Paula Nguyen > Recent Status Updates

this book is FIRE no pun intended; not only was the romance believable, the drama with her firefighter job was IMMACULATE; there was literally no dry parts in the whole story and when I started a bish did NOT stop until the end; her character was definitely mega badass but I don’t think it was unrealistic? just the right amount; honestly this story would’ve worked with or without the romance

👨‍🚒>👮‍♂️

their relationship was a lil bit bland; I know it’s supposed to be all respectful and slow because they’re Muslim but even the emotional connection just wasn’t very convincing to me; the main character was believable but Adam was kind of emo in my opinion also kind of too perfect; still a cute story I guess I liked it

🛳🛳

the middle was a little bit dry but the END THOUGH honestly that 5 pages of action really got me; the writing was exquisite some of the best I’ve read in a while maybe even comparable to Ng?? Obviously not AS good but it’s great; a little conflicted with my rating since it ended so well but the middle was boring; 3.75/5 so I guess I’ll round to a 4

I like it but ... where is this going?

dang this really WAS the blueprint; Coelho said follow your dreams and the boy said yessirr; honestly it was a little TOO whimsical in certain areas i found myself zoning out during the existential desert scenes; felt like a fairy tale so I guess it was enjoyable; 3.75/5 stars

seems a little slow on the rising action but the writing is good; interesting concept

this was on my physical tbr but I decided to listen on audio because it has good ratings and the narrators voice is AMAZING I love it; as a reminder for later this is the part where the boy is with the crystal shop owner and he decided he would start selling tea with his crystals to travelers

I only finished the first chapter but I literally hate it so much I can’t read this any longer I’m dnfing f this shite

finished the prologue and it might be WAY too early to rush into my opinion but I already don’t like it :/ i have a feeling I might dnf but I hope I’m proven wrong; I’ll get to at least 20% first

I cannot DESCRIBE the anger I felt when I found out Abel is still alive; his mom is one of the strongest people I’ve ever read about, mad respect; I’m glad I listened to the audiobook, his voice made it more real; definitely an entertaining read/listen; not exactly super memorable but I’m glad I know more about life during Apartheid in South Africa now

side note I still don’t know what happened at the end; other aspects were wrapped up really nicely I really like the family aspect and how the storylines all combined; debating whether to give it a 3 or a 4; objectively I think this is a 4 but personally a 3.5? let’s go with 3 then

alright I don’t really know what to say; I was so confused for literally the first 60-70% but it was strangely compelling despite the seemingly messy storyline; the message was really strong and was definitely told in a really realistic visceral way that wasn’t easy to read but that didn’t seem to be the point of the novel; from an enjoyment standpoint 3/5, message 4/5

😐 huh

family dynamic was cute; well paced slowish burn; positive body image was nice to read about; when everyone thought she was lying I cri; tbh this is everything I want from ya contemporary romance but never get; also I never rated 𝓼𝓶𝓪𝓼𝓱: 4/5 stars nothing to write home about; I appreciate that the characters weren’t super damaged like in other romances (why is that “hot”)

uh what just happened? the synopsis was really interesting to me but the book definitely did NOT meet my expectations; I get what this book was trying to do (bring awareness to rape culture) and I appreciate that but I still think the characters should’ve been written with more depth so I can empathize; Alex isn’t “like other girls” but everyone else sure as hell was; also the love wasn’t believable

edgy

uh ogie :/ even if his relationship wasn’t working out that doesn’t make the cheating okay; also what happened to Collin and Dawn do they just never forgive her for cheating? it was okay I guess a fun read at certain parts; feels kind of summery; alex approximately vibes; if someone asked what I thought I’d just say meh

why is soft cheating a theme in so many ya romance books :/ this ain’t right

bring back confession mixtapes

I’m so hungry :((

I’m really on a roll with these nonfiction memoir audiobooks 🤭 I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while and I’m glad I started it’s kinda good

eh

I find it kind of weird that I pick up so much trashy ya contemporary romance when I don’t really enjoy it that much; I always enjoy the intense stuff more but I just find that stuff harder to start so I don’t? whatever I hope this book is good