Past Due Reviews [8]

 

Have you ever read a book and then forgotten to review it? Yeah? Well, that happens to me all the time! That's how I got the idea for Past Due Reviews. They won't be long posts, they'll likely contain a lot of comics, and my memories of the books themselves probably won't be that great (some of them were read months ago, and I didn't sit down and review them for this or that reason). Hopefully the content is still relevant and helpful! 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Synopsis (via Goodreads): One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.

Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Sadly, In a Holidaze didn't wow me like other Christina Lauren books I've enjoyed in the past (The Unhoneymooners, Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, Autoboyography). I think it was supposed to be a warm and fuzzy romance, but it was very light on both. Romance-lite? Diet Romance? The story and characters were mostly meh (think Roomies and The Honey-Don't List). I believe this book would have benefitted from a duel POV, but we only get Mae's perspective. When she finally admits her feelings for Andrew, he just seems to go with it. There wasn't any tension or buildup to their relationship. It was kind of like she said, "Hey, I really like you," and he said, "Cool." 😴💤

Uncle Benny was easily my favorite character and I wish he'd been given more page time. (Obviously, we need a Benny spinoff now.) I liked his hippy vibe. The weird love-triangle-that-wasn't-really-a-love-triangle was unnecessary and really should've been left out. Mae ends up admitting to something that didn't actually happen in her current timeline (don't you just love time loops?), which starts a conflict with Andrew that didn't need to happen. It was also a really weird thing for them to "fight" about, to be honest. It happened, but it also didn't happen. I think this is why I dislike books that mess with time without fully explaining how everything works. You can't just scream at the cosmos every few pages looking for answers. WE need the information, too.  After a while, everything just started to feel repetitive (her days AND her relationship with Andrew). What exactly was Mae supposed to be doing? Finding her happiness? It was very vague, and some of her resets didn't really make sense. Why couldn't she be happy in any of the other versions of her life?

We're also told from the start (by Mae) how much she loves Andrew. She has always loved Andrew, but I never actually saw their connection. I wish we'd seen more affection (and not the brotherly kind) between the two of them instead of simply being told over and over again that it was there. They only saw each other once or twice a year, so when did she have time to fall deeply and madly in love with him? Why was his affection immediately returned without anything really leading up to it? It was a little corny and a lot unbelievable. I also hated that she avoided Andrew's brother (can't even remember his name) instead of smoothing out the weirdness that only she was aware of. He felt avoided and didn't know why, and then she dismissed his feelings without a second thought (remember the love-triangle-that-wasn't-really-a-love-triangle?). 

Additionally, there were a lot of secondary - very flat, one-dimensional - characters, which made it hard to keep up with who was who at the start (so many family members and their many children). Overall, In a Holidaze was a quick read that wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't memorable. (★★★☆☆)

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Narrated by Ramon de Ocampo

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A big-hearted romantic comedy in which the First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends...

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him.

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?

I REALLY loved this book! Red, White & Royal Blue was one of my favorite reads last year, and I cannot wait to read the author's next book, One Last Stop. Alex and Henry were amazing characters, and I enjoyed their family dynamics (though they did have completely different experiences and lifestyles). Seeing a female President was the icing on the cake - bonus points for Alex being of mixed heritage and from Texas - and the fully fleshed out secondary characters were the sprinkles lovingly tossed on top. They really came alive in my mind, and most of them were people I wanted to be friends with. Casey McQuiston has written a brilliant, thoughtful story about impossible love and what it means for different people.

If you're looking for your next enemies-to-lovers romance, look no further. Alex and Henry hated each other, despite not always knowing why (so many laugh-out-loud moments). Their animosity at an event landed them in hot (international) water, which resulted in them being forced to play nice and go on outings together. They started off pretending to be friends (old chums from way back), but it quickly turned into something more. Their late night (or early morning depending on the perspective) phone calls melted my heart and made me love them both so much. They really opened up to one another, and I enjoyed seeing them grow together and on their own. There were some obvious roadblocks, but I thought they were handled well and thoughtfully resolved (even if the outcome wasn't always what they wanted). 

Everything about this book felt authentic and was so believable I wanted it to be real. I wanted these characters to exist so their story wouldn't end. Sadly, their story did come to end, but I was happy with where the author concluded things. Alex and Henry were left feeling hopeful about their respective futures, and McQuiston made me feel hopeful for ours. She showed us an America that chose to do better. Be better. Red, White & Royal Blue was such a refreshing read. It's definitely one to look for, if it's not already on your list! (★★★★★)

The Bromance Book Club (Bromance Book Club, #1) by Lyssa Kay Adams Narrated by Andrew Eiden & Maxwell Caulfield

Synopsis (via Goodreads): The first rule of book club: You don't talk about book club.

Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott's marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him.

Welcome to the Bromance Book Club.

Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville's top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency titled Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it'll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

The Bromance Book Club has received sooo much praise - and several friends recommended it to me - which is why I finally decided to give it a shot. Unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. To be perfectly honest, I thought Gavin and Thea were a little boring. Their problems felt authentic and they were characters I could relate to, but I didn't like that the story seemed to be based on whether or not Gavin could make her orgasm. I know there was more to it than that, but her lack of O's played a REALLY big role in their relationship. 

Thea faked her orgasms for three years and Gavin never noticed. His explanation later on was plausible, but still unlikely. It simply wasn't believable for him to have been oblivious for that long. Their "big night" was all about whether or not she would orgasm, and if Gavin would finally be able to get her there. They should've been able to work on their marriage without Thea's vagina playing such a prominent role in the equation. Do I think it was handled well? Sure. I thought the author explored that aspect of their relationship in a very unique way; I just didn't understand why that one thing seemed to outweigh everything else. Sex was the least of their problems, yet it was the one they focused on the most.

I did, however, really like the baseball team and Gavin's friends. The Bromance Book Club itself was interesting, and I wish there had been more page time for all of the guys involved. It was fun listening to them dissect romance novels and apply them to their daily lives. I think more men should read romance novels just to give them a better idea of how women think (and potentially give them some ideas for the bedroom.)

All in all, it was a fun book to listen to, just not one I was eager to dive into every day. I had to keep reminding myself to listen to a few chapters before my library loan expired (again (and again)). Thea and Gavin just didn't hold my attention, but I'm definitely interested in the tension brewing between Liv and Mack. I have a feeling their story will have a lot more steam and *fingers crossed* be more interesting overall. 

Random thought: I wasn't really a fan of Gavin's "grand gesture" at the end. It just didn't sit well with me. What he did was EXTREMELY rude and selfish. There were so many other ways for him to declare his unending love for his wife, but he chose to overshadow someone else's big moment. #NotCoolBro

Lastly, I enjoyed the random chapters from the book Gavin was reading, and seeing how the parallels played out in his life. I would definitely be interested in reading that book, if only it were real and something I could actually do. 😉 Kudos to Adams for creating two very distinct-yet-similar stories in one book! I thought it was a brilliant concept that worked really well for this story, so hopefully all of the other books in this series follow the same format. (★★★☆☆)

DNF&Y [33]

 

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I disliked about a book might be something you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide by Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sharing never-before-heard stories ranging from their struggles with depression, eating disorders, and addiction, Karen and Georgia irreverently recount their biggest mistakes and deepest fears, reflecting on the formative life events that shaped them into two of the most followed voices in the nation.

DNF at 58%

This is a perfect example of me grabbing a book based solely on its hype. Even my library hold was roughly 6 months! Unfortunately, I was not the right audience for this book. I am not a "Murderino" and do not enjoy investigating or discussing the gruesome details associated with murders, car wrecks, etc. I don't stop to look when someone has flipped their car and paramedics are on the scene, and I don't follow murder investigations or voice my opinion on cold cases. However, I have enjoyed shows like Bones and NCIS in the past, so I didn't go into this book totally blind about its content. 

Additionally, I didn't think the authors were very funny. They would pause after jokes and punch lines (if they were reading in front of a crowd or an audience), like they were expecting people to laugh. I kept imagining someone holding up a sign that let people know when they were supposed to. I'm also not opposed to cursing, because I believe words are words and it's all about intent, but they dropped f-bombs just to see how they would land. The language served no purpose and didn't add anything to the story. 

It's been a while since I read this, and I honestly cannot remember much else about the story. I know they shared some of their childhood experiences (being a latchkey kid, trusting the wrong guy and being taken advantage of, saying yes and being amendable because that's what you've been taught to do as a girl in this world), but they weren't stories that really resonated with me. I could understand what they were saying - - have even experienced some of those things myself - - but their personal experiences weren't anything like mine. They had some pretty unbelievable stories, too. I kept thinking, "This was someone's life?" Even if those were truly their experiences, they were hard for me to relate to.

Paul Giamatti is one of the narrators! He has a small role (based on what I actually listened to), but I've always like him.

One thing I did like about this book was its positive spin on therapy. People believe they're broken if they seek out a therapist, but our mental health should be just as important as our physical health. Having a professional to talk to can really improve your relationships, including the one you have with yourself. (★★☆☆☆)

*this post has been backdated

*Share your DNF&Y post! Please leave the direct link to your DNF&Y post and not just your blog's URL. Thank you for participating and happy reading!

Wolf Rain (Psy-Changeling Trinity, #3) by Nalini Singh

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Synopsis (via Goodreads): New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us on a new adventure in this next novel of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series…

The end of Silence was supposed to create a better world for future generations. But trust is broken, and the alliance between Psy, Changeling, and human is thin. The problems that led to Silence are back in full force. Because Silence fixed nothing, just hid the problems.

This time, the Psy have to find a real answer to their problems–if one exists. Or their race will soon go extinct in a cascade of violence. The answer begins with an empath who is attuned to monsters–and who is going to charm a wolf into loving her despite his own demons.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I am loving the audiobooks for this series! I read a physical copy Silver Silence and own the entire Psy-Changeling Trinity series, but Angela Dawe is a phenomenal narrator. Every character has a distinct voice and I am never confused by who's speaking. She conveys their individual personalities so well, and never fails to amaze me with her conviction and creativity. I highly recommend this series on audio, if you like audiobooks!

Wolf Rain is currently tied with Silver Silence as my favorite book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity series. I enjoyed Ocean Light and Alpha Night, but I think I prefer when the changelings are the males. Don't ask me why, because I honestly don't know. There's just something about a growly, insufferable man that appeals to me. A little rough around the edges, somewhat possessive and a lot protective, animal instincts occasionally overriding the human ones - - it makes for good reading! Also, their sex drive is insane! They're like an oversized Energizer Bunny... They just keep going and going...

My mind is totally in the gutter right now remembering Alexei and Memory's romp in the woods. Nalini Singh knows how to deliver a good story and amazing character chemistry. Nothing feels like insta-love despite a character's animal "knowing" when someone is their mate. They still develop feelings and a friendship before knocking boots. I really loved how patient Alexei was with Memory, and that he wanted to give her time to understand herself before acting on their emotions. She knew she had the stirrings of something for him, but neither could be sure it wasn't just because he'd saved her from a horrible situation. We know they're going to be forever lovers, but it was nice they took the time to figure some stuff out before jumping into a super steamy relationship. *cough* Sexy Lexie! *cough*

Alexei is dealing with his own demons, and I loved that Memory was able to support and understand him in a way no one else could. Her abilities and her personal connection to him allowed her to heal some of his hurt and jagged edges. She was there for him as much as he was there for her, and I laughed every time she growled or poked him in the stomach.

I also really liked the secondary characters and how well they were written! It's fun when old favorites make an appearance, or when it's clear the author is setting up a future book for someone you already adore. Additionally, there were multiple mysteries woven into the story, and it was fun figuring out how they tied together and what they meant for the world as a whole.

Singh has delivered another amazing story with relatable and memorable characters. I've already finished Alpha Night and will hopefully find the time to review it soon. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the original Psy-Changeling series, and while it was enjoyable, I've already noticed some significant differences. More on that later! If you need a series to get lost in, this is definitely one to consider. (★★★★★)

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig

Synopsis (via Goodreads): In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

House of Salt and Sorrows was a haunting story that I'll likely never forget. I loved the seaside setting and the rituals the townspeople followed. They believed in and prayed to gods I'd never heard of before, and I enjoyed learning about them. Annaleigh shared a few stories that her mother told her as a child, and they were easily some of my favorite parts of the book. I only wish we'd gotten to learn more about the various deities that existed in their world.

This book was delightfully eerie, and I honestly had no idea what was actually happening most of the time. I started to second guess what was real and what was imagined. It reminded me of the movie Inception, because it really messes with your head! Are they dreaming? Are they dancing? Are they dead? Are they dangerous? Annaleigh is thrown into the middle of something inescapable, because it's her mind and memories she can no longer trust.

My one quibble would be the romance and how quickly they fell in love with each other. It wasn't overtly an insta-love, but their relationship did progress quickly and with some intensity. They didn't really know each other and both had secrets they were unwilling to share. Eventually those came out and they started working together, but they still fell hard and fast for someone they barely knew (and in a situation most people would've wanted to avoid). The lies were explained and understandable, but the YOU'RE MY ONE TRUE LOVE FOREVER was a tad too much for my liking. I don't think Annaleigh would have survived without him though, since he had information she needed and was willing to risk everything to keep her safe and alive.

I really loved how the author messed with my head, despite guessing who the real culprit was before the characters had figured it out. The explanation was unexpected, so the author still managed to surprise me at the end. It was also a lot more gruesome than I was expecting. People were left bloody, broken, mangled, and some of the descriptions were gross. Maggots crawling through carcasses, and the body parts of old fish being unknowingly consumed, nearly made me vomit.

If you're looking for a story that will make you second guess yourself and the characters you're reading about, then House of Salt and Sorrows might be a good fit for you! However, if you have a sensitive stomach, or an unwillingness to be disgusted by a book's content, you might want to look elsewhere. Craig delivers a mind-bending story that focuses on family and what they'll do to survive, whether they're battling grief, ghosts, or gods. (★★★★☆)

Ocean Light (Psy-Changeling Trinity, #2) by Nalini Singh

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Synopsis (via Goodreads): New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love...

Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there's a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment--taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he's at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling...

Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won't hide the facts of Bo's condition from him or herself. She's suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret Bo could never imagine...

But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back--even if it means striking a devil's bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy...

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I read Silver Silence waaaay back in July of 2018! AGES ago! I can't believe it's been that long! I easily fell back into Singh's world, and the peppered-in details from the previous book jogged my memory without making me feel like the author was repeating herself or info-dumping. I was hesitant to start this one after loving the bears so much, but I shouldn't have been worried. Bowen Knight may be human, but he's an excellent character. Kaia was the changeling in this story, and I love that the author chose to keep her animal a secret until the end.

My guess about Kaia's animal was wrong, and I blame Bowen for that. His thoughts about her were distracting, and I think the author was intentionally misleading. I didn't love Ocean Light as much as Silver Silence, because bears. There was just something about those rowdy, raucous bear changelings that endeared them to me forever. However, the idea of being able to swim in the ocean's depths was appealing. No one really knows what's down there, and being a part of that world would be fascinating! I also really enjoyed learning about the different types of water changelings. Keeping their other selves a secret seemed to be a game they enjoyed playing with outsiders.

Kaia suffered from a childhood trauma that prevented her from ever going on land. She lives her life in the deep, and she's happy cooking for her people and caring for them with food. It's obvious how much the rest of the clan adores her (especially since she takes the time to learn their favorite foods), and Bowen's interest in Kaia and the people around her was clear from the start. He was immediately intrigued by the creatures and changelings that called the water home, and he never made Kaia feel bad for her mental limitations. He loved fiercely and was immensely protective of those he cared about. I really enjoyed watching their friendship grow and their relationship bloom. Both were hesitant at first, but quickly accepted there was something special between them. Their romance was subtle but intense, and I loved how sweet they were with each other.

I also really liked how many mysteries and problems the author wove into the story. Bowen was shot previously, and while that wasn't immediately addressed, the repercussions were something they had to deal with. A lot of water changelings have been disappearing - - taken for unknown reasons. Kaia is struggling with her past and the recent loss of her best friend. Bowen's brain and the chip implanted there, plus the untested experiment he's subjecting himself to. A betrayal from within the clan, and possibly one from within the Human Alliance - - there is a lot going on, but it never felt overwhelming. The author expertly tied the various threads together to make one cohesive and thrilling story.

I've already started- - and am nearly finished with - - Wolf Rain (the third book in the series). I cannot wait to see what the author writes next! I do know that these books are technically a continuation/spinoff of a previous series, so I might have to go back and read the others (it's like 15 books) when I'm finished. Additionally, the audio for this series has been fantastic, but I also have physical copies of the books for future re-reads. If you're looking for fun adventures with amazing characters and complex stories, definitely give this series a shot. (★★★★⋆)

Past Due Reviews [5]

My Forest Is Green by Darren Lebeuf, Ashley Barron (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): With art supplies in tow, a young boy explores the urban forest near his home, then interprets what he sees with his art. The boy is a keen observer who uses poetic, rhythmic language to describe the diversity he finds through all four seasons.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I really enjoyed reading this one with my monsters! My Forest Is Green subtly incorporates opposing adjectives while delivering a sweet story with lovely illustrations. "My forest is short," shows a child looking down at ants crawling across the ground, implying that it's largely about our perspective. We also see fluffy, prickly, rough, smooth, and various others. I really liked all of the ways the author described the "forest" and what it meant to the main character. He has essentially created his own forest with items he's found outside, collecting them throughout the seasons and incorporating them into his artwork. We see a lot of interesting ways to make art with nature, and learn that a forest can be more than just trees. (★★★★☆)

𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋

Little Lost Bat by Sandra Markle, Alan Marks (Illustrator)

Synopsis (via Goodreads): A baby Mexican free-tailed bat clings to the ceiling of a crowded noisy cave, waiting for his mother to return from her daily hunting trip. After three days of searching and waiting, he is rescued by a bat that is in a strangely similar circumstance. A surprising story of adoption in the animal kingdom based on current research.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

Read at your own risk! Little Lost Bat had me SOBBING. You can probably guess why based on the synopsis, and I will never forgive my kids for asking me to read this book to them (just kidding - - love my monsters!). I thought the author did a wonderful job of portraying the bats and how they function as a group. The illustrations were also fantastic and really did the story justice. (★★★★☆)

𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋𑁋

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (via Goodreads): "A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached. It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

𑁋𑁋𑁋

I read this back in October and still cannot think of the right words to review it. I liked it more than Throne of Glass, but still found Celaena to be a really unlikable character. She's obsessed with clothes, unwilling to commit to a romantic relationship (but happy to string several people along), and her methods of subverting the king's orders are questionable at best. I understand that she wants to do the right thing, but she isn't always willing to give everything or do whatever it takes. She's selfish and cares more about herself and what she's hiding.

She's also very consumed with keeping specific people safe, even when they question her loyalty and intentions. She cares about them, but she doesn't want to tell them her deepest, darkest secrets. There's so much we still don't know about Celaena, but we do learn more about her past (and Chaol's) throughout Crown of Midnight.

I liked the world and the world-building, but everything else was more frustrating than interesting. 

Maas tries to justify someone's death in this book, but I'm not buying it. It seemed unnecessary and like it was done just to create confusion, conflict, and chaos. There wasn't a reason for this person to die (unless it was supposed to solely shock readers), despite the author insisting it was required to push Celaena onto the right path. Lame. I honestly don't know if I will continue reading this series or not, despite so many people loving it. Now, if you want to talk about ACOTAR and the new book coming out, I'm totally here for that! ;) (★★★⋆☆)

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Everyone knows Daisy Jones & The Six: The band's album Aurora came to define the rock 'n' roll era of the late seventies, and an entire generation of girls wanted to grow up to be Daisy. But no one knows the reason behind the group's split on the night of their final concert at Chicago Stadium on July 12, 1979 . . . until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock 'n' roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

The making of that legend is chronicled in this riveting and unforgettable novel, written as an oral history of one of the biggest bands of the seventies. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a talented writer who takes her work to a new level with Daisy Jones & The Six, brilliantly capturing a place and time in an utterly distinctive voice.

“Do you know what you do with that level of trust? When someone says, 'I trust you so much I can tolerate you having secrets?' You cherish it. You remind yourself how lucky you are to have been given that trust every day.” 

Daisy Jones & The Six was an amazing and utterly breathtaking read. I started this book back in January when my #OTSPSecretSister gifted it to me, but then the audiobook became available at my library. I'd heard the audio was phenomenal, so I gave it a shot. Thank the stars I did! I loved it so much! Everyone had a very distinctive voice, and it's why I opted to finish the book on audio instead of physically reading the rest when my hold expired. 

“Men often think they deserve a sticker for treating women like people.”

I desperately wanted this band and their music to be real! The author wrote their story in a way that felt factual - -  like it was something that really happened in the 70's - - and not something she simply pulled from her head. I honestly thought this book was based on a real band until I Goggled them and their songs. The disappoint was real, friends. I could have cried when I realized the author hadn't based her book on anyone real. Reid made me want to know Daisy Jones & The Six. This story was both perfection and nowhere near enough for me. I could have easily read another book about this amazing group of people. They included an instrumental version of Honeycomb at the end of the audiobook, but it only made me want to hear more. I wanted their entire album to be real so I could play it on a loop.

“She had written something that felt like I could have written it, except I knew I couldn't have. I wouldn't have come up with something like that. Which is what we all want from art, isn’t it? When someone pins down something that feels like it lives inside us? Takes a piece of your heart out and shows it to you? It’s like they are introducing you to a part of yourself.”

I was really surprised with how the story played out, too. There were so many small details that accumulated over time, and I loved that everyone remembered their shared past differently. They all had this amazing experience together - - this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - - and their thoughts and memories didn't always align. It was such an authentic portrayal of people and how we all see and experience life in different ways. Billy would remember saying such and such to Daisy, but her story would be just slightly different. You get the truth as people remember it, so you don't know exactly what happened. You get an idea about a situation or conversation, but people's memories shift facts and feelings around over the years (and sometimes while they're happening, because people perceive things differently).

“But loving somebody isn't perfection and good times and laughing and making love. Love is forgiveness and patience and faith and every once in a while, it's a gut punch. That's why it's a dangerous thing, when you go loving the wrong person. When you love somebody who doesn't deserve it. You have to be with someone that deserves your faith and you have to be deserving of someone else's. It's sacred.”

I cannot wrap my head around how wonderfully written this book was! I was blown away by the storytelling, and the incredible characters Reid brought to life. They really lived within the pages of this book. I could see them as they remembered themselves, how they were in the present, hear their songs being played - - it was like I experienced this fantastic rollercoaster ride with them. I wasn't a bystander witnessing greatness, but an active participant in their lives.

“I am not going to sit around sweating my ass off just so men can feel more comfortable. It’s not my responsibility to not turn them on. It’s their responsibility to not be an asshole.”

There were so many quotable lines in this book, and I'm looking forward to highlighting the hell out of my physical copy when I do a reread (because there will be a reread)! I wish I could show you all of my favorites, but that would basically be this entire book - - no joke. The ending was unexpected, but beautiful and absolutely perfect. I fucking loved this book.

Narrators:

Daisy Jones, read by Jennifer Beals

Billy Dunne, read by Pablo Schreiber
Graham Dunne, read by Benjamin Bratt
Eddie Loving, read by Fred Berman
Warren Rhodes, read by Ari Fliakos
Karen Karen, read by Judy Greer
Camila Dunne, read by January LaVoy
Simone Jackson, read by Robinne Lee
Narrator / Author, read by Julia Whelan
Jim Blades, read by Jonathan Davis
Rod Reyes, read by Henry Leyva
Artie Snyder, read by Oliver Wyman
Elaine Chang, read by Nancy Wu
Freddie Mendoza, read by P.J. Ochlan
Nick Harris, read by Arthur Bishop
Jonah Berg, read by Holter Graham
Greg McGuinness, read by Brendan Wayne
Pete Loving, read by Pete Larkin
Wyatt Stone, read by Alex Jenkins Reid
Hank Allen, read by Robert Petkoff
Opal Cunningham, read by Sara Arrington