Sionna
Look, I'm obsessed. Love how obsession accidentally turned into stalking, turned into intentional stalking AND they acknowledged (amongst themselves) that is what they were doing along with moral quandary. Beautiful.
I'm so glad I waited to read until the second book came out, because I'm so excited to dive right into it.
I'm can't say Sum 41 is my favorite band, but they were the first concert I ever saw along with Good Charlotte when I turned 13. All I wanted was to go to a concert, but my parents wouldn't let me until I turned 13. GC was one of my fave bands, I didn't even know Sum 41, but I left that concert a fan and with a huge drive to learn more about them. I still have major memories head bopping and semi-dancing to Fat Lip and In Too Deep while walking home from school.
So, when I saw Deryck Whibley was putting out this memoir I was pretty stoked to get some behind the scenes info and maybe more insight into the songs. And this book delivered. It also showed a lot of information into his life (obviously) with a lot of darkness and heavy topics I wasn't expecting. To hear he was groomed as a teen and to see just how it followed him through most his life, was honestly devastating. Hearing how horrible the media and paps were to him as well just hit so hard. I remember the little photos of him and Avril in whatever teen mag I was reading at the time. I was stoked because two artists I really liked were together and looked happy. They were also the only relationship between two mostly punk people I saw and it made me realize I didn't have to be preppy or whatever in order to find a guy to like me. So, hearing the backlash he received hurts – obviously celebs don't have it easy.
Alright, I realize this review of a book about someone else's life is turning into a recap of my own past and feelings, but that's kinda where this book brought me as I was listening. I'll try to keep more on topic.
We get some great insight into some of the songs Deryck wrote and I'd take the time to pause the book to go listen to that song. I've listened to more Sum 41 in the last week than I have since high school and have no regrets. (side note: I will say I totally forgot how energized the songs made me while also making me want to cry. So, yeah most these songs hit hard even before I knew the background) He included some acoustic bits of some of the songs too which is totally awesome. I'd buy an acoustic Sum 41 album in a heartbeat.
I think he does a decent job narrating, although at times I wish there was more inflection or it was more like he was conversing instead of just reading lines... if that makes sense. But again, he includes some laughing and emotion occasionally.
I'm really glad I read this and I'm so glad he has joy in his life right now. I totally felt like crying at times while reading this, during some of the songs, whenever he talked about his alcohol abuse, and when his life would get low, but yeah I'm glad I read it. I feel inspired to go do shit and get back to listening to more of my pop punk stuff.
I mean, I guess I just don't understand the hype. I do like the characters, but if they'd actually have a conversation instead of being cryptic then I feel like they would have been together years prior.
And yet... do I feel like reading the next book? Yeah kinda???? So, they are easy to read and engaging– although I do skim some of the internal anguish because it is so repetitive.
The audiobook is pretty good. I haven't read Good Girl, so I can't compare it to the original tale. I thought some of it dragged on, but for the most part I loved the characters and how they grew. The horror is creepy and not intense or in your face, so it worked really well for me. Fairy Tale Horror??? Is this a thing?
Anyhow, I liked this – more than Nettle & Bone – and plan on reading more of Kingfisher's horror and retellings. I hope we get more from the Paladin's series soon!
This is absolutely awesome. There are a few moments, like the beginning that fell a little flat for me, but once things get going I didn't want to put it down.
If you're looking for a mafia romance with a FMC who is a badass who isn't going to take being kidnapped laying down, then this is for you. She fights the entire time and proves she's got the heart and fortitude to belong in a crime family– even if it wasn't her original intent.
Love it and looking forward to reading more of the series. I'm excited to see we get more of Lorenzo's men getting books, but I hope there is a book for Gio too who had the tiniest little interaction haha. But he isn't Costa, sooooo probably won't :/
But yeah, I plan on jumping into the next book soon.
Okay, I wasn't a fan of the third act breakup, but it did go along with just how OTT and extra the whole book is. I'm not a fan of Daddy kink either and this has a lot of it, but I love when one character is taken care of by the other– this one went maybe a touch too far, but I ate it up.
Sascha is the best and I love how protective of Asher was is.
Anyhow, I laughed so much reading this and ended up kicking me feet while giggling a few times.
If you want so much fluff you might explode, then this is the book for you.
lol this was kind of a mess – I have no idea if Theodore died 10 years, 7 years, or 3 years ago. I also have no idea how old she is. Like... there is a lot. I had to eventually stop flipping back to see if I missed something because this book is not about plot.
If you want some Halloween vibes and old school monster spice then pick this up.
4.5 stars
The first few chapters were rough. I wasn't completely into it, but I might be able to blame it on my mood??? Also, I skimmed the internal dialogue here and there. It was just way way too much. Saying all this, my 5 star rating probably doesn't make much sense, but the thing is once I started skimming and there was more dialogue and scenes of them together I enjoyed it sooo much. The last half of the book was so much fun.
I love how funny they were and how Josh is yeah a stalker and wants to watch her at all times but is also so concerned about her safety, makes her snacks, and pretty much from day 1 calls her cat his son. Just... adorable.
There is no third act breakup (yay!) and Aly is a rational character. There were a few “ehhh idk moments” but considering everything else going on, mostly believable. So all in all, the characters felt real.
Again, most of the beginning was interesting but wasn't holding my attention for more than a chapter or two, but once my mood came around and I got into the story I had an absolute blast reading it.
I cannot wait to see what this author writes next.
This book was seriously all over the place. I was hoping for more robotness to the robot. The FMC was so dramatic and just not the smartest. I just wanted a deeper dive into the implications of humanxrobot relationships when the androids prime directive is the pleasure and happiness of their human.
There are a lot of strings that are so loosely tied up that it was ridiculous. I was laughing at the absurdity the last third of the book.
That all being said, it isn't a horrible book and it fit the Absolute Boyfriend vibes I was looking for. It is pretty sweet and Oliver is the best homemaker someone could ask for.
