“I’ve loved you all my life. It’s part of who I am as a person. I don’t know who the fuck I am if I can’t love you, if I’m not allowed to love you, if“I’ve loved you all my life. It’s part of who I am as a person. I don’t know who the fuck I am if I can’t love you, if I’m not allowed to love you, if you don’t want me around. Even if I marry someone else, it wouldn’t change anything. I would still be miserable. I would still love you. I will stop loving you the day I stop breathing.”
Ugh. I actually thought the whole miscommunication thing was over in volume 1. Volume 2 ramps it up to a whole new level. This entire volume was a fouUgh. I actually thought the whole miscommunication thing was over in volume 1. Volume 2 ramps it up to a whole new level. This entire volume was a four-way miscommunication thing between 4 different people. It was so annoying to read aaand!! when the volume ended 150 pages later, NONE of those miscommunications were resolved. ...more
I'm not sure how to rate this. It was a terrifying dystopian story that I will be thinking about for days. I really should've stopped rMinor spoilers:
I'm not sure how to rate this. It was a terrifying dystopian story that I will be thinking about for days. I really should've stopped reading when the instructors started repeatedly slapping the A.I. robots - called "dolls" in this story - in order to make them cry because it only got worse from there. The abuse of both the dolls and the mothers was hard to stomach. When dolls started trying to run away and mothers felt driven to suicide, I really really should've quit. This story left me in a funk, and I don't want to read anything like it again. No rating....more
"There are few words that are harder to explain than "loyalty." It's always regarded as a positive characteristic, because a lot of people would say t"There are few words that are harder to explain than "loyalty." It's always regarded as a positive characteristic, because a lot of people would say that many of the best things people do for each other occur precisely because of loyalty. The only problem is that many of the very worst things we do to each other occur because of the same thing."
This story was incredible; one of the best stories I've read all year.
5++ stars for the story as well as the audiobook....more
I didn't really like this story, but at the same time, I didn't hate it either. To be honest, I'm surprised that I was able to finish it because at noI didn't really like this story, but at the same time, I didn't hate it either. To be honest, I'm surprised that I was able to finish it because at no point in the story was I ever truly invested in what El was going through. She was a failed actress who didn't have any dreams, passions, or future plans to work towards. She did make some friends in college, but perhaps because they reminded her of her failed dreams, she slowly started distancing herself from them.
In 8th grade, she attended a private school via financial aid and was exposed to children from wealthy families. She felt like an outsider among them but comforted herself with the idea that one day she'd become a famous actress, and they'd tell everyone they knew that they went to school with her, however briefly.
Of course, that never happened, and right before her 30th birthday, one of only two friends that she made that year invited her to a party where she once again rubbed elbows with the elites. It was at this party that she met Bryce. She wasn't particularly attracted to him, but was willing to get to know him because h was wealthy.
El allowed herself to be dragged into Bryce's world. He fell in love with her relatively quickly and when he asked her to move in with him and allow him to pay off all her bills and take care of her she chose to ignore all the red flags telling her that something wasn't right with him. When she was finally confronted with the type of person he really was, she had to make a decision about whether or not giving up her life of luxury was worth sacrificing her morals.
That synopsis may sound interesting, but the story itself did not deliver. The characters were all superficial and annoying ( think entitled rich people being entitled and rich ...more
Now I remember why I didn't immediately move on to volume two after finishing volume one. Despite a few funny moments in the middle, this volume - jusNow I remember why I didn't immediately move on to volume two after finishing volume one. Despite a few funny moments in the middle, this volume - just like the first one - was incredibly hard to get through. Remnants of Filth is the darkest, or maybe I should say angstiest, danmei that I've read so far. Everything about this story is bleak, sad, and morose. Mo Xi's anger and frustration with Gu Mang - his palpable heartache - permeates everything taking place within the story, and at times, it feels suffocating. The plot is just HEAVY.
As much as I want to immediately move on to the next book, I've read the reviews... this story doesn't let up until the very end of the series! My health can't take that much drama and angst back to back. ...more
I'd say that about 40% of this book is an actual memoir, while the remaining 60% is information and advice that the author feels would benefit a persoI'd say that about 40% of this book is an actual memoir, while the remaining 60% is information and advice that the author feels would benefit a person newly diagnosed with a chronic illness. Some of the topics discussed in this book are the flaws within the US healthcare system, the importance of mental health while dealing with a chronic illness, how having a chronic illness will affect your relationship with your partner, your friends, and your family, as well as what your rights are as an employee.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had picked a focus. The author's experience with IBD was heartbreaking. I don't have a chronic illness, but I do have a chronic disorder that allowed me to identify with many of the things she experienced. I appreciated her frankness when discussing her illness and all that was involved in getting a correct diagnosis.
The informational part of the book was relevant, insightful, and helpful. It did get a little preachy in some areas, but I agreed with almost everything she said so none of it really bothered me. What I didn't like was how we were constantly shifting from the memoir to the educational/advice stuff. I would've preferred it if the book were broken into two parts: the memoir and the other stuff. This would have made the memoir more poignant and seamless. Instead, she'd be talking about her experiences with doctors who downplayed her symptoms or made her feel confused or left out of her treatment plan - all told in very emotional language - then segue right into very clinical information on how to choose a doctor and deal with insurance companies that deny treatments or medication. It was very jarring, and it happened in every chapter.
Overall, this wasn't what I was expecting it to be, but I do think it would be helpful to others in similar situations. I almost feel like it should be marketed as more self-help(?) than memoir. 3 stars...more
When it comes to bl I’m used to so-called bully romances. One of my favorite series is Caste Heaven and that is probably one of the most problematic -When it comes to bl I’m used to so-called bully romances. One of my favorite series is Caste Heaven and that is probably one of the most problematic - wtf did I just read - English translated bl series outside of Korean Manhwa (...because let’s be honest, no one does problematic abusive “romances” quite like them! lol). Of course, there are always those lesser known oneshots that feature extreme forms of abuse, but those aren’t actually marketed as romances, and I’m talking about bls with official English translations.
Anyway, the bullying in this manga isn’t that extreme and it doesn’t even involve anything sexual. Hira has always been an outcast due to his social awkwardness and stutter. He doesn’t have any friends and is often teased by his classmates. No one physically abuses him, but the verbal abuse is bad enough that he struggles with thoughts of suicide. Kiyoi is this beautiful standoffish boy in his class that Kiyoi has a crush on. Because of this, he becomes a willing gofer for him and his group of friends. They all look down on him, constantly calling him their slave, but because of Kiyoki Hira does whatever they ask.
*sigh*
This story was just depressing. Unlike the MC from Caste Heaven who continually rebelled against his abuse and plotted ways to get back at those who hurt him, Hira just took it and felt happy, no, elated whenever Kiyoi showed him even the tiniest bit of consideration. I’m not sure that I liked this, but I am curious to see how Hira and Kiyoki’s relationship changes in the upcoming volumes. 2.5 stars...more
The way the Rufeng sect's secrets were put on blast for the entire cultivation realm!! The way the Rufeng sect's secrets were put on blast for the entire cultivation realm!! ...more
dnf @ 45%. After finishing Head in the Game, I was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, this is nowhere near as addictive as the firdnf @ 45%. After finishing Head in the Game, I was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately, this is nowhere near as addictive as the first book. The plot pretty much stalls until almost 200 pages in, and while I don't mind reading long romances, the length needs to be justified, and that just wasn't the case for this story.
The pacing was too slow, and it didn't help that I don't normally like stories involving religious trauma and internalized homophobia. I thought I could overlook it. After all, Wrath by Ella James is one of my favorite stories, but I actually liked Ezra. Lane, not so much.
I'm sad that I didn't get to the spicier part of the story, but it took so long for them to finally touch each other that I just didn't care anymore; especially when every encounter, touching or not, ended in Lane having another mini-breakdown. I just don't have the patience.
Because of how much I loved the first book, I will definitely be continuing the series. I saw what this author is capable of in Head in the Game and I am excited to see what she comes up with next.
Some of my favorite stepbrother romances: Feuds and Reckless Fury by K. Webster Dirty Love by Bethany Winters Wrath by Ella James
I still haven't read For the Fans yet, but I will soon. ...more
"He dominates my every thought, and the only comparison is my need to dominate him. I want to hurt him and soothe the pain in the same breath, own him"He dominates my every thought, and the only comparison is my need to dominate him. I want to hurt him and soothe the pain in the same breath, own him and set him free at the same time, push him away while pulling him so close we merge into a single being."
"I'm a forty-eight-year-old man, falling for a twenty-year-old fucking college student. A male student, at that. My student. Someone I'm supposed to be molding into a better football player, not my personal fuckboy. But along the way, he's become more than that. He's an obsession. The dangerous next step on this slippery slope is a four letter word that I barely ever even uttered to my wife when I was married."
This was so much better than I thought it'd be. There was a lot of sex but it was hot af and didn't distract at all from the story. Once I got to the halfway point, I couldn't put it down. It was fantastic. 5 stars...more
Reread: August 2024 Two years later and this is still one of my favorite stories.
Original Review: April 2022 Holy hell, that was the hottest a/b/o stoReread: August 2024 Two years later and this is still one of my favorite stories.
Original Review: April 2022 Holy hell, that was the hottest a/b/o story I've read in a while. I forgot just how gratifying a story set in an omegaverse could be... especially in the hands of a capable author like Alessandra Hazard. I was hooked the moment I started reading and had a hard time putting it down, only doing so when I absolutely had to. I liked the political circumstances that brought Haydn and Royce together, and I loved the way their relationship developed. Haydn was so sweet and easygoing that it's hard to believe that he was once a war general. I actually thought there would be more hostility and aggression between the two, but the way the relationship was presented worked out just fine. I loved watching Royce become more and more possessive of Haydn. Their chemistry was amazing, and those sex scenes…!!! Oh my God! Anything involving an aggressive/possessive alpha is guaranteed to be next level. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series....more
This volume was slower than the previous two. Minato and Shin, along with Sakuma (who I’m really starting to warm up to) and Shin’s sisters, go to a tThis volume was slower than the previous two. Minato and Shin, along with Sakuma (who I’m really starting to warm up to) and Shin’s sisters, go to a theme park together where Shin kept making Minato uncomfortable by calling it a date. There were some funny moments when the two went into a haunted house, but other than that, there isn’t much to talk about. The overall plot didn’t move forward, and we didn’t learn anything new about the main characters. 2.5 stars, rounded up...more
This was the standalone that I was most looking forward to reading, and I'm sorry to say, I enjoyed it even less than Best Served Cold. If you are notThis was the standalone that I was most looking forward to reading, and I'm sorry to say, I enjoyed it even less than Best Served Cold. If you are not someone who enjoys reading about war and battles you may not like this one either. This was literally three days of fighting and the aftermath of that fighting. While the trilogy did include many battles and more than one war, I didn't mind because it was part of a greater plot, and I was invested in the characters and felt the stakes in each one. In The Heroes there were way too many POVs and mostly from people I didn't care about. I thought for sure Black Dow would have one, but he didn't. The whole thing with Bayaz pissed me off, but given the events of the Trilogy, I guess it made sense, and I should have seen it coming. 2 stars...and I think I'll be skipping Red Country....more
I am putting this story on hold at the 25% mark. I genuinely like the laid-back feel of this intimate story told by a mother to her three daughters, bI am putting this story on hold at the 25% mark. I genuinely like the laid-back feel of this intimate story told by a mother to her three daughters, but at the moment I have too much going on to be able to... fully appreciate?... the slowness of the plot. You've got to be in the right frame of mind to read this and the constant interruptions by my family, my nagging toothache, and my general inability to unwind makes this a hard story to get through. The contrast between the calming atmosphere of the cherry orchard in the story and my loud household is so jarring it is almost laughable.
Meryl Streep narrates the audiobook, and she is fantastic at it. She has the perfect voice for the telling of this story, and I highly recommend borrowing the audiobook to become fully immersed in the story. Just find some place quiet to enjoy it! ...more
This story centers around 10 year old Stevie Clark, a child born with a speech impediment that causes him to repeat and rhyme words as well as what apThis story centers around 10 year old Stevie Clark, a child born with a speech impediment that causes him to repeat and rhyme words as well as what appears to be an undiagnosed form of schizophrenia. Because no one has the patience to listen to him talk, he’s constantly mocked and told to quickly get to the point. This makes it hard for him to organize his thoughts, thereby making what comes out of his mouth a jumbled mess of rhymed phrases.. Paired with his constant nightmares and him seeing shadow people, insects, and tentacles coming out of shower drains everyone, including his older brother, pretty much treats him like he’s crazy and ignores and dismisses anything he has to say. His mother sometimes acts like she loves him, but she refuses to get him help (because him having a mental disorder somehow reflects badly on her…?) and does nothing when her second husband physically abuses him.
So let’s just say this story is full of very unlikable characters making decisions so far removed from what I’d call common sense that I had a hard time getting into the story. I did like Stevie though and for his sake I kept reading. His 12 year old cousin, Jude, went missing for over a week and when he finally returned home he wasn’t the same. Not only was his physical appearance different, but his personality had taken on a more violent and angry edge. He was the one person who had always treated Stevie half way decently but since his return he spoke to Stevie worse than anyone else.
Since no one would take him seriously when he tries to tell them that something was wrong with Jude, Stevie takes it upon himself to try to figure out where his cousin was when he was gone as well as why he seems so fascinated with a certain abandoned house in the woods. It doesn’t help that he’s seeing things that shouldn’t be there or that no one will even try to understand what he’s saying.
****** I really enjoyed this story in the beginning and that enjoyment remained fairly high for the first ⅔ of the story. After that, the stupidity of nearly all of the adults in Stevie’s life started to wear on me. It felt like Deer Valley, Oregon - the setting of this story - was a mini version of Derry, Indiana because all of the adults acted like they couldn’t see that something was seriously wrong with Jude and their town. The ending wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, given the way people were starting to act like Stevie was really losing it, but it was too abrupt and there were some lingering questions that were left unanswered. While I will definitely be checking out this author’s other stories, this particular one didn’t quite work for me. 3.25 stars ...more
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