There’s no way—not a single chance—that I’ll ever fall in love with my husband.
this was a super cute end for amelie after everything she went throughThere’s no way—not a single chance—that I’ll ever fall in love with my husband.
this was a super cute end for amelie after everything she went through in the fair isles trilogy.
i loooooove me an arranged marriage trope, but this also had some fun takes on it (i shan't say anymore cause spoilers!). albert was so endearing as the prince who puts on a faux rake persona (and charming). i enjoyed how it made amelie loosen up and lift her out of her fear.
“You try leaning across a table in a corset and dinner gown.” He waggles his brows. “If that’s what gets you going, I will, although you’ll find I look better naked.”
“Did no one tell you I’m only a quarter fae?” “A quarter fae and one hundred percent beautiful? Nope. No one said a damn thing to warn me about you.”
“The only acting I’ve done is pretending you don’t completely disarm me.”
short and sweet, as a novella it was more than enough. this also goes into odette's more recent series tone of a regency romantasy-first, which is so fun to read. it just makes me all the more excited for her next fae flings and corset strings book!
“I would give anything to be burned by you.”...more
"We will fight to the death if we must, but first we shall fight to live."
rating: 3.75
the most action packed of the trilogy, i do think it could have "We will fight to the death if we must, but first we shall fight to live."
rating: 3.75
the most action packed of the trilogy, i do think it could have used some trimming down as there was a lot of monologuing. it's moved away from the romance focus of book 1 to many political machinations between the fae courts and their tumultuous relations to the human regions.
overall, this series is probably my least fav of odette's so far mostly bc while she does a good job at creating a more typical politics-first fantasy in this series, i just personally enjoy the romance-focused series she's written after these.
it was fun to see the many characters who appear in entangled with fae as well as fae flings and corset strings and get a bit more into the origin story of faerwyvae.
“Always and forever, Evie. No matter how many days that is.”...more
There is a strength to you that lifts others up, and that’s what this world needs right now. Not another politician. You.
rating: 4.25
this was definiteThere is a strength to you that lifts others up, and that’s what this world needs right now. Not another politician. You.
rating: 4.25
this was definitely a step up from book 1! the pacing was faster, there was more action, and we got to finally really enjoy some explored tension and chemistry between thia and ericen
Merged review:
There is a strength to you that lifts others up, and that’s what this world needs right now. Not another politician. You.
rating: 4.25
this was definitely a step up from book 1! the pacing was faster, there was more action, and we got to finally really enjoy some explored tension and chemistry between thia and ericen...more
“Real men aren’t threatened by a woman with a big brain who knows her way around a graphing calculator.”
if you're looking for a low angst, high tensio“Real men aren’t threatened by a woman with a big brain who knows her way around a graphing calculator.”
if you're looking for a low angst, high tension (and sizzling spice) friends to lovers romance that will have you kicking your feet giggling and then blushing, look no further.
hayden has been head over heels for his best friend darcy since the day he met her in college - but his best friend got to her first. now single and looking to mingle again, darcy enlists hayden's help on How to Be a Player seeing as he's become a master at it. oh it's so fun when they're cluelessly, obliviously, hopelessly head over heels for each other and don't even know it.
darcy's work as an actuary in statistics was intriguing applied into sports, and it was fun to watch her fully step into herself after having lost her sense of individuality w her ex. hayden is just the sweetest guy ever, i really did love that he always had darcy's best interests in mind.
the tension between them was so hot but also they had such fun silly moments, it was a very believable and organic friendship. and the praise ...more
sometimes i don't particularly care for "other POV" side of a story, but this provided some really great insight with what was happening with amelie asometimes i don't particularly care for "other POV" side of a story, but this provided some really great insight with what was happening with amelie and cobalt. i think it probably helps to get more on amelie's side again before book 3 of the trilogy. it was darker and a bit emotional.
Ready or not, my darling. I’m coming for you. And when I do, I will bathe in your blood....more
“I don’t want a crown forged from blood.” “All crowns are forged from blood.”
rating: 3.75★
this book has the most political intrigue and machinations o“I don’t want a crown forged from blood.” “All crowns are forged from blood.”
rating: 3.75★
this book has the most political intrigue and machinations of this trilogy yet.
it was really fun to see franco and finally understand his referenced origins from his book, and i'm recognizing more and more references from the entangled with fae series. it's been a really interesting experience reading the world in a backwards progression towards its origin roots, but i'm glad i read it this way! i think it makes the easter eggs more fun.
while the scheming and action was amped up in this book, there were a few times when conversations referring to all the bargains and deals sometimes got a bit overwhelming and info dumpy but i still enjoyed it. also has a touch of angst and romance as well.
so far i would say this series is a touch darker than her others, more action, and more classically fantasy/fae based....more
i really appreciate that this YA story gives readers the perspective of a queer Chinese-American girl growing up during the Cold War / Rerating: 4.25★
i really appreciate that this YA story gives readers the perspective of a queer Chinese-American girl growing up during the Cold War / Red Scare era. it's a really unique life that has never occured to me.
i was expecting there to be a bit more plot, but i wasn't really disappointed. lily's exploration of her sexuality through discovery, crushes, and real emotional connection were all such an accurate portrayal of coming of age, esp through queerness. it also provides a stark reminder of how taboo queerness was in the 50's and seen as downright "degeneration" and outlawed.
lily and cath's relationship was sweet and very beautiful to read. i definitely sympathized w the more toxic dynamic between lily and her childhood friend shirley, while also understanding shirley's motivations. i also really loved the character of tommy, the drag king.
i was quite interested in the cold war/red scare aspect as well and do wish we could have gotten more into that. i agree w some reviews that the ending was a bit anticlimactic, but i still found it emotional.
the end notes provide a lot of historical information for the related topics as well!...more
well this was just a cozy little delight! a witchy cottagecore sapphic novella that's perfect for fall when you need something more on the light and fwell this was just a cozy little delight! a witchy cottagecore sapphic novella that's perfect for fall when you need something more on the light and fluffy side between spooky reads.
i thought the rue and amaya were a super cute pairing, very opposites attract. all the little details made this feel extra cozy. plus it's in a regency-esque setting which has very much been the vibe for me, so i'll prob be checking out more of this author's books....more
unfortunately, this just didn’t deliver for me. i never understood what tone is what going for. the opening almost felt like thriller or even horror, unfortunately, this just didn’t deliver for me. i never understood what tone is what going for. the opening almost felt like thriller or even horror, but for the most part the slow pacing and minimal style just left it feeling very meh across the board.
i found the reveal to be pretty predictable, and i really would’ve liked leandros to either be more complex or larger than life as the villain.
i’m not very familiar w Greek mythology so maybe fans of it will appreciate this more than me.
_____________________________
✧˖° preread ✧˖°
new arc ayyyy excited to get into some greek mythology...more
this provides a solid foundational education on adhd as it manifests in women, as well as why it differs from men, why it happens, how to manage it, athis provides a solid foundational education on adhd as it manifests in women, as well as why it differs from men, why it happens, how to manage it, and other related resources / effects of adhd (depression, pregnancy, medications, eating disorders, etc.).
some of the management i found to be your typical wellness 101, but still true and effective - just not anything that was new to me. i think for someone who is newer to adhd and/or is questioning if they might have it, this would be a great read to learn more.
one thing i felt it lacked in was talking about handling ableism. while i agree it's important to advocate for yourself at work, home, school, etc. there's also the very real reality that many companies and schools are ableist and, esp in the case of work, needing accomodations might be used against you or not fully delivered on. i just wouldn't want anyone to have the expectation that we're in any place yet that everyone is very understanding of disability and has the education or emotional understanding to account for it.
overall, i still found it very helpful and validating and i would def want to keep the resources on hand.
the premise is promising with an older asian hollywood darling and her younger jewish aspiring-director assistant having an accidental rumor suddenly the premise is promising with an older asian hollywood darling and her younger jewish aspiring-director assistant having an accidental rumor suddenly pair them together as a couple... but it unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.
i liked that it handled some tougher issues (#MeToo) but the characters themselves of Emma and Jo could have been expanded on so much more as well as their careers. It's a painfully slow burn as they spend the entire book denying their incredibly obvious feelings for each other and having circular conversations with various characters.
It also was quite unrealistic that Jo would just tell Emma to read some directing books and expect her to be able to have a directing opportunity off that. Like yeah study it and nepotism is real, but in real life Emma should've been directing her own things in her spare time bc that's the hustle now. It also would've been nice to see Emma actually do some directing or try to.
Overall, it was ok.
_________________________
.❀。preread ❀°。
i just started this but this feels sm like the show hacks?? i dig it tho...more
this makes "thirteen" look like a disney channel original movie.
fox doesn't shy away from any detail in her recount of her colorful, tumultuous (and athis makes "thirteen" look like a disney channel original movie.
fox doesn't shy away from any detail in her recount of her colorful, tumultuous (and at times, dangerous) life, from drugs to boyfriends to best friends to being a dominatrix to being a mom to dating a celebrity artist.
her blunt delivery makes the shock factor even more impactful, and her ability to aptly read ppl lends itself to her insightful storytelling..
“You’re…you’re…” “Frightening?” “You’re so…” “Terrifying?” “Fluffy.” He halts. “What?”
this was such a fun imaginative retelling of snow white with a ne“You’re…you’re…” “Frightening?” “You’re so…” “Terrifying?” “Fluffy.” He halts. “What?”
this was such a fun imaginative retelling of snow white with a new twist - snow white is the magic mirror.
Not all people enjoy seeing their most cherished attributes in another person.
It’s the downside to being a mirror. Once I make an impression on a person, I’m stuck with it. Every time I meet that person’s eyes, the same impression snaps into place.
a thrilling murder mystery plot, a fugitive princess w a bounty on her head, a bear shifter huntsman, two souls reckoning with their hardships, grief, addiction - this one really covers some ground! i found it kept a good pace up because of this.
i wasn't sure in the beginning, but i adored the romance between the two by the end.
“Astrid, you’re allowed to be strange. You’re allowed to be a mess. You can be all these things that are part of you. It won’t stop me from loving everything about you.”
________________________
.❀。preread ❀°。
my tessonja odette comfort read obsession continues...more
I killed the first boy I kissed, and if I ever press my lips to another’s, he won’t be the last. And I do very much hope he’s the last. Not because I I killed the first boy I kissed, and if I ever press my lips to another’s, he won’t be the last. And I do very much hope he’s the last. Not because I dislike kissing.... Kissing is fine. It’s the killing I’m not so fond of.
little mermaid retelling where she's a kleptomaniac selkie cursed to kill with her kiss. after a run-in with the sea witch, she makes a reluctant deal to forever remove the curse and save herself - she must win a bridal pageant and kiss the groom-to-be. he's got his own dark past, but when push comes to shove will she be able to do the deed?
i had fun with this one. sometimes there was a bit of info dumping but i thought this was a cute take. i love odette's fae world with its juxtaposition of uptight regency era humans clashing with the more laidback, uninhibited fae.
i always love how her characters have interesting background stories as well, even her side characters. podaxis was a fun addition and i would love to know more what happened with him.
maisy had me cackling at her quips and though sometimes the whole "clumsy fmc" can be overdone or annoying, i thought it was utilized well here to create some tension and awkward moments. i enjoyed learning more about dorian and the growth of his character and their chemistry.
i will be using "shells" as an expletive now and "the elephant seal in the room" ...more
“A reflection goes both ways, Martis. When you see me, how can I not want to know you—body, heart, soul?”
rating: 4.25 ★
this was deeper and more emotio“A reflection goes both ways, Martis. When you see me, how can I not want to know you—body, heart, soul?”
rating: 4.25 ★
this was deeper and more emotional than valerin, as it deals with parental loss and grief.
the dragon lore in it was exceptionally intriguing and well-crafted in such a short read. the prose was lavish as ever which only added to the arthurian style.
definitely going to be continuing this series....more
“Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking. Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even“Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking. Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even the moon, the skies and the earth could not sate them.”
overall, incredibly impactful and emotional. a bleak but honest examination of the power of the rich and elite and the institutions they reign over.
this was definitely a slowburn. i would say the first half could be tightened up bc it truthfully did almost lose me (it felt almost like a repeat of ace of spades) BUT i'm glad i continued bc the meat and heart of the story is in the second half.
i kind of also have mixed feelings on the end. on the one hand, i see how having a more realistic ending matches the tone and allows the emotional weight and impact of the story. on the other hand, i wonder if it would be cathartic for some readers to have a best-case ending.
overall, fantastically done.
Keep swimming. Or if that’s too hard, at the very least, float....more
‘Paris.’ I cast my gaze over the river. ‘It’s magnificent. So much of Scion is. Isn’t that sick?’ ‘It is a beautiful mask, but all masks fall. In the ‘Paris.’ I cast my gaze over the river. ‘It’s magnificent. So much of Scion is. Isn’t that sick?’ ‘It is a beautiful mask, but all masks fall. In the end.’
THAT ENDING SAMANTHA SHANNON WTF I AM IN YOUR WALLS OMG WTF ...more
Loading...
