The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

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The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

Published by Piatkus on March 26, 2024

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 320 – paperback, 420 – Kindle Edition

Format Read: physical ARC

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Publisher

Previous Books in Series: –

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Blurb:

Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade raising her younger half-sister, Tegan – and keeping a shocking secret. The boyfriend her reckless mother ran away with is actually an accomplished con man and subject of a wildly popular podcast, The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.

Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared – leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother – and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.

Together, the four make their way across the country, unravelling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .

Review:

There’s something about Kate’s books that just makes me ache. Her slow burns and luscious romances always hit the spot.

Also, the way she writes such achingly tender passages that speak to my soul needs to be studied. She’s truly a master at capturing character emotion.

This is a bit of a departure from Clayborn’s previous books because there’s a mystery element mixed in. There are also podcast chapters scattered in between, which I loved.

We follow Jess and her younger sister as they take a road trip to find their missing mother. They’re accompanied by two journalists, Adam and his boss Salem.

Adam is basically a 6’5” cinnamon roll. He’s immediately struck by Jess when he meets her. Instantly, all he wants to do is protect her and make sure she’s not taken advantage of by his boss. His POV chapters were the cutest thing ever because he’s SUCH a softie.

“Also, she said my name.
Adam, she said.
I feel warm all over.
It’s so goddamned unprofessional.”

The romance took my breath away. Adam and Jess’s chemistry is intense and the buildup so deliciously tantalizing.

“I turn to look at her. She pulled her hair up a couple of hours ago, high on the top of her head in a haphazard bun, and the fact is, I’ve avoided most eye contact since. Her neck is long and smooth and she has two slim, gold hoops in the cartilage of her right ear. I thought seeing her legs was bad, but this?
This is brutal.”

Look at how enamoured he is!

“I’d cut out my own heart before I treated hers carelessly.”

Honestly, I get him because I also wanted to protect Jess. She’s closed off and carries a lot of baggage from being abandoned by her mother twice and having to raise her sister. She’s so complex; everyone keeps disappearing on her, and I just wanted to give her the biggest hug ever.

Adam, also with his own baggage, truly sees and understands her. Throughout the story, you get to see her learn to lean on him and slowly open up. They’re both so gentle with each other, and aghh, my heart is just so full with these two!

“I watch as her smile comes into full view—and then I’m a beating heart on legs, unimaginably worse off than I was before I heard her, saw her like this. If she goes now, I doubt I’ll ever recover.”

The tender romance seamlessly blends in with the family-focused mystery. Jess’s relationship with her sister is so dynamic. I truly adored Clayborn’s sensitive characterisation of their sisterly bond.

All in all, this book certainly delivered — poignant, tender, and vulnerable.

Perfect if you like:
– Soft giant cinnamon roll protector MMC x edgy, closed-off FMC
– True crime podcasts
– Romance with a sprinkling of mystery

*Many thanks to Piatkus for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!*

Rating: 4 fish

Book Review: Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy

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Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy

Published by Piatkus on February 13, 2024

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 432 – paperback & Kindle Edition

Format Read: physical ARC

Rating: 3.5 rounded to 4 stars

Source: Publisher

Previous Books in Series: –

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Blurb:

When nineteen-year-old Abbey Bly gets the opportunity to study abroad for a year in London, it’s the perfect chance to finally slip out from under the thumb of her beloved but overbearing retired rock star father. She’s ready to be free, to discover herself – but first off, to meet the girls she’s rooming with. That is, until she arrives at her gorgeous new flat to discover those roommates are actually all boys. Charming, funny, insufferably attractive boys. And off-limits, with a rule against fraternizing between housemates after unwanted drama with the previous girl.

Abbey has never considered herself a rulebreaker. But soon, she’s lying to her father about her living situation and falling for not one, but two men she can’t have: her rugby-player roommate and a broody musician with a girlfriend. Not to mention, her research for school has gotten her tangled in a deeply hidden scandal of a high nobility family, surrounding her in secrets on all sides.

If there’s any hope of Abbey finding love, answers, or a future in London, she’ll have to decide which rules – and hearts – might be worth breaking . . .

Review:

This is my second Elle Kennedy book! While there were aspects I enjoyed, there were also elements that left me feeling less connected to the story than I initially anticipated.

Firstly, the one-dimensional portrayal of certain side characters stood out to me. For example, I found Eliza and Abbey’s conversations very superficial and they did not pass the Bechdel test. Lee is the exception to this; his friendship with Abbey was everything!!

I also found it challenging to fully engage with the plot when one of the love interests had a girlfriend for the first half of the book. This element introduced a layer of discomfort for me as a reader. I usually enjoy love triangles, but this one was a little too messy for me.

On a positive note, the relationship between Abbey and Mr. Buxley resonated with me emotionally. Watching Abbey break down Mr. Buxley’s walls was absolutely hilarious! I also loved the banter and chemistry between Abbey and Jack and Nate. However, I felt the story missed the opportunity to delve deeper into their characters. The surface-level nature of their conversations left me craving a more profound understanding of their backgrounds. This is understandable though as there’s only so much you can fit into a story!

Moreover, the overall tone of the narrative struck me as somewhat juvenile. It felt like I was reading YA at times. The FMC, in particular, grated on my nerves sometimes. However, I was pleasantly surprised by her character development by the end of the book! Her journey to finding herself was truly heartwarming.

In addition to all the above, the Tulley family mystery-solving aspect is something I’ve never seen done before! I was sceptical at first but quickly became enthralled, wanting to know who Josephine picked. I love how it mirrored Abbey’s life.

Overall, while there are certain elements that didn’t mesh with me, it’s important to note that they’re a matter of personal preference.

This was a solid, lighthearted new adult romance. The writing was clear and easy to read. I feel like it had charm, especially when describing the London setting. The author did a good job with the colloquialisms and phrases and I was pretty immersed the whole way through!

Many thanks to Piatkus for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy!

Rating: 4 fish

Book Review: I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

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I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang

Published by Scholastic Press on February 6, 2024

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Pages: 320 – hardcover, 336 – Kindle Edition

Format Read: physical ARC

Rating: 5 stars

Source: Publisher

Previous Books in Series: –

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Blurb:

Snarky and romantic, I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys if Lara Jean wrote hate emails instead of love letters.

Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and a “pleasure to have in class.” It’s not easy, but she has a trick to keep her model-student smile plastered on her face at all times: she channels all her frustrations into her email drafts. She’d never send them of course — she’d rather die than hurt anyone’s feelings — but it’s a relief to let loose on her power-hungry English teacher or a freeloading classmate taking credit for Sadie’s work.

All her most vehemently worded emails are directed at her infuriating cocaptain, Julius Gong, whose arrogance and competitive streak have irked Sadie since they were kids. “You’re attention starved and self-obsessed and unbearably vain . . . I really hope your comb breaks and you run out of whatever expensive hair products you’ve been using to make your hair appear deceptively soft…”

Sadie doesn’t have to hold back in her emails, because nobody will ever read them… that is, until they’re accidentally sent out.

Overnight, Sadie’s carefully crafted, conflict-free life is turned upside down. It’s her worst nightmare — now everyone at school knows what she really thinks of them, and they’re not afraid to tell her what they really think of her either. But amidst the chaos, there’s one person growing to appreciate the “real” Sadie — Julius, the only boy she’s sworn to hate…

Review:

“You have to understand . . . If you knew the effect you had on me, how often I think about you, the things I would do for you . . . I wouldn’t stand a chance against you ever again.”

Raise your hand if you’re a people pleaser who felt personally victimised by this book. 🙋‍♀️

This was unputdownable in every sense of the word. Ann Liang never misses – she truly does the academic rivals-to-lovers trope justice.

The dynamic between Sadie and Julius is nothing short of delightful. The snark and banter had me rolling, and their chemistry was off-the-charts! Julius Gong is the standard every MMC needs to be held to.

As a high school valedictorian who was an overachieving, people-pleasing girly, Sadie’s character development truly resonated with me. I love her so much and I’m sure many others will relate. Sadie Wen, you have my heart. ❤

I Hope This Doesn’t Find You is THE quintessential YA read, offering witty prose and a laugh-out-loud, cozy, romantic experience.

Rating: 5 fish!

Book Review: A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

Published by Macmillan Children’s Books on February 20, 2024

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 352 – hardcover, 353 – Kindle Edition

Format Read: ebook

Rating: 3.5 stars

Source: NetGalley

Previous Books in Series: –

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Blurb:

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by dark, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—and she can’t do the job alone.

Calling on some of the city’s most skilled outcasts, Arthie hatches a plan to infiltrate the dark and glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not everyone in her ragtag crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it.

From the New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated fantasy duology teeming with romance, revenge, and an orphan girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her self-made kingdom. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.

Review:

“Why save the world when you can have tea?”

This was such a fun, fast read! Very much Six of Crows vibes.

What stands out to me is the world-building. Rich in anti-colonial themes, A Tempest of Tea offers thought-provoking commentary on our society, especially with regards to the struggles of immigrants in the face of white supremacy. It does this while seamlessly blending in with the story’s unique atmosphere, which I loved!

The characters are the stars of the show – morally grey, complex, and funny. We alternate between 3 POVs: Arthie, Jin, and Flick. Arthie is an orphaned immigrant from a colonised island. She gains notoriety after pulling the fabled Calibore pistol from a stone and opening Spindrift – teahouse by day, bloodhouse by night. She’s a central and compelling figure in the story, but there’s a shroud of mystery around her. By the end of the book, however, you do start to figure things out. I’m still left with a lot of questions though, as a lot of the action happens toward the end of the book.

”The girl who was doomed to greatness.”

Jin is her chosen brother and (genius) partner in crime, who is also an orphan. Flick is a noble daughter who is recruited because of her criminal forgery skills. I know some people didn’t like her, but I adored Flick’s POV. You get to see her character grow and develop as she finds her voice. Her relationship with Jin was absolutely my favourite.

“She was sunshine in a bottle, and he was a storm in a boy, drawn to clear skies, reaching for her hand.”

There‘s also Matteo, a vampire artist, and Laith who is quite enigmatic.

Together, they all plan a heist to steal a ledger, and boy do they not trust each other. The character dynamics were perfect, marked by tension, trust issues, and unexpected alliances. As they work together, a camaraderie develops. I loved all the banter and I especially adored the found family aspect!

Now, for things that didn’t work for me:

– The writing was great, although it verged on purple prose.

– I didn’t care for the romance subplot with Arthie, but after that ending, I definitely know who I want her to end up with.

– I wish we got to see more of Spindrift.

– The plot demonstrates many moments of brilliance but is marred by uneven pacing. Everything seems concentrated toward the end. However, I do think this will get better in the sequel!

All in all, this was a solid start to the duology. I love books with original premises and the fact that this has hints of Peaky Blinders, SOC, and King Arthur is so creative! A Tempest of Tea promises a sumptuous heist adventure and it certainly delivers. Can’t wait for the next one!

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Rating: 4 fish!

Book Review: Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

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Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

Published by HarperCollins on December 26, 2023

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 432 – US hardcover, 419 – Kindle Edition

Format Read: physical ARC

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Publisher

Previous Books in Series: Divine Rivals

PURCHASE LINKS

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Blurb:

TORN APART BY WAR. REUNITED BY LOVE?
The epic conclusion to the intensely romantic and beautifully written story that started in Divine Rivals.

Two weeks have passed since Iris returned home bruised and heartbroken from the front, but the war is far from over.

Roman is missing, lost behind enemy lines, with no memory of his past, or Iris. Hoping his memories return, he begins to write again – but this time for the enemy.

When a strange letter arrives through his wardrobe door, he strikes up a correspondence with a penpal who seems at once mysterious… and strangely familiar.

As their connection deepens, the two of them will risk their very hearts and futures to change the tides of the war.

Review:

After being left with that ending, this was definitely my most anticipated release. It turned out to be everything I had hoped for and more – a satisfying sequel that lived up to, and even surpassed, my expectations!

Ruthless Vows picks up two weeks after book 1. It’s just as tender and cozy as Divine Rivals, but the stakes are much higher. Compared to the first book, Ruthless Vows gives more attention to Enva and Dacre. It showcases more of the war and their motivations.

Of course, Iris and Roman’s love story is still the star of the show, and it’s as ardent as ever – even in the face of formidable foes. My heart felt so full while reading, like it would burst with emotions. Iris’s character development was something to behold; she was in her baddie era!

I was also so captivated by the atmosphere. I don’t know how Rebecca does it, but her writing feels like a waft of cool, misty air. Her words are truly filled with magic. There’s a noticeable dichotomy there: between love and war, hope and loss, loyalty and betrayal. Rebecca weaves this into the narrative EXQUISITELY. You can literally picture everything so vividly, as if you’re watching a show. Honestly, I’d have no qualms about this being adapted into a tv series.

One thing I will say is the pacing felt a little rushed towards the end, and others might find that the first half drags a bit (though I personally liked it!).

Overall, so many elements that readers loved from the first book are present in this book. If you’re a fan of Divine Rivals, you’re bound to enjoy this conclusion.

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Rating: 4 fish!

Book Review: Bright We Burn by Kiersten White

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bright Bright We Burn by Kiersten White

Published by Delacorte Press on July 10, 2018

Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Pages: 391 – hardcover, 416 – paperback & ebook

Format Read: ebook

Rating: 5 stars

Previous Books in Series: And I Darken; Now I Rise

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Blurb:

Haunted by the sacrifices he made in Constantinople, Radu is called back to the new capital. Mehmed is building an empire, becoming the sultan his people need. But Mehmed has a secret: as emperor, he is more powerful than ever . . . and desperately lonely. Does this mean Radu can finally have more with Mehmed . . . and would he even want it?

Lada’s rule of absolute justice has created a Wallachia free of crime. But Lada won’t rest until everyone knows that her country’s borders are inviolable. Determined to send a message of defiance, she has the bodies of Mehmed’s peace envoy delivered to him, leaving Radu and Mehmed with no choice. If Lada is allowed to continue, only death will prosper. They must go to war against the girl prince.

But Mehmed knows that he loves her. He understands her. She must lose to him so he can keep her safe. Radu alone fears that they are underestimating his sister’s indomitable will. Only by destroying everything that came before–including her relationships–can Lada truly build the country she wants.

Claim the throne. Demand the crown. Rule the world.

Review:

Wow. This has been a roller coaster of emotions; I feel like my heart has been ripped out of chest and repeatedly stomped on – something Kiersten White seems to specialize in. It’s been a while since I’ve read such a consistently solid series – from the beginning up till the very end. It has never failed to disappoint, and this conclusion is no different. If you haven’t picked up this brilliant trilogy, then what are you waiting for? The Conquerer’s Saga is sure to take you on a brutal, bloody journey filled with lots and lots of gore, bloodshed, and backstabbing.

“War made monsters of them all.”

This book kicks off right where Now I Rise left off – with our two main characters, Lada and Radu, still at odds with each other. Watching these two siblings navigate the world of politics and weather the hardships thrown at them just reminds me of how far they’ve come since the beginning of this series. Their character arcs are truly phenomenal. Radu and Lada have mostly always been polar opposites, but in this book, they are directly pitted against each other on opposite sides of a war. Their differences have never been more glaringly obvious than in this book.

“Lada shaped herself in spite of her environment. Radu shaped himself because of it.”

Speaking of character development, Radu’s is hands down one of the best character arcs out there. In this web of politics and bloodshed, Radu has always struggled doing what’s right. He’s always floundered in this morally gray area – stuck between Mehmed and Lada, between his love and his loyalties, between the man he serves and the man he loves. However, after years of being beaten down by his environment, he finally stands up and says enough. Finally, Radu willingly chooses to be the good guy. He refuses to become a monster. He chooses his family. He chooses Cyprian and Nazira and Fatima. He chooses love. I found this to be one of the most beautiful aspects of this book, and if there’s ever a character more deserving of happiness in this entire series – it’s Radu.

On the other hand, there’s Lada. Whenever I read Lada’s POV, I felt like I wanted to go to war and bathe in the blood of my enemies.

“What sustains you?”
“The blood of my enemies,” she said.

She is such a complex, multifaceted character – a breath of fresh air amidst a sea of watered-down antiheroines. Lada commits a myriad of villainous acts throughout this book, but – somehow – you still can’t help but root for her. Her ruthlessness reaches new heights in this book as she goes on murderous rampages – it was like watching an incoming train wreck! Her singleminded devotion to Wallachia and her urge to kill anyone in its way should have made her unlikable.

“No one could break her heart if all it contained was her country.”

However, as a reader, we are given insight into her increasing feelings of loneliness and vulnerability as she slowly loses all that she holds dear. Watching her mourn all that she’s lost and breakdown sobbing in her brother’s arms was heartbreaking. Still, she never stopped fighting, couldn’tstop fighting, up until the very end. Lada chose Wallachia over and over, even as that choice costs her dearly. Her choice is directly contrasted with Radu choosing love and family. Even though its what she chose, it’s heart-rending to think about what she could have had. Just thinking about it brings a sharp pang to my chest.

Of course, let’s not forget to talk about the purest characters in this book: Cyprian, Nazira, and Fatima. They were just so innately good and pure and soft with each other. Amidst such war and terror, they found each other and formed a family. They may not have been related by blood, but they protected and cared for each other like they were. I’ll forever be emotional about my family of smol beans.

This book offers much in the way of diversity, as well as female empowerment. I love how this book takes society’s expectations women and flips these expectations on their head by introducing characters like Lada (a female version of Vlad the Impaler), Mara, and Daciana.

“She was a dragon.
She was a prince.
She was a woman.
It was the last that scared them most of all.”

So in conclusion, this has been a wild ride from start to finish – literally. At the beginning of this book, I was so afraid of how Kiersten would choose to conclude this series, but I think the ending she chose was absolutely perfect. It struck the perfect balance between tragic, bittersweet, and happy. Kudos to Kiersten White for crafting such a masterfully written trilogy filled with complex characters, epic battles, and a richly built world. I love this series so much, and I’ll forever hold these characters dear to my heart. This review will never come close to doing these wonderful books justice, so all I can say is this: this series will hurt you and emotionally scar you, but it’ll be one of the best things that has ever happened to you.

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Rating: 5 fish!

fish rating

 

Book Review: Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

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rr.jpg  Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on November 7, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Western, Historical Fiction

Pages: 384 – hardcover & ebook

Format Read: eARC

Rating: 4 stars

Source: NetGalley

Previous Books in Series: Vengeance Road

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Blurb:

REDEMPTION IS NEVER FREE
When Reece Murphy is forcibly dragged into the Rose Riders gang because of a mysterious gold coin in his possession, he vows to find the man who gave him the piece and turn him over to the gang in exchange for freedom. Never does he expect a lead to come from an aspiring female journalist. But when Reece’s path crosses with Charlotte Vaughn after a botched train robbery and she mentions a promising rumor about a gunslinger from Prescott, it becomes apparent that she will be his ticket to freedom—or a noose. As the two manipulate each other for their own ends, past secrets are unearthed, reviving a decade-old quest for revenge that may be impossible to settle.

In this thrilling companion to Vengeance Road, dangerous alliances are formed, old friends meet new enemies, and the West is wilder than ever.

Review:

After Vengeance Road, I didn’t think I’d really enjoy any follow-up novel to this series. Boy, was I wrong. Retribution Rails was just as good as, if not better than, Vengeance Road, IMO. If you’re reading this book just for Kate and Jesse, you definitely won’t be disappointed, because there’s plenty of them to go around in this book. Although this is just a companion novel to Vengeance Road, I advise reading the first book to really get the full story.

Erin’s ability to write tough-minded, strong young women of the west truly never ceases to amaze me. Charlotte has such a vivacious character that you just can’t help but root for from the very beginning. Throw in her determination and quick wit? You’ve got yourself a helluva character! Oh, and don’t get me started on Reese Murphy. His character really brings in a certain kind of complexity that was not present in the first book. Haunted by his actions, he struggles to reconcile who he is versus how he views himself. He tries to right his wrongdoings every chance he gets, and is constantly at war with himself. When Charlotte and Reese collide, they slowly change each other’s perceptions of themselves and of the other. Their interactions were something I constantly looked forward to!

The writing, as always, was top notch! Erin has such a vivid writing style that immediately transports you to the Wild West, infusing your imagination with exciting train robberies, gunfights, and showdowns. The world is very impressively well-built and immersive. It’s really unlike anything I’ve ever read — very refreshing!

I truly can’t recommend Vengeance Road and Retribution Rails enough! Before VR, I never would’ve thought of myself as someone who would pick up a book from the Western genre, but I’m a changed woman now! Trust me, you’ll thank me later.

From the well-written vernacular to the complex characters to the immersive world, Retribution Rails is a wild ride from start to finish. So buckle up!

*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

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Rating: 4 fish!

4 fish

Book Review: Now I Rise by Kiersten White

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now i rise  Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Published by Delacorte Press on June 27, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Pages: 471 – hardcover, 480 – paperback & ebook

Format Read: eARC

Rating: 5 stars

Source: NetGalley

Previous Books in Series: And I Darken

PURCHASE LINKS

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Blurb:

She has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself.

After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lada Dracul is out to punish anyone who dares to cross her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder whether he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople—and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned an unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence—but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, to the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself—but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?

As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won…and souls will be lost.

Review:

Holy crap. Can this series get any better? It’s been such a long time since I read a 5-star book! Honestly, I think the last time I felt this strongly about a series was after reading the first 2 books in the ToG series. If you’ve read And I Darken and found yourself thinking, “Can this get any better?” The answer is yes, my friend. It definitely has.

This series has been coined with the popular phrase: “a teenage Game of Thrones set in the Ottoman Empire” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s brutal & dark, while still managing to remain utterly captivating. This book demands your attention with every single paragraph, making it very difficult to tear your eyes away from the page. So clear your schedules folks!

Our protagonists are Radu and Lada, presented in alternating POVs. In this book, Radu is spying in Constantinople for Mehmed whereas Lada is trying to reclaim the Wallachian throne and become Prince.

I didn’t even think it was possible to love Lada even more than in the first book, but boy was I wrong. She is such a fiercely complex character, gaining her the title of ‘antihero’. However, this does not stop her from demanding the reader’s sympathy and attention. You can’t help but root for her, despite all her cruelty. Even though she struggles with being a woman in a patriarchal and heavily male-dominated society, she sure as hell does not let that stop her. Lada plays by her own rules, and you see many characters throughout this book appreciate that about her.

Meanwhile, Radu is in Constantinople struggling with his intense feelings for Mehmed. As expected, being a spy is no easy task. Radu sees the goodness of the people in Constantinople and grapples with all the atrocities he must commit for their enemy and his friend. He is caught in between, until the lines blur and he cannot distinguish friend from foe. A new character from the last book is brought into the mix, making it even harder for Radu. I really admire Radu’s character for how smart & collected he is, as opposed to Lada’s brashness. In my opinion, Lada seems to see the world in black-or-white, whereas Radu is in the gray zone. His POV highlights all the morally ambiguous choices he has to make, further endearing him to the reader.

This book isn’t all gloom and doom, though. Nazira’s vivacity and charm are a welcome reprieve from all the darkness. She’s probably the purest character in the whole series! The Jannisary characters also bring in a much needed dose of levity. Their funny banter was such a pleasure to read, and their dynamics were top-notch.

As always, the world is so richly fleshed out and the writing so richly expressive that putting this book down was a struggle. Writing a fictional book about history is definitely not easy, so kudos to Kiersten. The history surrounding the fall of Constantinople seems so fascinating; I’m definitely invested in reading more about it.

I can’t vouch for the historical accuracy of this book, but if you’re looking for a book with a hella dramatic plot and some hella self-destructive, badass characters, then you’ve come to the right place. I really don’t think this review does this book justice, so all I have to say is — just pick it up, you won’t regret it.

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Rating: 5 fish

fish rating

Book Review: After the Game by Abbi Glines

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AtG After the Game by Abbi Glines

Published by Simon Pulse on August 22, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 320 – hardcover, 352 – ebook

Format Read: paperback ARC

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Simon & Schuster

Previous Books in Series: Until Friday Night, Under the Lights

PURCHASE LINKS

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Blurb:

Two years ago, Riley Young fled from Lawton, Alabama. After accusing the oldest Lawton son, Rhett, of rape, everyone called her a liar and she had no option but to leave. Now she’s back, but she’s not at Lawton High finishing up her senior year. She’s at home raising the little girl that no one believed was Rhett’s.

Rhett is off at college living the life he was afraid he’d lose with Riley’s accusation, so Riley agrees to move back to Lawton so she and her parents could take care of her grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. But the town still hasn’t forgotten their hate for her, and she hasn’t forgotten the way they turned on her when she needed them most.

When town golden boy Brady Higgens finds Riley and her daughter, Bryony, stranded on the side of the road in a storm, he pulls over and gives them a ride. Not because he cares about Riley, of course, but because of the kid.

But after the simple car ride, he begins to question everything he thought he knew. Could Brady believe Riley and risk losing everything?

Review:

After Under the Lights, I really really hoped that this book would be better & that my mixed feelings about UtL were just a fluke. I was relieved when — fortunately — I loved this book just as much as the first one. Of course, Until Friday Night will always remain my favorite of the series, but After the Game comes in at a close second!

All the books in this series can be read as standalones, but personally, I think you should read the first two before reading this one. This book is pretty connected to the first 2 books, and for someone who hasn’t read them, that could be confusing. In addition to that, Book 2 sets the stage for this book, so you really don’t want to miss that.

I’ll start off by saying just how much I adored Riley in this book. I’ve always wanted to read more about her; now I’ve finally got the chance to get to know her in this book! I really like how this book doesn’t shy away from the truth. Riley’s just like, “Yeah, he raped me, and I don’t care whether you believe me or not.” She didn’t give a shit about what the rest of the town thought and I loved that.

“Just because others hadn’t accepted me hadn’t made me less of a person.”

I also enjoyed catching up with the other characters, West & Maggie… Gunner & Willa… All their stories are interconnected so seeing everyone interact made me so happy, especially Riley, Maggie, and Willa. Also, can we just take a moment to talk about the real star of this book? Bryony was so adorable! I just wanted to reach out and squeeze her. She was a ray of sunshine amidst all the negativity. Somebody please give her all the cookies!

This book was very family-centered, even more so than the previous books. Riley always makes sure she puts Bryony’s needs first, and Riley herself has such an excellent support system in her family. The book didn’t focus on the rape itself so much as the aftermath. You’d think that I’d be more emotional if Riley was unhappy and depressed, but what got to me was how happy and satisfied she was to have Bryony in her life. It was honestly the sweetest thing ever.

It was also really nice getting a more in depth view of Brady’s character. I’ve always thought of him as one-dimensional and as that “nice guy”. I’m glad this book delved deeper into his character. Also, like Riley, family plays a major role in Brady’s POV. I won’t say more because that would be considered a spoiler; you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

Despite the above, there were a few things that kind of weighed the book down, the first being the pacing. I expected Riley and Brady’s “friendship” to last a little while longer before they started locking lips, but that didn’t happen. I didn’t want a slow burn or anything, but a lil angst sure din’t hurt nobody… which leads me to my next point. This book, overall, was definitely less angsty than the first two. There were a few unexpected turns of events, but not many and they were far too predictable & anticlimactic. Maybe this book was more about wrapping everything up, rather than starting new drama.

Another thing worth mentioning is how Rhett got off practically scot free. I feel like he was forgiven at the end merely as a means to tie off any loose ends. That doesn’t sit well with me. What he did was a crime, so why is no one fighting it? I just find it so sad because it reflects how the world views rape and its victims.

In conclusion, I’d like to say that reading this book was bittersweet. It was like the end of an era. Our characters are all grown up! I can’t wait to see who the next book centers on. My guess is either Asa, Ryker, or Nash. Either way, I’m so pumped to read whatever comes next and follow new (and hopefully old) characters on new journeys!

Many thanks to the publisher, Simon & Schuster, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my views & opinions above.

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Rating: 4 fish!

4 fish

 

 

Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

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when dimple met rishi When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Published by Simon Pulse on May 30, 2017

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 380 – hardcover, 384 – paperback, 320 – ebook

Format Read: paperback ARC

Rating: 4 stars

Source: Simon & Schuster

PURCHASE LINKS

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Blurb:

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

Review:

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This. This was the perfect cute summer romance read. Filled with dynamic characters and a very engaging plot, this book was an absolute delight to devour! I’ve been looking forward to this book for ages, and it did not disappoint at all!! I don’t know how many times I’ll be saying this in my review, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

The story is told through the alternating POVs of Dimple and Rishi. The alternating POVs allowed us to view scenes from Rishi’s cheerful, optimistic perspective and from Dimple’s cautious, realistic perspective. It’s also written in 3rd perspective – which actually didn’t detract much from the story being told!

Rishi and Dimple’s interactions were always something to behold. I reallyy loved them. Their first meeting was hilarious, and the consequent ones were equally as entertaining to read. They were such dimensional characters, and their romance was so cute! I think Dimple is an amazing heroine – she’s smart, cautious and levelheaded. She is definitely her own person. Rishi is so swoon-worthy, too! He’s adorkable and goofy and just perfect! The yang to Dimple’s yin. (Or was it the other way around? Don’t attack me.)

Rishi and Dimple’s dynamic is made even better when you throw the “arranged marriage” aspect into the mix. Typically, books pertaining to arranged marriage are always negative and depressing as hell, with the parents being depicted as evil dictators. However, in this book, that was not the case at all. Rishi and Dimple’s parents were (relatively) chill about it. They weren’t all “Get married or die!!”; they were more like “Here, we arranged a quite opportune marriage for you. You don’t have to do it, but it’d be cool if you did.” They obviously wanted what’s best for their children and didn’t try to force anything they didn’t want on them.

In addition to all of the above, the cultural aspect of the book was soo perfect! The way it was presented made me curious to know so much more! The clothes, the food, the homage to Bollywood movies… everything! Both Indian and non-Indian readers alike are sure to appreciate this.

I do admit, there were times when the story felt a little too predictable, especially towards the end when I felt like I was reading a mix of contemporary romance novels. But that definitely isn’t enough to keep me from reading.

Overall, this book had all the feels! This was a light, fun, engaging read with constant humor and swoon-worthy romance. The characters were realistic and dimensional, and the diversity was on point. The writing flowed really well with the story, and the alternating POVs offered fresh insight into the characters’ minds. I really recommend this book if you need a quick, unique read to devour and feast on!

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Rating: 4 fish

4 fish