This is hands-down my favorite Emily Henry book. She's always been the master of hooking me in from the very first page, but Happy Place did that and This is hands-down my favorite Emily Henry book. She's always been the master of hooking me in from the very first page, but Happy Place did that and took me on a full emotional rollercoaster. No joke! REAL tears slid down my face.
The ride Harriet's "happy place" is a cabin near the shores of Maine. A small town with lots of lobster puns and boutique restaurants and shops. A place full of incredible memories with her best friends.
After a terrible few months, Harriet is thrilled to be returning to her happy place for the week—until she sees that Wyn is there. Wyn, her ex-fiance. Wyn, who she hasn't seen in five months since he abruptly ended things. To make things even more complicated, they didn't tell anyone they broke up.
Harriet and Wyn make a pact to pretend to be together to get through the week, but being in a happy place that meant so much to them and their relationship brings back so many emotions and questions. Besides, can they keep things from their friends who know them better than anyone?
Existential crisis What I absolutely loved about this book compared to the last three is the emotional maturity that exists in this. Typically, Henry's miscommunication tropes fall flat for me, but Happy Place offers so much depth for these characters. The feelings they all feel makes sense, and it all has to do with feeling older.
Reading this, I began to wonder, "what is my happy place?" Like Harriet does throughout this book, I often fall back into nostalgia. I felt seen through the messaging this book gave, and it gave me a new perspective on what happiness and fulfillment truly is.
Feeling the love I also enjoyed how it weaved together two love stories: one with Harriet and Wyn, and the other with Harriet, Cleo, and Sabrina. There are certain people who will stick by you no matter what, and sometimes all it takes is letting them in. I think most of us are afraid of not having it together, not looking like we have the perfect life. That's okay because life is messy.
This is more than a love story. It's a reminder that life is short, and you can allow yourself space to forget perfection and truly find joy in the little things....more
"From his position, it might look like Envy had surrendered, was bowing to his princess, but Camilla knew that was nowhere near I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.
"From his position, it might look like Envy had surrendered, was bowing to his princess, but Camilla knew that was nowhere near the truth. On the contrary, he was about to conquer."
STEAMY. Swoony. EPIC. This book had everything from enemies to lovers to a high stakes game that promised it's players would risk everything. Kerri Maniscalco takes you back into the world of Kingdom of the Wicked and straight into the arms of Prince Envy, as he fights to save his kingdom.
You're also introduced to Camilla, an artist with a huge secret. She's been trying to make end's meet, thrusting herself into a world of deception to earn money. She also unknowingly plays a role in Envy's game and finds herself a player. As Envy and Camilla work together to win, their attraction grows, but their secrets get buried deeper. Will it be too late for them when the truth comes to light?
To be honest, I haven't read Kingdom of the Wicked yet. However, as I got towards the end of this book, I ordered the entire series and pre-ordered the second Prince of Sin book because I absolutely loved it! It's Maniscalco's first adult romantasy, and she absolutely brought on the spice.
Spice Rating: 3.5/5 - a delicious amount of intimate scenes that brought on a good bit of detail
Besides the spice, the story itself was thrilling, and captured me from the very first page. It's rare that a nearly 600 page book will break me out of a reading slump. BUT IT DID. I was obsessed with the game and the secrets our players were keeping from each other. One thing I absolutely loved that Maniscalco did is give you tiny breadcrumbs to what the secrets could be up until the very end. I kept going because I needed to know more!
I never knew I liked a jealous man until I read about Prince Envy. Oh-my-goodness. Every time he needed to release his jealousy I flushed. He's the best type of villain: one that primarily serves as villain to the bad guys even if you don't know it.
Camilla was a very compelling FMC. You kept guessing about her identity to the very end, and it was so exciting. Again, just a little trail of breadcrumbs to follow throughout. She was very overcome by Envy's power, but still a strong lead that wouldn't put up with anyone hurting the ones she loved.
I loved getting to delve into this world and learn about it. I'm excited to read the original trilogy and hopefully learn more. At this point, I'd say it's definitely safe to read on its own, but I could tell there were several spoilers to the original trilogy. I don't think that will bother me too much!...more
If you haven't read an Entitled Love novel... THIS IS YOUR SIGN. I literally picked up this book just meaning to read the first sentence, and I couldnIf you haven't read an Entitled Love novel... THIS IS YOUR SIGN. I literally picked up this book just meaning to read the first sentence, and I couldn't put it down!! THIS. This, a true enemies to lovers. I am in love with these characters. I'm in love with this world of extremely attractive British millionaires.
Amelia's decade-long crush of Hugo Blackton is shattered after a drunken night at a party. A year later, she's still not sure if she can forgive him, but then he moves back in next door and won't leave her alone until she does. Hugo has ulterior motives. He discovers that he could receive $32 million pounds if he marries Amelia or her sister to settle a centuries long rift between the families. If only he can get her to like him again... he just doesn't expect to fall in love in the process.
Throughout the entire novel, Hugo just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into a hole that I wasn't sure how he'd get out of. And it made SENSE for his character because his entire life he's been a selfish playboy. He slowly begins to fall in love with Amelia who, in contrast, is very sweet and considerate.
But Amelia can't trust him. With good reason, too. To be frank, Hugo starts out as an a**hole. But as you begin to peel back the layers, he is truly a good guy... just with some growing. I love how Amelia is the one who helps him do that.
It's a novel with so much growth and so much depth of characters. One thing I've noticed from the other Rachel Rowan novel I read is the positive representation of mental health and characters who help each other through that.
And the spice. There's such great spice. I was kicking and giddy throughout this entire thing. Of course, you get a glimpse of other characters that are mentioned in the world in other books. That was so exciting to see.
Rachel Rowan is an underrated QUEEN of romantic comedies. Especially if you like period romances or Jane Austen books because a lot of the themes in hers draw from this. I will be glued to my email until her next book comes out, and you'll probably catch me reading all her novellas!...more
"You don't let go once. That's your first mistake. You say goodbye over a lifetime."
I'm almost in tears as I write this review because Dolly Alder"You don't let go once. That's your first mistake. You say goodbye over a lifetime."
I'm almost in tears as I write this review because Dolly Alderton has once again touched my soul in a place I didn't know could be reached. Good Material is at once heartbreaking, funny, and full of hope.
Andy is in love with Jen. But Jen broke up with Andy. He's 35, a failing comedian, and now has to crash at his moms' and friends' places. All the while, he explores possible reasons why Jen might have broken up with him and goes through the motions to change, all while finding himself along the way.
***THE PLOT*** This novel follows Andy through the five stages of grief. They're stages I know so well having both been broken up with and also having been the initiator. I wish this existed during that time because I truly thought there was something wrong with me. This book just affirms that when you have a break up, you've got every right to be upset, to let yourself grieve, but, most of all, it's okay to remember the good times.
You could outline every stage Andy goes through. And it's all so REAL. Especially with dating in the 21st century. The social media stalking phase? Been there. The revenge body phase? Classic. The need to talk about it constantly? Yep.
I kept turning the pages, ready to see what would happen next. Would Andy find a new girlfriend? Will he get back with Jen? Will he get his own place? Will he have to quit his career? I guess if you've gotten this far, you'll have to discover that for yourself.
***THE CHARACTERS*** So, if it wasn't obvious, this book heavily follows Andy. He's certainly got his own problems, but don't we all? He's relatable in that he's a pretty normal human with normal thoughts and feelings. He's got a good group of friends to lean on despite being the only single one. He himself is very supportive of his friends, though there's a bit of a learning curve for him as he navigates his career. I think he's a great MMC, and I love this contrast between his side and Jen's.
I won't say too much more about the other characters so as not to spoil... but there's the good advice and the bad. There's the quirky folks and the normal. While the story is character driven, these other characters offer new perspectives that help Andy on his journey.
***FINAL THOUGHTS*** Obviously, though I find this relatable, it doesn't mean everyone else will. I just think it offers healthy ideas when it comes to getting over someone. Grief is never easy, especially when someone you love is out of your life. Alderton makes us feel that, but she leaves us with something more: optimism. And for that, I'm so happy I read this book....more
WOW WOW WOW. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had so much fun reading this book! It felt like every fantasy trope was pulled into one story, and itWOW WOW WOW. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had so much fun reading this book! It felt like every fantasy trope was pulled into one story, and it got me so excited.
I'm reading Throne of Glass like an epic. I know there are still six more books to go. I am also trying to know as little as possible going into each one. Before I started the series, I didn't even know it was about assassins. So, I'm trying to focus more on the story and less on love interests at this point. I just don't want to be disappointed lol.
I really loved how this would go back and forth between different perspectives. Like sometimes I really wanted to know what Chaol and Dorian thought. I would honestly love to get even more perspectives in the future books!
I'll be candid. I love Chaol, and I want to see so much more of him. As noted above, I'm not going to let myself get too invested. I've heard about great character development in this series, so I'm interested to see where that takes the characters.
Finally, I think Celaena is a great protagonist. Yes, she's arrogant, but she's also the best and knows it so it makes total sense. I want to be her when I grow up.
I… don’t really have words. I didn’t intend to read this today, and I didn’t intend that I’d get through it in a few hours. But man, the writing, thatI… don’t really have words. I didn’t intend to read this today, and I didn’t intend that I’d get through it in a few hours. But man, the writing, that first page really hooked me in. So I went on a four hour ride of being extremely confused, terrified, and awed.
Jake and his girlfriend are going on a road trip to meet his parents out in the middle of nowhere, even though the girlfriend is “thinking of ending things.” There’s an awkward supper, unnerving discoveries, and the beginnings of a big snowstorm. What happens next will make you question everything.
This book left me shaking, and that’s why I initially rated it five stars because I love when I get these kind of reactions from books. Heart pounding, slow burn psychological thriller. I have so many questions… but the author intended for it to be open-ended, left to your own interpretation.
Unsettling, thrilling, and so unique. This is definitely going down as a classic in my mind. ...more
Evangeline Fox has believed in a world where love at first sight exists and happily ever afters we’re readily available. But her faith drops slightly Evangeline Fox has believed in a world where love at first sight exists and happily ever afters we’re readily available. But her faith drops slightly when the boy she loves is set to marry her stepsister. In an act of desperation spawned by a broken heart, she makes a deal with the Prince of Hearts, but she quickly learns making a deal with a fate comes with consequences. And what happens next alters the course of her life forever.
Ahhhh. I did not think I’d like this book as much as I did. I usually read the first page before buying a book just to see if I enjoy the writing, and reading this in Barnes and Noble I was like “okay, yep, this passes test one.” What I didn’t know was what awaited was a fast-paced fantastical story of love, revenge and crazy twists.
Evangeline Fox was a great character who made a great mistake. She was a bold and strong lead who recognized her mistake but didn’t feel sorry for herself. (I find that sometimes happens in these types of books and was happy it wasn’t the case). I also loved Jacks as that devious, sexy man of mystery whose interest in Evangeline grows into something of longing.
The cast of characters really made the story. It’s hard to mention them all without really ruining the plot. But I loved learning about all the magical places and myths of the North and some of the creepiness that accompanies it. It’s truly a dark fairytale with themes of hope and light sprinkled into it.
It also ended way too soon. I literally read the last chapter, and flipped to the next page just to read “Acknowledgements”. So what did I do immediately after? You guessed it, I pre-ordered the next one.
As someone who (like so many others) has suffered a broken heart, I could somewhat relate to the main character… maybe not go quite to the extremes she does, but it made for a relatable tale full of magic and mystery and I’m super excited for the Ballad of Never After....more
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