#NetGalley arc

[bookishfreedom]

"I don't want to be considered beautiful without being seen as capable, too."

YA romcom Shakespeare retelling? grumpy x sunshine? mistaken identity? endless nerd content? I was so excited to read this book and I was NOT disappointed.

It did take me a little bit to get into the story. On the surface, both of our main characters can come off straight-up... unlikeable. Viola is abrasive and Jack is a little too 'Mr. Popular! But that only made their growth and getting to know them that much more impactful. This book is full of characters who leap off the page with distinct voices and depth, side characters included. (Bash and Olivia, my beloveds<333) This is one of those YA books that I think will appeal to readers of all ages. The characters authentically feel like teenagers - they are flawed and messy and just trying to figure things out - but also deal with issues that are universal and relatable.

I also loved just how much was packed into this book. Twelfth Knight is so much more than just a romcom, it's also a coming-of-age, with social commentary and a love of nerd culture smoothly weaved in. This novel explores everything, from video game and fandom culture, social and parental pressures, misogyny, sexuality, family dynamics, and so much more, all without losing its humor and heart. The romance isn't the sole focus, which may not be for everyone, but l thought worked well for this story.

As for the romance itself, the slow burn was, in my humble opinion, perfection. It felt so real and unrushed and believable, which isn't always easy in a contemporary 'enemies to lovers' setting. I loved every second of Vi & Jack's interactions.

I fully expect this book to take the internet by storm because it's just so darn QUOTABLE! There were so many lines that just hit perfectly that I wrote a LOT of them down, and the banter was laugh-out-loud-worthy. I hadn't read any Olivia Blake/Alexene Farol Follmuth before, but the writing was so excellent that I will absolutely be picking up everything else she's written.

My actual rating is 4.5 stars, but rounding up because I had so much fun reading this. Literally read this book in one sitting and could not put it down.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and tor teen for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy for myself!

[elliepassmore]

We Are the Beasts review

4/5 stars Recommended if you like: historical fiction, feminist stories, girls saving girls, real life mysteries

Big thanks to Netgalley, Delacorte, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is about the harm that befalls women at the hands of their so-called protectors, but it's also about women standing up for each other and it's about community. Joséphine and Clara immediately spring to the aid of a battered six-year-old girl, and the number of people they protect only grows from there. But as the number of people they protect grows, so does the number of people stepping up to protect others, and Joséphine and Clara themselves. That being said, there's definitely a lot of telling going on re: the theme of the book. Particularly at the beginning I felt I was being hit over the head with the moral point of the story, though later on it feels developed in a more natural way. I definitely think my rating would've been stronger if it was all showing, but that first 20% or so really isn't strong in that department and brought me out of the story a little.

I enjoyed seeing the relationships develop in this book. Joséphine and Clara are already best friends teetering on the brink of something more, but their circle grows with the more people they help. Some of the friendships they develop are surprising, some are not quite friendships but alliances with surprising strength to them. The connections felt different and I liked seeing the ways they came together and grew.

This is a historical fiction book and so it has some real people mixed in with the fictional ones. That being said, I enjoyed the way certain things are set up to give nods to other 'beast' stories. For instance, one of the characters is named Belle and one of the (very obnoxious) hunters makes his entrance with a loud gunshot à la Gaston. Likewise, I also got some Little Red Riding Hood vibes at times with Joséphine especially, but I also kind of think Charlotte fits that vibe as well.

The Beast of Gévaudan was a real series of events that took place in France at the time and to this day there's speculation about what the beast roaming the French countryside actually was. National Geographic actually did an article on it in one of their recent History magazines. I wasn't sure what direction Griffis was going to go in for the beast, or if the beast was even going to be fully shown at all or just the aftermath. I was actually kind of wary to see what would happen with the beast, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked the direction Griffis took. Historically it makes a lot of sense, but it also serves very well with the theme of the novel (there's that nice showing) and I really enjoyed seeing how she connected this very real series of events to the fictional story she told in the book.

Joséphine is more than a little reckless when it comes to saving people or things she cares about. Our intro to her in the book is essentially her throwing herself over a cliffside to save one of her baby lambs that wandered off the side. While reckless, it's clear she has a big heart and is more than willing to stick her neck on the line for what she believes in and those she loves. That being said, Joséphine also carries trauma from her childhood and some of that reckless-savior-behavior comes from feeling like she needs to be more than enough to keep her loved ones around. Overcoming that and realizing that other people want to help if she'll open up and let them is one of her biggest struggles in this book. She can also be a bit blind to others at times.

Clara is a good balancing influence to Joséphine's recklessness and provides a more level head for planning. She's a healer and secret-keeper for those of the village, and knows enough of it's goings-on that she's immediately on board with Joséphine, but wants to be more strategic about things. I liked Clara's steadfastness and calmer brand of doing things.

One minor pet peeve: Joséphine says "Not today Satan" within the first two minutes of the book. Please, I am begging authors not to use modern slang and meme culture in historical fiction books, particularly not ones set in the 1760s. In France. Frankly, I don't want modern slang or meme culture in any of my fiction, even fiction set in modern day, because it 1) dates the book and 2) always feels forced to me. But especially don't include it in historical fiction.

Overall this is an entertaining book with a feminist storyline. The characters develop strong relationships with one another, sometimes in surprising places, and that is the core of the story. The 'telling' of the theme is a bit much in the beginning of the story, but it does even out later on.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 To Shape a Dragon's Breath Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❝ "I don't believe that any of the changes that you or others seem to expect of me would be improvements," I said. "I don't think that there's anything wrong with the way I dress, or speak, or behave. My clothes are clean, and in good repair. I can make myself understood. I am honest, and I endeavor to be kind. I don't speak ill of others regarding things beyond their control, and I don't speak against anyone who hasn't given personal insult to me or my loved ones. I wouldn't consider a person to be my social inferior simply for being poor. ❞

❓ #QOTD What would you name your dragon? ❓ 🦇 After finding a dragon egg and bonding with the hatchling, fifteen-year-old Anequs becomes Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique, unbreakable relationship with a dragon. Dragons were once common on the remote island Masquapaug, long before the Anglish conquered the land. Anequs and her dragon Kasaqua are forced to attend an Anglish dragon academy, where Anequs is expected to dress and behave like the Anglish who killed and conquered her people. Despite being treated like a second-class citizen, Anequs keeps her head held high to prove she's worthy of Kasaqua. If she can't pass her classes, Kasaqua will be put to death—and Anequs will unintentionally prove the Anglish right about their prejudice against her people. Can she defy the prejudice set against her?

💜 Moniquill Blackgoose shines a powerful light on important themes we can never allow society to ignore: equality (both in political and social power, between races and genders), agency, power, and consent. The entire story reads like an oral history, easily sweeping readers into the thrall. Anequs encounters extreme prejudice from teachers and classmates alike, yet still navigates both physical and emotional harassment with grace. This alternative history fantasy shows North America's occupation from an Indigenous perspective in ways no book has before. Despite the dark themes (including cultural genocide, indentured servitude, and child abuse, among others), Anequs is a delight. She's passionate, determined, and never falters in who she is—despite the number of Anglish people who want her to feel bad for remaining true to her history and heritage. Sending Anequs extra love for her bisexuality and interest in a poly relationship, both of which are normal among her people.

🦇 There is a HEAVY, seemingly unnecessary STEM-focus, namely through the combined geometry and chemistry necessary to shape a dragon's breath. While interesting, it's difficult to follow the logic that's given so much time and attention in this book. These explanations steal away from the story's real magic while adding hundreds of pages to the text, making some chapters lag. I also wish a glossary accompanied the novel, since there are a lot of foreign words and phrases readers will need to use context clues to unlock. If you pause reading long enough (or try to juggle reading multiple books at once), it's easy to forget what certain words mean. Some scenes drag, namely because of the necessary world-building. I'm eager to see if the second installment in this series flows better.

🦇 Recommended to anyone who loves alt-history fantasy fiction, dragons, amazing representation, and thorough world-building. Get ready for some serious escapism.

🐉 Fantasy Fiction 🐉 Queer MC 🐉 First in a Series 🐉 Indigenous Representation 🐉 Women of Color

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[thebooklovebot]

REVIEW: You, With a View by Jessica Joyce

My love letter to this magnificent, sensational, stupendous, enthralling book. PUBLISHER: Berkley PUBLICATION DATE: July 11, 2023. GENRE: Romance // Contemporary Romance A ginormous thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange of an honest review. Two high school nemesis reunite after a family mystery arises when Noelle Shepherd finds an decade-old pictures of her late…

[loverslibraries]

just finished crimson crown by heather walter!!! (image text under read more)

Image text:

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm going to be totally transparent with yall: immediately after receiving this ARC, I slipped into my annual reading slump that usually starts about late spring into early summer (No seriously, check my monthly tags if you don't believe me). That being said, the first 40ish percent of this was agony. I was forcing myself to read to try and break out of my slump (bad idea) and ended up resenting the book. I paused it and went onto to read some shorter books, and came back to this one once I felt my slump was sufficiently broken, and Oh my goodness this book was so fun. I read the back half of this book in a day, devoured it, I tell you! I loved the story and the worldbuilding and the characters. Sooooo good.

I do want to note that I went in completely blind to the concept of this book, only looking at the cover when I requested the eARC, and I think that will afford you the best reading experience, overall.

3.8 rounded up

[missydurdenknowsbest]

“He had information, a lot more information than an hour ago. He had a name! Dread Lord Gavrax. Surely that couldn’t be his original name, of course. No mother would name her baby Gavrax, would she? He winced. Of course someone who thought those bedposts were a good idea would choose the name Gavrax. He tried thinking of himself as a Gavrax, and just couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Gav, maybe? He could live with Gav. Not that he had anyone to call him Gav.” . Make it fantasy, but from the villain’s perspective 😏 Imagine a villain who can’t remember anything about himself. Sounds like fun? Well, it is. This ‘high-fantasy farce’ has everything a fun little fantasy read should have (and more): dreadful villains, mysterious maids, and an amnesiac protagonist navigating chaos and destruction and seeing his world with new eyes. .

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 . Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for the ARC. .

[bookishthings30]

Book Review: A Song To Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

My Rating: 5 Stars

First, I would like to thank NetGalley, Ann Liang, and St. Martin Press for the Arc.

Here is my honest Review:

A Song to Drown Rivers is an absolute masterpiece. Both the world and the characters are captivating, charismatic, and breathtaking. Let me tell you, I was an emotional wreck after reading this book. (In a good way) It took me through a roller coaster of emotion, and I was here for it.

Xishi starts off being recruited by Fanli from her village to save the nation. In addition to teaching her espionage techniques, Fanli trains her on-court protocols. She fears that her mission to save the kingdom might be derailed by her feelings for Fanli in the beginning was a mentoring relationship. Soon both sides are falling in love, and it gets more beautiful and a bit sadder as it goes on. The romance between both Fanli and Xishi was absolutely beautiful. I love it when an author can give me pure romance without having to add spicy scenes and Ann Liang achieved this.

When it was time for Xishi to go into the enemy’s court, Liang's skill at writing complex and moving characters shone brightly. There were many moments between Xishi and King Fuchai where I felt sympathy for him even though I shouldn’t. Liang's writing was compelling, especially in these moments with Fuchai.

In "A Song to Drown Rivers", you're captivated by whispers of intrigue amid forbidden desire as the fate of nations hangs in the balance. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends because I believe that everyone should experience this book.

[wonkyreads]

Evergreen by Devil Greenlee

2.5 magical blooms out of 5

Evergreen is only in the loosest sense a reimagining of The Secret Garden, which was the main point of interest for me personally going into it, but at this point I take most comps with a grain of salt anyway. (This book is also a lesson in not judging based solely off of covers because for some reason I went into this thinking it was sapphic??)

Honestly, though, Evergreen is an urban fantasy coming of age story that leans heavily into a romance between Quill, the first male druid and a bit of a Rapunzel character, and Liam, the boy next door. Quill is tasked with taking care of his family’s magical garden while he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he’s 17 and hasn’t shown any magical capabilities of his own.

Quill is stubborn and selfish, sarcastic and incredibly bitter, yet so fully naive at times. I tend to really enjoy unlikable narrators and he definitely fits the bill, though I can’t tell if it was intentional or not. For most of the book the fact that Quill was just a teenager who made stupid or silly decisions felt like a nice change, but there’s a point where you expect the main character to grow. With Quill that switch comes late and sudden when I’d have thoroughly enjoyed a slow build. Outside of that he was sometimes very inconsistent with his narration in a way that doesn’t feel intentional. Something about him stumbling his way through the human world was just so fun to read, though what he knew and didn’t know felt like this part of his character could have benefited from being a little more thought out.

There were also times when the information he was conveying was inconsistent as well. He’d wax poetic about how he knew every inch of the garden in one chapter, then the next introduce a room he’s never been allowed inside of, then the next reveal that he hardly ever strayed past the front of the garden actually, and a few chapters later complain that he’d walked every inch of it a hundred times over the years. That inconsistency existed in other areas of the writing too, creating plot holes and convenient excuses that were difficult to ignore. I found myself fact checking (tap water does have chlorine in it more often than not and like 90% of gummy worms aren’t vegan) and constantly flipping back and forth to make sure that I wasn’t actually crazy and that there were direct contradictions happening.

That said, getting to read a story based around a family of dryads was interesting and the fantasy elements built into the world were very soft and generally fun and easy to understand. I think the soft world building was the most developed part of the story and allowed for moments that genuinely shone in my opinion. It stayed consistent in ways the other parts of the writing just didn’t.

Honestly, this book just needed another round or two of edits and some more in-depth development. The idea is solid and there are parts that made me want to like the whole book far more than I did. For instance, the ‘big bad’ and the last quarter of the book? Imagining someone just walking into town and finding that situation? Fantastic creeping horror idea. It’s going to haunt me, genuinely. (I’m trying to avoid spoilers so bad, guys.)

There are scenes that shine and the bones to a really great story, but in the end there just wasn’t enough development. I think Greenlee could do some really cool things in the future, this debut was just a little too rushed. It would have benefited from some more eyes on it and another draft, but he’s an author I’ll be keeping an eye on for sure.

[I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC.]

[novelswithariana]

🌸 ARIANA'S BOOK REVIEW 🌸

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Women's Fiction

📚 Synopsis: Three estranged sisters reconnect in their Louisiana hometown to face an unresolved past in a heartfelt novel about family, grief, secrets, and forgiveness.

Savannah was four years old when her twin sister, Georgia, went missing from their small Louisiana town, fracturing their family. Twenty-eight years later, Savannah convinces her estranged older sisters, Rayanne and Sue Ellen, to honor the pact they made as children and retrieve the time capsule they buried in their old backyard. But coming home means confronting old ghosts…and their stubborn grandmother, Meemaw.

Sifting through the artifacts, they come across a photograph taken on the day Georgia disappeared and spot a familiar woman lingering in the background. While Sue Ellen and Rayanne want to move on with their lives, Savannah is determined to find the woman—and perhaps a clue to the past.

When old tensions, rivalries, and memories resurface, the sisters must reconsider what they thought they knew about that fateful day, about each other, and about themselves. On their search to uncover what happened to Georgia, each of them will discover what Meemaw has known all along: family is everything.

📝 Review: ‘Call The Canaries Home’ by Laura Barrow is a dual timeline, multiple point of views debut novel about love, redemption and loss. 3 estranged sisters Savannah, Sue-Ellen and Rayanne return to their small Louisiana town to open a time capsule they buried 25 years ago. Savannah still yearns for closure regarding the disappearance of her twin sister Georgia when they were just 4 years old. The other two are reluctant to explore the past and more keen to move forward in their lives.

I related with Rayanne the most even though my favorite character was Meemaw. Meemaw touched my heart with her unwavering love and the scars she carried from the past. The amount of loss Meemaw suffered was heart-breaking. But it also helped form her character as a person who loves too hard. At the heart of this story, I found the exploration of family dynamics, especially the nuances of sisterhood, to be captivating. I loved seeing the grief, heartache, loss and their way of dealing them from different perspectives. Each of the sisters handled the trauma and tragedy from their childhood differently putting a strain on their relationship. Their character development is the real closure of the story. While the initial pace was a bit slow, I found that the story gained momentum as secrets were unveiled and the mystery of Georgia’s disappearance unfolded. However, I would have loved to delve deeper into the details surrounding Georgia’s vanishing act. Despite this, the overall narrative remained engaging, keeping me invested until the very end.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Call The Canaries Home’. This heartfelt tale of love, redemption, and loss resonated with me on so many levels. As I delved into the lives of the three sisters and their journey of opening a time capsule, I couldn’t help but feel deeply connected to their experiences. The author’s skillful writing allowed me to immerse myself in the small town setting and the intricate dynamics of sisterhood. With each turn of the page, I found myself drawn further into their world, captivated by the complexities and vulnerabilities of the characters.

🔍 Rec: If you like small town, heart-warming, bittersweet family fiction with a hint of mystery or stories of growth and acceptance, this book is for you. People who have read ‘Where The Crawdads Sing’ (Delia Owens), ‘The Road Towards Home’ (Corinne Demas) and ‘What Never Happened’ (Rachel Howzell Hall) may like this book.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend ‘Call The Canaries Home’ to anyone who enjoys stories that delve into the complexities of family relationships, wrapped in a captivating mystery. Laura Barrow has crafted a poignant tale that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Thank you Laura Barrow, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this delightful read. All opinions expressed here are purely my own.

🦋 Have you read this book? Tell me your favourite family centric book.

[libertyreads]

Book Review #138 of 2023--

Freshman Year by Sarah Mai. Rating: 3.5 stars.

Read on December 6th.

Before I get into the bulk of my review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Little Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. In Freshman Year, we follow Sarah who just graduated high school and is enjoying her final summer at home before the start of college. But when she gets there she struggles to find a way to settle in and flourish. As the year goes on, we follow the highs and lows of her first year--meeting lots of friends along the way as Sarah tries to decide how to dress, how to eat, how to become her adult self. Freshman Year comes out on February 12th and is available for preorder now.

I want to start with the things that brought my rating down that aren't going to be impactful for most readers. What I need to remember with graphic novel ARCs is that the format doesn't always work. There were moments when the text on the page didn't line up with the speech bubbles or the images were muddied and hard to see. If you're reading a print copy, or even a completed eBook copy, this will not be a problem for you. I also struggled a bit with how emotionally charged this graphic novel is. I feel like I could really empathize with Sarah while reading because I also struggled in college to cope with all the changes happening around--and to--me. At first when starting college, again when coming home from college. It had me near tears a couple of times which I don't think was the actual intention. I think I just also had such a weird time my Freshman year of college. That also leans towards the positive side for me as well, I could truly relate to the main character and her friends. They all felt so real to me and that does say something about the writing. I think it was just a heavier graphic novel than I thought it would be. There are definitely some quirky moments to lift the story up a bit so it's not all emotional. I think my expectations were also just a little all over the place since I had read and loved Giant Days which was a comic series about a group of college friends in their first year and beyond.

But, overall, I think this was cute and sweet and emotional and funny all wrapped into one. It's not as quick of a read as I was anticipating but a couple of hours for a nearly 300 page graphic novel still isn't bad. Lots of fun and challenging moments to come with this one.

[lizabethstucker]

All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris

Gunnie Rose 5

5 out of 5.

Peter Savarova, Eli's younger brother, and Felicia Dominguez Karkarova, Lizbeth's half-sister, come to visit shortly after Lizbeth's miscarriage. Felicia senses the strain between them. When Eli and Peter soon depart for San Diego with no explanation, Lizbeth is positive that her marriage is over, that living in a small town in the middle of nowhere was not enough for her grigori husband.

Felicia and Lizbeth grow closer as events keep putting them in danger. It appears that someone wants Lizbeth dead. Not to mention a sudden influx of suitors for Felicia now that she is old enough and powerful enough, despite still in training, to attend the ball used as a matchmaking event. At least it all helps take Lizbeth's mind off her heartache.

This is a NetGalley ARC, courtesy of Simon & Schuster, with an anticipated release date of September 5, 2023. I cannot thank them enough for this early look at one of my favorite series!

Prepare yourself for a wild ride and some extremely emotional and angst ridden moments. Harris does a spectacular job with the mythology aspect of her worldbuilding, building on events, people, and hints from the previous books in the series. The mix of genres is more than welcome, even if it makes it tough to categorize when posting reviews on Goodreads and StoryGraph.

I particularly love the well-drawn characters. Everyone is real, having bad and good in them. No one is 100% of either. And, more importantly, the characters grow. For instance, throughout the series I've progressed from finding Felicia an annoying brat I was ready to see the last of to truly enjoying her feistiness and inner strength. Or Peter, who first appeared as a nonentity to a sweet, kind and caring young man on the verge of manhood. My heart aches.

The subplots and background events through the last couple of books have really got me thinking and guessing as to what comes next, increasing the suspense. Particularly the hints of war and aggression. Then there is that last line. I honestly look forward to what comes next.

[elliepassmore]

And the Sky Bled review

3.5/5 stars Recommended if you like: multiple POVs, climate fiction, political intrigue

Big thanks to Bindery Books, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book just didn't do it for me. It had elements there that I liked and that should've made this a higher rated read, but it just wasn't working for me. That being said, there's not really a lot wrong with the book, it just ended up not being for me.

One of the things that bothered me was the secrecy around how our three narrators--Zain, Iravan, and Anastasia--are connected. It's pretty obvious from the get-go that it's related to the fire that happened a decade prior and, imo, it's also pretty clear how each character is connected to the other(s) through that fire. But the characters don't start saying it more explicitly until around 40% of the book, and the so-called 'big reveal' about the fire happens in the last 90-95% of the book....and I called it around 10-15% in. The characters validly make a big deal about the fire, but it's cloaked in so much insincere/flimsy secrecy that I got over hearing about it well before the characters were willing to stop talking about it.

Then, the 'big reveal' about the fire was a little...iffy feeling to me. One of the narrator's reveals two somethings that, again, I guessed pretty early in (and, to be fair, one of which was almost explicitly stated a few chapters prior), and two of the other characters react in the way you'd want them to react, but it has an almost choreographed quality to it and doesn't feel natural. Especially considering the character narrating that chapter insinuates that there were hints ten years ago that everyone ignored. If the character narrating the chapter is correct that 'everyone' picked up on things and chose to overlook it, then just because one of the other character's reacts correctly now doesn't mean they're absolved. Anyway, the whole thing just felt a little off.

In this world, the environment has been ruined by the harvesting and usage of something called calor, which can be used for all sorts of useful things from electricity to medicine to fertilizer. Tejomaya is the last place it can be harvested, where people get it from the blood rains. But there are also whispers that the rains have turned poisonous and that there's a 'soul-sickness' making people ill. Despite that, the plans to harvest calor are still in full swing. It is, essentially, the folly of man in pursuit of money and power. Why care about the environment when they won't be the ones reaping the consequences?

All three narrators come into the story clearly carrying baggage. Zain is particularly secretive about hers, but we're able to glean that it has something to do with why she disappeared from the slums during the drought despite the fact that she clearly cares deeply for the people there. Zain is someone stuck with really no good options. She even notes the fact that every time she tries to do something to make up to the ghosts in her past, something else goes horribly wrong. The poor girl really needs a break, and I'm glad that she has some people around who can comfort her and provide her hope for a better future.

Iravan is much less secretive about what bothers him. His daughter died in the fire and he's been haunted by that and everything that happened after. I liked Iravan and it's clear that he's trying to make the best of dwindling options. He cares about the people of the slums and genuinely wants to try and improve their lives, but with limited calor to go around and the soul-sickness taking ever more victims, there's little power to be had. I will say though, Iravan is a bit blind when it comes to his business partner and friend, Dev, and it isn't until close to the end that he realizes his friend is not a good person.

Anastasia is the last narrator and she falls somewhere between Zain and Iravan in terms of how much she shares about the fire. Imo it's clear pretty quickly what happened with her, but she doesn't mention it for a while. She's not the most likable of characters. She's the type who doesn't fully see her privilege and who lashes out majorly in her grief, even ten years out from the event. She doesn't really stop to consider all sides, she just wants what she wants. She's blind to her friend Charvi's opinions and needs solely because she's driven by a desire for revenge. That being said, while she's not likeable I can kind of understand how she got to be the way she is, even if I disagree with her. She does redeem herself toward the end and comes to realize some things about herself, the people she used to care about, and the world.

Theron...not really sure how I feel about him. I did end up liking him by the end, but he does some stuff at the beginning that I don't really like or agree with. Zain obviously has some trauma/issue/etc. with Dev, and Theron elects to essentially call her a coward and useless for not wanting to get anywhere near Dev without stopping to think that maybe she has a good reason for acting that way. And then later, once he becomes more tolerable, he doesn't apologize or anything.

Charvi had some hard decisions to make in this book. She's definitely a catalyst for a number of things that happen, both past and present, and I don't envy her the position of being caught between conflicting loyalties (and worlds). If Anastasia had just listened things might have turned out differently, but she didn't and so Charvi makes her decisions based on what she thinks is best for her, her daughter, and honestly for the world at large. Not all of these decisions turn out well, particularly for her, but she's definitely one of the movers and shakers of the story.

Overall this is an interesting read, but I just don't think it was for me. The characters were interesting and nuanced, and I would say they're all morally gray.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐

❝ You don't understand what it's like to have your identity so tied to someone else you forget who you are. I still don't really know who I am. I'm working on it, but I'm not there yet. ❞

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite atypical dessert? ❓ 🦇 When Chloe Brown rolls into the small town of Fantasie in her big, purple food truck, she doesn't expect to make such a strong first impression on everyone so soon. Unfortunately, her in-need-of-repair truck sputters to a stop in Lucas Donovan's parking spot, who isn't keen on the eyesore or its sassy owner. Though they drive one another crazy, that passion quickly sizzles into sexual tension. Is Chloe ready for a relationship when she still has the taste of a bad relationship on her tongue?

💜 Chloe's journey toward self-actualization and independence is what drives the book forward; not the ship. The strongest part of the writing is the backstory, which is the only bit of information we don't get immediately. Given Chloe's previous relationship, her motivations make sense. We get to watch her recognize what she wants in life, and eventually, who she wants it with. Even Lucas' backstory and familial responsibilities explain his demeanor. Their histories, while different, are exactly what makes these two so alike. The first page (and book synopsis you'll find online) is better written than any other page in the book, despite the food puns, though.

🦇 Unfortunately, this book was all spice without any real flavor. The entire relationship sizzles based on a physical spark. There's no tantalizing, sweet, slow tension when Lucas gets a hard-on every time he so much as looks at Chloe, or when Chloe's nipples peak at the thought of Lucas; it's just awkward. More awkward is the word choice; the dialogue seems unnatural and stilted, full of cliches and colloquialisms that feel randomly sprinkled into conversations. Every "baby," "undies," and "panties" thrown in makes it difficult to swallow the rest of the story. The main characters don't have a real, emotional conversation until after their first time; did they really know anything of value about one another before then? Chloe seems so headstrong in her convictions, only to change her mind pages later. Meanwhile Lucas seems analytical and responsible, only to melt like a puddle at Chloe's feet. It's not character development when nothing happens for the characters to earn those changes. The writing is also repetitive; not only does Chloe have a tendency to echo what people say to her, but we're TOLD so much information that there's no suspense, no surprise.

🦇 If you're looking for a quick read that's all sizzle without memorable flavor, this book is for you. It's a great, easy read between more intense novels. Unfortunately, it might leave a bad taste in your mouth if you're looking for impressive prose.

🌮 Enemies to lovers 🍫 Dual POV 🌻Grumpy vs sunshine (not really) ‎‍⚖️ Small town romance

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[thebooklovebot]

REVIEW: Witcha Gonna Do?(Witchington,#1) By Avery Flynn

Looking for the perfect feel-good, steamy, witchy rom-com? Look no further. PUBLISHER: Berkley PUBLICATION DATE: December 6th, 2022. GENRE: Romance / Romantic Comedy A huge thank you to Berkley for providing me with a review copy. Witcha Gonna Do? has been on my radar since it’s cover reveal, which if you follow me on social media you’d know I absolutely adore Leni Kauffman’s work.  I…

[mediashadowreads]

[ARC REVIEW] THE ONES THEY TOOK BY SARAH K WEST

Book info ⭐ Name: The Ones They TookAuthor: Sarah K. WestRelease Date: September 26th 2023Edition: Ebook ARCPages: 346Genres: Fantasy, Witches Synopsis: Cora Somerville is being hunted. That much isn’t new; the government has been after witches like her for decades, and ever since they took Cora’s mother and brother, she’s determined to help her coven smuggle witches to safe havens. Then…

[princessallura]

I am thinking of shutting down the laptop early tonight. My niece has a dentist appointment in the morning and I want to be able to help my sister with her. So all hopes of doing any sort of writing tonight will have to wait. The only good thing is that I was approved for The Hurricane Wars on Netgalley and I sooo want to read it. I will probably read it until my medication takes effect and I fall asleep.Have a good night everyone. <3