Sionna
There is so much foreshadowing done in these books and clues to what is going on behind the scenes. I'm so excited to one day re-read these books and comment on how things were set up here or recognize what is actually happening and what the aliens are talking about.
So, so good and the next book is going to be E P I C. I'm dying to read it, but I'm also so scared haha.
Okay, this was actually fascinating. Each chapter goes into why each section of the questionnaire is important and insights other people have gained by asking or not asking these questions when they were in relationships.
I love how inclusive this is as well. Lots of different types of people and relationships are explored!
I didn't really believe in her suddenly catching feels for him tbh, so the first 35%-ish was meh to me. Xavier is super sweet though and I love the dates he would take her on and just how well he paid attention to her. Sloane is a boss and I love her. When she let hr guard down it was lovely.
That all being said I hated 80-100%. It was just so, so stupid. The fight, the plot, conflicts both internal and external just... all of it. Considering I only really enjoyed about half of the book, I think 3 stars is rated high, yeah?
Also, WOW so many name drops! It was both nice to get a glimpse in the future for those couples, but at the same time kinda annoying??? Just... so many cameos or Xavier/Sloane randomly talking about Rhys and Bridget.
And yet, I so totally plan on reading the Envy and I'll probably pick up Asher's book soon too.
Damn this was so, so good. I really don't know what else to say. I laughed so much, I cried, and had the hardest time putting it down when I needed to sleep and work. The amount of chores and life stuff I've put on hold to finish this book is not healthy.
I just know Joey's book is going to wreck me because throughout this duet I kept hoping someone would just help the poor boy. I love Shannon, I do, but she puts so much pressure on Joey and we never got to see her ever help him. So yeah, I need a break before I start his books I will get to them sooner rather than later.
This was a 3 star until the third act breakup which I didn't think made much sense. They had been doing such a good job communicating and ugh whatever.
Also, I hate grand gestures. Probably because they always happen after a breakup or major incident. You know what's romantic? Not needing to apologize with huge gestures or romantic actions just because you're so in love.
Grand gestures mean nothing; continuous action proving commitment is where it is at OH OH or when they show they've learned from past mistakes UGH that is greattttt.
Sorry for the rant, just been annoyed by so many grand gestures lately.
One of the rare times I bought a physical book before reading it– seriously besides giveaway books I don't know the last time I bought a book I hadn't already read– and I was so nervous to start this thinking I wasted my money falling into hype. Wow, I'm so glad I was wrong. If there was a bookstore on my way home from work I would have stopped in to grab the second. I'm glad the library has it because I already dived in, but I expect to be buying the second book for my collection.
This is so funny, so emotional from the pain these kids are going through and trying to handle like adults. It just isn't fair. I love them though.
Maybe 1.5 stars
She is a horrible friend who doesn't actually listen to her best friend. HE keeps telling her he loves his bride, but does not want to go to the wedding– that it sucks and SHE keeps taking that as he doesn't want to get married.
The listener can figure out what is going to happen 5 minutes in. Which... it is a romance, we all know what is going to happen, but in this case it makes the MCs seem so stupid. This would be forgivable if the main leads had ANY chemistry. Like... the only good thing she says about him is that he is good looking.
I'm honestly so infuriated and I would have DNF'd this if I hadn't been stuck listening to it while I was driving home from work.
I'm not calling it quits on Poston's adult books, but WOW I'm thinking we just don't click.
I liked the beginning, I liked the end, the boring was rather boring and utopia-ish – like wow everything is soooo amazing, exciting, and new and my mate is sooo great – which just got annoying because it felt like it was going to go on forever. But the last few chapters brought it all together and I do want to read the next book to see that couple. So, obviously I didn't dislike the writing style, it was just a bit too long-winded for me.
Perfect if you're looking for some fluff and sweetness!
3.5 stars marked up because I didn't read all of it.
To be honest, I only listened to about half of this book, not because it isn't interesting, but because it was starting to give me anxiety haha.
I went into this book looking for tips and tricks for better sleep habits and how to sleep better. Hearing continuously how lack of sleep is killing me was not helping. Yes, I know it is bad, it's fine to put it all in one chapter, please stop mentioning how I'm going to die!! Chapter 4 was great and pretty much what I was looking for.
Then it went onto all the sleep disorders and I had to start skipping things because I started wondering if I had XYZ even though I know I don't. The chapter on medication and sleep aids? For someone without a disorder all I needed was the first 3 sentences summed up as: Don't.
Got it, moving on.
For someone with a sleep disorder, this goes into a lot of great detail and even how diagnosis happens and all the different types of clinics and centers which is great knowledge to have.
I actually learned a lot about the brain and sleep. Confirmed some things and got mostly what I wanted out of the experience which is why I'm marking it as read and not DNF.
Narrator does a great job.
This is one of the better cozy fantasies I've read. Super charming and I loved reading about the baking – it didn't go super in depth which I can find boring– and the cute friendships found along the way were great.
The romance though was honestly rather annoying because of Arleta who just kept asking him the same question over and over then finally telling him the same excuse over and over even though she knew it was false. And the whole time after the competition? Maddening. Theo deserves so much better tbh. And yet, I did like Arleta. I understand her insecurities, I do. It's such a bummer she was always running away ugh.
SO, as charming as the first half was before I got annoyed at some repetition, I honestly don't know if I'll continue the series. We'll see.
3.5 rounded up because I recognize this isn't my kind of book, but that it IS good and I think people who enjoy horror, grit, and art mimicking real life will enjoy this more than I.
I appreciate it though and I'm so glad I read it.
I really wish I had something more profound to say, because I'm feeling all kinds of ways because of the ending. If you're curious about this book, I recommend giving it a try, read like 3 chapters before making up your mind.
I really liked the first half, it was awesome, then things were kinda meh with a good ending. The romance was honestly lackluster as it seemed instant on his part and then he was keeping his distance from her “for reasons” like the entire book. It was actually kinda frustrating because she is extremely competent and reasonable and as much as he tried giving her agency, he really took it away by not explaining shit.
So, Olivia? Badass. We stan.
Thel? Meh. I wish he had more of a personality.
