really like either. ...more
This was a great quick read that I gobbled up during my flight! Although the trope was unique, the plot felt to be too cliche and having read andThis was a great quick read that I gobbled up during my flight! Although the trope was unique, the plot felt to be too cliche and having read and loved A Lesson In Thorns by Sierra Simone, this definitely felt like it lacked a lot of substance. There were also some lines of dialogue that really bothered me :/...more
“Blood and blood and bone. Magic and monsters and tragic power.”
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[image] Everything that has needed to be said has probably“Blood and blood and bone. Magic and monsters and tragic power.”
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[image] Everything that has needed to be said has probably already been said about this book. I wanted to love this one so bad and what started off as a great exposition went downhill very fast. I'm still kinda just sitting here blinking... confused...unsure
Wicked Saints is truly a lavish tale that echoes nostalgic memories of all your favourite YA high fantasy novels. I think if it had been published sometime during 2013, this would have taken me by storm. The magic system (only winning factor) and the world building (although lacking) was both interesting and enticing. Unfortunately, I wish there was something else that helped me cling to the story and keep reading but I felt like I was forcing myself to finish instead.
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The first thing I would like to say that I almost always say if it is an issue: Do authors feel embarrassed if they don't address their trigger warnings? I mean surely, it shouldn't be up to the reader to go look for them prior to reading the book! This has been and will continue to be a problem with me. I think trigger warnings should clearly be stated before the reader begins... Any-which-way;
Secondly, there seemed to be no plot. It didn't quite reach a stream of consciousness writing style, but it also didn't seem like anything was moving. It felt like we were following the characters through snapshots and the plot was just something that could have been done. Serefin was the only saving grace for me, and we got little to no arc development or character development for HIM. I was also struggling to differentiate the voices between the dual POV's. Other than the fact the Gods can speak to Nadya mentally, the voices very rarely differed.
“Nadya was supposed to remain a secret for another year, training in the holy mountains with priests who—while they did not have magic themselves—understood the fundamentals of divinity. Like how a peasant girl could be the one thing that would save Kalyazin from the heretics’ torches. But war didn’t care for carefully laid plans.”
I really wanted to dnf at the 50% mark. I felt like I was trudging through this entire story and I wanted to be able to love it as much as my GR and book reviewing buddies did. I can say that although there were a lot of filler chapters, I loved being "thrown into the action."
The romance.... I love reading romance. I love all the tingly feelings and the magic in the air. I enjoy rooting for the character's and seeing them fall for each other in real-time. BUT THIS... I felt no connection at all and the romance felt more like a friendship because there was so much insta-love. I also ended up wanting the two characters NOT to be together. Every two seconds we were reminded by Nadya that; he was a monster, he was cruel and evil, he's not to be trusted however pretty he is!... I didn't feel the enemies to lovers trope at all.
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I really feel like everything was just meh. I wanted so much more and nothing really delivered. Which brings me to the point that everything was just so boring... So much in the story was left undeveloped and open to surface interpretation. I feel like the problems that the characters went through and the hurdles they had to overcome diminished to nothing when it was game time. There was such big talk of having to fulfill a certain event, and the event would come and go without me even realizing it.
I love books that fly by, but with this I had to re-read paragraphs a couple times, multiple times in order to understand what was happening. It wasn't that the language was hard to interpret or the layout was difficult to read. Simply, my mind kept wandering off to different things and I kept losing interest.
Additionally, when it comes to diversity and representation, this book seemed to have so many cannon LGBTQ reps. There were also so many indicators to other representations such as Serefin's potential alcohol addiction. I just wish it was developed further instead of being left to the sideline. That said, I don't need any and all representation to be part of the primary plotline or story, but I felt like the presentation of it as a whole was overall lacking.
“Blood wasn’t a thing to be made light of, not in these times.”
This story had so much potential for breaking the boundaries of YA fantasy and spotlighting much needed topics. I loved the focus on faith, philosophy, religion, moral and ethics. I even loved the fact that this time the villain, was very easy to root for even through their destruction. I wanted to unpack this book and theorize all sorts of different outcomes and routes that the characters and the plot would take but it really turned a different path for me.
“You know what happens when a thirty-four-year-old man watches a sixteen-year-old girl?” “But I’m not… I’m not sixteen anymore.”
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[image] “You know what happens when a thirty-four-year-old man watches a sixteen-year-old girl?” “But I’m not… I’m not sixteen anymore.”
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[image] *sigh* I guess I needed time to absorb this story as well as the level of disappointment I felt while reading DO18. This story had so much potential and I honestly could not have been more excited. Saffron Kent has written one of my all time favourite romances, Medicine Man and I always do a little dance whenever she comes out with new material. This one fell very short for me.
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Hit or Miss Right so, I guess I can say with some certainty that Kent's books and I have a love-hate relationship. I guess my main issue with DO18 is the fact that I had so much hope for it! This author can do a lot of things with smut and often her books will call for the holiest holy water, but I was so stuck on the issues within this book that I couldn't even enjoy that.
Everything felt way too rushed and underdeveloped. I started feeling this from the second chapter. The writing was watered down and the random bursts of purple prose would give me a sense of whiplash. It was like someone randomly yelled at the author to be "more deep" in the middle of random scenes. There's something to be said though, about the tension that this book derives because I definitely wanted to keep reading, even though I wasn't necessarily adoring what I was reading. (Does that even make sense, Alex?) I only wish that there was something more unique to this book, rather than just "this happened, then that happened, then we lived happily ever after." I wanted to be more invested with the story itself and the characters.
"You can eat me up all you want. You can eat me up a hundred different ways. I’m gonna like your teeth and your tongue and I’m gonna fall in love with the sting of it all. You’re my Strawberry Man. At least, that’s what I call you in my head.”
The Romance Age-gap romances can really go one of two ways. I actually think Kent handled this aspect pretty well. I had more issues with the amount of cringey one-liners and cliche "he's just such a man" statements that I got bored. Which is the crux of my rating, there was nothing of substance that I held onto. I wasn't drawn to Violet or Mr. Edwards, so I wasn't really invested in their romance. The first part of the story definitely captivated me more than the second half, if only for the reason that there was something between Violet and Graham that left me wanting more. This seemed to lose itself as the story progressed.
DO18 is also packed full of angst, which is not always a bad thing. Although, I feel like it was mostly "telling" me about how it's angsty, instead of making me feel the angst. This seemed to regress during the latter part of the book. Soon, I just felt like I was in a very mundane story that wanted to be taboo, instead of yknow actually being taboo.
I also seriously struggled with the way Violet's mental health was approached. I wanted her to push through the spiralling thoughts and stand her ground for some things but the story was bordering "magic dick syndrome," and it made me feel very uncomfortable. There were also some scenes that just did not sit right at all. Specifically, there was a scene in the start of the book where Graham asks (a drunk) Violet quite explicitly to step away from his personal space, but she refuses and go aheads and kisses him instead. I kept thinking, if the situation was reversed and a lady was asking a man to move away from her... it would be absolutely disgusting so why shouldn't this be seen as the same?
“Mr. Edwards?” “Step. The fuck. Away.” There’s a warning in his tone. An urgency, even. Or maybe it’s me. I’m the one filled with all the urgency that this is my only chance. The only chance to know how it feels. I keep watching his mouth. “It’s my birthday.” “Go. Home.”
Overall, I feel like this story had so much potential and having loved Kent's novel's in the past... I was just very severely disappointed. I"m not losing hope because I know I trust Saffron's writing style and plot devices, this one just didn't hit a lot of the marks....more
“There are notes that go together. Play them alone and they’re fine, but play them together and it makes music. No matter the instrument or what part“There are notes that go together. Play them alone and they’re fine, but play them together and it makes music. No matter the instrument or what part of the world you’re in, they’re linked by a chord. That’s us. We were waiting for the moment the world put us together. I can’t unhear us now.”
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[image] This multilayered book packed so many punches and heartbreaks...I prepared for a simple camping trip but I was hit by a fucking whirlwind.
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The Story This review has taken me a good five days to think over because I couldn't seem to come up with a rating or a cohesive string of thoughts that could help people before or after they pick this book up.
I think that's the true beauty of Pretty Scars... it's such a dark-veiled and gritty story that it's almost too real for comfort. But that uncomfortable feeling falling into a narrative that truthfully, has such little light magnifies how bright those little lights are. I wouldn't characterize this as a love story, fight me. This to me, was a story of hope.
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Before you start second-guessing, yes there is romance! In fact, what drew me into the world at the start was the chemistry between Carrie and Gabriel. Carrie has what she calls pretty-girl-syndrome, wherein, her beauty is her power but also her curse. (Yes, this is a very materialistic and cliche plotline but stay with me.) Carrie is also a Drazen, a family that for all intents and purposes should make your blood crawl. Declan Drazen (the father) is somewhat a mogul for all the wrong reasons. We meet Gabriel and Carrie when they both attend USC, and the sparks fly almost immediately when Carrie listens to Gabriel playing his violin.
"When she smiled, the sun hit its highest point in the sky."
The story jumps from present to past and we see the mystery behind the love unfold in very cleverly constructed manner. The time jumps took a while to adapt to but once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed watching the story come to life. There were scenes in this book that completely blew me away! The fear, longing, desire and everything in between was so heavily built that it felt like I was there with the character's themselves.
"Maybe Gabriel and I were linked in a way so small yet grand only music could activate it. His playing touched me, his presence shook me. He couldn’t stay away. The laws of physics demanded he call me."
Although this book teeters on a 3 -4 star rating, it truly lies somewhere in the middle for me. There was a lot that I loved but there were also some aspects that I didn't quite enjoy. One thing that I can say for sure though is C. D Reiss' writing is so elegantly beautiful and simple, that it completely stole the show.
"With him, I didn’t feel pretty. I felt complete."
The Characters
Here were some of the issues I faced; Carrie's character fell flat during the beginning of the story. I felt like I wanted more from her in a deeper way to get me attached. She was really the only one I was rooting for, so I feel like it's safe for me to want more. Towards the end, I ended up sympathizing with her plight. It was so cleverly built that just as she lost herself in the past, we get to see her finding herself in the present.
Here's another little issue;
Did I like Gabriel? No Did I like Carrie? Not really Did I like Peter? N(and I can't stress this enough)O!!!
I'd like to imagine that the purpose of this book was to end up not liking both Peter and Gabriel, but that's just wishful thinking. Sure, Gabriel was hands-down a hero compared to Peter but something about him still didn't sit right with me. It was like having your favourite type of tea but still feeling the leafy residue in between your teeth afterwards. (Weird analogy, let's move on...)
I need something light after this book, there was so much to be unpacked and thought of that I really do hope this gets a lot of recognition. I will most definitely be reading more of this author in the future and after having done some research, I look forward to diving back into the Drazen world. There is definitely something to be said about a book that can make you both love and hate it all in the time-span of the 3 days it took me to complete it. It was mesmerizing and oh-so captivating. The story really cuts deeper than a knife and half the time, I didn't know if I wanted to put it down or never stop reading.
"Why was it so hard to walk away? It was as if there was a string between us, and every step pulled it tighter. How far could we go without snapping it?"
“No offense, sir, but one of your daughters is entirely too young for me, and the other is entirely too Daria for me.”
[image] [image] [image] “No offense, sir, but one of your daughters is entirely too young for me, and the other is entirely too Daria for me.”
[image] [image] [image] [image] Is this happening? Can it be? Did Alex just rate an L.J Shen book more than 3 stars? Did Alex just actually enjoy the everloving shit out of this problematic as fuck book? *Owen Wilson voice* WooOOWwW _______________
Explain yourself, Alex
So in the past, Ms. Shen and I have not gelled well together. I find her books very heavily controversial and are often filled with many tropes and triggers that I just can't get past. Her male heroes are often assholes known for how awful they can treat their girls, but somehow it works for people. It never really did for me, until this pretty little storm made its way into my hands.
"He gave me the rarest thing in the world, and I gave him heartache."
Don't be mistaken, Pretty Reckless still has asshole leads, both of them (Daria and Penn) treat each other like shit for the most part of the book and the writing, although enjoyable still has plenty of triggers. Somehow, someway, I still really enjoyed this! I loved the banter between the group of friends and I flew through this very fast. I was so scared to pick it up but once I did, I was completely captivated. I love enemies-to-lovers but bully romances can be very hit or miss depending how the subject is treated, and in all honesty - I felt like Daria held up her own in this very well! Granted, it was because she too, was a bully but semantics, amiright??
“Mess with me, Followhill, and I will ruin you.” “Not if I ruin you first.”
This was angsty and gritty all through and every chapter had me at the edge. The plot-twists weren't shockers but I really didn't mind because I fell in love with each broken character. The character development was so subtly and beautifully done, I didn't even know I was falling for them until I finished and realized that I had. L.J Shen took my breath away with this one, simply for the fact that she can write up the tragic tales of highschool seniors that hits all the feels. It was so very addicting... I haven't read the Sinners of Saint series so I don't know the backstory of the parents in the All Saints series, but this book really made me want to pick it up.
"You are the fucking equation, I want to yell in her face. The riddle and the answer and the numbers within it. You’re math. You make sense. “Don’t go,” I croak. "
This book reminded me of the show, Euphoria. So if you're into that and want something in between waiting for Season Two, here's your little golden nugget! Another thing that I really want to draw attention to is the fact that this book is advertised as YA (Young Adult), when it is seriously not! It is definitely NA (New Adult) with all the steamy and graphic scenes you could expect in one. Which brings me to the fact that this is an absolute panty-dropper, folks. If it's not entertaining you, making your heart ache or asking you to pull your hair out - it's being the book equivalent of a sauna. If you haven't already read this (which is highly unlikely, I just live under my safe rock) and you're a fan of "hate to love you, love to hate you scenes," then you're going to devour this book. I know I certainly did.
"Because I want to kill Daria. Daria made everything fade into the background the first time I saw her, and while I was busy admiring, everything around us burned."
This had so much potential but I really wish it felt more taboo. There was a lot of talk about how forbidden they were, but when it came downdnf @45%
This had so much potential but I really wish it felt more taboo. There was a lot of talk about how forbidden they were, but when it came down to atmosphere and characters, it seemed like everyone was okay with them being together??? I really wish it was more slow burn, were we could feel the sexual tension between them. The fact that he was her guardian since she was twelve and then proceeded to have a sexual attraction towards her seemed to be taken very normally by everyone. ...more
“If I could rearrange the world for you, I would,” he says. “I’d rearrange everything.”
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[image] Stepping into Thornchapel is like being“If I could rearrange the world for you, I would,” he says. “I’d rearrange everything.”
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[image] Stepping into Thornchapel is like being blindfolded on a rollercoaster. You never know when your inching up and nearing the edge... and then all of a sudden your stomach drops, your heart is light and you're descending at rapid speed. Then, everything seems fine but you really have no idea what else is in store for you.
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Feast of Sparks It's hard not to call this series captivating... Akin to its predecessor, FOS completely consumes you from start to finish. It is erotica with grit and edge. A storyline that slowly hypnotizes you and characters that will make your heart swoon. When I started reading the first couple of chapters, I had to physically break myself away from the text and slow down just so I could draw out every page. The sensuality and carnality of the plot is something so unique to this series and I stand by my statement that the storyline is just as worthwhile as the erotica.
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FOS begins almost exactly where ALIT ended but now we also get to see the history behind Auden and St. Sebastian's conflict. The change in POV was refreshing and Saint now owns a large section of my heart. Sierra Simone definitely does not disappoint with her kinky, depraved and wickedly delicious scenes between Saint, Auden and Poe but I do have to say the monologue and character development I got to experience with Saint's storyline was breathtaking. In short; the longing in this book will drive you insane.
"We are born to burn.”
The Ensemble I have been chomping at the bit waiting for this release ever since I finished A Lesson in Thorns and while I can happily say that Sierra Simone delivered, there were quite a few problems I faced during the latter end of the novel. BUT before all of that, let me try and sell you on this series.
Firstly, it's not for everyone. In fact, I'd say it's for a very select few that probably enjoy getting absolutely obliterated by a story about a group of six champagne-drinking, ritual-fucking, angst-driven, orgytastic adults. Whilst ALIT followed the groups initial curiosity towards their parents tragic backstories and all the magical / erotic behaviorisms of Thornchapel... FOS shows a significant level of maturity. It was like drinking a much finer wine. We see a distinct change in group dynamic and the characters have now begun to know exactly what they want.
"This is just a bonfire we spent too long making, and this is just a circle of old lanterns that we found in Thornchapel’s attic. These are just my friends—my fussy, hilarious, prickly, pretty friends—and I’m just me. I’m not a bride, I’m not a May Queen. I’m just a librarian who likes to be spanked."
Secondly, this book ends in a cliffhanger (I can't make my mind up on what I think about the cliffhanger in this one). The next book is expected to be published in early 2020. However, the plot is such that it follows a continuous timeline and I don't expect the third book will have any time jumps - it will most likely be like this one and start where the previous book left off. It's definitely a commitment but it's one that I have no regrets in following through on.
Sierra Simone (as always) has the musings of a kinky philosopher and it works beautifully with the atmosphere and setting of Thornchapel. The wonderful descriptions and monologues were just as engrossing as the first novel. The tinge of magic in the air and the slight feeling that something paranormal is encircling the events that unfold during the book is still wonderfully written.
"Maybe Thornchapel is a magic place, but it isn’t a safe place."
The Story The start of this book was a solid 5 stars but towards the last quarter it fell to about 3-3.5 stars. This was solely due to the fact that a handful of things were starting to become more apparent to me during the time I was near the end. For the most part, I struggled to ration with Poe's desperation in this book. Understandably, something massive happens in her storyline that affects her throughout FOS, yet I wish we got more of her thoughts and identity like we did the first book.
"I am the girl who kneels at night. I am the bride by thorns."
It was hard not to compare FOS to ALIT, but I feel like a lot of what was happening began to be repetitive. The inner conflict with some of the characters felt a bit drawn out and unrealistic at times with all the grand gestures and statements. Which brings me to the random info-dumps at concentrated parts of the book. I wish the information we got on the rituals and the history of Thornchapel unfurled throughout the book rather than in selectively condensed chapters.
Leaving behind all those little things, I really did enjoy this sequel to a series that I think I will always love. I look forward to the third book and seeing the mysteries of Thornchapel unravel :)
"Keep me any way you want, I want to tell him. Just so long as you keep me close."
“The realization that everyone right now is probably throbbing with the need to come shivers over me, and I have a brief fantasy of all of them—every“The realization that everyone right now is probably throbbing with the need to come shivers over me, and I have a brief fantasy of all of them—every last one of them—using my body to sate themselves with. My mouth and my tight cunt and everything, until every last person is spent and loose.”
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[image] Ms. Simone, you filthy, dirty, brilliant woman...
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After several cold showers... I don't really know where to even begin with this beautifully screwed up story. This was so enrapturing and stunningly sexy, to the point where I can't even begin to tell you what it's about. *sigh* I didn't know the premise of the story when I started and I enjoyed it even more because of it. Just trust that you should go into this blind, and open your mind to all the foul and dirty creations that Sierra Simone very magically devises.
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There are certain trigger warnings that the author posted during the cover reveal that is perhaps all you need to know: "CONTENT WARNING: pretty boys pouting and staring at the rain, old library filled to the brim with moldering manuscripts full of secrets, aggressively bisexual, ritual deflowering of virgins, kink, angst, blood, jealousy, archival minutiae, Latin words, tragic backstories, murder, Prosecco, and a dog"
But if you're like me, those would have only intrigued you even further. As soon as I started reading this, the atmosphere was enchanting. It almost felt like there was a sense of magical element, a paranormal asset to the setting. Thornchapel is a place, but also a feeling and you can really understand it through the writing. Which brings in how vivid and alluring the writing itself was. I loved the prose and the imagery that was given on every single page, with every single line.
“I bloom like a rose when I’m handled like a weed”
This is going to sound so fucking weird, but if you read YA; this almost gave me Raven Cycle vibes. Like a disturbed, erotic, adult version of the Raven Cycle. We had the whole crew and the mystery and history repeating itself, and slightly magical air.
“You don’t pick up on the vibe here? Like this whole place is cloistered in a strange, timeless little bubble? Like a Sarah Waters novel but with pizza delivery?”
There were so many plot twists that I never saw coming, and I began to realize that expect the unexpected works so perfectly with this book. I loved every single character and all the dynamics between them, the interwoven relationships, the sexual tension. EVERYTHING! It was so hauntingly memorable, and I'm itching to get my hands on book 2. I need more of Thornchapel and Rebecca and Delphine. I need more angst between Saint, Poe and Auden. And damn, if I don't need me some more Becket and Sir James!!! My cute lil gang of horny, kinky adults and their dog.
“Thornchapel waited. And in a clearing in the woods, in a church ruined by thorns and time, something stirred. Something called all six of them by name."
The Dirty Laundry I've devised a naughty scale for this book:
1: blushing in public. 2: closing the kindle and waiting to get home because there is no way people won't know what your dirty little mind is up to. 3: panty dropper 4: no need to even wear garments anymore, take the day off work and just... read... ;)
If you read this book and enjoy all senses of depravity, you will be somewhere along this scale. (Hopefully)
I can’t tell. And I can’t tell who can see what, but I do know that it’s a forcefully erotic idea. That if they wanted, my friends could see my cunt. Maybe they could pet it, maybe they could lean down and kiss it to make it feel better. I could almost cry with how much I want that.
In all honesty, I feel like "erotic" is an understatement. But yes, this book was all sorts of erotic but it was erotica with a fucking interesting storyline. I find it really hard to enjoy 100% erotica because there is often no plot or character development. This had all the wet dreams you could ask for but also had me rooting for the characters? turning pages to find out about the certain mysteries of thornchapel? wanting to slip into a coma till the sequel comes out in summer? yes....more
“But the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable."
[image] [image] My heart is so entirely full, it's nearly overflowing. This book was in a“But the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable."
[image] [image] My heart is so entirely full, it's nearly overflowing. This book was in a word; matchless. I laughed, I loved, I cried but mostly loved every beautiful little thing that led up to the last page. Now, having finished, I wish for nothing more but to go all the way back to the beginning and start again. As readers, sometimes -very rarely- you come across a book that quintessentially becomes a mantra, a new sense of hope and a burst of something you never really knew existed. I don't think I will ever forget this novel.
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On the off chance this book hasn't already won you over...
For a glimpse on my current situation: i'm sporting sweatpants, haven't cooked for more than 24 hours, hair's an absolute mess, feel like screaming how gay i am out the window, and completely abandoned my responsibilities. my horoscope did not prepare me for this.
When this book is published, and readers pick it up for the first time, I'm going to be sitting and watching all the emotions unfurl and all the fan;art,fiction,girling commence. And while I sit and watch, I'm going to be so jealous of everyone that has the luxury of reading this for the first time.
It's equal parts funny and loving and clever and tragic. I made a note on my kindle at page 3 stating "this is it," because that's how much I could feel the energy of a fucking brilliant book in my hands. The camaraderie and friendship combined with rebellion and sexy banter is almost too good to be in one novel. This is quite possibly the easiest five stars I have ever given.
"So, you can hate the heir to the throne all you want, write mean poems about him in your diary, but the minute you see a camera, you act like the sun shines out of his dick, and you make it convincing.” “Have you met Henry?” Alex says. “How am I supposed to do that? He has the personality of a cabbage.”
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A Tribute
In more ways than one, the story behind Alex and Henry's relationship is magic. There is quite a lot of politics involved, quite a lot of drunkedness and quite a lot of soft moments that make you clutch your kindle slightly tighter.
"But he thinks about Henry, and, oh. He thinks about Henry, and something twists in his chest, like a stretch he’s been avoiding for too long."
This was an enemies to lovers romance with so much more going for it. A beautiful feeling arose throughout the book as I saw the family and the omnipresent feeling of hope through friends. Nora gave me life and made me swoon. June was someone we all need in our life, alongside Pez. Bea was the softest cinnamon role in the whole bakery and when they were all together, my heart started singing.
“Alexander, babes,” Pez says when he picks up. “How lovely for you to give your auntie Pezza a ring on this magnificent Sunday morning.” He’s smiling from what looks like the passenger seat of a luxury car, wearing a cartoonishly large sunhat and a striped pashmina."
I wish I could go up to every one that will ever have doubts about reading this book and beg them to give it a chance. Sometimes, I'm skeptical about picking up new authors - especially, when they are debuting with a genre that means so much to me. Yet, here I am, falling incredibly in love with everything this book is and will continue to be in my life.
“I don’t have my pride, Willow, because I feel like a man on death row. Begging for life. Begging to live one more day. Begging to fuck you one more“I don’t have my pride, Willow, because I feel like a man on death row. Begging for life. Begging to live one more day. Begging to fuck you one more time.”
[image] [image] [image] If this book isn't proof that you should always give second chances then I don't know what is. I'm so wonderfully speechless. So fucking gobsmacked, someone needs to join me on release day to raise a glass... all the glasses to Ms. Kent.
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An Explanation Earlier this year, I received an ARC for Gods and Monsters. After reading the novel, I wrote a review and gave it 1 star (zero stars if I could) because I thought what it was telling the readers wasn't right. I still and always will hold strong to the points I made in that review, because all those truths are self-evident.
I even thought that I wouldn't pick up a Saffron A. Kent novel ever again, for the sole reason that I actually hate giving negative reviews. Even through all its issues, authors work hard with their writing and publishing a novel can be one of the scariest and most vulnerable things to do.
Yet, somehow Medicine Man made its way through to my kindle.
I. was. hooked.
Not the chapter after chapter hooked, the type of hooked that had my eyes burning because I didn't even want to blink in case I missed a second of reading. The kind of hooked that kept me up till 5 in the morning with four shots of espresso and no dinner (because who has the time to cook when YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS). The kind of hooked that made me reach the last page, and all I wanted to do was flip back to the beginning and start the journey all over again.
That kind of hooked usually never. Never happens to me.
"I can’t ignore this growing… something just under my ribcage. Something like longing but with a sharper edge. More like restlessness."
The Plot Let me try and win you over.
"There’s a sun stuck in my head. It’s bright and glaring. It hurts my eyes, my skull, my very bones. I shove a pillow on my face, trying to shield myself from the rays. Obviously, it doesn’t help. Because the sun is inside my head. Inside. My head."
This is a story about a girl who purposefully fell off of a roof. This girl isn't well. In fact, she's so unwell that she has managed to trick herself into thinking that she actually is.
This is a story about a man who is broken inside. This man is a fixer. In fact, he can fix just about everything and everyone other than himself.
This is a story about how a girl who wants to fall to her death, yet learns to fall in love instead. With a man who wants to fix her, yet learns to fix himself instead.
"Medicine is in his blood. Like illness is in mine. My blood is tainted with poison and his is laced with the antidote."
Depression and Suicidal Thoughts So here's what won me over.
This book has many trigger warnings (that was stated in the beginning, cheers). Depression and Suicide being some of the many sensitive issues that are touched upon. One of the main themes, I'd say before even the Romance was the Mental Health. Not that this book wasn't steamy, because I'm talking panty dropping scenes, hot damn.
"Broken heart is more dangerous than a disease of the mind, though. They give you a pill to make your brain happy, but they haven’t yet made a pill for heartbreak. So there. That should teach everyone who wants to fall in love."
However, something that perhaps resonated very deeply and hit home really hard was the way mental health was handled in this book. I thought for sure I would have to rate this book down a couple stars because magic dick syndrome has its little symptoms pop up here and there and there was the constant message of "Love can cure my depression."
Except it wasn't.
It was done so brilliantly and cleverly because of how real the narration and the bouts of insanity felt. When you have a mental health issue, when you have any sort of disorder with your mind or body - you want to believe that everything and anyone can be your cure. You want out of your situation so badly, that you start to believe in other people more than you believe in yourself.
Willow realized that towards the end and the one and only important message that I want to plaster all over every paperback and e-book of this, is this:
"Well, as happy as you can be while living with clinical depression. Unfortunately, love isn’t a cure for it, but the love of my life is there with me every step of the way."
"As much as I enjoy the fantasy of him curing me, of him being my medicine man, I know he can’t. I know in this life, the only person who can save you is yourself. I’ve been fighting to save my life ever since I was born. I don’t need him to save me."
The Writing There was something so special about the writing in this. The way the atmosphere and pathetic fallacy was perfect under different conditions and the way some narrative descriptions was exactly what it feels like to be in that mindset. Eerie is a word that encapsulates this book.
The cover doesn't do this book justice. Although, it's an okay cover - this book was so much more than just okay.
It is a pretty big ass book. In fact, that's probably what would deter people away or cause them to lose interest. (I didn't lose interest even once but then again, I've already stated how fucking addicted I was to this.)
"I’m already locked up. I’m free to be insane."
There are two more books coming after this one revolved around some characters you see. I need them now. No, I needed them yesterday - I just didn't know. Although, the book deals with sensitive situations and triggering topics, it really is such a hot book. There was so much sexual tension and the burn was perfect and slow.
"I feel like I needed that, his tongue inside my mouth, tasting, sweeping, licking. Hungry. I needed to be his food, his sustenance, like he’s become mine."
I'm going to stop gushing and end this review with a little paragraph that I re-read multiple times. My eyes began to leak and I hope yours do too because whoever is dealing with issues like our Warrior Willow is, or even other issues; it's okay not to be okay.
“Because the thing is that it’s not my fault either. That I was born this way. It’s not my fault that sometimes things get just a little bit harder. It’s not my fault that every day I fight a silent battle. I implode. I don’t make a sound. I don’t say a word. I don’t let anyone know what I’m going through. It’s like I’m blaming myself. And I don’t want to do that anymore. I told you because it’s not my fault. It’s not my fault that some days my goal is just to make it through the day. While others make plans to ace an interview or a test or go see a movie or for a walk, I make plans to just get through the day. It’s not my fault. It’s my achievement. It’s my strength that I fight. Someone told me that I’m a warrior, and that I’m ashamed of it. So this is me…” I nod, unfisting my hands. “Not being ashamed. This is me asking for help.”
"There’s something about the warmth and depth of her eyes that makes it impossible to think. It’s like slipping into a warm bath until you’re so"There’s something about the warmth and depth of her eyes that makes it impossible to think. It’s like slipping into a warm bath until you’re so enthralled you wouldn’t even notice if you drowned."
[image] [image] I was really looking forward to getting into this one, and although it's around the 2.5 rating - I enjoyed myself in some occasions.
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A Nordic KingI'm going to keep this review really short.
This is my first Karina Halle book. I've heard so much about how lovely her writing and her books are, I actually squealed a bit when I saw this on my kindle.
I think I need to stop hyping books and authors in my head. It's not fair for both parties.
When Aurora finds out that she is going to be the nanny for the two little princesses of Denmark, she never expects her boss - The King Of Denmark - to be a royal pain in the ass. King Aksel is fourteen years older than her and completely off limits - but Aurora can't help but feel a sense of attraction to him.
"There is no one way to fall in love. It may scar you, make its mark, but that fall, that impact, is different for everyone."
That was the main falling factor for me. I really couldn't feel the spark or the chemistry. This book was humorous and such a little gem to cuddle up to. Yet, it seriously felt like it was lacking some sparks! With a story and a trope that has been done before, it did contain its fair few of cringe lines and cliche "the girl trips over and looks up at the guy" moments, but I actually enjoy all those if it's paired with some killer steam.
I enjoyed many moments though and will be reading more of Halle in the future!...more
“You go after one, you go after all. You know the rules.”
[image] [image] [image] [image] This review took a while because of the following; -“You go after one, you go after all. You know the rules.”
[image] [image] [image] [image] This review took a while because of the following; - personally, this book dragged too much and it took self motivation to finish - I really wanted to like this and I kept forcing myself because I really want to experience the hype behind TIJAN.
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Meet The Crew i. Jordan Pitts ii. Zellman Greenly iii. Cross Shaw iv. Bren Monroe
I nearly had a problem with all fucking four;
i. Jordan was probably the only one I didn't really mind, and that was purely because his dialogue and scene presence was minimal.
ii. “She gives good head.” Zellman shook his head. “You know how rare that is? Not a lot of girls give good head. They’re not properly taught.” - Enough said.
iii. Cross felt too one dimensional. He is our love interest, and let me just say - I did not even get a hint of chemistry. I actually was confused in the start and spent time trying to decipher who the love interest was because it felt like there was no spark. Then there's Bren...
iv. Bren Monroe pissed the living hell out of me. I understood why she was the way she was, but I just couldn't get on board with how childish she acted. Mind you, she is a child and I often looked past different situations because of this. There was occasional moments where I sympathized with her, but those moments were short and far spread.
"That was my crew. Along with Jordan, there were two others besides myself—Cross Shaw and Zellman Greenly. My name is Bren Monroe, and even though I’m in the middle of this whole dark diatribe, and even though we look like the bad guys right now, things aren’t always as they seem."
The Plot I feel like this was the biggest issue I had with this book. Nothing hooked me enough that I didn't forget about the page count. I love that feeling when you're so into a book that you suddenly realize you only have three chapters left because HOLY SHIT! you've been glued to the page.
no. this did not occur in this one, folks.
Half the time, I had no idea what the hell was going on - nearly every second chapter there was a brawl or a fight and it had nearly no advancement in the plot or character development. This is definitely a slow burn in the romance department as well. Yet, I didn't feel a spark in the start to even start the burn; so when the h and H actually ended up getting together it felt like a straight forest burner. The plot moved way too slow for me and it dragged.
I know a lot of people who really enjoyed this, and I've been recommended the Fallen Crest series various times. So in my plight of trying to salvage love for both TIJAN's characters and writing, I might venture into that series later this year.
However, this one contained slut shaming, unrealistic teacher-student relationships and personal space violations galore. Not for me.
The "Normals"
"Sunday night. People had been to church this morning, and we’d beaten someone bloody this evening."
I felt like the concept of "crews" vs. "normals" and that segregation was too pushed. The concept was something really simple, yet the world building was inorganic because every possible time Crew was mentioned and the 'rules' that surrounded being in one, I felt like it was a research chapter. The idea is so unique and the blurb really had a lot of potential in my eyes but unfortunately, I felt like the execution could have been done better.
This review is really straight to the point and I feel like it might come out harsh in that way. I really do hope people don't experience what I did while reading this. You could completely tell the author spent a lot of time building both her world and her characters. You can also tell that there are subjects that could be so relevant to today's youth. Overall, I just couldn't get behind it (doesn't mean you cant ;)...more
"I wondered if Autumn ever saw a sky like this in Nebraska. I hoped she had. I hoped someday she’d see something like this. I wished I could give it"I wondered if Autumn ever saw a sky like this in Nebraska. I hoped she had. I hoped someday she’d see something like this. I wished I could give it to her. I would bring down the stars for her…"
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Three Words: Only. Emma. Scott.
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A Start Note Bittersweet is the only word that I can think of when I think of how to describe this novel. It's the word that Weston, Autumn and Connor hand in hand tattoo over your heart as you flip the pages. Bring Down The Stars will leave you reeling and with every heartache, you'll feel how tragic love is, but how magical it can be at the same time.
“Bye, Weston. Nice talking to you.” I nodded stiffly. “Yep.” Because that’s what all great writers say to a beautiful girl they want to impress. Yep."
Some people were born to write, and I know that every single person that picks this up will feel the same way. For the simple fact, that if a book can make you feel exactly what each and every character is feeling so deeply; then the author has chosen every word perfectly to create it. I know whenever I pick up an ES book, it will be one that I won't soon forget. This was everything and more than that.
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"And this is how you wound up with a broken heart in the first place."
Forget Everything You Think You Know I would actually recommend going into this blind, not knowing the plot. That way every emotion will hit you like a bullet train and every scene can cause a hurricane in your heart. Let this book possess you.
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Within the cracks of love and loss, there are small webs of humor and pockets of poetry that will steal your breath away. A tale of finding yourself only to lose yourself, giving it all up for those you love most and three people that adore each other passionately. If only we had a 'classics' of the Romance Genre, because this book could be studied, it's that extraordinary.
"I wished we were alone. And sober. Not that half-in-the-bag Autumn wasn’t enjoyable, but I wanted to talk to the girl I’d met in the library, the one who was having a hard time choosing which broken piece of the world to fix first."
The atmosphere that was given by this was so palpable. Almost like you could reach out and you'd be right there in the library, in the bar or sitting having dinner with the Drake's and wanting to reach out and hug all three misfits.
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I think there will be a handful of you that will only read this when the second book releases. Which in all fairness, is probably the wisest decision because this does end with a cliffhanger that will make you want to drop everything and reach for the second book. I will be counting down the days till I get an email giving me a release date ;)
“Connor, just…” I rubbed my eyes. “Forget me. Forget this conversation. I’ll get over it. Her. I have nothing with her. You do. Love her back, man. It’s so easy.”
Unrequited Love Trigger Warnings: (view spoiler)[cheating (not justified) (hide spoiler)] There's something so poetic and desperate about the romance in this book. Each character needs the other for so many different reasons, yet Weston stole my heart by a landslide.
"I liked toying with people to get them riled up, and she’d seemed an easy mark. But instead of walking away, she’d met me head on. I liked that. I liked her. And I didn’t like anyone."
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This is not your usual love triangle. That trope is usually associated with cliches and stereotypical scenes, yet this was so much more than that. This story will move you with how much love there is within it. The sacrifices made will kill you and most times, you'll find yourself with wet cheeks but not knowing if you're happy or devastated.
"My gaze landed on Autumn. I’m thankful for that smile of hers, Even when it’s not meant for me."
This is the first time I've five starred an Emma Scott book. Not that every book didn't deserve it, but I usually gave it four stars because I felt like it was missing such a tiny something. Five stars don't come easily to me and for a book to completely whip me away like this one did; it deserves all the stars in the sky and more. It was a privilege reading it. It was like second nature to love it.
"You’re the Halley’s Comet of girls. The kind that doesn’t come around but maybe once in a life. I don’t want to spend the rest of mine wondering what might’ve been if I hadn’t tried, one last time, to take you someplace where every man will stare at you, and wish they were me."
An End Note Now that I've tried putting to words what an awe-inspiring writer Emma Scott is (which in all its intents and purposes, I will probably never do justice. Yet, I will keep finding new ways to express my love for her up and until she decides to publish her last book - I will still be there, reading till the bitter end) I want to try and explain what a person she is.
Earlier this summer, I read a Facebook post that completely threw me off my axis. I'm not a mother, nor can I ever imagine what it feels like to have your heart absolutely break because you've lost of piece of it.
However, I do want to say that when I read about Isabel, I finally understood why the love in Emma's books make them what they are. How in every page, no matter where you are or what you're doing - you're left a little breathless and stunned because it's such a raw form of unconditionality. No matter what love you are talking about; whether it be a man to a woman or a man to another man, two best friends or even a mother to her daughter. It's that fundamental powerless feeling that another being holds your whole world in the palm of their hands, and to even think of them leaving you means your whole world has left with them too.
This woman writes love because she is filled to the brim with it. I wish her nothing but courage and bravery onwards and upwards.
She's up there smiling with all the other angels and so proud of you, Emma. You've watched over her for as long as you could. Now she can do the same for you.
“Beauty and pain,” she said, almost to herself. “I don’t think you can separate the two.” “Maybe pain exists to make us appreciate the beauty,” I said."
[image] This was such a warm book hug *heart eyes* _____________
The Plot I'm late to the love for this“It would always be summer on the island.”
[image] This was such a warm book hug *heart eyes* _____________
The Plot I'm late to the love for this book. On The Island has been on my tbr for the longest of time for one thing and one thing only; the premise. The story that Graves writes is so one-of-a-kind and unique (which is pretty hard to find in the Romance genre) that it begs it's readers to give it a go.
“I don't fit in your world." "Neither do I," he said, his expression tender yet resolute. "So let's make our own. We've done it before.”
Anna Emerson is a thirty year old teacher that flies to the Maldives with her summer tutor student - seventeen year old T.J Callahan. Packing her bags and leaving behind her boyfriend, John she hopes on a plane with her whole summer planned.
When they find out they have to take a sea plane into the island, their plans get changed. Then when the pilot suffers from cardiac arrest, both T.J and Anna realize that they're about to crash land in the middle of the ocean. (Re-writing the plot for this, makes me want to dive right back into it... pun intended)
Anna and T.J survive the crash but have to learn to survive in isolation on an island. All they have are the clothes on their backs and each other. The story follows their fight for survival, it is a coming of age in the sense both characters develop in different manners. Stuck on an island, learning how to find food, water and shelter is hard enough... and as nobody seems to be coming and saving them - they build a trust too.
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“Don’t let go,” I whispered. “I wasn’t going to.”
Little Gems There was so much packed into this book. Humor, love, survival, grief, growing up... It was such a wonderful treat to sit down with some chocolates and just escape. Although, the writing was mediocre - the author really does a good job with imagery and you end up being on the island with Anna and T.J.
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I read this in one sitting and it was like having a hot chocolate on a cold wintry night. This review seriously is filled with so many chocolate references... I guess, that should really just prove how I enjoyed it!
“I woke up with a hard-on. I usually did, and it wasn’t like I had any control over it. Now that we weren’t almost dead, my body must have decided all systems were a go. ”
One thing I enjoyed was the humor through the tragic. T.J is a cancer patient and their situation is so fragile. The pacing and the timing for when their bond started to form into friendship and later more, was so perfectly planned. It didn't feel too fast or too slow. I was skeptical about how the writer would pull of the age gap (also cheers for showing that women can be older too!) but it was done so meticulously!
I wish I read this sooner and during the time my GR friends did. I would have loved to seen the hype for this grow and see more and more people fall in love on the island <3
“You named the chicken, Chicken?" She looked embarrassed. "When we decided not to kill it, I got attached.”
"The fact that I was locked inside my own body wasn’t enough; they wanted to torture me some more, and they didn’t even ask if I was okay."
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"The fact that I was locked inside my own body wasn’t enough; they wanted to torture me some more, and they didn’t even ask if I was okay."
[image]
This was more suspense than romance. But at the same time, it wasn't a romantic suspense.
[image] _____________
...but no cigar This was a first from this author for me. Making a habit of trying new authors out this year, I feel like this is the first one where I've been actually slightly disappointed. The plot for this seemed interesting, and whilst reading - I couldn't help but thinking that the author had guts for writing this!
But then, I read on....
So up until the fifty percent mark, the story focused on two characters struggling with their marriage. The whole amnesia plot has been done plenty of times in the romance genre, but this story had a hell of a lot more to go for it. I thought this was going to be so daring for approaching a falling marriage because of a loss of love and alcoholism. Romance isn't the exciting genre we all know and love, if it weren't for the few authors out there always pushing the boundaries and coming out with something new that everybody wants a piece of.
"I was still coming to terms with the fact that a bottle of liquor was more of a comfort to Meadow than I was..."
Unfortunately, for this after being a great start - the plot started going downhill into the usual cliche love triangled route. It was almost as if it needed an out, like it had to explain itself in a manner. This is where I felt slightly disappointed because, a suspense novel is supposed to leave you hanging and guessing and constantly on the edge of wanting to rip your hair out. Then, the whole first part of the book passed and proved to be basically unnecessary as everything got magically fixed and understood in the last quarter.
The Romance "Never in a million years did I think my life would come to this, a grown-ass man dressed in thin pajamas and socks, dropping two stories to the ground in search of his wife. I’d thought we’d already reached it, but this is our new rock bottom."
Boy oh boy, this could have passed for a suspense on itself. The chemistry was monotonous and I felt no spark between any two characters. Which is another thing that triggered me about this book, it had so many side arcs and side character storylines that it lost touch with its main goal. It would be harsh however to not give credit to the blatant originality that the author had to weave these all together and come out moderately okay.
The last part really got on my nerves though. I dislike when books villainize (not a word, but you know what I mean) characters just so they can have an antagonist or someone to blame for all the misfortunes. Even if that character has proved to be a decent character. It makes the book read like an artificial soap opera and not an actual novel. At the end, that was the cause (for me) that made this book unmemorable even though it had truck loads of potential. ...more
[image] This was....weird.. to say the least. Whilst having never read the four father series, I actually found“Do you think I’m a psychopath?”
[image] This was....weird.. to say the least. Whilst having never read the four father series, I actually found myself catching on way faster than i anticipated. However, I still couldn't get over how weird it was. How oddly addicting the whole plot was, and no matter how unrealistic - these four sons are actually quite addicting.
[image] ____________
Short Introduction to the Four Sons Series What I feel would be really helpful before I get into this review is giving any potential readers (whom, like me would want to read this without having to read the four other former novels) a taste for where the plot and story kicks into.
We are pushed into the plot immediately by the untimely murder of Eric Pearson. He is a well established business-man and a fully deserved titled asshole. He has four sons - Hayden nineteen, Brock seventeen, Nixon sixteen, and Camden fifteen. All four of these boys never grew up with a stable mother figure as theirs 'ran away' when they were young.
Enter Rowan Wheeler
Friends with all four of the brothers, Eric seduced Rowan as soon as she turned eighteen even though at the time, she was dating his son, Brock. (SEE?!?! It's fucking weird). They go on to have a major daddy kink fest full of sex, sex, sex and... love? This not only sets off anger within the four sons, but also Rowan's dad (who is a known serial killer) is NOT happy.
"I didn’t always have this darkness inside me. My soul became tainted, murky with other people’s darkness, their sins raining down over me like acid saturating me, infecting my core."
Massive Triggers This book was weird because it had so many of the subjective characteristics that should well be established in the dark romance genre. Which, by the cover is this novel - I would have never guessed.
Instead, I would like to raise a glass to the author for stating this before the book even began: "This novel contains some scenes that may be triggers for the sensitive reader. Please read with caution."
I cannot begin to express my gratitude for this because if I had gone on to read this (which by the way, I was on a 14 hour flight - so apologies for the late review) having not known that there would be sensitive subject material and themes that are considered taboo and dark. This review would be a whole other ball game.
First, the fact that the Nixon and Rowan get together after her being with his dad (view spoiler)[ and being pregnant with his kid (hide spoiler)] brings a shit load of double dipping scenarios that I don't even want to take out this book and into the real world. But I guess, this book was weird and unrealistic enough that it worked? The insta-lust and the improbabilities were all so unbelievable that it made this actually pretty fun to read.
Mind you, I fucking loved Camden. So he was another bonus.
Overall, although this novel itself may not have been memorable, the characters and the story certainly was. I don't know if I'm planning to read Brock and Hayden's stories - But I really want to know what happens to Cam.
“Because I want you. I want all of you. I want to fuck you until you can’t walk or talk, or fucking see straight. I want to ruin you, break you, and“Because I want you. I want all of you. I want to fuck you until you can’t walk or talk, or fucking see straight. I want to ruin you, break you, and make you bleed so I can make it up to you again. I want to fuck you so hard that I leave an imprint of my cock inside of you, so everyone after me knows that you’re mine.”
[image] [image] Is there such a thing as too much angst?
Please Note: This review contains spoilers and please do not read it, if you plan on picking this book up in the future <3
[image] ____________ Recipe for Disaster (Alex Style): 1/3 cup cheating 2 cups of slut shaming 45ml of unlikeable characters 1tsp. of a decent character (optional, as this will disappear towards the end of the process) 1000grams of unnecessary angst.
Cooks Note: Do not add any chemistry to this recipe.
~Mix Well and Serve Cool~
Flip Trick This might have been one of my most anticipated releases of this year. When I say that, I mean from the day I saw a teaser on Facebook, till the day I received my arc - I was constantly thinking about Maddox and Amethyst.
I dropped everything to read this and I was certain that it was going to be a winner in every sense of the matter. This book actually made me realize that maybe, starting from next year - I shall only review the books that I loved and want to rave about, because I know how hard authors work on writing, editing and going through the whole publication methodology of releasing a novel. I hate giving low reviews because it feels like I'm throwing bad energy at a book that didn't work for me, but could potentially work for many others.
The last part of this book was so unnecessary and there was so much drama that floated around, I couldn't keep up with all the story arcs. Then, there was the fact that every single member of their family thought it was dandy to just FUCK YOUR STEP-SISTER!??
Maybe, it's also because I'm reading Game of Thrones simultaneously - but I think even that was the least of my triggers with this book. There was a lot of time jumping and adding in information that had no meaning. It all felt a bit overwhelming for me.
That being said, this really wasn't my cup of tea. There were so many no-go zones that it constantly danced on, I felt like DNFing... but I read on.
Let me start with my first issue:
The Characters. From the start of this book, I disliked Leila. It started with her being selfish, which then trailed into her practically pressing Amethyst to lose her virginity... why is it so wrong for a girl to be a virgin and not want to have sex with a random stranger?!?
“Your fortress? Well, sorry to say, but I’m going to need your 'fortress' to be trampled in a lot more than once every six months, not to mention after one month of seeing a guy. Loosen up, Ame! Trust me. The best feeling ever.”
I thought she was a really bad influence on Ame and after feeling a bit of euphoria from some chapters, she really dragged me down.
“Ame, it was a one-night stand. Maddox has them probably every weekend with girls who he deems worthy of him.” she rolls her eyes, and I sense something there. Maybe there’s something she isn’t telling me."
Next up, is the range from Amethyst to the men in this book.
1) Since when is it okay to slut-shame? And whore-shame?? Especially in a book where the author controls what comes out of the characters 'mouths'?
2)
The fear of not knowing if she’s going to remember is damn near crippling. What if she doesn’t want me? What if she doesn’t allow me to show her? What would I do then? I’d lock her in my basement and make her, that’s what.
I don't know what to comment about that. I really don't.
3)
“I don’t know. We pushed and pulled for a bit, but I can’t deny that there’s a bond with him. It’s easy, and not complicated. He has a bad reputation on campus, you know, womanizer and because he beats people’s faces in for a living, it only adds to his bullshit appeal.” I suck in a deep breath. “But he’s not any of those people when he’s with me, which is what makes all the difference. You know me, Dad. He’s not my type at all.” Dad quirks an eyebrow. “I know. But maybe this is what you needed. Those nerd boys you messed around with were little fucks.”
4) The only character I liked was Talon. He had an open relationship with a girl, and in the last part of the book this is what we find out:
"Then he tied me to the bed and made me sit and watch while he fucked another girl. I kneeled, gagged, mascara running down my face, ropes tied around my wrist while he fucked this girl senseless all while watching me. I cried, because I loved him, and we hadn’t swung or been with other people in almost a year. This felt like cheating, and it was. He broke my heart when he fucked her savagely..."
It's sad because I really wanted to love the shit out of this book. That cover is gorgeous and this author is kind and caring to her readers. Not to mention, she has another series that is so hyped that I might try reading that instead because that seems amazing too!! O...more
“You ever just look at someone and know that if you let them, they could turn your life upside down…completely ruin you?”
[image] [image] Ever got“You ever just look at someone and know that if you let them, they could turn your life upside down…completely ruin you?”
[image] [image] Ever got yourself a massive pizza with stuffed crust and extra carbs on the side to go. Placed it on the kitchen counter top, stared at it and thought, "You are no good to me whatsoever, I have experienced your effects multiple times and have seen what you do to me." Then, just when you're about to close the box and outsmart that fucking pizza, you say damn it all to hell... and you stuff your "I deserve this" mouth.
That was a brief summary of what this book was like to read.
___________
Alex Explains the Pizza Symbolism Now, although a lot of the tropes and the cliches in this book were done before - I do want to go ahead and start this by saying this was a massive guilty pleasure. In fact, it was the epitome of one - because I know for a fact if I read this again and sit down and think about it, I would list out a whole bunch of reasons why this book and me wouldn't gel well.
However, beyond the cliches and the predictable plot lines lay a page-turner. True to every sense of the word. I don't know if it was because it was a slow burn romance or because it was humorous at times or even because I was stuck on a 5 and a half hour flight. I kept reading and I couldn't stop myself.
That being said, it does end in a cliffhanger and I feel no push to read the second book. It's a weird predicament I'm in. I found more wrong with this than right but I still really enjoyed myself. I can follow every literary criticism with a point that went well, yet that doesn't negate the fact that there is a plethora of those critiques.
See, it's weird!!!
The Plot Rebel Heir is centered around Rush and Gia. Both of them are sass queens and both of them fuel off each other - the minute they meet, sparks seem to fly and once the realization sets in that Rush is Gia's 'boss', the sexual tension rises to an all time high. A summer in the Hamptons is set in store for both characters as Gia tries to finish writing her upcoming romance novel and keep her mind off her new boss. Both of which, she fails terribly at doing.
I really enjoyed seeing the control that Gia had and how her demands for a serious relationship were actually taken... serious. I liked that the authors embedded a sense of realness in the relationship and didn't set it out to be artificial and 'perfect' like most NA writers do.
Then again, there were some instances were the dialogue was awkward and chipped off and could have really done with some heavy re-thinking.
I wouldn't be me if I didn't provide with example(s):
i)
"Of course, I was also borderline obsessed with being inside her—not just getting her off and finishing myself off either. I wanted to fill every orifice of that damn woman."
... ... every orifice??? [image]
ii)
"If I didn’t already dig this chick, she had to go and tell me she threw a baby doll into a fire. Something about that whole twisted story just warmed my black heart."
[image] [image] Earlier last year, I read a singular Brittany C. Cherry book that completely stole the air from“When you find you, come back to me.”
[image] [image] Earlier last year, I read a singular Brittany C. Cherry book that completely stole the air from my lungs. When I found out that she was writing a new standalone, I all but tore the whole house down. Disgrace was most parts beautiful, some parts substandard and all parts heart-breaking.
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The Plot I was in a conundrum on whether I should rate this 3 or 4 stars, because in truth it was both. The writing was lyrical and the characters were multi-dimensional. Above all, this was more than just a romance, it was a story about blossoming. At the end, I found myself leaning more towards the 3 star rating only because I've seen what this author can evoke, and I felt like that sense of magic wasn't all that there with this one.
That does not go to say that it was any less beautiful, because it was. Before anything I will say this as a warning to any safe -seeking readers out there: there is a crap ton of cheating in this book.(Maybe not in the sense you might vision, but there nonetheless.)
We are put right into the heart of Grace's heartbreak and the story sets sail when she reaches her old home town Chester in order to move on from her husbands infidelity and lack of concern of her wellbeing. Where she meets Jackson, a man who is truly in his heart a kind and caring creature but is forced to be the town monster because of past happenings. It's a tale about two broken people in dire need of fixing themselves and each other but finding out who they are along the way.
"We were so close that I felt her uneven breaths against my skin, and I was certain she felt mine."
Another thing to add that I think is brilliant is that this must be the year of men saying it how it is. Jackson, our hero was so real that it hurt. I love that women will pick this up and get lessons that every Romance and New Adult book should have. For example:
“Don’t be so fucking dramatic. No dick is worth falling apart over.”
There were some areas of cringe-worthy dialogue and material that threw me off a bit, but I found myself coming back for the plot. It was so unique and the culture beyond the context of the book was wonderful to get into. All in all, I think what fell with those two stars is that lack of out of this world feeling you get when you read a book by her, that enchanting world consuming atmosphere.
"I’d only been with one man in my lifetime, and it was no secret that Finley wasn’t working with the same type of equipment that Jackson had."
The Romance Jackson and Grace will steal your heart if you let them.
They will steal your heart individually and they will steal your heart together. If there is one thing that Brittainy C. Cherry can do with no problem is create characters that make your heart skip and flutter a little louder than usual. I enjoyed reading this and I really do feel like so many people will enjoy it just the same, if not more.
“They’re gonna bleed you out till you’re nothing, and then they’re gonna ask how you died.”
A lot of her books can be difficult to read because they are so heart breaking, I feel like this was more on the mellow side and although you're in for a rollercoaster of emotions - at the end of the day, this is a feel good story. Nevertheless, I didn't cry while reading this but that doesn't mean it wasn't upsetting. You feel what the characters feel through the writing and you long for them to find their happily ever after.
The romance in this book get very real. The case behind the start of Jackson and Grace's story was one that can be related to on an earthly level because its so disturbingly relevant in today's society. Saddening as it is, it's a story that will touch a lot of hearts.
“I don’t know how to say goodbye,” he spoke softly, staring at the empty bowls. “Then don’t. Just say good night until tomorrow.”
“I don’t want to die, but I want to live. People call that having a death wish.”
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DNF at 51%
As much as I wanted to love this book, both of us“I don’t want to die, but I want to live. People call that having a death wish.”
[image]
DNF at 51%
As much as I wanted to love this book, both of us just did not get along. There was too many cliches and lately, I've been noticing that those seem to get on my nerves the most. This (short) review will be of my own and does not take away from the fact that everyone who is thinking of giving this book a try - should do it!!
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P.S This review is filled to the brim (staring now) with sexual innuendos. I'm making up for all the pent up sexual tension that this book did not deliver for me. ______________
Things I Shall Take Away From This Book - Try Skye Warren again, Alex. Perhaps this book just did not rub you the right way (all the sexual innuendos for my romance hoes out there) and you needed something....more.
-Many of your friends have loved her books, Alex. Perhaps her past work in dark romance will in fact hit all the right spots. (2 for 2, baby)
“A gentleman would add my name to the guest list.” “Did I give you the impression that I was a gentleman? My apologies.”
Things This Book Has Taken Away From me -My ability to tolerate love triangles. I thought I could do it folks, I really did. I used to enjoy love triangles and when this ARC traveling its way onto my kindle, I did a little happy dance because who doesn't want some angst and drama in their romance every once in a while?
-The amount of shits I give for overused tropes and cliches. Daddy issues, money vs. money, popping the cherry (pick me, pick me!!!), etc etc etc.
-PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH THE PLOT 'nuff said.
Overall, I think this was a stellar case of "it's not you, it's me" and I want to go out and say that the blurb, the author and the cover reeled me in from the get-go. Had it been any other time I read this when I hadn't already read a myriad of other books with cliche and cringe - I wouldn't have minded and perhaps actually enjoyed. ...more
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