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the_afterword's reviews
505 reviews
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
4.0
1 Ticket to Swoon City, please!
Did I read this book simply because I watched the show? Yes, yes I did.
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And as MUCH as I binged and loved the show - IMO the book was better
I fell so much more in love with the Bridgerton family while reading the book. Daphane was just as delightful and the Duke was even more perfection. Violet Bridgerton (mother) reminded me a little bit of Mrs. Bennett from "Pride & Prejudice" but not as over the top.
I can definitely see why critics are naming Julia Quinn as a modern Jane Austen. I am a huge Austen fan and those are some big words. But I loved the modern-take Quinn took on a typical historical fiction romance - letting the characters testing new boundaries and finding themselves versus being stuck in the "box of the era."
Also hello serious girl power!
It was definitely a delightful, steamy, swoon-worthy read.
Did I read this book simply because I watched the show? Yes, yes I did.
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And as MUCH as I binged and loved the show - IMO the book was better
I fell so much more in love with the Bridgerton family while reading the book. Daphane was just as delightful and the Duke was even more perfection. Violet Bridgerton (mother) reminded me a little bit of Mrs. Bennett from "Pride & Prejudice" but not as over the top.
I can definitely see why critics are naming Julia Quinn as a modern Jane Austen. I am a huge Austen fan and those are some big words. But I loved the modern-take Quinn took on a typical historical fiction romance - letting the characters testing new boundaries and finding themselves versus being stuck in the "box of the era."
Also hello serious girl power!
It was definitely a delightful, steamy, swoon-worthy read.
Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
5.0
This is definitely one of the best books of my lifetime so far.
Young Adult meets Thriller meets Women's Fiction.
Author Tiffany D. Jackson tackles so many hard, raw, and triggering subjects and gracefully sheds light upon it all. I have never read a book with such sophisticated writing style and poised ways in describing harsh situations. She is a QUEEN at knowing how to tell a reader what's happening without describing what's happening in regards to triggering subjects like molestation and rape.
This book spread my heart wide open and left me with one of the worst book hangovers of my life.
It is a novel that will stick with me for a lifetime.
Young Adult meets Thriller meets Women's Fiction.
Author Tiffany D. Jackson tackles so many hard, raw, and triggering subjects and gracefully sheds light upon it all. I have never read a book with such sophisticated writing style and poised ways in describing harsh situations. She is a QUEEN at knowing how to tell a reader what's happening without describing what's happening in regards to triggering subjects like molestation and rape.
This book spread my heart wide open and left me with one of the worst book hangovers of my life.
It is a novel that will stick with me for a lifetime.
Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh
4.0
Are you a fan of second chance love? Have you ever wondered "but what if?" Do you sometimes just need a sweet romance story?
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Then this book is for you!
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I have been blessed with the opportunity to connect with author Courtney Walsh on Instagram over the last couple of months and my gosh, what a lovely human being. We have bonded over all things music and theatre and our mutual love of reading.
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In the book "Is It Any Wonder," Courtney takes us on a beautiful journey through grief, conquering your fears, forgiveness, family struggles, and lost love.
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I loved the emotional pushes and pulls between Louisa and Cody. They were first loves who, through tragic loss and circumstances, ended up finding their way back into each other's lives.
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The whole book gave me gushy love feels and is the PERFECT read for someone looking for a clean summertime romance.
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Then this book is for you!
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I have been blessed with the opportunity to connect with author Courtney Walsh on Instagram over the last couple of months and my gosh, what a lovely human being. We have bonded over all things music and theatre and our mutual love of reading.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In the book "Is It Any Wonder," Courtney takes us on a beautiful journey through grief, conquering your fears, forgiveness, family struggles, and lost love.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I loved the emotional pushes and pulls between Louisa and Cody. They were first loves who, through tragic loss and circumstances, ended up finding their way back into each other's lives.
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The whole book gave me gushy love feels and is the PERFECT read for someone looking for a clean summertime romance.
Covet by Tracy Wolff
5.0
Last year my good friend convinced me that I needed to read "Crave" by Tracy Wolff. She knew I was a Twi-hard back in the day and said it would give me all those ooey-gooey vampire feels - and she wasn't wrong!
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Since then I read "Crush" and I just finished "Covet" last week!
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Since then I read "Crush" and I just finished "Covet" last week!
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
4.0
Last month I listened to the audiobook of Alex Michaelides's "The Silent Patient" and totally fell in love with him as a psychological thriller author.
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After reading "The Silent Patient," I tried to go into this one with an open mind since I loved that one so much! No comparison game here - at least attempted not to.
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While I felt this one read a little on the slower side, it still had me completely invested from the start. I really enjoyed the added elements of Greek mythology as well.
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After reading "The Silent Patient," I tried to go into this one with an open mind since I loved that one so much! No comparison game here - at least attempted not to.
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While I felt this one read a little on the slower side, it still had me completely invested from the start. I really enjoyed the added elements of Greek mythology as well.
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All Girls by Emily Layden
3.0
I've been on a bit of a prep school reading kick lately and let me tell you, I'm not mad about it!
Layden was super clever in how she handled the multiple points of views of her characters. There are nine students giving their perspectives in real time and each chapter covers a different student. I was impressed by this uniqueness in writing style.
With that being said, for me, this book was "okay." As much as I enjoyed the multiple POVs, it started to read more like a compilation of short stories.
Not a bad thing! Just different.
Also, the underlying plot point throughout the whole book was a rape allegation resurfacing against one of the male teachers and a student who attended the school 20 years earlier. As important it is to shed light on these types of issues, I'm not sure the delivery was totally there and I couldn't tell if this was a thriller or simply YA fiction.
I encourage you to check out the description and if it sounds like something you'd like, read it!
⚠️ If rape, molestation, or #MeToo is a trigger for you, I would not recommend this book for you.
Layden was super clever in how she handled the multiple points of views of her characters. There are nine students giving their perspectives in real time and each chapter covers a different student. I was impressed by this uniqueness in writing style.
With that being said, for me, this book was "okay." As much as I enjoyed the multiple POVs, it started to read more like a compilation of short stories.
Not a bad thing! Just different.
Also, the underlying plot point throughout the whole book was a rape allegation resurfacing against one of the male teachers and a student who attended the school 20 years earlier. As important it is to shed light on these types of issues, I'm not sure the delivery was totally there and I couldn't tell if this was a thriller or simply YA fiction.
I encourage you to check out the description and if it sounds like something you'd like, read it!
⚠️ If rape, molestation, or #MeToo is a trigger for you, I would not recommend this book for you.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
4.0
Be still my rom-com loving heart!
Ya'll know how much I gushed "The Happy Ever After Playlist" totally not knowing I was reading book 2 in a series. Gosh, I am so glad I picked this one up too!
Author Abby Jimenez is a literary wonder when it comes to romantic comedies. I laugh, I cry, I feel all the friggin' feels.
Since I read book 2 first, I was already familiar with the characters and I loved seeing the beginning of Kristen and Josh's relationship. I related to their story since Chad and I def started our relationship in the "friend zone" with each other.
Being a part of the friendship journey between Kristen and Sloan was epic - especially having already read book 2. Having a best girlfriend who will support everything you do AND call you out when you're being an idiot is something to be treasured.
I'm so blessed by the bad ass women in my life who I'm honored to call my friends
Ya'll know how much I gushed "The Happy Ever After Playlist" totally not knowing I was reading book 2 in a series. Gosh, I am so glad I picked this one up too!
Author Abby Jimenez is a literary wonder when it comes to romantic comedies. I laugh, I cry, I feel all the friggin' feels.
Since I read book 2 first, I was already familiar with the characters and I loved seeing the beginning of Kristen and Josh's relationship. I related to their story since Chad and I def started our relationship in the "friend zone" with each other.
Being a part of the friendship journey between Kristen and Sloan was epic - especially having already read book 2. Having a best girlfriend who will support everything you do AND call you out when you're being an idiot is something to be treasured.
I'm so blessed by the bad ass women in my life who I'm honored to call my friends
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
4.0
This book has been one of my most anticipated reads on my TBR!!!
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The subject matter of OONA was so unique! She wakes up every New Year in a different year of her life. I have read some fiction books dealing with time traveling in the past but this was such a fun way to bring a fresh perspective.
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I def got some Thirteen Going on Thirty vibes and was totally here for it.
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Oona was delightful to read about and I positively adored her mom and Kenzie (“older Oona’s personal assistant).
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This book is all about those “what if” moments in our lives. What if you knew where’d you be in 2052 - would you change how you react to things today? Would you soak up every moment with your family and friends or just simply live your life?
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There’s love, romance, heartbreak, and finding your true self.
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Totally recommend if you enjoy multiple timelines, women’s fiction, and a dash of mystery.
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The subject matter of OONA was so unique! She wakes up every New Year in a different year of her life. I have read some fiction books dealing with time traveling in the past but this was such a fun way to bring a fresh perspective.
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I def got some Thirteen Going on Thirty vibes and was totally here for it.
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Oona was delightful to read about and I positively adored her mom and Kenzie (“older Oona’s personal assistant).
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This book is all about those “what if” moments in our lives. What if you knew where’d you be in 2052 - would you change how you react to things today? Would you soak up every moment with your family and friends or just simply live your life?
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There’s love, romance, heartbreak, and finding your true self.
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Totally recommend if you enjoy multiple timelines, women’s fiction, and a dash of mystery.