The Women: A Book Review

I don't know if I can find the words to describe how inspiring and heartbreaking this book is. I couldn't believe where Frankie's story took me. I learned so much about the Vietnam War, particularly about women's roles, and I couldn't believe how veterans, particularly women veterans, were received when they came home. This book is all about Frankie's journey in both worlds, and how both affected how she viewed herself and her life. 

While I didn't agree with some of Frankie's choices, I could definitely see why she made them. She is a deeply flawed character who went through SO MUCH, but she's also a woman just trying to do good in the world, even if the world hates her. She has stunning growth through this book, and I cried for her. 

Most of all, I love how this book made me think and reimagine history. I'm painfully not well-versed in the Vietnam War and its aftereffects, but this book went deep into the nitty gritty of it. It's emotional (what Kristin Hannah book isn't), and I can tell this book will leave a lasting effect on me. My only critiques are that it is a bit slow in the middle and I very much disagreed with one of Frankie's choices, so much so that it almost ruined her character for me. But overall, I really liked this book, and I think it's a mandatory read for every American.

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

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the arc!

Release Date: February 6, 2024

Trigger/Content Warnings: detailed war violence, gore, and death (including children); medical procedures and surgeries described in detail; several fade to black scenes; pregnancy and miscarriage; cheating/an affair; drug and alcohol abuse; suicide attempts; car crash; near drowning; misogony

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

What the River Knows: A Book Review

Are you looking for the perfect Egypt adventure book? Because look no further—this book will draw you in with its dark secrets, rich 1880s Egyptian culture, and a tense and passionate romance. 

The book caught my attention right away with Inez rushing headfirst into adventure to find out what really happened to her parents, and I love how independent she is. I'm impressed with her quick wit, bravery, and her passion for following her heart. And I absolutely love her romance with Whit. Their banter was a joy to read, and the push and pull of their romance is incredibly done. So many swoony moments!

What I really like about this book is how immersed I feel when I read it. I'm right with the characters as they sail down the Nile, dig in excavation sites, and experience the chaos of Cairo. I feel the characters' shock when secrets are discovered, and I feel their horror as the plot thickens. 

I enjoyed reading this book, though something was still missing for me to give it five stars (perhaps I was expecting to be more drawn to it; it was hard for me to pick up and start reading each time). But I'd still highly recommend!

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

Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the arc!

Release Date: October 31, 2023  

Trigger/Content Warnings: kissing/make outs, gun violence and death, parent abandonment, fighting violence, kidnapping

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

How to Kiss a Movie Star: A Book Review

This book is my FAVORITE of the whole series (which is saying a lot, because the entire series has been perfection!!!). I am a sucker for celebrity romance and the he-falls-first trope, and this book perfectly executes both. I am, and will always be, a Jenny Proctor fan FOR LIFE.

First, the characters have my whole heart. I love having a FMC that's a scientist and couldn't care less about clothes and makeup and movies. She is the perfect opposite to Flint, a sexy and famous movie star. The circumstances that bring them together are hilarious and unique, and it sets up for a great story. I love their romance, especially their communication through fake dating and merging their worlds together. It's meaningful and absolutely delightful to read. 

This is another HUGE win for Jenny Proctor, and I'm so very sad to be leaving all the Hawthorne brothers behind. I loved all the cameos of them in this book. How to Kiss a Movie Star was the perfect book to end on with this series! I'm begging you to read these books!!!

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

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the arc! How to Kiss a Movie Star will be released August 18, 2023.

Trigger/Content Warnings: kissing/make outs, stalking, mild physical assault, momentary arrest

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

The Phoenix King: A Book Review

I first read this book when it was called The Boy with Fire, self published by Aparna Verma, and I loved it! You can read my original review here. Now, two years later, I've found that my reading tastes have changed a little, and I can't quite say I loved rereading this book.

I still loved the fire-bending, the politics, and Leo's perspective and villain origin story. Every time Leo's chapters came up, I was on the edge of my seat ready to watch his character development. However, Elena and Yassen seemed a little vanilla to me this time. We don't really know Yassen's past, Elena is the typical naive princess, and they both don't do much during the first half of the book. I also wanted to see a little more romantic development to believe in their relationship by the end. 

Overall, I still think it's an entertaining story and has a lot of potential to be a good series, but it didn't hold up for me over the years. Perhaps if it was changed to be YA it would do better. 

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

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the arc! The Phoenix King will be released August 29, 2023.

Trigger/Content Warnings: fire wounds, battle violence and death, mass murder, electric shock torture, one vague open door

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

The Invisible Hour: A Book Review

There are three reasons why I wanted to read The Invisible Hour. One, the gorgeous cover. I love redheads on covers. Two, the cult vibes. Three, the ties to The Scarlet Letter, a classic I'm fascinated with. Unfortunately, this book was widely different than I thought it would be.

I think the book tried to be too many things at once: a cult thriller, but also women's fiction, but also a time-travel romance. It was too much in only 252 pages. Everything felt rushed, like this book could have been told in two well-developed books of their own (one book for the cult thriller and one for the time-travel romance). 

I'm also not the right audience. If I'd known there was time travel, I wouldn't have picked it up. Me and time travel don't get along. I was thrown for a loop when it happened, and it didn't fit the first half of the book. And I absolutely abhor the idea of how going back in time can alter the future and rewrite history. It gives me so much anxiety.

Anyways, all this to say that if this book focused on the mother/daughter relationships and stuck with the cult plot with mild ties to The Scarlet Letter, I would have loved it so much more. HOWEVER, I think this book does have a place with the right audience, because it does explore some wonderful themes, and its plot is truly unique. It just didn't work for me.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Thank you, Atria Books, for the arc! The Invisible Hour will be released August 15, 2023.

Trigger/Content Warnings: pregnancy, birth, abortion mentioned, cult community, abuse, stalking, death of a parent, closed door

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

One Kiss Alone: A Book Review

I'm convinced Nichole Van can do no wrong. Each one of her books is incredibly romantic but also deeply personal with her characters' growth. With each book I finish feeling incredibly satisfied and delighted. One Kiss Alone was no different!

The romance is absolutely adorable and gutting at the same time. I loved Ethan's Golden Retriever energy, but also his depth and kindness. He pairs perfectly with Allie, who has a dark past and uncertain future. I loved seeing their journey through enemies to friends to lovers. Their banter was fantastic.

What I also love about Nichole Van's books is that the plot is always original and fresh, leaving me to devour these books in one day. From the first page I was drawn in with the highway robbery, and the plot only thickened as the story went on. I'm always surprised at how well the characters communicate (miscommunication in regency is the worst, so I'm incredibly happy that this doesn't have a place in Van's books), and the relationships always seem real and genuine.

I will forever be a Nichole Van fan. She writes such atmospheric, heartfelt books that transport me right into Scotland and tug at my heartstrings with thrilling, delightful romance. She's incredible!

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

Thank you, Nichole Van, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: robbery, mild violence, past recounting of prostitution and child abuse, drugging & kidnapping, gun violence, kisses

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

Her Radiant Curse: A Book Review

How cool that we get a prequel book for Six Crimson Cranes! This book was fascinating for that reason—to see Channi's journey and how she ends up as queen in Six Crimson Cranes. For the most part, I enjoy Elizabeth Lim's writing and her ability to write unique and interesting fairytale stories. And I was drawn into this story right away with the first chapter.

However, I felt the tension dissipate as Channi's journey went on. The plot felt oversimplified to me with rescuing her sister. And I'm not sure how I feel about the hint of a romance between a human and a dragon. There were some cool action fights though, and I love Channi's strength and confidence in her serpent face.

Overall, I think I expected more from this prequel, especially her relationship with Shiori's father prior to Six Crimson Cranes. But it still provided excellent backstory to Channi's curse and the lore of the world.

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

Thank you, Knopf Books for Young Readers and NetGalley, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: poisoning, snake bites, child abuse, monster/fighting violence and death

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