I did not expect to laugh as much as I did at this book but it turns out texts from 300 year old vampires are my comedy gold. This was silly, campy anI did not expect to laugh as much as I did at this book but it turns out texts from 300 year old vampires are my comedy gold. This was silly, campy and such a ridiculous amount of fun and I enjoyed every second of my time with it. ...more
An incredibly warm and gently paced cozy fantasy read. With quests, fortunes, found family and a ragtag group of misfits finding their place in the woAn incredibly warm and gently paced cozy fantasy read. With quests, fortunes, found family and a ragtag group of misfits finding their place in the world by discovering their place together, this was a calming and sweet story perfect for fans of Becky Chamber's A Psalm for the Wild Built and T. Kingfisher's Nettle and Bone....more
2024 is truly the year I fell in love with second chance romances. This was adorable, so much fun and surprisingly emotional and that epilogue? perfec2024 is truly the year I fell in love with second chance romances. This was adorable, so much fun and surprisingly emotional and that epilogue? perfection. ...more
3.5* while I admittedly would have liked a little more clarity and a few more answers surrounding the mystery (I’m a girl who doesn’t do well with unk3.5* while I admittedly would have liked a little more clarity and a few more answers surrounding the mystery (I’m a girl who doesn’t do well with unknowns), this was overall a stunningly illustrated and emotional story with an endearing cast of characters and a heartwarming romance. ...more
Ann Liang has quickly become a trusted author of mine, having adored her YA romances over the past few years. So I was of course very curious when I hAnn Liang has quickly become a trusted author of mine, having adored her YA romances over the past few years. So I was of course very curious when I heard she was going to do a major genre 180 by releasing an adult fantasy. As it turns out, the beautiful readability and accessibility of her writing style lends its hand perfectly to adult fantasy.
I was instantly pulled into this world and story and, unlike some more political fantasies, found myself following the ins and outs of it with ease. I very much warmed to Xishi as a narrator and although I felt the romance was a little flat at times, I didn't mind all too much because the tension, emotional turmoil, power games and sheer heartbreak more than made up for it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I'm not sure my heart will ever recover from its ending....more
I had very high hopes for this and although it was definitely an enjoyable read, it unfortunately didn't quite live up to my expectations. A large reaI had very high hopes for this and although it was definitely an enjoyable read, it unfortunately didn't quite live up to my expectations. A large reason for this is the pacing just didn't work for me.
The 'big' events happened within a blink of an eye and yet there were chunky paragraphs of interior descriptions and inner ponderings that, whilst they painted a vivid world, meant the plot, characters and relationships seemed to take a back seat. There were so many exciting plot elements that, at over 400 pages, I wish had been explored further.
That being said, Rewitched definitely delivered on the promise of 90's witch vibes and the characters, although somewhat lacking in depth, were endearing. I also thoroughly enjoyed the overall message of self love, the fear of failure not always having to have everything 'worked out'.
Despite not wholly working for me, I'm looking forward to see what Lucy Jane Wood writes next, as her ideas and writing show a lot of potential....more
From the character work to the colour scheme to the humour to the message, everything about this book was a delight. I can’t wait to see what happens From the character work to the colour scheme to the humour to the message, everything about this book was a delight. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this bizarre and adorable story. ...more
This was an absolutely joy of a read and surprised me in the best way.
It was witty and soft in equal measure and I found it utterly charming. The chaThis was an absolutely joy of a read and surprised me in the best way.
It was witty and soft in equal measure and I found it utterly charming. The characters were endearing and the plot gentle but never slow, with domestic yet emotionally high stakes.
I was completely won over by this book and would love to see more of these characters/world in the future....more
This is the kind of book I'd call a 'quiet fantasy'. It's not all battles and quests and world-shattering romances. It's gentle and small scaled but nThis is the kind of book I'd call a 'quiet fantasy'. It's not all battles and quests and world-shattering romances. It's gentle and small scaled but nonetheless impactful.
It's a wonderfully vibrant and emotional story of self worth and inequality and the huge difference 'small' people can make in the world. With a whimsical, almost folktale-esque narration, rich world building, unique magic and a warm and lovable MC, this was a treat of a read and reminded me just how fantastic a writer Ifueko is....more
I’m convinced if you look up the definition of perfection in the dictionary, a picture of this book will appear. This was the most beautiful, witty, rI’m convinced if you look up the definition of perfection in the dictionary, a picture of this book will appear. This was the most beautiful, witty, romantic and uplifting story of love in its various forms. Romantic, platonic, familial and self love in all their intricacies are all gorgeous portrayed with care and heart.
Win and Bo officially have one of my all time favourite love stories and not just because their romance and banter is to die for. It’s also because of the way Hannah Bonham-Young used them to beautifully tell her readers that there are people who will love you because of that thing about you you’re scared people won’t be able to love, not despite it. They’ll love it because it makes you who you are and they will love all of you.
I think I could happily ramble on about this book for days but to put it simply; I loved this funny, hopeful, tender and beautiful book with every fibre of my being. ...more
3.5* This was a really fun read and so exciting to see Native author writing a romance about Native characters. Despite all her lies (and the stress t3.5* This was a really fun read and so exciting to see Native author writing a romance about Native characters. Despite all her lies (and the stress they put me through) I really warmed to Ember as a character and couldn’t help but root for.
Despite having a good time with it, reason I couldn’t give it a higher rating is that I struggled with the pacing. It just didn’t quite work for me and the ending felt rather abrupt. I’d also have liked a little more development in the relationships and side characters. That being said, reading this was a lovely way to spend a grey weekend and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what Danica writes next....more
This is without a doubt my favourite in the Maple Hills series by a long shot. Halle and Henry have well and truly stolen my heart. This was sweet andThis is without a doubt my favourite in the Maple Hills series by a long shot. Halle and Henry have well and truly stolen my heart. This was sweet and vulnerable and soft in the best kind of way and I could happily read it all over again. ...more
4.5* I can’t quite pinpoint why this worked for me the way that it did but it really, really worked for me.
Despite the fact that the mc’s were both a4.5* I can’t quite pinpoint why this worked for me the way that it did but it really, really worked for me.
Despite the fact that the mc’s were both a tad insufferable at times and erring towards ‘magic pixie’, I couldn’t help but root for them with my whole being. They were messy and broken and human and I just really wanted them to be happy I but also wanted to yell at them? They were complicated in the best kind of way.
Complete with its NYC setting, quick witted banter and hopeless decision making, this book had classic Nora Ephron romantic comedy vibes running through every sentence and I couldn’t get enough. I can why this seems might not work for everyone but as a forever slow burn fan, it very much worked for me....more
I went into this having no idea what I was going to get from this book (it was only after finishing it that I realised it apparently has some kind of I went into this having no idea what I was going to get from this book (it was only after finishing it that I realised it apparently has some kind of tiktok connection?). So it’s safe to say that what I did get was the most pleasant surprise because I adored this book. This book gave me a soft yet murderous villain, the slowest of slow burn romances, utter mayhem, whimsical ridiculousness, endearing characters, a chaotic fmc with a heart of gold (and a touch of evilness), genuinely surprising twists and an ending that has me begging for book two. I can see why this might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it was most certainly mine. ...more
A beautifully and cleverly written intergenerational coming-of-age story exploring culture, family, trauma and the importance of understanding your hiA beautifully and cleverly written intergenerational coming-of-age story exploring culture, family, trauma and the importance of understanding your history. This was a tender, emotional and impactful book and one I’m sure to remember this for a long time to come. ...more
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