A solid 3 stars until about two thirds in! I can always trust Emily Henry to make me both giddy and sad and that’s just what I needed. It just took a A solid 3 stars until about two thirds in! I can always trust Emily Henry to make me both giddy and sad and that’s just what I needed. It just took a second longer than usual to get there with this one. She’s up there with the Authors I Somehow Deeply Understand and so I see her name and purchase because I just know I’ll love it, and I always do....more
Incredible!! I’ve never loved a Tahereh Mafi book but this was exactly the kind of read I was looking for after so long!
The romance, the plot, the CHAIncredible!! I’ve never loved a Tahereh Mafi book but this was exactly the kind of read I was looking for after so long!
The romance, the plot, the CHARACTERS, the climax, the way everything rushed together into a heart stopping finale?!! Obsessed. The writing was absolutely cinematic. The characters were so sad and you could feel their quiet strength, so every time it gave even a little I was almost reduced to tears. 4.5 stars only because the 75% of the story had no action which tbh I don’t mind at all, but objectively, that’s just not how a story should go ...more
more of a 3.5 star (and I’m tempted to say 4). The first and last quarters were so, so wonderful. The whole thing was written with so much heart, but more of a 3.5 star (and I’m tempted to say 4). The first and last quarters were so, so wonderful. The whole thing was written with so much heart, but cut down a hundred pages and it would’ve been a hell of a read start to finish. ...more
I spent my entire time reading this flipping very quickly between cackles and tears. Very fun but very bizarre.
Did I go into this thinking I’d cry?!!I spent my entire time reading this flipping very quickly between cackles and tears. Very fun but very bizarre.
Did I go into this thinking I’d cry?!! Real tears that fogged up my face shield at my place of work??? IN THE 20 second intervals I read in BETWEEN PATIENT CHECK INS?!! No. but surprise emotional catastrophe is my new favourite genre.
I didn’t love the way the past and present story lines didn’t really align at their climaxes; it was sort of a series of awkward lulls in one timeline while the other was peaking emotionally. A little hard to reconcile, and kind of like a film where the director accidentally clipped the scenes together out of order. Also it was a little too long, and dare I say it? had too many vacations. But honestly who cares? I loved reading about each one. I love Poppy and Alex so much that their joys and sorrows really had me laughing and (AGAIN) CRYING?! Emily Henry’s writing is cinematic. It’s hilarious and heartbreaking in the same page. I wasn’t ready to feel this much.
(I love these kinds of reads in smaller doses, and a little spaced out. I can’t re-read this because it was a little too much of every emotion. I need a frivolous filler novel *cup slam* expeditiously!)
(Also were Poppy and Alex unhealthily codependent? Probably. I hope, in the PWMOV cinematic universe, that they never have to be apart for their own sanity)...more
went on for a bit longer than it should have, both in the flashbacks and present-day Macey and Elliot, because in every interaction they do EVERYTHINGwent on for a bit longer than it should have, both in the flashbacks and present-day Macey and Elliot, because in every interaction they do EVERYTHING but have the one conversation they needed to have. But hey, you know, ✨drama✨! Also what is it with Christina Lauren and having male characters growl... no one growls that frequently, I don’t think I’ve ever growled at all
The romance was a little saccharine for my taste. It’s laid on THICK and the heaviness of it was a little suffocating. It’s not a bad thing, but I think you just have to be in the mood to sit through a romance as dramatic as this one. Especially after all the rom coms I’ve been reading. This one’s love stuff felt decidedly all-consuming...
I’m warmed by the story though, it was a good, hearty read that made me tear up a million times on the 4 hour train home from Christmas weekend. The man in the seat down from me was thoroughly entertained.
Read this if you’re feeling sentimental, and enjoy frank and detailed declarations of love, heartbreak, and emotions of that sort....more
Hmm... 3.5? Expected a bit more because of how THRILLED I was by The Flatshare but this one has just as much heart, and is just as charming. super funnHmm... 3.5? Expected a bit more because of how THRILLED I was by The Flatshare but this one has just as much heart, and is just as charming. super funny too, sometimes you just go through a whole chapter giggling....more
a sweet read, good characters and an introspective place to lay your head for a few hours. a liiiitle cheesy but still heartwarming all the same!
oh I a sweet read, good characters and an introspective place to lay your head for a few hours. a liiiitle cheesy but still heartwarming all the same!
oh I forgot to add this somewhat pointless opinion (but aren't they all !) that I LOVE Australian authors! Every book I've read that's set in Australia or written by Australian authors (Marchetta, Eagar, now Crowley) has this VIBE I can't explain, but the characters always have a bit more heart and the banter is always a bit funnier. ...more
*CHEFS KISS* From what I’ve seen from both The Bird and the Blade and Soulswift, the love stories are sort of formulaic. A lot of the dynamics between*CHEFS KISS* From what I’ve seen from both The Bird and the Blade and Soulswift, the love stories are sort of formulaic. A lot of the dynamics between Jinghua and Khalaf overlap with Gelya and Tavik but hey, IF IT AINT BROKE!! No such thing as insta-love in the Bannen universe!! The pacing is so perfect and believable because in a story where people’s lives are derailed and there are baby adults going through trauma, you’re gonna want them to handle it all slowly. YOU WOULDNT FALL IN LOVE with an enemy in 3 weeks goddamnit, you wouldn’t!
The characters are still somehow all so different and multidimensional and real. Beautiful story, earth-shattering world building, and characters that break my heart in the best way.
4 stars (but honestly a 4.5) only because the beginning was a little hard to chew, but Meg Bannen always manages to find the perfect balance between action and character development and I’m obsessed. Books with characters on a journey always seem to go on and on but I could sit through hours of Bannen Quests....more
Every time I give up on YA a hidden gem like this comes along to draw me right back to the teen aisle!
Not life changing, a few anachronisms (tbh the tEvery time I give up on YA a hidden gem like this comes along to draw me right back to the teen aisle!
Not life changing, a few anachronisms (tbh the time period and place is never REALLY established. It’s France...ish?) and some obvious twists, but I had such a fun time reading this that I’ll be first line for the sequel. Surprisingly funny, a great enemies-to-lovers love story, well paced plot, fleshed our characters, and an excellent story world.
Plus, you get your money’s worth on page length and I found none of it boring to push through!...more
I don't know, my soul kinda aches. I'm so glad for the last chapter, because had it gone any other way I don't know what would have become of me I don't know, my soul kinda aches. I'm so glad for the last chapter, because had it gone any other way I don't know what would have become of me ...more
I’m not sure if the 5 stars is one star too many BUT I’m feeling that giddy, post really-cute-read feeling that has unlimited star granting potential.I’m not sure if the 5 stars is one star too many BUT I’m feeling that giddy, post really-cute-read feeling that has unlimited star granting potential.
I didn’t want this to end, I want infinitely more chapters with all the characters hanging out and being in love and writing post-it’s. Sometimes I worry about female authors attempting a male perspective but Leon felt so real, I’m so in love with him it’s making me sad.
This book is also very funny without trying too hard. I found myself laughing at offhanded details a whoooole lot. Just a whole mood booster: heart-warming romance, great atmosphere, a complex set of characters and some jokes?!? Sign me the fuck upppppp.
Also, no graphic sex! I was very, and dare I say, pleasantly, surprised. I am here for some heavy patting and romantic dialogue over chapter after chapter of explicit and repetitive sex ...more
maaaaybe a 3.5 actually. The anticipation was TOO REAL for this finale and so I’m a little underwhelmed by this conclusion, but that might just be becmaaaaybe a 3.5 actually. The anticipation was TOO REAL for this finale and so I’m a little underwhelmed by this conclusion, but that might just be because The Wicked King was so incredible. For what it is on it’s own, this book is really quite good!
Good series! Read it if, like me, YA is starting to get a little harder to enjoy, bc Holly Black is an incredible story teller....more
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