2.5 stars, but this just fell short of my liking it so I can't round up.
I struggled with this book. I didn't connect with Kate at all and so I had tr2.5 stars, but this just fell short of my liking it so I can't round up.
I struggled with this book. I didn't connect with Kate at all and so I had trouble understanding some of the decisions she made for herself. This wouldn't be much of a problem in and of itself, but there were contradictions to her character that confused me, and made it hard for me to get a handle on her. E.g. she mentioned missing being on the campaign trail one minute, but then the next she's talking to her best friend Penny and thinking about how she would love nothing more than to trade places with her life in a heartbeat, to escape all the madness. So I was left wondering which of the two she actually wanted. Campaign or no campaign?
The romance angle didn't do much for me either, mostly because I never warmed to Andy. There really weren't very many characters in this I actually liked, with the exception of Meg. The senator wasn't around enough for me to form a lasting good opinion of him. Again, I feel like his character was hard to get a grip on. (view spoiler)[On the one hand, he's a politician who is genuinely interested in listening to people and helping them in any way he can, but then he's also the person who hardly ever looks at his daughter and doesn't defend her when one of his aides continuously verbally abuses her. The scene where Elliot calls her a slut and he doesn't do/say anything and instead makes a JOKE out of it, is what ruined him completely for me. In spite of any reconciliation I knew would be coming at the end, I was done with the senator. (hide spoiler)]
I got tired of everyone using Kate as a pawn for whatever they needed and then blaming her when it inevitably went wrong. Also, while Kate was constantly sticking up for herself internally (after Elliot calls her docile, for instance), she never actually did so out loud (view spoiler)[except at the very end (hide spoiler)] and that just led to a lot of frustration on my part. When it finally happened, I guess it was just too late for me to still enjoy it.
There are parts of this I liked, but sadly those few things weren't enough when I disliked all but three or four characters. ...more
Nothing wrong with this in theory, other than it just wasn't my cup of tea. The romance did nothing for me, despite liking Shelby and Griff well enougNothing wrong with this in theory, other than it just wasn't my cup of tea. The romance did nothing for me, despite liking Shelby and Griff well enough. I didn't care about it, I guess, and it felt a little too "easy" at times. It's hard to explain, but aside from the necessary drama (not related to the romance), every scene between Griff and Shelby just felt far too perfect somehow. This was not helped by the instalove.
Plus, the outcome of the suspence part was far too predictable and I disliked the Melody/Shelby storyline intensely.
I would've given up on this, except I kept thinking it might get better and then I was at the halfway point and I was too stubborn to DNF it at that point. I struggled through but man, this book is long....more
I don't often venture into the new adult world, because finding a book I actually like in the genre is the proverbial needle in the haystack. My issueI don't often venture into the new adult world, because finding a book I actually like in the genre is the proverbial needle in the haystack. My issues with new adult are usually threefold:
1) the characters are always broken or emotionally damaged, which gets tedious 2) the characters are also always super gorgeous with near-perfect bodies and are super successful 3) it's often written in first person, which doesn't always work for me, especially in that genre
This book suffers from all of the above. Yet, I still really liked it. Which is mainly due to both main characters and to the fact that this book didn't do the thing I thought it was going to do and it so easily could have done. Which sounds cryptic, I know, but it seriously gets a lot of credit for handling some particular things the way it did.
This was just a really fun read.
Also, it never fails to amuse me how authors come up with ways to make the "we-have-to-share-this-bed-platonically" thing happen. I love it. What also amuses me, is that one of them consequently wakes up in the morning (after nothing happened, because look at how platonic we still are!) with the other person always somehow wrapped around them. This is so funny to me, because would that ever actually happen? I mean, sure, I can see it happening as an exception, but as a rule? If you're sleeping in a strange bed, with a person you've only known for about a week, how do you end up completely tangled around them after platonically spending the night?
2015 Reading Challenge: a book with a one-word title
I adore the idea of this book. The fact that there really could be a place much like Elsewhere, w2015 Reading Challenge: a book with a one-word title
I adore the idea of this book. The fact that there really could be a place much like Elsewhere, where everyone ends up after they pass away and get to spend their time aging backwards until they are reborn? I absolutely love that concept. It stands to reason, therefore, that there was a good possibility I'd end up loving this book. But I didn't.
In fact, I wish another writer would have thought of this idea and written a book about it. One that maybe would have reached its full potential.
Because the thing is...this isn't all that well-written? The book reads more like middle grade than young adult, especially at the beginning. Actually it reads like something in between that tried to be young adult but failed.
It's as if whenever something happens in the book, the characters don't actually talk about it. It gets mentioned and then there's no follow-up. I don't really know how to explain it BUT IT'S SO WEIRD.
(view spoiler)[To give an example that I remember clearly because it happened towards the end: Liz decides to use the Sneaker clause and return back to earth early without telling anyone but one friend about it. She writes a note to her grandmother and leaves. But halfway back on her way to Earth, she starts regretting the decision and want to swim back to Elsewhere. The friend she told about leaving, meanwhile, informed her other friends and her grandmother and they all go look for her to see if maybe she changed her mind and is trying to get back. Her friend Owen eventually finds her on his boat and pulls her on board, and then the whole incident is basically not mentioned again. Nobody talks to her to find out why she decided not to go through with it after all, no questions the episode, nothing.
In fact, the only time her grandmother makes a reference to it, Liz gives some flippant remark and the subject is dropped again. And the thing is, this is only one example. Things like this happen throughout the entire book and it bothered me to no end. (hide spoiler)]
Everything about the story feels so disjointed, and half the book is a succession of "Liz shrugs."; "Liz shrugs again."; "Liz nods." Basically, there's a lot of shrugging and nodding going on. The Afterlife, people. It's fun times. And there's many things that are never even touched upon or explored. I just. Why would you come up with a pretty great idea like this and then ruin it? I am really very disappointed.
Another reason this didn't work for me, is that for 3/4 of the book, I couldn't stand Liz. I didn't care about her at all. Though I appreciated that she's not your average heroine who is always brave, and fearlessly soldiers on through whatever life (or death, in this case) throws at her. I did like the fact that she needed time to adjust and couldn't just accept everything easily. But despite all of that, she was just too one-dimensional for me. This was not at all helped by the writing, to be honest.
It did pick up a little when she meets Owen. I liked Owen a lot, though not enough to redeem this in any way. I am still in love with the concept, though, but this was not at all what I had expected it to be. ...more
While I appreciate how Gabriel handled Charlotte's panic attacks with patience and being supportive, nothing abouWow, this was definitely not for me.
While I appreciate how Gabriel handled Charlotte's panic attacks with patience and being supportive, nothing about their dynamic actually worked for me. I wasn't into them at all. I think part of that is just the author's particular style of writing too; she has the tendency to include a lot of repetitive descriptions about how Gabriel is "mouth-wateringly-hot". Which, okay, the man looks like a Greek God, I get it. And I don't mind that he does - quite the contrary - but there's really no need to repeat that ad nauseam. Plus, over-use of 'Ms. Baird'. I found it charming at first, but it got on my nerves after awhile.
(view spoiler)[The entire scene right before the end felt a little sloppy as well, when Richard confronts Charlotte. If Gabriel hadn't gone back out for milk, he would've been with Charlotte in the first place, so Richard would've stood even less of a chance. What kind of a stupid ass plan was that? One that depended entirely on the off chance that Charlotte would come up alone? Don't get me wrong, I was beyond pleased there was no drawn-out drama (I had been fearing there would be), but that entire showdown just bugged me.
The actual end was, of course, a proposal. If it hadn't been, I might've given this a little more leeway and rounded up to 2 stars. But nope. (hide spoiler)]
Sorry, Nalini Singh. I still love your Psy-Changelings, though. ...more
2015 Reading Challenge: a book by an author you've never read before
I rate books based on personal enjoyment, so this is in no way a reflection of the2015 Reading Challenge: a book by an author you've never read before
I rate books based on personal enjoyment, so this is in no way a reflection of the quality of this particular one. Not this time, at least. This is a good book, and if the synopsis speaks to you at all then you should definitely give it a try. It just wasn't completely for me. Which explains why everyone is raving about this and giving praise all around while I am very torn up about it.
Part of it is that I'd just read Emmy & Oliver right before this one, which is a YA adult I really liked and this just suffered by comparison (even though both stories can't really be compared). Which isn't entirely fair, perhaps, but that's the way it was.
This book got to me. It got to me in a way that every now and then, when finishing a particularly difficult and gloomy chapter, I wanted to go upstairs and take a shower. Like I wanted to wash Sky's sadness and anger, and Creek View's dust off of me. Which is ridiculous, of course.
I guess it's just too bleak and grim before it starts getting better. I know it's realistic, and part of me truly appreciates that fact - I actually like when a book doesn't gloss over things but just tells it like it is. Because yeah, life in towns such as these probably is pretty dreary most of the time. Regardless, I didn't get out of this what I wanted.
The romance didn't work for me like it was supposed to, which is strange, because I usually get hooked on a slow-burn pretty quickly. I wasn't convinced at all here.
It's well-written and the issues that come up are - to my limited knowledge and experience - pretty well-handled. But the whole of it just didn't click for me like it did for so many other people. ...more
2015 Reading Challenge: a book with antonyms in the title.
3.5 stars.
SO. Interesting, this. Because I had to struggle through the first 25% or so and2015 Reading Challenge: a book with antonyms in the title.
3.5 stars.
SO. Interesting, this. Because I had to struggle through the first 25% or so and was starting to fear this would be the type of classic that is just not my cup of tea; but then, it changed. It started pulling me in, and I found myself looking for excuses to keep reading just a little longer - just one more chapter. Whereas prior to that, I'd been only too happy to take a break and pick up something else.
On the whole, I enjoyed this a lot. Margaret is such a fantastic heroine and the social aspect managed to draw me in completely. Still, I was a bit disappointed by the abruptness of the final scene. I loved the subtle feeling of the romance a lot, and the fact that it was spread over the entire book. Which is maybe why I felt a little cheated that there wasn't more at the end....more
WOW this book is a mess. Which, to be fair, was exactly what I was expecting after part I, but still. It's all over the place and just like in book 1 WOW this book is a mess. Which, to be fair, was exactly what I was expecting after part I, but still. It's all over the place and just like in book 1 there's not much world-building (people are calling this a dystopia, but it's not really), there's not much backstory or even explanations and descriptions about the Feelers, Seers and Readers. You kind of just get pulled along; and that's perfectly fine, but it also means this is never going to be a very good book.
I didn't hate it, though. It reads like a train and it's very short and I mostly liked it because of Annie. (view spoiler)[I was super into Annie and Cole. As soon as she had her first vision in which she grabs a boy's hand and realises the feeling she's experiencing is her in love, in the future, I had a feeling it would be Cole. So I was very happy to be proven right later on. COLE. (hide spoiler)]
But yeah, I would've loved this had it been done better. Because the idea/concept is pretty great. The execution of said idea, however, is mostly disappointing. ...more
This was seven different kinds of delightful. I loved it.
I'm not that familiar with Shana Galen, but I liked Lord and Lady Spy a lot so I f4.5 stars
This was seven different kinds of delightful. I loved it.
I'm not that familiar with Shana Galen, but I liked Lord and Lady Spy a lot so I figured this would be worth giving a try. I appreciate the element of adventure that she seems to integrate in her historical romances. Marlowe is such a unique heroine, I don't think I've ever read a book with a character quite like her. I really liked her story and the way she couldn't have been further from being a proper lady if she'd tried.
The banter between her and Dane was great from the beginning; they have chemistry despite the differences between them, and I love how they learned from each other. Dane starting to have a different look on things simply by being around Marlowe and getting to know her. This story definitely has a sort of Pretty Woman vibe going on (at least in the beginning) which, unrealistic though that movie may be, I've always loved in every variation.
The timeframe in which this all develops is really, really short. But I am more forgiving of that in historicals than in contemporaries and it did need to develop fast, for the story-purposes so I can ignore how fast it all went.
If I'm nitpicking, then the only thing I could've done without was (view spoiler)[the revelation that Gideon actually was in love with Marlowe; I would've preferred their friendship to have been just that. Best friends who had each other's back and no unrequited feelings on either side. But like I said, that's really just nitpicking. (hide spoiler)]
But really, this was FUN and entertaining and I loved it a lot. I also loved Susanna a great deal, and the way she struck up a friendship with Marlowe as if it were nothing out of the ordinary was my favourite. I'm looking forward to her getting her own book!...more
2015 Reading Challenge: a book by an author you love that you haven't read yet.
As usual, most of Coben's characters are ridiculously clichéd and it m2015 Reading Challenge: a book by an author you love that you haven't read yet.
As usual, most of Coben's characters are ridiculously clichéd and it makes you roll your eyes at various intervals. But damn if his books aren't always addictive. To me, they're the equivalent of putting on some mindless action thriller and being able to switch off your brain for a couple of hours. And God knows I need that every now and again.
This wasn't his best or his worst. It kept me engaged and even though the plot seemed a little too convoluted at times, I wasn't expecting the somewhat bittersweet ending to this. So I was pleasantly surprised. ...more
Well. This is definitely a book that makes you want to take a shower afterwards and just wash it all away.
This entire novel is so dark and...grimy. TWell. This is definitely a book that makes you want to take a shower afterwards and just wash it all away.
This entire novel is so dark and...grimy. This was Gillian Flynn's first book, and it's really well-written. Not quite up to par with Gone Girl, in my opinion, but it *is* just as morally reprehensible as that book. Just in a different way. I liked the writing style and the fact that the characters (albeit predominantly unlikeable) are so complex. There were plenty of things I liked, but just as many things that I disliked.
I loved the relationship between Camille and her boss and his wife. I personally haven't read that many books where the boss/employee relationship was so healthy and supportive as this one was. I really appreciated that, and was glad that he was willing to pull her off the case once he noticed that being back in her home town was nothing but unhealthy.
What I didn't like was - well, there were multiple things I didn't like, but I called a major plot point fairly early on. (view spoiler)[I had a feeling the mother was going to be a case of Munchausen by Proxy and that Marian wasn't actually as sick as claimed to be. It was disappointment to have figured that out and be proven right, but this was partly made up for by the fact that I didn't see the final plot twist coming. The fact that Amma turned out to be the one to have killed both girls was somewhat of a shock.
Although, the disadvantage to this was that I had trouble believing in so much evil in girls that age. If it had been just Amma, then, maybe. But Amma AND her three friends all being in on it? I don't know, I just can't see that. I know some people had problems with this in Gone Girl too, but I was less affected there. I could absolutely believe in a woman being that disturbed and in a marriage gone wrong, but a group of 13-year-olds? No. Also, how did none of them leave any hairs or fibers at the dump scenes? One single hair can tell you a hundred different things, and I'm supposed to assume not a single hair of these 4 (!) girls was found on either of the victim's bodies? If it had been, one hair could've probably told the forenics team that it belonged to a pre-teen girl. At least, this is what tv and books have led me to believe.
Another thing was that the book was unnecessarily graphic and vulgar. I don't say this easily, but the sex scenes here felt like they'd been included just for the hell of it. I didn't need those depressing depictions (of both Camille's sex life, and the implication that her sister had already been around the block too) in an otherwise already depressing book. (hide spoiler)]
Aside from those things though, I did find this really hard to put down and it was suspenseful throughout. A somewhat generous rating, perhaps, but I'm sticking with it for now. ...more
I was looking forward to this pairing a lot, and this would've been 4 stars if it hadn't been for the very end. There had been enough scandal/drama byI was looking forward to this pairing a lot, and this would've been 4 stars if it hadn't been for the very end. There had been enough scandal/drama by that point, so I really could've done without (view spoiler)[Simon shouting after Juliana as she fled the ballroom (hide spoiler)]. Nevertheless, I was pretty into this regardless of the high level of drama.
I really like Sarah MacLean's writing style. ...more
This was fun, but not as fun as the first one. I didn't care too much about the actual plot, and while I think Nick and Isabel's romance was sweet, itThis was fun, but not as fun as the first one. I didn't care too much about the actual plot, and while I think Nick and Isabel's romance was sweet, it wasn't nearly as convincing as Gabriel/Callie. ...more
2015 Reading Challenge: a book that became a movie.
I'd been meaning to read this for a while, because I recorded the movie ages ago but didn't want to2015 Reading Challenge: a book that became a movie.
I'd been meaning to read this for a while, because I recorded the movie ages ago but didn't want to watch until having read the book.
Some people mention in their review that this is kind of an adult version of The Perks of being a Wallflower. I don't remember the details of that book much, since it's been too long since I've read it, but I do remember not loving it. I liked it, didn't love it. I did love this. It was far more enjoyable, even if this book wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be about.
It's like a rollercoaster ride full of different emotions, taking you from one end of the spectrum to the other, which I hadn't expected. It was hard, at times, but also touching and heartwarming. I cared about the characters a lot and couldn't help rooting for Pat, even. Tiffany in particular I really liked, in spite of everything that comes to light throughout the story. Or maybe because of it, who knows. (view spoiler)[What can I say, I have a thing for emotionally damaged people who feel guilty about the death of a spouse and then try to find love again after x amount of time. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. I was also glad the issue with Pat's dad never really got resolved. It would've felt like everything had been too neatly tied up at the end if it had, whereas now it just leaves readers to accept that his dad is a bit of an asshole sometimes who probably loves his family in his own way. (hide spoiler)]
In a weird way, this also reminded me a little of the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It might be a little odd that I ended up liking it as much as I did, because American football is a heavily featured topic- as the main character and practically everyone who surrounds him are huge Eagles fans - and I don't know the first thing about that sport. On the other hand, a bunch of Indians try to explain the rules of Kubb to a group of football fans and then they all end up playing together for an entire afternoon. Which was hilarious to me.
So not at all what I was expecting, but I ended up loving it a little nonetheless.
Oh, and trigger warnings for...well, any number of things, really, but probably mostly mental illness and depression. This is not an easy book, please be forewarned. ...more
2015 Reading Challenge: a book written by an author with your initials.
Frankly, these books are far less thrilling than advertised. I was going to g2015 Reading Challenge: a book written by an author with your initials.
Frankly, these books are far less thrilling than advertised. I was going to go with 2.5 stars and maybe round up to 3, but I just can't. Maybe if the whole Simon/Clary/Jace thing hadn't - again - lasted until the very end, I would've been more forgiving. As it stands, I'm not feeling very charitable.
I actually really like the world she's created, but somehow she fails to bring that world to life in a way that works for me. I like the idea of it all a whole lot better than the execution. Just like in book 1, I didn't like the action sequences. They are not well-written enough; it's all over the place and makes me want to throw my Kindle through the window. Part of the problem is also the fact that I just don't care about these characters. I dislike Simon intensely - (view spoiler)[I couldn't care less when he got turned into a vampire, which I'm sure wasn't the reaction the author was going for. In fact, I was beyond annoyed that he hadn't died (again) at the end because of the sunshine. Clare has yet to explain this, by the way, although I'm counting on it being explained in book 3 - (hide spoiler)] and I'm mostly indifferent to Jace, Clary, Alec and Isabelle. The only two characters I like unreservedly are Luke and Magnus. Neither of whom are lead characters so there is not enough of them.
I don't care about either romantic pairing either, not Clary/Simon and not Clary/Jace, but let's be honest, (view spoiler)[Jace isn't Clary's brother, but then he is, but wait, because then he maybe isn't. No one knows the truth yet, so they must continue acting like star-crossed lovers until it will be revealed that they aren't related after all and can finally act on their feelings towards each other *collective gasp* (speculation on my part, but hey, I wouldn't be surprised if this is exactly what will happen). (hide spoiler)]
There's only so many times you can pull the same trick before it starts getting old and stops working altogether....more
2015 Reading Challenge: a book a friend recommended
This was wonderful. I could say it was great or fun or addictive, but somehow none of those words 2015 Reading Challenge: a book a friend recommended
This was wonderful. I could say it was great or fun or addictive, but somehow none of those words would be sufficient. I like the word wonderful. It's soft and sweet, it makes me smile. Which is exactly like this book.
I get why people here and there are comparing it to a Sarah Dessen novel; it does feel really similar. Except, when I usually don't rate Sarah Dessen books over 3 stars (there's just always something holding me back from higher ratings despite my enjoyment of them, I don't know what it is) this one is an easy 4.
It's one of those books of which the writing style and the imagery make me wax nostalgic about a dozen different things. About my own childhood and adolescence, about the nature of friendships, about little beach towns along the Pacific coast, etc. Which will probably not make sense to anyone who isn't me, as it's a very personal thing and different for everyone, but I LOVE when a book manages to bring that very specific feeling to the surface.
These teenagers all feel like people I would've been friends with in high school, or would've wanted to be friends with, in any case. They had to grow up faster than most kids their age, because of what happened to their friend when they were 8, and maybe that's why they never felt like the 'typical teenager' to me. And Drew. Man, I love Drew.
On a different note, this book is also really female-friendly. To give but one example of many:
“Oliver, seriously,” I [Emmy] said. “Ignore them. Please don’t do something stupid like avenge my honor or whatever.”
He finally looked away. “I’m not,” he said. “You can probably avenge yourself much better than I could, anyway.”
There's a couple of references like this, and it just caught my eye every time. Which, come to think of it, it's kind of sad that this is a thing that's rare enough to be so noticeable to me, but it is.
(view spoiler)[I liked that Oliver was conflicted about his dad. That seems like a very natural response to me. He was always going to be torn up about it, naturally, but the way it was revealed that Oliver was the one who'd put the wheels in motion for the police to find him, while at the same time making sure his dad wouldn't be there to get arrested, was well-done and well-handled.
The only thing I wish had gone differently, is the conversation between Emmy and her parents. I wanted that to come about naturally, instead of them having to find out through the guidance counselor. Obviously I get why she kept putting it off, but not telling them before having an open house at her high school wasn't the smartest idea. Aside from that, I really had no complaints whatsoever.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the ending. I knew Emmy would end up going off to college, but I thought the goodbye scene between her and Oliver was extremely well done. It wasn't too tearful or overly melodramatic - or full of promises between two 18-year-olds that leave you wondering how long it's going to take them to start breaking those promises. No. It's simple and sweet, emotional in a believable way. You're left thinking that they're going to be okay, that despite the distance they'll figure things out and always end up with each other. Because they're Emmy and Oliver.
Had I started this book on the weekend, I'm pretty sure I would've read it in one sitting. It put me in a good mood and had me smiling for most of the day.
Dit was ongeveer wat ik ervan verwacht had. Ik heb best veel sympathie voor Christophe Deborsu, en een boek2015 Reading Challenge: a non-fiction book
Dit was ongeveer wat ik ervan verwacht had. Ik heb best veel sympathie voor Christophe Deborsu, en een boek in een andere taal dan je moedertaal schrijven is geen sinecure dus bij deze heb ik ook best veel respect. Het boek leest vlot; de structuur vond ik persoonlijk een schot in de roos want het helpt de vertelstijl en de kaders geven vaak een grappig weetje en/of een kort overzicht.
Deborsu's mening over bepaalde zaken schijnt natuurlijk - onvermijdelijk - vaak door de passages heen. Zo zegt hij dat de Franstalige Belgen (ik blijf ook politiek correct, meneer Deborsu!) vaak beschuldigd worden van een gevoel van superioriteit over de Vlamingen.
Of die beschuldiging al dan niet terecht is laat ik in het midden, maar het blijft een feit dat er heel wat meer Vlamingen zijn die een aardig woordje Frans spreken dan dat er Franstaligen zijn die Vlaams/Nederlands spreken in ons land. Een feit dat nogal vaak mede de oorzaak is van die eerder vernoemde superioriteits-beschuldiging.
Oké, het Frans is en blijft een wereldtaal. Al wordt ze dan nog zo snel verdrongen door het Engels en desondanks de opmars van andere talen, het blijft de tweede taal in heel wat internationale instanties, bij sportevenementen, etc. Er wordt ook in meer landen Frans gesproken dan Nederlands, daar kan je moeilijk omheen. Is dat een reden om geen Vlaams te willen leren als je in een tweetalig land woont? Naar mijn mening niet, maar ik kan me inbeelden dat er nogal wat mensen die mening niet delen. Franstaligen, vermoedelijk.
De opmerking dat Vlamingen de Franstaligen niet eens de kans geven om Vlaams te spreken - vooral dan in het bedrijfsleven - stoort me wel een beetje. Ik ga er deels mee akkoord, want het is inderdaad zo dat wij snel zullen overschakelen naar het Frans als we merken dat de gesprekspartner Franstalig is. Maar ik ben ook niet akkoord, omdat er best wel heel wat Walen zijn die zelfs nooit de moeite doen om Vlaams te spreken. Ik krijg dagelijks zeker een twintigtal telefoontjes van klanten in Wallonië en daaronder zijn er dan misschien twee die een poging doen. Ik heb ook vaste contactpersonen waarvan ik weet dat ze een beetje Vlaams spreken en graag nog willen bijleren, en daar spreek ik dan ook nooit Frans mee. Maar geloof me, 90% van de Walen die ik aan de lijn krijg wil hoegenaamd geen moeite doen om zelfs maar de begroeting in de andere taal te proberen.
Enfin, dit heeft eigenlijk allemaal weinig met het boek te maken natuurlijk. Los van dit alles staan er heel wat interessante weetjes over de buren bezuidens de taalgrens in dit boek. Zowel op het vlak van geschiedenis, kunst en cultuur als tal van andere zaken heb ik zeker wat bijgeleerd, wat ook de bedoeling was. Maar er zijn ook stukken die me minder boeiden en waar ik mezelf een beetje door moest worstelen.
2015 Reading Challenge: a book published this year.
2.5 stars, but I don't feel like rounding up. Maybe I should round up. I probably should. I might 2015 Reading Challenge: a book published this year.
2.5 stars, but I don't feel like rounding up. Maybe I should round up. I probably should. I might if I think about it more.
Sigh. I just don't know. I guess, in the end, there were simply too many elements I disliked.
I never particularly warmed to Sydney in Garden Spells, so I wasn't surprised to find that I still didn't like her in this one. There is something about her that rubs me the wrong way.
I do, however, still love the writing style - it never fails in its ability to weave some sort of spell on me, which I love - but the story itself isn't always a hit. It definitely wasn't with Lost Lake, and this again just didn't hit the right note for me. It almost feels like she's lost the magic that somehow floated through her first few books. The writing is still delightful, but not so much what's being told.
My biggest problem with this one was that I just didn't care enough. I disliked both the conman and the Violet plotlines intensely. Pretty much the only thing I was somewhat invested in was Josh/Bay, because the set-up at the start appealed to me a lot. It lost me a little towards the middle, but I still cared about its outcome. I wanted them to be the sole focus of this, almost.
This is a tough rating, because there are certain things I loved too; just not enough. ...more
So, because I am an idiot, I didn't actually realise prior to starting this book that this was being released as a standalone as opposed to part of heSo, because I am an idiot, I didn't actually realise prior to starting this book that this was being released as a standalone as opposed to part of her FBI/US attorney series. I guess last year, back when I simply saw a new Julie James scheduled to be released June 2015, I just assumed it would be another installment in her series. Which is why I also mistakenly assumed that Ford would be paired with a female FBI agent. And I have to admit to being a little disappointed that Victoria, much as I loved her (and I did!) wasn't said female FBI agent.
Alas. But that was my own stupidity's fault and regardless, I still liked this a lot. I'd been waiting for Ford to get his own book. I cannot stress enough how much I love Brooke and Ford's friendship. It's rare to get a male/female best friends situtation like theors and it was a delight to revisit it here.
I also loved the duality there was to Victoria's character. Her tough-as-nails lawyer side on the one hand, but then her vulnerable other side that was dealing with panic disorder and therapy sessions. I liked that aspect a lot, because it made Victoria feel a little more real as a character I guess. Although, if I can nitpick for a moment, I do still wish Julie James would write a book about less-than-perfect-looking people. Just once. Not to have both main characters be drop-dead gorgeous and nearly 100% perfect physically would be really great.
Other than that, this is just a very enjoyable read....more
This was good and I enjoyed it quite a bit! I remember reading the preview at the end of last year's book and being completely over the moon 3.5 stars
This was good and I enjoyed it quite a bit! I remember reading the preview at the end of last year's book and being completely over the moon about it because it had to be Jack and Jane she was setting up and JACK AND JANE.
Because of my ridiculously high expectations (and they were high. In spite of my being wary about starting this book because I knew there was no way I'd get everything I wanted, I am never good at lowering my expectations) I liked this, but I didn't love it.
I did love Jack and Jane. Let there be absolutely no confusion about that. I adore them. Separately and together. I love that all of the pieces of Jane's personality and the changes she seemed to be going through as a character now fit together nicely. I love that Jack is so obviously the perfect fit for her, with all his snarky and protective ways. They're both a little broken and a lot jaded by this point, and yet they found each other and it was beautiful. Their heartfelt conversations and them opening up to each other as things progressed was my favourite.
What I didn't love, is that the story - by the end of it - still managed to feel a little rushed to me. It's almost as if Lauren Willig was rushing towards the finish line and just wanted to be done with it. I'm not saying this was the case, just that that's the way it came across to me. (view spoiler)[Once Jack and Jane separate, with Jack going on to meet Richard and the others and Jane infiltrating Nicolas' quarters, it all went a little too quickly, and perhaps easily. I am never one to complain about the lack of drama (the less drama, the better. Always.) but everything got tied up SO quickly once Jane and Nicolas made it back to the boat with the queen that I felt a little dizzy. I wanted at least 2 more chapters.
Maybe I just wanted the lost epilogue in its entirety, instead of just the snippet we got. Maybe I needed a few more chapters at the end, really. Because now I'm also just supposed to accept that Nicolas is apparently not such a bad guy after all and ends up marrying Lizzy. Which, I'm sorry, but as things stand now, I have problems with this information.
ALSO. Speaking of things I wanted; the build-up between Jane and Jack at the bath-house was phenomenal, and I felt a little cheated that we didn't get the actual love scene. I wanted more than just the fade to black and the jump to the morning after. (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, this sounds more negative than I wanted it to, because I did enjoy this and I'm pleased we got to the end of the series on such a happy note. ...more
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