poegostick's reviews
171 reviews

2.5 Stars

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. I want to say, after reading a slew of self-published books that had awful examples of grammar, part of the reason I was so drawn into this book was because it felt good to just read something that knew how to use the present perfect tense correctly.

That aside, I loved and hated this book. It sucked me in from the start, but towards the second half it felt like the author became bored with their own story. As if they were excited about the premise but then had the whole, "Damn...I really have to write this," moment.

I'm not a big fan of overly complicated world building. However, the longer we stayed in this world the more I began to wonder what in the heck the rules really were. Things just sort of...happened..unexplained and there was no rhyme or reason.

Scarlet was a very useless character, who for most of the book, allowed things just to happen to her. As bland as she was, I don't think the events of the story could have happened if someone like Tella were the main character seeing as Scar's dumb choices propel the plot in most cases. Although it annoyed many people, I really liked how she sensed emotions in color and I wish it had been expanded on as magic instead of just flowery writing.

The flowery writing also got in the way of the action. This book is a huge example of what telling, not showing, does to a book. Big plot twists were written in such a passive tone that I didn't even realize they had happened. The reveal of her family's secret was done so non-nonchalantly that I didn't think it was real at first. I was told how everyone felt because of the colors, instead of using character actions and speech to convey those emotions.

The big thing that knocked stars off for me was the romance, however. It seemed just...the wrong time to be kissing boys and worrying about marriage. The connection between Scarlett and Julian felt like it was there only because this is a YA and we needed some romance line.

Yet, beyond all this, I find myself invested for some reason. Enough so that I bought the sequels.

Let me start off by saying, if you don't like second chance romances then this isn't the book for you.

I for one am a terrible glutton for them, and thus the immediately in love with the premise of this book.

I was delighted to find our FMC was a surgeon and quite unlike most heroines in these novels. She is the cold and reclusive one. The MMC being the plucky and youthful one was such a good spin on the stereotypes.

We start the story at the tatters of their marriage, and quite quickly the two are reunited. At first it was off putting, but in time I loved the way the author slowly unraveled the events of their marriage annulment, making the story a mystery I couldn't put down.

Also, hats off to the author because her prose was absolutely lyrical at times, without being obnoxious or confusing.

This book deals with characters who, by the end of the story, feel wonderfully developed. It is a gorgeous story of trust and forgiveness with a depth I wouldn't expect from a mass market romance.

What absolutely won me over was the ending. We learn very early on that the FMC has irregular cycles, resulting in the idea that she may never conceive. The book never had a miracle baby, and the couple was able to live on in happiness despite this. This representation was touching and refreshing in a world where it seems there needs to be a baby to make a fairy tale come true.

I will be interested in reading more of this authors series. I have seen some comments that this is just a "white European fantasy," however a little research proved that the author immigrated from China at 13.

TW: Most of the romantic scenes in this book can be sorted into dub-con, with a heavy does of somnophilia. I do want to stress, however, it is conveyed that both involved parties are consenting.

Reading this book as an adult was just as enjoyable as the first time. At this point, it's a classic.

Okay so, why two stars when I didn't finish this book?

There was a lot of good things about this book and it presented itself with great potential.

We have some gundam style fighting spirit things, a main FMC hellbent on revenge, and two very different MMCs.

The FMC hates the traditional society she lives in. Women are seen as objects and she presents herself as a feminist against these ideas. However, the big problem lies in the fact that you cannot claim to be writing a feminist story and then make every single other female in the story your enemy.

Every woman the FMC comes across is either too demure or instantly jealous over a man. The FMC constantly wonders why other women aren't strong and independent like her. She claims they're all foolish.

I'm sorry, but it's 2023. Haven't we learned that feminism is not putting down other women?

The feminism became so preachy I was simply rolling my eyes at the FMC's internal dialogue. It became repetitive, as if the author didn't trust the reader to understand the moral of her story.

This was a book I was really looking forward to, and I was drawn in early on. It's building to be a poly, "Why choose" romance, which are my favorites. However, I think the author needs to step out of the way of her own characters.

I found myself more in love with every other character in this book but the two leads. It was well written, the pace of the dialogue brisk (which makes sense for the battle of wits that often happened) yet over all it felt uninspired. I love this world of characters who all get their own story, but this felt like it was churned out for the sake of capitalism. The good news is that it was easy enough for me to digest before bed. I will still be checking out the other books!

I cannot believe it has been soon long since I've had a book with proper angst.

I hear people ranting all the time about how books just "tore their heart out" but nothing has really touched me.

This book took its time with the characters. They were lovable, infuriating, flawed and beautiful. Some people do not like when the MMC of a romance novel is anything less than perfect, but I loved the characterization here so much.

The thought processes, the choices and mistakes of the two main characters could be heartbreaking at time, and yet I could stand along side them and know where it was coming from. I knew why they were making these choices rather than just wanting to yeet my book across the room in frustration.

The prose in this book was simple and yet beautiful. The writing style was very refreshing. I will certainly be checking out other books by this author! A new favorite!

This book was all comfort! It was perfect for a light read on a summer's pool day. I don't always like books that lack a lot of conflict, but in between some heavier reads this did the job!

If you're someone who is familiar with the LGBTQ+ community, and its terminology, I think it could come off a little preachy/educational. The information was at least accurate for the present time. Further more, the main character is hard of hearing, which developed late in life, and there is much discussion around the struggles it brings. It was interesting to take a look at the world through a character with such experiences.

I don't think this book was particularly memorable, but it was a great break from some heavier reading!