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blithesquesttoread's reviews
476 reviews
The Uncanny Counter #1 by Jang E
5.0
I have watched The Uncanny Counter before (it's available on Netflix and 2 seasons are out), and omg I love it soo much! The counters are so precious, I hope they stay safe throughout the series. The artwork is so amazing, the action scenes gave me goosebumps! I'm eagerly waiting for more volumes to come out
Take the Lead by Shelley Shepard Gray
3.0
Oh my word, this book is very difficult to rate. For starters, I absolutely love the sisters and their dynamics and want nothing more than for them to find happiness. I have read the first book, and totally loved it. And I went into the book with the same expectations. Did the book disappoint? Absolutely not.
Traci and Matt's story was really pretty, especially with one being a cop and having a dark past and the other being a doctor with a big dotting family. There was charm and love spread throughout the book - romantic, familial, sisterly, and what not. Gwen's addition to the story made it worthwhile to read, she's such a sweetie
Traci and Matt's story was really pretty, especially with one being a cop and having a dark past and the other being a doctor with a big dotting family. There was charm and love spread throughout the book - romantic, familial, sisterly, and what not. Gwen's addition to the story made it worthwhile to read, she's such a sweetie
Ruling the Princess by Christi Barth
4.0
Theo didn’t enjoy being put in his place by the princess. But something about the way she did it—so prim and polite—pushed his buttons in all the right ways.
It was such an amazing enemy-to-lovers, royal romance, and payback book, that I couldn't put it down! It did take me a long time + efforts to finish this one, but daresay I didn't enjoy it. The banters between Genny and Theo were a treat to the eyes, and I loved them chemistry-ing over budget discussions.
Theo is an oaf, most of the time, and reading his povs or how critical he is of the whole budgeting concept (coz, um, assumptions should never be made), I liked how he navigated the changes around him. Specifically of his opinions. And Genny, what a lovely princess you are
It was such an amazing enemy-to-lovers, royal romance, and payback book, that I couldn't put it down! It did take me a long time + efforts to finish this one, but daresay I didn't enjoy it. The banters between Genny and Theo were a treat to the eyes, and I loved them chemistry-ing over budget discussions.
Theo is an oaf, most of the time, and reading his povs or how critical he is of the whole budgeting concept (coz, um, assumptions should never be made), I liked how he navigated the changes around him. Specifically of his opinions. And Genny, what a lovely princess you are
Beauty And The Beast by Anne Marie Ryan, Anne Marie Ryan, Jacqueline East
5.0
beauty and the beast has always been my favorite story! though the fact remains that I am a bit old for this book as it is actually for teeny tiny children, I cannot help but get engrossed in it. I just wish to read the original version of this charming Fairytale
Loving on Mr. Wrong by C.J. Marie
4.0
I am glad to say that this was even more exciting to read than the first one. The personality of Gemma was to die for being the best figure of empowerment. The starting was amazing and I read it in a go but towards the end it became a little too cheesy for my taste. But I liked the fact that the ending was symbolizing the chick-lit romance movies that some of the characters were so fond of. So yes I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
(P. S. I received an ARC copy in exchange of an honest review)
(P. S. I received an ARC copy in exchange of an honest review)
Ellen Outside the Lines by A.J. Sass
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Not me trying to come up with good starting lines when writing a review. My creative cells have shriveled up with the impending disaster that the universe has planned for me. But I really want those creative cells to revive because this book deserves everything. I am not kidding. I devoured it when I was supposed to pay attention in class (ofc I am not suggesting to be inattentive in class), when I was supposed to finish my assigns and also when I was supposed to sleep. A point came when I refused to give my time to any other book because I was so taken up by this one!
I really loved reading through Ellen’s story and going along the scavenger hunt. She was very honest in her friendships and the way she contributed to the clues was amazing. They were really my favorite character along with Isa! Oh boy the way I looked forward to reading any exchanges with Isa. Like Ellen whenever I saw Ellen’s team working together and being together, a warm feeling spread through me. The book was very well written and it was really easy to connect with the characters. The way it had an amazing queer cast had me ❤
One thing that felt off to me was how manipulative Laurel, Sophie-Ann and Madison were. It’s like, some things aren’t in your hand but I didn’t feel good how hard Laurel was trying to fit in with them. The story wasn’t about her but I was really looking forward for things to get sorted between her and Ellen. But I guess most often not all friendships are able to sustain… which is alright. This was one of the messages that the book put forth. Another was how there’s nothing wrong with being true to yourself. The way Isa called out casual queerphobia and made sure Ellen didn’t feel out of place really made me feel good. The familial relationship along with friendships that the book discusses is truly amazing! I cannot wait to read other works by A.J. Sass!
CW: Outing of a queer character, emotional manipulation
I received an arc of the book in exchange of an honest review
I really loved reading through Ellen’s story and going along the scavenger hunt. She was very honest in her friendships and the way she contributed to the clues was amazing. They were really my favorite character along with Isa! Oh boy the way I looked forward to reading any exchanges with Isa. Like Ellen whenever I saw Ellen’s team working together and being together, a warm feeling spread through me. The book was very well written and it was really easy to connect with the characters. The way it had an amazing queer cast had me ❤
One thing that felt off to me was how manipulative Laurel, Sophie-Ann and Madison were. It’s like, some things aren’t in your hand but I didn’t feel good how hard Laurel was trying to fit in with them. The story wasn’t about her but I was really looking forward for things to get sorted between her and Ellen. But I guess most often not all friendships are able to sustain… which is alright. This was one of the messages that the book put forth. Another was how there’s nothing wrong with being true to yourself. The way Isa called out casual queerphobia and made sure Ellen didn’t feel out of place really made me feel good. The familial relationship along with friendships that the book discusses is truly amazing! I cannot wait to read other works by A.J. Sass!
CW: Outing of a queer character, emotional manipulation
I received an arc of the book in exchange of an honest review
Content Warnings
Moderate: Outing
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book evoked so many mixed feelings in me when I started reading it, and then made me bawl my eyes out for 3+ hours straight when I was about to finish it. I'm not lying that is exactly the dynamics of this book. The book primarily talks about Grief and memories, and both are such things that do funny things to you and they are something not all people experience the same way.
While mostly all the characters in living in the grief of Sam dying (not a spoiler... it's like how the book starts okay. So keep your tissues ready. ) but we get to see Juile's side the most. She's not reading to let Sam go, and can't still process losing him. One of the things I wrote while noting down notes on Storygraph was this - "How she is questioning how others perceive her coz as much as we lie, perception affects us. And for her, the coping mechanism she is using is quite different from those others. She is lost, trying to forget and remember at same time so there is that. - My thoughts "
And because I want to make other people feel the pain of this book here you go with a quote from the book:
I grab his arm. “Take me with you,” I say.
He smiles at me . “We can go together next summer. After graduation.”
“Promise?”
“Don’t worry, we can travel every summer for the rest of our lives, okay? You and me.”
Yep I guess this one was one of the instances that completely broke me.
The first half or so of the book did feel a little bit flat to me. Mainly because I was wrapping my head around the magical realism aspect of this book while constantly assuring me this isn't the reality. But it hits you hard you know. But coming back to the book, I was more engaged in how the story was unfolding and I couldn't point a particular direction it was going in. While I completely understand Julie's actions - the fact that she was distancing herself so much from other people in her life became kind of frustrating at one moment. But it's something she cannot be blamed for and hence I continued on with the story (blame the mediator in me).
Did Julie's POV made me feel sad? Immensely. But it was when more of other character's POV was introduced in the book that was properly hooked. I felt terrible for Sam and there were a couple of theories and scenarios that I pictured about him in my head. I wanted to give Oliver a hug and warm blankets... you'll know why when you read it. Sam's brother? At the end when the certain thing happened... I had been already crying but it made me cry harder.
The book very beautifully and realistically captures what goes through someone when the die - a blame game starts with you in the center. Too many maybe's come - Maybe if I did this, this would happen and on and on . With it comes the uncertainty about whether the person who went away hated you or not. And it's the most terrible feeling ever.
While my heart ached for everyone, it was Mika and Sam's brother that I felt for the most. They knew Sam the longest, after his parents, and they considered Julie a part of their family as much as Sam... so it was naturally even more heartbreaking for them when they couldn't contact Julie. For me, I believe that the whole plot of magical realism was to show how grief and "holding" on to something you cannot reach forever distances you further from the reality. I still don't understand how Julie was able to remain in contact with Sam, but at the end of the day I am absolutely glad I read this book (even if it gave me a bad headache... )
(no... I was absolutely didn't tear up or switch to badass songs while writing this review. /nsrs)
I was provided with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley
While mostly all the characters in living in the grief of Sam dying (not a spoiler... it's like how the book starts okay. So keep your tissues ready. ) but we get to see Juile's side the most. She's not reading to let Sam go, and can't still process losing him. One of the things I wrote while noting down notes on Storygraph was this - "How she is questioning how others perceive her coz as much as we lie, perception affects us. And for her, the coping mechanism she is using is quite different from those others. She is lost, trying to forget and remember at same time so there is that. - My thoughts "
And because I want to make other people feel the pain of this book here you go with a quote from the book:
I grab his arm. “Take me with you,” I say.
He smiles at me . “We can go together next summer. After graduation.”
“Promise?”
“Don’t worry, we can travel every summer for the rest of our lives, okay? You and me.”
Yep I guess this one was one of the instances that completely broke me.
The first half or so of the book did feel a little bit flat to me. Mainly because I was wrapping my head around the magical realism aspect of this book while constantly assuring me this isn't the reality. But it hits you hard you know. But coming back to the book, I was more engaged in how the story was unfolding and I couldn't point a particular direction it was going in. While I completely understand Julie's actions - the fact that she was distancing herself so much from other people in her life became kind of frustrating at one moment. But it's something she cannot be blamed for and hence I continued on with the story (blame the mediator in me).
Did Julie's POV made me feel sad? Immensely. But it was when more of other character's POV was introduced in the book that was properly hooked. I felt terrible for Sam and there were a couple of theories and scenarios that I pictured about him in my head. I wanted to give Oliver a hug and warm blankets... you'll know why when you read it. Sam's brother? At the end when the certain thing happened... I had been already crying but it made me cry harder.
The book very beautifully and realistically captures what goes through someone when the die - a blame game starts with you in the center. Too many maybe's come - Maybe if I did this, this would happen and on and on . With it comes the uncertainty about whether the person who went away hated you or not. And it's the most terrible feeling ever.
While my heart ached for everyone, it was Mika and Sam's brother that I felt for the most. They knew Sam the longest, after his parents, and they considered Julie a part of their family as much as Sam... so it was naturally even more heartbreaking for them when they couldn't contact Julie. For me, I believe that the whole plot of magical realism was to show how grief and "holding" on to something you cannot reach forever distances you further from the reality. I still don't understand how Julie was able to remain in contact with Sam, but at the end of the day I am absolutely glad I read this book (even if it gave me a bad headache... )
(no... I was absolutely didn't tear up or switch to badass songs while writing this review. /nsrs)
I was provided with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley