Walk of Shame by Lauren Layne (2017)

He's not as emotionally stunted as I thought because he reaches for my floundering hand and squeezes my fingers.

This is the first time I'm listening to an audiobook, so WALK OF SHAME introduced me to some common audiobook symptoms:
1. Staring blankly into thin air with my earphones plugged in
2. Dropping everything I'm doing as soon as an exciting scene happens
3. Making a stupid face when the sweet kiss scene comes on
4. Just generally looking like an ass, walking around with my earphones on 24/7

But it was a really enjoyable book, so :)

Quick categories

Steamy hatefuck scale: 4/5

They do insult each other a lot, but it comes off as more playful flirting/playground banter than anything with real heat. When they actually do say something cruel, it's acknowledged in-universe as taking a step too far. For a lighthearted romance novel, I think it's standard.

Secret softness scale: 4/5

The only thing stopping me from giving this a 3/5 is the sickness subplot. Basically, Andrew catches the flu and Georgie takes care of him. Then Georgie catches it too and he takes care of her. It was so cute, oh my god. Other than that... there isn't a lot of lovey dovey introspective "you're perfect for me" conversations between them. Well, in the end, Andrew sings his Big Confession... so bonus points.

Rating the experience: 5/5

The audiobook was several hours long but I finished it in two days (albeit at 1.75x the speed). The writing is snappy, funny, and easy to digest. I couldn't get enough of it! My only real issue is that it started dragging by the end (after the smut scene), but at that point Layne was tying up loose ends for Andrew's character growth, so I can forgive it.

For Fans of Fierce Heroine X and Broody Hero Y:
Georgie is so bubbly, kind, and lovable. She reminds me of Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. She might seem like a fashion-obsessed socialite ditz, but she's actually quite intelligent. And she cares for other people deeply. She's unbelievably precious.

Andrew is honestly one of those stock jerk-who-learns-to-love characters lmao. He's stoic, cool, and unbelievably smart... which isolates him from others. Huh. That actually sounds like Prince Rhen from A Curse So Dark and Lonely. Agree?

On to the actual review...

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Pampered heiress Georgianna Watkins has a party-girl image to maintain, but all the shopping and clubbing is starting to feel a little bit hollow—and a whole lot lonely. Though Georgie would never admit it, the highlights of her week are the mornings when she comes home at the same time as her uptight, workaholic neighbor is leaving to hit the gym and put in a long day at the office. Teasing him is the most fun Georgie’s had in years—and the fuel for all her naughtiest daydreams.

Celebrity divorce attorney Andrew Mulroney doesn’t have much time for women, especially spoiled tabloid princesses who spend more time on Page Six than at an actual job. Although Georgie’s drop-dead gorgeous, she’s also everything Andrew resents: the type of girl who inherited her penthouse instead of earning it. But after Andrew caps one of their predawn sparring sessions with a surprise kiss—a kiss that’s caught on camera—all of Manhattan is gossiping about whether they’re a real couple. And nobody’s more surprised than Andrew to find that the answer just might be yes.

It's very straightforward: Georgia is a happy, bubbly socialite. Andrew is the cold-hearted top divorce lawyer. They're neighbors and they cannot get along. They hate each other! Or do they...?

It's technically a slow-burn because of the hate-to-love trope, but I would still categorize this as an insta-love novel. There's no subtlety to it lol. Andrew and Georgie might think they hate each other, but they quickly realize that they are at least physically attracted to each other. Plus, they're complete opposites, so their friendship isn't a normal one. They acknowledge that they have absolutely nothing in common (except that both of them love the color red). But since opposites attract, they make it work.

Here are some of the tropes in WALK OF SHAME:

1. Hate to love and snarky banter

2. "Ugh s/he's not here I am so annoyed and it is NOT because I have feelings" (basically: denial)

3. A kiss in the rain

4. Taking care of their partner while sick

5. Big apology as love confession

6. Everyone Else Ships It

I honestly don't have much to say about this book. Georgie eventually realizes that she wants a life with more than just parties, but she stays the same throughout the novel. It's Andrew that goes through character development. He eventually learns how to listen to his heart. Does that sound cheesy? It is, but it was pretty cute!

By the way, the summary is misleading but this is not a fake-dating or a Gossip Girl type of novel. Sure, their kiss is caught on camera, but it doesn't add much drama to the story. In fact, it just makes Georgie's friends back off from pursuing Andrew so they can cheer her on instead.

TL;DR A quick, lighthearted, fun romance read. Rated 3/5 stars.

No comments

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab (2016)

This book doesn't have a conventional enemies-to-lovers set-up (though it is enemies to lovers). But it's still god-tier, because Victoria Schwab is god-tier.

Quick categories

Steamy hatefuck scale: 2/5

Honestly, it's so funny how much heat they lack considering who they are. At one point Kate shoves August against some lockers. At one point August yells at Kate for being terrible. But they never do it with the real intent to harm each other. Even when they realize they are enemies, they can't bring themselves to hurt each other. So, absolutely zero hatefuck, but that's not a bad thing. Read on below to learn why the dynamic is still so appealing.

Secret softness scale: 5/5

IT'S AMAZING HOW TWO MONSTROUS CHARACTERS CAN BE SO SOFT WITH EACH OTHER. There's a significant difference with how August and Kate act with other people... versus with each other. They see through each other's bullshit. They know they're both outcasts, both different, both struggling. It's so beautiful to see them click. They have a tradition of sitting with each other by the track field every day—two kids who would so much rather be alone, but end up together. They slowly reveal their pasts, their insecurities, their true selves. And they just get so much closer from then on.

I actually gave a shit about other things scale: 4/5

August is so sweet and adorable but honestly, I'm in love with Leo. Maybe bastard characters are just my type lol. His motivations make perfect sense despite the plot twist. The novel's setting is also kind of weird; I originally assumed it was dystopian, not urban fantasy, but eventually I got into it. My only real complaint is that I wish we could spend more time with the other characters because everyone was so intriguing! I loved Ilsa. I loved Sloan. I even miss August's schoolmates.

For fans of Broody Hero X and Ferocious Heroine Y:

August is a sad, adorable, shy monster boy who does not want to kill people even if he's forced to. But he loves his family above everything and will do all it takes to protect them. He's a cross between Azriel from A Court of Thorns and Roses and... Shinji Ikari from Neon Genesis Evangelion, maybe? I promise that's a good thing!! He just wants so desperately to be human. To be normal.

Kate, in contrast, wants nothing more than to prove her monstrosity so her father will finally acknowledge her. But as cruel as she acts... it's just an act. She's actually a good person. She reminds me of Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. FYI, I freaking loved Kate from the beginning.

On to the actual review...

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Kate Harker and August Flynn are the heirs to a divided city—a city where the violence has begun to breed actual monsters. All Kate wants is to be as ruthless as her father, who lets the monsters roam free and makes the humans pay for his protection. All August wants is to be human, as good-hearted as his own father, to play a bigger role in protecting the innocent—but he’s one of the monsters. One who can steal a soul with a simple strain of music. When the chance arises to keep an eye on Kate, who’s just been kicked out of her sixth boarding school and returned home, August jumps at it. But Kate discovers August’s secret, and after a failed assassination attempt the pair must flee for their lives.

The City of Verity is divided into two. The North is ruled by Callum Harker, a ruthless man who demands payment for his protection. Forget payment and you'll be fed to the monsters he keeps. Henry Flynn rules the South. Here he treats the three deadliest monsters as family—he's adopted them as his children—and also commands a task force that keeps his citizens safe. But everyone, no matter where they are, lives in fear of the monsters hiding in the dark. Harker and Flynn may rule, but their power is tenuous at best—they're only both human.

Kate Harker just wants her father to love her. So she tries to be as cruel as he is; she commits arson, threatens her schoolmates, and kills monsters. August Flynn just wants to be normal. But he can't, because his father is Henry Flynn, and his brother Leo is a zealous monster who takes pride in killing criminals. When Kate and August meet at school, August knows he has to keep an eye on her... and possibly hurt her, if necessary. But both of them are outcasts who don't fit in, so they're instantly drawn to each other.

CHARACTERS AND RELATIONSHIPS

I want to emphasize that THIS SAVAGE SONG is not actually a romance novel. It's an urban fantasy with hints of romance. And unlike other fantasies, it actually starts quite slow. Kate and August spend lots of time dealing with their own internal struggles, unsuccessfully fitting in at school, and interacting with their family. It takes a while for the plot to get rolling. And when they do meet, August is hiding his true identity, so they don't actually act like enemies.

Normally, this would make me dismiss it as not truly enemies to lovers. But August and Kate's interactions are just so sincere, well-developed, and believable. Kate sees through August's attempts to blend in. August sees through Kate's attempts to be a cold-hearted bitch. He's the only one that isn't afraid of her. She's the only one that knows what it's like to be different. They fit.

And while it doesn't have the usual romance aspects (SPOILER: they don't kiss or confess their feelings, at least not in Book 1), it still feels like one. You can tell that they really do care for each other. They have amazing chemistry. They have no reason to keep saving each other and yet they do, over and over again. There is love there—so wickedly ironic, considering August is a monster who struggles with human emotions, and Kate tries so desperately to be monstrous and inhuman.

It's a brilliant dynamic, and I recommend this book just for it. The characters are so likable too. I adored Kate from the start because I'm always a fan of ferocious female characters. August is so deliciously conflicted; he just wants to be normal and human.

And their interactions with their family members are also wonderful. August really loves his family. Leo and Ilsa (his adopted siblings), despite being monsters too, show that they care in their own way. August does say that Ilsa loves Leo. And while he canonically says Leo can't love anyone—I personally disagree. He's twisted, but he does show that he cares—he just does it in such a monstrous way.

Kate, too, is so well fleshed out. She really loved her mother. She just wants to be acknowledged by her father. Her character is just so achingly real. Both August and Kate are relatable on so many levels.

PLOT AND SETTING

Frankly, there's nothing very original about the plot or the setting. But in Enemies to Lovers Reviews we love tropes done well, so I have no complaints. Even Schwab herself described this book as Romeo and Juliet-esque, I think.

Just a quick comment: I already said it before but the genre was a bit confusing at first lol. It really read like a dystopian sci-fi novel at the beginning. The country is torn apart, some cataclysmic event has killed numerous people, and now monsters are born from it. But it's really an urban fantasy. The monsters are created when tragedy occurs and human lives are lost. I don't fully understand why it only happened recently (maybe all the violence reached a tipping point? IDK) but eh. This book came out in 2016.

TL;DR YES I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! It's fantastic and stands on its own. The "romance" is just the icing on the cake because THIS SAVAGE SONG is so much more than that. Plus, the writing is beautiful. The prose is simple but brilliant. There were some lines that just took my breath away.

Also, there's a creepy lullaby in this book and let me leave you with it:

“Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They're gonna come and eat you all.
Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.
Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul.
Monsters, monsters, big and small,
They're gonna come and eat you all!”

No comments

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu

I received a free e-copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

Note: this is NOT an enemies-to-lovers book, so my format is a little different

Possible tags for this graphic novel:

Childhood friends to lovers
Fluff
Queer romance
Modern witches

I saw so much praise for this graphic novel so I requested it myself. But after reading it, I'd only rate it 3/5 stars.

What I loved

THE WORLDBUILDING

The worldbuilding is the best part of this graphic novel. It's so fascinating and unique, and I honestly wanted to learn more. I mean... modern day witches who own a magical store? Werewolves and demons? A man with a pigeon-head and cheerful ghosts that visit their daughter? Spells and magical gemstones? Not to mention how beautifully illustrated all of this is... I fell in love with the universe immediately!

THE ART

Wendy Xu's art style is so lovely! It's so adorable, colorful, and cheerful. I love her attention to details. I'd zoom in on various panels just to see all the little bits she added. And Nova's outfits are very cute, which I appreciate.

THE FRIENDSHIPS AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

The authors themselves stated they wanted to write characters with a good support system and they managed that successfully. Nova and her grandparents have such a sweet relationship, and her parents are loving even if they're a little critical. Her entire extended family comes to visit during a festival and they're fond of Tam as well. Nova's best friend Tatiana is also a spot of sunshine! And even if Tam's family isn't great, she finds a new family with Nova instead. The relationships are very warm-hearted and sincere.

What I didn't like

LACK OF CONFLICT

I know this graphic novel is supposed to be lighthearted and sweet, but every story still needs a proper conflict. The only real conflict was between our protagonists (Tam and Nova) and the villain who's been spreading demons around. Even so, it was only hinted at the start, and was only continued about halfway through. The middle chapters were mainly about the romance and the worldbuilding. The villain felt quite cartoonish and I didn't understand why they were acting in the first place. Furthermore, from the moment the villain was introduced, she was already suspicious and sneaky. It was so obviously a "plot twist".

Plus, I never felt like there were real stakes until page 177 of the graphic novel. Before then, I was never afraid for the characters or the universe. Was anything significantly bad going to happen to them? What are the consequences of them failing? These were never directly addressed or treated seriously enough early on.

By page 178, something dangerous happens to Tam, so I wanted to read on and see what would happen next. But it shouldn't have taken close to 200 pages for this.

LACK OF RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Tam and Nova are childhood friends who were separated for the longest time. After Nova discovers Tam in the woods post-transformation, they reunite, and the two quickly fall in love. Nova says she loved Tam ever since they were kids, but we don't have much context. It felt very insta-love to me, which I'm not a fan of. I prefer seeing a relationship progress rather than have the two characters automatically profess their love and kiss. All the other characters were also pointing out how much they mooned over each other, which was cute and hilarious, but like I said, I couldn't be invested. I wish the authors spent more time developing Tam and Nova's friendship before they confessed to each other. Or maybe provide more flashbacks so we know what we're working with. That way, their romance would seem more realistic and rewarding and not something that was just stated.

BONUS POINTS

Readers have been praising this graphic novel for its diversity and they're right. It's worth complimenting! Tam and Nova are both biracial Chinese-Americans. Nova is bisexual. Tam is non-binary. All of Nova's friends and family are supportive of their relationship. Nova wears a hearing aid but her deafness is never considered a weakness. And their diverse characteristics are never considered a plot point; they're just there, existing, as real life people do. It's normalized, which is great.

Other than that... I actually question the YA rating. I think this should've been a Middle Grade graphic novel instead. The protagonists are teenagers, yes, but the style seemed more suitable for a younger audience. Sure, a character says "sex" once and there are evil demons and cults, but it's nothing too frightening for children. The main couple never goes past kissing. All violence is cartoonish and non-gory. There's no strong language. Even the whimsical fantasy-adventure vibe gave it a younger feel.

TL;DR It's a very quick, lighthearted read. If you want good representation and a light fantasy for younger readers, then it's for you. But personally it was not for me.

1 comments

The Duchess Deal (Girl Meets Duke #1) by Tessa Dare (2017)

This is my first historical romance novel... and I am in love!

This historical Beauty and the Beast retelling features a marriage of convenience, witty humor, and more smut scenes than I can count...

Quick Categories

Steamy Hatefuck Scale: 4/5

Okay, so this is complicated. At first they start very awkwardly... Ash is afraid to hurt Emma and assumes that she's disgusted by him (when in reality, she's very attracted to him). But eventually they realize they both love it and have sex pretty much... everywhere... There's a lot of smut in here. And these idiots (Ash is the main idiot) always do it with the assumption that this is just business and their feelings are nonexistent. Pshaw.

Secret Softness Scale: 5/5

Emma helps Ash realize that the heart matters more than looks. Ash becomes a better man once he realizes that Emma deserves better from him. And he gets (hilarious) revenge for her sake. These two refuse to admit that they're in love... but they are totally in love. Actions speak louder than words ;)

Laugh Out Loud Scale: 5/5

Ashbury has a hobby of going out into town at night, pretending to be a monster, and beating up bad guys. He ends up with a boy sidekick who refuses to leave him alone. When the newspapers go wild, making up the weirdest rumors about him, he actively encourages it. ASH IS THE BIGGEST DRAMA QUEEN ON EARTH. He's worse than the Phantom. And he's an idiot too, because all that drama gets him arrested (though of course he's bailed out). I love him, the moron.

Tropes you'll find in THE DUCHESS DEAL:

Marriage of convenience
Bridal carry. In public.
Bedsharing (both innocent and not so innocent)
Idiots to lovers or I cannot believe these two still think their feelings are one-sided
Ash's Angst
Beauty and the Beast retelling
Smut on every piece of furniture in the house
Evil, broody man hides a secret soft side
Strong heroine cares for her friends and gets Ash's head out of his ass
Everyone Ships It. All the servants ship it.

So it is basically a Reylo fic.

On to the actual review...

Here is the summary on Goodreads:

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:- They will be husband and wife by night only.- No lights, no kissing. - No questions about his battle scars.- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:- They will have dinner together every evening.- With conversation.- And unlimited teasing.- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

My reviews have been getting way too long recently so I'm going to be snappy about what makes this book special.

1. It's funny.

Ash has a very dry sense of humor. Not to mention his and Emma's stupid antics as idiots-to-truly-lovers. I chuckled out loud while reading this.

2. It's sweet

Highlight reel: Emma swoons in the rain. Ash bridal carries her to the nearest inn IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY, demands a room, and takes care of her for the rest of the evening. And of course they have to strip down and sleep together naked. For warmth. Ehem.

Ash is a self-absorbed idiot most of the time (he's so bothered by his monstrous appearance that he refuses to socialize, refuses to go outside in daylight, and refuses to be kind. Or at least, he'll huff and puff and brood while he secretly cares.

3. Emma has amazing female friendships

Emma accepts Ash's offer to be his wife because she just wants to help out another friend. And when she can't fit in with the other noble wives, a group of other outcast women take her in and instantly befriend her. They're so quirky and sweet! Emma's friends, in fact, are the protagonists of the other books in this Girl Meets Duke series.

4. They start out bickering... but they fall in love pretty quick. It's insta-love, not so believable, but it's still fun to read.

I mean, they get married for the sake of bearing children. So of course the smut starts very early. And soon they're screwing like rabbits. I'm personally a slow burn type, so this is just a personal preference. Even if it was more instant than I like, it was still sweet, adorable, and fun to read! Unlike other insta-love types that seem too forced, they at least have sizzling chemistry.

TL;DR Read it if even if you aren't a category romance fan. If you like fanfic then you'll understand the appeal. It's a very quick, lighthearted, steamy novel. 5/5 stars just for the Ash-moonlights-as-a-monstrous-superhero subplot lmao

No comments

I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As it is an indie, the author has full control over the work. She's stated that she will take ARC feedback into consideration.

A Violet Fire by Kelsey Quick (To be released on 9 Dec 2019)

In the Vampire Stratocracy of Cain, human blood is scarce. For centuries, councils have sought to assuage the blood shortage by enslaving and breeding humans, turning them into profitable supply units for the rich and the abled.

Today, eighteen-year-old Wavorly Sterling is officially a supply unit, bound to serve her blood willingly to her master for the rest of her life. One of only few humans that was not bred in Cain, Wavorly knows freedom better than anyone, and she is determined to escape the clutches of her oppressors, even if by the hands of death.

But surprises lay beyond every certainty, and within every doubt. Where Wavorly's hatred for both vampires and her enslavement once flowed free as blood, it merely trickles as she grows to admire her reserved, yet receptive master and savior, Anton Zein.

Although warmed by comforts never felt before, danger still lurks in the castle, and a prophecy calls from beyond the walls of a lavender gate—concealing the horrific secrets lodged between handsome smirks and cinereous eyes. It will take everything within Wavorly to face her fears and her doubts; to harness the truth of her past despite what that means for her future. The only question is, will she?

Set in a richly detailed world of fantasy, A Violet Fire is a gripping journey filled with passion, betrayal, lies, and the encouragement we all need to take a stand for our freedom—no matter the cost.

As this is an ARC, I'm dividing my review into two parts. Skip to "Enemies to Lovers Deliciousness" if you just want the usual format. The general review may contain spoilers, while the quick categories do not.

General review

I requested this ARC because the premise intrigued me. I never got tired of the vampire trend and the synopsis promised a hate-to-love romance. That's all you need to get my attention, really. Plus, it was compared to The Cruel Prince so I was doubly encouraged.

(Confession: I didn't finish reading TCP. But that's for another time. I understand perfectly why A Violet Fire was comped to it)

Let me say though that the prose is beautiful and the concept is promising. The author just stumbled with the execution. There are some scenes that captivated me entirely... while others left me skipping forward. I'd rate this 3.5/5 stars for that inconsistency. I have so many mixed feelings.

WORLDBUILDING

I LOVED the worldbuilding. It's very original, and the author even included the universe's history and politics at play. Plus, you know that the novel only takes place in a small part of the world--and that's why Wavorly is itching to escape to a better, freer country. I'm very interested in learning more about the places outside Cain.

I also want to reiterate that the prose is beautiful. The author offers lavish descriptions of places, clothing, and characters. I could imagine it all perfectly in my head. At one point, I just kept reading on because of her prose.

RELATIONSHIPS

Wavorly and Zein's romance hooked me in because I am a sucker for the hate-to-love trope. Wavorly is the only human who hasn't been brainwashed to worship Zein, so he's fascinated by her. (Also, she's the last human with red hair and green eyes, so she's "genetically important") Even if she pisses him off, and she does that a lot, he admits it's refreshing. Nobody else dares to argue with him, so his immortal life is really boring.

Meanwhile, Zein is very hot and cold. His attempts to punish Wavorly are just for show, really, and he never means to hurt her seriously (no matter how many evil threats he makes). He makes sure she's comfortable, cares for her, and respects her boundaries. He even guarantees her and her friends' safety (albeit on his own terms). So Zein learns to be more compassionate towards her.

Honestly, I was clutching my e-reader to my face whenever they shared a scene. I was so into their dark, flirty, half-hate-half-love banter. And when he bites her... oof.

BUT Wavorly's opinion of Zein is inconsistent. Once they get to know each other more, she hates him one moment, and then loves him the next, and then remembers that she hates him... I understand what the author was doing; Waverly is conflicted since she's hated vampires all her life. But sometimes it just gave me whiplash. I wish we were more gently eased into her romantic struggles.

EXCESSIVE INFO-DUMPS

The worldbuilding is fascinating and complex, I give it that! But I think there was too much info-dumping in this novel. I prefer discovering the world through its plot rather than having it directly explained by the characters. The constant exposition was present throughout the novel... it was happening even near the end. I know it's done for our benefit, but I think constant info-dumping just makes the world feel cold and impersonal.

And yet, when there wasn't an info-dump, when there were hints of a plot twist... it felt predictable. I think it's because the author revealed the details at awkward times. Rather than seeming organic (if they were mentioned from the start), they seemed too much like conspicuous plot devices. Yes, she suddenly starts getting flashbacks about her dead best friend. The moment she name-dropped him, I knew he was alive and coming for her.

PACING

A Violet Fire starts off really great. We're thrown into the action with some minor backstory, Wavorly is really driving her own destiny, and it's easy to root for her. Even after she and her friends are transferred to Zein's castle, there's enough drama to keep you reading. There's her relationship with Zein, her blooming friendships (and enemy-ships) with the other girls, and the mystery of that ~violet room which honestly, I did not care for. I'm sorry. It was mysterious, yes, but I didn't know why we should care for it other than oh it's only visible to Wavorly and it reveals her past and there's a secret prophecy...

I think the novel waffles a bit at this midpoint. Once Wavorly reluctantly falls for Zein (and after he threatens the safety of her friends) she has no more reason to escape. She goes from an active protagonist to a very passive one, only reacting to the events and characters around her. Like, I get that she had no choice, but this lack of drive (aside from wanting to examine the violet room which, like I said, I didn't care for) made the novel seem so slow. I think I devoured close to a hundred pages in one day, and then after that, it became an effort to read too many pages at once.

Near the end, there's a Chosen One plot twist that I didn't personally enjoy (though that's only because I am personally not into the Chosen One trope). It made a lot of sense, and it put everything in the story into perspective... but I was disappointed. I expected A Violet Fire to be much more unique (considering its worldbuilding). The fact that the Chosen One trope was only revealed at the last... 80% or so of the novel is also the issue, I think. Maybe it's my fault; I was expecting this novel to subvert all the usual vampire fantasy tropes. But it didn't.

BONUS: Other Reviewers' Issues

I've read other reviews and I noticed that other readers think Wavorly slut shames the other female characters. I disagree. It might seem like it because she's disgusted by their hero worship of the vampires, but Wavorly understands that they were brainwashed into it. It isn't their fault. And the things that are their fault (like attacking her out of jealousy) warrants anger, I think. More than anything, Wavorly was angry that the other girls were praising vampires. It had nothing to do with them being men they were attracted to. It's the object of attraction that she hates, not the attraction itself. Remember when her best friend Savvy revealed she was in love with Gemini? Wavorly was supportive because she knew it would make her friend happy.

Wavorly is the only person who doesn't hero worship her captors. I understand why she's so upset and disgusted.

Enemies to Lovers Deliciousness

Quick categories

Steamy hatefuck scale: 4/5

The steamy hatefuck is good. God, Wavorly hates Zein with such a burning passion. When Zein gets pissed off, he gets really aggressive. She's still supposed to feed him her blood, so there's a lot of tension when he gets angry enough to bite :)

Secret softness scale: 4/5

Zein really does care for her, even if he's an evil vampire warlord. He gives her special treatment, always makes sure she's okay after a feeding, and saves her time and time again. Wavorly softens up to him once she realizes he's kinder than she thought.

Go female friendships! scale: 5/5

I actually really enjoyed Wavorly's friendship with Savvy. That girl is precious, and it's sweet how Wavorly sacrifices a lot just to save her best friend. Even if they fight, they don't stay enemies for long. And even if they're jealous of each other at times, it doesn't break their friendship, and they always make-up.

TL;DR I have mixed feelings about this novel. If you're a fan of vampire romances and traditional fantasy tropes, then I recommend it. But if you're looking for something new and subversive, then maybe skip it.

No comments

Wow, two blog posts in one week! I initially scheduled the book review to go this week but... I also really wanted to do this post... anyway.

Friday Favorites is hosted by Something of the Book. Learn more about it here

Favorite Books That Define You

This is going to be predictable. I'm sorry in advance :)) Here are my favorite books that define me and why... with a bulleted list.

1. CRIMSON BOUND by Rosamund Hodge

Historical Little Red Riding Hood retelling that's evocative of Bloodborne? Okay, I'm intrigued.
Angry, vengeful female protagonist. I am already in love.
Dark flirty prince turns out to be a sexy demon? I'm going to marry this book.
Lovecraftian horror of a Big Bad monster? I'M PROPOSING ON MY KNEES
Heartbreaking hate-to-love romance? ANGST? I'm whipped.

Everyone on Twitter already knows I love this book because I've been screaming about it for months on end.

2. THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt

Pretentious liberal arts college students? Yes please. I was also a pretentious liberal arts college student so I take great pleasure in it... both played straight and as a satire.
"A morbid longing for the picturesque at all costs."
Richard not fitting in at his hometown and realizing he's not meant for that life
The desperation for friendship and The Aesthetic
Fascinating, heavily flawed characters
Just... college students doing dumb things. As I've re-read this novel at various points in my life, my opinion of it has changed each time. I love that flexibility.

3. STRANGE WEATHER IN TOKYO by Hiromi Kawakami

Lonely characters fall into a quirky, awkward romance
Atmospheric, episodic writing
Themes that are characteristic of Japanese literature
An ending that just punches you in the face with its grief

I'm a masochist, I guess. I cried my eyes out after reading this.

4. AFTER DARK by Haruki Murakami

Late night city life. I'm a city girl and I love this.
Isolated, lonely characters.
Mysterious, atmospheric vibe
Just the hint of a romance... making me want more.

5. SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson

A protagonist who LOVES books and can't live without them
Snarky love interest who hides his softness behind a prickly exterior
Lovable demon sidekick
Gorgeously sweet slow burn
Beautiful, beautiful prose
Redemption and finding your place in the world

Sorcery of Thorns is an ode to anyone who loves books, ergo it's one of my favorites.

So in summary, I am defined by

Lonely, isolated characters
Angry girls
Byronic heroes (give me your dark princes, your sexy demons, and handsome villains)
Slow burn romances
Books that give you an existential crisis

Yeah, sounds like me.

How about you? Any similarities? What books define you?

2 comments

From Lukov, With Love by Mariana Zapata (2018)

THIS SLOW-BURN ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE NOVEL IS BASICALLY AN ICE SKATING AU REYLO FANFIC. I SAID WHAT I SAID.

AND IT'S JUST AS AMAZING AS YOU CAN IMAGINE

Quick categories

Steamy hatefuck scale: 5/5

Jasmine and Ivan cannot stand in the same room without insulting each other. Their dynamic is legendary—one notorious video in-universe features Jasmine telling Ivan to suck her dick at a competition. She calls him Satan. He calls her Meatball. They are absolute children, and if it wasn't for their coach, they'd be at each other's throats 24/7. This. Is. Real. Enemies to lovers in a contemporary setting. And it's so funny! [Bonus: when Jasmine rants to her family about how much she hates Ivan... they're confused because they thought all the fighting was just flirting and they thought she used to have a crush on him. MAMA KNOWS BEST. WE ENEMIES TO LOVERS FANS ARE IN THE KNOW]

Secret softness scale: 5/5

When they actually learn to be friends, these two are so incredibly soft. It's also doubly heartwarming because Jasmine is usually a prickly bitch and Ivan is usually an arrogant asshole. But they become the best of friends and quickly learn to care for each other. Highlight reel: Ivan comforting Jasmine with hugs when she breaks down crying, Ivan kissing her nose on national television, and Jasmine crawling into Ivan's bed while vodka-drunk. Yes, they cuddled all night.

I actually gave a shit about other things scale: 5/5

Listen. I read this book expecting to just squee over the adorable, lighthearted romance. I did not expect the overwhelmingly painful barrage of feelings. Jasmine, the protagonist, had so many struggles that were just so vividly, personally relatable to me that I cried. Twice. And the crying had nothing to do with her romance with Ivan but everything to do with her as a person: about her career, her family relationships, her own struggles with self-worth. This was so much more than just a romance novel. 5/5 stars for how beautifully realized Jasmine's character is.

PERFECT SCORE FOR EVERY CATEGORY! WE HAVE A WINNER!

For fans of Broody Hero X and Ferocious Heroine Y:

Jasmine is strong, stubborn, and takes no shit from anyone. She's a loner who loves her family to bits. This may be a stretch... but she reminds me of Blue from The Raven Boys. Except that Jasmine is more likely to punch you in the face.

Ivan is arrogant, self-assured, and a bit of a dick... but he hides a soft side. I think I just described every romance novel man ever lmao but he reminds me of Nathaniel from Sorcery of Thorns.

On to the actual review...

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.

After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.

But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.

And now, let me gush about this book for the entirety of the blog post.

CHARACTERS

"My mom said I had serious trust issues, but honestly, the more people I met, the more I didn't want to meet more."

Jasmine is strong. Most people think she's a bitch because she's opinionated, she swears a lot, and she doesn't care about what other people think. She's bad at dealing with other human beings. She threatens children who bully other kids. She's also fiercely ambitious and hardworking. Ever since she became an adult, her ice skating career basically went to shit... and yet she never gives up. She's got that insane, incredible drive that anyone who has true passion can relate to... including the harsh insecurity that maybe she isn't as good as she was anymore.

"You don't get to become good at anything without sacrificing something to make time."

Ivan is perfect and he knows it. He's rich, good-looking, and probably the best male figure skater on Earth. He's a dog dad, a rabbit dad, and a pig dad. He seems like he's got everything in life... except that he's so obsessed with figure skating that he pretty much has no other life. No friends, no girlfriend, no hobbies. But no, that isn't entirely a bad thing. It's not bad because figure skating is their dream and their families understand that. It's important to them so it matters. And thanks to Jasmine, he starts caring about something other than his career and his pets.

Ivan is also the one person that helps Jasmine realize just how amazing she is, just how hardworking she is, and how she deserves much more. He's the best romance novel boyfriend—he takes care of Jasmine, doesn't take her shit, helps her grow, and grows along with her.

RELATIONSHIPS

Jasmine and Ivan have incredible chemistry. Their banter is so fun to read, and I already adored their blooming frenemy-ship from the beginning. And if that isn't enough to convince you, Zapata included several tropes that will appeal to any romance lover's heart:

1. Hate to love and snarky banter

2. Fake dating (no fake make-outs, but there is shameless flirting)

3. Friends to lovers

4. Sick fic!! (at one point Jasmine gets sick and Ivan takes care of her like the sweetest man ever)

5. Bed sharing

6. Babysitting together (and realizing that they'd make good parents)

7. Slow burn

8. Idiots in love (or: Ivan kisses Jasmine and she's still convinced that he meant it platonically and that her love for him is one-sided, seriously, girl)

9. Meeting the parents (they meet each other's families)

10. Hurt/comfort

And many, many more. These two have known each other since they were teenagers, although they spent most of their time hating each other. (The first thing Jasmine ever told Ivan was that his costume was ugly, and he never let it go) Even if you aren't an enemies to lovers fan, you'll appreciate the realistic progression of their relationship.

Also, Jasmine's relationships with her family are so, so heartwarming and brilliant. They love her so much. There's a subplot about her terrible dad... and even he eventually redeems herself. Even her familial relationships are well-developed.

PLOT AND PACING

The novel takes place over the span of one year—Jasmine and Ivan's partnership for the season. It's very episodic and character-centric. I wasn't joking when I said it feels like a fanfic. Their goal is to win the skating competitions (they're both highly ambitious), and much of the novel chronicles their practices together, but it doesn't discuss the actual competitions unless there's a significant relationship development to it. So if you're looking for sports drama or in-depth ice skating stuff, this isn't the novel for you. I have to admit that even if I know little to nothing about ice skating, I still highly enjoyed it!

My only main complaint is one that I've seen mirrored on Goodreads. Jasmine's voice is incredible, but it does get dragging. She spends too much time inside her own head (something her coach has even commented on). So much of the novel consists of monologues upon monologues. So I skipped over a lot of narration and thinking. But otherwise, it's fantastic! The relationship segments make up for it ;)

Also, that smut scene at the end... <3

It's hot but it also made me laugh.

BONUS: PERSONAL IMPACT

When I said I cried twice I wasn't joking. Jasmine has to face some serious internal struggles... and they hit me straight, bulls-eye, even if I'm not a figure skater. I'll just list them down quickly, and if you relate to these... well... please read this novel. It really makes you think.

Themes that hit me hard and made me bawl:

1. Loving your passion above everything else and sacrificing your life for it... only to "fail" and not be as good as others in your field.

2. Working so hard that you end up neglecting your family, friends, and personal relationships. Isolating yourself because of an obsessive need for perfection.

3. Having your parents (accidentally or on purpose) belittling your life goals and passions, assuming that this creative output is just a hobby and that you should get a "real" job.

4. Fearing that you've wasted everything—your life, your youth, your friends' and family's support—on something that you aren't even good at.

5. Being good but not good enough. Becoming nothing but wasted potential.

Ouch, right? I sobbed along with Jasmine. And it made me realize so many things about myself that I never even thought about before. Thank you, Zapata.

TL;DR If you are an enemies to lovers fan, read this book right now. If you're a twenty-something struggling with creative goals and self-worth, read this book right now. If you enjoy slow burn romances with characters that grow along with the relationship, then read this book right now. It. Is. Great!!

No comments

Today's TOP TEN TUESDAY post is a freebie, which means I made it. TTT was started by That Artsy Girl, and you can learn more about it here.

Hyped books. You know them. Everyone knows them. These are the masterpieces of their genre that you have to read if you want to know what a good [insert type of novel here] book is. But when you read them, you don't get the hype.

Please tell me I'm not alone. What popular or "amazing" books could you just not finish? Or which ones did you just not enjoy?

No need to bash any books here, of course, but I'd love to hear your opinions on why you didn't enjoy a certain novel. I think it's important to discuss these things. I LOVE Haruki Murakami, but I know a lot of people who don't, and I understand it perfectly. His stuff isn't for everyone, and it has its issues.

So comment down below and tell me which hyped books you COULDN'T finish and why!

Here are mine:

Super hyped novels that I just couldn't finish

1. GRACELING by Kristin Cashore

Listen, if you're a YA Fantasy fan I know you're gasping. Literally everyone recommends this book. It was groundbreaking for its time. But maybe that's the problem. It was groundbreaking in 2008, but not in 2019. For me, a strong female protagonist with dangerous powers and a level head on her shoulders is expected, not a major twist.

Anyway, my main problem is that the book starts so slow, and it was so boring. I tried to skip ahead but I literally did not care about the political intrigue at all. And even when I started reading Po's part (because maybe the romance could hook me instead), I still didn't care. Sorry.

[Also, I heard the sequel FIRE is better, but I still can't bring myself to read it]

2. THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern

I am so disappointed that I couldn't enjoy this book, believe me. I mean, the blurb is right up my alley. Two competing magicians fall in love?! SOUNDS LIKE ENEMIES TO LOVERS REVIEWS! But... I admit I didn't even reach that stage.

THE NIGHT CIRCUS is a literary novel. It's meant to be whimsical and enchanting and make you fall in love. But it's told from so many distant viewpoints that I couldn't connect with any of the characters. At the beginning, I kept thinking, "I don't care about this. Or him. Or the circus. Just give me Celia and Marco! Let them meet!!" But the book kept disappointing me, and eventually I stopped caring enough to read on. It was so boring, oh my god.

And I have another major issue. It's more personal, but I could not stand the prose. Yes, I get that it's meant to be literary. But it just felt so awkward and clunky to me, and I was noticing weird sentence structures more often than not. Maybe Morgenstern needed a few more rounds with her editor. I don't know.

3. DEATHLESS by Catherynne Valente

TO BE FAIR I READ THIS MANY YEARS AGO AND MAYBE MY OPINION WILL CHANGE NOW. But I already sold my copy and have no interest in buying a new one so, meh. I still have my notes on why I abandoned it in 2017.

"Overrated. Purple prose."

Listen. I love purple prose. Give me luscious writing any day. That's how I write too. But it's so easy to mess up, especially when there isn't a straightforward plot. And that is why I could not finish DEATHLESS.

[Do you see a trend here? Prose is very important to me]

Also, apparently Valente hates Kylo Ren which is so hilarious considering... she basically wrote a character that's exactly like him. And her character is a love interest too.

4. AND I DARKEN by Kierstin White

I'M SO SAD THAT I DIDN'T ENJOY THIS BOOK. I'm so sad that I found it so ridiculously boring. Lada is so charming. I mean, I'm always a fan of strong and savage female characters. But when a book chronicles someone's childhood... I just cannot get into it. I wish there was more action or intrigue, because the first part just felt like a very long flashback that would not end.

I wish White trimmed down Lada's childhood and fast-forwarded to her teen years with the Ottoman Empire.

5. ASH PRINCESS by Laura Sebastian

Okay, this one is a much more personal reason, and I don't think it would apply to everyone. ASH PRINCESS has an interesting concept, decent prose, and a protagonist that's easy to root for. She's been tortured her entire life so it's time to regain her crown and fight back. I love that!

But the more I read... the more it made me uncomfortable. Like, maybe that's the point, but I had to stop reading. I'm not usually that queasy; I adore books with dark and vicious topics. But reading about how Theo's people were sold into slavery... while she's stuck in the Kaiser's (colonizer's) palace... The fact that Theo's people are described as dark-skinned or olive-skinned and the Prinz and his other folk are blonde... You get where I'm going. Maybe I'm sensitive, but it felt icky.

OBVIOUS DISCLAIMER: This is just my opinion! Just because I couldn't enjoy a book doesn't mean it's bad. But there's really nothing more disappointing than realizing that the novel you were hyped af for is... like this.

I still have these books piled on my shelf. At least they look pretty, and at least I supported the industry! LOL Maybe someday I'll give them another try. Who knows?

12 comments

These Vicious Delights

Quick categories

On to the actual review...

Do you have a book with deckled edges?

Do you have a book with 3 or more people on the cover?

Do you have a book based on another fictional story?

Do you have a book with a title 10 letters long?

Do you have a book with a title that starts and ends with the same letter?

Do you have a mass market paperback book?

Do you have a book written by an author using a pen name?

Do you have a book with the main character's name in the title?

Do you have a book with 2 maps in it?

Do you have a book that was turned into a TV show?

Do you have a book written by someone who was originally famous for something else?

Do you have a book with a clock on the cover?

Do you have a poetry book?

Do you have a book with an award stamp on it?

Do you have a book written by an author with the same initials as you?

Do you have a book of short stories?

Do you have a book between 500 and 510 pages long?

Do you have a book that was turned into a movie?

Do you have a graphic novel?

Lastly, do you have a book written by 2 or more authors?

Quick categories

On to the actual review...

I can't wait to read Crier's War by Nina Varela

What I loved

What I didn't like

BONUS POINTS

Quick Categories

On to the actual review...

1. It's funny.

2. It's sweet

3. Emma has amazing female friendships

4. They start out bickering... but they fall in love pretty quick. It's insta-love, not so believable, but it's still fun to read.

General review

Enemies to Lovers Deliciousness

Quick categories

Favorite Books That Define You

1. CRIMSON BOUND by Rosamund Hodge

2. THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt

3. STRANGE WEATHER IN TOKYO by Hiromi Kawakami

4. AFTER DARK by Haruki Murakami

5. SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson

Quick categories

On to the actual review...

Super hyped novels that I just couldn't finish

Settings I'd Like to See More of (Or At All) in English-language Books

About me

Networks

Follow Me

Categories

Popular Posts

Blog Archive