pickThis was a book I wanted to like more than I did. Part of the problem is that the whole point is that Olivia runs a business where she matches people based on their Chinese Zodiac signs and making sure that her clients are paired with compatible signs. We are told the reasons for why she's so absolutely die hard about this, but despite the fact that we spend the whole book in Liv's head, I just never could quite figure out her obsession with ⬇
June and I‘ve passed halfway 🎉
8 to go!
I have read other Black authors and Black women authors as well this year but I challenged myself to books published 2024 🤞🏻
pickFantasy isn‘t normally my go to and I surprisingly enjoyed reading this. TBH, I purchased it because the cover is stunning 🤩
I appreciated the parallels in this story that were unfolded and are experiencing in real time with pivotal social justice layers like anti-blackness, patriarchy, tyranny, and genocide, just to name a few.
It was action packed and held my attention. The twists in the story were so unexpected and it kept me on my toes!
pickIt‘s been a couple of hours since I finished it and I am now able to string together a coherent sentence about this book (because MY GOD WHAT AN ENDING). That sentence is: Hafsah Faizal has done it again! I loved this book just as much as her previous (something I thought near-impossible) and the way every strand of the story wove together was masterful. Loved the characters, the world and the story and can‘t wait for the next in this series!
5⭐️
1. Chloe Gong - true history -fantasy -Shakespeare and a story 🩷🩷🩷🩷
2. The series of books: These Violent Delights duology with the Foul Lady Fortune duology with the Last Violent Call novella is the best way. However the Foul Lady Fortune duology is my favorite.
#TWO4TUESDAY
pickExciting voice. Capturing real emotion and feeling alongside very everyday life. Did not feel like it was written 70 years ago
so-soI guess there was a reason I stopped reading her ice cream series. I picked up this first book in a new series (food and bookstore sounds great), but WOW I did not like this MC. She was so annoying and the worst kind of amateur detective. Also a lot of repetitive thoughts. I think I‘ll pass on anymore.
Finished in May
so-soCharacters were underdeveloped, there were secondary characters that were names only. Main characters didn't feel really unique.
I loved the world & magic in it. And I also adored the beginning of the book. But then something happened at 50 % and there were nothing else than long & dragging marriage negotitations.
This was predictable story, I enjoyed scenery but plotwise this didn't offer that much.
#serieslove2024
pickGood second book in what should be a trilogy. I‘m team Aaron all the way 😂 I‘m not into love triangles but this one I‘m opinionated on. Got a bit mired in the location details, but the pacing and action helped.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pickThis was a very cute, low spice romance about two people from very different worlds. I loved the references to Crazy Rich Asians throughout - it felt like a much more toned down version of the series. Plus, there's a Corgi!
However, I really liked both Olivia and Bennett and I LOVED that they actually communicated like adults (usually) and that the author didn't try to throw in third act drama, because Bennett already knows most of Olivia's “secrets“ early on (like who she is, for instance). I get really stressed when one of the characters needs to make a big “confession“ or when the whole relationship is built on one of person ⬇ 18h
Overall, I did like this one, but frankly I've been in an absolutely horrible reading slump this month where everything just makes me say “eh. 3.5* It was okay“ I just don't seem to be reading anything that really gives me the sparks. So. 3.5* It was okay 😂 18h
#WickedWords - Music @AsYouWish
#ReadorDonate @julieclair
#FourFoursin24 - Saturn Pattern @lauredhel
#BookSpinBingo 18h