Book Review: A book that makes you feel everything extremely

I explore everything about the book 'me before you'.

I have delayed writing this review because I don’t want to say goodbye to this story, or because I’m unsure I can review this book well. Still, I want to do the story justice, so here it goes…

After almost finishing the book, I watched the ‘Me Before You’ movie for the second time in my life. I had watched the movie for the first time quite a few years back and fell in love with it, and had decided that I would read the book one day. However, after having the experience of reading the book, the movie, while still good, did fall short for me. Just because there were so many scenes - important scenes - that were not in the movie, especially Lou’s mother’s scene, which I personally felt was valuable in the book. It was completely cut in the movie along with Lou’s backstory. And Will’s parents were also together in the movie.

The movie left out many vital parts from the book, which weakened the story. If you enjoyed the movie but haven’t read the book, you missed a much deeper experience. The book was far superior. Emilia Clarke and Sam Caffin’s acting and chemistry were the movie’s main strengths.

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Me Before You— including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here:Full Book Review! 

Book Review: Did I Outgrow the Powerless Trilogy? A "Fearless" Review

 Did I Outgrow the Powerless Trilogy? A "Fearless" Review

When a series you love falls flat, is it the book... or is it you?

I went into this series completely in love with Lauren Roberts. The first book, Powerless, hooked me with Lauren Roberts' writing style and each of the characters. Kai and Paedyn's story felt so fresh and exciting.

But now that we've reached the end of the trilogy with Fearless, I have to admit that my feelings have changed. While I still have a soft spot for Lauren, her writing style just doesn't connect with me the way it used to. 

I’ve shared my complete thoughts on Fearless — including a deeper look at the characters, themes, and why this book stayed with me — on my Substack newsletter.

Read the full essay here: Full Essay

Book Review: Things We Never Got Over

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Quote: 

"I didn't know what went behind closed doors. But I did know that sometimes a bad seed was just a bad seed. No matter what field it was planted in, no matter how it was tended, some just came up rotten."

Book Review: Fourth Wing

 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Quote:  "If they need a fucking pep talk, then we both know they're not flying out of the quadrant on graduation day. Let's get real. I can hold their hands and make them a bunch of bullshit empty promises about everyone making it through if that helps them sleep, but in my experience, the truth is far more valuable. In war, people die. It's not glorious like the bards sing about, either. It's snapped necks and two-hundred-foot falls: There's nothing romantic about scorched earth or the scent of sulfur. This isn't some fable where everyone makes it out alive. It's hard, cold, uncaring reality. Not everyone here is going to make it home... to whatever's left of our homes. And make no mistake, we are at war every time we step foot in the quadrant. So if you won't get your shit together and fight to live, then no. You're not going to make it."

Book Review: Ruthless Vows (Letters of Enchantment #2)

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

Quote: 

 "But I must remind myself that sometimes we write for ourselves and sometimes we write for others. And sometimes those lines blur when we least expect them to. Whenever such happened in my past... I remember that I have only been strengthened by it."

Book Review: Reckless by Lauren Roberts

 

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

Quote: 

"Tell me you hate me, and I'll still count every heartbeat, every freckle, every shiver of your body, only if you say it with a smile. I may be a monster, but if you cut me, I'll bleed. And if you break my heart, Pae, you'll break me. So, if even a silver of your soul longs for mine, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to deserve it."  

Book Review: My Dark Romeo by Parker S. Huntington & LJ Shen

My Dark Romeo by Parker S. Huntington & LJ Shen

Quote: 

"They say fate is nothing but the consequences of our decisions. Well, I planned on being the worst thing fate ever had in store for him."

Book Review: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

Quote: 

"I think we all wear armor. I think those who don't are fools risking the pain of being wounded by the sharp edges of the world, over and over again. But if I've learned anything from those fools, it's that to be vulnerable is a strength most of us fear. It takes courage to let down your armor, to welcome people to see as you are. Sometimes I feel the same as you: I can't risk having people behold me as I truly am. But there's also a small voice in the back of my mind, a voice that tells me, "You will miss so much by being so guarded." 

Perhaps it begins with one person. Someone you trust. You remove a piece of armor for them; you let the light stream in, even if it makes you wince. Perhaps that is how you learn to be soft yet strong, even in fear and uncertainty. One person, one piece of steel."

Book Review: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

Quote:

"She was less shitshow and more about living in high-definition, wide-awake, full-on color. Or something more poetic than that. But once I'd seen it, I couldn't unsee it. It was in everything she did, and it was why everyone was drawn to her the way they were." 

Book Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart #1

 

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Quote: "It wasn't that long ago that I saw you in my church, willing to promise me almost anything to make the pain stop. Was that a lie? Or have you already forgotten the way heartbreak rips apart the soul piece by piece, how it turns you into a masochist, making you long for the thing that just eviscerated you until there's nothing left of you to be destroyed?"

Blurb: For as long as she can remember, Evangaline Fox has believed in happily ever after. Until she learns that the love of her life is about to marry another, and her dreams are shattered. 

Desperate to stop the wedding, and heal wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic, but wicked, Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing. 

But after Evangeline's first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game - and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after, or the most exquisite tragedy.

Book Review: Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Powerless by Lauren Roberts

Quote: "He's devastating. Everything about him is stunning and sharp and stealing my breath away. But it's the way he's looking at me that suddenly makes swallowing seem like a struggle, breathing seem like a chore. I've never been looked at like it's a privilege to be in my presence,, an honor to hold my gaze, a gift to get a glimpse of me. Not until I met him." 

Blurb: The Elites have possessed powers for decades, gifted to them by the Plague, while those born Ordinary are just that, banished from the kingdom of Ilya and shunned from society.

No one knows this better than Paedyn Gray, an Ordinary posing as a Psychic to blend in with the Elites. When she unsuspectingly saves one of Ilya's princes, Kai Azer, she's thrown into the Purging Trials, a brutal competition showcasing the Elite's powers. 

If the Trials and the opponents within them don't kill her, the prince she's fighting feelings for will if he discovers what Paedyn is... completely Ordinary. 

Book Review: Better than the Movies

 Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Quote: "I fell in love with teasing you in the second grade, when I first discovered that I could turn your cheeks pink with just a word. Then I fell in love with you."

Blurb: Liz Buxbaum has always known Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door neighbor would be a prime candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Wes was the kid who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the monster who hid a law gnome's severed head in her little homemade neighborhood book exchange. 

Flash forward ten years from the Great Gnome Decapitation. Its Liz's senior year, a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes's help. See, Liz's forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and- horribly, annoyingly- he's hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He's her in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she's shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow close, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love- and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like. 

My Personal Views: If you are someone who absolutely loves rom-com movies like, 10 things I hate about you, when Harry met Sally, 500 Days of Summer, How to lose a guy in 10 days, etc. like myself, then this is the perfect book for you. 

This book CARRIED the enemies-to-lovers trope. You know that trope where the female lead thinks that the male lead hates her and she hates him too but in truth, the male lead has been in love with her all his life. If you LOVE that trope, then this book IS FOR YOU!

I can not explain it enough how good this book was, but throughout the whole book while reading I was smiling goofily that probably I might have made a fool of myself whenever I had been reading it in public. However, my favorite part in the whole book was WES BENNETT.

Oh, my adorable golden retriever energy, Wessy Boy <3

He is my favorite character in the whole book of course. I mean, how can one not fall in love with Wes?? That man is the goal, ladies. 

The book was great but what I think personally, would have made this book just perfect would probably if we would have gotten Wes's point of view as well instead of only Liz's. We do get some of his point of view in the 'Better than the Prom' book however, it just wasn't enough for me, I feel. Also, I don't know if you have read it or not (I personally would think you're an idiot if you have not read it yet), but we got to see jealous Wes!!??? Man is so dreamy. 

This book is very wholesome, trust me. Sorry for all the fangirling over Wes Bennett, but he is pretty impressive. 

We also have this book's sequel coming out next year, for which I cannot wait enough. Would be getting my hands on that book as soon as it releases for real. Also, I have a feeling that we would be getting a movie of this book pretty soon, I don't know why.

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5

Book Review: Brutal Prince

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

Quote: "In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."

Blurb: The Griffins and the Gallos have been battling for control of Chicago's underworld for generations. 

Their bitter rivalry reignites when Aida, the youngest and wildest Gallo sibling, crashes a party at the Griffin mansion, accidentally setting fire to the library. 

To stave off all-out war, her father arranges a marriage with Callum Griffin, eldest son and heir. 

Cold, ambitious, and brutal, Callum is determined to tame his headstrong bride. Aida is more than capable of giving as good as she gets- starting with poisoning Callum on their wedding night. 

In their struggle for dominance, who will break first?

My Personal Views: This book was just... wow. I mean, the book had great characters, my favorite being Aida Gallos of course. She is straight-up a firecracker. She made me cackle a laugh so many times, I mean that girl was so real. On the other hand, Callum Griffin was this cold and someone who always has a stick up his ass kind of a guy. Both polar opposite but, they made it work somehow. Where Aida is a fun girl, Callum is a strict man. I mean, dude was a politician, what else did you expect? 

Now that was a first for me to be honest, the main guy being a politician. I have read so many books where the main guy is either a businessman, car racer, student, etc. etc. but this is the first time I have read when the main male character is a politician. That was different. 

Something that I totally loved was their bickering and banter. That was good. Some scenes were spicy as hell, not going to lie. The plot and story was great. The side character were pretty good. 

One thing that I did find that did not worked out for me was their chemistry and I am not talking about their physical chemistry no, I felt the romantic chemistry was a bit missing. I think the author could have done a better job in that segment, in showing us a little bit more of their romantic chemistry. Because I feel, they had too much physical chemistry that kind of overshadowed their romantic one. I honestly feel the author could have done MUCH BETTER job in that. 

One more disappointment for me was when I found out that Nero and Nessa don't have another book and they have different books with someone else. I mean, WHAT??? I was rooting for them alright? I thought they would be paired together and we will get another book for them or something because I thought they would be perfect together. But they don't have book together? I was so disappointed. Of course, the author knows better, and if I give their books a chance, I might even like who they end up with. But... nah. They should have gotten together. In my world, they already are. 

Anyways, coming to our two main characters, they were perfect for each other. Oh yes, I also liked the pictures thingy that the author had in the book in different scenes. It really made me imagine their scenes better. Also, all the love to Callum for his sarcasm, it was always on point.      

Coming to the other books of our dear author, Sophie Lark, I might try Nessa's book which is the second part of the series called, Stolen Heir but I don't think it is going to happen anytime soon. 

Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐/ 5

Book Series Review: The Folk of the Air

The Folk of the Air Series by Holly Black 

[Book 1: The Cruel Prince]

[Book 2: The Wicked King]

[Book 3: The Queen of Nothing]

Quote: "It's you I love. I spent much of my life guarding my heart. I guarded it so well that I could behave as though I didn't have one at all. Even now, it is a shabby, worm-eaten, and scabrous thing. But it is yours." 

Plot: The Folk of the Air series consists of three main books (in order)- The Cruel Prince, The Wicked King and The Queen of Nothing and two spin off's- The Lost Sisters & How the King of Elfhame Learned to hate stories.

This is a young adult fantasy fiction series which follows the life of Jude Duarte, a mortal girl who gets thrown into the world of magic and faeries. And about the Faerie prince Cardan Greenbriar, who is hell-bent on making Jude's life difficult. 

The Series is filled with betrayal, hate, revenge and political power with the enemy-to-lovers trope. 

My Personal Views: The Folk of the Air series is filled with characters that you are bound to fall in love with, let me tell you that. You can go onwards with the read without the fear of thinking you might hate any part in all of the three books but that can not be further from the truth. Sure, you might hate them for the choices they would make eventually however, the character development written by Holly Black is actually something. 

Throughout the series, I absolutely loved Cardan Greenbriar, I mean how can you not ?? He is so cute! He and Jude are just made for each other. 

Also, Jude's character is my favourite, her and Cardan being my absolute favourites. Her character is so fierce and I can't even count the number of times when she made me scream "QUEEN!!!" in my head at her, especially in the last book. The way she fought to get herself a place in a world that she was thrown into since childhood is commendable. She is definitely going on my 'Best Badass female main characters' list.

The overall family dynamics throughout the series were also pretty good. I had never thought that I would actually like a political-related fantasy family drama book but here we are. The series had me hooked since the first book, not going to lie.

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 5

Book Review: Twisted Hate

Twisted Hate by Ana Huang.

Quote: "I had closure but no one told me closure was such a bitch. It clawed at my bones and ripped a bloody gash through my heart until every breath became a battle. But instead of trying to assuage it, I embraced it. Because even though pain hurt like a motherfucker, it proved you were still alive, and it was only after it faded that you could finally heal."

Plot: Jules Ambrose is the best friend of Josh Chen's sister. Since the minute they met, they hated each other's guts and it has been the same ever since. Whenever you would see the both of them together, you find them bickering with each other. However, as people say, there is a thin line between love and hate. One night of passion leads to an agreement, enemies with benefits. But, is that all their relationship going to be?

My Personal Views: This book was..hm, how do I explain it? To be frank, I did not like it. There I said it. I guess, after reading Twisted Games I set the bar too high, which lead to disappointment. I mean, sure, it was cuter but for me, Twisted Games was much better. The banter between both main leads just did not feel natural, hence I just could not feel their chemistry.

The writing was surely good, but the plot was not. I had expected much more than what I got, that's the main reason I guess. The whole stealing and stuff just did not feel that much of an interesting story to me. For me, I sure felt Rhys and Bridget had much better chemistry than Josh and Jules ever did.  

Out of the whole book, I think my favorite part was when Josh apologized to Jules. I think out of the whole book that is where I felt their chemistry shined brighter than ever to me.

Even though this story was just not for me, I still am gonna read the last part. Stella and Christian's story is next!

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐/ 5