modernbooklore's reviews
336 reviews

“I’d tell you that when I daydream, I think of us. And all the things I want us to do. And all the things I want to do to you.” 

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Rating: 4✨

Smut: 1 🌶️

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In Daydream, we’re back in the Maple Hills universe where Halle and Henry navigate college, responsibilities and their overwhelming emotions, together. As always with Hannah Grace, their love story is one that punched me right in the gut and left me feeling giddy when I finished it. 

First of all, you know it’s going to be a good read when a letter from the author at the beginning gets you feeling some kind of way.

These two characters go from strangers to bestfriends to lovers in a way that felt so organic and authentic to their personalities. I couldn’t help but swoon every step of the way.

Halle is the quintessential eldest daughter who struggles to put herself first while Henry is as fantastic as he’s been throughout the series. The mans was struggling to understand himself and his emotions, how to be a captain and what he thought his friends needed him to be but he loved Halle so well😩 

The banter between these two was top-tier, Henry’s direct, no-nonsense way of speaking was everything & Halle’s arc was exactly what I wanted it to be. Not to mention, the way they communicated with each other was so well written. For two people who struggled to put themselves first, they were SO good at putting each other first. 

Also, let me just say that this was so much more than a love story. It was a celebration of neurodivergence, a journey in self-love and discovery and a testament to the power of friendship and support. The way it showed the struggle and energy it takes to put yourself first, even when that means making others uncomfortable, felt so genuine that I can’t help but want to give Hannah Grace & her older sister a hug. 

While I loved how it was explained and I could appreciate that this read showed different ways of dealing with conflict in relationships, the lil kerfuffle at the end had me reeling. I also wanted to feel like I could relate more to Halle’s people pleasing than I did. 

Overall, no one can tell me that Hannah Grace isn’t queen. Her romances always get me right in the feels and I annotated the hecks out of this one.

If you love: 

☁️ Neurodiversity rep

☁️ People pleasing character development

☁️ Aspiring author FMC x hockey player MMC  

☁️ The sweetest girl gang 

☁️ The sweetest grand gesture 

☁️ Cat daddy 

Then this one is for you 💜

“I do what a captain ought to.”

“Which is what?” 

I half-smirk, feeling the words pull up from somewhere deep and worn. 

“I remind them I’ll keep them alive, no matter the cost. Steady the ship, hold it through hell if that’s what it takes. But it’s more than that—I make damn sure they know we’re all bound to the same fate. Every drop of sweat, every muscle strain. We fight as one, or we go down as one.”

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Rating: 3.75✨

Smut: 🌶️

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First Tide is the first book in an exciting new pirate romantasy series. 

It follows Gypsy Flint who is as wild as the sea and refuses to bend to anyone, not even the goddess of the sea. Gypsy will stop at nothing to land herself a pirate crew and her efforts lead her on a dangerous journey with three other men.

First, Pen Mucching writes female main characters like no other. Gypsy was fierce and independent and I loved every single thing about her.

And the MMC Zayan? His grovelling and the way he loves Gypsey were oh so good 🥵 

Beyond the two main characters, we also have Vinicola the bard & Fabien who comes in a little later. Vinicola provides the much needed comedic relief throughout the book and his character is so loveable. Fabien on the other hand is the perfect brooding man with a tragic past. When we get to his love story, I will definitely go feral. 

Beyond the characters, I loved the myths & tales of the sea and the Lady. I’m nothing if not a sucker for different iterations of faith in books.

While I really loved a lot of aspects of this book, as the series opener, there were understandably some plot points that were unresolved or not as developed as I wanted them to be because we could only see so much in one book. I personally wanted a bit more development though, especially towards the end where I found the trials felt anticlimactic after the characters’ journeys. Lastly, I sometimes struggled to keep up with the details of the world & characters😅 I think it will become clearer with the next books in the series, however! 

Overall, this was a great read to introduce me to this romance subgenre and I absolutely can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I’m also veryyyyy curious to see the love interests of Vini & Fabien👀 

If you love: 

🏴‍☠️ Multipov storytelling 

🏴‍☠️ Fierce FMC & Great side characters 

🏴‍☠️ Grovelling

🏴‍☠️ Adventures & Riddles

Then this one is for you♥️