“I’m in love with a dream, with a man who isn’t real, and there isn’t any coming back from it.”
Living a dream life in dreams or dreaming a real life i
“I’m in love with a dream, with a man who isn’t real, and there isn’t any coming back from it.”
Living a dream life in dreams or dreaming a real life in dreams?
This book in simple words is magical and breathtaking. This is my first Sarah Ready novel and my very first book that has magical realism as one of its main settting, and it is a masterpiece in this genre. The story is a unique combination of dream and real life that left me with feelings like warmth, happiness and nostalgia.
Sarah Ready is an incredible writer, with her unique story-telling and incisive and profound narrative, she weaved a story of a woman learning to dream and then falling in love with the man of her dreams in her dream life. It's incredibly complex yet intriguing with every passing chapter, you will find yourself reading it without stopping because the story has a quiet hypnotic rhythm to it, with its tropical paradise setting in dreams, and cozy and comforting vibes of Geneva, Switzerland, you will get sucked right into the pages of this book.
“You forget everything you experienced, everything you knew in the dream world. Sometimes you’ll remember a flash. Sometimes you’ll remember a feeling. But mostly, you forget everything. You forget your dreams. You don’t take them with you into real life.”
The plot twists are perfectly executed with no plot hole galores. The anticipation of finding the truth behind those dreams Fiona is dreaming and to know what had led her to dream about that tropical island and Aaron left me with thrilling excitement. The story stirred a spectrum of perplexing emotions inside me from nostalgia to adoration to agonising emotions. There is also drama and comedy involve, brought in by nuanced side-characters. The scenery also has all the summery and cozy atmospheric vibes that are brought to life by Sarah's vivid details in her story-telling.
➸ Fiona Abry is a heiress of a Swiss watchmaker. Fiona is an intelligent and confident woman, an incredible single mother. But she forgot what it truly felt like to dream, to trust and to fall in love. This is where a mysterious and magical watch enters, a classic and family heirloom that lets her live her greatest desires of real life in her dreams. But what happens when said dreams feels like reality, when Fiona starts irrevocably falling for the man of her dreams in her dreams, a man who is just a figment of her desires and need but feels real. Fiona has everything she wants in her dream life, kids and a husband, Aaron McCormick who loves her beyond everything, but will she ever stop dreaming about the people she came to love in her dreams?
“I’d like to feel alive,” I admit, and then, “I think I can. With you.”
➸ Aaron McCormick is a man one can so easily fall in love with. He's got the gentleness, a charming persona, an easy-going nature, an incredible man, father and a husband. Aaron loves deeply and wholeheartedly. If he's in you cannot change his mind ever. I am enamored by his character and how he shows his vulnerability to Fiona, his thoughts on life, how he loves his people and how many hardships he had been through yet still he is most compassionate and down to earth man. To simply say, I am in love and you will be too if you just read this book once.
“McCormick.” “What does it mean?” “Some say it means an almost, a never-was, a dream that didn’t happen, but I say it means an always, a dream that still goes on.”
: ̗̀➛ Aaron and Fiona
The romance was breathtaking. I fell in love with Aaron and Fiona's beautiful and whimsical love story. Fiona and Aaron are soulmates in truest meaning, finding each other even in dreams because they were fated to be together. The way Fiona fell in love in her dreams, and how she started imagining her dream people in real life, how she cared for the people she met only at night in her own magical world created by her deepest desires, everything was perfect. Every dream, every conversation between Aaron and Fiona, every little date orchestrated their newfound love and trust for each other that later turned to this fated love story. How they truly showed their vulnerable and broken parts only for the other to heal them. The found family arc that is the heart of this story was constructed perfectly and with so much elegance and comfort. It was simply so beautiful, uplifting and endearing.
“I see evidence of him everywhere. He’s invaded my world. Even when he’s not real, not here, I still feel him next to me.”
The ending was perfect and you guys are in a roller coaster ride with how the last chapters were written. I tried my best to write this review without spoiling it for you because it's better if you experience the beauty of this novel by reading it and living it with these lovely characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“She was like this compass, constantly pointing me toward her. Never wavering, never faulty, always to her. Every piece of her felt like home
4.5 stars
“She was like this compass, constantly pointing me toward her. Never wavering, never faulty, always to her. Every piece of her felt like home.”
This series is slowly becoming my new comfort series, one I can read whenever I want something cute, light, funny with romantic and sweet moments. There is also an emotional side to every story and it flows really well with the romantic aspect of the story.
I love Juliana's writing. It's very atmospheric, vivid, and metaphorically beautiful. The characters have depth, added dimensions that comes with their experiences and how it shaped their present persona. The story constructed in two timelines, past and present which beautifully orchestrated Adam and Rachel's friendship and love, their newly accidental marriage in convenience to them finally realising that love stays no matter what.
➸ Rachel Keller is personification of sunshine in human form. She is a confident and high maintenance girl who has a song for every moment. Rachel with her love for records and music is a genuine and beautiful soul who tends to have an altruistic nature to help people. I loved her relationship with her dad, it was heartbreaking but also beautiful in its own way to see how much they cared for each other, how they cultivated frienship in their father-daughter relationship. I also liked seeing Rachel's growth and how Adam encouraged her to believe that some people are meant to stay no matter what.
“She was the kind of woman that made you forget there were even other females out there.”
➸ Adam Wells is my new obsession. He's a sweetheart with grumpiest and broody personality, but is a total cinnamon roll inside. I loved his povs, how he was obsessed with Rachel for years, how he always helped her navigate her life amidst the messiness of her father's diagnosis. He is her person as much as she is. He is a listener but always says the right words at the right time. He showed with his little actions how much he cares for the people he loves, and he is truly one of most amazing and loyal people I have read about. Simply my new favourite book boyfriend ...more
“The one thing that hasn’t changed at all is him loving me. And me loving him. It’s our tether, the thing that’s never let us drift too far.”
T♾ stars
“The one thing that hasn’t changed at all is him loving me. And me loving him. It’s our tether, the thing that’s never let us drift too far.”
This book ruined me and healed me in all the best possible ways. It touched my soul and heart in an irrevocable way. I don't why I am a masochist for second chance romances but this one is a masterpiece in this genre.
The Ex Vows is a beautiful, realistic and riveting story of two people, Eli and Georgia who after their five years of cataclysmic breakup, are on the road to reckoning to mend their broken hearts while also trying to save the cursed wedding of their bestfriend, Adam. Will they follow Georgia's lists or give in to their temptations to find love in chaos and messiness of the cursed wedding preparations. It's a heartbreaking and very raw and realistic story and it took me on a wild ride of emotions both mentally and emotionally.
“How strange it is to have a first for the second time. How lucky and messy and perfect.”
The romance. So beautiful. Just mesmerising, swoon-worthy, painful and sweet enough to love every second of it. The chemistry is palpable and Eli and Georgia has the sparks even after the five years gap that we so badly want in real life. The banter and the angst was effervescently present. I loved the wedding preparation moments and they added the fun element to the story. The friendship is one of the best thing in this book. I loved each and every side character and how they brought nuances to the story with their different personalities.
Jessica weaved a story of second chances, self-discovery and healing of broken hearts with comforting moments of warmth, happiness and joy that came with reminiscing the past and exploring present amidst the madness of cursed wedding. It stirred a spectrum of emotions, giving hope and happiness amidst the messiness of Eli and Georgia's relationship.
➸ Georgia Woodward
Georgia with people pleasing tendencies, lists for days, and hyper-independence capabilty is me. It was like looking in a mirror. She is the personification of 'mirror ball'. Georgia's monologues are so beautifully written, full of remarkable profundity and vulnerability that evidently shows her benevolence, devotion, compassionate and altruistic nature for the people she loves. She is dealing with her own anxiety and abandonment issues, she never felt enough, always doing what others wanted, suppressing her wants and love. It was beautiful to see how she leaned on Eli for help and her needs, how he made sure she felt enough.
“Because when he’s messiest, that’s when I see myself reflected in him.”
➸ Eli Mora
Eli is for the hot hyper-independent girls. He is the man who loves unconditionally and thoroughly, but will also break your heart. His need to have a stable life, supporting his family consumed him to his core. He deals with anxiety and that played a major role in this story. Eli with his newfound dediction is making efforts, finally pushing himself to be better; to be the Eli that Georgia fell for, one who loves his life and himself as he is without the burden to live for financial stability. He is a man of few words as he believes in showing his love through actions and that's the sweetest thing about Eli.
“You deserve to let yourself feel whatever you need to. You can be messy. A disaster, if you need to. The people who love you will accept every single piece of it, I promise you.”
: ̗̀➛ Eli and Georgia
Two estranged exes and a cursed wedding? What could go wrong? Apparently everything.
Eli and Georgia are the prime example of why loving someone will never be enough. Their breakup was mutual and so realistic it hit me right in the heart. They made so many mistakes but they were just new adults at that time, trying to figure out their life and dreams, navigating through hard truths of adulthood, making sensible decisions, pushing each other away for the safety of the life they craved. Their first meet almost wrecked my heart. The overwhelming and complicated emotions, hurt and love they still have for each other even after five years of their breakup were heart-rending. The lingering touches and tension that's filled with longing, hurt and suppressed desires orchestrated their newfound love and passion.
“Isn’t that the way I deserve to be loved— completely, messily, imperfectly? Isn’t that the way I deserve to love myself? And isn’t it what Eli deserves, too?”
Their previous ostentatious friendship that was for their friend's group bloomed into ardent flames of love forgotten when they were forced to plan a wedding. I loved how they slowly and steadily let each other in their lives, cultivated trust, showed messy and ugly parts of their lives, but also showed how much they still love each other with their actions and words. The emotional and vulnerable moments in this book made me question what true love is in reality and is it really enough if love is all you have to give? What about efforts, comprises and good communication skills? I loved how they struggled but didn't let their past and fears associated with it to control their present and it was hopeful and comforting.
“And maybe it’s not stupid, I think as he presses me into the mattress in a way that feels vital, like I’m being consumed by him. Maybe it’s just like going back to visit a home that isn’t yours anymore. Maybe you don’t have the key, but someone lets you in anyway, and you stay awhile, and it feels so good just to be somewhere you once belonged.”
The intimate scenes in this book deserve praise. It was very poetical and emotional. (Eli's chain also played a major role in those scenes and I was going feral everytime it made an appearance!)
I am transfixed by Jessica's exquisite, poetical, tender-hearted and deeply atmospheric writing. I resonated with the main characters and that's why this story is special for me and why this book touched my heart in a profound and true manner. Jessica delved deeper into characters' past to carefully devise their present personalities and their struggles based on it. She effortlessly reflected the frustrating decisions and heartbreaking situations with a perspicuous and rational approach.
I absolutely loved the ending. I will not talk about it much but just that it was satisfying and beautiful.
Special thanks to my bestie Rae who was there with me everytime I was crying and screaming in our dms. And special thanks to Jessica Joyce because I had a lovely time chatting with her about this book. She is the sweetest person ever ...more
Found this on netgalley. A sweet fantasy short story about a Duban girl Lily who is born without a twin means she is born with a shadow twin. EveryoneFound this on netgalley. A sweet fantasy short story about a Duban girl Lily who is born without a twin means she is born with a shadow twin. Everyone has shadows but Dubans' shadow twin are a dangerous thing so her the villagers wants to kill her “Because Dubans are born together, and they die together”
Well I had fun reading this and it was cute. I liked how Lily find the people who cared for her and survived in the end with the help of her shadow twin and her old man.
Thanks to Netgalley in exchange for an honest review....more
My favourite and the best gothic fantasy I've ever read. Everything about this book was perfect. The vibes, plot, ro“Be wary. Be clever. Be good.”
My favourite and the best gothic fantasy I've ever read. Everything about this book was perfect. The vibes, plot, romance and action. I loved every second of it.
“Human life is short. You are not as a tree, stoic and unyielding, but a butterfly. Delicate, fleeting. Inconsequential.”
The enchanting and a mysterious duology about a cursed town, magical cards and magical trees. This book was the perfect combination of gothic, mysterious and spooky atmospherical vibes, the mystery of twin alders card and Shepherd King's past, witty banter between characters, thrilling action sequences, and the most enticing and scorching romance.
“Truth bends, Ravyn Yew. We must all bend along with it.”
I loved Rachel's exquisite writing and narrative. This was written in three povs—Elspeth, Ravyn and Elm. There were two stories nested in one storyline—Ravyn and Elspeth's quest for Twin Alders card and Elm and Ione's story. I loved the way Rachel focued on both and it didn't felt like jumping stories.
“Poetry is as judicious as violence.”
The perfect blend of romance and mystery made this book more interesting and captivating. Its not a romance fantasy but the romance in it was swoon-worthy. I loved that we got both the love stories in this series—Ravyn & Elspeth's in one dark window and Elm & Ione's in this book.
I was truly satisfied with Ravyn and Elspeth's story, their character developments and how their relationship developed in book 1 but I still missed them so much. They didn't had their moments until the very last chapter. I wish we got more of them together. The story started with Elspeth—a girl with a monster trapped inside her head. But Elspeth felt like a side character in this book. Which I didn't liked.
➸ Ravyn Yew
The dark and mysterious captain who would do anything to save his family Elspeth even sacrificing himself. I loved his protective and possessive side. The way he cared for Elspeth and protected her had me swooning everytime. I suspected his relation with the Shepherd king and I was right about it. I loved his interactions with Nightmare. At first I thought it would be a little weird to see him talk with Nightmare but through Elspeth, but their banter and the way Nightmare mocked Ravyn had me laugh out loud.
“You and I are Blunder’s reckoning, Ravyn Yew. Not its peace.”
➸ The Shepherd king
The star of this series and my absolute favourite character. His story was painful and emotional. He was trapped for centuries for his revenge against Rowan while his family passed the veil. What happened to him and his family was brutal. I loved the way he protected Ravyn, Elspeth and Jasper. Like they were his own kids. I was happy but also a little sad after the ending but it was the best ending he deserved after all the pain and rage he went through for centuries.
“Blunder’s reckoning.” The Shepherd King’s grin was worse than any snarl. “I am the root and the tree. I am balance.”
➸ Elm Rowan
There is something about him being a prince but also being a traitor to the crown. He always knew what was right and never supported what his father or brother did. He was charming and witty but also dangerous because of his Scythe card controlling powers. Elm always wanted to be seen and liked by his family. I hate Hauth so much for what he did to Elm when they were kids. I loved the way he loved and cared for Ione and saved her from King's wrath. Elm might not be able to fight with the swords or knife but he's always been the best Rowan prince with intelligent and cunning mind and kind hearted spirit.
➸ Ione Hawthorn
We get to know more about her character and what happened to her in book 1 that made her act like she didn't care about anything. I felt bad for what Hauth did to her and the way she was tortured to feel no emotions at all. Ione was always the cheery yellow haired girl with the biggest smile on her face until Hauth happened and I loved that Elm helped her all the way in this book.
╰┈➤ Elm and Ione
I desperately wanted them to be a couple ever since I read about Elm stealing those little glances at Ione in One dark window. They had chemistry from the very first moment. They both helped and healed the broken parts of each other. Ione always saw the real version of Elm and not the rude Rowan prince.
“What would you have me do? Burn the castle down with everyone in it?” “That would be a start.” A laugh rose up Elm’s throat. “Trees, Hawthorn. What a Queen you’d make.”
“I’d be your King, but always your servant. Never your keeper.”
The forced proximity, the tension between them, the way they teased each other and bantered, the way Elm wanted to see if he affected Ione in any way, the way he was obsessed with her yellow hair and the way he told her to use him if that would help her to feel anything had me melting and swooning. They were perfect for each other. And the angsty chalice scene? You are not ready for that scene. It's my favourite scene. The ending of their story was the best and the perfect one. I wish we got more of them.
“It was difficult to look at her. Beneath the ache that existed between them was a thin, fragile thread. One Ione had slipped through the eye of a needle and plunged into Elm’s chest, past all his bricks and barbs, though she didn’t yet realize it.”
This was the perfect end to this dulogy. I loved this and the characters so muc. I need more of them. *fingers crossed* Maybe Rachel can write a novella or something in future.
“For even dead, I will not die. I am the shepherd of shadow. The phantom of the fright. The demon in the daydream. The nightmare in the night.”
I'd definitely recommend this because this is the best fantasy duology for this spooky season.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
"In rehab, she was known as Ms Perfectly Fine,” But Autumn Adler was everything except Ms Perfectly Fine.
This book is about two people Autumn and Elija"In rehab, she was known as Ms Perfectly Fine,” But Autumn Adler was everything except Ms Perfectly Fine.
This book is about two people Autumn and Elijah and their first encounter was not so amazing. They became Enemies the moment they met. But what would happen when two people who hated each other the moment they met are forced to live together?
This has enemies to lovers, reverse grumpy X sunshine and likable characters, forced proximity and has cozy vibes with suspence as sub plot. I liked the book and even enjoyed some parts. It was cute because of Autum and Elijah's bantering and their cute big furry dog Brinkley.
The writing was simple and smooth and while this has both Autumn and Elijah's pov the whole story is written in third pov. The characters were written well but it felt like the story was rushed and so much happening so I didn't see Autumn's character development in this. Which was the most important part in this because she was dealing through grief and chronic pain because of the traumatic incident.
➙ Relationship: Elijah and Autumn
Their story started with them bickering over their living arrangement but ended up falling in love with each other. I enjoyed their funny and flirty banters. Elijah never treated her like she's some broken girl. He bursts the safety bubble that Autumn is so used to for the past years and forces her to come out of it.
While Autumn hated Elijah with passion she loved the comfort and safety he provided her. He helped Autumn heal a part of her while being there for her and helped her to deal with all her fears and grief. I liked how patience he was with her and also that he knew that he wanted Autumn and he would never let her go not until he tell her what she meant to him. I'm glad they both are happy and in love.
“There is no part of you I’d ever want to avoid,” he assured her. “You’ve no idea how much I’ve longed to touch and taste every inch of you. Scarred or not, it’s part of you and deserves to be cherished.”
Elijah fell first and he fell harder for Autumn!!!
✦ Autumn Adler A famous painist who is ready for her comeback after the traumatic incident. She is stubborn, introvert and used to handling things herself. She went through so much in the last few years of her life and this was the journey of how she finally let go of all her fears and grief that was holding her from being who she always wanted to be.
✦ Elijah Wells He's Charming, thoughtful and loving. He's trying to build his own tech company while also trying to severe ties from his controlling father. At first he seemed like cocky to me but after reading some chapters I saw how caring and kind he is and especially towards his mother and Autumn and also his dog Brinkley.
The ending was satisfying because Autumn and Elijah were happy and in love and also there was no third act breakup so no extra unnecessary drama in the end. But the suspense part felt rushed to me. But I also didn't see it coming and it was a bit shocking. And I definitely didn't suspected that person!!!
Thanks to Kate Callaghan and Netgalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
“What do you want from me?” I repeated her words softly. “You,” she replied just as softly, eyes stuck on my lips.
Don't I deserve a Wil— 4.5 Stars ★
“What do you want from me?” I repeated her words softly. “You,” she replied just as softly, eyes stuck on my lips.
Don't I deserve a William to my Charlie who would leave sweet notes for me and brings me my favourite food and looks at me like I'm everything he's ever wanted ...more
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