#qotd💬

[bbrattywise]

“KILL EM' WITH KINDNESS”

( ^_–) ღ. she/her . black . shifting & loa . hundreds of different drs . hasn’t shifted yet . a mf st☆rgrl

★ᰍ my shifting journal • 60 day discipline challenge • shifting misc • info posts 🗯️ • imagination diaries • affirmation rampages • challenges logs • boundaries • shifting/loa memez • qotd • uncut footage (personal diary)

okay ily, bye (๑•̀ᗢ•́๑)

>﹟bio ib dividers creds

𝐁𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐘𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐄 💬 ™

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 You, Again Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD Have you ever been to New York (if yes, what's your go-to spot, if no, what's your favorite type of bagel)?❓ 🦇 When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly. A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, & she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, & make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common...except that they keep crossing paths. As they're both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you're too sad to hate each other--& too sad for hate sex. Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love?

💜 I have so many conflicting thoughts & feelings about this book. Prose that might seem witty & modern to some will come off as cringe (over-attempting at 'hip' & relevant) to others. Yet there's a sort of magnetism to the entire thing, like trying to look away from a train crash running in slow motion. The concept of two people constantly colliding (getting second & third chances to repair the bad first impression they made on one another) is definitely intriguing, & works perfectly in a setting like New York City. There's also something painfully realistic about hurt people finding comfort in one another, learning how to heal by helping the other heal. The underlying themes--healing, recognizing your self-worth, making your own legacy--resonate on every page. There's also a little love letter to New York here, the same way The Bear is a love letter to Chicago (& this book definitely screams The Bear vibes, for those of you who FINALLY watched it).

💙 Unfortunately, both characters are dreadfully unlikeable. They're both equally stubborn, & since this is an opposites attract romance, they clash constantly when they think they're in the right. Poor Josh has his heart wide open but moves too fast, while Ari has her heart under lock & key with unrelenting skepticism in relationships (in complete conflict with her carefree attitude). As much as I love my bi rep (especially during Bisexuality Awareness Month), Ari's sex-focused rep reads as problematic. There's nothing wrong with enjoying sex or threesomes, but it's almost used as Ari's main characteristic; an insulting cliche that bisexuals only care about one thing.

🦇 Recommended to fans of Will They or Won't They & Funny Feelings.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🍁 Slow Burn Contemporary Romance ❤‍🔥 Bi FMC 🍁 Chef & Comedian ❤‍🔥 Annoyances to Friends to Lovers 🍁 Opposites Attract (Commitment-Phobe/Hopeless Romantic) ❤‍🔥 Dual POV 🍁 Open Door ❤‍🔥 Angst/Hurt/Comfort 🍁 The Bear Vibes

💬 Quotes ❝ Better to be the one who walks away than the person who gets left behind. ❞ ❝ "I like being with you more than I like being by myself.” ❞ ❝ Right now, “just friends” is a comfortable certainty. A gravity blanket. A subtle vanilla-scented candle. And the alternative is a giant blinking cursor and a blank document. Sometimes it feels like Josh has already been poking around that page. Writing passages and deleting them before she’s ready to open it. ❞ ❝ "They’re the antidote to every little thing you hate about yourself. They can see past it when you can’t.” ❞ ❝ “No one should marry the person who makes them happy. Marry the person you want by your side at your lowest p- point. Marry the person you… you never get sick of. Who you always want more from. Who makes you proud to be theirs...If that’s your person, it’s worth the risk. Because your person will see the best version of you. They’ll have a whole list of reasons why they think you’re irreplaceable. And they’ll tell you.” ❞

[thevelarhysarchives]

The Right Move by Liz Tomforde (Book 2, Windy City Series)

My Rating: 5 ⭐️

-----------------

Ryan Shay, the new Captain of the Chicago Devils, is struggling with team tension and work-life balance. He pretends to date his messy, tempting roommate, Indy. But faking it becomes complicated as real feelings start to develop.

-----------------

💬QOTD: What is your love language?

----------------

What a lucky way to finish my first book of the year with a 5 star read!

At this stage in my life, I found myself relating so much to Indy’s character, especially with the way she navigates her personal struggles. But what made it even more special for me was also relating to Ryan Shay's introverted personality. I understood both their perspectives—Indy’s messy, emotional nature and Ryan’s withdrawn, “lone wolf” vibe. Their relationship felt so real and complex, with all its natural hesitations and growth, even if the whole fake dating plot might be a bit far-fetched (but it was still so fun!).

One of the things I adored was how their connection developed slowly despite the instant attraction (Which is a big ick for me!) It wasn’t instant perfection—they both had their own baggage and trauma to unpack, which made their growth together even more rewarding.

Sometimes history really means nothing when the right people walk into your life.

This portrayed the importance of choice in love. Ryan and Indy both made it clear that they didn’t want anyone else, and it wasn’t some grand gesture or dramatic moment—it was in the quiet, everyday ways they showed up for each other. I really appreciated that. It felt so mature and heartwarming, especially when they communicated what they needed from one another.

Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest.

All in all, this book left me with such a warm, fuzzy feeling and a reminder that sometimes, the quietest loves are the most profound. The mix of emotional depth, realistic character development, and swoon-worthy moments made this an unforgettable read.

[lisa-lostinlit]

✨ INTL GIVEAWAY ✨ 💬 Who’s your favorite superhero? To celebrate SDCC this week, I’m teaming up with featured Comic-Con author Alexandra Monir for a giveaway of her thrilling DC Icons novel, Black Canary: Breaking Silence!! Two winners will receive a signed & personalized copy of the book, plus an 11x17” poster signed by the author and the Eisner Award-winning cover illustrator, Jen Bartel! (Swipe to see the gorgeous poster!) RULES: • LIKE and SAVE this post • FOLLOW @lifeinlit & @alexandramonir • COMMENT answer to QOTD and tag a friend who might be interested FINE PRINT: • Giveaway will end July 24th @ midnight EST • Open Internationally • Must be 18 or have parents permission • Must be a public account so entries can be verified • Not affiliated with Instagram . . . h a s h t a g s : #blackcanary #blackcanarybreakingsilence #alexandramonir #yabooks #dccomics #yabookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookgram #booklovers #booknook #booknookstagram #bookish #bookishflatlay #flatlaytoday #bookphoto #bookpics #readersofinsta #readerforlife (at San Diego Comic-Con) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgRw7dguVDL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[vincentcatagainsttheworld]

💬QOTD: Which witchy power would you want? WitchWind💨 “The force of the wind kept rising, and with it my arms rose, too, shaping the air into a column that enclosed me as protectively as the duvet. On the other side of the disturbance, Matthew stood, one hand still extended, eyes fixed on mine. When I opened my mouth to warn him to stay away, nothing came out but frigid air.” -A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES WitchWater💦 “It wasn’t raining, despite the cloudy skies. The water was coming out of me. My tears fell normally but swelled as they dropped into globules the size of snowballs that hit the stone roof of the watchtower with a splash. My hair snaked over my shoulders in sheets of water that poured over the curves of my body. I opened my mouth to take a breath because the water streaming down my face was blocking my nose, and water gushed out in a torrent that tasted of the sea.” -A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES WitchFire🔥 “All hesitation gone, my right hand tightened and opened. A ball of fire arced from the extended tips of my left fingers. Juliette heard the explosion of flame and smelled the sulfur in the air. She turned, her nails withdrawing from the hole in Matthew’s chest. Disbelief showed in her eyes before the spitting ball of black, gold, and red enveloped her. Her hair caught fire first, and she reeled in panic. But I had anticipated her, and another ball of flame was waiting. She stepped right into it.” -A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES Time Travel⌛️ “Home, I thought. My heart tugged with longing. An unfamiliar bell tolled the hour. There was a warm touch of fire against my skin. The air filled with scents of lavender, beeswax, and ripe quince. “It’s time.” Together we lifted our feet and stepped into the unknown.” -A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES Cat https://www.instagram.com/p/CfKHeTCsKCs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[x-heesy]

𝗕𝗟𝝝𝝝𝗗𝗬 𝝠𝗠𝗘𝗡 💬

“𝙱𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑. 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎.” — 𝚄𝚐𝚘 𝙴𝚣𝚎

#xheesy

#justanfriendlyreminder

#thelittlethingsarethebigthings ❣️

#autosuggestion #pointofview #codingyourself #programyourself #endlessness #creatingyourself #neverstoplearning #textart #iosart #wordporn #wordart #artfulquotes #typography #expressyourself #iphoneart #newcontemporary #popart #artsyfartsy #artfuckery

#quotes #quotesdaily #quotestoliveby #quotestagram #quotesaboutlife #quotesoftheday #quotestags #quotesgram #motivationalquotes #quotesandsayings #quoteslover #quotesofinstagram #quotesforlife #quotestoinspire #quotestoremember #quotestag #quotesilove #inspirationalquotes #lovequotes @shadowanndeath #quotesaboutlifequotesandsayings #successquotes #dailyquotes #lifequotes #quotesforyou #positivequotes #quotes4you #quotesaboutlove #instaquotes #quoteslife #quoteslove #qotd

#Be #careful #who you #make #memories #with. Those things can last a life time.” — #UgoEze

𝚂𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔: A reculons by Flavien Berger, Rebeka Warrior

[mycafe101]

Let it go.. nothing in this world was promised or belonged to you anyway 💬☕️💕 - - - - - - - - - - - - #mycafe101 #blogger #bloggers#fashionblogger #styleblogger #fblogger#tamil #youtube #picoftheday #photooftheday#instagood #instadaily #odense #denmark #mondaymood #qotd #quotes #quoteoftheday #inspiration #quotesaboutlife #letgo #quotestagram #imagine #goodmorning #rupikaur @rupikaur_ #life #poetry #poetrygram — view on Instagram http://bit.ly/2wY7men

[wingedstarnine]

💬 #fridaythoughts 🦋 @softstarryskies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #quote #quotes #quoteoftheday #motivation #life #inspiration #success #inspirationalquotes #instagood #quotestoliveby #entrepreneur #motivationalquotes #art #poetry #photography #photooftheday #lifequotes #business #inspire #fitness #happy #quotestagram #lifestyle #qotd #poem #travel #truth #lovequotes #follow --- @softstarryskies (at Chai Ya Coffee?) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRGDmj0sGnN/?utm_medium=tumblr

[worldofdate]

Dating Memes- Link in bio Follow ( Tag a friend) The game of . . . . . ...

Dating Memes- Link in bio Follow ( Tag a friend) The game of . . . . . …

#dating memes

#Join 📲 #Search 🕹 #Match 💙 #Chat 💬 #Meetup 👥

Link in ➡ bio

Follow 💙 @reboundlovers ( Tag a friend)

The game of #Love . . . . . #life #wisdom #facebookdating #datingadvice #tipoftheday #lifequotes  #datingmemes #dating #dailyquotes #inspiration #datingtips #singlelife #relationships #explorepage #men #women #relationshipquotes #qotd #lifestyle #worth #knowyourworth #movingonquotes…

[ladym8291-blog]

#nocaptionneeded #loveconfessions💕 #potd❤ #qotd💬 #quoteforhim #wrotebyme #love💙 #ladympreciousman💕 #fazza #faz3💕 #f3 #sheikhhamdanbinmohammedbinrashidalmaktoum #cpofdubai👑

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

[ x ]

🦇 Heir Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite fantasy book?❓ 🦇 An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees. An old tragedy fuels Aiz's need for vengeance, while love of her people that propels her. Sirsha agrees to use her magic to hunt a killer who is murdering children across the Martial Empire. And Quil is the Empire's crown prince, though he's loath to take the throne. Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of these three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives—and their hearts. Literally.

💜 *Insert a plethora of creative curses here* For fig's sake. I can't even begin to describe the pure AWE I have, not only for this story, but for Sabaa Tahir, fantasy and Muslim-American literary goddess, in general. I honestly can't think of a story I've read that was so well intertwined, so fully conceptualized, while respecting roots of the series that came before it. Earlier this year, I had the fortune to read The Fragile Threads of Power by VE Schwab, which continued her Shades of Magic series. Reading Heir sparked that same feeling; the sensation of returning home after a long journey through other vast worlds. I'm grateful that Penguin Teen hosted the Ember in the Ashes read-along this summer. While Heir introduces us to new characters, 20 years after the Ember in the Ashes series ends, each mention and emergence of a familiar character provided a sweet taste of nostalgia I didn't know I needed. These books have seeped themselves deep within my marrow since 2015, and Sabaa Tahir has been on my favorite/auto-buy author for just as long. She's the first Muslim-American to win the National Book Award for Young People's Literature; a feat that gives me hope and inspiration as a Muslim-American writer.

💜 Reading Heir, you can see how much Tahir's prose has flourished over the past decade. Despite stepping back into this familiar world, it's richer, more vivid. The action is just as intense and ruthless, the characters undeniably unique. The underlying themes resonate deeply. I loved every nod to South Asian, Pakistani, and Islamic culture. It's always the five-star book reviews I struggle with the most. I could talk about this story for hours, but I'd spoil so much that I want you to experience for yourself.

💙 Don't worry: if you haven't read the An Ember in the Ashes quartet, you can still enjoy Heir. The three main characters have their own vivid story to tell, and while there are mentions of many beloved characters from the original series, they're supporting cast to Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. I will say that the first part of the story took a moment to adjust to, and there's the lingering question of HOW these characters are connected, but once you realize how the breadcrumbs were laid out for you, you'll realize the execution is FLAWLESS. The fast pace keeps you on your toes, the ever-growing tension driving you to the last page. As for the underlying romantic story, AH! It was perfectly built, the sass and chemistry playful without stealing from the main plot, yet heart-wrenching; that kind of painful that keeps you invested long-term. OH! And can we talk about our villain? That BUILD?! I love a villain with reason--a character who doesn't realize they're the villain at all, someone with a mission that goes about it in all the wrong ways. This story had EVERYTHING and then some. I'll be recommending it for the next 20 years.

🦇 Recommended for fans of The Red Queen series, The Lunar Chronicle series, and The Throne of Glass series.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🫀First in a Duology ✨ Young Adult High Fantasy/Romantasy 👑 Political Intrigue ⛏ Enemies to Lovers 💓 Found Family 👁 Multi POV

🦇 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. #Heir

💬 Quotes ❝ Get what you need. Forget the rest. ❞ ❝ "You are a daughter of the evening star. You are not meant to be caged." ❞ ❝ “I give my heart unto her keeping, a gift with no compare.” ❞ ❝ "The past will distract you from the now. And it’s the now that matters.” ❞ ❝ “You seek to understand the fibers that make the world,” Loli Temba said, “but not your own pain, nor that of others. You’d be better served understanding the latter.” ❞ ❝ He looked at her like her secrets were the sea, and he was at home in dark water. ❞ ❝ “Quil—” His name rolled off her tongue, a prayer. “Please—” “Mmm,” he said. “You should say that more, Sirsha. I’d give you whatever you wanted.” ❞ ❝ “Care about yourself as much as you care about those you love. As much as— as we care about you.” ❞ ❝ Sirsha grabbed his hand, wishing she could articulate the desire suffusing her, something more than I need you and I wish I didn’t. ❞

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

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🦇 Fall For Him Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite rom-com (film or book)? ❓ 🦇 Falling through his hot neighbor's ceiling and landing directly into his bed probably wouldn't make Derek Chang hate Dylan Gallagher any less, especially with a poorly timed "It's Raining Men" joke. Though Dylan focuses all his ADHD hyper-fixation energy on getting the repair job done as quickly as possible—avoiding doing anything stupid like acting on his very inconvenient crush—Derek tries to ignore that the tattooed nerd sleeping on the couch is surprisingly witty, smart, and kind, despite the long-term grudge Derek’s been holding against him. But will squeezing all their emotional baggage plus a dog into a tiny one-bedroom apartment be a major disaster…or just prove they’re made for each other? Fall for Him combines banter, hijinks, and heart in a story of finding out what it means to fix things after your life crumbles.

💜 I was fortunate enough to read Andie Burke's debut (and this story's predecessor), Fly With Me, last year, but I didn't expect THIS. Fall For Him is so much more than an enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, gay rom-com continuation. There's no list of tropes that can contain the banter, hijinks, mental health rep, and heart within this story. There's so much grief, healing, and love within this story, matched by wit, banter, and fun, descriptive prose. All of it grabs and holds readers with the same beautiful intensity of an old-school rom-com. Andie Burke's writing has truly BLOSSOMED between Fly With Me and Fall For Him; a feat I'm always glad to see a year after discovering a debut author.

💜 Since I can't contain it all in a concise little paragraph, here's What I Loved: ✨ The mental health rep (including the misconception that someone is rude or antisocial or weird when really they're trying to manage a condition). ✨ Derek's outrage on Dylan's behalf, then fiercely standing up against Dylan's family. ✨ The. Bat. Man. ✨ Felicity, my quippy, hilarious, bisexual babe, and her Depraved Shenanigans. ✨ Jodi, just entirely, my demisexual, forest nymph queen. Andie Burke. Please. Please tell me the next book is Jodi & Felicity (my two emotional support gingers). PLEASE. ✨ All the home reno/construction puns. ✨ All the nerd references (the crack in Amy Pond's wall!) ✨ Every character description. Seriously. ESPECIALLY the boys describing each other pre-kiss. And after kiss. ✨ All the quippy, silly banter. ✨ Light blue scrubs. ✨ "Stupid, lovesick, radiant joy." / "Kay." ✨ The older sibling protective/fix-it mentality. ✨ Loving broken things.

💙 By now, you know miscommunication and third-act breakups are among my least favorite story elements. However, this story STARTS with miscommunication; one moment seen from different perspectives that's therefore misconstrued. After realizing that, Derek actively tries to keep that miscommunication from breaking them. He's one of the first MCs I've seen that tries to avoid a third-act breakup before it happens. I do wish we'd lingered in that moment a little longer, seen it happen differently instead of time-jumping to a week later, but it doesn't shatter the story the way third-act breakups often do. I will say I did cry at the end of this one, so the conclusion amplifies emotions in a way that works.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue or Boyfriend Material.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🔨 Mental Health/ADHD Rep 🫀 Contemporary Rom-Com 🖱 Enemies to Lovers 🩺 Forced Proximity ❤‍🩹 Grief Rep/Healing 🐕 Animal Companion 🧠 2nd in a Duology 💙 Dual POV

🦇 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. #FallForHim

💬 Quotes ❝ I love that English uses the word falling to describe the initial rush of love, capturing the stomach-sinking danger of opening your heart over a chasm of what if. That anyone could love all those deep-inside, messy, jagged bits we try to hide from even ourselves feels like the greatest impossibility. But after all, it’s the impact with the ground that hurts, not the fall, so I guess that’s why the best partners are the ones who cushion us. ❞ ❝ Much like a home renovation project wherein hidden, expensive disasters are created when you try to fix the cosmetic parts only, sometimes you have to break things down entirely before anything gets repaired. ❞ ❝ I wrote it at a time when I needed a reminder that people who feel like their bodies and minds and souls are being held together by caffeine and off-brand Scotch tape deserve to find and can find their person. Because when the ground beneath our feet is crumbling in every possible sense, sometimes we don’t just need a safe place to land. We need a safe place to fall. ❞ ❝ Breaking something sometimes doesn’t mean you’re broken. ❞ ❝ Awkward social interactions created small fractures in his mental armor. Every crack allowed old insecurities to slide right back into his brain. ❞ ❝ That smile did things to Derek. Things he’d rather not admit. ❞ ❝ “I looked for you when I woke up.” ❞ ❝ In his personal experience, every time he invited someone into knowing about his sexual identity, it felt like a small test with big stakes. It was like whispering Are you going to be comfortable with my existence? into a void and just hoping what came out didn’t attack you. ❞ ❝ You deserve stupid, lovesick, radiant joy. ❞ ❝ “I think Felicity wakes up each day and chooses violence.” “You’re not wrong.” ❞ ❝ “Do not ever let someone make you feel that small again. Because you, Dylan Gallagher, are not fucking small.” ❞ ❝ Because if he broke down, how could he still be the one who fixed things? ❞

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

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🦇 It Happened One Summer Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD What's your go-to summer read?❓ 🦇 Hollywood's It-Girl Piper Bellinger is the paparazzi's beloved wild child. There's always the promise she'll go a bit too far for the Gram, including hosting a rooftop party that lands her in jail after a bad breakup. Hoping she'll learn some sense of responsibility, her wealthy step-father ships her off to her late father's dive bar in the small town of Westport. She's not there for five minutes before she meets grumpy sea captain Brendan, and the two instantly clash. Will Piper reconnect with her past (charting a course for a new future in the process) or can she get back to LA before the end of her three-month sentence?

💜 Despite how much my beloved Booksta girlies adore her writing, I honestly didn't know what to expect from Tessa Bailey (and I'm glad, because I love shaping my own opinions). From chapter one, there's this instantly familiar yet distinct voice that SCREAMS chick-flick rom-com (with Kesha playing at full volume in the background). Piper is Alexis from Schitt's Creek meets Elle Woods ala Legally Blonde. She's vibrant and bubbly and yes, a little ditzy, but after a few chapters, you start to love her for the heart behind it. Brendan is all salt water and deep grumbles, strong yet stuck in his ways. My latest concern with rom-coms lately has been a lack of chemistry. Too many books rush to the smut, forcing two characters to fit when they just don't. Chemistry sparks off the page pretty quickly between these two, though--not in lingering glances, but in actions. Brendan has memory foam installed over a bunkbed so Piper can stop bruising herself. He changes her locks because everyone in Westport has a key to her building. It's not insta-love (but once things progress, these two burn HOT), and I'm grateful for that.

💜 It's the underlying messages that bumped this up to a rare 3.5 stars. People have been putting Piper into a box for too long, telling her she's just like every other girl in LA, that she won't amount to more. Brendan shows her she has so much more to give than she realizes. We start adoring Piper through Brendan, and that's a powerful thing. Meanwhile, Piper recognizes her worth and accomplishes far more than she thought herself capable. There's an underlying theme of guilt and grief from both sides, too; Piper for her late father, and Brendan for his late wife. They heal together and end up stronger for it.

💙 It's the third act that made my star rating falter. Piper clinging to pieces of her past, that lingering what-if of falling back into her comfort zone and old ways--Brendan shouldn't have faulted her for that, turning it into a blowout fight when Piper admitted EARLIER that she didn't know what to do. After that, it's a number of conveniently placed obstacles that keep them apart. Piper's sudden decision to go back to LA felt out of place given her character development, too. Though it wasn't a full third-act breakup, it was enough to feel exhausting.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, and Hannah Grace.

✨ The Vibes ✨ ⚓ Small Town Romance ⚓ Contemporary Romance ⚓ Schitt's Creek Inspired ⚓ Grumpy/Sunshine ⚓ Opposites Attract ⚓ First in a Duology ⚓ He Falls First

💬 Quotes ❝ I can be in a room full of people that I know & still not feel like I belong. ❞ ❝ This girl. He'd be keeping her. There was no way around it. ❞ ❝ Apparently he enjoyed that now. Being confused & charmed & pulled apart over this woman. ❞ ❝ "I like the things that make you Piper. Don't go changing them now. ❞

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

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🦇 A Monsoon Rising Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite enemies-to-lovers story? 🦇 Even after a lifetime of war, being married to a sworn foe feels far from peaceful. Talasyn must play the part of Alaric’s willing empress while her allies secretly plot to overthrow his reign. But the longer the couple are forced together, the harder it becomes to deny the feelings crackling like lightning between them. When the time comes to act, can she trust him, or must she ignore her heart for the sake of so many others?

💜 The second book of The Hurricane Wars trilogy starts exactly where the first leaves off. Let's break it down:

✨ Characters: As the second book in the trilogy, we should see the bulk of character development in this novel--moments that hint at Talasyn & Alaric seeing one another's perspectives to the point of changing their ideologies about the world & how it should operate. While we are given those moments, they're nearly always rooted in lust (namely, throughout the second half of the novel). The tension I loved so much in the first book still holds, but the pattern starts to become repetitive: an argument, a heated kiss, no real discussion of their feelings & thoughts. Yes, the third book requires Talaysn & Alaric to hold steadfast to their secrets (& potential betrayals), but they could have at least been honest about their messy feelings for one another. The cast grows a little in this book, but we barely see any real characterization for the supporting cast.

✨ Plot and Pacing: This novel focuses on the cataclysmic event, the Moonless Dark, that partially drove Talaysn & Alaric's political marriage. It takes place over the span of four months, with multiple time jumps. Still, the pace seems to drag at times. It's the action-packed scenes that drive the pacing (as they should). More reveals (political secrets, information about Talaysn's mother) would have allowed suspense to drive the pacing faster.

✨ World-Building: Just as before, Guanzon's descriptions of this world are beautiful & descriptive. I can't believe I'm typing this, but I wish there were fewer descriptions & more INFORMATION. What about the universe beyond the Continent and Nenavar? What about Nenavar's culture & history? There are small hints, but not enough to expand this universe.

✨ Romance: You bookish bats wanted more smut from this trilogy, & you got it. The spice definitely amps up in this one, but again, it becomes a distraction for Alaric & Talasyn when there's SO much more going on. That tension between them remains, the sassy banter still builds toward eruptive moments, & they're both definitely falling for one another. It wasn't the smut that caught my attention, but the soft intimacies between them that REALLY mattered. They start opening up to one another in ways that MATTER--I just wish there was more of THAT than the mindless, poorly timed, frenzy of smut.

✨ Mystery/Suspense: There's DEFINITELY a reveal lurking in the shadows of book three, namely, about Talaysn's mother, Hanan (my mom's name, which throws me out of the story EVERY time I see it). This story DOES end on a cliffhanger, albeit an awkward one, so we'll see where it goes.

🦇 Recommended to fans of Avatar the Last Airbender (or Zutara and Rylo shippers), Fourth Wing, and ACOTAR.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🌀 Romantic Fantasy Trilogy 🌀 Enemies to Lovers 🌀 Forced Proximity 🌀 War/Occupation 🌀 Southeast Asian/BIPOC 🌀 Marriage of Convenience 🌀 Slow Burn 🌀 Feminine Rage

🦇 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.

💬 Quotes ❝ “His Majesty ought to grant me a title.” “On top of all the other names I already call you?” ❞ ❝ “Little hellcat,” he muttered, lost in her narrowed eyes flashing with hints of gold. “Claws out even while you purr.” ❞ ❝ “Deadly. Magnificent. The prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” ❞ ❝ Just him and me and the monsoon. ❞ ❝ Ever since we met, I have lived in a dream of what could be. ❞

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🦇 Payback's a Witch Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's something from your family history you're proud of?❓ 🦇 Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn't been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. When a spellcasting tournament approaches, tradition pulls Emmy back. On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov—an all-around badass adept in the darker magical arts—who is fresh off a bad breakup...with the ex that encourages Emmy to leave in the first place. When she learns her best friend had her heart broken by the heir to the most powerful magical family in town as well, the three vow to take their revenge.

💜 Lana Harper's prose is enthralling from the get-go. If you're looking for some truly magical witch lit, this is it! Let's break it down. ⤵ ✨ Characters: Our FMC, though a witch, is human in her desire to break away from the small town she's always known, from a legacy that seems to be holding her back, to chart her own path. The surrounding characters create a cast BRIMMING with possibilities (as evident by the continuation of this series, which follows different couples). I'm also glad the payback plot, nor romance, eclipsed Emmy's character development. ✨ Plot and Pacing: This story is the perfect balance of plot and romance, which keeps the pacing moving forward without an exhausting lull. However, I would have enjoyed seeing more of the magic at play, namely between the competitions. Also, give me a "ladies ban together for revenge against an ex" plots any day. ✨ World-Building: Thistle Grove is, in itself, magic. Harper does a superb job at creating a cozy small town that doesn't RELY on magic to feel magical. I would have loved to learn more about each family's unique magic systems, but I'm sure the rest of the series delves into that. ✨ Romance: From the moment Emmy describes Talia's translucent gray eyes (which make her look like a tundra wolf), the swooning starts. The chemistry between them is palpable yet sweet. Though Talia has a bad-girl exterior, I love her heart of gold and warmth. ✨ Mystery/Suspense: I will say the "mystery" regarding the founding families is a bit obvious. Notetakers and writers have more power than history ever gives them credit for. ✨ Tone/Prose: Harper's prose gives this story its power. Though a light, playful read, the word choice is still detailed and captivating, drawing readers in to explore Thistle Grove and the secrets it keeps.

💙 Unfortunately the story is a little predictable, from Emmy's family secret to the competition. It's Emmy and Talia's fight that bothers me most, though. They both stepped into the relationship knowing neither was willing to change their minds (Emmy about leaving, Talia about staying), without leaving room for a mature conversation on the subject or compromise. The third-act breakup felt juvenile, especially when the resolution is so quick and easy. I also don't love a villain without purpose. The ex-boyfriend is entitled, yes, but what else? His characterization was a little two-dimensional, when there could have been a hint of the pressure he was under from his family to carry the mantel. What about the Blackmoore family's plot to steal business from the other families? There's more there, and I hope the rest of the series delves into it all.

🦇 Recommended to fans of John Tucker Must Die and Practical Magic.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 💜 Queer/Sapphic Rom-Com 🌙 Bisexual FMC 👻 Witch Lit 🍁 Small Town Romance 👻 Paranormal/Fantasy Romance 🌙 Magical Competition 💜 Part of a Series

💬 Quotes ❝ “I’m in, witches. Let’s run amok.” ❞ ❝ I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. A dazzling smile streaked across her lips like a lightning bolt. ❞ ❝ The girl who embraced darkness, tended and cared for the phantoms that lived within it, while shedding such a scintillating light that it was damn near impossible to look away from her. ❞ ❝ "It’s like you fucked the sass right out of me.” ❞ ❝ “You, Emmeline Harlow,” she said, eyes locked on mine, “are so extremely fucking beautiful it hurts my soul.” ❞

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🦇 I Kissed Shara Wheeler Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD Have you ever done a scavenger hunt? What was at the end? 🦇 There's only one thing standing in Chloe Green's way of winning valedictorian: the town's favorite and Chloe's rival, Shara Wheeler. A month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe, then does the most infuriating thing: vanishes. Chloe and two other boys Shara kissed are left with a series of cryptic notes; a scavenger hunt to find her. Can Chloe drag Shara back before graduation to beat her fair and square, or is there something else behind Shara's disappearance?

💜 Alright John Green fans. This one's for you. As always, Casey McQuiston's prose is a breath of fresh air. The narration instantly pulls you in as if you're listening to an old friend (the easily frustrated, type A kind you have to be patient with). Warning: this story WILL transport you back to high school. I can't explain it, but it felt like I was on campus, watching my fellow students live as the protagonists of their own unspoken stories, the entire time. There's so much to love in this one. For the sake of being succinct (you bookish bats know I can ramble): 💌 Chloe's amazing, artistic queer moms 💌 The whole found family of it all 💌 The EASY, natural queerness (it's never questioned, it just IS, as it tends to be in a CM book) 💌 The snippets from the burn pile before chapters (giving us glimpses into the minds of side characters) 💌 Chloe and Shara are both equally messy and chaotic 💌 The rivalry, the frustration, the angst 💌 Every side pairing 💌 All the theater kids 💌 Smith and Ash's interaction (AGH!) 💌 Rory and Smith (Just...more AGH) 💌 The reminder that side characters are going through it, too (don't forget to check on your best friends) 💌 The prose, the banter, the jokes; I literally laughed aloud, and that takes a lot

💜 This story is a reminder that there's so much more to a person than what you see on the surface. That sometimes you can romanticize someone you hardly know. And that you can unknowingly do that to yourself, too.

💙 While I was reading this, a few people told me they DNF. The second half is SO much stronger than the first, though. I think the pacing is a bit exhausting because the scavenger hunt drags a little, but it's the second half where we see SO much character development from Chloe, Shara, Rory, and Smith.

💙 Religion (the story is set in small town Alabama, at a Christian school) plays a big part in the story. While that could have led me to disconnect, it didn't. It only adds to the discussion that queerness and acceptance (in ourselves and each other) needs to be an ongoing discussion. That sometimes you need to step outside of your bubble to see the world from a new lens.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Looking for Alaska, Paper Town, She Gets the Girl, Delilah Green Doesn't Care, and Imogen, Obviously.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 💌 Sapphic Romance 💋 Queer Cast 💌 Coming-of-Age 💋 Young Adult 💌 Enemies to Lovers 💋 Small Town 💌 Slight Mystery

💬 Quotes ❝ There’s a girl with brown eyes who reminds me of the first book I ever loved. When I look at her, I feel like there might be another universe in her. I imagine her on a shelf too high for me to reach, or peeking out of someone else’s backpack, or at the end of a long wait at the library. I know there are other books that are easier to get my hands on, but none are half as good as her. Every part of her seems to have a purpose, a specific meaning, an exact reason for being how and what and where it is. ❞ ❝ What’s the point of wanting and being wanted in return if the person they want isn’t truly you? ❞ ❝ “You know… if being a guy feels like something you have to do, like it’s an obligation or something…” Ash says carefully. “Maybe think about that.” ❞ ❝ This is the real tragedy: Everything extraordinary about her is trapped behind the myth. ❞ ❝ There are enough students comfortable with the way things are to create the feeling that you’re the only one who doesn’t belong. It can be hard, when all the rules claim to be good and moral and godly, to feel like you can challenge them without admitting something bad and wrong about yourself. ❞ ❝ There are things out there for you that you haven’t even thought of yet, that you don’t even know how to think of yet. Who you are here doesn’t have to be the same as who you are out there. And if the person you feel like you have to be in this town doesn’t feel right to you, you’re allowed to leave. You’re allowed to exist. Even if it means existing somewhere else.” ❞ ❝ “And to the girl who kissed me,” she says, “I have done some of the best work of my life because of you. And I know you have done some of the best work of your life because of me. I don’t know a better way to explain what love means to two people like us.” ❞