Sara > Books: 2019‎ (60)
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Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating
Lauren, Christina *
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I think this is my favorite Christina Lauren book so far! It was just so goddamn cute. I loved Hazel so much. Her personality was a little over the I think this is my favorite Christina Lauren book so far! It was just so goddamn cute. I loved Hazel so much. Her personality was a little over the top, but, as someone who has been described as "too much" by guys that I've dated, I really related to her. I also loved how kind Josh was (I may be biased because my boyfriend's name is Josh and his best quality is his kindness lol) and the representation of him being Korean (his Korean mom might be my favorite character). This book was just so fun and such a good book to end my 2019 reading year on!
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My Favorite Half-Night Stand
Ok, I am genuinely sad that so many people I know have rated this 2 stars! I really loved it a lot. The trope of best friends to lovers is SLEPT ON Ok, I am genuinely sad that so many people I know have rated this 2 stars! I really loved it a lot. The trope of best friends to lovers is SLEPT ON and I'd love to read more of it. I loved the characters and how they had to really grow together to figure themselves out as a couple. The female lead was interesting and complicated and she had to find herself to be able to express herself. I liked that there was emotional friction in the book that wasn't unrealistically dramatic. It felt like it was based on real human emotions. And the sex scenes were great! I was so hooked that I finished this in a day.
The one thing I despised in this book was the characterization and treatment of their friend Ed. He was described as more plus-sized/chubby and he had the hardest time finding a date and often was despicted as slovenly. There was never any blatant over the top commentary about his weight, but there was just this subtle feeling that he was supposed to be less than in comparison to his "hot" friends. I'm so tired of this type of fatphobia showing up constantly in books and TV. It's not original and it's not true.
The Simple Wild (Wild, #1)
Tucker, K.A. *
This! This is exactly what I look for in a romance. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the smut. It really had it all! I loved that it had an This! This is exactly what I look for in a romance. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, and the smut. It really had it all! I loved that it had an interesting plot and didn't rely on just sex (but there was still some good sex). Really loved this one a lot and would highly recommend it.
The only thing that annoyed me was some diet culture-y type stuff. The main character didn't really eat carbs, worked out all the time, and there was always random comments about how flat her stomach was and how many abs the romantic interest had. This is pretty common for all romance books (and books in general tbh) but in 2020 I really want to read some books with normal/average looking people.
Chasing Christmas Eve (Heartbreaker Bay, #4)
Shalvis, Jill *
did not like it
This wasn't too good. The writing and plot fell flat. If you want to see me ranting about it, you can watch the annual holiday Drunk Literacy on my This wasn't too good. The writing and plot fell flat. If you want to see me ranting about it, you can watch the annual holiday Drunk Literacy on my channel:
https://youtu.be/a4bj2hRHc8E
Michaelides, Alex *
it was ok
This had everything that I hate in thrillers. Big buildup, predictable ending, no payoff, gaslighting personified, weird descriptions of women... Just This had everything that I hate in thrillers. Big buildup, predictable ending, no payoff, gaslighting personified, weird descriptions of women... Just really was not a fan. I could see where the book was going and was not nearly as surprised by the twist as I wanted to be. I'm all for grey morality, but this just wasn't done well for me. I also hated the way women were described. They were either ugly, annoying, and overweight, or incredibly seductive, elusive, and viewed through the male gaze.
Only giving this two stars because it kept me wanting to know what was going on.
The Turn of the Key
Ware, Ruth *
Wow, the ending of this book was a huge let down. There was so much build up that truly never paid off. I went into this expecting something more Wow, the ending of this book was a huge let down. There was so much build up that truly never paid off. I went into this expecting something more creepy and sinister, but overall it just fell flat. Not sure why it has so much hype.
Hannah, Kristin *
This was an incredibly powerful story that made me cry multiple times. I loved the characters and the writing. I felt so many things and it hurt my This was an incredibly powerful story that made me cry multiple times. I loved the characters and the writing. I felt so many things and it hurt my heart so much but I loved it. I cannot wait for the adaptation.
My only complaint would be that it's *incredibly* slow. There were definitely times when it lagged and got stuck on certain plot points and time periods. Overall, I am okay with this because of the overall emotional effect and the attachment I had for the characters. ...more
Serpent & Dove (Serpent & Dove, #1)
Mahurin, Shelby *
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
This had everything I could ever want from a YA fantasy: great world building, fantastic magic system, all the romantic tropes I Actual Rating: 4.5/5
This had everything I could ever want from a YA fantasy: great world building, fantastic magic system, all the romantic tropes I love, and a good plot.
I went into this with so-so expectations because I don't consistently like YA fantasy, but this bitch really lived up to the hype. It had THE best YA romance I've read in a long time. The tropes were all my absolute favorite: enemies to lovers, fake marriage, AND there's only one bed!!!!
I'm so sad that we have to wait so long for the sequel!!! ...more
Rules for Vanishing
Marshall, Kate Alice *
I really enjoyed the whole premise of this book! It would make a really great movie.
It kept me guessing for a long time. I was able to What I Liked
➤ I really enjoyed the whole premise of this book! It would make a really great movie.
➤ It kept me guessing for a long time. I was able to guess some stuff toward the end, but it really had me for a while.
What I Disliked
➤ Way. Too. Many. Characters. I kept fogetting who everyone was! One minute they'd be like Kyle this and Nick that and I'd be like who tf are we talking about?? I think there should've been more focus on who was who so that I could actually feel something when people went missing. ...more
Kingdom of Needle and Bone
Grant, Mira
Boring. Forgettable. Meh.
Sawkill Girls
Legrand, Claire *
I disliked this book more than you can know.
Listen, I'm a big fan of girls kissing but the plot has to make sense and the characters have to be good. I disliked this book more than you can know.
Listen, I'm a big fan of girls kissing but the plot has to make sense and the characters have to be good. I truly felt like I received a bad copy of this book because of how many good reviews it has gotten. This is the first time in a long time that I feel so betrayed by the hype. I can't even describe how much I disliked this book.
BUT with all this being said.. If they made a CW show based on it, I'd probably watch it. I feel like if the bare bones of the story were given to TV producers, they could make something watchable out of it. ...more
The Girl in Red
Henry, Christina *
I really liked the main character - she was a lot of fun and I enjoyed her perspective.
The writing and premise really drew me in. I What I Liked
➤ I really liked the main character - she was a lot of fun and I enjoyed her perspective.
➤ The writing and premise really drew me in. I definitely want to read more Christina Henry books.
➤ I wish we could've learned more about what was going on with the government and sickness. ...more
North, Alex
The overall concept - it seemed like it could make a good film premise.
It felt like the bare bones for a film. There What I Liked
➤ The overall concept - it seemed like it could make a good film premise.
➤ It felt like the bare bones for a film. There wasn't enough depth in the characters/plot.
➤ The ending was quite lack luster and the writing was meh. I read this book in the beginning of October and I haven't thought about it much since. It was a bit forgettable.
Westover, Tara *
• The writing was fantastic. It really pulled me in.
• The story was interesting and gave me a lot to think about. I have a pretty intense What I Liked
• The story was interesting and gave me a lot to think about. I have a pretty intense history with religion so I found some parallels within my own life to what Tara experienced.
• I read this with my book club and we had so much to discuss due to the intensity of the story.
• A lot of the story was vague. I would've liked far more information about each member of Tara's family (I can't keep track of all of her siblings) and I would've liked to know more specifics about her schooling and how she paid for it. There were a lot of serious thing that were kind of skirted over and while I do believe this memoir is truthful, I would've liked to know more about everything. It seems that Tara had a particular view point and goal for this memoir, which obviously is her own prerogative because it's her life story, but I wish she'd have given more details about boyfriends, classes, other siblings, etc. ...more
Shadowfever (Fever, #5)
Moning, Karen Marie *
CW: mentions of sexual assault
Honestly, this finale slaps. I was super into it. The 4th and 5th books of this series really made all of it worth it to CW: mentions of sexual assault
Honestly, this finale slaps. I was super into it. The 4th and 5th books of this series really made all of it worth it to me. They just kept increasing in quality. Wow. I'm a fan. If you're looking for an enemies to lovers slow burn romance, this series is that bitch. ...more
Dreamfever (Fever, #4)
TW: sexual assault
I was worried I wasn't going to like this based on some reviews I saw, but I think this was my favorite in the series so far! I love TW: sexual assault
I was worried I wasn't going to like this based on some reviews I saw, but I think this was my favorite in the series so far! I love Dani and don't really get why people hate her. I also loved Mac in this book. I'm pleasantly surprised by how much this series has grown on me. ...more
Faefever (Fever, #3)
Honestly, I'm shook by how much I like this series now. It's been a long time since I've been so possessed to finish a series in one go. I TW: rape
Honestly, I'm shook by how much I like this series now. It's been a long time since I've been so possessed to finish a series in one go. I didn't love one particular plot point but other than that I'm kind of into it? The rating might be more of 3.5 but I'm bumping it up to 4 because of how much fun I'm having. ...more
Bloodfever (Fever, #2)
I was pleasantly surprised by this sequel. Mac is already getting far less annoying and I actually was super into the plot. I'm also more on board I was pleasantly surprised by this sequel. Mac is already getting far less annoying and I actually was super into the plot. I'm also more on board with Jericho now. I liked this so much that I immediately jumped into the third book. ...more
Slayer (Slayer, #1)
White, Kiersten *
Ok, if you're not a fan of Buffy then I don't think you'll like this. But I have loved Buffy since I was a wee teenager and this made me feel so Ok, if you're not a fan of Buffy then I don't think you'll like this. But I have loved Buffy since I was a wee teenager and this made me feel so nostalgic. It was campy and cheesy, but so is Buffy. It just made me feel good to read it. It was like canon fanfiction. Really looking forward to reading more in this series.
The Lawrence Browne Affair (The Turner Series, #2)
Sebastian, Cat *
Imagine a typical historical romance but with two men and that's this book. It was refreshing to read a storyline that I'm accustomed to but with the Imagine a typical historical romance but with two men and that's this book. It was refreshing to read a storyline that I'm accustomed to but with the added aspect of it being about gay romance. I'd recommend for anyone who is a fan of Tessa Dare. ...more
The Secrets She Keeps
Robotham, Michael *
I wanted to know what happened.
The writing was... okay.
I always find thrillers with female leads written by men to be What I Liked
✔ I wanted to know what happened.
✔ The writing was... okay.
✖ I always find thrillers with female leads written by men to be missing something. The women felt very two dimensional and their motivations over-simplified.
✖ I didn't love the main characters. They were flat and some of their actions made no sense.
✖ The ending sucked. The book was leading up to so much drama and the ending was so bland.
Eh, wouldn't really recommend anyone read this. I read it at the airport during a trip because a work friend recommended it. ...more
Lovely War
Berry, Julie *
Read this if you like:
historical fiction (specifically WWI)
adorable romance
multiple storylines
soft bois
This was a delightful Read this if you like:
♥ historical fiction (specifically WWI)
♥ adorable romance
♥ multiple storylines
♥ soft bois
♥ greek mythology
This was a delightful treat. Y'all need to stop sleeping on Julie Berry. ...more
God Save the Queen (The Immortal Empire, #1)
Locke, Kate
- The concept of a virus creating werewolves and vampires was interesting. I think the whole setup of the book could be a cool TV show - What I Liked
- The concept of a virus creating werewolves and vampires was interesting. I think the whole setup of the book could be a cool TV show - like a steampunk gothic True Blood or something.
- The book was trying really hard to be British. It was quite obvious that it was not written by someone British, but just someone who reeeeally likes British stuff.
- Tbh, the book felt like it was trying really hard in every aspect. The world building was overly complex and there was so much info dumping all the time.
- Xandra felt like a caricature of a "badass woman" and didn't have a lot of depth. The characters were kind of bleh in general. ...more
A Dangerous Collaboration (Veronica Speedwell, #4)
Raybourn, Deanna *
Okay, so apparently I never put this on Goodreads when I read it. Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.
This was a perfect book and I loved it and Okay, so apparently I never put this on Goodreads when I read it. Forgive me, father, for I have sinned.
This was a perfect book and I loved it and that's about all I have to say. ...more
Donnelly, Jennifer *
Guys, you can tell I liked this book because I wrote a legit review!! Just call me meltotheany (jk don't do that, my reviews would be a disgrace to Guys, you can tell I liked this book because I wrote a legit review!! Just call me meltotheany 💁🏼‍♀️(jk don't do that, my reviews would be a disgrace to her name)
"Believe that you can make your way. Or don't. Either way, you are right."
Y'ALL ARE SLEEPING ON THIS BOOK. This seriously might be a new favorite of mine! It reminded me a lot of Ella Enchanted - it could be because they're both Cinderella retellings, but it's also because they both have deeper messages and generate a feeling of warmth in me. I'm not huge into fairytale retellings, but this one was so special and unique. This takes place after Ella leaves for her happily ever after and follows one of the ugly stepsisters, specifically the one who cut off her toes in an attempt to fit into the glass slipper.
The story begins immediately after the ugly stepsisters' fraudulent attempts to win the prince. After Ella becomes queen, everyone in their town turns against them. The sisters, Isabelle and Tavi, are harassed relentlessly for their actions. A constant theme in this book is internal and external ugliness. Who is worse: the sisters who acted out of shameful jealousy or the people who judge them on looks alone?
"Here are the things girls die of: hunger, disease, accidents, childbirth, and violence. It takes more than heartache to kill a girl. Girls are tough as rocks."
Isabelle is our lead and her character development is just *chef's kiss* so good. She is That Bitch and she Did That!!! Despite constantly being told that she's ugly, she discovers that she's brave and beautiful in her own way. The story examines the meaning of beauty and the idea that girls cannot be fit into a singular box. This whole book truly feels like an ode to the strength of women.
"The wolves in the woods have sharp teeth and long claws, but it's the wolf inside who will tear you apart."
One of my favorite things about Isabelle is that she's not naturally kind or selfless. As she tries to find her way after she's punished for her treatment of Ella, she discovers that goodness is not her default nature. I love a good complex flawed character and I found Isabelle to be incredibly relatable. She transforms in the story but she doesn't suddenly become a different person. She's still flawed but she becomes more self-reflective. She finds a way to be better without changing who she is.
"This is world the people in it - my mother, Tantine - they sort us. Put us in crates. You are an egg. You are a potato. You are a cabbage. They tell us who we are. What we will do. What we will be."
"Because they are afraid! Afraid of what we could be," Tavi said.
"But we let them do it!" Hugo said angrily. "Why?"
Tavi gave him a rueful smile. "Because we're afraid of what we could be, too."
This book is just so good! It was funny and character driven. I filled this review with quotes because I loved so much of the writing. I wanted to include about five more quotes, but I thought that'd be overkill. Please read this!! I highly recommend the audiobook!
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The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1)
Clare, Cassandra *
My actual rating is more 4.75 but I love Malec so we're bumping it up to 5 stars.
This was the best thing to happen to Malec shippers ever. It was My actual rating is more 4.75 but I love Malec so we're bumping it up to 5 stars.
This was the best thing to happen to Malec shippers ever. It was adorable and so queer and so fun and I loooooved it. Magnus and Alec are pure and should be protected at all costs. Also, we got Aline and Helen's origins and that's truly all we could want.
The only criticism I'd give is that the plot wasn't as strong as other Shadowhunter books, but I kind of liked that the romance was at the forefront. ...more
A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals, #1)
Cole, Alyssa *
• The story was so good! I loved this. It felt like an updated version of Coming to America with a little bit of Wakanda thrown in.
• The What I Liked
• The romance was one of my favorites. One of my biggest pet peeves in romance is when the love interest is underdeveloped, but the dual perspective allowed both Naledi and Thabiso to be fleshed out.
• There was the right amount of sex scenes and details - I usually complain there's not enough but I think this story balanced the smut and storytelling very well.
• Naledi annoyed me at times. It's hard for me to read characters who are reluctant to take chances and very closed off. I think this is just because I'm naturally a very open and vulnerable person so I can't relate to characters like this. I realize that being emotionally accessible isn't easy for many so maybe other people will relate to Naledi more. I want to read the rest of the Reluctant Royals books but I'm hoping the characters are not all quite as reluctant 😂
• I know her best friend had some issues but sometimes I felt Naledi was very judgemental of her - that was all solved by the end but it was rubbing me the wrong way when I first read it. ...more
The Unhoneymooners
• This had all the best tropes: enemies to lovers, fake dating, "there's only one bed" !!!!!
• I really liked the female lead, Olive! She What I Liked
• I really liked the female lead, Olive! She was a relatable curvy girl. It's always refreshing to read about a character who is happy with their body. She had some insecurities but in a very realistic and comforting way. She's biracial (Mexican & white) and I loooved her Mexican family. They were such a fun and heartwarming addition to the book. She also had a great relationship with her twin sister.
• The plot was really good!! It reminded me of The Proposal and had a lot of fun scenes - there's even an accidental naked scene similar to the one in the movie (if you've seen it, you'll know what I'm talking about). The characters also had a ton of chemistry.
• I actually liked the whole book which is usually difficult for me with romances. I have this weird thing where I'm so into it until the characters actually get together. This one was good for me because there was also a plot outside the romance so I had that to focus on even after they got together.
• I really love Christina Lauren's writing. I've previously read Autoboyography and Dating You Hating You and both of those had good writing and plots as well.
• It could've used more smut. 😇 Also, more details pls! (I always sound like a sex fiend when I review romance books lolol)
• The ending was slightly cheesy but that kind of comes with the territory when you read romance. ...more
Red, White & Royal Blue
McQuiston, Casey *
• The characters!!! They were so cute.
• I loved that this was a plot-driven romance book. I love me some smut but I also occasionally What I Liked
• I loved that this was a plot-driven romance book. I love me some smut but I also occasionally like some substance to go with it.
• Politics kind of stress me out and I don't love reading about them. It wasn't my favorite aspect but the plot did eventually grow on me. The ending seemed a little far-fetched but I did want the characters to have a happy ending so I guess it's fine.
• The sex scenes were too vague!!! I'm so used to hetero books being absurdly detailed and this just felt like it was missing details? I wanna know what exactly is happening at all times. Maybe that's weird, but let's be honest- that's what we all came for. ...more
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Kondo, Marie *
This book was helpful - it mostly reiterated what I already know about her method from the internet and her show. I did go through my clothes right This book was helpful - it mostly reiterated what I already know about her method from the internet and her show. I did go through my clothes right after reading this and I intend to do the same with my books soon. ...more
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