It was so refreshing and unique reading a story about a couple who was not only already together, but had spent years together. It was unique and refrIt was so refreshing and unique reading a story about a couple who was not only already together, but had spent years together. It was unique and refreshing reading about a couple who was struggling in their marriage. It was unique and refreshing reading about a couple struggling in their marriage, but willing to stay and work through their struggles. It was unique and refreshing reading a second chance romance within a committed and monogamous long-term relationship.
I just really enjoyed everything about Do I Know You? I found both Eliza and Graham very fun and interesting characters. I loved the concept of Eliza and Graham role-playing as "strangers who bump into each other on vacation" as a strategy to work through their material problems and insecurities. This plus the setting of a fancy resort, with different planned couple activities kept, the story light-hearted and fun, while also tackling the very real and relatable problems within Eliza and Graham's marriage.
Do I Know You is not about falling out of love, and back into love, with your spouse. It's about falling into the monotony of every day life. It's about forgetting to be excited by your partner, forgetting to ask more than just the courteous dinner table questions of how their day was, forgetting while they love you, why they chose you. It's about rekindling the spark, being swept off your feet by someone you already love, stepping outside of your comfort zone and remembering that you should never stop dating the person you're in a relationship with.
This is a lovely and swoony read for Summer and I will definitely be reading more by these authors. ...more
Honestly, we need more books like Icebreaker. A. L. Graziadei did such an amazing job not only representing the different forms of depressi[3.5 stars]
Honestly, we need more books like Icebreaker. A. L. Graziadei did such an amazing job not only representing the different forms of depression, how it can look differently depending on the person, how it effects people differently, but also the guilt that comes with feeling sad just because, and feeling hopeless to do anything about it. As someone who has depression and anxiety I really related with Mickey, our depression manifests pretty similarly, and how he struggled with not only feeling nothingness and then extreme sadness, but the guilt and shame of "why am I like this? My life isn't bad. Why am I so sad when other people have it so much harder than me?", and I loved how the author addressed that depression isn't something you choose, it doesn't care about your childhood, your friend dynamic, how "lucky" you are in life. I also love that she showed that having depression doesn't mean one is sad all the time, there are small moments of happiness and fun, but the depression is always there in the background waiting to take hold.
I enjoyed reading about Mickey's mental health journey as he embarked on his first year of university, found himself, his friends, and worked on making a space for himself in the world, strove to find those little moments of happiness. I also really loved how she addressed women in sports, how she showed the imbalance and unfairness in the way women are treated through Mickey's sisters and their athletic careers / fame vs. Mickey's.
My only complaint is that there definitely could have been more relationship development between Cauler and Mickey. I was 100% invested in their enemies-to-lovers development arc, how their relationship would play out with not only them them being rivals but with Mickey's depression. While they did have some good talks, and cute moments, I do think that what happened on page was bare minimum and I would have loved some additional pages added so we could see more of their development, more moments of them hanging out, talking, etc.,. I feel like I spent a lot of the book hearing about Cauler but not actually seeing him on the page, which is a shame because they had such great angst, I would have loved some more sweet/development moments.
Overall I think this a lovely and fun enemies-to-lovers YA, I seriously devoured it, and that it has the most amazing rep (not only mental health but lots of diversity in race, sexuality, relationship styles, etc.) ...more
What an absolute delight this was. After reading Hogle's debut novel You Deserve Each Other, and adoring it, I had high hopes for this one and this waWhat an absolute delight this was. After reading Hogle's debut novel You Deserve Each Other, and adoring it, I had high hopes for this one and this was truly so lovely and fun.
I loved the idea of two people with polar opposite personalities, forced together while they renovated an old house that is just as mysterious and charming as they are. Twice Shy was wacky, endearing, laugh-out-loud funny and, as is custom for Hogle, a little bit weird. Hogle breathed a unique magic into the much loved grump/sunshine trope, and I could not get enough of Maybell and Wesley's interactions. Not to mention that there were some truly stunning lines:
His kiss is the Fourth of July, a Southern summer night. Cicadas and the tongues of smoke off a burning firework--hiss, pop. Hot.
Maybell is such a quirky and vibrant weirdo, but without being plagued by the "I'm a quirky and vibrant, I'm not like other girls" vibes that a lot of "quirky" characters tend to fall into. She is so unapologically herself and that's one of the things I love the most about Hogle's characters, they are so real, relatable and so much fun. Seriously, I wish I could be best friends with Maybell because everything about her: her personality, outfit choices, witty comebacks and sense of humor were positively fantastic!
Then there is sweet and quiet Wesley, who is the soft and peaceful rain to Maybell's tropical storm. I loved that there was more to Wesley than being dark and broody, just to be dark and broody. I loved the little pieces of him that we uncovered throughout the story, it was like finding little treasures.
Together, Maybell and Wesley they were a little bit like magic....more
This was good, this was definitely enjoyable and cute. People We Meet on Vacation has that Henry charm that I do so adore, you know, quirky c3.5 STARS
This was good, this was definitely enjoyable and cute. People We Meet on Vacation has that Henry charm that I do so adore, you know, quirky characters, hilarious lines, great banter, but still.. something was missing for me. I think it started when it was announced that THE vacation would be taking place in Palm Springs.. Palm. Springs. Of everywhere in the world to go.. Palm Springs?! Living in the U.S., it's known that Palm Springs is where retired people winter, and old people go on vacation. It's not a young and happenin' spot. That was pretty disappointing, as I thought that I would be reading about far off places, chaotic train rides, delicious new foods, etc., when almost all the vacations were in the USA... *insert pout* .
Both Poppy and Alex were extremely endearing and fun characters. I seriously loved Poppy as a protag, she was so fun, with a vibrate sense of style and personality. That's one of the things I love the most about Henry's characters, they're all a bit weird and they are happy with that. It's really a great and empowering message, to love who you are, even if isn't perceived as "normal". Alex was sweet and quiet, but I loved that he had this hidden self that was just as "weird" and fun as Poppy. You just had to work to see it. I loved watching their friendship grow, and they were truly so sweet to each other. Two people who thought they couldn't be more opposite or wrong for each other, ended up being just perfect.
Though I really adored these characters, I felt constantly frustrated by the lack of communication between the two. Miscommunication is my least favorite trope (right op there with love triangles) and the whole time I wanted to scream at them to JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER. I wanted to stab myself in the eye, watching them love each other, thinking the other doesn't, date other people, suppress their emotions, FOR 12 YEARS! All of which would have been solved if they had just TALKED TO EACH OTHER!! I wish she had done something more of like.. they love each other, and T A L K, but just couldn’t be together at that time, because it wouldn't work, but they were still openly pinning for each other. I think that would have added more yearning to the story, because while I did feel the yearning at some points, I didn’t feel that deep heartsick pull I was hoping for. I also wish that as readers we had gotten to see some more chemistry / sexual tension between them, because I really thought that was at the bare minimum, along with steam in general. I think that friend-to-lovers is a hard trope to do, as it can often feel like miscommunication and drama is dragging on, which is how I felt about this one.
The writing was fabulous, I didn’t feel disjointed or confused as Henry switched between timelines and places. I do so wish there had been exploration of some form of self-development outside of the romance, like with Beach Read. There was some, but it wasn’t very satisfying.
I know it sounds like I'm hating on this, and that's not the case at all. Like I said, I really did like it, I just didn't LOVE it like I was hoping.
Short & Sweet: This was a cute and fun romance, perfect for reading by the pool, but something was missing for me. Poppy and Alex were lovely, and while I loved there moments together there was a lack of sexual tension and communication that I couldn't get over....more
[4.5 stars] The most special thing about Mhairi's books are the fact that, in the end, friendship and personal growth are the most important themes. Ju[4.5 stars] The most special thing about Mhairi's books are the fact that, in the end, friendship and personal growth are the most important themes. Just List Night did not disappoint. We meet Eve, our main character, basking in the glow of laughs, good drinks, and the contented feeling of belonging you get when surrounded by friends who fit just right. Instantly I'm in love with Eve, and I'm in love her friends. Their wit, their banter, their personalities are top notch and immediately I feel like I am also basking in the contented glow of being surrounded by friends who fit just right. No one, and I mean no one writes friend groups like Mhairi, and this is a hill I will absolutely die on. But from the beginning we know that Eve will soon be struck with tragedy, so we soak up the good vibes and the laughs because when the sad hits, it hits hard. And so begins the journey of Eve's grief, the shifting of her world, the experience of moments of "before" and "after", and the weight of living in the moments "after".
I feel that every time I read a Mhairi book I come away with new knowledge, new experiences and outlooks I've learned from her characters and through her writing, and Just Last Night is no different. This is a story of friendship, grief and acceptance. This is story of subtle romance and learning that you're allowed to "be alive" and "carry on", that no experience, no memory, is diminished by moving forward. This is a story about learning to live with grief, to accept it's burden and make it a part of your daily life, until it no longer becomes such a shock and just is.
**This would have been a five star for me if there was a little more focus on the romance. I don't think anything should have been changed or taken away, just more pages to include a little bit more swoons and romantic development. BUT I also understand that Mhairi’s books focus on so much more than just the romance. ...more
"You stopped seeing me, Naomi. You stopped wanting me. You're going to figure out one of these days that I can tell when you're start
4.25 S T A R S
"You stopped seeing me, Naomi. You stopped wanting me. You're going to figure out one of these days that I can tell when you're starting to disassociate, and it's the most heartbreaking experience I've ever had. It's nonstop. It keeps on happening. I try to bring you back to me, every time you go to leave, off into your own head where I'm not allowed."
Ow, my heart. Cue the tears.
This book, this book really did a number on me. I have never read a book about a failed relationship. Yes, I've read second-chance romances but this, this is something completely different. This is a book about when a couple wakes up thinking, "How did I get here? Is this my life? Who is this person next to me?", when they have so much bottled up disappointment and resentment that they can't remember a single endearing quality about their partner. About a couple who went from being wildly, madly in love, to only loving each other eighteen precent.
This book is about how relationships aren't like in the movies, or in books. That they are hard, and mundane, and comfortable, and wonderful. That to be in a committed, longterm relationship is more like a slow burning ember, with bursts of flames, than a continuous all consuming blaze. That life gets in the way and one forgets to nourish one's relationship until it's just kind of... there...It's about feeling lost and confused, knowing you don't like someone at the moment, and wondering if you still even love them, of questioning and being left wanting. Relationships are a lot of work, and Hogle acknowledges the emotional exhaustion and the desire to give up.
But most importantly, You Deserve Each Other is about what happens when people stay, when they fight tooth and nail for their relationship when all they feel like doing is throwing it all away and starting over. It's about how it's okay to give up, as long as both partners don't give up at the same time, and importance of shouldering each others hurt and moving forward together.
It's about all the tiny, unseen acts of kindness partners do for one another. It's about communication and relearning how to have fun together. It's about always having loved each other, but learning how to like one another again.
The amount of wistful emotions that Hogle was able to pour into this book, I could really feel Naomi and Nicholas' hurt and confusion. Not going to lie, at times being in Naomi's head felt overwhelming and I wasn't sure if I really even liked her at the beginning. She was so lost and seeing her thought process and her distain for Nicholas was uncomfortable. I kept questioning how she had even liked, let alone loved, Nicholas in the first place when she so clearly nearly hated him now. Nichalos was cast in shadows and I didn't even like him. As the story progressed though, oh my god, my heart bled for Nicholas.
Naomi and Nicholas' rekindling romance was the perfectly paced slow-burn, and as Naomi and Nicholas' relationship started to change and bloom so did they as individuals. They learned, together, how to be better partners to one another and how to be 100% themselves. I feel that Hogle did a great job putting into perspective the ups-and-downs of a longterm relationship.
You Deserve Each Other, filled me with an array of emotions. One moment I was as fed up, frustrated and confused as Naomi, the next I was c a c k l i n g in mad glee at the Just Married/How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days level of pranks, and the next I was heartbroken and tearing up with Nicholas. There was some really hard and relatable stuff to work through in this book, and Hogle did an amazing job of softening the blow with ridiculously mischievous pranks, and the sweetest of tender moments.
You Deserve Each Otherwas brimming with melancholy and love, and hope and hilarity. It's message of staying and fighting for the person you love after years of being together, routines and life have come crashing in, the honeymoon phase is long over and the dust has settled. Learning to fall in love again is an important message that doesn't usually get a lot of screen/page time. 10/10 would recommend.
**Received an ARC from publisher (Putnam Books) in exchange for an honest review, thank you!!**...more
"Are you getting tired of second place?" Rozanov smirked. "I'm winning this game," Shane growled. "There is not an 'I' i
2024 reread: ✨contented sigh✨
"Are you getting tired of second place?" Rozanov smirked. "I'm winning this game," Shane growled. "There is not an 'I' in team, right?" "There's an 'I' in 'suck my dick.'" Rozanov raised an eyebrow as they bent for the face-off. “There is also an ‘I’ in ‘silver,’” he said.
*taps microphone* I READ THIS TWICE IN FOUR DAYS. AND I ALREADY WANT TO RE-READ IT AGAIN. I. NEED. HELP. Also, I now have this intense need to be a hockey fan. I NEED TO.
First, let me just say that I don’t really throw five stars around, especially for romances, and when I saw this cover and thought... yikes... I'm sure this is just another poorly written smut fest. DO NOT LET THAT COVER DECEIVE YOU. I mean, it is a smut fest, but an extremely well-written one. Enemies-to-lovers is my K R Y P T O N I T E and this one is numero dos in my list of faves. It’s officially my favorite contemporary M/M (and sports M/M). So yeah, I lurvered this one a lot.
Ilya kissed his dumb mouth and swallowed his stupid little sighs and felt his annoying fingers in his hair. He pulled back so he could look at his horrible face with its ridiculous freckles.
Shane and Ilya were fucking hilarious. Dear Lawd, their banter had me on the verge of tears most of the time. It was so snarky and quick-witted and some of the best I’ve ever read. Honestly, this book has a lot of “some of the best I’ve ever read” in it. I’m a little shooketh about how fabulous it was. The enemies-to-lovers trope was, SURPRISE, some of the best I’ve ever read. At the beginning I could really feel how much these two characters disliked each other (mostly because they couldn't stop loving to hate each other in the bedroom, if you know what I mean), but at the same time I could also see the underlining respect and attraction they had for one another. As the story progressed, as they grew as characters and their relationship developed, that underlining attraction grew with them but more importantly so did that respect. Yes, they were rivals, talked shit to each other and wanted to destroy each other on the ice, but they never tried to drag each other down as actual humans. They had a deep respect for each other as players and people and it really showed throughout the story.
Shane wanted to crosscheck him in the mouth, and then kiss it better. He wanted to forget about him, and he wanted to play every game against him. He wanted... He wanted to win this fucking Rookie of the Year award. He wanted to rub it in Rozanov’s face. He wanted to rub himself on Rozanov’s face.
The writing, and development of everything, was phenom. With the period of time this book spans, I was concerned that there would be some slip ups and/or confusions, but nope everything was very consistent and easy to follow. As the characters changed and grew, so did their perspectives and outlooks, but their characterization stayed consistent. They were still freaking ridiculously funny and snarky, but also so thoughtful and sweet and just more than they were at the beginning of their story. They were so vibrant and I could feel all their emotions: their dislike for one another, their confusion, their laughter, their yearning. I can almost picture them perfectly, which doesn’t happen often for me, and I can hear their voices so clearly. Especially Ilya and his accent. I have read multiple stories that have characters with accents, but the accents have never been so well-written that they carry over to the voice in my head like his did.
On top of awesome development, the plot of following the hockey career of these two was so much fun. It was fast-paced, exciting and interesting. It’s clear that the author knows a lot about hockey and is obsessed, which like, I get the obsession now. I don’t know much about hockey, but after reading this I definitely have a new found love for the sport. Like, I actually want to watch it on TV and pick a team and be a fan. The plot overall, romance and hockey wise, was just (chef’s kiss). It didn’t take typical routes when it came to certain scenarios and I really didn’t know how/if everything was going to work out.
And just one more time for the people in the back. Shane and Ilya were so fun, and heartfelt, and hilarious, and swoon-worthy. I. JUST. LOVED. THEM. SO. MUCH. It’s gross. For two big, shit-talking hockey players they were cute and romantic AF. Reid really walked the line between swoon-worthy and over the top cheese-y. Anytime I thought things might cross that line into too sugary sweet she would throw in a hilariously well-placed and witty comment that would make me cackle and bring everything back to center.
“You are very beautiful,” Ilya said. Shane smiled without opening his eyes. “Come on.” “Is the truth. Your freckles.” Ilya grazed a fingertip over his own cheek. “I am nuts about them.” “I have no idea why. I hate them.” “Noooo...” Ilya moaned. “Hollander. They are stunning.” “Stunning?” “Yes. Am I not using that word right? Very beautiful. Um...take my breath?” “Wow. Alright” “I told you...” Ilya grinned. “You love praise.” When Shane didn’t reply, Ilya said, “And you like to hog it all for yourself. You asshole.”
It’s a hockey story, a coming-of-age story, a story about life and love and IT’S JUST THE BEST! I feel like I didn’t do a good job conveying how much I LOVED THIS TO PIECES, but I tried.
“Do you want to know what Rozanov just said about you?” one of the reporters asked gleefully. “Something nice, I assume.” “He said he wished you’d been playing tonight.”
I'm eighteen years old again, and Lucas McCarthy is staring across a room, eyes penetrating, expression unreadable.
Am I writing this while blastin
I'm eighteen years old again, and Lucas McCarthy is staring across a room, eyes penetrating, expression unreadable.
Am I writing this while blasting In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel? Why, yes. Yes, I am. (Long live John Cusack).
This was seriously so brilliant. One of the best "romances" I've ever read, but I really wouldn't even call it a romance because the romance, in and of itself, is not what made it so phenomenal (though this was to die for as well). Don't You Forget About Me is such a love letter to discovering yourself. A journey of overcoming past trauma and coming to terms with life factors that aren't so great, but that you have no control over (view spoiler)[(GEOFFREY THAT FUCK) (hide spoiler)]. A story of face masks and treating yo'self and having a strong (even if it's small) tribe of ride or die friends, with a little bit of falling in love on the side. Ultimately a message of self love and empowerment, and that it's never too late to reinvent yourself, make changes and take life by the metaphorical balls.
A very powerful and important message told through the quirky and very Bridget Jones-y eyes of our heroine, Georgina.
Georgina was a riot, to say the least. She was a bit of a mess, but aren't we all, and her inner monologues and interactions had me howling with laughter. She was quick-witted, genuine and vibrant, but being slowly suffocated by societal and familial expectations, again, aren't we all. In this, and many aspects, she was so relatable and I could see myself in so many of her situations. She was resilient and strong, but the quiet kind of strength that grows and blossoms over time, that comes from being your own cheerleader, from kicking self-doubt in the teeth and forever trying to make lemons into lemonade. I loved that G fought to love herself, developed on her own and 100% for herself and BY herself, with no help from Lucas. He was just a yummy bonus.
Don't You Forget About Me's romance was sweet and slowly unfurling, told through bits of self-reflection and flashbacks. It's a tale of miscommunication, and second chances, of teenage hormones and hurt and how we, as people, carry that hurt and how it shapes our lives and perspectives.
This book is so much more than a hilarious and fun romcom. It challenges societal norms of what one's life "should" be and how one "should" act. It's a toast to being quirky and weird, to wearing pink fur (faux of course) coats and marching to the beat of your own drum. An encouragement of self-love, female empowerment and strong, supportive relationships. It bursts with the message that it's okay to fuck it up as long as you don't give up, life is messy and a bit of chaos and losing one's way is to be expected. With perfectly placed literary, and pop culture, references and a declaration of love that was of Austentian proportions, Don't You Forget About Me has become one of my favorite romances.
This book was enchanting. If the whimsical cover didn't convince you I'll tell you, it's magic.
I've never read a romance that was so creative and imaThis book was enchanting. If the whimsical cover didn't convince you I'll tell you, it's magic.
I've never read a romance that was so creative and imaginative, and I seriously doubt I will read another one as unique as this. Roan wrote magic into these pages and I could feel it flowing from Corbin and Alex into my fingertips, up my arms and into my heart—where it settled and grew.
Everything was a little bit extraordinary, a little bit eccentric, a little bit witchy.
I loved being in Corbin's head. I loved that he made me feel like I was reading something a little bit like Practical Magic. I loved that I was able to see the colors of people's feelings, feel the changes in the winds and cast off curses and make spells through baking. I loved him and the little bit of magic he breathed into life.
He was fire and water and Alex was air and earth. I loved the contrast of Alex's POV vs. Corbin's. Alex was Corbin's anchor, making sure he didn't drift too high and away, helping to make him feel grounded and steady. Alex is the friend you call in desperate measures, the one who shows up for everyone even when he isn't asked to. He's a giver and has a beautiful heart.
The magic of the characters were enhanced by the magic of the holidays, the love of baking, and caring for those you love. I loved that Alex celebrated Hanukkah while Corbin's aunts had celebrated the Solstice.
Could I use the word "magic" anymore in this review? Yes, I can. This book is magic....more
Friends: So, did you like this? Me: *clears throat* Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time. I feel aliiiiiiive. Friends: ... but Me4.5 S T A R S
Friends: So, did you like this? Me: *clears throat* Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time. I feel aliiiiiiive. Friends: ... but Me: And the world, I'll turn it inside out yeah, and floating around in ecstasyyy Friends: Okay, bu– Me: So don't stop me now. Don't stop me now. Cause I'm having a good time having a good time! Friends: BUT HAYLEY DID YO– Me: I'M A SHOOTING STAR LEAPING THROUGH THE SKY, LIKE A TIGAR, DEFYING THE LAWS OF GRAVITY Friends: Hayley! Me: I'm a racing car passing by, like Lady Godiva, I'm gonna go go go there's no stopping meeeeee. I'm burnin' through the sky yeah, 200 degrees that's why they call me Mister Fahrenheittttt. Friends: ... Me: I'M TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF LIGHTTTT! I WANNA MAKE A SUPERSONIC MAN OUT OF YOU!! Friends: BUT. DID. YOU. LIKE. IT?! Me: OF COURSE I LOVED IT! I haven't been able to stop listening to Queen or get Henry and Alex out of my head since I finished! DON'T STOP ME NOW!
My romcom loving heart is so full right now. This was so heartwarming and cute, and it soothed the wounds in my heart that have been aching since 2016.
I had such The Prince & Me and My Date with the President's Daughter vibes while reading this, I could melt into a pile of goo. Somebody get a bucket to pick me up off the floor! Not only was this so cute, and fun, and hilarious but there was so much amazing rep, I could feel how much love and hope McQuiston poured into this.
Alex and Henry stole my heart, I love them so hard. Just thinking about them makes my heart swell. Alex was hilarious and sassy, and the best kind of vain and Henry is just the cutest little marshmallow that I want to wrap in a blanket and take care of. All the characters were so vivid and diverse, and hilarious, and the best, and I love them all.
And their romantic development was so casually realistic and swoon-worthy AND ROMANTIC. I need to date a prince ASAP.
KJDHFFHIUDAGHI. I just want to smash my keyboard about this because I feel like the sums up my feels pretty well.
Is this my new favorite queer romcom? UM. 395083495687435438% Y E S.
Can someone puh-lease make this into a movie? THANKS.
Dear Thisbe, I wish there weren’t a wall. Love, Pyramus
"The world will make you vulnerable. If you’re acting like you’re not, that’s what you’re doing. Acting.”
WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE NOT READING AND OBSE
"The world will make you vulnerable. If you’re acting like you’re not, that’s what you’re doing. Acting.”
WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE NOT READING AND OBSESSING OVER THIS BOOK?! *sobs* This book is amazing, and beautiful, and heartfelt and deserves to be obsessed over! In affirmation of my love for this book: a poem.
Roses are red Violets are blue Jordan and Max stole my heart And they’ll steal yours too
Another.
Roses are red Violet are blue This book is the best Agree or I will kill you
Wow, what masterful poems (seriously, just don’t look at me). In all seriousness, this book is brilliant, so very important AND ONE OF THE MOST HILARIOUS THINGS I’VE EVER READ.
If a book were to kill me it would be this one. I would have died at exactly 1:41 PM on Monday the 8th. Cause of death: choking on an apple from laughing so hard. I seriously could not breathe and I was half concerned for my life, but oh my god it was so funny. Like, my boyfriend came out and asked if I was crying funny. Which I partially was.
Everything, E V E R Y T H I N G, about this book was so well-written, developed and balanced. There was so much going on and yet, the whole book had this vibe of a sleepy and extremely hot summer. I felt that no sub-plot was forgotten about or discarded. And while this book made me scream with laughter, swoon and feel seriously uncomfortable for the characters at certain points, it also tackled some really hard subject matter. Things that I have never read from the perspective male character, let alone a teenage boy. And Konigsberg it did so gracefully and beautifully. I felt just as much joy and giddiness as I did sorrow and hurt.
Jordan and Max were the sweetest of sweet baby angels. They were funny and awkward, but also so caring and sweet. They had zits, and insecurities and gaggle of hilarious and sometimes suffocating friends. And they were omg-I’m-going-to-die-of-asphyxiation hilarious. I could see them and hear their voices so clearly. They felt so real to me and I loved watching them change and grow throughout their story -- to see their rose colored glasses crack, their walls come down and their perspectives on the world around them shift. They influenced and supported each other but they also changed for themselves and I loved that. This doesn’t only go for Jordan and Max -- all the characters, main and secondary, were so vivid and alive. Every person, situation and rep was written with so much grace and compassion, it amazes me a little bit. They were perfectly imperfect, and I loved them all the more for it.
Also, did I mention this book is seriously funny? S E R I O U S L Y F U N N Y S E R I O U S L Y H E A R T F E L T S E R I O U S L Y T H E B E S T
Verdict: M A S T E R P I E C E
“You have tons of butt shame.” “I just … That’s where poop comes from.”
Another buddy read disastersuccess with my wives: Moons and Holl (DON'T HATE ME GUYS. IT'S A BOOK REFERENCE. SEEEEEE!)...more
Sometimes a girl just needs a romcom about two love-sick idiots trying to figure their shit out, and Christina Lauren has yet to let me down.
I loved Sometimes a girl just needs a romcom about two love-sick idiots trying to figure their shit out, and Christina Lauren has yet to let me down.
I loved the shit out of this. It gave me all the post romcom that-was-the-cutest-thing-ever-someone-come-help-me-off-the-floor feels. On top of being a completely swoon-worthing and cute as shit romance this book was freaking funny. I absolutely ADORED Millie (girl won me over on page 1 with her serial killer obsession. I feel you girl, I feel you) and Reid. It was refreshing AF to have the heroine be the emotionally stunted dum-dum while the hero was all about tender talks and sharing one's feelings. They were so hilarious, sweet and awkward trying to manage the murky transition from best friends to best friends AND lovers. Like, yikes, not a fun time.
The cherry on top of this hilariously, cute cake was the friend group. Omfg, they were so effing funny. I constantly had a smile on my face and seriously wish I had a group of friends like them. They're all little weirdos and I loved them for it.
One of the many, many things I love about Christina Lauren books is that while yes, they do follow the typical romance formula, the characters actively do something to better themselves during "the break up", instead of just sitting around and pining after their maybe lost love. Sadly, love doesn't fix everything. Sometimes you gotta go to therapy or find some time for yourself, to get your life together, and I love that Christina Lauren depicts this in their books.
This book was silly and fun, but it also tackled the tough topics of emotional intimacy, relatively harmless lies or jokes that then spiral out of control, and what it's like trying to find the love of your life online—which can be funny but also disheartening, terrifying and often gross.
I am romcom drunk off this book. I will definitely be re-reading it. Probably a million times. ------------------------------------------------ BR with my fellow hopeless romantic, Jess *who I'm going to have to tag later* <3...more
If this were a movie it would be one of those movies. One of those movies is a movie that I, basic bitch that I am, put on constantly. C4.25 S T A R S
If this were a movie it would be one of those movies. One of those movies is a movie that I, basic bitch that I am, put on constantly. Cleaning? Put on one of those movies. Reading? Gotta have one of those movies on. Napping? Well, why don't you fall asleep to one of those movies. AKA a movie that drives everyone, but me, crazy because it's always on in the background. I'm sure you understand that I would have to love it a lot, and I love this book. A lot.
One more time for the people in the back, I AB.SO.LUTLY. adored this book. It was so quirky and delightful.
At first I was a little nervous that this would be too much like My Favorite Half-Night Stand, and while there were similarities Hazel and Josh were in a league of their own. Hazel was so hilariously fun to read. I loved her exuberant and quirky personality. I loved that she knew she was eccentric and she didn't care what people thought about her. She truly danced like no one was watching. And Josh.. Josh was absolutely perfect for her. He was the quiet current to her waves. I loved how calm and caring he was, but what I loved the most about him was the way he loved Hazel. He loved her and all her fabulous, quirky weirdness.
And then I just have to say because come on we all know why we are reading romances, okay yes for the romance but also for the S.E.X, this was by far the sexiest CL book I've read. I mean this is no smut, this is chick-lit people, but CL definitely went there more than they usually do. The result: me being trash.
I loved everything about this and will be reading it again, and again, and again. Just like I would watch it again, and again, and again until everyone in my house wanted to scratch their eyes out. Everyone except me, of course. ...more
Wow, this was so much better and so much more than I thought it was going to be. I’m so sad it’s over. I might cry. I seriously can’t believe this hasWow, this was so much better and so much more than I thought it was going to be. I’m so sad it’s over. I might cry. I seriously can’t believe this has so few reviews, it’s officially my new favorite M/M. Ever. Honestly, it's one of my top romances. Theo and Caleb stole my heart and I can't stop thinking about them.
I thought I was getting into another okay (maybe decently) written, steamy M/M rock star romance with characters who were fun but didn’t stand out when it came to leading men. I was soo wrong and I’m soo gooey and happy about it. The writing was really well done. It flowed smoothly between POVs and had just enough prose to make it a little lyrical, but not over the top. Theo and Caleb were artists and the writing style fit that and amplified it.
The hand I was holding had strummed that beautiful song out of his guitar, and I wanted to squeeze it so tight that some of that magic leached into me. I want to pull its beauty inside me.
I knew my triggers, the way the road seeped into my veins as surely as the needle, opening me up, making patterns I couldn’t claw my way clear of.
I loved what a huge part music played in this plot. Theo and Caleb were constantly playing it, writing it, talking about it, loving it, living it. THIS is how books with artists as the main characters should be written. The reader should be able to read and feel how much the character's art is a part of their life, their world, their development.
And then there were the characters themselves. Dear. Lord.
Well fuck me if Theo, with his tangled black hair, kohl rimmed blue eyes, tats and all black grungy wardrobe, wasn’t every one of my emo 15-year-old self’s wet dreams come true. I usually hate longer hair on guys but, Jesus Christ he was hawwwttt. Not only was his appearance insanely beautiful, but so was his personality. He was so full of life and had an innocence, awkwardness and vulnerability about him that was crazy endearing, but also surrounded by such a deep loneliness and longing to be wanted and loved that it broke my heart. Theo was so vivid that I could picture him perfectly and I fucking adored him. I loved that he was super tall and lanky, like a puppy that hadn’t grown into his paws yet, which is really different from the typical “swim suit model, abs for days” appearance in romances. For all his vibrant energy he had a sexiness about him that was intense. One second he would be tripping over himself and adorable and then next a wanton sex God. *sigh* I loved the spectrum of his character.
While Theo vibrated with energy, Caleb was jaded as fuck and barely hanging on. As a washed up recovering drug addict he struggled every day to survive. He wasn’t looking for happiness, he was just trying to get through the days and through the shame and guilt that his addiction had caused. Then he meets Theo in a dark bar and he makes him want things that he never thought he could have and that he was afraid to allow himself. I loved the complexity of Caleb’s character and reading his struggle to fight the fear and shame his addiction brought, and the belief that he didn’t deserve happiness. Damn, did fear rule his life, weighing in on every decision. But I totally got it. He was raw and jagged around the edges, but so kind and caring. Even though his life seemed out of control he had this calmness about him that was very soothing. He also sounded sexy AS FUCKKKK with his tattoos, rugged features and rougher demeanor. I pictured him exactly like the cover model, who is gorgeous. I loved reading his personal development, I loved reading how he was with Theo, I loved loved loved him.
I loved every piece of Theo and Caleb, as individuals and together. I loved how distinguished their voices were – from the way that they read I could tell that there was a 6+ year age gap without having to be told how old they were, which I appreciated. Their personalities were very different but complimented each other. THEIR CHEMISTRY WAS OFF THE CHARTS. They were so fucking cute, and adorable, and sweet and hot together. They spoke and felt so sweetly about each other. I swear I could feel their love oozing off the pages. Chan and I were talking about it, and this book has a level of intimacy and adoration that you don’t see in a lot of romances. They loved each other but they also adored each other and I feel like there is a difference between the two. They were constantly showing each other little affections: sitting in laps while having discussions, running hands through hair, cuddling and back rubbing, touching in little ways that weren’t sexual but comforting and this made their relationship seem so much deeper, raw and real. Yes, they had their issues but I loved how they were honest and open with each other, worked on having good communication and that sex wasn't used as an emotional band-aid. They actually talked things out, shared their thoughts and concerns. Shocking, I know. I 100% fell in love with their love and obviously I’m obsessed. They were two broken and lonely people, living life on autopilot and it was so beautiful watching them come to life with each other. I could clearly see that way they were changing each other, it was like they were breathing life back into the other.
This book had a level of admiration, tenderness, and love that I haven't gotten from any other M/M romances and to be honest and romances in general. It was sweet and beautiful and everything I want in a romance. I’m so in love and I’ll be reading this a million times. So yeah, good read this because it’s fantastic.
---------------------------------------------- The M/M marathon continues with the one bish as thirsty for M/M as me, Chan...more
The cool rock hums over my skin like it's sharing it's memories. I've borne witness to pain. I've seen canoes tip and people drown. I've collected the
The cool rock hums over my skin like it's sharing it's memories. I've borne witness to pain. I've seen canoes tip and people drown. I've collected the tears of a thousand men who have leaned against me and cried like you do... I'm a rock. The closest thing to eternal. An anthology of stories that never end. I smile and trace my name over it's surface. Then his.
Before going into this I told myself that I wanted something that made me heartsick, that made me swoon and yearn and cry. A story and characters that moved me.
This was wistfully perfect.
This book was so beautifully written and so unique. I loved how Cooper's love of rocks was embedded into the story. The different rocks, their properties, and legends, and lores. The memories and emotions that Cooper infused into them added a really special and mystical aspect to the story.
I instinctively search the ground for a rock, a pebble, a stone. Close to Jace's heel, a colorful beach stone with spots at one end seems to wink at me. If it represented the moment, it would be ocean jasper, a stone known for helping people cope with change.
While Cooper bled his emotions and memories into rocks, Jace bled them into music which wove throughout scenes and pages, giving glimpses into Jace's journey even though the writing is solely from Cooper's point of view. The combination of the two made for a truly immersive and whimsical experience.
I felt so much for Jace and Cooper. I felt Cooper's heartache over his broken family, his resistance to change, all his little hurts and sorrows. I felt Jace's sweetness, his struggles and confusions, his yearning. I felt their laughter, their love and their longing for one another. The chemistryI felt it all so deeply.
If I close my eyes, I hear his song and his ghost settles around me as if pulling me into his arms.
There's so much that can go wrong when an author decides to write a love story that borders on the taboo. It's very easy to get those VC Andrews vibes going and once those icky feelings start it's hard to make them go away. Everything in this was written very tastefully and brilliantly.
This was the sweetest of coming-of-age stories, lasting nearly ten years. It was melancholy and angsty but also full of moments of such vibrant happiness and emotional intimacy. Definitely a new favorite and a book I will be coming back to again, and again....more
“The pain is there. It never leaves. Sometimes it’s bearable, but it’s always there. It’s pecked away at my soul all my life and, finally, it’s won.”
I“The pain is there. It never leaves. Sometimes it’s bearable, but it’s always there. It’s pecked away at my soul all my life and, finally, it’s won.”
I am blown away by this book. As I write this I think I’m in shock.. I just cannot believe how well Nicola Haken represented mental health. As a human who struggles with emotional regulation as well as having a history of self harm I felt like Nicola Haken saw me. While reading this there were times when my jaw literally dropped because it was like she reached into my mind, pulled out my thoughts and feelings and placed them onto the pages. So many things and thought patterns that I didn’t realize until I saw them written down. It feels ridiculous to say a romance has changed my perspective, but this one has. I felt so much for James: the struggle to react accordingly, not willing to admit that you need help because it feels like failure, being told you feel too deep, too much, feeling that you’re crazy. My heart hurt for him.
And Theodore, what a sweet baby angel. His undying love, understanding and that he didn’t hold James responsible for his actions made my heart both sore and break. He was so dedicated and willing to learn. He never once wavered in his love and commitment to James and for this I’m so grateful. There are so many ways she could have written this book, so much unnecessary drama that could have ensued and distracted from Theo and James’ journey, but Nicola Haken focused solely on their fight for a future and happiness. This made me so happy because their journey is so important, but what made me even happier was the way the author showed that you are not your mental illness and not only do you still deserve happiness but that it’s attainable.
Not only were Theo and James complex, amazing and so endearing, but the secondary characters were just a vibrant and enjoyable to read. Although the romance felt a little sappy at the beginning the mental illness aspect was written so respectfully and eloquently, as well as the rest of the plot, that I easily overlooked this.
What starts off as an office love affair between an arrogant CEO and a new employee turns into a raw and real story about the struggle of living and loving with a mental illness. It’s heartbreaking and amazing. A hauntingly beautiful example of unconditional love. Mental health is very stigmatized and often thought of as a dirty little secret that is meant to be “dealt with” alone. I love that this book shows that having a mental illness does not make you a freak, it does not mean that you are destined to have a miserable and lonely life. Yes, you will have to fight hard but you won’t have to do it alone - there are people out there who will see you for you, you just need to find them.
To me this book is hope, written down, bound and sealed with a pretty cover.
P.S. I already wrote this review but GR is an asshole and deleted it. I feel super bitter about it. ...more
A book about a porn star falling in love? Color me intrigued AS FUCK.
"You're like my moon. Pretty poMARIANA ZAPATA WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!
A book about a porn star falling in love? Color me intrigued AS FUCK.
"You're like my moon. Pretty pointless according to other people, but without you, the world is pretty much over. I wouldn't have any stability, there wouldn't be any cool things like tides; if you broke into a million pieces, you'd kill everything on the plant."
So, usually I save 5 stars for books that change my life, which I feel like isn't really possible for a romance. BUT I'm making an exception for this one because I will pretty much compare all romances to this from now on. This book was nothing short of amazingly hilarious and completely swoony. All of her characters were extremely well developed (I want to rip them out of the book and make them my best friends, especially Zoey) and real. As I was reading I could see myself and my friends in her characters and their interactions with each other. I have never ever, ever, ever, never read a book were the main characters talk about farts and have period disasters, LIKE REAL PEOPLE *gasp*. The whole time I was reading this I looked like an insane person - I had a crazy as smile on my face and cackled multiple times, sometimes in public which was super embarrassing.
Her female characters were extremely down to earth and strong which I LOVEEEEE. GIRL POWER! There is none of that "Omg, he is a dick and we can't be together but UGH he is SO HOT so i'll just sleep with him even though he hasn't changed and I just went on and on for 40 pages (because I can't hold out at all) about how I'm not going to, I just CAN'T resist. Have a mentioned how HOT he is?!" bullshit and Kat was extremely understanding and strong about the situation, but also the perfectly amount of upset about it. Like I said, they felt real and I could totally relate to their reactions.
"He was going to have to at least try to woo me a bit before the chastity belt came off, especially after all the shit he'd put my heart through. Bastard."
She did an amazing job when it came to the porn aspect. She didn't make it over the top or gross or even weird. Honestly, I wasn't even mad that Tristan was out fucking other girls because she did such a good job shaping his character and showing that it is just a job. I could understand their perspectives and Mariana showed that they are so much more than their porn star personas. I was concerned that when Tristian and Kat finally had sexy times it would feel... weird? That I wouldn't be convinced that this was different for Tristian, and that Kat understood that and felt like a fucking queen instead of like she was competing with the porn stars he'd done the nasty dance with. I had NO reason to be concerned and should have had faith in Mariana, it was perfect. I really don’t think that any other author could have pulled this off so.. candid and tastefully.
I also love, love, loved that she made Zoey, one of Kat's BFFs, a porn star. She was so cute, and little, and inappropriate, and loud, sometimes a little gross, and it was so funny to me to think that she would then go off and shot some steamy lesbian scenes.
"If I hadn't had Zoey in my life for so long, I'd probably feel differently about porn in general. It would be harder to see people in the industry as just people . My Zoey, Zoey Quinn, was the goofiest, kindest, most quirky person I'd ever met, and she was so much more than Zoey Star."
All the characters were sweet baby angels. Tristan was so sweet, funny and thoughtful - also SEXY AS FUCK OH MY GOD! I think he has taken over the top spot for my favorite book boyfriend. Kat is one badass chick and I loved every second of being in her head. Mariana is the queen of slow burn romance, and the sexual tension in this one - MY GOD. The secondary characters shined as bright as the main characters which I find is rare, especially in romances.
Mariana Zapata's books are a whole new form of romance (I've also read Wait for It) - they're well written, the characters are extremely well developed, so so real, motherfucking hilarious and have a great deal of potty humor. I thought I had grown out of potty talk but nope, good god I haven't laughed that hard in forever. I can't wait to devour every one. She has definitely made it onto my favorite authors lists and is an automatic purchase.
She has also pretty much ruined romance for me because nothing compares to the genius that are her books, so thanks for that you bitch!
**She wrote outtakes from Tristian’s POV which can be found on her websites so make sure to read those!! Being able to see things from his POV really helps get an even better picture of what it’s like to fall in love when you’re a porn star.**...more
I'm so happy, I'm so happy, I'm so happy. I'M SO HAPPY that this book randomly popped up on my newsfeed. I forgot who it was that brought it to my attI'm so happy, I'm so happy, I'm so happy. I'M SO HAPPY that this book randomly popped up on my newsfeed. I forgot who it was that brought it to my attention but bless you. Seriously, bless you. This is the gem that I have been digging for! *Kainat just yelled at me that it was her. That's me shaking her because I'm so HAPPY↓ ↓ . We also buddy read together and you can check out her review here . I also read this Francesca so if you want to drink the Kool-aid her review is here* [image] This book literally makes me feel giddy and drunk. I love it so much I want to crawl inside and live there. *cackles wildly* I don't even know where to start.. This is probably going to end up being word vomit so prepare yourselves. [image] I always wondered what it meant when bold lettering raved "the perfect beach read" or "the perfect book for summer" across numerous book covers. What exactly is the "perfect" book for summer? Well, now I know. It's this book. It's light and fluffy, and makes you feel lazy and gooey inside. Perfect for lounging in the heat and feeling sluggish. It makes you laugh, or in my case snort and shove the pages into my boyfriend's face screaming "OH MY GOD READ THIS PART!", and in the end it's just freaking fun.
This book is very character driven, I'm all about the characters when it comes to books, and damn did Sally Throne kill it! They're perfect in all their little imperfections. Lucy is a little, and when I say little I mean 5'0 little, firecracker. She's devious and hot headed with wild hair and crazy eyes. I loved her comments about the struggles of being a tiny human. Girl, you're after my own heart. Also, she has my dream job. So jealous. And Joshua with his Clark Kent skirts, snide remarks and steely glances. [image] The best part is that they are little weirdos. None of us are perfect and we all have weird little things that we do that makes us, us. I thought it was awesome that she didn't shy away from making her characters have strange little obsessions and quirks that made me laugh but also think, "Joe.. Joe Goldberg, is that you?". They weren't all slow sauntering strides and sashays, they scuttled, tripped and ate shit. I'm all about flawed characters and villainous traits and Lucy and Josh definitely didn't try and hide who they were and weren't afraid to dance on each other's graves. I love that although they are grown ass adults they behaved in immature and childish ways, flinging insults and pretty much fighting each other through doors, because you know what, no matter how old you get people still act like assholes and people still do immature childish things. They just felt so real to me.
"I'm twenty-eights years old and it seems I've fallen through the cracks of heaven and hell and into purgatory. A kindergarten classroom. An asylum."
As I've said a million times I despise insta-love and I think that Sally Thorne did an wonderful job of unfurling the evolution from hateship, to friendship, to love. Her writing was hilarious and witty and I haven't had so much fun with a book in a long time.
I also feel that I loved this book so much because I can deeply relate to it. Not only am I an executive assistant AND a miniature human like Lucy BUT I've also had my arch nemesis become my love and it is quiet the interesting process. Lucy and I are two peas in a pod.
Though I absolutely adored this book I do wish the she had written stronger secondary characters and I felt that the climxx was a little anti-climatic.. But Lucy and Josh's antics and hilarious games made up for it. Oh those games, so so clever. I think it was a fan-fucking-tastic debut and I'll definitely be looking out for her next books.
If you are looking for a light, fun read and want to laugh your ass off then this is the book for you! I'm definitely going to take a little break from contemporaries for awhile. I don't want to taint the fuzzy feelings this book gave me.
It's definitely a gem among a see of trash and a book I'll be re-reading many times. [image]...more
Hayley ☾ (TheVillainousReader)
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