I just absolutely love these characters and their story. It may have only been a novella, but I got everything I could have asked for. Calla and JonahI just absolutely love these characters and their story. It may have only been a novella, but I got everything I could have asked for. Calla and Jonah over the Christmas holidays in Alaska. It was perfect. ...more
Thank you Penguin Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Perfect for fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. I am one of those fans, sThank you Penguin Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Perfect for fans of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. I am one of those fans, so this was perfect for me. I love a good trashy rich teen murder mystery drama. The murder is not the main plot of this story. It centers much more around the drama and inner working of the high school hierarchy. It really did feel like it was plucked right out of a season of a CW TV show, which I didn’t hate at all lol.
Jill was such a compelling lead. She’s in this world of privilege and money, without really belonging to the world. Very similarly to a Humphrey dropped into the Upper East Side. Only, she knows what she and her friends is doing to her classmates is wrong. She is very morally conflicted, which was so refreshing to see from a teen lead. She is battling with knowing everything is wrong but also these are her friends, and she doesn’t know how to reconcile the two. What a relatable dilemma.
In regards to the murder mystery, I was pleasantly surprised at moments throughout the investigation. I do think it’s predictable, and I was able to solve the mystery before the characters did. However, I think a teen or a novice mystery reader would be more surprised by the twists along the way. Even though they were predictable, I still really enjoyed them and enjoyed seeing the characters reacting to the twists.
It appears that a sequel is planned as well. I am deeply curious to see what that will focus on. I felt this had a full and satisfying story arc. I will definitely pick up the sequel though. ...more
This felt like one of those books that I read at the right time. I felt so much of the pain and confusion and uncertainty that was mirrored in JanuaryThis felt like one of those books that I read at the right time. I felt so much of the pain and confusion and uncertainty that was mirrored in January and Gus. I connected deeply with the feelings of life just not panning out the way you expected or wanted, but learning to embrace what you have gotten dealt in life. I thought it beautifully wove together January finding herself and the romance elements. I’m anxiously awaiting the next adult romance from Henry. ...more
This book was fabulous. A true nemesis to lovers romance, which really made my heart soar. I haven’t seen pranks played on each other to this caliber This book was fabulous. A true nemesis to lovers romance, which really made my heart soar. I haven’t seen pranks played on each other to this caliber since The Hating Game and Dating You/Hating You. If you liked either of those books, this is an absolute must read. Such a good balance of hijinks and sentimentality. I will definitely read more from this author in the future, and this will be on my best books of the year. 10/10 would recommend. ...more
I thought this was a good and satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. It felt like she wrapped up all the characters stories nicely; however, it also fI thought this was a good and satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. It felt like she wrapped up all the characters stories nicely; however, it also felt like there was enough space left that spin offs could be a possibility. Which, I would not be mad about. I really love these characters (Grey especially), and I would be open to seeing more of them and this world in future stories.
I thought the two most main characters, Grey and Rhen, had complete and satisfying character arcs too. They went in directions that were fresh and unexpected, and it was a joy to read :)
Would definitely read more fantasy from this author in the future....more
Unfortunately this Sally Thorne installment didn't strike me in the feels as much as my first love, The Hating Game. However, I enjoyed this significaUnfortunately this Sally Thorne installment didn't strike me in the feels as much as my first love, The Hating Game. However, I enjoyed this significantly more than 99 Percent Mine. I found that the writing I enjoyed so much in The Hating Game made a return in Second First Impressions. This book flowed together much more smoothly and effortlessly than her previous novel. i found the relationship to be so much more sweet and enduring as well. I really enjoyed Ruthie and Teddy and really hope for the best for the both of them in their future fictional endeavors.
I kind of felt like the twist at the end of the novel came out of left field. It was very subtly and infrequently interspersed throughout the book, but I didn't feel like it really landed the impact that I was hoping for.
I want to say that I will continue to pick up future novels from Sally Thorne, but they are not landing the epic punches that I loved in first novel. However, they are fun and easily consumable. Her characters are memorable and individualistic from one another. These would be easy entry points into the romance genre if you are looking to start reading more adult contemporary romance....more
Of the three books by TJR that I have read, unfortunately, Malibu Rising comes in as my least favorite. That's not to say that I didn't en3.5/5 stars.
Of the three books by TJR that I have read, unfortunately, Malibu Rising comes in as my least favorite. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy it, or that it was a bad book. I just think the 2 previous books that I read from her were that much stronger.
I love the concept of this series that's not a series: Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones, and Malibu. Each one taking place in a different decade/time period in Hollywood history, and each following a different circle within fame: movies, music, and now athletics (?). All the stories are absolute standalones and made to be enjoyed individually, but I love the common characters and threads that weave the stories together. It is so minimal and subtle, yet impactful. It kind of reminds me of true Hollywood, where all these different people move in similar yet different circles.
My main issue with this particular book was that it felt like two different stories were being sandwiched together, and not very well. We have this epic and tragic love story and the aftermath of that love story in the form of the kids, and also this wild rowdy Hollywood party that ends in fire. And, I get and like the symbolism and imagery of the two things happening. It just didn't feel like a cohesive and well melded story.
*Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Well, this was adorable and heartfelt and rela*Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing an advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Well, this was adorable and heartfelt and relatable with some great sex positive discussions around teen girls. Honestly though, this would have been great for me to read as a teen. It’s very insightful and smart for young girls to be reading. I just absolutely loved the romance and the characters. It was so honest about high school, expectations, relationships, you know it. Highly recommend giving this a read when it’s released. It is in my top 2 favorite YA romances that I’ve read in a long while....more
I have very complicated feelings that I don't really know how to articulate. On This book was too smart for me.
Or, maybe I was too dumb for this book.
I have very complicated feelings that I don't really know how to articulate. On one hand, I didn't particularly enjoy this book. I am usually a reader of literary fiction; in fact, I almost never read literary fiction. This particular story also really lacks a linear plot. There are a lot of characters with a lot of different timelines and a lot of different moving pieces. It almost reads like a slice of life novel, expect it's not because it spans 20some years. In that respect, I was not a fan. I wouldn't say I had fun reading this or that it was enjoyable.
However, this is smart book. A smart, self aware, intelligent commentary on humanity. Everything from fraudulent schemes to fraudulent people to the lies we tell ourselves in our heads to justify the fraudulent actions we make. There is conversation on the wealthy class and value of education and transactions people make with other people. It is a rich and thematic novel. This is something that I totally could have read in school and wrote a paper on. I can see future students analyzing and studying this novel. It is smart and bodes perfect for group discussion, which is why it worked so perfectly as our book club pick. I enjoyed and appreciated this novel much more after discussing it and breaking it down. I wouldn't say it's just a book to read and enjoy, it is a book to read and discuss and converse about.
I'm not sure how I would even recommend this. I guess if you like literary fiction or liked the style of novels chosen for required reading in school or have a group to discuss this novel with, then this is the novel for you.
So, what do I rate this? 2/5 stars for enjoyment 4/5 stars for sheer intelligence and construction ...more
Jordan (thejordanjournals)
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