I think I just found my favourite book of the year.
Though, I didn't read much this year. But still. This one squeezed a fuck ton of tears from my eyesI think I just found my favourite book of the year.
Though, I didn't read much this year. But still. This one squeezed a fuck ton of tears from my eyes. And the fact that hits me right in the gut with the OCD representation. I've never felt so seen before.
And also the fact that this book hits that childhood friends to lovers trope right while I'm in the middle of my kdrama era again. I mean, is this destiny? I've been literally searching for a plot like this for weeks.
Gosh. I love this book and this is why I read dammit!...more
So. That was an interesting read. Never would've I guessed that this book has an element of darkness into it. As in, I can definitely say this is a daSo. That was an interesting read. Never would've I guessed that this book has an element of darkness into it. As in, I can definitely say this is a dark sci-fi romance. Without spoiling too much, I would say someone who enjoyed Laura Thalassa's brand of antiheroes and antiheroines would enjoy this one.
And it surprised me to realise this is an old book (as in it was firstly published in 2022). Heard nothing of it and I'm glad that by giving ARCs out, it kinda give this book a second breath, and giving me a chance to discover this hidden gem!
What else can I say? Much of it is too spoilery and I can't ruin it for you guys.
One little critic though, I need more world building. Of the two planets. Heck, history of how things to become as it was wouldn't be wrong. I love world building and I demand them every time I started a new fantasy book.
That's all, y'all!
*I have received an ARC copy of this book from the Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review....more
Oof. I was a different girl when I read the original version of this book. I was scandalised to say the least. And that was totally a different story Oof. I was a different girl when I read the original version of this book. I was scandalised to say the least. And that was totally a different story from this one. This one wayyyyy more taboo than that one.
Then, it's hard to wrap my head around the forbidden relationship between the father and daughter, mainly because I was newly into the taboo romance. Now, I think I can separate the fantasy from reality better. Though, it needs to be said again, THE MOTHER IS DEFINITELY IN THE RIGHT IN BOTH VERSIONS.
With that out of the way, despite the more taboo situation, I didn't fully get that risky, tenseful feeling that I got with the OG version. Maybe that's on me. I was more prepared to what's coming. But, the effects weren't there. The only part that I did like was the addition of the best friend. Now, that's made the circumstances more on edge for me. Other than that, it was normal I guess. As normal as you can get from an incest book anyway.
All in all. It was pretty good. Need more angst, or at least threats of repercussions, or blackmail idk-i'm-not-a-writer. But it was pretty nice deviation from the original....more
I really love our heroine here. I can totally read a full length novel—I don't care if it's a romance or thriller—from4.5 I-wish-this-was-longer stars
I really love our heroine here. I can totally read a full length novel—I don't care if it's a romance or thriller—from her point of view. Her voice is just so interesting and refreshing. I have read another female stalker book last month and honestly, I love these type of unhinged heroines. Like, gimme more!
Sure I do enjoy some badass, independent heroines in my books. But sometimes... I just want the girls to be the crazier one. The ones who seek what they want. Which may or may not involving stalking their love interest....more
I had my doubt. There is no way EH is going to pull out another amazing book. Plus, it's about another book-obsessed lover. I wa5 Happy-Inducing Stars
I had my doubt. There is no way EH is going to pull out another amazing book. Plus, it's about another book-obsessed lover. I was getting ready to get disappointed (like I did with Book Lovers).
But no.
Damnit. This is my favourite book by her so far. Beach Read was good, no doubt about that. It's just that book was too sad for me, while this one managed to squeeze little tears from me and a lot of contemplation and a heck lot of adoration (especially to Miles).
Ah Miles. He reminded me of Mal from Play. So much so, I want to reread that book again. I have this specific type of hero that I really love (like lurrrvveee) in my romance. And these two dudes fit the box perfectly. Hell, I can't even explain how but I will lay down my life for the sake of their happiness.
And our girl, Daphne. She's so guarded of everything and everyone. Every steps she took to protect herself, my god, I love her. I couldn't even find a single flaw that I didn't like, that didn't seem out of place from her.
What a writer EH is. Fuck. This is what I want from my romance!...more
Vi Keeland writing a thriller? My heart can't take this. Somewhere, deep down, I know that means I won't get my usual happy ending from her books.
So wVi Keeland writing a thriller? My heart can't take this. Somewhere, deep down, I know that means I won't get my usual happy ending from her books.
So with my mind prepared and my standard expectations aside, I went into this one with restrained trepidation.
All I have to say is this. It still possessed the easy flowing writing. Despite things moving at a slower rate than I wanted, it was not a slough to get through. The pacing could be better though.
Other than that, these characters were oh so flawed, something I need to be reminded of again and again while reading it. These people are shitty people, a fact that you barely notice when you're reading a black and white romance. So, keep that in mind when you're wishing for a good outcome for someone.
As for the thriller/psychological vibe, it's not the best example. I mean, if someone ask me to recommend something thrillery, this book won't even be in the top ten. I guess, it was decent.
However, for someone who wants a transition read between romance and a thriller, this would be it. Or something light, stalkery, multifaceted morally grey characters. Then, this would be it.
With that said. I didn't expect that ending. Wow. With that one line, it really sets the tone on what we can expect from Vi Keeland from now on.
*I have received a free copy of this ARC through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. ❤️...more
Can I sell my firstborn for the next book please, Ms Fernando?
This book reminded me why I love reading in the first place. It giveOkay. *deep breath*
Can I sell my firstborn for the next book please, Ms Fernando?
This book reminded me why I love reading in the first place. It gives me that butterflies in the stomach feeling. The high that lightens my head. That excitement of what else, what other interesting stories out there, that are just waiting to be found by me.
So yes. I enjoyed the fuck outta this book. And the fact that I have to wait until June to get my hand on the next one is just... TRAGIC. With that said, I will try my best to review this book without distracting myself.
What I love about this book are probably the tropes. Yeah yeah. Shoot me. Boohoo. Fated mates and possessive heroes are my jam. It's hard to mess those ups and why this book easily won me over. Add that to the palace intrigue, impending war with vampiric kingdom and burning sexual tension .Yeesh, I'm already drooling.
But I have to point out, if you dislike the chosen one trope, bitch, you might find it a tad too much. Because our girl is a little too special, if you know what I mean. However, I made my peace with that trope, since, ding ding ding, I couldn't care less about it. If you know how to make it not obnoxious with it, I don't care if she's the all powerful being that had been prophesied since the dawn of men. I would devour that storyline too!
Anyhow. Did I distract myself?
Absolutely recommend this. However, probably better if you wait for the next one to come out though. ...more
Even through my slump, the moment I found out a new Kylie Scott's book has dropped, I immediately picked it up.
In a sense, this book has that joyridinEven through my slump, the moment I found out a new Kylie Scott's book has dropped, I immediately picked it up.
In a sense, this book has that joyriding feeling to it. Low angst, falling in love with a prince (almost a prince), supportive cast of members, low drama and all. Honestly, it's a type of book you went for whenever you need a lift me up.
In my case, I was expecting a little more substance to the story. A little more twists and turns. A word I detest, but I wanted a little more drama. And it was low on that. Super low, if you ask me. In the end, it just left me feeling unfulfilled. Hell, I wouldn't be mad if Lilah really did die in the end there....more
Please don't hate me, but I'd struggled through this book. Like, enormously. Like, I've almost dropped it twice for good and this is an ARC. I've nevePlease don't hate me, but I'd struggled through this book. Like, enormously. Like, I've almost dropped it twice for good and this is an ARC. I've never dnfed an ARC.
To be frank, it's even hard for me to pinpoint things that I enjoyed. Maybe some of the choices made by the MCs were pretty good. But other than that, it kinda went downhill for me. And this is from a girl who picked The Shadow between Us as my favourite book of the year. So... Yeah. Me is very disappointed.
In this case, I think the thing that bothered me the most is the formulaic and inorganic some of the scenes in this book. The lack of chemistry. The unbearable, non-understandable MCs. It just felt empty for me. There were no one to root for in this book, either a villain or the good guys. It feels very monotone in colour.
However, that could only be my case. You could possibly enjoy this more than I did. Heck, even I have some questionable taste in the past. All in all, this is a dud for me. But I'm still going to pick up the next book from this author. I'm feeling something better from her in the future. Maybe something in a different fantasy world from this one?
P.s. I was given a free ARC copy of this book through Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Took me too long to decide on what to say on this one.
On one hand, it has that appealing qualities about them. On other, there's something th2.5 stars
Took me too long to decide on what to say on this one.
On one hand, it has that appealing qualities about them. On other, there's something that I don't quite like about. One thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the refreshing heroine.
Yes, you can say she has no backbones, a pushover. Hell, she really let a man sleeps around and still accepts him into her bed. How pitiful is that. But with few sentencesp, she let me into her mind and as toxic and self-deprecating as it is, I found her admirable.
“Because we can’t possibly look at whatever this is,” I point between us, “until we finish what hurt you so much to begin with. We need to put the past to bed, and I need your help to do it.”
Obviously on the other hand, out male lead here is a complete piece of trash. Broken trash but still trash. Besides that, the mystery aspect of this one was also, very lacking. It was half-assed, no doubt about it.
So yeah, the girl? Love her. The rest were just okay....more
⭐⭐⭐ A man on the path of revenge, met a stranger in a bar. It took me awhile to figure To make this easier...
Story 1: Fractured Prelude by Winter Paige
⭐⭐⭐ A man on the path of revenge, met a stranger in a bar. It took me awhile to figure out how the taboo theme would be incorporated in this one. Should've seen that coming. (view spoiler)[it's a cousin thing/MF (hide spoiler)]
Story 2: Escape by Cole Denton
⭐⭐ A boy wanting to escape from his family farm. Damn, I was half asleep while reading this one and yikes. That was definitely something. (view spoiler)[it's a grandpas-and-grandson thing/MMM (hide spoiler)]
Story 3: We Are Chaos by Yolanda Olson
⭐⭐⭐1/2 Probably the most memorable story in this anthology. And of course it's from this author. She loves to fuck up with your head. Anyway, wow. That was... rough and yet fits the theme. (view spoiler)[it's a mother and son and stepson(?) thing/MFM (hide spoiler)]
Story 4: Love Trips by K. Webster
⭐⭐1/2 This was almost sad. The whole thing sounds tragic and melancholic although they burnt those sheets with their actions. (view spoiler)[it's a triplets thing/MMM (hide spoiler)]
Story 5: Indecent by A.A. Davies
⭐⭐⭐ Did that really ended that way? Gosh, talk about blue balls. Story wise, it was a little slow (in terms of a novella). I have honestly little to say about the book, and more about myself. So I'll cut it off here. It was pretty much a mindless smut you've and I've been looking forward to. (view spoiler)[it's a uncle/niece thing. /MF (hide spoiler)]
Story 6: Butterfly Kisses by Ally Vance
⭐⭐ Hmmm... Another short story read while I was half asleep. Just to warn you guys, there's noncon stuff in here. Made it a little uncomfortable for me to read. So yeah. I usually vibe with Ally Vance short story but not this one. (view spoiler)[it's an uncle and niece thing/MF (hide spoiler)]
Story 7: Our Little Secret by Jennifer Bene
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ohho. Finally we got a winner in this one. Borderline yucky but the author made it work. Rightly so, I went straight to bed after this one (it's weird to say but this anthology is what I'd considered my bedtime stories were this whole week). Probably my favourite in this anthology. This is what I expected when you say taboo, kinky and smut romance in the blurb.
Okok. This one I could deal with without much grimacing in between.
Also, huge props to the author for creating a problem and solving it without makingOkok. This one I could deal with without much grimacing in between.
Also, huge props to the author for creating a problem and solving it without making it feeling too icky in the end there. (I mean, the whole 'donation' process was actually done without me feeling any sense of cheating at all.) A lil impressed not gonna lie....more
Let me preface by saying this might be *my* problem. I believe if you went into this with an open mind, you might enjoy this more than I did. But if yLet me preface by saying this might be *my* problem. I believe if you went into this with an open mind, you might enjoy this more than I did. But if your taste a lil similar to me, there'll be something in this one will bother you a lot.
With that said, I still found a few things that I appreciated in this one. The setting for one. There's this isolated town, protected by a dome, filled with magic users (i.e. practitioners) that I quite like. Then, we're introduced to these two major families of the town, the Sadlers (h's family) and the Thornbers (H's family). Romeo and Juliet vibe anyone? Aside from that, the general plot was also something I found interested in. I just wished it was properly planned.
Anyway, my ONE big issue. The one thing that ruined the whole book for me. It's the characters. I don't like any of them. Especially these two main MCs. Sadie is a special snowflake. The chosen one. The one's pretty and powerful but doesn't think she is. Gabriel is our morally grey, antihero fuckboi. And I rarely used that term. Fuckboi. He is. A massive one.
The writing also left a lot to be desired. There were few moments when I can't help but cringing and grimacing at the demonstration of powers they have. It just felt janky and awkward for everyone.
One last thing you should know, before you ventured into this book, is that both of these people, is sex-positive. I.e. there's a few sex scenes, ,explicit sex scenes these MCs have with other people, throughout the book. So, if you're hoping for celibacy between these two, forget it. And honestly, that's not the turn off. The turn off happened later. You'll know when it happened.
All in all, it was rough time for me. But considering this is a debut work from this author, I believed there is nowhere but up for her from now on. Truly, I think, I would love to have a conversation with someone who really enjoys this book. Maybe I missed something here.
*I have received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchanged of an honest review....more
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