tianabooks's reviews
173 reviews

When I started reading this, I had no idea where we were going with the story but I appreciate the complexity of Sibby and her story in this. Especially her backstory, which is really heartbreaking :/
I don’t want to say much because of spoilers — and because this is quite short — but it’s quite the fast-paced, intriguing novella and very character based! Although I’m aware that it might not be for everyone given the content 😅

p.s. it’s quite dark and violent so definitely check out the trigger warnings! 

“Do you call yourself a demon-slayer too?” 🖤

“We may have been enemies, but I knew your scent like I knew home.” 🤍

Is it a second chance when you have to live with your high school nemesis because your sister messed up so bad??
All I know is that I enjoyed this slow burn, former ‘enemies’ to lovers. It is slow - in fact, angst and denial (and partly yearning) is what you get for most of the book.. and I enjoyed every second of it. 🤭

Delilah and Macon were intense and stubborn, with lots of unresolved issues plaguing them over the years, games of back and forth and other people messing around with what they thought was happening. But they were also so so funny when they were interacting in the present especially. Honestly, meant to be 😌. They had their flaws and they felt real.

“Yours is the voice in my head, haunting my dreams, pushing me forward.”

On the other hand, Delilah’s sister Sam is probably the worst sibling and person out there. For the life of me I couldn’t understand why Delilah was putting up with her. I mean, it does get explained, but my goodness did I dislike her 🙃

A lot of references to food and cooking, which worked really well here since Delilah is a chef! And really enjoyed the way food/cooking was linked to memories and how we experience the world and people via food. 

I read this on KU but I also had the audiobook, both gorgeous. Would recommend this 🩷

cute and festive — the holiday season is on! ❄️☃️

This was such a lovely book to read in December! It feels very appropriate with Christmas around the corner. Surrounded by snow, Christmas movies on, a bit of friendly (or not) competition = a cosy recipe of a book in the making. 🤍🎄
My favourite thing about this book was the family dynamic and the overall interactions between the two main characters and the secondary characters. It’s always nice to read about wholesome family moments in books and their little festive traditions. 
Some moments between our two main characters were very sweet aaaand we also got some spice thrown in there! 🤭 
The keychain moment and the drawing were SO CUTE!  🫶

The main reason this didn’t get a higher rating was because I guess I wanted more moments between the characters which would explain the present feelings and actions. We get told about what happened, we get little glimpses but nothing more. I personally needed a bit more to show why these two should be together. 😭

I have to say, the audiobook for this was stunning! So so enjoyable so I would recommend — we love a duet 🤭🤍

“and I felt it then: this strange, inexplicable sense that she might be the only person in the world I could really care about”

Don’t talk to me 😭 I completely understand why everyone’s obsessed with Warner, this novella destroyed me what even?! I rarely rate novellas this high and I’m SO tempted to up the rating. 
I don’t know what to say - I fully agree that it’s such an important novella after you finish reading Shatter Me. You get an insight into Warner’s mind and you get the reasons behind his actions. 
Chapter 16 physically hurt 🥲. 
On the bright side (surprisingly) we have the coffee scene and the dog scene that were so precious 🫶. 
Anyway I’m now too invested in the series so I must continue 

An interesting new fantasy world to explore, with fascinating lore revolving around magic, the significance of its absence, the lengths people will go to protect secrets, and the ability to continue fighting against all odds. 

This book started slowly and it took me a bit to warm up to these characters and the context. Now mind you, this was mostly because apart from 3 characters (and two animals), everyone else was such a horrible person. These characters did vile things 😩 There is some animal cruelty in this by the way, which can be distressing to read about. 

I have to admit I loved the tarot cards displayed and explored throughout the book and I enjoyed seeing our main character become more familiar with them and their significance. The way the characters used the cards was SO cool let’s be fair. 

A solid first book in this fantasy series! I’m intrigued enough to continue reading 🤍

guys.. someone cheer I finally read it!

Okay I have to admit this has been on my tbr for the longest time, it’s actually embarrassing. 🫣 but we made it!

I’m not going to lie, at first when I read the note about the crossing out and the repetition and kept reading those extensive metaphors I was like oh no.
But I’m nothing if not a yapper and goal-oriented so I got used to it pretty fast and I was like you know, I’d probably talk to myself too given the circumstances.
Also, had to remind myself this was written years ago in classic YA dystopian fashion.

In terms of characters, Kenji’s commentary on literally everything and Warner’s psychotic moments truly kept the pace going. I have somehow managed to not get spoiled at all except for the odd quote but I do know people love those two characters. Although besties, if this is the Warner we’re getting, I’m slightly concerned about all of us because??? 

I have all of the books already so we keep going 🥳

“Can I tell you something?”

This was so much fun! If there’s one book that deserves an audiobook is definitely this one, which is why I’m glad I chose to listen to the audiobook and read this at the same time. This is saucyyy 🤭

I don’t know what I was expecting to be fair, I had heard of this but didn’t quite know much about what I was getting into. I was so pleasantly surprised! 
First of all, the setting was so picturesque and cosy; coincidentally, I chose to read this during the ideal season ❄️☃️ it takes place during Christmas, there’s a lot of snow, we’re skiing, cosy vibes all around — I was delighted. 

Now having said that, this isn’t just cosy vibes 🫣. In fact, I’d say if you don’t enjoy spicy content, then this probably isn’t for you. There’s a lot going on 😂. 
It feels appropriate for the two main characters based on how they “know” each other - or rather how Hannah knows Cameron - so it’s not out of place.

I liked the side characters too; it was lovely seeing how close Hannah’s family was, all those family moments were adorable. 🤍 I’ve seen the next book is about Ryan’s story so that’s excitingggg, we definitely get some hints and moments here as well with his love interest! Cute cute 🥰.

A new-to-me author and will absolutely read more! 

my first ali hazelwood book 🤭 well, a novella and not a full-length novel but still, we’ve made it! She’s one of those authors that I’ve heard SO much about but never quite attempted to get to any of her books but I’m excited to have tackled that now. 

This was a quick, fun audiobook which centres around two game designers and tbh I had a great time! 
Maybe it’s a silly little novella but I’m also just a girl 🫣

“I just want to be in love with you a little longer.”

First festive read of the season! Perhaps I should’ve kept it for New Year’s but I needed a quick pick-me-up novella in between my other current reads. Specifically, a seasonal one. ❄️☃️

For this particular story, our main character is stuck in this loop of repeating New Year’s Eve over and over again without knowing exactly why this is happening to her or what she’s supposed to achieve. This is one of those stories where we - as readers - figure things out alongside the main character. 
It’s a tricky concept for a novella because it requires time and space. I think the author did the best they could given the number of pages; however, I found that I was missing something throughout the book. 

I was missing that connection between the characters originating from time spent together. With the same day repeated over and over again, everything erased for other people other than our FMC, it was a bit difficult to connect to these characters and believe in the feelings expressed 😩. It almost felt like both everything and nothing really happened in the end. 

I have to admit I enjoyed the themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and finding the courage to go after what you desire. 🤍 although I do wish we had more time with these characters so we could witness their journey fully. 

good for a quick, festive read though ☃️

“You look best when you’re you.” 🩷

What are the odds that I get to read two books which gave me all the 5-star feels back to back?
This book has been on my radar for such a long time and I finally get to say I’ve read it! And… that everyone was absolutely right when they told me I’d enjoy it <3 🥹

I don’t get to read many YA contemporaries anymore, mainly because I don’t want to risk judging them for being what they set out to be. However, this one truly made me so happy and it gave me lots of giggling moments 🩷
Liz and Wes were incorrigible — truly in denial; in fact, if denial had a picture attached to it, that would probably be of Liz.

Two next door ‘enemies’ who couldn’t stop messing with each other… um methinks true love??? 🤭
And Wes.. what can I say that would do Wes justice? Every “don’t cry Liz” had my heart, his jokes, the way he treated everyone around him 🤍

“You haven’t messed up my hair in a really long time.”
“And it’s been killing me.”

Loved the rom-com references throughout the book and at the beginning of each chapter. I’m a rom-com lover and binger. Even when I’m saying I’m not in a rom-com mood, you put one on and I’m hooked. So, this book was extra enjoyable for this reason 🩷
And don't get me started on the soundtrack part, music DOES make everything better Liz was SO right about that! 

Truly such a delight to read and experience 🥹🩷 I will of course be reading the little stories and novellas - slightly scared about the second book ngl 😭