Living up to its predecessor, Fangirl Down was a tall order, but one I believed Tallulah and Burgess could live up to. As I’ve coI give you…✨one star✨
Living up to its predecessor, Fangirl Down was a tall order, but one I believed Tallulah and Burgess could live up to. As I’ve come to understand, we are all wrong at some point in our life and it appears as though after years of waiting, now is my time to shine.
˚₊ · »-♡→ characters
Tessa Bailey has always catered to the crowd that was looking for a good time. The caliber of writing was up to par with those who were craving a fun and dare I say, steamy read. That being said, the tone of this particular novel did not ring true to that statement. On the contrary, we, as readers, were introduced to a more serious plot through our female protagonist, Tallulah, that weighed with the remnants of a traumatic past. While I believe authors should be encouraged to explore outside the confines they’ve been built within, as with almost anything in life, there is a sensitivity to it that should be considered. Tallulah’s young adulthood, riddled with nightmares most of us only fear over, was permeated with grief over a life that could’ve been lived, but that she is now forced to merely exist in. Up until Tallulah’s interest in Burgess became romantic, her experiences were presented mindfully. Then, lust became the solution to years of pent up suffering. For some, intimacy becomes a coping mechanism, but in this instance, it was insinuated, whether consciously or not, that it was the last step in the bridge between her debilitating past and adventurous future. In no way do I want to invalidate Tallulah’s journey to recovery. All I’m saying is that perhaps we shouldn’t address more intense topics if we aren’t going to give them the nuance they deserve.
Burgess. I couldn’t put it more blatantly. Burgess was the bane of my existence. Truly, I’ve pondered through a million different ways of putting it, but it comes down all the same to his overbearing masculine nature. As a man, it came to no surprise to me that he was the common denominator in all my complaints. There is a difference between protectiveness and possessiveness, and Burgess completely overstepped into the latter with his ‘who did this to you’ persona. There’s a time and place and he missed them both. Needless to say, given the actions of Tallulah’s ex, it left a sour taste in my mouth and I’m surprised it didn’t do the same to her.
˚₊ · »-♡→ writing style + POV
As for the writing, it was very millennial core, and with all due respect, while I’ve come to expect that in Bailey’s novels, it was just too much. The second Burgess was crowned Sir Savage, I was out. I never claimed to be God’s strongest soldier, yet alas.
Despite being written in the third-person, we are still getting a dual POV and while I’m always an advocate for this kind of storytelling, the timeline seems to drift so drastically in the sense that the author was grazing over some of the most important scenes, allowing us to only see their aftermath, that it took away the magic.
Given that Josephine and Wells, our previous couple, were such an influence in Burgess and Tallulah’s arrangement, I expected to see them more. If not throughout the story, than at least at the end when the group is in Costa Rica for the Whitaker-Doyle wedding. Such a missed opportunity with the epilogue in that regard…
˚₊ · »-♡→ tropes
Talking tropes, as a single-dad + nanny connoisseur, I was gravely disappointed. I’ve made my peace with tropes being falsely acquainted with books purely to appeal to a wider audience, particularly in the romance space. Yet I was still taken aback when our nanny wasn’t nannying, nor was our single dad fathering. Poor Lissa basically raised herself at this point. What’s the fun in that?!
Third act breakups, you say? Basically a given when committing to a Tessa Bailey book. But this one was very overdramatized and yet, the MMC still didn’t do enough groveling. Surprise surprise.
All in all, my advice to anyone going into this is to expect everything except the synopsis.
˚₊ · »-♡→ ending thoughts
Given the glimpses we got into Sig and Chloe’s relationship, the protagonists of our upcoming Big Shots novel, I’m still unsure whether I’ll partake. It’s giving forbidden romance with their pending step-sibling status and that’s a little too taboo for me. But shoutout to everyone that’s brave enough to endure that!
Thank you to Avon and Tessa Bailey for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title....more
It seems as though almost every review I’ve written the past couple of months has started this way, but nonetheless…
I wanted to love this book. Truly,It seems as though almost every review I’ve written the past couple of months has started this way, but nonetheless…
I wanted to love this book. Truly, I was surprised I didn’t. The premise was everything I’ve been craving and then some. Ever since the letdown that was the Dirty Air series by Lauren Asher, another F1 quartet, I’ve been desperate to find a replacement.
But there’s no use sugarcoating it. The MMC, Riggs, was as unbearable as they come. I already have zero tolerance for men, but you add in his inability to take proper accountability for his wrongdoings, and girl…let me at him. There is a clear line in the bad boy facade and he most definitely crossed it. I couldn’t root for him and the FMC as a couple or quite literally anything else. There was a gap of space between their hatred and lust for one another. There’s no inciting incident that clarifies where or why the boundaries became irrelevant.
Cami was considerably more bearable but lacked any nuance. She didn’t seem to bear any interests outside of her relationship with Riggs and her father. There were no distinguishable personality traits to connect with.
There were a couple of plot points that were unnecessary, purely because they weren’t given enough page time to truly matter. The double family business, Moretti Olive Oil, seemed out-of-place and as though it didn’t influence the weight of the story in any direction. On the contrary, I would’ve loved to have seen the family involvement in Moretti Motorsports. I understand that each author has their niche, so this could just be the inner found family connoisseur in me vying for its place to shine.
The ending was incredibly rushed and much to my dismay, the race at Suzuko, which was foreshadowed throughout the entire book, lacked any build-up during the event itself.
I will say, I do plan on reading the rest of the series as the books come out. I don’t want to diminish this author to my particular feelings toward one story. Everyone’s got their preferences and while this wasn’t mine, it isn’t to say that it won’t be someone else’s!
Let me just start by saying, there were some solid bare bones to this story. There was definitely a vision.
Jumping straight into it, the story shifteLet me just start by saying, there were some solid bare bones to this story. There was definitely a vision.
Jumping straight into it, the story shifted between three different POVs and while it didn’t bother me, it definitely didn’t seem necessary. The story would’ve benefitted more if there’d been distinct breaks between a change in narration as opposed to swapping in the middle of the chapter.
Once again, I want to preface this by saying the idea behind the story is a recipe for success, but not all of the proper ingredients are being used, so to speak.
The characters all seemed two dimensional and didn’t know each other long enough to build the chemistry we’re being told they have. The pacing just didn’t make sense in the scheme of it all. Zach met Missy in passing at the Inn that she owns and not even a week later, he’s decided he wants to spend the rest of his life with her, and not in some swoon-worthy, love-at-first-sight kind of way.
Even with plot-driven stories such as this one, the characters need to have depth. We as readers knew what was at stake, but only because we were told. While I’m not too familiar with the ins and outs of the justice system, I know enough to see that if a case was as high profile as Zach’s was, his family would’ve know. Especially since we’re told there’s constant media coverage.
While I always enjoy a novella, to achieve the ending that was written, there needed to be a decent amount of backstory and world building. I don’t usually say this, but there needed to be at least 150 more pages to to create an emotional connection.
All of that being said, I do want to thank the author for so kindly sending me a copy of Missy and Zach’s story. I would love to see this flourish into a small town series!...more
Did I misinterpret this? I thought the question wasn’t will they, but should they and that we were all on the same page that they ABSOLUTELY SHOULDN’TDid I misinterpret this? I thought the question wasn’t will they, but should they and that we were all on the same page that they ABSOLUTELY SHOULDN’T…Jess deserves better.
That being said, I’m still conflicted on whether or not it’s my place to voice my feelings toward the topics in this book since I didn’t completely understand the message or author’s stance.
I’ve chosen not to rate this book since I don’t want to discredit the author’s exceptional writing abilities. Everything’s Fine is definitely a book that takes a lot of mental energy and endurance. ...more
Does everyone remember the 5SOS song, Amnesia? Yeah, that’s what I wish I could wake up with. I cannot believe I gave this book an ounce of my time. IDoes everyone remember the 5SOS song, Amnesia? Yeah, that’s what I wish I could wake up with. I cannot believe I gave this book an ounce of my time. I should’ve DNFed the second our female protagonist started obsessing over her high school classmates.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room…
“But if it’s any consolation, I was pretending it was you the entire time.”
GIRL RUN. RUN NOW WHILE YOU STILL CAN. This is the red flag to end all red flags.
Both of our protagonists, Mark and Ellie, are home wreckers. I said what I said. Their “relationship” was very clearly supposed to be some sort of forbidden romance, but now I just despise both of them with every ounce of my being. Him and his ex-FIANCÉE were separated for a WEEK before he’s sticking his tongue down another girl’s throat. That is the biggest ick I’ve ever experienced, in my entire life. Liz deserved better! Let’s also talk about Ellie’s odd possessiveness over him. She was PROUD that Liz walked in on her sucking the face off her ex-fiancée on THEIR COUCH. Girl please be so for real…you quite literally ran from him every opportunity he gave you to be together. So let’s stop acting so smug.
Even if I could root for them as a couple, there is no way in hell I would root for them as individuals. As someone that would also rather do anything than go to her high school reunion, Ellie was just way too much of a judgmental prick about it. Whether she wants to believe it or not, she definitely peeked in high school. What other reason is there for her making it her entire personality? Roxy’s clearly God’s strongest soldier because I could never be friends, let alone best friends with Ellie.
Oh and let’s talk about that. Ellie was such a fake friend! Roxy was literally relapsing and instead of being her rock, the shelter in the storm, she really goes all “not my problem” on her. But don’t worry! After a near death experience for Roxy, they’re best friends again…I feel the need to point out that this is very clearly a women’s wrong and I cannot be a girls girl in this situation.
Don’t even get me started on Mark. That man is the epitome of everything I despise about men. How you get them is how you lose them, that’s all I’m gonna say about that
In theory, the premise sounds…oh who am I kidding? In no universe did I think this was going to play out well. What can I say though? I’m an optimist.
Anyway…thank you to Forever Publishing for the gifted copy. As you can clearly tell, my opinions were in no way influenced by early access to this title....more
Umm…did I just discover a new favorite author to fill the void that is my lack of a romantic life?
Let me tell you, I was SO beyond excited to read thUmm…did I just discover a new favorite author to fill the void that is my lack of a romantic life?
Let me tell you, I was SO beyond excited to read this one after seeing the one and only Emily Henry endorsed it. Not only did I fall head over heels in love with Ren and Phoebe, but everyone in between. Needless to say, Love Me Do exceeded my every expectation.
Myrna, people, Myrna. Probably my favorite character outside of our female protagonist, Phoebe. Usually the old wise one trope is hit or miss for me, but this one absolutely served. Not only is our dear Ms. Moore a former actress, but she’s got the witty commentary and sarcastic nature I long for. She knows her self worth and she’s going to make sure you know yours too. I also just love rich people.
Don’t even get me started on my girl Bel. I didn’t think she was going to play an active role in the story, but boy was I wrong and I’ve never been more proud to be. She brings so much light and playfulness to the story.
I am also surprised at how much I didn’t mind Ren’s lack of page time. It seemed to be a story that revolved more around self-discovery and womanhood than romance.
For all of my girlies that prefer a closed-door romance though, this one is for you. The only steamy scene took place toward the very end of the book and truthfully, you could blink and miss it. Now, as an avid smut lover, I was pleased with the book’s pacing. There was just enough of everything to keep a critic like me thoroughly satisfied.
While there are a couple of cliches that may make some roll their eyes, pointing out their lack of believability, I think it also goes to serve the point that sometimes, life isn’t as complicated as we make it.
Lindsey Kelk’s writing is perfect for all of my girlies looking to cure their Emily Henry hangover. May I also add, she’s a Swiftie and there are references to prove it!
Thank you to HarperCollins and Lindsey Kelk for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title. ...more
Somehow, this was simultaneously the shortest and longest book I’ve ever read.
The diversity and inclusion seemed forced and lacked authenticity, therSomehow, this was simultaneously the shortest and longest book I’ve ever read.
The diversity and inclusion seemed forced and lacked authenticity, therefore doing the opposite of what it meant to do.
The author included way too many details in every aspect of this story, meaning in the act of trying to show and not tell, once again, only the latter ended up being true. It also slowed the pacing down, leaving me bored by page ten.
Some books are better without smut. This is one of those books. I cringed my way through every intimate scene. I’m a firm believer that you need to commit to either a completely open or closed door romance. Some scenes being fade-to-black while others edged the line between it and open-door gave me whiplash. I wasn’t sure what to expect and not in a positive, angst and suspension-building type of way.
The plot was very much all over the place as well. Whereas I expected it to be about Ben’s participation in a televised baking competition, it revolved more around his trip to Maywell Bay, his grandmother’s home town (yes I said grandmother because I refuse to call her g-ma, despite her insistence).
Pro tip: if you ever have the instinct to DNF a book, do it. Forever wishing I did…
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are completely my own and are not influenced by early access to this title....more
La Vie, According to Rose, Lauren Parvizi’s debut novel, is a compelling tale of grief, self-discovery, and new beginnings.
Let me tell you, as a younLa Vie, According to Rose, Lauren Parvizi’s debut novel, is a compelling tale of grief, self-discovery, and new beginnings.
Let me tell you, as a younger sister, this one is most definitely a story for the eldest sisters. Although this wasn’t the experience in my family, I can acknowledge that there are others with different dynamics that will resonate with this story’s theme and characters.
I got about 100 pages in before I decided to listen to the rest as an audiobook and let me tell you, I enjoyed it so much more than I anticipated. I get distracted very easily and I’ve never been able to sit through an audiobook in its entirety… until now. The narration wasn’t anything outstanding, but I was able to visualize the setting and characters even more so than I was with the physical book. Long story short, I understand the audiobook hype now.
I loved the plot of this book, although it did feel a little long when listening to it. Again, that could just be because of my dwindling attention span, but while I did enjoy the art heist aspect, it didn’t seem necessary. The story would’ve been better rounded out if our protagonist’s relationship with Marco, a childhood acquaintance, was the core plot point. Kid, Rose’s Paris fling, could’ve still been included in the story, but rather as another American turned Parisian simply guiding her throughout the city. It would’ve kept the jealousy trope that I, as an angst lover, always root for, relevant and balanced. In the grand scheme of it all, even when we learn about the details behind the great Parisian art heist, it seemed very anticlimactic. The consequence of it all just seemed very unrealistic.
That being said, I wish we saw more of Marco and Rose from the beginning. I just love a good uptight, reserved MMC. Bonus points because he’s an art history professor. There wasn’t much chemistry nor tension between the two of them, but if the plot were indeed changed so that their relationship was a centric narrative, there would’ve been plenty.
As for Rose’s character, I’m a little conflicted. As the oldest Zadeh sister, she’s a pathological people pleaser. I empathized with her, but there were many times when enough was enough. She didn’t stand up for herself until the very end of the novel and it made the pacing drag out too long only to feel rushed at the end. She let everyone walk all over her, and yes, I say let because, from her inner dialogue, it’s clear that this is a conscious decision. She believes that defending herself will ruffle too many feathers.
Don’t get me started on her sisters, especially Lily. Actually, let me rephrase that. Don’t get me started on her Mom. Goodness gracious, they were all unbearable and Rose definitely should’ve cut all ties. It’s an unhealthy dynamic all around that clearly is serving nobody.
Overall though, I rated this story 3.5 gleaming Parisian stars.
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Lauren Parvizi for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and were not influenced by early access to this title. ...more
My expectations may’ve been slightly ambitious. I just want to preface this by saying that, while this may not beWow. I’ve just got so many thoughts.
My expectations may’ve been slightly ambitious. I just want to preface this by saying that, while this may not be my cup of tea, I respect the amount of time and effort that goes into writing and editing a book. Just because I don’t like a book, doesn’t mean others are “wrong” for liking it and vice versa.
Now, that being said…
With all of my favorite tropes- single dad + nanny, grumpy + sunshine, forbidden romance, and an age gap- I thought Forbidden Hearts was going to be at least a four star read. Maybe even one of my favorite reads of the year! I couldn’t have been more wrong...
It’s 2023. We need to stop with the copaganda. It’s beyond tone deaf at this point. There are so many choices career wise, yet you choose the most problematic one. He couldn’t have been a firefighter? A paramedic? Literally anything else! I couldn’t even look past it if I wanted to because the author is oddly defensive over them…
“Especially a cop. I know. You are aware that you’re a cop and a really good man, right?”
In this scene, our female protagonist’s father, also the love interest’s boss, is telling her that he doesn’t think she should date anyone because, and I quote, “no one is good enough for you.” Now being as he is the police Chief, he doesn’t want his daughter dating any of his employees.
Some people may be able to look past it. That’s their prerogative, not mine.
˚₊ · »-♡→ writing
The writing style just wasn’t for me either. The author uses elongated versions of words as opposed to contractions (i.e. cannot instead of can’t) that makes the writing a lot more professional than it needed to be. It made me feel out of touch with the characters. I just kept thinking, no one talks like that.
˚₊ · »-♡→ plot
Also, that third act conflict? Absolutely unnecessary. It felt so cheap. Somehow, it made me root for the characters to be together even less. Asher was so pushy after it was revealed. He kept trying to push Phoebe into taking their relationship further than she was prepared for.
Don’t even get me started on the town name being Sugarloaf. Be so serious with me right now…
˚₊ · »-♡→ characters
There were a lot of names similar to one another being thrown around and as someone that’s never read any of the author’s previous books, it became difficult to follow.
I will say, the aspect I enjoyed most was the healthy co-parenting dynamic between Asher and Sara. I almost wish we saw more of her.
Phoebe’s passion for audiology was a very unique plot line that I actually enjoyed amidst the chaos that was, well…everything else. I very much appreciated the deaf representation and the awareness it brought to the barriers it can create in everyday life.
The smut was hit or miss for me, although I’m very much a person that can’t enjoy reading about it if I’m not emotionally connected to the characters. I didn’t get any butterflies. It got to be very monotonous and was used as a way to drive the story as a substitute for proper character development.
˚₊ · »-♡→ ending notes
I’m still undecided as to whether or not I want to continue this series. I was manifesting Rowan’s book next, but since it isn’t, I may just say goodbye to Sugarloaf.
Thank you to Corinne Michaels for providing me with this ARC. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by early access to this title....more
I always strive to give debut authors the benefit of the doubt. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to produce a book and letting it out intoI always strive to give debut authors the benefit of the doubt. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to produce a book and letting it out into the world can be anxiety-inducing. The idea behind Hazel Fine Sings Along is brilliant. It was the way the author went about writing it that lost me.
Before we start, I want to preface that while this is marketed as a rom-com…it’s not.
It was very difficult for me to empathize with Hazel as a character. She was unbearable and wasn’t sure what ground she stood on…as an almost thirty-year-old adult. She didn’t appear to be as passionate about music, or anything, the way the author wants us to believe. She was very much self-involved and immature. She lies to anyone and everyone when truthfully, there’s no reason to. Even she admits she takes it too far. That, my friends, is called a pathological liar. She didn’t think about anyone else but herself when making decisions. I also cannot believe after creating this entirely different identity to separate herself from her childhood trauma, she forgives and mends her relationship with her parents without a second thought. Hazel’s parents came across as narcissistic and manipulative and yet I’m supposed to believe, that after all the damage they caused her, they deserve to be back in her life. Okay…
Her bunny, Checkers, also just annoyed me. What was the point? She has this deep emotional connection to it…but we’re not sure why because it was never explored.
Hazel and her love interest, Nick, had absolutely zero chemistry, either platonic or romantic. I don’t see this partnership lasting very long. At all. He gave off the vibes of every mediocre, misogynistic white man I’ve ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with.
There was no one I rooted for in this story. Not the main characters and most definitely not the supporting characters. There are certain morals that you just cannot compromise when it comes to being friends with someone. The way Zoey blatantly invalidated Hazel’s experience with sexual harassment was astounding. Not only that, but she compares it to the way she feels when her girlfriend brings her to rallies and marches. The red flag is working overtime at the speed it's waving. Point blank, her character was ignorant and tone-deaf.
The character growth as it pertains to everyone was stagnant. I wish there was a more stable sense of camaraderie between the contestants, especially the girls. After the accusations against Martin came out, they should’ve banded together. Or at least some of them. But yet, it drove a bigger wedge between them than anything. While I understand this may be within the realm of believability for some, it wasn’t for me.
The plot was just…chaotic. There was too much going on all at once, yet nothing at all. Every conflict was met with a surface-level introduction and solution. The story lacked direction. Not to mention the constant TikTok references. Now, that may just be a stylistic preference on my end, but a lot of times, readers are using reading as an escape from that aspect of their life. I could look past it if it wasn’t being brought up every other chapter. It dates the book rather than making it timeless. After that, I’m also supposed to pretend the names Bella and Benji weren’t intentional?
The last straw? Hazel choosing to sing Fight Song. I draw the line there. Absolutely not. I could bear the constant pop culture references, but I will not let this slide. It wasn’t the slay she thought it was. I took off at least two stars for that alone. Atrocious.
The story had so much untapped potential and overall just felt very underdeveloped, earning it only two stars for me.
Thank you to Wattpad Books and Katie Wicks for providing me with a finished copy for PR purposes. As always, all opinions are my own and are not influenced by gifted access to this title. ...more
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