FIVE ENTHUSIASTIC STARS. I loved this. From the first ten pages I was already thinking of everybody I wanted to recommend it to, from my high school sFIVE ENTHUSIASTIC STARS. I loved this. From the first ten pages I was already thinking of everybody I wanted to recommend it to, from my high school students to friends and colleagues....more
Clearly a labor of love. The poems didn't always work for me -- poetry aimed at young people and novels in verse rarely do -- but I loved how she connClearly a labor of love. The poems didn't always work for me -- poetry aimed at young people and novels in verse rarely do -- but I loved how she connected and contextualized them with the prose afterwards, and especially all the quotes and images of Butler's writing....more
3.5 stars. Yay: interesting family dynamics, small town, Asian MCs. Second chance romances are a fave trope of mine normally, but this one makes me un3.5 stars. Yay: interesting family dynamics, small town, Asian MCs. Second chance romances are a fave trope of mine normally, but this one makes me understand the perspective of a reading buddy who hates them. I'm not sure they *should* get back together so precipitously? I'm just concerned for them as a couple and for each of them and their mental health individually.
Also, ok, this is probably silly BUT. in the final chapter before the epilogue, there's a throwaway description of her NY apartment with big windows, including how she hand-selected sea glass and slate and a five star showerhead for her bathroom renovation. WHAT. does this mean she owns an apartment in Manhattan? Is she hand selecting a custom shower as a RENTER? what kind of money is she making for this magazine???? And if she owns (and can now presumably rent or sell) a recently renovated fancypants Manhattan apartment, why is she concerned about finances at all? She could sell it and make bank, or at least enough bank that she doesn't need to worry about her finances in small town NC for a good long while. This kind of reminds me of my least favorite ending of a movie of all time, where after following this hipster couple across the country visiting friends and checking out different cities they might want to live in it turns out that they actually owned an empty, gorgeous beach house the whole time. WTF I'M STILL MAD....more
The romance didn't work for me in this one, largely because I found myself so frustrated with Drew and her inability/unwillingness to communicate. WhyThe romance didn't work for me in this one, largely because I found myself so frustrated with Drew and her inability/unwillingness to communicate. Why not TALK? ask something? One of my fave moments was when her bestie was like, no, you're going to shut up and listen and then respond to what is actually being said by this man rather than assuming whatever.
Even though this wasn't my jam, five enthusiastic stars for the area where Alexa Martin shines like a supernova every time: lady friendships. Bonus heart eyes here because we got not only the heroine's solid gold girlfriends but also her grandmother's. Another win: the way she loves hiking and the outdoors, and the authenticity and lost messiness of her grief. Since we still don't get half stars, I'm bumping this 3.5 up to a 4 for all those things....more
3.5 stars, I guess? This just didn't hit me the way it hit everybody else. I was interested enough to keep going but I never got truly emotionally inv3.5 stars, I guess? This just didn't hit me the way it hit everybody else. I was interested enough to keep going but I never got truly emotionally invested in the characters and the story. The first third was hard to put down but I felt increasingly meh as it went on.
Anyway, ymmv!! So many of my friends and students loved this, maybe it's for you too?...more
Wow, I'm not sure how to review this. I loved Mia McKenzie's first book so much; this one is sharper and messier and funnier and doesn't pull its puncWow, I'm not sure how to review this. I loved Mia McKenzie's first book so much; this one is sharper and messier and funnier and doesn't pull its punches. I didn't give a warm happy book sigh at the end I guess, but it grabbed me immediately and churned around in my gut until I was done. Not for every reader but exceptional....more
I loved the premise, characters, history, and plot elements but had a hard time getting as sucked into this one as with others from the legendary Ms BI loved the premise, characters, history, and plot elements but had a hard time getting as sucked into this one as with others from the legendary Ms Bev....more
3.5 stars, rounding up for how great the first half was.
I just really wish this had been YA instead of adult, or that "adult" hadn't meant an obligat3.5 stars, rounding up for how great the first half was.
I just really wish this had been YA instead of adult, or that "adult" hadn't meant an obligatory awkward sex scene that could just have easily happened off page and been more effective ...more
Oh dear, that was not very good. I'm blaming it on Harlequin and category romance editors. Lydia San Andres's self published work is fabulous but thisOh dear, that was not very good. I'm blaming it on Harlequin and category romance editors. Lydia San Andres's self published work is fabulous but this just... clunked its way through, much like the title. Is he worried about money or is he fabulously wealthy and can afford this over the top shopping? So many moments of ...more
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