chidimmadesiree's reviews
663 reviews

Now I have to resist the urge to watch every single rom com mentioned in this book...

THIS BOOK SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME

A beautiful cover to match such a beautiful story. This was a very gripping read that covered many important topics such as race, sexual assault, rape, sexuality, body image, anxiety and so much more. The subject matter in this book was based on the #MeToo movement and even though it took inspiration from this it still felt like it’s own entity. Camryn Garett has such a vivid way of writing from a teenager’s perspective without making them seem childish but obviously not an adult. Whenever I see complaints about YA characters usually it’s about them not being realistic and the characters in this book felt like real teenagers. I related to Josie’s thoughts about her body and how even though she wants so badly to feel confident in every ounce of her body she still doesn’t. I did find aspects of this book unrealistic like the fact a 17 year old was trusted in writing an expose of this critically acclaimed director in Hollywood and the fact she falls in love with an actor who’s on the rise. But sometimes you have to suspend your disbelief and just go with it when it comes to YA contemporary novels. This book handled important issues while also giving me a cute love story involving a fat Black queer girl and a Black queer boy like this book had LAYERS. So I’m a happy camper.

OMG I JUST REALIZED THIS WAS PUBLISHED ON MY BIRTHDAY IT WAS FATE!! Lani Taylor will always have me in a CHOKEHOLD. This book was nothing short of a masterpiece. From beginning to end I was enthralled. Her writing just takes you in to the world and the characters she has created from the very first word put on to paper. Lazlo Strange and Sarai’s relationship was just such a beauty to behold. Sarai finally feeling seen for the first time in her whole life and being seen as ethereal in Lazlo’s perspective made my heart flutter. I love the way Lani Taylor writes star crossed lovers and it will never cease to amaze me. UGH this book was TOO GOOD. I can only describe it as an experience and by the end of it I was a sobbing wreck. For some reason I’ve waited so long to read this book and now I’m just mad at past me because I could have experienced this mix of stunning world building and compelling characters so much sooner.

LANI TAYLOR HAS BLOWN MY MIND WITH THIS MASTERPIECE! The intricate way she world builds and connects her characters in ways that each of their actions from years ago affects characters in the present is SO GENIUS. I kept finding myself having to pause just so I can appreciate how much hard work that had to take on her part. I would have never guessed in a million years the direction she decided to go with this series and I found myself pleasantly surprised with each passing page. I grew to love the characters in this world and craved their happiness. She made villains complex and gray instead of just black and white. The people who I thought were evil actually had depth to them and motivations to their actions. Sarai and Lazlo Strange’s love felt so strong and the way Lani Taylor was able to create this unbreakable bond in two books is incredible. She somehow OUTDID herself with this book even though the first book was so close to perfection. Lani Taylor has to be magical because that’s the only plausible reason that she can create such beautiful stories. THIS IS WHAT A FANTASY SERIES SHOULD BE!!

I feel like I expected so much more from this author since I absolutely loved her debut, Cinderella is Dead. This book was good but it felt like nothing happened until I was on page 290, which is insane. The last 80 pages saved this book. The pacing was just very bad and I feel like this book would have been better if they shaved off a few 100 pages. I finally felt like I was in a fast paced fantasy novel and I got to see more of Bri’s powers and why people were after Bri’s whole ancestor line. The ending made me feel so excited for the next book in the series. The main character, Briseis, was likeable and her powers reminded me of Layla from Sky High. Maybe my expectations were too high but even though this book was really good I can’t help but feel a little disappointed because I wholeheartedly believe it could have been even better.

This was such a cute YA summer vacation romance! Elise Bryant has improved so much in such a short time and I definitely believe that this book is miles ahead of her debut novel. Lenore was such a relatable main character and I found myself connecting to her when she describes putting on a front even with close friends and building such walls that the people around you don’t even know the real you. I loved watching her grow and realize that she can’t keep living like this. LENORE AND ALEX WERE SO CUTE! Alex was such a swoon worthy male love interest. He just felt so sincere and I loved how he made Lenore feel like the only girl in the world. I enjoyed the sibling relationships highlighted in this novel because as a middle child myself it’s hard getting compared to your siblings and it’s easy to feel as though your feelings are ignored. I loved how so many issues were touched on but I do feel the shortness of the novel gave us very cookie cutter solutions. BUT this story made me feel so warm inside and getting this inside look of this Black family’s vacation made me feel at home. So close to being a 5 star read.

THIS BOOK WAS INSANELY GENIUS AND I APPLAUD HOLLY JACKSON FOR HAVING THE BALLS TO DO THIS

I really enjoyed this book but I think it was missing the excitement that was present in the first book. I felt like there was a lot of telling not showing with this book because of the couple being together years ago. There wasn’t a lot of build up to there reconnection. It was almost as if the moment they started talking again we as audience members were supposed to be hooked already. But I needed more tension, chemistry, and angst. Their lack of communication was infuriating. The reason for the break up was so stupid and minuscule in my opinion and could have been easily solved. By the end of this book I did really like and believe in the relationship of Daniel and Preeti but I felt like I needed more. I didn’t feel giddy about them finally being together. This was a solid romance but I didn’t feel anything more than a brief aww by the last page.

This was just the cutest thing ever! I found myself smiling from ear to ear by the end so I knew that the author won me over with this romance.