With and Without You: A Book Review

I was so excited to read this after reading Always Never Yours last year and loving it. However, this book fell far short of my expectations. I didn't really enjoy the plot. The fact that it was centered around whether the MC should break up with her boyfriend or not was really boring. There wasn't any tension to the plot, and showing all the details of a long distance relationship was long-winded and dull. I also got annoyed with the MC several times throughout the book, especially her obsession with having sex for the first time and convincing her boyfriend that his dream of med school wasn't his "true" dream. She felt like an especially immature teenager, unworthy of getting her own story. 

Unfortunately, I can't recommend this book to really anyone, and I'm sad I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 1
Overall: 2

Thank you, Penguin Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

I Must Betray You: A Book Review

I always know going into a Ruta Sepetys novel that I'm going to learn about a part of history I previously knew nothing about. I Must Betray You was no exception! Learning about communist Romania in 1989 was truly eye-opening. Sepetys paints a detailed picture about what life was like living there with all the betrayals and poverty. Unfortunately, I feel like painting this picture got in the way of deep character development and the plot in the first half of the book. While it was interesting learning about Romanian life, it felt very much like going through the motions for too long. The second half picked up a lot though, and it lived up to my expectations of lots of action and revolution! 

So while this wasn't my favorite Ruta Sepetys novel, it was still inspiring and taught me a lot about this little-known part of history. I really appreciated the author's note going deeper into the history as well as pictures from that time. An interesting historical fiction!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here! 

Daughter of the Moon Goddess: A Book Review

THIS BOOK. This book has everything: luscious fairy-tale writing, a fast pace (seriously—I can't remember the last time a fantasy book moved so fast and so well), beautiful storytelling, rich Chinese lore, a freakin cute romance, DRAGONS, and basically the best ending that warmed my heart. And guess what?? It's a duology!!!! So I get more of these strong, vibrant, and lovable characters! 

Seriously, this book did everything right, and it's now one of my favorite fantasy stories of all time. Without a doubt my favorite adult fantasy. You will LOVE this book if you like Mulan, Spin the Dawn, and The Priory of the Orange Tree. Don't hesitate to read this one!!!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Harper Voyager and NetGalley, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!