Laurens.Little.Library > Recent Status Updates

My goodness, am I ever loving this. Superb writing with a lyrical bent every now and then that perfectly fits the story being told. Tension and emotion and connection. Brilliant plotting and thus excellent pacing

It is so telling that I’ve had this book for the better part of a week and I’m only halfway there.

Things you’ll never hear me say: My opinion is the only one that matters / reading isn’t subjective.

What I urge you to do is keep your damn heads, and even when other readers are screaming and flailing and puking about how it’s the best book ever… don’t be swayed from *your* honest experience

I had no clue what I felt like listening to next. Started playing this without expecting much 🤯 I am instantly invested

The audiobook came through on Libby and yes yes yes just what I needed. I also didn’t know that Zachary Webber narrates the MMC POV and seriously his voice acting chops are in another stratosphere.

Also, the MMC’s family is so outrageous and Jafar the parrot who squawks things like “motherfucker!!” is beyond hilarious 🤣

“It makes me look like a porn star. And not the well paid kind”

wow okay then. Making sex workers a punchline. Very funny 🙄

Why does it feel like everything is taking so. damn. long?

I feel like I’ve been reading this book for a year. Can you tell I’m frustrated?

Oraya, you’re fucked up. We get it. Hurry up and *do* something about it so you can grow and come to terms with your feelings.

Ix’s tits, indeed 🙄

Aaaaaaand I’m back to being bored 😭

Few things make me more disappointed than women authors who write heroes and heroines that slut shame and uphold bullshit, misogynistic purity ideals. Oh so she’s better and special because she doesn’t like one night stands? She’s worth keeping because she’s not like those, and I quote, “floozies”???? GET REAL.

Day 3 of trying to get into this book update: I finally have the desire to know what happens next, a result of something of consequence finally happening.

In terms of craft and execution, I'm noticing shocking amounts of repetition that simply was not there in TSaTWoN, which is a huge shame.

Libby came through with a palate cleanser post reading One For My Enemy. The only problem is that the FMC is outrageously stupid. And annoying. However, the MMC is actually pretty decently written. It's a strange combo.

It's important to note I'm listening to the audiobook and Aiden Snow is 🔥🔥🔥 Not sure why the audiobook is listed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I’m sorry to be the barer of bad news, but things aren’t improving. There’s been two memorable scenes so far. TWO.

Moreover, because it’s written in first person, we’re privy to mass amounts of Oraya and Raihn’s internal thoughts, and jeez does that shit repeat. Think FBAA 😬

Probably going to stop here and wait for the audiobook to come through on Libby

Have things improved? Honestly 😬 Not really. I desperately need these characters to have a purpose and something to do because otherwise we’re just fiddling around with two VERY emotionally constipated characters, and that doesn’t make for exciting or memorable scenes

Oh, so everyone is just ◼️REDACTED◼️

Okay sure lmao

I’ve been trying to read this all day and it is just not grabbing my attention 😔 I keep getting distracted and doing other things and I know it’s the book because I have to force myself back into reading it. Book one had such a propulsive plot because of the Kijari tournament. Book two has me over here like 🤔🤨 when will I be sucked in?

*intense drum beat*
Ration me: Okay Lauren, no need to eschew all sleep and responsibilities, we have four days to read this before pub day
The ADHD gremlin delightedly squatting in my brain: FUCK SLEEP! FUCK RESPONSIBILITIES! Tonight we reaaaaaad!!
(jk I do plan on sleeping. I hope)

Imagine being this unhinged 😂

Big fan of the story, not a big fan of the narrator. I love her regular voice but the way she voices certain characters is poorly done

Fiiiiinally getting to this!

Got an early copy of the brand-new audio! Just book one is done (for now) but I’m seeing why people enjoy this. Is it groundbreaking, no, but it’s still dealing with her trauma reasonably. I also like both the FMC and MMC and are definitely rooting for this doomed couple to make it out together. I don’t have a damn clue why the cover has a women in fetish-ish wear but hey-ho

Was told Scarred was much better than Hooked 😒 LIES. The following are abysmal:
- worldbuilding
- descriptive writing (Where are we? What are people wearing? I can’t picture ANYTHING in my mind because nothing is outlined)
- The number of times “Tristan’s 🐓 stiffened” at the tiniest thing is concerning
- I don’t give a single shit about ANY of these characters
There’s more but I’m out of space

Started to waver a bit there in the middle

No plot, all smut, really dumb but if you need something mindless I guess this will do?

No notes, just loving the writing and overall atmosphere

Listening to an early copy of the audiobook.

I can count the number of monster romances I read on one hand but a pattern I’m loving is how the monsters are the kindest, sweetest, gentlest creatures who believe the women they love walk on water — and it’s the men who are the real terrors.

Very on board with this 😏

My god is the writing gorgeous

I’m truly impressed how much better Witten’s writing is. Her figurative language is worlds apart from the disjointed and inconsistent style of her previous books. Events are predictable but I’m enjoying the ride so much I almost don’t care

Maybe it’s the low expectations but I am beyond surprised how much I’m enjoying this. ‘Atmosphere’ was arguably what Witten did best in her previous duology, but she’s managed to step up everything here; world building, magic system, and the overall way she’s weaving plot threads together. Still a little heavy handed on the latter however I am at once loving where we are and excited for the trilogy

Really into this! The FMC is sardonic without being a caricature and the atmosphere and fives are darkly delicious

Hmm Im not sure I’ll like this one as much as I loved Part of Your World, though hoping I’m wrong