I love books, cats, BTS, and watching Asian RomComs. I read and review for fun, so sometimes I get a little rambly.
Hello friends! I’m working on migrating all of my content over from Blogger. Some of the formatting is a little wonky, but I’m working my way through it all. If you happen to come across anything that looks weird or links that are broken, please leave a comment and let me know!
Format I Used: Ebook
Pages: 177
My Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
This series has been nothing if not entertaining.
Little spoilers ahead, read on with caution.
I don’t know why, but this volume has made me SO teary eyed several times while reading it! I’d like to know why because Nothing even remotely sad happened! (I got all weepy no less than 4 times while reading through this volume). This is the twelfth volume, and it’s never made me cry before. Maybe it’s because I know this series is coming to an end? I don’t know, but I don’t like it.
I love watching Kazune and Akari together. They’re both still growing and learning. I love that Akari put a temporary “pause” on them being together for a time of self improvement. And even though Kazune hated the idea of it, he still respected her choice and agreed to it. (although he literally beat everyone else just so he could go back and see her for Christmas. MY HEART)
Kazune reminds me of Emmett Cullen, and that’s all I can think about when I see him.
Did It Make Me Cry? Yes. Several times, actually.
Format I Used: Paperback
Pages: 328
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: August 29, 2023
I read the Iron Butterfly series forever ago, and although I can’t remember a lot of details about it now (time for a re-read perhaps?) I remember enjoying it SO. MUCH.
So when I saw this book and read the summary for it, I was super excited.
It reminded me of The Naturals meets… every single mythical magical being you could ever think of. boggarts, werewolves, etc.
I’m not sure who I like as the love interest (or who the love interest is actually going to be) One is the best friend’s brother who is like a golden retriever, and the other is the “bad” boy who is more like a…wolf… I’m not actually sold on either one right now, so hopefully that changes as the series goes on.
This had some weird pacing at times, but I still enjoyed it overall, and can’t wait to dive into the next book.
Did It Make Me Cry? No
Format I Used: Audiobook
Pages: 400
My Rating: 2 stars
Publication Date: January 9, 2024
I was duped once again by a pretty cover and beautiful sprayed edges.
Spoilers ahead stop reading now!
One thing I did like was how much Raith reminded me of Zylas (from one of my favorite series by Annette Marie.) and the last 10 maybe 15 percent picked up the pace and had a little bit more than just straight up spice.
I struggled with this one so much. It took it forever to keep my attention, but then it went straight to them running away from the circus (I can’t even remember what they called it) and being “stuck” in a room together for 5 days (and guess what they do for those 5 days? ) We don’t get to see the relationship being built, nor do we get to see hardly any character development. AND THEN! Harrow is told multiple times by several people that Raith is a wraith, and that he’s done some bad things, blah blah blah… But she doesn’t BELIEVE them, and then when she actually gets confirmation that he is indeed a wraith she has a complete meltdown and then does a disappearing act?
This was NOT my favorite book. But in the grand scheme of things, my opinion matters very little. Please read this book and decide for yourself. If you love it, then I love that for you!
Did It Make Me Cry? No
Format I Used: Digital Review Copy Ebook
Pages: 178
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Publication Date: January 23, 2024
This was giving My Happy Marriage x JJK vibes (Only because of the way one of the monsters looked, and the Domain Expansion concealment barriers, and the comment about how spirits nursing grudges turn into shades… listen, don’t look at me that way. It’s not my fault my brain always tries to connect things to JJK) hopefully it doesn’t turn out to be quite as traumatic.
I thought this was a good start to a series and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
I was a little icked out at first when I found out the main love interest is 24, but our female lead is 18, so it’s FINE.
I love Hana and how resilient she is as our MC. I like that she hasn’t let all the hurt turn her into a mean person, and how she has a plan in place for what she wants to do.
I love the back and forth between Hana and Saku, I thin they’re absolutely hilarious together and I can’t wait to read more about them and see how their relationship develops.
I I really disliked Hana’s parents. They are absolutely horrible, and I hope they get what they deserve for treating their daughters so horribly. I’m curious to see if/how Hana and Hazuki will work out their issues, because yes Hazuki has said some terrible things to her, but that’s just a result of all the pressure her parents are putting on her. The sisters are dealing with the trauma in very different ways. I cannot STAND Hana’s parents, and I hope they both get what they deserve.
Thank you so much Edelweiss and Yen Press for the DRC! All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Did It Make Me Cry? No, but it made me angry.
Favorite Notes & Highlights: None yet.
Format I Used: Audiobook/Ebook
Pages: 352
Running Time: 9h:37m
My Rating: 4 stars
Publication Date: February 7, 2023
This book started out on a pretty big lie, which made me nervous because I wasn’t sure how things were going to work out.
This was actually a very fun and cozy contemporary novel. It gave me all the same feels that my C-Dramas (and K-Dramas) do.
Eliza was a tough nut to crack, and I got a little (lot) frustrated with her at times because of it. But at the same time I also understand why she is the way that she is. She’s moved around a lot and grown apart from everyone she ever considered to be a friend. So now she’s protecting herself by not letting anyone get that close. Was the growing apart also probably partly her fault? Yes. I’m sure she had a part in it. She spent a lot of time misinterpreting Caz and HIS actions and feelings, and then she would say things that were actually kind of mean and it made me wince… And then when he tried to confess his feelings she pushed him away. I get that Eliza was struggling with a lot of different things, and I am supposed to feel bad for her, but I felt worse for Caz.
Caz was so kind and thoughtful and sweet, and basically just the complete opposite of Eliza. It was an interesting contrast to see them together, that’s for sure. I wish there had been more of their relationship, and interactions with him and Eliza’s family, because they were ALSO amazing, especially Emily.
I wasn’t really sold on the ending though, but I suppose it was meant to be left up to our imaginations. We didn’t get to see Eliza deal with the consequences of her Big Lie… It was mentioned vaguely that she wrote something telling the truth and that she wasn’t sure how people were going to respond. But we didn’t see her dealing with the backlash or anything. Which, to ME, felt a little like a loose end that wasn’t taken care. But it’s also leaving it up to the imagination of the reader, which some might prefer. I was rooting for their happily ever after and was excited to see everything start to fall back into place.
This was a story of growing up, growing apart, and learning to put yourself out there.
Did It Make Me Cry? No
Favorite Notes & Highlights:
“Words just move me. A beautiful sentence will sneak under my skin and crack me open the way a phrase of music might, or a climactic scene from a movie. A well-crafted story can make me laugh and gasp for breath and weep.“
“@jiminswife: I’m actually crying omg this is SO. CUTE.”
((My bias is literally everywhere. #OnceYouJiminYouCantJimOUT))
“I do like him,” Emily says slowly. Then she looks up at me, and I’m struck by two things: First, how tall she’s grown without my realizing, her head now almost level with my nose. And second, that fierce, protective look in her eyes, like our positions have been switched and she’s the older sibling who’d tear down the world for me. “But if he was mean to you, I’ll stop liking him immediately. I won’t even invite him to my next birthday party.”
Format I Used: Audiobook
Pages: 362
Running Time: 11h:10m
My Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: February 14, 2023 (originally 10/3/17)
This cover? Gorgeous. The story? Pretty interesting because I know very little about Dancing With The Stars. Overall? It was… fine.
There was a LOT going on in this story, and sometimes it felt like TOO much. It was hard to get to know and care for the characters because a lot of time and attention was spent focusing on the competition (which makes sense, I guess) keeping secrets, etc. There was a lot of behind the scenes looks into the friendships you make, but also the ways in which “reality” TV takes and twist and turns things to look a certain way when it’s actually completely different. AND, all the backstabbing people are willing to do. The story felt like it was building up to something grand and then kind of fell flat. It just felt very mid to me.
I wish we had gotten a little more… depth? To Gina and Stone’s relationship. It started out with a lie, and then moved to secret spicy scenes, and then a blow up. I don’t know. It just didn’t mesh well for me.
This is my opinion, and in the grand scheme of things it does not matter. Please read this and decide for yourself.
Did It Make Me Cry? No.
Format I Used: Audiobook
Pages: 352
Running Time: 9h:21m
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
This was actually the second time reading this for me! The first read through was an ARC that I got from Netgalley, this time it was the audio version.
This was still so good the second time around! I really enjoyed the friendships that are already there, and the ones that are made as the story goes on. Nathaniel was so super sweet and understanding even though his heart was breaking. I loved that they get a chance to reconnect.
This book really goes into the unfairness that idols suffer. Partly because of the tabloids, but mostly because of fans that have such a highly toxic adoration? obsession? for their favorite idols, and how negatively they react when their idol is in a relationship. (Why can’t we just be happy for them? It’s not like they know you or will EVER know that you, specifically, exist.) They have to hide and guard relationships like their carers depend on it (because sometimes they do) Idols even go online and apologize to their fans for being in a relationship, and how they promise to do and be better. (WHY? Being in a relationship is nothing to apologize for!) I partly blame the idol companies for this. But, I’m getting off track.
I really appreciated Sori’s mom in this one. I thought she was going to be problematic, but she wasn’t. She was just trying her hardest to do her best in a world where someone was doing their best to keep knocking her down.
I HATED Sori’s father. He was so terrible. Ugh. I’m not going to get started, because I feel like I could write a whole essay about just how awful he is.
Did It Make Me Cry? No
Favorite Notes & Highlights:
“I thought you were complimenting me,” Sun Ye sniffs. “And realize that maybe you’re not the most perfect idol in the world but that doesn’t mean you’re not perfect for the fan who will need you the most.” As a fan myself, that’s how I feel. It’s the feeling of when you connect to that one special person in a group and they become a comfort to you, someone you can admire from afar and cheer on.”
“I love him. I can admit that to myself now. I’ve always loved him. I love his voice and I love the way he looks at me. I love his laugh and I love the way he makes me laugh. I love the way I feel when I’m around him, like the days are warmer, the nights more beautiful. I love him so much that it makes me want to throw everything else away, if only to be with him, for one more day, for one more minute, for one more breath.”
Format I Used: Combination physical book and audio book
Pages: 422
Running Time: 13h:59m
My Rating: 5 Stars
Publication Date: January 16, 2024
As always, there could be spoilers in this review, so please keep that in mind while reading it.
This book is labeled as YA, and I’ve even seen it in Jr. High and younger lists, which makes sense for most of the Rick Riordan Presents books. However, based on the content inside, I would recommend this as an upper YA book. Or at least be aware of the content, before going into the book.
That being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the trigger/content warnings for this book–things that happen both on page AND off page–which include but are not limited to:
This book made me both uncomfortable and angry–which I think is the point. (It gave me the same feelings that Girls With Sharp Sticks did) I was unsure going into it, whether it would be something that I could handle and be able to finish, because of all the content warnings. I kept reading, though. And I’m very glad that I did.
This is a retelling of Medusa and Perseus + Indian mythology weaved in. These characters are much more complex than what you might think at first glance. Buckle up, because this book is going to take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
There was a lot to this book, and my brain is still kind of reeling from everything that was jam packed into this story. I don’t know too much about the story of Medusa and even less about Naga. I’m trying hard to form a review that makes sense, but I don’t know that it will work out very well.
This is a story about how the monsters hiding in the dark aren’t always the evil things you think they are. Instead they are the people around you, hiding in plain sight. It’s also about how those every day monsters can do a good job twisting the narrative and gaslighting everyone into believing that the victim is the one to blame, and how–sometimes–good people do bad things. This is a story of healing, growing, and taking back your power.
This book is told in alternating viewpoints. One is Manisha, whose POV starts off from a time in the past and slowly gets closer to present day, and Pratyush, whose POV (except for one time) starts off in present day. The back and forth of POVs AND times was a little confusing to me, until the light bulb went off and I realized WHY.
I liked Manisha, and I really respected how tough she was. She went through a lot, and didn’t let it stop her for long. Even after she discovered what she could do, she didn’t want to hurt people if she could avoid it. If there was any chance she could get them to stop/go away/ change their ways without resorting to using her power.
I also liked Pratyush. He was a fearsome slayer–the last of his kind. But instead of him be able to use this fact to his advantage, he was also being used and taken advantage of. Being held hostage in a different way than Manisha. He’s tired of hunting and being used, and all he really wants is to sleep in a comfortable bed instead of on a rock and take a nice bath with rose oils. And eat jalebi while watching butterflies in the garden. He’s seen the horror that women go through and he tries to do what he can for them. He isn’t perfect, but he’s trying his hardest.
This wasn’t really a love story. It’s a very faint, very back burner kind of thing. Which works very well for this story. I liked Manisha and Pratyush together. I liked seeing things from both of their view points, and seeing how drastically different it was from what ACTUALLY happened, to how the situation was being spun.
There was one point in the story where Manisha and Noni encounter… a shade? I think that’s what it was. And for some reason, all I could picture in my head was Huggy Wuggy from Poppy Playtime. Didn’t matter how it was described, this is how my brain chose to interpret it. Why? Probably because it’s literally a creature of my nightmares (Thank you Dan & Phil Games)
Overall, I really enjoyed this fantasy novel. It kept me engaged and wondering what was going to happen the whole way through. And I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next.
Did It Make Me Cry? No
Favorite Notes & Highlights:
“For all the girls the world has tried to silence.”
“Do you think this is the world we fight for? Risk our lives battling monsters only to come home to different sorts of evil? You just don’t understand what’s wrong here; instead, you blame others.”
“Everyone has their hardships. We just see the outside of someone, never knowing what’s happening inside. Maybe they seem okay, undeterred, strong, successful, happy, whatever. Probably doesn’t match the inside. It hardly ever does.”
“Manisha. You didn’t deserve any of this. I will never fight you. I came to—” “Rescue me?” She guffawed. “Haven’t you heard? This is the legend where the princess saves herself.” Pratyush smirked. “So, you are a princess. I knew it.” At that, she almost cracked a smile.”
New month = All new book releases! Here are a few releasing this month that I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on. Do we have any books in common? What books are YOU looking forward to this month?
Format I Used: Combination Audiobook
Pages: 360
Running Time: 9h:30m
My Rating: 3 stars
Publication Date: February 7, 2023
This was pretty good. It’s the second second chance romance that I’ve read, which is not really my favorite trope. It took me a while to warm up to the characters, but I did eventually. It was interesting to see more about them individually and seeing them work through their issues. The reason behind the initial break up was sad, but I can see why it happened.
I HATED Lana’s manipulative and gaslighting boss. She was so so toxic, and was just interested in taking advantage of people. It was so frustrating to see how long Lana went along with it, and I’m so glad that she was finally able to see through it.
Did It Make Me Cry? No.
Favorite Notes & Highlights:
“Too bad he doesn’t know that I know that he knows.” (It’s the Friends reference for me lol)
Randomly Kait 