#Kileys book reviews

[kileyreadsbooks]

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck

Rating: 3.5/5 Dates: January 1st - January 2nd 2025: 1/100

There are certain books that I read because, well, everyone is talking about them and everyone is raving that the book changed their lives. I wanted Shark Heart by Emily Habeck to change my life, instead it was just an average read that I will remember more as being a let down than anything else. The allegory of mental deterioration (i.e. Dementia, Alzheimer's, etc.) as the physical change from human into animal was a compelling premise. It was, however, for being the advertised premise of the book, under explored and handled near nonchalantly. Avoidance is how people deal with bad news, but for it to work in literature there needs to be a "come to Jesus" moment. There is no moment where Lewis and Wren discuss Lewis's disease for what it is, and how this loss is effecting them/will affect Wren moving forwards. I would have loved a further exploration of what turning into a shark was doing to their relationship. This book falls into the trap of "thing happens, thing happens" without the needed reflection of characters reacting in between each event. 

The internalization of the characters almost works well, and is almost something so profound that it hurts. I picked this book up to cry about love and loss, but nothing was as moving or as deeply profound as reviews and online discussions had lead me to believe. Lit-Fic as a genre is entirely hit or miss, and while I do not think that Shark Heart was entirely a miss, the only thing saving this book from being a miss -- and rated lower than a 3.5 -- is how beautifully and well written it is. Emily Habeck, especially for a debut novel, did such a good job with language that made me keep wanting to tern the page. However, the discussion that me and girlfriend ended up having was what was missing rather than what was happening. 

Goodreads Blog

[theressomethingwrongwithsam]

Review - Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

As a white, gay, middle class, British man I thought I'd struggle to understand this book, but Reid put all my doubts to bed in great style. She brought me into the world of her characters and used their voices so well that I could put myself in their heads.

I loved the fluidity of the writing and the tiny, slightly off piste, observations throughout made me think like I was looking through the eyes of a child.

The plot was tight and the twists kept you guessing and wondering what to believe.

And, of course, Briar has to be mentioned. She was vibrant and funny to the last page and I fell in love with her just as Emira must have.

A very clever novel and masterfully written. I would say “a brave novel”, but the confidence of the writing doesn't betray Reid by showing any weakness or fear at all. It's one of those books that says: This is the story I want to write and here's how I'm going to write it.

Four stars!

[ritusmiles]

Book and a Brew with Ritu - A New Chapter at the Borrow a Book Shop by @KileyDunbar @HeraBooks #NewRelease #BookReview

A Book and a Brew with Ritu and review with Kiley Dubar

Is she a glutton for punishment, or does she just like my nibbles? Kiley is back for a fourth visit! Today, I am thrilled to welcome amazing romance author Kiley Dunbar to my blog for a cuppa and a bit of a chat about all things writerly, especially her newest release, A New Chapter at the Borrow a Bookshop. It’s out, TODAY! Welcome back, Kiley, for your fourth Book and A Brew with Ritu!…

[nadiaabraham]

Review: The Peter Pan Syndrome oleh Dr. Dan Kiley

“Their temper tantrums are disguised as manly assertion. They take love for granted, never learning how to give it in return. They pretend to be grown-ups but actually behave like spoiled children.”  

“He’s a man because of his age; a child because of his acts. The man wants your love; the child wants your pity.” 

Peter Pan Syndrome adalah sebuah sindrom yang berkaitan dengan perilaku sosial yang tidak pantas, minat seksual yang serampangan, dan penghindaran dari tanggung jawab (biasanya laki-laki, namun ada beberapa kasus pada perempuan) yang mempengaruhi hidup secara negatif. Seseorang yang memiliki Peter Pan Syndrome biasanya kekanakan secara mental dan emosional, haus validasi (terutama dari teman-teman dan perempuan), tidak bisa mengatur prioritas antara tanggung jawab keluarga, pekerjaan atau tujuan hidup untuk diri sendiri, dan cenderung ingin bersenang-senang tanpa pikir panjang. 

Apakah kamu kenal dengan seseorang seperti itu?  

Masalahnya, Peter Pan biasanya mencari Wendy, yaitu perempuan yang penuh dengan rasa tanggung jawab yang tinggi, kuat secara emosional (yang artinya, jika kamu adalah “Wendy”,  kamu akan tahan disakiti habis-habisan oleh Peter baik secara emosional, verbal, seksual, finansial, maupun fisik), empatis yang berlebihan (Peter Pan cenderung memandang dirinya sebagai seorang pria dewasa yang keinginannya harus diikuti di satu sisi, dan bocah kecil yang harus dikasihani di sisi lain). Wendy berperan sebagai kekasih sekaligus ibu dari Peter Pan. 

Apakah itu adalah kamu, Wendy?  

Buku ini diterbitkan sekitar tahun 1983, yaitu lima puluh tahun lalu. Dan meskipun sebenarnya Peter Pan Syndrome bukanlah termasuk sakit jiwa, tetapi orang yang memiliki sindrom ini biasanya akan memiliki gangguan jiwa mulai dari kecenderungan narsistik, neurotik, dan adiksi baik pada alkohol, seks, magical thinking (Pikiran Ajaib yang berarti penghindaran masalah dengan berpura-pura, “Jika aku tidak pikirkan masalah ini, maka masalah ini nanti juga hilang sendiri secara ajaib”). Sindrom ini biasanya akan menghancurkan hubungan personal si penderitanya, tetapi bisa juga mengarah pada kehidupan profesional dan kesehatan tubuh. Meskipun ditulis lima puluh tahun lalu, buku ini cukup progresif; Dr. Dan Kiley merujuk para Peter untuk memperbaiki hidup mereka dan bersikap adil kepada pasangan mereka, dan ia merujuk para Wendy untuk berhenti bersikap seperti martir tidak berdaya. Intinya, para perempuan pun harus turut mampu menentukan pilihan dan jangan sampai kehilangan jati diri mereka sendiri. 

Dr. Dan Kiley memberikan banyak saran kepada baik si penderita maupun orang-orang terdekat si penderita (ini terutama kamu, Wendy), untuk membantu si penderita menjadi membaik atau justru mencegah terbentuknya sosok Peter Pan di diri putra kamu, kalau kamu adalah orang tua. 

“For all his gaiety, he was a deeply troubled boy living in an even more troubling time. He was caught in the abyss between the man he didn’t want to become and the boy he could no longer be.”  

Peter tidak siap dan tidak mau jadi pria dewasa, dengan segala tanggung jawabnya. Dalam hubungan cinta, ia tidak siap menjadi seorang “suami” atau “ayah”,  dan merasa tertekan jika ia harus menggunakan uangnya untuk kebutuhan rumah tangga, menghabiskan waktunya untuk anaknya, atau memiliki batasan normal dengan minat-minat pribadinya yang artinya, ia harus bersikap selayaknya laki-laki dewasa yang turut peduli pada perasaan, keadaan, dan masa depan keluarganya. Bagi Peter, tanggung jawab adalah kepura-puraan yang biasanya dilakukan oleh orang-orang hanya untuk dapat validasi. Jika sosok Wendy tidak mau menurutinya, maka ia akan marah, bahkan bertindak penuh kekerasan. 

Dr. Dan Kiley menjelaskan biasanya, para Peter Pan ini terbentuk akibat pernikahan orangtua mereka yang juga disfungsional, atau bahkan penuh dengan kekerasan. Orangtua mereka biasanya tidak bahagia dengan pernikahan mereka di mana si ayah mungkin keras dan sementara si ibu mungkin menderita dalam diam. Tetapi putra mereka, yaitu Peter Pan, melihat semua itu. 

Satu yang paling penting ditekankan di sini adalah, laki-laki penderita Sindrom Peter Pan akan mati-matian menghindari penolakan. Mereka memiliki kebutuhan tak tertahankan untuk diterima baik oleh lingkungan keluarga, teman-teman, maupun ingin diakui kehebatannya oleh para perempuan. Sebenarnya semua orang juga punya kebutuhan ini, tetapi para Peter Pan merasa kosong dan kebutuhan mereka ini di luar batas normal. Dr. Dan Kiley juga menekankan alasan lain di mana lingkungan masyarakat yang cenderung mengabaikan kebutuhan laki-laki untuk mengekspresikan sisi emosional mereka (sedih, misalnya) justru turut membentuk para Peter Pan karena secara emosional mereka tidak berkembang dengan sehat karena mereka jadi sulit untuk mengakui ketika mereka memang merasa sedih, kesepian, dan butuh bantuan. Ini nantinya akan membentuk pola disfungsional dalam hidup mereka, termasuk adiksi. 

Tetapi Dr. Dan Kiley juga menekankan bahwa biasanya, penderita Sindrom Peter Pan tidak mau dan sulit sekali berubah. Mereka ‘kan biasanya memang benci tanggung jawab, ingat? Jadi ketika ada yang mau menolong, itu artinya kamu harus berperan sebagai Wendy di mana sekarang kamu yang harus mengambil alih tanggung jawab terutama secara emosional, atau kamu akan dijadikan kambing hitam sama Peter. Peter akan menyalahkan kamu jika ia sampai pergi, bersikap kasar, pelit (karena ia ingin menghabiskan uangnya untuk kesukaannya sendiri), memukul kamu, selingkuh, dan lain sebagainya. Akan ada titik di mana Wendy harus menentukan ingin tetap tinggal dengan Peter atau pergi. Dr. Dan Kiley bahkan berkata bahwa jika kamu ingin terus berperan sebagai Wendy (karena satu alasan dan lainnya, misalnya karena kamu percaya bahwa kamu tidak akan mungkin bisa hidup mandiri tanpa Peter), maka ketahuilah bahwa itu memang pilihan kamu and make peace with it. Lagipula, biasanya para Wendy ini senang merasa dibutuhkan oleh para Peter. 

Peter Pan itu berjiwa dangkal, dan ia akan menggunakan rasa kasihan kamu untuk memanipulasi atau sikap masa bodoh untuk mengintimidasi kamu (kamu bisa saja nangis-nangis dan menderita, dan dia akan bilang “oh yaudah si biasa aja, emosional amat”) 

“Wendy pushes Peter into the role of father and husband. This upsets him and he quickly reverts to the role of son rather than lober. Wendy indulges his every whim.” 

Buku ini sangat bagus karena Dr. Dan Kiley bahkan menjelaskan bahwa biasanya, Peter Pan ini akan melakukan “rape talk” di mana mereka akan mengoceh dan melakukan lelucon seksis yang merendahkan perempuan, bahwa mereka “bisa” dan “ mau” memperkosa perempuan, dan semua itu asalnya dari perasaan tidak berharga, takut ditolak, dan rendah diri. Mereka mau teman-teman mereka ikut tertawa dalam lelucon ini. It’s really pathetic. Mereka melakukan ini untuk merawat ego mereka dan mempertahankan image “macho”. Sayangnya, hal ini justru membuat orang-orang merasa tidak nyaman, dan perempuan menjauh. Siapa yang mau deket-deket orang ini?  

Tentu saja sesama Peter Pan. 

Meksipun Peter Pan biasanya menawan, banyak teman, dan populer, masalahnya jauh di dalam Peter Pan sebenarnya sangat sadar terhadap kekurangan diri mereka. Dr. Dan Kiley mencontohkan bahwa bayangkan jika kamu bercermin; pada awalnya kamu akan merasa senang bisa melihat diri kamu sendiri, kamu bahkan bisa bersikap konyol di depan cermin dan bergaya. Tetapi nantinya, kamu mulai menyadari bahwa ternyata sosok kamu tidak begitu menarik. Hidung kamu mungkin terlalu besar, atau kecil. Kamu mungkin terlalu gemuk, atau kurus. Kamu sadar akan segala kekurangan ini dan tidak ada tempat berlari. 

Seperti itulah Peter Pan, ia terjebak di hadapan cermin. Itulah mengapa ia haus validasi dan takut banget sama penolakan, terutama penolakan dari perempuan. Itulah mengapa, terkadang sikap seksis para Peter Pan biasanya hanyalah cara Peter untuk mengalihkan rasa bersalah atau tanggung jawab atas tindakannya yang semena-mena kepada para perempuan. 

Karena Peter Pan benci untuk melihat dirinya sendiri di cermin dan bertanggung jawab. 

Dr. Dan Kiley menulis bahwa ada harapan kok untuk para Peter Pan ini, karena toh mereka tidak mungkin lari selamanya. Mereka yang gagal melakukan perubahan biasanya memiliki rumah tangga yang hancur dan mengalami kehidupan yang tidak memuaskan. Ini butuh waktu, tetapi selama Peter mau, maka mereka bisa berubah. 

[bloodmaarked]

such a fun age // kiley reid

first published: 2019 re-read: 20 july 2024 - 21 july 2024 first read: 2022 pages: 320 format: e-book

genres: fiction; adult; race; literary fiction (light) favourite character(s): amira, briar, zara, kelley least favourite character(s): tamra

rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 thoughts: i had no plans to reread such a fun age but it came up as part of a reading challenge and was instantly available at my library, so i thought "why not?" and i'm very glad i did because i remembered how great, twisted and fun this was to read the first time around. i had been wanting to buy a copy of this since my first read and this was a perfect reminder of why that was.

as i mentioned in my original review, it's such a weirdly unsettling book to read because we're presented with characters who are well-versed in the art of microagressions. but not only that, they truly believe they are well-meaning. it's insidious and twisted and very cleverly written, and at the same time so satirically written that it keeps you in varying states of disbelief and laughter.

all of the characters are so on point, wild, messy and real. the alix/amira/kelley dynamic was so good. i fell in love with amira's friend group who are just hilarious. i want to take briar home with me.

ugh, this book is just too good, i can't believe i forgot how good it was but i was captivated in much the same way i was on first read. a crazy good debut novel and it's renewed my interest to go and read kiley reid's come and get it. if you haven't read such a fun age yet, you're missing out!

[flaviathebibliophile]

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley (ARC Review)

Title: Kilt Trip Author: Alexandra Kiley Type: Fiction Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance Publisher: Canary Street Press Date published: March 5, 2024 A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Harper Collins Canada in exchange for an honest review. Paid ad. Ad. Sponsored. Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around…

[hollymbryan]

Blog Tour + #Review: KILT TRIP by Alexandra Kiley!

Welcome to Book-Keeping and my stop on the HTP Books in-house blog tour for Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley! I've got all the details for you below, along with my review!

About the Book

title: Kilt Trip author: Alexandra Kiley publisher: Canary Street Press release date: 5 March 2024

For fans of Emily Henry and Sarah Morgenthaler comes a brand-new Scotland-set romantic comedy. In this enemies-to-lovers romance, one woman discovers more than the just the magic of the heartland's lochs and landscapes—but not before clashing with the proud Scotsman she's forced to work with. Addie Macrae has always followed her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she turns struggling businesses into world-class tour groups. Her job comes with the perk of jetsetting around the globe, which means never being in one place for too long—just the way she likes it. Since her mom passed away ten years ago and her father never stopped grieving, no place has felt like home anyway. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a family-run tour group in Scotland—the one place she swore she’d never go—Addie has to shed her emotional baggage and turn on the professional charm. Logan Sutherland’s family business is operating just fine, thank you very much. The Heart of the Highlands was never meant to make the family rich, rather to teach sightseers to appreciate the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems, which are more captivating than any tourist trap. The last thing Logan wants is some American "expert" pushing Outlander-themed tours and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster. And for a travel consultant, Addie oddly doesn’t seem interested in learning about the land Logan loves. Equally put off by each other, the new colleagues clash on every company decision. Then Logan discovers Addie does have a personal connection to Scotland—it was her late mother’s favorite place, one that now lives on in a handful of faded Polaroids Addie kept from her parents’ Honeymoon. She wants to seek out the places in the pictures, but is worried that she's too late to capture the wonder of following in her mother's footsteps. Logan is convinced he can help Addie get some closure, and the two realize, when they agree, they actually work pretty well together.  But Addie’s contract with The Heart is almost up, and the business is still losing money. They can’t afford distractions, but there’s no denying the intense chemistry between Addie and Logan. Besides, how can Addie do her job properly if she hasn’t explored all Scotland has to offer?

Add to Goodreads: Kilt Trip Purchase the Book: Bookshop | B&N | BAM | Amazon

About the Author

Alexandra Kiley writes big-hearted romances full of banter, found-family, and deep love. When she’s not writing, you can find her drinking tea, hiking, or gazing adoringly at the mountains of Colorado where she lives with her husband and two kids. Her novels are inspired by her semester in Scotland where she fell in love with not only the lush and magical land, but also the people who invited her into their homes and made her feel like family.

Connect with Alexandra: Website | Twitter | Instagram

My 5-Star Review

I desperately want to visit Scotland and have since I was younger. Outlander is one of my faves - I read the books as they came out (yes I'm old lol) and I adore the show - and I watched so many Hallmark Christmas movies set in Scotland 🙈 So when I heard about Kilt Trip and the chance to be part of the street team for Alexandra Kiley, I jumped at the chance! American travel company consultant travels to Scotland and meets hot tour guide in a kilt?? Sign me the eff up! 😂

I'm so happy to have been able to read an early copy of this delightful romance. I laughed, I swooned, I cried - literally every emotion ran through my body reading this book! There are some open door scenes, but they are relatively mild, what we used to call "tasteful" (even though it's not my favorite way to describe it). Logan was gaaaahhhhh just gorgeous and swoon worthy!! 😍 I absolutely loved him from jump. Addie is a strong woman, my word she is stubborn, but she's carrying so much grief with her and she's been so hurt that she has walls up for days. Logan may just be the one who can finally do that! Plus there's an amazing family, snooty sheep, adorable hairy coos, and so. Many. Kilts.

Any fan of romance needs to read this one, it's an absolute delight (even when I was crying - thanks Alexandra) and I want everyone to read it and then gush with me about it! Thanks again, Alexandra, for having me on the team!

Rating: 5 Stars!

**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for purposes of this blog tour.

[lizanneyoung97]

ARC REVIEW: KILT TRIP BY ALEXANDRA KILEY

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

TROPES

Rivals to Lovers

Forced Proximity

Instalove

Found Family/Home

Men in Kilts

Addie the travel consultant and Logan the Scottish tour guide may fall for each other initially, but their dynamic drastically changes when the tour guide discovers she’s the one changing his tours. 

Everything about this book worked so well for me. Addie is such a dynamic character. Her reason for being a travel consultant is relatable, but so is her reason for not always standing up for herself to her boss. She’s someone who, since a tragic incident, has walked alone in the world, closed off to others. It’s something we all experience at some point, and a very hard habit to break. It was really beautiful to watch her break down her own walls and grow and experience life in a new way.

These two come together in a way that is not only healthy for them, but it forces them to grow for the better. Logan forces himself to stop reaching out for something that might not be there, and Addie has to come to terms with why she pushes people away while going on a heritage trip. So, when they finally do hit that point of no return, it means that much more. Honestly, I can’t talk enough about the character growth in this book. I loved it and would love to see this kind of care and depth in all the books I read. 

Logan also has a first impression of Addie that is arguably one of my favorite I’ve seen in a romance book. I will be repeating the line until the end of time. 

Kilt Trip comes out on March 5! Thank you so much to Canary Street Press for an eARC through Net Galley and to the author for letting me be on your street team. 

[wttnblog]

Review: "Come and Get It" is a Meandering Character Study with a Worthwhile Conclusion

It wasn’t that long ago that I started college. It was the first time I’d ever been surrounded by so many people of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds to myself. My hometown—with its graduating class of 200—was relatively monolithic, and in cases where situations differed, we’d all known each other since preschool anyways. Even the unknown was known. Kiley Reid’s second book, Come…

[clairekreads]

The Gingerbread Christmas Village by Kiley Dunbar @herabooks #bookreview

Happy Sunday everyone!! Today I’m reviewing Kiley Dunbar’s festive novel The Gingerbread Christmas Village. Continue reading Untitled

[iouinotes]

match made in heaven | Alex Walter

pairing: Alex Walter x female!reader

show: My life with the Walter boys

warnings: just kissing word count: 2,2k

summary: At your birthday party you get dared to spend 7 minutes in heaven with none other than your best friend Alex.

a/n: A modified review of "Beautiful boy" Thank you @rogueanschel-reads for the woderful idea!

"Come on, even a stranger can sense your attraction for each other, the hidden love that lays beneath your friendship."

Maybe it wasnt the best idea to play truth or dare.

Well, firstly I want to say that I love my friendgroup. Grace, Skylar, his boyfriend Nathan, Kiley and of course, my best friend Alex.

Really, I love these guys. But sometimes they make me want to jump off a cliff, no regretting or turning back.

In moments like this, where I want to spent a good time partying with my friends, because its my 16th birthday, they need to remind me of the he-who-must-not-be-named-topic. That means for outstanders, my non-existent, strictly friendly feelings for my best friend Alex.

The guy, who has absolutely no idea, he's being compared to Voldemort. But for the matter of fact, Harry Potter are my all-time favorite movies and early Voldemort was actually quiet handsome. So, it kinda makes sense. Why? Because Alex has put a spell on me with his smile and his pretty face.

But back to my party.

We are currently in the living room, our knees are touching the legs of the person next to us and someone (Grace) encouraged us to smuggle a few bottles of alcohol to the party, even though we didnt plan to drink.

Now, Skylar had the great idea to embarrass everyone by playing truth or dare, but with a twist. He likes to call it "match made in heaven" or what it actually means, making out in a closet. Something like that, I've never participated in any of these games.

Until now.

As I am the birthday girl, I started the game by choosing truth. But I could really have just voluntarily confessed my feelings for Alex. Because Grace winked at me and I knew at that moment, that the next few minutes meant trouble.

"So, y/n. Describe us your magical boy, that you dream of being able to call your own." I knew it. She could have just asked me what college I wanted to attend or something less embarrassing, but no. She needed to ask me about my type in boys, which obviously is my handsome, brown haired best friend next to me.

As I'm about to hide my head in my hands, I hear the encouraging shouts of the people I call my friends.

"Okay, okay. Let me think for a moment." I couldnt make it that obvious, I liked him. But still, it was worth a try.

"Someone who has an angelic smile, where you just stare at his face and can´t stop looking at him. I-I like brown hair and I dont know, what it is, but hazel eyes, they somehow make my heart beat faster. I mean- he´s attractive, because he is a gentleman. Caring and supportive, someone who listens to my wants and needs, but still continues to be his true self. I can read books with him or we watch movies together and talk about it after. He makes me feel seen, safe. I love him, because he is everything I could ever dream of and more."

When I finish speaking, Grace grins innocent and looks at me with her long eyelashes. "I wonder, who that could be."

My eyes secretly dart to Alex, trying to figure out, if he knows, that I am very obviously describing him. But he just watches the floor, his eyebrows are drawn together and I almost think, he looks annoyed.

"Someone is jealous" I hear Skylar´s voice in my ear.

As the game went on, his behavior kept being slightly off, even though he never said anything about it and continued to smile at me, when we looked at each other.

And then, Alex was asked about his favorite memory, whether it was about being in school, with family or with friends.

Well, he told them about the first time, he introduced me to his favorite book saga, the Lord of the Rings. I never knew, that day was so special for him, but as he described my hilarious reactions and facial features, how he saw my eyes widen with disbelief as he read out the first chapters, I remembered.

When I look back, it really was a wonderful night. We did a sleepover at his house and were talking about watching Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. Somehow, we also talked about the books and that I read the seven books about the famous wizard and he the books about the elves and other creatures (don´t judge me for this description). We discussed almost every aspect, but he still convinced me to give his favorite books a try. So we spent the night spread out on his bed, eating sweets and reading the first book. Well, he mostly read it out loud to me, because his pronunciation was definitely much better than mine. It was fun, also because I got to watch him being in his element, so it really was a heartwarming evening.

I smile at the memory, a warm feeling blooms in my chest and when he finishes talking about it, he looks at me fondly. I had to keep myself from wanting to giggle like a little girl, but my inner 13-year old, most definitely did giggle.

Back to the original topic. Next, Grace was dared to wear one of my clothes, Kiley told us about her celebrity crush (Timothee Chalamet, but you didnt hear it from me) and when Alex was asked who he would trust with his secret, if he was spiderman, he mentioned me again. It was sweet and I had planned to tell him, that I would love to be the girl in the chair.

But, as the game went on, my name constantly fell from his lips. He was dared to show one of the most terrible photos of him and revealed to the group, a snapshot from us, wearing unrecognizable Halloween costumes. Funny, but my idea to go as ghosts wasnt that bad.

Nevertheless, he talked about the best gift he had ever received, a pair of cowboy boots, I got him two years ago (Nathan was playfully annoyed that one of his presents werent the best one) and as the game continued, the question, that I tried my best to avoid, was eventually asked.

"You two are always around each other and I've barely seen you apart, like ever. Are you sure, there is nothing going on between you? It seems like it."

Alex and I looked at each other, but then quickly laughed it off. It was what we always did, when someone asked us about our close friendship. None of us really answered and that meant for me, that he neither confirmed or declined having feelings for me. Very confusing and bad for my hoping heart.

So, when our friends are looking at each other now, grinning like they planned something really wicked, I know, that my personal hell is waiting for me. Or in my situation, a modified version of heaven.

"Y/n, I dare you to play seven minutes in heaven with just your best friend Alex." Grace is smiling in front of me and when I want to debate about it, she cuts me off.

"But I havent said I would take dare-" my words are going silent and I only hear my pounding heart.

"You always choose truth, that´s boring. You get the dare now, so stand up and cuddle with your wizard!"

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Alex holds his hands out for me, so he can help me stand up. He silently looks at me and I try to assure him by smiling, but I think I´m failing at it. Because he looks as unnerved as I feel right now.

When we walk out of the room and into the small storage room, we hear Skylar´s distance shouting.

"No lights and close the door! That are the rules, we set the timer!"

Why was I friends with them again?

When we approach the room, unlocking the door and stepping inside, we are suddenly surrounded by darkness. And when he closes my only way to escape, its quiet for a moment. Then, I hear is curious voice.

"What did Grace mean about your wizard?"

I relax and gently laugh. Nothing has to happen, everything is fine.

"That you are as bad at keeping secrets than Draco. Harry really found out on the first day in 6th grade, that something was clearly up with him."

Alex groans. "Please no more talking about your Drarry shipping. I get it, it could have been an enemies-to-lovers romance."

I smack his arm, taking a step closer to him.

"Okay, what would you like to talk about instead?"

I can make out the outlines of his face in the darkness, seeing how he also takes a step closer. I feel myself breathing heavily and my hands nervously shaking.

"I think, that I should keep you warm, because I literally see your hands shaking." When he takes another step in my direction, I hold my breath and in the same second, I feel his arms wrap around me.

His hands find their way to my back, embracing me in his warmth until I feel him breathing on my neck. I need to stop myself from shivering at this feeling.

"I can work with that." I whisper, snuggling into his chest and closing my eyes. I hear his racing heart and immediately need to smile.

"Your heart is beating very fast." His chin rests on my head, I feel him holding me closer.

"It´s the darkness." Of course, it is.

When I also close my arms around his waist, I feel for the first time a kind of inner peace, that I read about in books.

When a character feels safe in the embrace of their beloved.

Silence surrounds us for a minute and I begin to thank Grace for her dare, because him holding me in his arms und me, hugging him, is much more than wonderful.

"When you call me a wizard, do I get to call you a witch?" I burst out a laughter at his question.

"Only if you won´t compare me to Umbridge." He nods quietly.

"You are as far away from being like Umbridge as the earth is away from the moon. So, you don´t have to worry."

"Good." We are silent again.

"So, have you ever thought about what you would do, if you would get to spent time with a person, when you have seven minutes in heaven?" I think for a few seconds, before I answer him.

"I always imaged this game as a way to confess feelings or solving a fight. Maybe a hidden chance to make out too, I guess."

I hear him taking a deep breath, not expecting much. Until-

"Can I kiss you?" My knees almost give out.

"You what-?" I turn to look at him. Noticing his widen pupils.

"I mean, would you, um, want to kiss. Like, me. Now. Not that you need to, but you sounded like you would want that experience, so-" he tries to hold a stable voice, but I can sense, that he's slowly freaking out.

"Alex. You just asked me, if we should kiss."

I can´t believe it.

"...yes?" He sounds so sincere.

"Why?" I ask, while continue to look at him, feeling every centimeter that divides our lips from touching.

"Like I said, I don´t want you to miss out on anything."

Silence.

"Okay and maybe I just wanted an excuse to kiss you, before that dream boy of yours does."

I lean forward, watching as his eyes keep looking at my lips, even though he tries to hold the eye contact.

I slowly raise my hand and place it on the back of his neck, caressing the dark hair and twirling a few strands.

"Are you jealous, pretty boy?" I feel his cheeks getting warm, seeing the effect my words have on him.

His hands hold me tighter and a startled expression is shown on his face.

"What? Me, jealous? No." I raise my eyebrows at him.

He signs. "Maybe. I dont like the thought of someone else with you." His thumb brushes over my lips.

"Kissing you, touching you. It just doesnt feel right, that someone else would do that."

"You mean, someone who isnt you?" I look at his lips and he hums quietly. His hand slowly wanders to my chin and directs my head closer to him, I can feel his breath on my skin.

"We don´t have to do it-" I begin to talk, but then again, when he speaks up, his voice sounds out of breath, like he's holding himself back.

"No, it´s just one...little...kiss" his voice becomes quieter, the less distance there is between our faces.

And with one, last look, he catches my lips in a slow kiss. Keeping me close to him, by holding onto my waist. His hands find their way to my cheeks, caressing them with his fingers and I feel my heart pounding as prominent against my chest as feel him kissing me.

I don't notice, that he's directing me back until I gently hit the wall, while his hands slowly explore my sides. My hands tangle in his hair, tugging him closer, so I can feel everything of him.

And in that moment, I understand the name of the game. Because this truly feels like heaven.

When I notice, that I can´t breath anymore (but who needs oxygen when you can have Alex Walter), we gently break apart. Still holding onto each other.

And as soon as we catch our breath, both of us are smiling at each other and we share our feelings without a word.

"That was-" he doesnt get to finish his sentence, because in a blink of an eye, the door opens and brightness consumes us.

We quickly break apart, but apparently too late, because Grace´s voice is the first one to tease us.

"Right, you are just friends."

You can imagine, what the entire evening after that was like...

[kileyreadsbooks]

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Romance, and Kristy Boyce for the Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Publication Date: December 31st, 2024

Dates: November 29th - January 6th

Rating: 1.5/5

2025: 3/100

After reading the first book in this series, I was looking forward to reading this novel. Dungeons and Drama (Rating: 3.5/5) was a book that I had a number of issues with, but ultimately was still a book that I enjoyed reading. It was also a book that I devored in one sitting because of how enraptured I was by the premise and the characters that Boyce created. There was just so much charm and love poured into every page that it was worth the read and was something that I couldn't put down. I just feel like this book doesn't have that same charm that made the first one so memorable. It also meant that this novel was a slogg to get through. 

Dating and Dragons follows Quinn as she transfer high schools half way through her junior year. Quinn, and her new group of friends who live stream Dungeons and Dragons online, take their D&D game very seriously and take their rules even more so. The group of friends, composed of six people, have one major rule: no dating other players. This, as the title might convey, is the main confict of the novel. While I do not mind the 'no dating' rule as it's a quirky and unique way to introduce a will they/won't they saga to a Young Adult Novel, the sheer amout of characters the main issue I have with the book. None of the characters in this six person friend group, or the side characters in family members/school mates are all that memorable. At least in the first book, all of the characters, be it side or main, were memorable. I could remember who was who as I was reading, and all of the characters with smaller roles were interesting and unique. With Dating and Drama, I found myself having to reread and remind myself who was who constantly. Even with Quinn, for being the main character, had very little character traits and all of her personality revolved around being quirky and "not like other girls". While this is a character archetype that can work, it suffers when you surround the characters with near carbon copies of the "not like other girls" character. Logan, the love interest, was honestly such a red flag too. After meeting on their first day of school, he feel instantly in love with her. Which, you know, isn't that big of a deal most of the time in romance books, but in this novel, Boyce made the choice to have him attempt to exclude Quinn from their friend group, act like a complete asshole, and just show no reasoning for why he was in love with Quinn. 

Quinn's family was also just not it either. I read, especially YA romance, for light hearted fun not Quinn's parents being borderline abusive and neclectful to her so her brother can get special treatment. I think there could have been a way to handle this, especially in way that resolves how she's treated, but instead it just felt like an archetype that Boyce was trying to fill. 

It's a shame that this novel left so much to be desired. I was really hoping for a fun little romance and not boring, uninspired "romance". 

Up Next: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

Goodreads

[newmusickarl]

5-9’s Album of the Month Podcast – latest episode out now!

The latest episode of the 5-9 Album of the Month Podcast is here and it’s our penultimate monthly episode of the year! Pleased to say Mama Mañana Records’ founder Kiley Larsen makes his return, as he and I take our usual seats alongside 5-9 Editor Andrew Belt, to review five high profile album releases from the past month in music, ultimately naming one as our Album of the Month at the end of the discussion.

For our September 2024 episode, it was Hayden Thorpe’s unique and dazzling adaptation of Robert MacFarlane’s book, Ness, that took home our coveted Album of the Month title. Now for our latest episode, we look back at five big releases from October and the albums vying for recognition this time around are:

Cartoon Darkness by Amyl And The Sniffers (Poll winner, thanks for voting!)

Fate & Alcohol by Japandroids

Patterns In Repeat by Laura Marling

Endless Rain by One True Pairing

Cutouts by The Smile

If you want to listen to this or any previous episodes simply follow the links below, but also be sure to follow 5-9 Blog on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube for more news and polls relating to the podcast.

Listen on Spotify here

Watch, like and subscribe to our YouTube channel here

Album & EP Recommendations

GNX by Kendrick Lamar

“There we were, all starting to plan our annual Album of the Year countdowns… then BAM! A new project from one of the true modern greats and one of the most acclaimed artists of the last decade plus - none other than King Kendrick Lamar. Dropping ahead of his planned SuperBowl halftime show in February, GNX immediately feels like a record for the fans. Where Mr Morale & The Big Steppers was a more divisive project, a complex double album that saw Kendrick wrestling with guilt, grief and generational trauma, GNX by comparison instantly feels much more accessible. This is Kendrick the artist getting back to being Kendrick the rapper, coming out all guns blazing with his razor-sharp flow and some incredible production work by the likes of Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, Kamasi Washington and, of course, MUSTARRRRRRRD! While fans can continue to speculate on a potential second album before the year’s done, I think it’s safe to say that GNX alone feels like another significant addition to Kendrick’s flawless discography. Not only shocking the world with the nature of its release, but also delivering a project to the same exceptional standard that we’ve come to expect from him. A truly remarkable feat and already one of the best rap records all year, proving once again that Kendrick continues to operate at a level all to himself.”

Read my full review for Clash Magazine here

Listen to GNX here

From Zero by LINKIN PARK

Without a doubt one of the biggest releases of 2024, nu-metal pioneers LINKIN PARK have finally returned with their first new album in seven years, their first since the tragic passing of beloved vocalist Chester Bennington, and the record that introduces new female vocalist Emily Armstrong to their fans worldwide.

While the announcement of Emily joining the band has certainly been marred by controversy, with heavy backlash from both fans and Chester’s family regarding her links to Scientology, anyone who watched the initial livestream will know that, from a pure vocal range perspective, she is probably the best possible replacement the band could’ve got. And the mission for From Zero seems to be just that – convincing the fans to buy into this new era of LINKIN PARK with Emily being part of it. Does it work? I would say yes.

As someone who has accepted that LINKIN PARK are never going to make an album as groundbreaking as Hybrid Theory again, instead enjoying their music these days on a mostly nostalgic level, I’ve had a lot of fun with this one. While there are certainly some duff moments (‘Cut The Bridge’ and ‘Stained’ I’m looking at you), they also deliver plenty of highlights too. ‘The Emptiness Machine’ remains a belter of a hook-laden comeback single, while ‘Over Each Other’ carries a big emotional punch thanks to Emily’s stirring vocal work. There are also some excellent heavier moments that callback to their earlier days too, such as the scream-tastic ‘Casualty’ and hard-hitting rock anthem ‘Two Faced’.

Everything else is solid and catchy too, making this an enjoyable 30-minute listen. As a comeback record it admittedly feels very safe, but I guess the main point of it isn’t really to break the wheel. This is LINKIN PARK doing what they do best and aiming to get their dedicated fanbase back on board for the ride – analysing it from that perspective, I think it works a treat.

Listen here

Night Palace by Mount Eerie

I know what you’re thinking – 26 songs, an 80-minute runtime… why you even recommending this one Karl, you know we ain’t got time for that?! Well, just in case you find yourself at a loss on what to listen to over a long journey somewhere, or even later on next month during the festive period, I have to recommend this new one from American songwriter and producer Phil Elverum – AKA, Mount Eerie.

Firstly, this is an album you need to experience from front-to-back – this isn’t one to dip in and out of individual tracks. Inspired by Zen meditation, it is a single journey of reflection that comes seven years after the devastation of Elverum’s critically acclaimed masterpiece, A Crow Looked At Me. While I personally found that album heartbreakingly beautiful but also very hard work, I’ve found this one has oddly been more accessible by comparison, which is surprising given its demanding length.

But that said, the album has a great flow to it, with many of the tracks between 1 and 3 minutes long, with Elverum constantly jumping between different musings and ideas. There’s acoustic folk tracks and lo-fi rock tracks, with splashes of ambient electronics and harsh static thrown into the mix, playing out almost like someone flicking through different radio stations. It’s an enthralling listen, one that culminates in a gorgeous 12-minute spoken word poem, ‘Demolition’.

So, if you want a record that’s indulgent in the best way, is made for this dark, melancholic time of year and is just utterly fascinating from each brief moment to the next - then give this one a try.

Listen here

Petrichor by 070 Shake

Having come into the spotlight a few years back through her memorable collaborations with Kanye West, rapper/singer/songwriter 070 Shake has since gone on to establish herself through her solid first two albums, Modus Vivendi and You Can’t Kill Me. Now back with her latest album Petrichor, it’s another release that further demonstrates Danielle Balbuena’s fascinating and unique sonic output.

Awash with dark, moody synths, it’s an endlessly interesting collection of glistening neon-soaked pop songs. It begins with theatrical, piano led opener ‘Sin’ before morphing into the pulsating stomp of ‘Elephant’ which sounds like the sci-fi/western collision of Westworld but in audio form. ‘Vagabond’ is similarly dramatic, as is stunning album highlight ‘Into The Garden’ which is a genre-defying whirlwind of a track. Shake then feels festive with ‘Winter Baby / New York Blues’ before an intriguing cover of Tim Buckley’s classic ‘Song To The Siren’ with Courtney Love. The emotional roar of the album then comes on ‘Blood On Your Hands’ which climaxes in a spoken word poem from Shake’s girlfriend, Lily Rose Depp.

While not everything Shake does on this album is perfect, it is always a curious and innovative listen that sees her pushing her sonic boundaries and sounding like no-one else. In a music world where most artists seem to have clear touchpoints, we need more singular voices like 070 Shake.

Listen here

A Weekend In The City B-Sides (Another Weekend In The City) by Bloc Party

To today’s teenagers, the thought of having to illegally download and file share music must seem unfathomable. After all, when music is so freely available with streaming, who needs to track it down through illegal means right? Well, back in 2007 at the height of the indie boom, file sharing was all the rage, with bands blowing up through word of mouth alone, as albums and unreleased tracks were passed through MSN messenger, MySpace and other internet forums.

One such album was Bloc Party’s Another Weekend In The City. A completely unofficial release, it was made up of the band’s brilliant B-Sides from the Weekend In The City singles, as well as some unreleased tracks from the recording sessions that had leaked. For me it remains to this day the ultimate bootleg album, one that I adore as much as Bloc Party’s actual sophomore album.

For years this album was lost, condemned to my broken iPod classic along with some unreleased Radiohead deep cuts (thank God we got ‘Lift’ on the OKNOTOK release eventually). So imagine my delight when Bloc Party a few weeks back announced they would be officially releasing their A Weekend In The City B-sides on streaming services for the first time, bringing life back to Another Weekend In The City.

If you are a Bloc Party fan and are unfamiliar with these tracks, I cannot recommend this enough. The guitar work on tracks like ‘Secrets’ and ‘Version 2.0’ are sensational as always, while the likes of ‘Selfish Son’, ‘We Were Lovers’, ‘Atonement’ and ‘Emma Kate’s Accident’ are as stunning as anything Bloc Party made around that time. It also features two of their finest ever moments in the form of ‘Vision of Heaven’ and, my personal favourite, ‘England’.

At the time of writing, it seems the band have since taken the album down due to poor audio quality – something I foolishly put down to 00s aesthetics when listening late on release day. So, while these songs have temporarily disappeared once again, be sure to jump on them when they return.

In the meantime, you can still listen unofficially here

Also well worth checking out:

Seed of a Seed by Haley Heynderickx

Come Ahead by Primal Scream

BAMBI by Aziya

Don’t Go Making Plans EP by Hard-Fi

Marietta EP by Medium Build

Song Recommendations

People Watching by Sam Fender

He’s back!

A couple of years on from his incredible sophomore album Seventeen Going Under, the Geordie Springsteen has finally returned this month, and with a bang. From a UK/EU tour that sold out instantly, to three big stadium shows and numerous 2025 festival headline spots (including a rumoured Glasto headline set), Sam Fender has also announced that his new album will be released this coming February. ‘People Watching’ is the title track from the project and includes everything that fans have come to love about Sam’s music: his wonderfully descriptive storytelling, a big singalong chorus and some soaring instrumentation. With Adam Granduciel from The War On Drugs also working on the track and noticeably sharing his influence, it’s an absolute belter of a track that sets up Sam Fender to fully own these next 12 months.

Listen here

Pitch Black by The Amazons

Another band set to take 2025 by storm is Reading rockers, The Amazons. After releasing one of their finest songs to date in the form of ‘Living A Lie’ last month, the trio have since revealed that their fourth album will drop next May and will be titled 21st Century Fiction. ‘Pitch Black’ is the latest cut from the project and it’s another absolute stormer, boasting some scintillating bluesy riffs and a hugely anthemic chorus. For my money, still the best pure rock band in the country!

Listen here

When I Wake Up I’m Sad by Fiona-Lee

Someone who has been working with The Amazons and is due to support them on their upcoming UK tour is the wonderful Fiona-Lee, one of my favourite new music discoveries of 2024. Her latest single ‘When I Wake Up I’m Sad’ showcases her incredible talent, with gorgeously soft vocals, honest and vulnerable songwriting, and a spine-tingling arrangement which climaxes emphatically in a fist-in-the-air, saxophone-led instrumental passage.

Listen here

Drown by Bleach Lab

Around this time last year, dreamy indie outfit Bleach Lab were being named as one of my Top 10 Albums of the Year for their phenomenal debut, Lost In A Rush of Emptiness. Now back with their first single since that release, ‘Drown’ signifies a noticeable sonic evolution from the band, particularly the production and singer Jenna Kyle’s more confident vocals. Another great song from the band, it’s already got me excited for their forthcoming next chapter.

Listen here

Singles to get you in the Festive Spirit!

What is Christmas without some classic Christmas tunes hey?! While there has been a drought of any good ones in recent years, this festive season has seen a few new Christmas songs pop-up that are well worth a spin. Some are vying for the UK Christmas No.1 spot, some are for good causes… but all of them are spreading a little festive cheer! Here’s my five picks of Christmas 2024 singles to go check out:

This Christmas Time by Tom A. Smith Listen here

Late Night Phone Call by Reverend & The Makers Listen here

Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call by Bleachers Listen here

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Nation of Language Listen here

Happy Trails by Orville Peck Listen here

Also well worth checking out:

Renegade by Doves

U by Jadu Heart

Antartica by Divorce

Time of My Life by Somebody’s Child

Blood Is Thicker Than Honey by Lace Thief

My Drummer’s Girlfriend by ALT BLK ERA featuring Wheatus

REMINDER: If you use Apple Music, you can also keep up-to-date with all my favourite 2024 tracks through my Best of 2024 playlist. Constantly updated throughout the year with songs I enjoy, it is then finalised into a Top 100 Songs of the Year in December.

Add the Best of 2024 playlist to your library here

[ritusmiles]

Book and a Brew with Ritu - Love Letters at the Borrow a Book Shop by @KileyDunbar @HeraBooks #NewRelease #BookReview and a #GIVEAWAY!

Is she a glutton for punishment, or does she just like my nibbles? Kiley is back for a third visit! Today, I am thrilled to welcome amazing romance author Kiley Dunbar to my blog for a cuppa and a bit of a chat about all things writerly, especially her newest release, Love Letters at the Borrow a Bookshop. It’s out, TODAY! And, before you read any further, there is a fabulous giveaway! Kiley…

[sadgirlautumn]

autumn! i finished my mfa applications and can read for fun again!!!! can you recommend me some books???

Hi Kelly that’s so good!!! I’m not sure what genre you’re in the mood for so I’ll just list some of my all time favorites. :)

I really enjoyed the invisible life of addie larue by ve schwab and although that’s the only book I read by that author their books are so well reviewed and I’m excited to read more of them. I also read alone with you in the ether by olivie blake and it reminded me of addie larue in some ways. Basically if you want a couple to take over your mind I recommend those two books.

With fall coming up right now would be a good time to read if we were villains by m.l. rio or the secret history by donna tartt which I was also really obsessed with. They’re both kind of similar but if we were villains is a much faster read than the secret history.

Also with fall coming if you haven’t read a good girl’s guide to murder by holly jackson you absolutely need to!! I really enjoyed five survive by her as well if you don’t feel like getting into a series.

Okay now I’m just going to list a few books I think everyone should read: such a fun age by kiley reid, all the bright places by jennifer niven, girl in pieces by kathleen glasgow, last night at the telegraph club by malinda lo, the ones we’re meant to find by joan he, and circe by madeline miller.

[kappabooks]

December 2024 Wrap-up

I read a total of 8 books last month! As you will see, they went kind of up and down in quality. The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton – 2 stars (see review here) Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid – 4 stars Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey – 2.5 stars Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo – 4 stars Her Christmas Wish by Karmen Lee – 2 stars White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton- 4 stars Lunar Boy by…