Scan barcode
sophilozophy's reviews
807 reviews
There With You by Samantha Young
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After being on the run from problems she'd rather leave in the past, Regan has decided to visit the Scottish Highlands and repair her relationship with her sister Robyn. The problem is the past is not willing to let her move on.
On her mission to make amends, she takes a job as a nanny to Thane Adair's two adorable children with amazing personalities, Lewis and Eilidh. She grows close to the children very quickly and also their father–who loses the fight not to blur the lines between them. Regan is willing to risk her heart–accepting what he's willing to offer in hopes of more, but that might be too much for Thane to risk again. Especially since her stay is supposed to be temporary.
Regan is much more than the eye meets. I came into this book with preconceived notions of the type of person she is. Her reintroduction to her sister at Ardnoch Estate didn't help. She reminded me how different the person you meet and know can be from the real person inside in an attempt to hide their pain. I respect Regan for the strength to continue and not let the challenges in life pull her down while risking heartbreak.
The setting of There with You as well as the other characters enriched the story and makes it more than just another romance novel–as with all of Samantha Young's books. The relationships–romantic, platonic and familial come across as so real that you feel a part of it and not just a spectator. This is what makes me wonder about the characters long after I've turned the last page–leaving me satisfied and simultaneously wanting more.
On her mission to make amends, she takes a job as a nanny to Thane Adair's two adorable children with amazing personalities, Lewis and Eilidh. She grows close to the children very quickly and also their father–who loses the fight not to blur the lines between them. Regan is willing to risk her heart–accepting what he's willing to offer in hopes of more, but that might be too much for Thane to risk again. Especially since her stay is supposed to be temporary.
Regan is much more than the eye meets. I came into this book with preconceived notions of the type of person she is. Her reintroduction to her sister at Ardnoch Estate didn't help. She reminded me how different the person you meet and know can be from the real person inside in an attempt to hide their pain. I respect Regan for the strength to continue and not let the challenges in life pull her down while risking heartbreak.
The setting of There with You as well as the other characters enriched the story and makes it more than just another romance novel–as with all of Samantha Young's books. The relationships–romantic, platonic and familial come across as so real that you feel a part of it and not just a spectator. This is what makes me wonder about the characters long after I've turned the last page–leaving me satisfied and simultaneously wanting more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
A Will and a Way by Norah Roberts
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Brightest Kind of Darkness by P.T. Michelle
3.0
Nothing surprises Nara. She's seen it all before – in her dreams, which makes her live in a constant state of déjà vu. Every night she has a dreams about her entire day before it happens. Because of the consequences of something that happen years ago, Nara chooses not to intervene and lets fate take it's course. But that isn't an option after her recent dream. She has to prevent an attack at her high school with fatal results and hope that she can live with the consequences.
I really enjoyed this book and how different it is to anything I've read. Nara is loyal, even when I think she shouldn't be, but I get the feeling Nara is use to putting everyone and their feelings before her own. She also loves to play football (soccer) – a great change from the more times than not cheerleader role with a female protagonist interested in a physical activity in high school.
She's drawn to the new guy, Ethan. A loner, who was kicked out of his last school and spends his time sitting in the back of the classroom drawing disturbing images in a notepad. He starts hanging out with Nara and is there for her when she has trouble with her best friend and teammates. There is a lot more to him. That more is what makes him a misfit and a great match for Nara in a way that lets her confide in him like she can't we anybody else.
Brightest Kind of Darkness combines the unsettling feeling, thrill and suspense of Final Destination with a great romance. The plot is fast-paced and the ending left me with lots of questions I'm looking forward to finding out the answers to in the sequel.
I really enjoyed this book and how different it is to anything I've read. Nara is loyal, even when I think she shouldn't be, but I get the feeling Nara is use to putting everyone and their feelings before her own. She also loves to play football (soccer) – a great change from the more times than not cheerleader role with a female protagonist interested in a physical activity in high school.
She's drawn to the new guy, Ethan. A loner, who was kicked out of his last school and spends his time sitting in the back of the classroom drawing disturbing images in a notepad. He starts hanging out with Nara and is there for her when she has trouble with her best friend and teammates. There is a lot more to him. That more is what makes him a misfit and a great match for Nara in a way that lets her confide in him like she can't we anybody else.
Brightest Kind of Darkness combines the unsettling feeling, thrill and suspense of Final Destination with a great romance. The plot is fast-paced and the ending left me with lots of questions I'm looking forward to finding out the answers to in the sequel.
Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie
3.0
Elle and Jonah live in the same apartment building and only see each other when they go to their mailboxes. They don't interact with each other except for chase glances. With the help of Elle's cat and Jonah coming to her rescue, they start to explore their feeling and she finds out that he's the one that needs to be rescued.
I like Elle and the fact she isn't a pushover. She wouldn't/couldn't give up on Jonah, no matter how much he wanted her to. There is a lot more to her attraction to Jonah then just the physical and she showed that by staying there at times when most people would of run.
I really wanted to know, but was afraid to find out what dark secret compelled Jonah to live almost completely cut off from the rest of the world and feel he's not worthy of being loved. I was always on guard for which Jonah would appear on each page. Would it be the painfully shy Jonah, the very sexy and confident one or the angry and sarcastic version. All versions were him trying to keep Elle from getting too close.
The chemistry between Elle and Jonah was tangible from the start and only intensified. I hope, but don't know if I could be as strong as Elle was in those dark moments.
A very well written and intense love story with raw emotion and passion that will captivate you from the start.
I like Elle and the fact she isn't a pushover. She wouldn't/couldn't give up on Jonah, no matter how much he wanted her to. There is a lot more to her attraction to Jonah then just the physical and she showed that by staying there at times when most people would of run.
I really wanted to know, but was afraid to find out what dark secret compelled Jonah to live almost completely cut off from the rest of the world and feel he's not worthy of being loved. I was always on guard for which Jonah would appear on each page. Would it be the painfully shy Jonah, the very sexy and confident one or the angry and sarcastic version. All versions were him trying to keep Elle from getting too close.
The chemistry between Elle and Jonah was tangible from the start and only intensified. I hope, but don't know if I could be as strong as Elle was in those dark moments.
A very well written and intense love story with raw emotion and passion that will captivate you from the start.
A Mother's Gift by Britney Spears, Lynne Spears
1.0
Way to predictable. I had the whole story figured out after a couple chapters and wasn't surprised once. It also felt... unoriginal when I was reading, like I've read or seen the movie before. Just wasn't for me.
Evernight by Claudia Gray
5.0
Even after reading the synopsis and a few chapters I still didn't know where this book was heading, which I loved. Then that moment happened and everything fell into place. You get a sense very quickly that Evernight Academy isn't your typical boarding school and that there is something special about Bianca. Lucas has his own secrets and tries to stay away from Bianca for her own protection. Another twist makes an already complicated situation, just that more difficult for Bianca and Lucas.
I'd compare it to Romeo & Juliet, but hope their story doesn't end tragically.
I'd compare it to Romeo & Juliet, but hope their story doesn't end tragically.