*Thank you, Entangled Publishing, LLC, for sending me a copy of this book (via Netgalley) in exchange for an honest review.*
When my beloved mother dis*Thank you, Entangled Publishing, LLC, for sending me a copy of this book (via Netgalley) in exchange for an honest review.*
When my beloved mother discovered that I was reading this book, she immediately reprimanded me online, telling me that I should not be reading pulp romance. I couldn't blame her for jumping to conclusions. After all, that cheesy cover says a lot. Now, although I hadn't read the book yet during that time, I deigned to defend its reputation, determined as I was to give it a chance. I wanted to prove to my mother that not all YA contemporary novels have frivolous content.
With that in mind, I'm happy to say that this novel was cute, thought-provoking, and inspiring at best. It tackled important issues, such as broken families, sexual abuse, and learning disabilities. These are topics readers don't normally encounter (simultaneously) in summery, feel-good literature, and I appreciated how these sensitive issues were explored in a very refreshing and optimistic approach. Furthermore, given my divergent upbringing as a "normal" boy in a conservative, tight-knit family, I was filled with sympathy for Chloe and Landon, who were significantly flawed because of their respective backgrounds and hang-ups. I am not a teenager anymore, but I was still capable of putting myself in their shoes. Overall, the majority of the plot was emotionally charged, and it surprisingly made my reading experience more meaningful, memorable, and vibrant.
Unfortunately, I am persuaded to give this novel merely three stars because of its major cliches or tropes. The moment I started reading, I already assumed that a forbidden romance was going to blossom between Chloe and Landon in spite of their imminent, familial connection. However, I was disturbed by how quickly their relationship developed; it was practically lust at first sight! These two teenagers had the hots for each other the very moment their gazes locked, and I was further annoyed by how they could not resist the temptation to objectify each other's bodies.
Landon was the bonafide pervert of the two, occasionally alluding to the "movements" and "needs" of his genitals. To make things worse, he attributed his amorous behavior to his masculinity, as if to imply that all males were naturally horny. I nearly lost all my respect for him as a protagonist when he briefly considered sleeping with other girls just to help him get his mind off Chloe (at least for a little while). Chloe was of course the overrated virgin, an innocent girl who was weirdly ashamed of her single (NBSB) status. Despite her gradual character development, she also had a generally weak and dependent personality. How so? A male was the one who broke her, and it was also a male who helped her heal. To simply put it, this book reinforced quite a number of our gender stereotypes.
In conclusion, The Summer Before Forever is predominantly substantial in regards to its content. The issues it discussed were very relevant, especially in this time wherein people are often insensitive to the struggles of others. In spite of its shortcomings, this contemporary novel is still worthwhile. Just be careful to keep your Feminist sentiments in check....more
You are my entire world, Julie. And one day, maybe I'll only be a small piece of yours. I hope you keep that piece. —Sam
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Henlo!You are my entire world, Julie. And one day, maybe I'll only be a small piece of yours. I hope you keep that piece. —Sam
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Henlo! I haven't blogged in months, but I'm still alive! Harhar. Anyway, I really didn't expect that writing my first book review of 2022 would make me cry. I finished this novel several months ago, so I had to peruse it and find a meaningful quote. Dude, Sam's words broke my heart. Again.
For a bit of context, I started reading You've Reached Sam shortly after Lolo (Grandpa) Cris passed away (Ugh, this is so hard to write). Thus, Julie's story of magically reconnecting with Sam after his death was very triggering—in a good way. Moreover, the plot was particularly...serendipitous? Like, Julie and Sam's new conversations were on the phone, while the last talk I had with Lolo was also on mobile. Even though I know that he's in Paradise, I yearn, almost every day, for another chance to talk to my grandpa. But for the most part, I'm thankful that he no longer has to endure any physical ailment.
I guess this is how grief works. It ebbs and flows depending on the level of love or attachment. The characters in this book exemplify that well. In one chapter, you think they're okay and finally moving on, but then they suddenly become emotional in the next page or so. Sam had been an essential part of Julie and Mika's friendship, and now that he was gone, they found themselves in a state of social imbalance, unable to interact without snapping, crying, or saying harsh things they didn't mean.
I kinda resonated with that feeling of wanting to push others away, but only to the degree that my grief made me value my alone time more. Grieving with your family is indeed beneficial, but what if their faces are so similar to that of the departed because of simple genetics? It's like a double-edged sword, right? It's interesting how spending time with your loved ones can simultaneously cause pain and comfort.
The same principle applies to material objects. Julie had a box full of Sam's signature items, like his denim jacket, CDs, and mixed tapes. Each object spoke volumes about her dead boyfriend, so she eventually got rid of them, hoping to accelerate the healing process. Now, I can't help but reflect on how Lola (Grandma) Juliet gave me many of Lolo Cris's things: his silver ring, Samsung laptop bag, collared t-shirts, and more. I love them, and I bet Lola also likes seeing me wear Lolo's clothes. Not that I'm trying to be shadow or phantom of my lolo. I just think that somehow, using his old belongings is a way to honor his memory or legacy. Hmm...I wonder what Julie would say about that if she were a real person? KeK
Although I didn't necessarily approve of how she managed her grief, I liked how she was always humble enough to recognize her mistakes and strive to do better. She was so in tune with her conscience or moral compass that she couldn't keep her conversations with Sam a secret, especially to their mutual close friends. If I were in her shoes and could talk to Lolo on the phone, I probably wouldn't be selfless and open up to others if it meant risking the miraculous connection.
Julie's most remarkable quality was her ability to say goodbye. I loved the scene where all of her pending messages flooded into her phone when she finally let go of Sam. The word "goodbye" is simple, but when it comes to family, I suck at saying it. After all, it entails separation, which I'm not very good at. Hahaha. Julie used to be as clingy as me, holding on to Sam for almost 300 pages. Both of us were so invested in their flashbacks and wished that the Sam-and-Julie reel would never end. But then she realized that saying goodbye didn't strictly mean turning her back and forgetting him. Instead, it meant moving on and enjoying life while thinking of Sam now and then. Rereading the book's last few pages before writing this not-so-objective review was a bad idea. UwU
Ultimately, I loved reading You've Reached Sam because its melancholic yet hopeful narrative changed my perspective on grief for the better. I did say farewell to Lolo Cris last November. However, borrowing Sam's parting words, my grandpa will forever be a small piece of my world. If you're planning to pick up this debut novel, be sure to prepare a roll of tissue and a mug of hot coco. <3...more
Oh, hello there! I haven't written anything in months, but I need to share my thoughts on this book before losing them to another slump. Dear Readers,
Oh, hello there! I haven't written anything in months, but I need to share my thoughts on this book before losing them to another slump. 2021 has been a bad reading year for me. That is if you only consider the numbers. But quality-wise, I've been on a roll. The three books I've finished are all enjoyable, and this one is probably the most remarkable.
A Vow So Bold and Deadly continues the breakdown of Rhen and Grey's relationship. They were once inseparable because of the curse, united in their love for the kingdom of Emberfall. But now, their new rivalry might cause the downfall of the very thing they seek to protect. Harper is still a prominent figure in the novel, and she reprises her role as Agent of Reconciliation. And let's not forget Lia Mara, the girl who sunk the Harper-Grey ship before it even had a chance to sail. We get to see each character's perspective, making it hard for readers to pick a side. It's like asking a bookworm, "What's your favorite book?" In this war between Emberfall and Sylh Shallow, it's almost impossible to play favorites.
I adored the Harper-Rhen banter in this book. It was funny how they simultaneously resented and missed each other. After Harper helped Grey escape Rhen's torturous clutches, her romance with Rhen became the epitome of "It's complicated." So much was left unsaid between them, and they had to be brave enough to break the silence before it swallowed them completely. Miscommunication is so annoying in real life but can be very entertaining in fiction. Brigid Kemmerer excels at writing character conflicts. Harper and Rhen's arguments seemed petty at first, but the reasons for their pettiness were actually profound. Every instance of honesty and vulnerability built up to a well-deserved and highly anticipated resolution.
On the other hand, Grey and Lia Mara were on cloud nine. If I remember correctly, they didn't have a single fight in the book, which was a bit strange. Were they simply so compatible, or were they blind to each other's flaws? I'm biased as a Harper-Grey shipper. Still, Grey and Lia Mara shouldn't have had such an idyllic romance. A little saltiness could have made their sweetness more...palatable, like salted caramel. I'm sure that I'm not the only one with conflicted feelings about their love story. If Grey had stayed single throughout the trilogy, perhaps I would have been happier. If Harper couldn't have him, no one should! Hahaha!
Speaking of the Harper-Grey dynamic, it remained fascinating despite being platonic. Harper immediately sought Grey's help when Rhen's life was in grave danger, and it didn't matter that they were on opposite sides of a war. She genuinely believed that even though Grey wasn't the ever-so-loyal commander of the Royal Guard, he still cared for Rhen. While stuck in the Friend Zone, Harper was uncannily good at getting what she wanted from Grey. She knew him well, so she knew what words would crumble his stoic facade. As futile as it was, a part of me hoped that they would end up together. Lia Mara herself admitted that Harper and Grey could have been more than friends!
Harper's powers of persuasion resulted in a bittersweet conclusion. It was satisfying because none of my favorite characters died. However, why and how was the Enchantress so powerful? And she was supposed to be dead already, so why bring her back to haunt Rhen? Most of the time, the Enchantress seemed too invulnerable to be believable, her motivations quite shallow. And worst of all, she always appeared during Harper and Rhen's sweet moments, like, what a great way to ruin the mood! Ugh, I even don't like writing about her. That's how annoying she was.
Overall, A Vow So Bold and Deadly was a BOLD and almost DEADLY end to an excellent story of love, friendship, and magic. I'm tempted to VOW to read more books this year, but I don't want to pressure myself. If anything, I can promise to review another book/series that's as good as this one. Stay safe, and happy reading!
The times we had together were the closest my life has ever come to the kind of moments that could be in a book. —M.P.M.
This is me forcing myself to oThe times we had together were the closest my life has ever come to the kind of moments that could be in a book. —M.P.M.
This is me forcing myself to overcome a writing slump because I NEED to review this book. It's definitely one of my favorite 2020 releases and now one of my inspirations for my work in progress. Also, I must say that reading this novel was a breath of fresh air after I endured a particularly bad retelling of Anna Karenina. The main character's disdain for Vronsky was so on point!
By the Book is like a YA combination of Jane Austen's Emma and Pride and Prejudice. Mary Porter Malcolm is like Elizabeth Bennet. She loves to read, she loves her big family, and she has a good head on her shoulders. However, she doesn't have a social life, and she wants to change that in her new school. There, she meets Arden, a redhead who, similar to Emma Woodhouse, is in the business of matchmaking. Mary uses her profound knowledge of the classics to befriend Arden and two other girls (Lydia and Terry). Inspired by the flirty antics of Alex Ritter (the campus Vronsky), Mary and her companions start working on a dating manual entitled The Scoundrel Survival Guide. It's all fun and games, but Alex might not be a scoundrel after all.
I loved Mary's relationship with Alex because it was reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice. Mary's initial opinion of Alex was entirely based on a misunderstanding. Since the story was told from her perspective, he really did seem like a debonair playboy. So when Alex finally had the chance to explain himself, the moment of truth was utterly hilarious. Mary had more scenes with her female friends, but this made her interactions with Alex more exciting and remarkable. And because of Mary's critical attitude, the growth of their feelings was organic. This is one of the reasons why I like the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Another thing that I adored was Mary's rowdy family. Imagine the Weasleys of the HP series but make all of the characters book-obsessed. Even the youngest child, who was 13 years old, had read all of Jane Austen's novels. Moreover, unlike most YA protagonists, Mary was very honest with her parents. She didn't mind sharing her problems, as personal as they seemed. I guess the family dynamics in this book were autobiographical since the author also grew up in a big household. Mary's banter with her parents and siblings made me nostalgic. Because of the pandemic, it's been months since I've enjoyed a meal with my parents.
My last compliment goes to Mary herself. I loved reading her diary entries at the start of each chapter because they reflected many of my own sentiments: the disdain of watching a movie before reading the book, the desire to have a spectacular life, and the temptation to avoid conflict and skip to the happy parts of books. The general tone of the narrative is something that I want to achieve: snarky but with a touch of innocence and wit.
By the Book now sits on my shelf of favorites because of its smile-worthy content. I can see myself rereading it when I need more motivation to write fiction. If you need a story to cheer you up during these stressful times, Mary's literary observations might do the trick....more
My sweet nemesis, how glad I am that you returned.
This was mostly a satisfying ending to a gripping trilogy. I reread the previous two books before stMy sweet nemesis, how glad I am that you returned.
This was mostly a satisfying ending to a gripping trilogy. I reread the previous two books before starting The Queen of Nothing just to refresh my memory, so I got to enjoy the world of Faerie in all its terrible glory.
The epilogue of The Wicked King saddened me. Did Cardan have to exile Jude after their quick yet super sweet wedding? I understood that he was mad at her for killing Balekin, but weren't they done with all the deception and vengeance? Er, but then I learned that Jude could pardon herself as the High Queen. You can only imagine my frustration with Cardan. xD
Jude's life in the mortal world was pretty exciting. She remained in contact with the Fae, completing a variety of dangerous quests for them so that she had money to pay the rent. I liked that Jude didn't want to rely on Vivi's magic to make ends meet. Jude was a skillful girl who had evaded death lots of times, so she didn't need cheap glamours. Physical battles were a different matter, though. Jude probably wouldn't have defeated Grima Mog without resorting to trickery.
I didn't expect Taryn to be the reason for Jude's return to Faerie. I hated Taryn for her betrayals in books 1 and 2 and thought that she was the worst sister in the history of YA fiction. Did having different priorities in life justify her actions? Nope! When she showed up at Jude's front door, an alarm rang in my head. Until now, I don't understand why she ended up killing Locke (though he was really an annoying and unfaithful husband). This part of the story seemed contrived, a forced way to keep the plot moving. Still, I'm glad because it paved the way for Jude's reconciliation with Cardan.
Speak of the devil. I disliked that Cardan was barely in the novel. He had had a significant presence in the prequels, so why the sudden absence? I assume the book's negative reviews are a result of Cardan's transformation into a giant serpent. Hahaha. It was like a random ode to a familiar fairy tale. I felt it, too, guys! It also hurt when Jude considered bridling Cardan and controlling him for a lifetime. Jude's desire to rule nearly got the best of her.
Ultimately, I loved that Jude proved Madoc wrong and chose love instead of power. After everything that Jude and Cardan went through, they genuinely deserved a happy ending to their cruel love story. Thank you, Holly Black! I can hardly wait for the Cardan novella to come out this year. <3...more
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