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| Oh, Axie
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| 9786230046155
| 4.11
| 74,728
| Feb 22, 2022
| Mar 01, 2023
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really liked it
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4 bintang "Aku memang marah, tapi bukan kepadamu. Aku marah pada takdir yang diberikan kepadaku. Ketika aku sadar, agar kau bisa mendapatkan apa y4 bintang "Aku memang marah, tapi bukan kepadamu. Aku marah pada takdir yang diberikan kepadaku. Ketika aku sadar, agar kau bisa mendapatkan apa yang kau inginkan, aku harus kehilangan satu - satunya yang pernah kuinginkan." The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea sempat bikin heboh di tahun 2022 karena selain covernya yang menarik, ceritanya dibilang mirip animasi Ghibli, yaitu Spirited Away. Gue sih belum nonton ya, jadi ga banyak ekspektasi juga pas mulai baca. Pun, ternyata terjemahannya juga memakai cover yang sama dengan versi aslinya. Apa mungkin karena itu, untuk buku tipis ga sampe 300 halaman dengan font kecil sangat membuat mata gue berteriak "alamak!!", harganya pun hampir 100k? Hehe. Girl Who Fell (kepanjangan, gue singkat aja) adalah adaptasi bebas dari kisah rakyat Korea, The Tale of Sim Cheong. Namanya juga adaptasi bebas (banget), jadi Axie Oh bebas mengkreasikan kisah Sim Cheong versinya sendiri. Sim Cheong memang tetap dijadikan pengantin Dewa Laut, tapi tokoh utama buku ini justru Mina, adik dari Joon, dimana Joon yang tidak rela Cheong dikorbankan berusaha menyelamatkan kekasihnya tapi Mina juga ga rela Joon dihukum mati karenanya. Dari situlah cerita bergulir, membawa pembaca pada dunia Dewa Laut yang menurut gue cukup nano - nano mitologinya. Membaca kisah Mina di dunia Dewa Laut justru mengingatkan gue sama novel The Ghost Bride, karena tokoh utamanya sama - sama berkelana di dunia para arwah. Bedanya, gue masih bisa lebih menoleransi Mina ketimbang Li Lan di The Ghost Bride. Saat gue bilang adaptasi bebas, Axie Oh emang banyak memasukkan unsur mitologi di buku ini. Istana Dewa Laut mau ga mau mengingatkan gue sama legenda Urashima Taro dari Jepang dan gue bertanya - tanya ini dunia dewa laut ternyata tetanggaan juga sama dunia arwah dan dewa - dewi lainnya? Karena selain Dewa Laut, ada juga dewa - dewi lain, seperti Dewa Kematian yang berasa terinspirasi dari Hades dan lalu ada Dewi Bulan dan Kenangan yang gue ga tahu kenapa kok saingan sama Dewa Laut. Ga dijelasin juga sih, hahaha. Staple mitologi korea seperti gumiho atau rubah berekor sembilan pun juga ada dan Axie Oh memasukkan makhluk mitologi bernama Imugi (atau Imoogi). Imugi ini seperti naga, cuma mereka perlu 1000 tahun untuk menjadi naga beneran dan dasarnya mereka jahat. Tapi Namgi, salah satu karakter di buku ini yang nantinya jadi teman Mina, adalah imugi yang baik. Selain Namgi, ada juga Kirin, yang kalau tahu makluk2 legenda Asia, pasti dah bisa nebak Kirin ini apa lah ya. Selain makluk mitologi, Girl Who Fell sarat dengan dongeng, karena dongeng adalah senjata Mina untuk bertahan hidup di dunia bawah laut ini selain dengan pisau yang Mina warisi dari neneknya. Dongeng - dongeng memang sangat berperan penting di buku ini, karena ada beberapa aspek dalam dongeng nantinya akan membantu Mina. Salah satu dongeng yang menurut gue unik adalah dongeng tentang tukang kayu dan bidadari, karena kesamaan dongeng ini dengan beberapa dongeng di dunia lain bahkan termasuk di Indo sendiri yaitu legenda Joko Tarub. Terus terang gue suka dengan cara Axie Oh ngecampur mitologi dan juga dongeng di buku ini, walau memang ada beberapa hal yang butuh penjelasan. Aura magis dan mengagumkan dunia Dewa Laut ini ditulis dengan cukup baik. Hal lain yang gue cermati dari buku ini adalah beberapa bagian terasa sangat melankolis dan lembut. Bagian favorit gue adalah saat Dai melindungi Miki dari serangan Imugi. Membaca bagian Dai yang bener - bener menyayangi Miki itu bikin gue sangat terharu :'). Tema keluarga memang kental banget di buku ini selain juga misteri di balik kenapa Dewa Laut dikutuk. Gue baca beberapa review yang bilang kalau romansa antara Mina dan Shin itu agak hambar. Menurut gue, sebenarnya ga juga ya hahaha. Ini masih mendingan dan gue juga ngerasain kok perasaan Shin yang mendamba ke Mina. Mungkin karena romansanya bukan tipe slow burn ya, kan waktu Mina juga sangat terbatas di dunia Arwah jadinya kayak berasa cepet aja ini jatuh cintanya. Tapi gue tetap ngerasain kok dan romansanya pun bukan tipe yang cukup lebay. Karena buku ini pakai PoV pertama Mina seperti laiknya buku2 YA fantasy, jadi pembaca ga tahu apa yang sebenarnya Shin pikirkan tentang Mina dan kapan tepatnya pemuda ini mulai jatuh hati ke Mina karena kita hanya tahu semuanya dari sudut pandang Mina. Pun, menurut gue, kisah (hampir) cinta segitiga antara Mina, Shin dan Dewa Laut itu agak maksa dan konklusinya pun termasuk yang terburu - buru. Tanpa kisah cinta segitiga sebenarnya bisa lebih bagus sih, cuma mungkin buat bumbu - bumbu biar bikin gregetan kali ya. Untuk stand alone YA fantasy romance, menurut gue The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea sudah cukup bagus. Ada bagian yang kurang, seperti romansa antara Mina dan Shin yang lebih bisa digali lagi dan kisah cinta segitiga yang menurut gue ga perlu - perlu banget. Banyak juga bagian yang bagus seperti penggambaran dunia Arwah, sentimen terkait dewa - dewi, tema kekeluargaan yang kental, hubungan pertemanan antara Mina dengan Namgi, maupun Mina dengan Kedok, Dai serta Miki; dan penggunaan dongeng yang membuat cerita jadi kaya. Mina sendiri emang beberapa kali bertindak gegabah tapi gue cukup suka sama gadis ini karena dia berani menentukan takdirnya sendiri. Untuk terjemahannya sendiri cukup rapi dan enak dibaca serta minim typo. Cuma ya, CUMA, fontnya sangat diirit - irit, bikin versi terjemahan ini bahkan lebih tipis dari versi aslinya yang 300 halaman lebih! Recommended untuk yang cari YA fantasy romance yang diadaptasi dari kisah rakyat dan juga stand alone. ...more |
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1
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Feb 10, 2024
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Feb 12, 2024
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Dec 10, 2023
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Paperback
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| B0BTTLNYKZ
| 4.04
| 4,240
| Mar 31, 2023
| Mar 29, 2023
|
liked it
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3 stars I admit, I'm just not into the right mood when reading this one while at first I'm intrigued by the catchy title and the novel category that 3 stars I admit, I'm just not into the right mood when reading this one while at first I'm intrigued by the catchy title and the novel category that is romantic killer comedy. The last part kinda didn't meet my expectation since the comedy part might be into dark comedy but with a light tone. I also feel that Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder is an awkward mix of mystery/crime genre and romance. What's the focus actually? The mystery? The romance? Or...the family drama? For me, I prefer the mystery part rather than the romance. I don't know, the romance is just slightlyyyy okay. I did like Juniper and Aiden's bantering also the fact that Aiden is a demisexual, just like me. It's just...something feels off? Mitchell write in first PoV, switching back and forth between Juniper and Aiden but still manage to make the character's voice different, a plus point. I also think the author try to incorporated sunshine gf x grumpy bf. However, I find Aiden is too grumpy for my liking and it didn't help to read from his voice that he try to avoid Juniper at any cost at first but still agree to be Juniper's roommate? The roommate thingie also pretty mid, imho. This is the case when I can't explain why I just don't feel connected with the romance despite I like the character's witty bantering, lol. Also, Aiden way too much smirking for my liking :P. Anyway, I do like the mystery, although the closure is not what I expect. I'm glad it didn't feel anticlimatic and I'm glad that both Juniper and Aiden were people that not act so recklessly while try to cornering the culprit. The mystery was solid and it's not just about the dead body, but concerning Juniper's past too, in fact about her biologic father. Reading Juniper's pasts were hard and read what happen to her late mother also pretty difficult that I'm appreciate Mitchell give a warning in the first page. That's why I didn't categorized this one into cozy mystery because the problems is far from cozy. There's some scene and dialogue that suddenly turn philosophical that make me go "huh?", so maybe that's one of the factor that lessen my reading enjoyment. Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder is part murder part mystery with very slow burn romance. If you like your mystery with romance, you can try this one. Also, if you like your romance didn't have any hanky panky or sexy time in the bedroom, you also might try this one. The mystery and romance somehow balance, although I still prefer this book is more to mystery with just a little bit sprinkle of romance. But, well..that's only me. At least the cover was pretty. ...more |
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1
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Oct 19, 2023
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Oct 20, 2023
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Oct 19, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 0593441516
| 9780593441510
| B09T5VTSZ3
| 3.80
| 33,579
| Nov 22, 2022
| Nov 22, 2022
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really liked it
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4 stars My 100th book read in 2023!!! Quite accomplishment compared to later years when I'm in reading slump, so this is a good news to me, lel. I'm g 4 stars My 100th book read in 2023!!! Quite accomplishment compared to later years when I'm in reading slump, so this is a good news to me, lel. I'm glad I choose this title since I already intrigued when reading the blurb and people reviews despite never reading or watching Much Ado About Nothing. Beatrice (aka Bea) and James (aka Jamie) might be start in rocky steps because Bea's twin (Jules) and her colleagues try to matchmaking Bea and Jamie to be together. Then, they start to fake dating for revenge to those meddlers but when they start to getting know each other better than their first impression aka their meet-disaster, they realize the fake dating suddenly become real. Honestly, a pretty much standard trope, enemies (or frenemies?) to lovers plus fake dating, but Liese execute it very well. The romance is swoony and full of moments or dialogue that make me go "awwww". I mean despite being uptight, stern and deal with anxiety, Jamie is the greenest flag heroes ever walk, a beta male to the core. He understand Bea's autism spectrum and even his first impression of Bea is not that good, when Bea tell him that she is a neurodivergent, Jamie always prioritize Bea first. I mean, make a veggie puree since Jamie know Bea have difficulty to eat veggie because its texture and constantly ask her condition in the new and strange place? If that's not a green flag, then I don't know what it is. Not only Jamie to Bea, but Bea herself also understanding Jamie's anxiety, slowly heal him from his uncertainty. I did like their dynamics, even though their act seems childish as first with all that fake dating as a revenge plot, but since both are unique individuals, I don't mind at all. Since the book is written in 1st PoV, I liked that Liese successfully write both characters PoV, make them feel and sound different. I also like that Liese incorporated her views about romance genres as well without feel too-in-your-face. Yep, romance need a happy ending, and if there's no happy ending, it's a love story, not romance per se :P. The sex scenes are steamy, although its happen near the end, lel. This book really take a very long slooooow burn to the next level. The sexual tensions is ofc plenty and since we get to read both Bea and Jamie's first PoV, reader got insight into their inner thought and sexual frustration plus longing as well. So, with the way of their slow burn written, all of them are paid off not only one but two VERY WELL written sex scenes (lube using, edging, Jamie act and talk all French-y to give Bea plenty of petite mort, wew!) and left me a happy reader in the end, lel. From the sexuality aspect, the characters are pretty diverse since Bea is a pan, Jules is a bi and their friend also varied in sexuality as well. However, I did have complaint. Not only the sex happen near the end (still good, tbh), the main conflict also feel rushed and got solved quickly. In the positive side, I'm glad that the drama that ensues didn't prolong that much, but I also hate that it happen in just 1-2 chapters. The conflict that is (view spoiler)[ third act breakup, a staple in this genre, is weirdly executed. I feel like we didn't need that breakup and the reason is because of Jules and her toxic fiance, Jean-Claude in which Jean-Claude also Jamie's close acquaintance. So Bea decide to break (for a moment) because she afraid that if Jules see Jamie, Jules will be triggered. While I appreciate Bea's consideration for Jules's feeling since Bea herself knew how it feels to be in toxic relationship with her ex, I feel like Bea try to jump in conclusion too fast and in the end kinda hurt Jamie feeling since Jamie himself also just healed from toxic relationship in which he always feel he didn't enough for his ex. Yep, it's pretty much complicated and a jumbling mess, lol. And its resolved in only one chapter and they finally got their happy ending (with a one last hot sex scene). The end (hide spoiler)]. The way the meddlers try to shove Bea and Jamie at first in maybe can be too annoying to read, since we read them from Bea's PoV. I did mention that Bea and Jamie's first impression is kind of meet-disaster, and maybe can be seen as childish despite they already in their 30-ish but eh, I'm 35+++ myself and still act childish, lol. Complaint asides, I pretty much enjoy reading Two Wrongs Make A Right and this is also my first time reading about neurodivergent characters. I feel that I can connect to them and understand why Bea act like that and how Liese also handle Jamie's anxiety as well. The angst itself is still bearable although I wish Liese write the conflicts differently. All in all, a pretty good read to close my 2023! I recommend this book even you already read/watch Much Ado About Nothing or not yet, and also love frenemies to lover trope and fake dating as well. PS: Another littleeee complaint for the cover. Bea constantly describe Jamie as being tall and Jamie himself confirm that he's 6 ft 4" tall. I got the impression that Bea is maybe shorter by 20-30 cm. But the cover didn't show that XD. Still a pretty good cover, though! ...more |
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1
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Dec 23, 2023
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Dec 28, 2023
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Aug 13, 2023
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ebook
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| 1616963840
| 9781616963842
| 3.69
| 1,899
| Mar 14, 2023
| Mar 14, 2023
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liked it
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3 stars Bitter Medicine is a book, that for me, difficult to review. It's so rare nowadays with the surge of fantasy romance/romantasy (semantics) bo 3 stars Bitter Medicine is a book, that for me, difficult to review. It's so rare nowadays with the surge of fantasy romance/romantasy (semantics) book, to find a paranormal slash urban fantasy romance that didn't happen in the lalala-land or unpronounceable land with many fancy characters name. Bitter Medicine happen in modern world, sets in Raleigh, North Carolina, Paris and Strasbourgh, France. Sadly, when starting read this book, I faced with an already established world building. There's no explanation or maybe some description. I have this feeling that Tsai maybe afraid to info-dumping the world building, but I wish she did. I don't mind with a long description about the world building if that mean I can understand what's going on. I don't have a slightest idea what is the rules of the world that the characters lived in. Yes, our heroine, Elle Mei or Yiya Jiang is a descendant of Shennong, a Chinese god of medicine. She is a healer but also very powerful with her glyph-making ability and pyrokinetics. Luc Villois, the hero is half elf and also a French, an ace for the Bureau or agency called Roland and Riddle. The big question is, what is Roland and Riddle did actually? An agency for what? To avoid any supernatural disaster or to save human from supernatural alike? I don't even sure if human and supernatural in this book world live in harmony until page 200-ish in which Elle must avoid to attract human attention to herself, so basically the human didn't have any idea that these supernatural beings exist? What is the Fixer? Why the Wrecking Crew called Wrecking Crew and they all just act like asshole toward Luc, bordering envy and jealousy? Who is Oberon, aside than he's the leader of Roland and Riddle? I have so many questions and sadly some of them go unanswered. While the lack of explanation of world building is the weakness, I think Tsai excels in writing the romance. I did like reading the romance between Luc and Elle. It's tropey af and all of them are my catnips, such as platonic friend to lover, he feel first and she feel harder, found family, etc etc. The romance aspect is the saving grace for Bitter Medicine. Remove the romance and I will DNF'd the book in the first place because a weak world building since this book is marketed first as xianxia-inspired fantasy. My physical copy of this book is filled with sticky notes marked the feeling from both characters. Especially Luc. I think Tsai write him best compared to Elle. Luc is the definition of torture hero but minus the "I'm really not worthy of you" hyperbole woes. Reading his feeling toward Elle is one of the highlight of this book and I often go "awww". Luc also a green flag man walking and Elle is a lucky woman to be loved by him. I liked that this book was written in omniscient 3rd PoV, switched between Luc and Elle, provide insights to both characters. This book is also not YA, since both Elle and Luc are immortal and already in their hundreds age give and take, so there's some sex scenes and it's so..steamy. Well written tho, without being gratuitous. Yeah, there are some purple prose, but in my defense, not that make-me-rolling-my-eyes kind of purple prose and successfully describe both Elle and Luc's feelings. I also like that it's consensual and they practice safe sex, lol. I think one of the star of Bitter Medicine is Elle's brother, Tony. He's so unapologetic and often become a voice of reason, especially when Elle is stubborn because of familial duty. Sigh, I really want a brother like Tony, since I'm a firstborn myself. Elle herself is okay, although at first she can be a little bit infuriating to read by being middle child so she always try to play peacemaker and always blamed herself with what happen between her brothers. I also annoyed and angry with the way Elle's parents threat her. They are just your typical Asian (or in this case Chinese) parents that prefer the boys rather than the girl. So I'm happy that Elle finally stand up to herself and like Tony suggest, being selfish and pursue her own happiness. I feel that Bitter Medicine is like a two books that compressed into one book and the publisher try to make it as a stand alone. The problem with Elle's murderous brother, Yiwu, are done in 65% mark or so, make the following chapter feel anti-climatic although focusing more to both Elle and Luc's relationship. Then, there's a problem between Luc and Oberon that pretty much have this "Devil Wears Prada" vibes. I think maybe Tsai try to incorporated about work-life balance with the way Oberon always pushed Luc to the limit with his outrageous demands and abuse of power. However, the end left me feel unsatisfied with (view spoiler)[how easy Oberon get away and didn't get his comeuppance after abusing Luc's true name for I don't know how many times. Oberon really is a boss from hell, manipulator expert and gaslighting aficionado that I really hope, he at least got his demise or maybe death is too merciful for the like of him. (hide spoiler)] I'm curious if there's will be more story for Luc and Elle, despite they already got their HEA. Bitter Medicine have a rough start, feels like a debut book that suffering from glaring weakness regarding the world building and unclear explanation about some of the characters. But the romance part is worth to read. It's also have some actions scene that I guess inspired by C-drama despite I never watch one myself, but I can clearly pictured the scene unfold with the way Tsai write it. It's also contain dialogue in Chinese and French and Tsai also explain why she write them at it is and I really don't mind since I can google the translation myself. If you like your paranormal romance cater more to romance rather than its fantasy/supernatural setting, try to read this one. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 02, 2024
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Feb 08, 2024
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Feb 16, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0593337573
| 9780593337578
| B099WKHVWX
| 3.69
| 14,378
| Apr 19, 2022
| Apr 19, 2022
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it was ok
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2 stars I'm not a mummy, Reggie. I'm just long-lived" For me this book is all over the place. Also, judging from the cover alone, Jessica Clare a 2 stars I'm not a mummy, Reggie. I'm just long-lived" For me this book is all over the place. Also, judging from the cover alone, Jessica Clare apparently a fans of Reylo shipping and that's why instead being hazy I can't help to imagine the MCs's appearance are matched both Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver. Bruh, even the cover illustration is so lazy with the hero face pretty much like Driver, lol. I'm shudder in thought to read another Reylo fanfic pulled to published such as The Love Hypothesis because I can't shake the image of the actor & actress when imagine how the h/H looks like. It's another thing to have a model on your cover because they are kinda anonymous. To have them look alike actor A or actress B can ruin your imagination. Tbh, the premise for Go Hex Yourself is interesting. Rey...er Reggie is an ordinary human that happen to be a familiar for a 2ooo-ish year olds witch named Leia...er I mean, Drussila. Rey or Reggie didn't believe of magic at first but learn it in hard way and become closed with Dru's nephew that at first pretty gung ho to get rid of Reggie and think she's not suitable to be Dru's familiar. Dru's nephew, Caliban or Ben (I kid you not. Clare didn't try to change the name. It's literally Ben, the same with Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren. In this phase, I might be stupid to not recognize this as part of Reylo fanfic become published although maybe it's never posted in AO3 or what), at first is a misunderstand warlock. Cold, ruthless, always wear black from head to toe, with his ruffle wavy hair, but go from jerk to tsundere person when Reggie sees through him. There's another characters that pretty much Star Wars-ish, like Ben's acquaintance, Willem that remind me of General Hux and also Penny, Reggie's new friend that suspiciously feels like Rose Tico. Welp. Another thing that I'm not so sure is the gay best friend that become roommate. Don't get me wrong, I really like Nick and also his boyfriend, Diego. I just see that it kinda become staple in the some romance books I'd read. However, despite so many similarities, the story is mix of modern setting and fantasy. The witches and warlocks are hiding in plain sight but have community of their own. The magic is pretty much simple although intriguing. The stake is also low so basically this can be categorized as mix of paranormal romance and cozy fantasy. Clare try to write both Reggie and Ben as more than 2D characters. Reggie with her control OCD and her manipulating parents, but I don't get her because she's sometimes pushover and doormat, sometimes become a spitfire. On the opposite, I did like the way Clare write about Ben, because I admit that an antihero that fall to the heroine first and fallin hard day by day is my catnip. It's just I can't help to imagine them as their SW counterpart so it can be distracting, lol. I read one of the review that called this porn because of so many "d" and "p" words so I expect this to be bordering erotica. But, eh, nope, pretty tame to be exact. The romance can be categorized as slow burn with some sexual tension and they only do the deed near the end of the book. Also, literally just have one proper sex scene (the previous didn't count since it's mostly foreplay heavy). So, pretty much tame for my taste and while well written it's just make me go bored and want to skip to the end of the story *sad noises*. I just remember that I had read Clare's book before that is Jessica Sims book and realize that I didn't like that one so maybe this is the case when it's me not the author. I just didn't connect with her writing. Aside from the Reylo's element, Go Hex Yourself actually have potential and perfect if you want to read a witchy paranormal romance with low stake. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 16, 2023
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Aug 18, 2023
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Jan 09, 2023
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ebook
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| 0593200179
| 9780593200179
| 3.67
| 42,407
| Jun 15, 2021
| Jun 15, 2021
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really liked it
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4 stars We have only three laws in our Society, Cecilia. No killing civilians. Pour the tea before the milk. And no stealing other's houses Readin 4 stars We have only three laws in our Society, Cecilia. No killing civilians. Pour the tea before the milk. And no stealing other's houses Reading The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels remind me when I first read Soulless by Gail Carriger. Both are comedy of manners and sensibilities, set in Victorian era, have fantasy elements and heroine that not afraid to say what in her minds. Although Soulless more like a steampunk historical romance, while Wisteria Society have a "Howl's Moving Castle" vibe on it, because the houses are literally flying. The first part of this book kinda hard to follow because everything that happen in early chapter seems mundane enough. Like, assassination attempt to our heroine, Miss Cecilia Bassingwaithe (such a handfull name!) of the many Cecilia before her (include her deceased mother, Cilla) is already mundane. Things get explained thoroughly after house start flying in which this book is set in England AU (alternate universe, not fanfic, although if this book start as fanfic first, I really don't have slightest idea), where rather than sail in the ship, pirates chant an incantation to fly their house. Imagine the air traffic, for the love of me, I can imagine so many house flying and we talk about English Home in the Victorian eras here. Must be huge. Cecilia and her overbearing great-aunt, Miss Darlington, are part of Wisteria Society, a sorority for ladies pirate, when they take "No" from men and goes their merry way in stealing and pillaging...jewelry. Despite the assassination attempt, Cecilia find herself to get romantically involved with her would be assassin, a pirate of many moniker and alias, Captain Ned Lightbourne (that also a fencing master, apparently Italian-how scandalous!, and an agent of sort). It's been so many books for me to finally found a hero that is so rakish and charming. The romance is of course very swooning worthy, make me read this happily sigh, but also laugh because of both MCs acerbic remarks and witty banters! What I liked is, Holton totally use many common tropes like "he feel first but she feel harder", "there's only one bed", "enemy to lover" and she understood the assignment. The romance between Ned and Cecilia is totally chef's kiss, with Ned's courting Cecilia but still understand her boundaries and Cecilia that bit by bit fallen for Ned's roguish charm. Wisteria Society not only about romance but seems like Holton's love letter to classic literature and classic language as well. English is not my native and I hardly read classic (is The Hobbit count?), so I'm very happy to read this book in my e-reader so I can list many word that I never knew before. Holton make fun of Brontes, like Cecilia's evildoers father, Captain Morvath that believe he's Branwell Bronte's son, also Cecilia that try to finish Wuthering Heights, not forget some bad poetry from men! Cecilia herself is a girl after my heart. I know that she devoted to her great Aunt, with the said aunt keep pestering Cecilia to catch any maladies or God's forbid, the Great Peril (aka the sun itself. You know, it will cause dark spot on your face); but Cecilia also an avid book reader. She constantly searching any library or book to read and avoid unnecessary and dull conversation. Her adventure to save the Society from Captain Morvath that hellbent in ruling England and get rid of women that constantly belittle him is a delight to read. But not only Cecilia, because the (old) ladies pirate of The Wisteria Society is crack to read, especially Lady Armitage that have (un)healthy obsession to Ned, Constantinopla (or Oply for short) that demand she's already in her 19-ish (actually not), Miss Darlington herself and Pleasance, the maidservant of Darlington House that have affinity for communicating with ghost. The villain also pretty much 2D, like Captain Morvath is like your usual Captain Hook type that will swirling his mustache while reciting his bad poems. This book is pretty much convoluted tbh, but for me, that's the charm. It's didn't take itself very seriously and you don't expect this book is to be serious despite some serious moment like when Cecilia try to kill her father to avenge her mother or when Cecilia doubt about her position in the Wisteria Society. This book is aiming to be fun, to entertain, and yes, it's fun and entertaining. You won't get unnecessary drama and angst here. You will get a book that make you feel warm, also better if you have tea and scones beside you. If you want a unique historical romance with many romance trope done right, have a "Howl's Moving Castle" vibe and lady pirates, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels might be right up your alley. One can be happy in eternal solitude: a book, a cup of tea, and no company; that was Cecilia's idea of heaven...more |
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1
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Apr 29, 2023
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Apr 30, 2023
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Oct 30, 2022
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ebook
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| 1662500432
| 9781662500435
| 1662500432
| 4.35
| 10,819
| Nov 23, 2021
| Feb 15, 2022
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it was amazing
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4,5 stars House Andrews (HA) put their own twist to the classic enemies to lovers trope ala "Romeo and Juliet" but set in space. A very delish read t 4,5 stars House Andrews (HA) put their own twist to the classic enemies to lovers trope ala "Romeo and Juliet" but set in space. A very delish read that make my romance heart soar in delight! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 10, 2023
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Mar 11, 2023
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Apr 07, 2022
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Paperback
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| 006295993X
| 9780062959935
| 3.68
| 40,135
| Aug 04, 2020
| Aug 04, 2020
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really liked it
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4 stars Written like a love letter to telenovelas and soap operas, surprisely I end up enjoy this one. Since telenovelas also shape my childhood, tog 4 stars Written like a love letter to telenovelas and soap operas, surprisely I end up enjoy this one. Since telenovelas also shape my childhood, together with Chinese historical period drama (wuxia). A hero with emotional baggage is not my favorite since they can act as a jerk, but Ashton's vulnerability is well written. That his fear regarding his own guarded secret (his son) and his PTSD from having a stalker break into his house is somehow understandable. Jasmine who is desperate for any attention, craving for love and affection, therefore always end up in a messy breakup is somehow I can relate to. Although her own family is far from family of hell, she always think that she is not good enough. Which is weird, because if I have a daughter as an actress I will at least proud of her when she got award, not show it with somehow lukewarm reaction. I also liked that both characters are in their 30-s with Ashton almost 40. Since all books I read from early this year (2023) mostly told from 1st PoV, it's nice to read romance that written with third PoV from both heroine and the hero. Therefore, we know their feelings to each other, their struggle and inner anguish and how they interact. Although, not much banter and snarkiness, maybe because Ashton is imho, pretty much down to earth and Jasmine respect him as one of her senior in telenovela worlds. The steaminess is off the chart, and although their romance can be perceived as insta-lust because of close proximity, I don't mind it at all. Another plus point is the family theme, with the sisterhood between Jasmine and her cousins, Michelle and Ava that support her (their chat group called Primas of Power). I'm really green with envy for Jasmine, because I'm never that close to my cousins (and my own sisters hahaha). Jasmine's reluctant about her Abuelita's campaign to wear eye cream everyday is almost like a comic relief, but also show that deep inside she love her grandmother. I like the way Daria write about the film productions. One of the plus point is how she write about intimacy coordinator, since the tv series that Jasmine and Ashton starred, Carmen in Charge is a romance flix. Reading the way intimacy coordinator work is a blast, like how they try to coordinate the actors in romantic scene and sex scene, while reaffirm their consents to do it, even it just act. Through Ashton's narrative, Daria show that in the past the telenovela world didn't reconsider their actors feelings in filming romantic scene and just let go with the flow. I also like how diverse the casts, like Jasmine is biracial, mix of Puerto Rico and Filipino, and so on. The Spanish dialog kinda throw me aback since English is not my native languange, and I just understand one or two if spanish word (like hola, come estas or bueno noches/dias, etc). So thanks for google translate to help me to understand when Ashton speaking in Spanish. I never highlighted so much in my Kobo e-reader with new Spain vocabulary! The downgrade is maybe the third act feel too dramatic for my sense and how they lashed to hurting each other just make me rolling my eyes, because..uhm..communication? Sure Jasmine and Ashton have heart to heart talk before, but with Ashton's secret, he's always guarded. One of reviewer also point out why they are afraid to see dating with each other, because co-stars dating everytime, and I kinda agree. Although I see the reason behind that, especially from Ashton's PoV. He's scared of his life. I do liked the way Daria handle both of character's redemption, although, you know this is contemporary romance, the mistake is pretty common in character relationship. I also feel that Daria's writing somehow clunky? When I see how much chapter in the book, I'm surprised because wtf, 40 chapters?? And then, oh, it's just short ones lol, since I finish reading the book under 4 hrs. I just hope when Daria writing about the filming scene between Jasmine (as Carmen) and Ashton (as Victor) is pretty much about the scene, not there are random sentences about what Jasmine or Ashton think. Or maybe she can write it in italic. Con-rom novels about celebrity is not my forte, but I liked the way the story untold and reading the dynamics between Jasmine and Ashton, and their families (big and small). I also love the production process behind the scene, although the angst can be too much sometimes. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 25, 2023
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Feb 26, 2023
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Feb 08, 2022
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ebook
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| 1641970839
| 9781641970839
| B07PW9J2ZY
| 4.00
| 7,009
| Sep 04, 2018
| Mar 20, 2019
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really liked it
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4 stars Second installment of Mystic Bayou and a nice follow-up from "How To Date Your Dragon". I'll recommend to read book #1 first since "Love and 4 stars Second installment of Mystic Bayou and a nice follow-up from "How To Date Your Dragon". I'll recommend to read book #1 first since "Love and Other Wild Things" can't be considered as stand-alone. Although Harper did a good job to explain some background and settings also introduced the good citizen of Mystic Bayou. Book 2 feature Zed Berend, a bear shifter that is also Mayor of the city. Which is..unique because who doesn't want a cuddly bear shifter like Zed to be a Mayor, but he did a good job about that. I like his interaction with his lady love, energy witch Danica Teel. Like Jillan (the first book's heroine), Danica also a strong type and matter-of-fact heroine. It's rare to see a heroine that afraid of commitment at first and I liked that Danica is not clingy either. This book have sex positive vibes, from the heroine that know what she want in or out bedroom, although poor Zed's heart at first because of Danica's seems-cold-as-first treatment after their first sex. But I kinda understand Danica's situation since her parents is not totally winning "Parent of the Year" award. Although she have a loving granddad and aunt, so Danica grow up as confidence woman and not the bitter kind. The conflict, like the first book, not that hard to follow. The suspense just a little and the problem not that hard to solved. Mystic Bayou is a perfect read if you like paranormal romance with a tight-knit community that all of its citizen are unique. Love and Other Wild Things also have better written relationship between Zed and Danica, compared to Bael and Jillian that have love-hate relationship at first. I really invested in this series and can't wait to read more about whom Mystic Bayou's citizen and The League's officer that will get their happy ending ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 12, 2022
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Jan 12, 2022
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Jan 12, 2022
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ebook
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| 1984806750
| 9781984806758
| 1984806750
| 3.86
| 1,289,086
| May 11, 2021
| May 11, 2021
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it was amazing
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5 stars To quote Poppy, this book speaks to me People We Meet on Vacation speaks to me, I re-read it immediately after first read. Actually, it's jus 5 stars To quote Poppy, this book speaks to me People We Meet on Vacation speaks to me, I re-read it immediately after first read. Actually, it's just skimming at first just to refresh my memory again to write this review. Then, I found myself read the book thoroughly, especially the big revelation part until the end. I once said that Beach Read wrecked me. And now, it's the second time Emily Henry successfully wrecked me again. Call me hyperbole or exaggerated, but I always rate my book based on my feeling and right now I have mixed feelings. Happy, sad, grateful, thoughtful, I end finish this book with some moisture left in my eyes (I rarely cried when reading, my heart apparently created from stone). Contemporary romance or women fiction or chic-lit is not my forte, but last year, after Beach Read prove me otherwise, I start to read another con-rom. Not all of the titles are good ofc, some just subpar. This year, 2023, I had read 2 titles with friends to lover trope before this book, one of the title is just a so so. But I can said with a clarity that Henry knew what she write. The blurb of this book said it all it's not difficult to predict what the story I will get and what the outcome. I know there's will be a happy ending. I know both Poppy and Alex will admit that they love each other but they are to afraid to left the status quo aka their friendship. What make me enjoy this book is the journey they taken, the vacations. The raw emotions that come from both characters. Usually trope like big misunderstanding or try to be martyr just so people they love can be happy, will irked me. That's not the case with People We Meet on Vacation. I can feel connected to both Poppy and Alex. Maybe more to Poppy, because just like her, maybe I can be too careless with my marriage. I take my husband for the granted, just like Poppy did to Alex. Reading this book make me thinking, maybe I should reexamine my own life, my purpose and also my relationship. I'm glad that unlike Beach Read in where January always assumed things and I don't know what Gus feel because the story was written from January's PoV, that's also not the case with People We Meet. Sure we read them all from Poppy's PoV, but I also get to know what Alex feel. Goodness gracious, when the last time I read (or watch) about male fiction character crying openly in front of the heroine? To admit his feelings, his anxiety, his emotional baggage and traumas, that's he's scared for some things that out of his control? Maybe Alex can openly express his feeling because this is Poppy, his best friend. The trope friend-to-lover in this book is not like those childhood friends that separate for so many years than reunited. Or just become friend for some months to hide their actual feeling (yes, I talk about you, Hook, Line and Sinker). Or even friends with benefit. In true sense, Poppy and Alex is true best friend, that I always know from the start that they have affection for each other, but their friendship is more stronger than that. I know that platonic relationship between man and woman somehow impossible, just like Poppy and Alex that finally accept their feeling. But I also liked that their hurt feelings after they big fight (and decades friendzone) didn't healed overnight. They heal, bit by bit. In the reader guide, Henry ask her reader, will Poppy and Alex going to make it? I said, yes, they do. They will. They already found their home. This book is so quotable, I dog-eared almost all the book pages (don't judge me. I love to dog-ear my private book collection). It's hard to choose one or two passage to be quoted, because, you know Poppy and Alex's story speak to me, lol. The vacation parts are one of the highlights, although I know that some readers may found the back and forth from present to the past can disturb the flow of the story. I'm not a travel gals myself and prefer to be at home in long weekend, but I will lie to myself if I said I don't want to at least go somewhere to be on vacation after reading this book. Another gems from Emily Henry that not only suitable for summer (or holiday) read but also will hooked you from the first chapter to the end. "You're not a vacation, and you're not the answer to my career crisis, but when I'm in a crisis or I'm sick or I'm sad, you're the only thing I want. And when I'm happy, you make me so much happier. I still have a lot to figure out, but one thing I know is, wherever you are, that's where I belong. I'll never belong anywhere like I belong with you. No matter what I'm feeling, I want you next to me. You're home to me, Alex. And I think I'm that for you too."...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 30, 2023
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Jul 2023
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Dec 13, 2021
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Paperback
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| 4.00
| 1,298,101
| May 19, 2020
| May 19, 2020
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it was amazing
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4,5 stars I never think I will encounter a book that make me almost choked up to tears, yet this book just did it. Both January and Gus are so flawed 4,5 stars I never think I will encounter a book that make me almost choked up to tears, yet this book just did it. Both January and Gus are so flawed, so broken. Especially January, whom happen to be romance writer (or women fic's writer, her words), but her view about romance make she feel disillusioned and she fall apart when real life romance didn't work like that. The family secret theme that contain affair is not easy to read, and I admit..I take it personally. Too personal perhaps, because it's also happen in my family although I'm not directly affected. Yet, it's still challenge my principle and thoughts. How can you still love a person that cheated on you and how you forgive them of doing so? Do people deserve the second chance of love? Or...cheating is cheating after all, even though it's just an emotional ones that didn't lead up to both parties having sex or married secretly or buying house for their mistress? My complaints about this book maybe because January's inner monologue mostly happen to her assuming things that happen between her and Gus, and it's drive me crazy because I read from her PoV. I wish I can read from Gus's PoV too, how he really feel rather than knowing from his explanation to January. Also, in the end January cries a lot. Lol. But I kinda accept it because she already going through everything. I will cry too if I'm in her shoes. In the end, Beach Read is about January's acceptance to her family secret and her character's growth. I usually didn't like book that have much angst, but the angst in this book is bearable and make my heart ached. Anyway, despite the angst, I enjoy the bantering between January and Augustus and their interaction with the locals of North Bear Shore. The setting also work wonders, make me searching about Lake Michigan, and holy, that lake is BIG. Beach Read is my first Emily Henry's read, but definitely not the last. I can see this book will be made into a movie or tv series, and I will gladly watch it. I look forward for Henry's other book and lucky me, I already have my copy of People We Meet on Vacation. Who will guess that I have knack for a romance like this, since I'm not reading that many women's fic or chiclit, and prefer a PNR or fantasy romance with a lot of steam. Yet, Beach Read proved otherwise. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 29, 2022
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Jan 30, 2022
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Dec 13, 2021
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Paperback
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| 0062959972
| 9780062959973
| B08PVP6PF5
| 3.71
| 13,290
| Sep 14, 2021
| Sep 14, 2021
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really liked it
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4 stars A Lot Like Adios start with a rocky bump but end up with a (little) stronger note compared to the first book in Primas of Power series, You H 4 stars A Lot Like Adios start with a rocky bump but end up with a (little) stronger note compared to the first book in Primas of Power series, You Had Me At Hola. Honestly, at the start I'm not impressed with the way our heroine, Michelle meet her childhood friend, Gabriel aka Gabe that left her 13 years ago. I got that she was pissed off, but I hate when she didn't respect Gabriel wish and lie to him. Rather than bring him to her apartment, Michelle bring Gabe to her OWN home, near to his parents home, while it's clear that Gabe didn't want to met his parents because of his fight with his dad and the reasons why he left New York in the first place. Sure, Michelle then admit her mistakes, but I start this book, albeit, with a sour note. However, this book have many tropes that totally my catnip, so the liked outweighing the sour note. A Lot Like Adios have: - Childhood friend turn to lover. One of my ultimate favorite trope, beside enemy/adversaries turn to lover; - Fake dating (just a little bit); - Diverse characters (mostly latinx community) and also diverse in sexuality for some side characters. - Bisexual MCs, although I think this fact just written as a little tidbit, since Daria didn't discuss much about both Gabe and Michelle past lovers or flings; - Sisterhood support, in form of the Primas of Power, Jasmine and Ava, much like the previous book - A love letter for fanfiction community, because both Gabe and Michelle is a scifi soap opera nerd; - The scene when...Gabe's dad apologize to Gabe for his treatment to him when Gabe was teenager and he was informed by Gabe's nieces & nephews that it's toxic masculinity. Le gasp! Honestly? This part left me dumbfounded because I keep singing Queen's lyrics "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, No escape from reality", in my head. I mean..it's feel unreal, lol. I guess that Latinx community is just like Asian community, just like mine had, the elders can be annoying as hell, the parents is hard to their children just because their parents also treat them the same way. But, the fact when parent apologize for the way they educate their children is the same with if Lochness monster is really exist. Aka...in your dream, lel. Just like You Had Me at Hola, A Lot Like Love written with more than 40 chapters, so it can go on and on. Like, actually the problem is very simple but Daria keep prolong it with "will he leave me again" or "but I love Michelle, but I have no future with her" that keep me rolling my eyes. Sometimes I feel like both Mich and Gabe act as teenager while they already in their 31's. Or maybe because they are know each other from the start, they feel comfortable but also afraid to go pass friend, aka to be a lover. Why, they just said love in the end of the book, while Gabe's feeling is already obvious from the start. However, I do like how Daria address both Mich and Gabe's anxiety and personal anguish. Mich was described to have a burnout from her work and also seen consume her meds. Gabe itself need to face his fear of his parent's disapproved of his way of life. I do like how Mich and Gabe are both passionate characters. From their sharing love about fan fiction and how they passionate about their work. This is when the part of the book really shines. I enjoy the way Daria describe Mich's creative process for branding and marketing. I liked how she describe Gabe's struggle to maintain his gym business. I know narrating about working process can be boring, but like in You Had Me at Hola that describe production process in television series making, this book also show how the business process in both maintaining the business that on going and how to marketing and branding your business to your potential client. Yeah, I know, I know. It can be boring of sort, but like I said, I thoroughly enjoyed. Another of my favorite is the chapter that have Gabe and Mich's chat when they brainstorming their fanfiction "Celestial Destiny". I really can feel their excitement and Daria really show they are really best friend. I said that this book end with a (little) stronger note compared to its previous books, because I see how both Mich and Gabe develop to be a better version of themselves. Yeah, there are angst, there are some drama and inner turmoil, but surprisely the fight that happen is not that big or maybe because Mich didn't want her heart to be broke again and Gabe himself still struggle with his need to proved to his parents. So, the character development is pretty well written in this one. As for the steamy factor, yeah, pretty much hotter than the first one. Pretty fun too, practice safe sex (the scene when Gabe buying a lot of condom and to see his dad see him buying it is my favorite scene to date because of the hilarity ensues) and full of consent, beside both Mich and Gabe is best friend so their sexual tension is off the chart. However, while first or second (or maybe third) sex scenes is wowza, it's become almost boring in the end. I feel myself just want to skimmed and read the next one. A Lot Like Adios have its up and down, and like I state at the first, I start the book with a sour note and expect to just rate it in so-so rating. But, since the trope, the dynamic, the way Daria write business process, the brainstorming session between Gabe and Mich while writing their fanfic and also how the story end with strong character development is winning my heart, I end up finish this book with a satisfied sigh. If you search for contemporary romance with diverse characters and friend turn to lover trope, A Lot Like Adios may up to your alley. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 26, 2023
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Feb 27, 2023
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Nov 27, 2021
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Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||
| 1393065538
| 9781393065531
| 4.13
| 4,692
| Oct 06, 2020
| Oct 06, 2020
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really liked it
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4 stars The Ippos King is the third installment of Wraith Kings series, and can't be read as standalone since the event that happen is the aftermath 4 stars The Ippos King is the third installment of Wraith Kings series, and can't be read as standalone since the event that happen is the aftermath of the battle between Wraith Kings and the galla. It's also develop further about Serovek Pangion and sha-Anhuset's relationship that already teased from Radiance. That's why when I read review about this book that talk about insta-love, I just rolling my eyes. Their relationship already develop from the first book, Radiance, with Serovek never hide his attraction to Anhuset while Anhuset think otherwise. The teasing and sexual attraction also very apparent in the second book, Eidolon. If we talk about insta-love from Anhuset's side, one can agree but I don't think when Anhuset finally reciprocate Serovek's feeling can be categorized into "insta". Grace Draven nailed the oldie-but-goldie trope of "he fell first, but she fell harder", and this book written 2 years ago in 2020. So, The Ippos King release was delayed for many years after Eidolon, like 4 or 5 years. I did get why because Draven is busy writing Fallen Kingdom's books (another of her series). Funny enough, when this book finally released, I didn't read it immediately since you know, pandemic kinda make me got reading slump. Again. And since it's been many years after Eidolon, I decide to re-read Radiance in 2021 and then Eidolon in 2022 to refresh my memory before reading The Ippos King. I reserved the novella after finish reading Ippos. Do the "I don't know how many years" waiting for this book is worth? I think it's kind of worth it. While Brishen and Ildiko is still my favorite couple, I curious to know what Draven have for Serovek and Anhuset's relationship to work. In the book description, Draven wrote that their tale is tale of loyalty and acceptance. I think Draven stick to the book theme, about loyalty and acceptance. Loyalty is from Serovek, for his loyalty to his kingdom even he had been accused as traitor by his king, for his loyalty to his fellow Wraith Kings, the soulless monk Megiddo, in which he risk a dangerous journey to send Megiddo's body to Jeden order and his loyalty to both his men and Anhuset. The acceptance theme is when Anhuset finally accept that she, indeed, love the Belladine Stallion and willing to change the status quo. I don't think when she finally accept her feeling it can be categorized as insta-love. Anhuset's love come from her respect for Serovek, from her journey to finally getting to know who is Serovek really is. How behind his cheerful nature that usually make Anhuset feel irritated, he's still feel guilty and grieving because Megiddo's soulless state. And how he's also chivalrous to the boot. I do enjoy their banter and their development from allies, friend and then lover. I don't mind with the lack of steam when it's come to sex scenes, because I'm happy enough with the way Draven write about Serovek and Anhuset's relationship. I do agree that this book is dragging in some part, especially in the middle. So I understand why some people considered it as boring. For me, Draven's writing is more refined now compared to Radiance and Eidolon. Her writing style kinda matched with her Fallen Kingdom's series. Yes, it can be slow in some part, and just gained momentum when nearing the end. But, I really enjoy the journey of Serovek and Anhuset to deliver Meggido's body, together with their predicaments. From the Haradis's city that still terrorized by the galla, to the treacherous path to Jeden Order land and if you have read The Undying King, you will get some easter egg there, then to the life and death situation when Serovek and Anhuset captured by a mad lord with delusion of grandeur, and finally to Beladine's capital, Belawat when Serovek is wrongly accused as traitor by his King. Draven is a master in describing details, politic and court machinations. Although, if you prefer your story to be fast paced, you will be disappointed. I think that Ippos King should be devoured slowly like a fine cake (or wine, if that's your preference). And as a fantasy book, I'm satisfied with the amount of pages, although I'm not digging the dragging part. Three books already, and still no map to be provided, make me so sad. That's and the dragging part is what make me reduce the star, lel. If you had read Radiance and Eidolon, The Ippos King is not to be missed. We did get Serovek and Anhuset HEA, although some things didn't work for their favors. But that didn't mean the problem is solved, like Megiddo's soulless state and the chance that the galla that already imprisoned in Haradis can be lose again. It seems Draven still have some thread that need to be tied. The next book is titled The Nomas King, and it will featured Gaeres, another Wraith King. I'm kinda curious with how the story to be told, because unlike Serovek and Anhuset that already have major role from the first book, reader know so little about Gaeres. But Draven write a novella as the prequel that I planned to read after this. I don't know when Draven will release The Nomas King, maybe 1 year, maybe 2 years later. Either way, Wraith Kings is still one of my favorite series and I will always recommend this book if you search for a fantasy romance that worth to read. Note: I'm curious about the title, since book 1 and 2 only have one word, yet this book titled "The Ippos King". What or who is Ippos? Until I smacked my head and realize that Ippos is Ancient Greek for "horse", and Serovek's nickname is Beladine Stallion, so that's why, lol. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 13, 2022
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Nov 19, 2022
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Oct 05, 2020
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ebook
| |||||||||||||||
| 0062878395
| 9780062878397
| 0062878395
| 4.43
| 17,539
| Aug 23, 2022
| Aug 23, 2022
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it was amazing
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5 stars, and end up re-read again :)) Do this book answer all my questions and speculations? The answer is, YES. Do this book deliver after 2 years of 5 stars, and end up re-read again :)) Do this book answer all my questions and speculations? The answer is, YES. Do this book deliver after 2 years of waiting (im)patiently? Of course, it's deliver! Before I continue my review, I suggest to read Spoilerific Q&A with House Andrews AFTER you read Ruby Fever (link here: https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/ruby-f...), because wooo boyy...they kinda confirm my ever-growing questions and speculation also answer the aftermath of some events that happen in this book. Compared to the previous books, Ruby Fever is action-packed from the start to the end. It's have same vibe with Nevada's final book, Wildfire, although the actions is more top the notch in this one. House Andrews (I will shorten it to HA from now) confirm in their Q&A that Ruby Fever supposed to be longer. I too, wished it longer. They say that the original draft is 120k words, but since Avon's requirements are shorter than than (more like 80-100k), they must get creative and cut scenes here and there. I follow their blog, so I knew their frustration and why this book took much longer time to finish (beside, you know, pandemic). This is my personal opinion, I feel like Hidden Legacy didn't really belong into Avon's usual books. I mean, I get that Avon's books are usually purely romance (they also have paranormal romance books like the Jeaniene Frost's ones and many more back when PNR and UF in a high demand), and Hidden Legacy is feel more romantic compared to another HA's series. I just feel that the count of words requirements are pretty silly (although I understand why it the first place), because fantasy (or paranormal romance) with a complex world building and big ensemble cast like Hidden Legacy need a thorough storytelling. I praised for HA to deliver Ruby Fever even with some constraint from their publisher. Okay, rants over :P. If Sapphire Flames feels like Catalina's introduction and Emerald Blaze major plot tend heavily to investigation with some weakness such as so many description paragraph like about how construct's work, Ruby Fever is anything but. This book tied all loosely thread, especially the final showdown with Arkan. Catalina already matured here, her voice is totally different than Nevada's. While her romance with Alessandro will never as good as Nevada-Rogan, I still love their dynamic. Alessandro's problems are also solved, and yes, the stinky grandfather Sagredo did get his comeuppance. What he did to Alessandro's life and his mother are horrendous, it's make Victoria look like an angel. There's potential of love rival for both sides, but it's merely just minor. Maybe too add more dramatic effect. I think reader that follow this series from the start already wondering that, is Linus really the grandpa? Or is he Caesar?? Linus, Linus, Linus who are you? Well (view spoiler)[, yeah he's the grandpa. That's make him as Victoria's husband. Or, ex-husband. I don't know if they married or not. And yes, he's also Caesar. No, the Caesar thing is not what we think at first. (hide spoiler)]. HA handle Linus's revelation with ease, and honestly, that's my favorite scene. Another favorite is, Victoria. Oh, she's still evil grandma, but actually, she's not that evil(?). We all see her actions, first through Nevada's lens, then Catalina's. Of course, there were bias, their opinions about Victoria are totally subjective. HA shows that Victoria might be evil, might be heartless, but deep inside, all of her action come from love. Her love for her son, and then her grandchildren. You can said that her love is twisted, pervert, but somehow I can feel her sincerity. I really love how HA tell that why if women act merciful, ruthless and manipulative, she will called evil, yet if the men did it, they get a pass? LOL, that scene really crack me up, complete with (view spoiler)[ Vicky baby, XD. And how Victoria lashes out to Linus and Linus try to calm her. I think Linus really love Victoria and vice versa. It's just he love his ambition more, contrary to Alessandro that choose to love Catalina first rather than focus on his vengeance. Linus and Victoria really are match made in heaven. Both are manipulative, have grey morals, ruthless and will do anything to achieve their goals even if its will dirtied their hands (hide spoiler)]. I can go on and on, but eh, this review is already full of spoilers. So many characters, both new and old. The Russian prince, Konstantin is nice and his personality kinda remind me of Kaldar Mar from The Edge. The scene when Mathilda, a child, intimidate him if he doing anything bad is precious (complete with The Jungle Book comment). I also like that all the Baylor family members and their extended family and allies have roles. Even Augustine have some major role and revelation regarding his illusion's ability and the scene when both he and Konstantin assess each other abilities crack me up. Sadly, not much of Grandma Frida's antiques. We can always have more Grandma Frida :'). The way HA tied all loosely thread is, imho, almost flawless. The amount of retcon is almost to none. If there's a new fact or revelation about character or plot, we must remember that all Hidden Legacy books are told from their main heroine's first PoV. Catalina is a reliable narrator, but didn't mean she's all knowing. That's why sometime she got blindsided, or the last person to know, because that's totally humane. Beside, her minds already preoccupied with so many things. Also, I correct my comment in my Emerald Blaze review about possibility of Alessandro being a dual, since his antistasi ability can null magic, but in the other side he can summons weapons as he please. Re-read Emerald Blaze again and reading Ruby Fever, I'm sure that, nope, Alessandro is not a dual. His ability to summon weapons are part of his Antistasi and the reason behind that will be explained in the book. Although I still think that Antistasi is one of the coolest concept of magic ability. HA also wrote that there's many aspect of Catalina's siren magic, since Catalina suppressed her magic for long and now seems like her magic develop new characteristic. Really, the magic concept of Hidden Legacy is really delicious to read and worthy for further discussion. Especially since all of the magic come from hereditary aspect, therefore there's some genealogy things that affect how magic develop for each person. Ruby Fever mark the end of Catalina's arc, but I know we all one big question. How about Arabella?? She deserved her story to be told, and although HA stated that their contract with Avon already end, there's possibility that Arabella will get her own HEA. I will totally buy it, either if Avon will extend HA's contract, or they will decide to self-publish. Not like Nevada or Catalina that lucky to have her first love reciprocated, Arabella seems to have many potential love interests! There's the enigmatic Michael from the Office of Record. Then's there Mihail, another Russian prince from Russian Imperium. Wow, the world is totally Arabella's oyster, l0l. But, I'm glad that's there no planning for HA to make Arabella's story into reverse harem and I totally agree with their opinion that young girl like Arabella should dating more men. Catalina here is the exception, because we know that she scared for her siren ability, that's why I said she got lucky when Alessandro that happen to be her first love, really love her back. I can't wait for Arabella's story and honestly, whoever she choose in the end, I will respect her decision. Although I rooted for Arabella and Stephen Jiang in Emerald Blaze, reread EB make me think that, nah, Arabella just got starstruck. But, I'm really dumbfounded when another reader ship Arabella with Augustine, and goodness gracious, Cornelius! It's just...eww, eww, eww. Look, I'm all into character with big age gap, but Augustine and Cornelius is kinda like family friends! They are much much older than Arabella and know her from when she's young. It will be weird. Right, I should stop here. Hidden Legacy is another great installment from Ilona Andrews, and I suggest to read the first from Burn for Me (yeah, I know. The cover look horrible. I can live with that) because the world building is addictive, the dynamics between character are top the notch, the romance is a plus and the sisterhood between Nevada, Catalina and Arabella also support from their family (Grandma Frida, Penelope, Bern and Leon) and their extended family (Cornelius, Mathilda, Runa, Patricia, Regina, and too many too count!) is what make me love Hidden Legacy in the first place. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- . . . Yeah, let's the speculation begin! (warning: spoiler galore) - The BIGGEST QUESTION is of course, Caesar's real identity (view spoiler)[ is Linus? And maybe it's true that he's Baylor siblings grandfather? Will be nice if he's THE Caesar but not their grandfather, or vice versa, lol. Or I hope Caesar's identity will be revealed near the end aka in Arabella's book :P (hide spoiler)] - Catalina and Allesandro's problem conclusion (view spoiler)[, like, Alessandra Baylor sound nice, but I don't think he will abandon his mother and sister. Will be great if grandpa Sagredo get his comeuppance (hide spoiler)] - Showdown with Arkan (view spoiler)[ and please remove Xavier from the scene, urgh! While I want Alessandro to beat him for their rematch, I prefer Rogan to teach his not-related-by-blood cousin a lesson. He kinda grated my nerves from Diamond Fire (hide spoiler)] - What evil scheme Victoria have in mind since (view spoiler)[ the ending of Emerald Blaze give many readers (including me) have heart attack, lol. But you might want to check The Cool Aunt story in Ilona's blog about that (hide spoiler)] - And finally, hints about Arabella, her story arc and maybee... her love interest? I mean (view spoiler)[ if her love interest is Stephen Jiang, I will be very happy to have Asian character have spotlight and he's the HERO. But if not, well I'm sure Andrews duo will make an interesting hero for Arabella. Plus, I hope that Arabella stay true to her character. I mean, Catalina is shy at first but the condition make her hardened, just like Nevada. I want Arabella to be still happy go lucky. But, yeah, who knows if she will change, right? (hide spoiler)] All these speculations and...we must wait for a year, lol. Talk about torture. - ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 03, 2022
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Sep 03, 2022
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Sep 24, 2020
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 9781393296249
| 3.62
| 4,822
| Dec 03, 2019
| Jun 03, 2020
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liked it
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3 stars First title I read in 2023! The A.I. Who Loved Me is my first Alyssa Cole, and with a tongue-in-cheek title, I expect a met-cute romcom betwee 3 stars First title I read in 2023! The A.I. Who Loved Me is my first Alyssa Cole, and with a tongue-in-cheek title, I expect a met-cute romcom between human and cyborg that remind me of manga Zettai Kareshi by Yuu Watase (Absolute Boyfriend in English) which have somehow same premise. What I got is...an unclear world building and setting, also how the romance is not that cute and fluffy. So if you guess from the cover that the romance will be fluffy, nope, not fluffy at all. Although, I do enjoy the interaction between Trinity and her A.I. next door, called Li Wei, that introduced himself as biosyntetic humanoid (a fancy term of cyborg. Maybe). If you love your romance slow burn, this one might be right up into your alley. Honestly, the world building is very hard to guessed. I know that the apartment where Trinity lived with her two close friend is located in USA, but from the advanced technology but decreasing climate and environment quality this feel like a dystopia of sort. I also don't know when or what century the story take place. Maybe Cole just want her reader to guess, but I admit I'm not read 1984, or Fahrenheit 451 or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, yet. This is pretty annoyed me, because for me world building and setting is very important for me to imagine how the story unfold. Told from first PoV, both from Trinity and Li Wei, I think that's the strength of this novella. Trinity is a grumpy kind of sort, because apparently she just got incident and I praised Cole to wrote about her trauma and claustrophobia. But I liked to read Li Wei's PoV more, because to see how he act so robotic at first but gain his "humanity" bit by bit, by interacting with Trinity. At first, I feel weird to read about his insistence to protect Trinity, that she's his world, so I guess his creator maybe make him as her guardian of sort. And when Trinity feel lust when she see Li Wei, I brushed it off as "ah, this is the case of insta-lust. Pretty much happen in romancelandia". But, turn that it's not what I think. The story come to full circle, although it can be rushed in the end. I did like the slow burn romance, although it's a little bit weird that Trinity don't feel that Li Wei is a little bit off in the beginning before he told who he actually was. If you want to know if despite his status as A.I. (or biosyntethic humanoid), Li Wei can feel arousal, then, yes he can. His dick also can function properly, although how the mechanics behind its to function must be interesting. For science purpose, ofc *cough*. This novella indeed give me a mixed feeling. I enjoy the romance and how Cole address Trinity's trauma. I too like how Cole write about what is it to be a human, so this novella can be philosophical of sort. Really not as fluffy as the cover show you. This is when I think the cover can be misleading, hahaha. Don't worry, Trinity and Li Wei's romance is a HEA guaranteed, although I wish the world building can be fleshed out more. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 07, 2023
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Jan 08, 2023
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Jun 22, 2020
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ebook
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| 0425280764
| 9780425280768
| 0425280764
| 3.85
| 814
| May 05, 2015
| May 05, 2015
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really liked it
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3,5 stars Part of my binge reading for Roaring Twenties series by Jenn Bennett. Grave Phantoms is the third and also the last installment of Roaring T 3,5 stars Part of my binge reading for Roaring Twenties series by Jenn Bennett. Grave Phantoms is the third and also the last installment of Roaring Twenties series, feature Magnusson siblings and their significant others, set in San Francisco in Prohibition era. Being the last, so it's Astrid Magnusson's turn. The problem is, Astrid is still in her late teenage year aka 17-ish in Winter's book (Mid 1928). Lowe's book set half a year after Winter got his HEA with Aida and then the epilogue of Lowe and Hadley's story tell their journey to Egypt in early 1929. I think at first Bennett will give time for Astrid to be mature since she just start college in Lowe's book. But,nope. In this book, Astrid is in her first year of college. Just reach age 19. Then, how about Bo Yeung, Astrid's close friend? Apparently he just hit 21, since he's 2 years older than Astrid. With how young Bo and Astrid, Grave Phantoms feels like YA or NA novel for me but with the steaminess factor match book 1 & 2 #heh. I just realize that while Astrid in her 19-ish to found her love then married in her 20-ish is not unheard of, then it's make Aida and Hadley kinda..spinster? Honestly, I'm not disturbed with the fact that Aida and Hadley married in their mid twenties to thirties. It's just Astrid's (and also Bo) age that taken me aback since the gap is so apparent. However, while the NA/YA factor kinda make me feel hesitant to read this one, with the story flows, I just feel into the same rythym that I already familiar from the previous books. Like book 1, Grave Phantoms pretty much focused to romance while the mysteries and the supernatural elements kinda like a background. The supernatural stakes might be not that high although I liked the Aztec myth that become its foundation. The higher stakes is the romance itself. Unlike the unbalance dynamic between Aida and Winter or the lies as relationship foundation between Hadley and Lowe, Astrid and Bo face the most difficult challenge that still resonate to this day. Love between different race and class. While Magnusson siblings and their staff were immigrants from Sweden, Astrid and her brothers are WHITE. They already have skin color privilege in the first place. While Bo is a Chinese, come from unquestionable parentage and he's also Winter's assistant therefore his feeling for Astrid can be too complicated. Bennett also tell reader that interracial marriage back at 1920-ish is totally forbidden. The xenophobia that mostly San Fransisco's resident have are pretty transparant although I like that Astrid didn't cower from their judgment. Don't worry, the HEA is guaranteed. If you love friends to lover trope, Bo and Astrid relationship is pretty much well written. I also liked how Bennett incorporated Chinese myth through Bo, especially about nine tailed fox spirit. Of course she used some liberties, like how Bo tell the story about the scholar and the fox spirit who loved him in which the story mirrored both Bo and Astrid situation. Another things that I liked from Bennett is how all of her characters from book 1 to 3 is not virgin. Although, yeah, the men are pretty much experienced compared to the women and all the women have bad experiences with their latest lover or the sex is so bad. What I liked is how Winter, Lowe and Bo; all of them have past lover (or ex-wife for Winter) and they admit their mistakes. So basically the relationship between the hero and the heroine is an endgame despite so many past lovers. That make them realistic. However, while the sex scenes are still steamy, I still remember that both Astrid and Bo is too young for my reading preference in reading adult romance novels soo...yeah, awkward. Grave Phantoms end with a good note and all the books can be read as stand alone. There's no a very evil organization that need so many books to defeat them. The supernatural threat for every books is different like ghost and curse in Bitter Spirits, Egyptian artifact and treasure hunting in Grim Shadows (still my favorite) and old dark magic in Grave Phantoms. Personally, my favorite still Grim Shadows with its Indiana Jones vibes, the rakish and cold queen relationship from the h/H and the steamiest sex scenes I've ever read. Followed by Grave Phantoms and the least favorite is Bitter Spirit. Like its title, the dynamics between Aida and Winter still left a bitter taste in me since I dislike the way Bennett handle their relationships although they got their HEA. But, eh, first book sometimes is the rough ones. Roaring Twenties is one of paranormal romance series with historical settings that pretty much well written. Despite the series written almost 9 to 10 years ago from the time I read it in 2023, it's still manage to charmed me and remind me of the time when PNR is in golden era. Recommended! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 21, 2023
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Jul 22, 2023
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Jul 04, 2019
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 1925491331
| 9781925491333
| B07N88792S
| 4.31
| 1,118
| Feb 12, 2019
| Feb 12, 2019
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really liked it
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**spoiler alert** 4 stars And so the journey (or rather my London Steampunk arc 1 and 2 marathon reading, lol) has ended. With Dukes Are Forever, McM **spoiler alert** 4 stars And so the journey (or rather my London Steampunk arc 1 and 2 marathon reading, lol) has ended. With Dukes Are Forever, McMaster said her goodbye to the world of the blue bloods, verwulfen, mechs, dhampir, etc with its steampunk elements. I will never forget the day when I give book 1, Kiss of Steel a chance even though its needs years for me to finally complete the series. Kiss of Steel is the book that start it all, that make McMaster is one of my favorite authors to date. And now, after I immersed myself into her Victorian steampunk world, I have a bittersweet moment to say goodbye again. Dukes Are Forever is the culmination point between Malloryn and his nemesis cold war, Lord Balfour. All pieces are finally revealed (even though most of them already opened in book 3 and 4). Malloryn barely recovered from his captivity and torture, yet Balfour will do anything to destroy him. Anyway, who knows that Malloryn's cold marriage to Adele turn to explosive in the end? I like how McMaster turn the tables not just to Malloryn, but Adele as well. Their tipping point actually start in book 3, and reach its peak in this book. Who knows that behind her icy demeanor, Adele is just an ordinary woman that longed to be loved? I must admit, even Adele just a human, this woman have plenty of scars. First from her childhood memories, underestimated by her father just because she born as female. And then how she is in the bottom of the food chain in Echelon, just because she is a WOMAN. Like the era she had born, she doesn't have a say, so basically she will do anything to survive. For others, she will look ruthless, but maybe that why she's a good opponent to Malloryn, because both of them were good at hiding their feelings to the rest of the world. Dukes are Forever is basically about how Malloryn, the MIGHTY Malloryn finally fall to his knees. Literally and metaphorically (idk if this a right term since I wrote my review on apps, lol). McMaster already give reader glimpses to his past, his devil-may-care personality, his action when he pulling the strings of events in the previous books. In his book, we will get to know why Malloryn is Malloryn, ruthless, cold but also like Adele, he longed to love and be loved. It's just his rage, his sense of avenge toward Balfour can blinded him sometimes, rendered him sideways, make him cannot see that he have the rogues beside him. I know that he didn't want any of the rogues of people he love died again like what happen to his first love, but well its about time for Malloryn to open his heart. My favorite part is when he recalled the memories when Adele was drunk and she said that her favorite husband is not the duke, but his "Auvry Cavill" side. I can feel how he ached to love but in the other side he afraid to show his feeling. Another is when they finally recognize their feeling to each other and Malloryn renew their marriage vow, I fell like "it's about time, Malloryn. It's about time." In the term of "steam" (ehm, of course this aspect must be reviewed. Thoroughly) this book is definitely the steamiest book, with the game of seduction between Malloryn and Adele. Haha..who said theirs marriage are cold? Jokes on me for this one since McMaster hold no barrels. You have hate sex, you have "omg you alive" sex, and you got all that tender moments of make love scene. Sigh, if only you also did this with To Catch a Rogue and Mission:Improper, because I feel that this two books are lacking in smexy scenes department even though the sexual tension is off the chart, lol! Why McMaster, whyyy? T_T With all that opinion above, I feel that this book is heavily on romance and angst compared to the previous. There were some actions, twist and suspense, but in the end Dukes are Forever is how Adele and Malloryn come to their senses (and feeling) and discover that love is indeed, the greatest weapon (haha, I sound corny). Maybe McMaster already learn from the previous books, like To Catch a Rogue and You Only Love Twice that have so many points of view, so Dukes are Forever just focus to Malloryn and Adele. As for the final book, I can said that the book is okay even its not exceeded my expectation. I think I have a high expectation and can't help to compare Dukes are Forever with Of Silks and Steams since both are the final book. I will said Of Silks and Steams is better since its about a bloody revolution and the stakes definitely higher, while in Dukes are Forever the end kinda a little bit of anti-climatic. Idk, maybe McMaster running of her fumes because of what she had write in To Catch a Rogue that definitely have higher stakes, or maybe another factor. Either way, she conclude the arc 2 nicely, and its nice to have Malloryn, Adele and the Company of Rogues to finally find their peace. Speaking favorites, for arc 1, from the book I loved to okay is: 1. My Lady Quicksilver (I read it TWICE..and I want to read it again, tbh, lol) 2. Of Silks and Steam ( a much better and well written conclusion book) 3. Heart of Iron (yes Ami, I take it back my "Lena is bratty" comment, haha) 4. Kiss of Steel (the book that start it all) 5. Forged by Desire (if only Perry don't playing victim that much *sigh). For arc 2, it's: 1. To Catch of Rogues (I know why its get its RITA nomination. Full of action and ahhh, young love!) 2. Mission:Improper (I really LIKED Byrnes and Ingrid banters. Gawd..to see Byrnes always with his dark sense of humor for the rest of the series. I always think that he's very much like Lynch, in arc 1 he's so mysterious, all that dark and brooding. Ingrid is a really good match for Byrnes, since she bring the best of him. Also don't forget their battle of wits!). 3. You Only Love Twice (the espionage, the suspense, also Gemma is the most badass heroines!) 4. Dukes are Forever (sorry Malloryn, lol) 5. The Mech Who Loved Me (eh..) Favorite couples is still, of course, Rosalind and Lynch, followed with Charlie and Lark. For heroines, I like them all (yes even Perry, hahaha), although for heroes, my favorite is Lynch, Charlie, Blade (sigh, he's the first hero, you know and I still adored him. I like that he got significant role in To Catch a Rogue) and Byrnes, with the less favorite is Kincaid, lol. If you read my review of the Mech Who Loved Me, you will know why. Although, I wished McMaster will someday write about Herbert and how he meet his wife. And in the end, finally the queen find her love again after what happen to her. I don't know if her love for Gideon Scott will open another arcs, since Gideon is human, and I can see that some blue blood (especially Echelon) won't accept their relationship. I can't recommend enough for London Steampunk, especially if you like steampunk with dash of paranormal elements, heroes to die for and heroines that always fight back. Although I feel that Arc 2 have a little, very littleeee downgrade compared to Arc 1, I still enjoyed this. And with what happen in my country right now (election and all), her books is a distraction that I need. So what are you waiting for? Start with Kiss of Steel, and you will not regret it! :) ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 19, 2019
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Apr 20, 2019
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Apr 15, 2019
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ebook
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| 1925491285
| 9781925491289
| B07G3W2DQ3
| 4.25
| 1,016
| Oct 30, 2018
| Oct 30, 2018
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it was amazing
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5 stars I just want to said to my dear friend Ami, whom like me, a fans of London Steampunk series that "Hey, Ami, I know why you enjoy this book and 5 stars I just want to said to my dear friend Ami, whom like me, a fans of London Steampunk series that "Hey, Ami, I know why you enjoy this book and your favorite couple is Charlie and Lark because...I LOVED IT TOO!!!". Gah, I almost afraid that I will not found my favorite from the second arc, but To Catch a Rogue hit all the right notes. No wonder this book get its nomination on Paranormal Romance category in RITA ~that until now is controversial. I get it~. You love a friend to lover trope? You got this. You like your story full with action, twist and intrigue? You GOT this. Like its previous books, it will never be a dull moment with the Company of Rogues. Enemy pulled the strings to London's rebellion schemes? They banish them all. But to the bloody court of Russian to save their leader after the event in You Only Love Twice? Well.. Charlie and Lark... ah, young love. I remember back then, they both still a teenager in Kiss of Steel, with Charlie just in verge of being blue blood, and Lark is still under protection of Blade and Tin Man, also she looks like a boy. Then, their fates changed after the revolution in Of Silks and Steams with Lark become blue blood and Charlie thought she still mad with him. 6-7 years later after their first fated meeting, they are now adult and I'm very glad that McMaster did them justice. She already have a friend-to-lover trope before in Garrett and Perry (Forged by Desire), but I always feels something lacking from theirs (beside I got annoyed with Perry's martyrdom tendencies). With Charlie and Lark, this is what a friend to lover means. And why the condition "friend" and "lover" can't go hand to hand? It's so nice to see Charlie still as sweet as he is, despite his manliness, he never act overbearing alpha to Lark (actually Charlie is a delicious mix of alpha and beta hero!). I liked that the consent part still there, whether inside or outside bedroom. Also,the battle of wits between Charlie and Lark is entertaining to read, even until the end. I like that Charlie always prioritize Lark first, and how both are first love to each other. The part when Charlie finally realized Lark is woman was hilarious, like how dense he can be, haha. But that what make theirs relationship work much much better compared to Garrett-Perry's. Since both Charlie and Lark is young (but already in their twenties), this book's smexiness is not too over the top, even though the sexual tension is so thick (gah, the scene in the bathing chamber between them!). But, another plus moment again that I liked is when Charlie insist that his and Lark's first time must be in bed. OMG...HOW REALLY SWEET OF YOU, CHARLIE, I can't even, lol. Add it with the fact that both are still virgin, both are first love to each other, the sweetness factor almost get me a diabetes, lol. Anyway, that's a compliment, hahaha. Like You Only Love Twice, this book didn't just focused to Charlie and Lark, but another characters as well. Malloryn's fate was...awful. Read about his torture was AWFUL I cringed so hard, (view spoiler)[ and one of them is the iron maiden scene. OMG, how can he endure it? Even though he is a blue blood through and through, the amount of pain is too much (hide spoiler)]. I worried about Malloryn's state and I hope he will get better in his own book, Dukes are Forever. Another character also get spotlight, and it's Obsidian's turn. I always think that his arc is not done yet, and now his past getting unraveled. Of course (view spoiler)[ his real identity is really Dmitri Grigoriev, therefore make him as Lark's real brother and also the real heir presumptive to the Tsaritsyn, the Russian dynasties. But I like what McMaster did here. No deus ex machinae. No a shocking revelation about Obsidian is Dmitri in the front of the Russian Crimson Court and therefore he got his throne or whatever it is. If that happen, it will make Gemma feel devastated, and I'm sure Gemma will follow Obsidian to anywhere. With making Obsidian still with the Company of Rogues, and make Lark's other brother, Nikolai Grigoriev to hold the responsibility as Tsaritsyn prince, this is the real deal. Lark and Obsidian had go through many things, tortured beyond others and finally get their HEA. I like how McMaster write theirs arc conclusion (hide spoiler)]. As for Lark, (view spoiler)[ her secret remind me so much of Anastasia Romanov's fate, especially Anastasia animation movie. Well, McMaster already stated that indeed, Anastasia is her inspiration to this book when she talk about it in her newsletter. I just don't paid attention, lol! (hide spoiler)] The story now near the ending, with it's now Malloryn's chance to get his vengeance against his old nemesis..and who know that maybe he will someday loved his wife, Adele despite their cold marriage? If there's one thing that I know for sure, McMaster always have something in her sleeve. I hardly can't wait! :) ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 17, 2019
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Apr 19, 2019
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Apr 15, 2019
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ebook
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| 0062378775
| 9780062378774
| 0062378775
| 3.61
| 8,465
| Oct 18, 2016
| Oct 18, 2016
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really liked it
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4 stars I just recently finish The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova that give me migraine (a good book to be honest, only too long winded) and I'm in a 4 stars I just recently finish The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova that give me migraine (a good book to be honest, only too long winded) and I'm in a dire need to read some romance with humor on it. Stat! Meg Cabot didn't disappoint in this one. The Boy is Back is the fourth installment of Boy series. Although I read the first 3 books (Indonesian translation version) back at 2010-2011, I'm grateful to know that I don't need to reread the first 3 just for the trip down of memory lane (aka refresh it) since this one can be read as a standalone. The only similarity is the novel format. Write totally in epistolary format, this books told by e-mail, phone chat, Skype-chat, newspaper article, Facebook wall & invitation (the book written in 2016, mind you), pamphlets, blessing journal (more like diary), chat app, interview by application that apparently can transform your talk to written words (I kid you not. Is that things even exist?) and reviews about bought goods. The latest is not a joke, because I often rambling about my daily life or rants about anything that not totally connected to the books I review, lol. The story of this book is pretty simple to be exact. Reed Stewart is a prodigal son of Stewart family, a black sheep hero that totally one of Cabot's archetype hero and Becky Flowers was his ex-girlfriend. Actually, those two seems like can't forget each other although Reed never reply Becky's email with the reason that will explained later. The one that got away (Reed) is now finally back to Bloomville, Indiana, because his parents just become an internet laughingstock. They try to paid their meal in restaurant only with stamp (I kid you not) and also become a hoarder. Reed's brother and his wife, Marshall & Carly were hysterical because Carly knew that their parents in the curb of the bankruptcy but Marshall is always in denial. So, Carly need Reed's help, but, Reed didn't know at first that Carly also ask Becky as an owner of senior relocation business to help them. And..hello old love. To said that the spark between Reed and Becky didn't rekindle as soon as they meet each other is the understatement. The book make me laugh so hard and bordering hysterical because of the witty remarks, sarcasm or outright deadpanned humor between its characters. I always know how Cabot like to write a messed up family and of course Stewart families are messy as fuck. Although, there was a reason too behind that. This book not only about the one that got away. To be honest the romance seems to be shoved to the back burner although reading about Reed constantly quoting Jane Austens's work to woo Becky is amusing. The Boy is Back is actually about family, how to deal with our seniors and how to help them in the time of need even maybe they don't want it at the first place. Both Reece parents are hoarders and it's hard to convince them to move and dispose their collections. I like the way Cabot address this issue with her humor but also make it somehow a little bit meaningful. However, the weakness is maybe because its epistolary format, both Reed and Becky is not that fleshed out. Although we get Reed's woefully email about his predicament and Becky's frantic help to her friend because she finally accept that she still want Reed. The Boy is Back is perfect for one sitting read, especially if you want a humorous contemporary romance with unique epistolary format that set in small town. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 29, 2023
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Jun 30, 2023
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Oct 16, 2017
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Paperback
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| 1941674038
| 9781941674031
| 4.31
| 6,537
| Mar 17, 2015
| Mar 17, 2015
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really liked it
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4 stars The conclusion for Ava and Malachi story and the end of the first arc of Irin Chronicles (I hope so). The Secret answer some questions from Th 4 stars The conclusion for Ava and Malachi story and the end of the first arc of Irin Chronicles (I hope so). The Secret answer some questions from The Scribe and The Singer, like who is Ava exactly. The revelation kinda shocking, but I praised Hunter again for her unique take from overused theme, like nephilim, band of warriors, angel theme, etc etc. In this book, the characters not pure black and white, there's always shade of grey. The bad honchos of course is bad, but not all Irin enemies, The Grigori, are bad. Hunter show that even the enemy have their own reason to attack the Irin and how the Irin and Irina were wrong about the Grigori. The Secret is more complex and compelling compared to the previous. The Scribe introduce reader to the Irin society and introduction to Ava and Malachi relationship. The Singer reveal the Irina society, and how Ava and Malachi try to rekindle their broken connection. The Secret come to full circle, with Ava and Malachi strengthen their bond and the Irin and Irina become one once more. Also, reader will finally understand why one of the antagonist, the fallen angel Jaron always protect Ava, despite that he is a fallen. It's quite sad, tbh. The truth behind Ava's past is also sad, which include her father and grandmother. But glad that in the end, some peace come to them. I like how Hunter handle the ending. Not too rushed, not too sweet either. For some, the final battle between Irin-Irina and The Grigori might not epic, but in the otherside its result are devastating. Hunter did a good job to explain the result, how its impact Malachi and Ava in some ways. Anyway that's not mean that the story end. Some loose tie is still...loose. I will always recommend Elizabeth Hunter work. I love her Elemental Mysteries series, and in The Irin Chronicles she once again prove that she is one of premium PNR/UF author out there. I wonder if she got picked by traditional publisher, her name will hear often. But, even just indie, she already being fabulous as she is. I can't wait to read what next in Irin world. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 19, 2017
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Jan 27, 2017
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Jan 18, 2017
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ebook
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Ren Puspita
>
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| Oh, Axie
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| 4.11
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really liked it
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Feb 12, 2024
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Dec 10, 2023
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| 4.04
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liked it
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Oct 20, 2023
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Oct 19, 2023
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| 3.80
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really liked it
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Dec 28, 2023
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Aug 13, 2023
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| 3.69
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liked it
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Feb 08, 2024
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Feb 16, 2023
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| 3.69
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it was ok
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Aug 18, 2023
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Jan 09, 2023
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| 3.67
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really liked it
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Apr 30, 2023
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Oct 30, 2022
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| 4.35
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it was amazing
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Mar 11, 2023
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Apr 07, 2022
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| 3.68
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really liked it
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Feb 26, 2023
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Feb 08, 2022
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| 4.00
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really liked it
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Jan 12, 2022
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Jan 12, 2022
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| 3.86
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it was amazing
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Jul 2023
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Dec 13, 2021
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| 4.00
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it was amazing
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Jan 30, 2022
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Dec 13, 2021
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| 3.71
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really liked it
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Feb 27, 2023
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Nov 27, 2021
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| 4.13
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really liked it
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Nov 19, 2022
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Oct 05, 2020
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| 4.43
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it was amazing
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Sep 03, 2022
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Sep 24, 2020
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| 3.62
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liked it
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Jan 08, 2023
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Jun 22, 2020
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| 3.85
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really liked it
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Jul 22, 2023
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Jul 04, 2019
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| 4.31
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really liked it
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Apr 20, 2019
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Apr 15, 2019
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| 4.25
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it was amazing
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Apr 19, 2019
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Apr 15, 2019
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| 3.61
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really liked it
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Jun 30, 2023
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Oct 16, 2017
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| 4.31
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really liked it
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Jan 27, 2017
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Jan 18, 2017
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