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charlsys8's reviews
227 reviews
All The Feels by Olivia Dade
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
A better book than 'Spoiler Alert' but also very similar in that it's also very middle of the road, hence the 3.25 star rating.
My sentiments about 'All The Feels' are very similar to those of 'Spoiler Alert', despite the fact that I preferred this book to 'Spoiler Alert' (especially the first 50% of this book, the other half is just okay), as while Lauren and Alex had some cute moments, I cannot say I was fully invested, connected, or in love with them as characters or as a couple. Simply put, as characters and as a couple, I found Lauren and Alex to be just fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ultimately, I didn't love nor hate this book, as it landed right in the middle for me, like 'Spoiler Alert' did.
My sentiments about 'All The Feels' are very similar to those of 'Spoiler Alert', despite the fact that I preferred this book to 'Spoiler Alert' (especially the first 50% of this book, the other half is just okay), as while Lauren and Alex had some cute moments, I cannot say I was fully invested, connected, or in love with them as characters or as a couple. Simply put, as characters and as a couple, I found Lauren and Alex to be just fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Ultimately, I didn't love nor hate this book, as it landed right in the middle for me, like 'Spoiler Alert' did.
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Like the first book in this series, 'The Empress of Salt and Fortune', I found this novella to be just okay. This novella didn't touch me at the end, like the first, but I respect what it was trying (and did) to accomplish, as I still believe the concept of the novella series makes the series a little worthwhile.
However, I will say I did enjoy this novella a little bit more than the first novella in the series, ‘The Empress of Salt and Fortune’, as I thought it was easier to understand and follow through, and I felt more connected to it, whereas, with the first novella, I felt as if by the end of my reading of the novella for the first time, I felt as if I only truly grasped 70% of the story, as a result of the flowery descriptions that added little to the story, despite Nghi Vo being a great writer, and me just never truly getting a good grasp of the world that the story is set in.
Honestly, I must add that it took me a while to finish this novella; I'm talking about about three weeks, which is insane to me because it's less than 150 pages. I was really having an incredibly hard time picking up and reading this novella in December of 2023, which ultimately dragged into 2024, but once I managed to get into it, I was having a decent time.
In the end, I think 'When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain' was an okay-ish read to start 2024.
As the novellas are so short, I think I will continue reading the series, as I don't find the series to be unbearable or a hassle to read, and I'm also a person who likes to finish series once I start them.
However, I will say I did enjoy this novella a little bit more than the first novella in the series, ‘The Empress of Salt and Fortune’, as I thought it was easier to understand and follow through, and I felt more connected to it, whereas, with the first novella, I felt as if by the end of my reading of the novella for the first time, I felt as if I only truly grasped 70% of the story, as a result of the flowery descriptions that added little to the story, despite Nghi Vo being a great writer, and me just never truly getting a good grasp of the world that the story is set in.
Honestly, I must add that it took me a while to finish this novella; I'm talking about about three weeks, which is insane to me because it's less than 150 pages. I was really having an incredibly hard time picking up and reading this novella in December of 2023, which ultimately dragged into 2024, but once I managed to get into it, I was having a decent time.
In the end, I think 'When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain' was an okay-ish read to start 2024.
As the novellas are so short, I think I will continue reading the series, as I don't find the series to be unbearable or a hassle to read, and I'm also a person who likes to finish series once I start them.
Blind Date with a Book Boyfriend by Lucy Eden
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A 3.75 that leans towards a 4. This novella is super cute. From the easy-to-love characters to the natural, flirty banter and chemistry between Mike and Jordyn, this novella was simply a good time.
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
A middle of the road book for me. Although April and Marcus had some cute moments (mainly at the beginning) in this book, I wasn't fully invested, connected, or in love with them as characters or as a couple. I also wasn't a huge fan of how long and drawn out it took to reveal that Marcus was in fact Book!AeneasWouldNever.
Finally, the fanfic excerpts, fandom elements, and random script snippets scattered throughout the book became tiresome to read as the book progressed and didn't interest me in the slightest.
In the end, I didn't love nor hate this book, as it fell right in the middle for me.
Finally, the fanfic excerpts, fandom elements, and random script snippets scattered throughout the book became tiresome to read as the book progressed and didn't interest me in the slightest.
In the end, I didn't love nor hate this book, as it fell right in the middle for me.
Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
An interesting premise, but a lacklustre, dry execution. Never really wowed me.
Sadly, only a few of the characters' chapters (Mei and Oscar) were actually worth reading and somewhat interesting. The other characters (Noor, William, Finn) and their chapters weren't as engaging for me, and I never felt connected to them.
Speaking of connecting, rather than reading a single, cohesive narrative, I felt I was reading five distinct, separate character stories, which ultimately made the book highly disjointed and disconnected.
As a whole, this book was a major disappointment for me.
Sadly, only a few of the characters' chapters (Mei and Oscar) were actually worth reading and somewhat interesting. The other characters (Noor, William, Finn) and their chapters weren't as engaging for me, and I never felt connected to them.
Speaking of connecting, rather than reading a single, cohesive narrative, I felt I was reading five distinct, separate character stories, which ultimately made the book highly disjointed and disconnected.
As a whole, this book was a major disappointment for me.
The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon
3.5
A good read.
Definitely prefer this book to the first book in the series, 'The Boyfriend Project,' which I also thought was a good read. The chemistry, banter, and overall interactions between Taylor and Jamar were much better than those between Samiah and Daniel, the first couple in the series.
As a whole, a very enjoyable read, and so far the best book in the series, and I look forward to reading the next.
Definitely prefer this book to the first book in the series, 'The Boyfriend Project,' which I also thought was a good read. The chemistry, banter, and overall interactions between Taylor and Jamar were much better than those between Samiah and Daniel, the first couple in the series.
As a whole, a very enjoyable read, and so far the best book in the series, and I look forward to reading the next.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
This novella was just okay. Although I can't say this novella touched me at the end, I highly respect what it's trying to accomplish.
I think this is the sort of story you have to re-read in order to fully comprehend or grasp the whole story being told, as I left certain chapters wondering what I had just read. At the end of the book, I felt as if I only understood 70% of the story. This is due to two factors: 1) I thought the world-building wasn't the best, as I never really got a good grasp of the world and 2) The writing, while beautiful (you can tell that Nghi Vo is a great writer), at times felt flowery focusing on descriptions that I didn't feel were of much importance and did the opposite of contributing to world-building.
The concept of the novella and how Nghi Vo incorporates elements of Chinese mythology, traditions and history into this feminist high fantasy novella is what makes this novella a 2.75-3 for me. If the novella hadn't been based on this concept, I might not have given it a 2.75 star rating.
As a whole, it's okay-ish. As I'm a person who likes to finish series once I start them, I will continue with the series.
I think this is the sort of story you have to re-read in order to fully comprehend or grasp the whole story being told, as I left certain chapters wondering what I had just read. At the end of the book, I felt as if I only understood 70% of the story. This is due to two factors: 1) I thought the world-building wasn't the best, as I never really got a good grasp of the world and 2) The writing, while beautiful (you can tell that Nghi Vo is a great writer), at times felt flowery focusing on descriptions that I didn't feel were of much importance and did the opposite of contributing to world-building.
The concept of the novella and how Nghi Vo incorporates elements of Chinese mythology, traditions and history into this feminist high fantasy novella is what makes this novella a 2.75-3 for me. If the novella hadn't been based on this concept, I might not have given it a 2.75 star rating.
As a whole, it's okay-ish. As I'm a person who likes to finish series once I start them, I will continue with the series.
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
2.5
Since I don't have much to say about this book, I'll keep this review short and sweet.
As with Rachel Lynn Solomon's ‘The Ex Talk,’ ‘Weather Girl’ is a painfully average book, maybe better than ‘The Ex Talk’, but not by much; I have to say that the only positive thing I can say about this book is that its concept is decent, hence the 2.5 star rating.
Ari and Russell's relationship felt underdeveloped and lacked something that is integral to any romance story, chemistry, so I wasn't completely sold on their relationship or invested in them as a couple. Individually, they are okay-ish characters, but together, there are no sparks.
Also, this book being pitched as a 'romantic comedy' is the only thing that is hilarious about it, because honestly, where was the comedy?
Overall, a very painfully mediocre romance that was neither enjoyable nor fun to read. There is nothing worse than reading a book that wasn't excellent from start to finish or horrible, but just middle of the road and okay.
As with Rachel Lynn Solomon's ‘The Ex Talk,’ ‘Weather Girl’ is a painfully average book, maybe better than ‘The Ex Talk’, but not by much; I have to say that the only positive thing I can say about this book is that its concept is decent, hence the 2.5 star rating.
Ari and Russell's relationship felt underdeveloped and lacked something that is integral to any romance story, chemistry, so I wasn't completely sold on their relationship or invested in them as a couple. Individually, they are okay-ish characters, but together, there are no sparks.
Also, this book being pitched as a 'romantic comedy' is the only thing that is hilarious about it, because honestly, where was the comedy?
Overall, a very painfully mediocre romance that was neither enjoyable nor fun to read. There is nothing worse than reading a book that wasn't excellent from start to finish or horrible, but just middle of the road and okay.