To write a satire(?!) on the world of influencers and female relationships and twist it into a thriller was a risk for Zhang, but it paid off. From start to end, I was dragged into Julie's perspective of her twin sister, Chloe's world. Every betrayal, every absurd decision, every toxic relation/friendship. We love a corruption arc for main characters, and Julie's gradual descent into the very thing she scorned and mocked was *chef's kiss.*

it's like a high 3, low 4. little elementary? middle school me would say it's a definite four, but I forgot how bored I get during the third act LMAO. that and the whole siblings thing is just no. no thank you! idc if the whole thing is resolved after, it's still blegh ! still love the introduction to the shadow world though

For those who often feel out of place, struggling to discover their passion, and feel like they‘re on the right path. Ann writes for the college girlies, what can I say? Even though Leah‘s experiences are far different than mine, I could see bits of myself in her as Leah ventures through China‘s cities. Leah‘s focus on her trip may be to exact vengeance on Cyrus, but her journey of self-discovery was what really kept me hooked.

I think I had an inflated idea of how royals in an academic setting would work. When I read the synopsis, I was so hooked, but unfortunately, it wasn't up to my liking nor was it executed that well. For most of the novel, it felt as if we were centered around the characters and their drama. There wasn't enough character development for me, and it felt like we had lost the plot and were stuck in the upward trajectory to get to the climax.

i am never rereading this again. everything hurts. i want to throw up. i hate squirrels. to anyone who tried defending snow, i hope you never recover from this story. (and to anyone who keeps saying squid game is peak, consider reading the hunger games. and if you refuse to use your brain, watch the movies at very least.)

Heavily carried by the cute academic rivalry vibes. The concept of finding love outside of pages and fiction, finding it through the flaws of reality, was intriguing, but ultimately, Lee's writing fell flat. It was just scene after scene to fulfill tropes for the readers, which was supposed to be the book's selling point. (TLDR; my personal opinion was that the story could've done better with more plot and less tropes.)

I'm in love with the moon. The moon doesn't know.

This book is for the people who can never be first, no matter how hard they try, for those trapped in the neverending loop of comparing themselves to others, for those who simply want so much but can never be satisfied. IANJC comforts you, making you feel less alone with these feelings of burnout, imposter syndrome, failure... IANJC isn't a solution to stop these emotions. It's just the perfect story to read and feel seen that it's normal to want.

Unfortunately, none of these “scary stories“ were enjoyable. Maybe it's just the various authors' writing styles that I'm not used to, but getting through the first few pages was a huge struggle. Was it too descriptive or not enticing enough? It was also disappointing how I was hoping for horror that would, you know, keep me on edge and stuff, but somehow, the Goosebump books I read in second grade did more to scare me than these did.

her best book to DATE. ann somehow crafted this story where u root for all 3 leads (xishi, fanli, AND fuchai). xishi's mission will have u on edge for the entire story. where the enemy could discover the truth of why she's in the wu kingdom at any time. when u think xishi's succeeded in some bit, something else happens to throw u off balance along with her. wish zhengdan and luyi had more time in the spotlight because they were my favorites.

With a strongwilled & relatable FMC (Ying), the book was fun & had me hooked from the start until the very end. That being said, slightly baffled by how all Ying's problems were solved. Solutions were too convenient & some details were glossed over. An example: Ying's reaction to her father's death. Surely, a family relative's passing would greatly affect Ying? Especially since she was close to him, but it read like Ying barely even mourned him.

A beautiful blend between Chinese mythology and the supernatural, so with vampires, werewolves, fox spirits, and fae, fantasy readers will surely find something that appeals to them. Apart from just mythology, Zhao intertwines history, dark academia, political struggles, and several betrayals and plot twists to keep you invested until the very end.

it was not a good idea to read this at 2am in the dark but here we are and i nomnom lia shes so mwah (i also think michael and her work far better idk why!! i just do)

while the story itself was fine, i just think there could've been better execution of it. like the last section of the book was wayyyyy too fast paced. it def overwhelmed me, esp since the first like what 50 60% of the novel was giving no development no building up just natalie and henry going from kissing to hating each other in seconds and then it just slammed us in the face with natalie going off w second male lead mr wes.

i spent most of the book getting stressed out because senior year is just terrifying like even reading about it stressed me out. percabeth moments had me SOBBING because they're adorable, that has and never will change. and percy sheningans with grover. it was a different type of fun watching percy go through everyday life while juggling quests on the side. especially since uncle rick's emphasizing growing up/leaving home (this just hurt me)

the only reason it's not zero stars is because the ending redeemed itself, but istg the mmc is just the combination of down-bad and daddy issues. (the funniest thing is, post ib exams, i hated this book but i used it for every paper 2 we did)

EVERY ENEMIES/RIVALS TO LOVERS DREAM- SEEING U AT UR WORST AND LOVING U DESPITE IT ALL

i swear, with every book ann releases, the more i find myself holding my breath while reading. im so sorry to the people on instagram close friends with how much i spammed BUT ITS BETTER THAN ME HOLDING MY BREATH FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME OUT OF STRESS AND ANTICIPATION. girl, i was HOOKED from the start. mouth dropped in disbelief the entire time oh my god.

when i say i DEVOURED this. the way i was mad throughout the whole book because of june and was PRAYING FOR HER DOWNFALL, listen its because of the shtty things she did and the way shes trying to justify it like-?? there was just one off that i'm like oh that's random? why is this being shoved in? i thought this was just literary satire, but why is there horror now with that ghost

im 99% sure that ann found a way to look into my mind from halfway across the world and micro-surgeoned open my head and said “let's make eliza the most relatable character ever“ BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I COULD RELATE TO ELIZA IS IMMACULATE. my notes page is screaming at me

i wanted horror. i unfortunately did not get the level of horror i was hoping for, but the tallest poppy, petrified and truth or dare were the most memorable for me

i dont think im planning to read the sequels because when i say i *STRUGGLED* to get through. i might've continued the series if joan wasn't so annoying but nope cant do it. really liked nick's backstory, though!!

(informal review because this was for ib and it was painful): dude, please stop fainting and control your superiority complex

I was planning to finish the entire book, but after I put it down, I couldn't get back into it. From the very start, Ever annoyed me so much. It was actually infuriating. Maybe it was the way she treated her parents? But either way, the way it's the main character meeting their love interest and making a funny or stupid impression when they first meet - it's not for me.

i picked this book up because a friend recommended it, and she loved this book. but unfortunately, the writing style isn‘t for me and I could barely get past the first few pages. so far it‘s just been a bunch of info-dumping and rambling from the main character. ill really attempt to continue reading it, but for now, im dnf this book because i highly doubt I‘ll be able to push any further. the story idea is great, but the execution just isn‘t it

Reading in Lottie's POV, I was worried since I prefer reading multiple povs. Despite a promising start, I have to say with how disappointed I became as everything progressed. The idea of this story was really good, but execution could've been better. There was too much going on: a blizzard, an intruder (which are fine) + bears, mountain lions, asthma attacks, more intruders, and it's too much. Like why are we throwing everything at the characters?

besties all i did was read the FIRST CHAPTER and maybe im just dumb but ive never read anything more complicated like i could comprehend fantasy world building faster than this

This was a beautiful book about an issue still very prominent in 2022 American society, especially with the overturning of Roe v. Wade earlier this year. I learned a lot about the Canadian abortion movement and the history behind it, from figures like Dr. Morgentaler to forced adoption and maternity homes to the Jane Collective. It's a very thought-provoking read and really sticks with you. 10/10 would read again.

dear chloe, i demand therapy. i genuinely demand therapy. this was so beautifully written with the prose and the plot twists and historical incorporation, but i'm reeling right now. i cannot believe what i just read. its beautiful 15938/10 stars, with this monotone-ish writing, you probably can't tell, but i promise you - this is chloe's best book yet. i'm just in pain from the ending. greatly suffering

A fairytale for a morally grey “witch“ and a prince not-so-charming. Violet isn't your typical princess that is innocent and naive. She's a seer, a prophet that advises the kingdom on what to do. But Violet's also a liar, twisting her visions with so many lies that the truth is barely there. The banter between her and the prince? Phenomenal. Their story? The very opposite of a typical fairytale.

15/10, this is one of the best debut novels I've ever read. Miss Ann Liang has written a story with common tropes but executed them perfectly that the writing is anything but ordinary. Between the academic rivals' banter, plot twists, and Henry Li, it's just *chef's kiss.* However, beyond the characters and romance, Miss Ann has crafted a story that accurately depicts the experience of being Asian-American. It hit close to home a few times tbh.

The execution of fake dating and slowburn had me sobbing several times, and the ending was so wholesome that I sent Lyn several texts screaming. 12/10, read this series, you will not regret it. The development that each character and couple went through is amazing, and when you finish, it'll feel as if they truly became a family (which they did.)

Personally, the princess x bodyguard trope isn't for me, but Miss Ana executed it amazingly. The slowburn and pining will have you screaming for Bridget and Rhys to just kiss within a certain chapter.

grumpy x sunshine, some predictable moments, but excellent angst. miss ana knows what she's doing to keep readers hooked the entire time. ava and alex?? one of the best couples ever.

the enemies to lovers (or benefits situation) was excellently paced, and with the slowburn, the growing feelings between josh and jules was on point. add it with the angsty scenes that every book must have, and it was an easy 5/5 for me. but considering that josh is *supposed* to be smart, i was screaming at him for the two specific dumb mistakes he made, but it's for the angst- the josh&alex banter has me convinced to read the whole series btw

I quite literally cleared my entire evening to finish this book. And I have 4 projects due tomorrow.

The twists and turns in this novel are unparalleled, and I especially enjoyed reading how the various subplots tied into the big picture. There are no 2D characters, and the aura of suspicion makes it all the better.

lyn and i have been declined for an eArc on netgalley for flf, but i've heard from the tvd/ove/chloe gong discord that the book ends with silas wanting a nap and being super tired. SO. there's such a good chance that phoebe x silas is a thing right? what if they got together in flf, but something happened and silas is exhausted because they got in a fight and he was just trying to protect her. SO MANY THEORIES AKFJNSF

“I didn‘t know you had such a praise kink.”

Britt Hanson, the MC, was entertaining to read about, but it felt like everything she did or didn't do revolved around soccer. As the story progresses, we learn more about why soccer is so important to Britt, beyond the UCLA scholarship she could've received. Beyond the character developments, the slow-burn romance was impeccable, considering the dynamic wasn't focused on just attraction. It's a great read if you like a lighthearted rom-com.

A love story between a Tokyo princess and her bodyguard? I loved Izumi's self-discovery adventure throughout this novel, especially because she wasn't only focused on her feelings for Akio. In America, Izumi isn't American enough, but in Japan, she isn't Asian enough. But this was such a fun story to read. The chaos that Izumi got herself into kept me hanging with every page, and the final few chapters about Akio had me stressed beyond relief.

Lovely War had so many intricate details about the history of WWI that I felt like I was reading half a romance novel, half a history textbook (which I don't mind). Each of the four characters lost something throughout the course of the novel, but they persisted until their happily-ever-afters. The ending between Aphrodite and Hephaestus was also- *chef's kiss.* It was a new perspective on Aphrodite being anything but the meddling love goddess.

A mind-bending, makes-you-question-reality, unique novel featuring multi-dimensional characters and a fascinating storyline. The ending ties up the story nicely, and there's no worthless filler. Can be confusing at the very beginning, especially when the timelines are just introduced, but everything smooths out by halfway through the book.

FOUL LADY FORTUNE IS AVAILABLE FOR REQUEST ON NETGALLEY!!!!!

We love character development!!!!!! *insert smiling but crying* Also, we finally get to meet Daisy better, and her dynamic with Ryke is amazing. Ryke-Daisy and Rose-Connor's easy banter lifted the mood in this book a lot, considering Lo's in rehab and Lily's struggling from abstaining sex, but still, this book was super good!!

Booked on a Feeling was a really cute, friends-to-lovers romance, and it's enjoyable that most of the story involved working on revamping a bookstore. It's more appealing than having two friends hang out over a break, having them compete in a contest together or what not. But what's romance without pining? Watching Lizzy and Jack misinterpret each other's actions and delay their inevitable love was truly painful, but it definitely had me hooked.

Nancy as a morally gray protagonist was everything. Not every main character is supposed to be a hero, and it's refreshing to have Nancy not stereotyped as a “hero“ or whatnot. Also, I don't get why some people are saying that it's a remake of One of Us is Lying. The only similarity I see is a murder mystery at school, so seriously, read How We Fall Apart without comparing it to other books. HWFA was an amazing debut book and deserves everything.

“A kid at our school died, and my parents‘ biggest concern is my calc grade. Smh —Anon”

““Two secrets down, two to go. Fess up or get messed up.““