Song For This Book: Boys Boys Boys by Lady Gaga

3.5/5

This series is my 'total indulgence, so different from what I typically read that it's almost embarrassing but who cares' series. If I go by my 'rules' of what I like and don't like book-wise, I should hate this series. But I love it.

I came across this book when I first signed up for BookBub. It sounded interesting enough, and more importantly, it was free. So I downloaded it and it sat on my Kobo for about two months because I completely forgot about it. At least, until I was home sick from work, and desperate for something to read because my eyes were getting cross staring at my computer.

I was hooked on the first chapter, and after I finished, I went online and got all of the others that were out at the time (maybe up to book six or seven? I don't remember now).

This book is a bit tricky to discuss, because there isn't much of a story to it. It's called Introductions, and essentially, that's what it is. There are that many major characters in this series. When I got to later books, I was glad for it, because it made keeping track of (and slowly falling in love with) all of them a whole lot easier. But it's kind of funny when you're reading it, because it's basically just introductions written in story-form.

The Good Points of Introductions:

This series involves a very atypical romance, which is a bizarre but pleasant change. I tend to find romance rather dull most of the time, so having some new elements and scenarios to see worked out is nice. We only get a little of this in Introductions, but it's the start. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The characters are extremely well developed, with their own styles, voices, and preferences. We get to see a lot of character in this book, and you get to know them pretty well.

It is a very easy read, and not overly long (about 150 pages?). It doesn't take long to get through, and doesn't take a lot of effort to read.

The electronic version free on Amazon and Kobo (and likely anywhere you get e-books)! So if you hate it, at least you didn't have to pay for it.

The Downsides of Introductions:

This is a self-published book, and therefore the editing is questionable. If you have a hard time overlooking spelling and grammar mistakes, you might struggle to read this one.

As I've said, there isn't a lot of story to this book. It's laying the groundwork, so you don't get a lot of story to run with.

I'd love to write more, but honestly, with the book being what it is, it's hard to come up with a whole lot more to say, without starting to talk about later books in the series. I did really enjoy this one, and have kept up to date with it since. I opted for a 3.5 rating because of the lack of plot and the spelling errors, despite the fact that I am a little addicted to this series. If you're looking for a fun, easy read with hot guys, I definitely recommend it, especially as the series gets much better, with more drama and action, with progressing books.

You know when you read a series or book and you just know that it will stick with you forever. That is the Ghost Bird Series by CL Stone for me. I read this series when I was 17 going on 18 and I am 22 now and this series has still stayed in my heart. This was also the first romance book series that I read and it changed the course of my life.

This is an RH slow burn romance, and when I say slowburn, I mean slowburn. But it's the best slow burn imaginable and honestly you don’t even realize that Sang has not kissed anyone because of all the conflict and drama.

There is honestly so much conflict in this series that my head spins. Plus the guys are so swoon worthy, the things they say makes me squeal and makes me so flustered.

I love the plot, characters, and the mystery. Who is after the Sang and her guys? I swear there is so much that happens in this series that I could not possibly explain all of it.

Sang is unique and all of her guys are unique and different yet they all have one thing in common, Family first which is one of the reasons I adore this series.

I will forever re-read this series and cherish these characters. They are special to me. So far I’ve read and reread books 1 through 12 and I cannot wait to read books 13 and 14 and the other 6 books when CL Stone releases them. Oh Yes, this is a long series.

This was a quick and fun read! I'm really excited to continue this series and see where it goes next. It is full of fun and lovable characters, that I can't wait to find out more about! Overall if you are looking for a fun and easy read, than this is the book for you!

I have to admit. The first time I ever read this book, I gave it two stars. Two stars.
I thought the characters flat and the book without character.
How wrong I was...

This is actually one of my favorite books/series of all times. Yahhh.

Where I once thought the characters were dull, I now find them shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Where I once found Sang the most boring character ever, I now find her the most dynamic and interesting. It took a while to really understand how the author wrote the first book. I believe that alot of people don't understand it and the way it was written.

For all those doubters out there, Introductions (and the Academy series as a whole) is wrote from the perspective of Sang. So when Sang was holding back her emotions and listlessly going through life, the book reflects that. As the series continues, Sang comes out of her shell and livens up. Coincidentally, so does the series.

The first book fits perfectly with its name. Introductions. This book literally introduces every important and main character in the series and teases the reader with a little of their personality. It drove me a little crazy the first time I read this book because the other people featured in the book are secretive and I was unsure of who they were and what the author planned for them. Yet I was intrigued! This book made me so interested in all the characters and the plot line of the series that now I am one of those fanatics waiting on bated breath for every new book! (P.S. there are supposed to be more than 10!)

Sang is one of those amazing characters that one slowly connects with through her trauma and just absolute character pureness. She's one of those "perfect angel" characters that is kind of socially inept. This would usually annoy me to no end (and sometimes it does), but this just fits so well within the book that I can't help but like her character. (Not to mention that Sang can kind of be an accidental BadA**). First time reading the book, Sang was kind of a shadow of a character. Looking back on it, Sang is a misunderstood girl who is abused yet doesn't really understand it or other's lives.

The Academy Boys.... oh jeeze. I really can't get over how perfect they all are. One of the frustrating things about this book is that I like to pair up my characters (I mean who doesn't), yet I couldn't find that "perfect" someone for Sang. I just couldn't decide! This actually makes sense later on but I don't want to spoil it ;). Anyways, all you need to know right now is the fact that all of the boyos are awesome.

I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone that is looking for an amazing series!

I received this book for free via Goodreads First Reads.

My opinions on the book are divided.

Plot-wise I loved it - it was really interesting and I want to read the next book in the series! I also thought the characterisation was great.

What put me off however, was the amount of spelling and grammatical errors in the book. Maybe it's because I'm a creative writing student that I notice them more, but the manuscript needs a serious going-over by an editor.

Despite this, I think with the right editing(which I would be quite happy to do myself, haha) this could be a really successful book. And regardless, I'm off to get the next book - I'm hooked!

The title is right. It introduced a fuckton of characters but nothing happened. NOTHING.

I really don’t know what to say. It seems the whole book consists of our main character, Sang, arriving at a new home and being befriended by a strange group of boys who seem to take her under their wing before she has to enrol at school. Nothing really happens beyond setting up the idea that there’s something odd about this group, one or two hints about who might be involved and a suggestion that Sang might be like them.
We’re clearly told that Sang’s parents are abusive towards her, and nobody seems to notice/care. This sends a horrible message.
Her naïveté is explained to an extent, but she puts herself in very odd situations with little regard for what might happen.
I’m mildly curious to know what The Academy is, but I don’t think I’ll lose sleep over not knowing.

This book is at the top of two different reverse harem lists, but after reading the reviews I wasn’t that interested. It sounded a little too young for me. Then a bundle of the first four books popped up for 99 cents and I gave in to temptation. What do I think now that I’ve read it? Well, it was…odd, and a little disturbing, and kind of boring. All in all it was just a weird book that I’m not sure what to make of.

Our narrator is a 15 year old girl named Sang who has recently moved to South Carolina with her parents and older sister. For the most part her family ignores her, but she’s also kept isolated from the outside world. Her mother is emotionally and physically abusive, and frequently warns Sang about the dangers of talking to males. One night Sang decides to rebel by sneaking out of her house. She winds up getting knocked down by a neighbor’s escaped dog which is how she first meets Kota (the dog’s owner). He tends her cuts and lets her camp out at his house. The next day she’s introduced to two of his friends, Victor and Silas. It turns out Kota has a large group of friends, there are seven boys total. The book is focused on Sang meeting all of them as they prepare to start school. The boys pretty much immediately accept Sang, but she has to keep them a secret from her family, and the boys are obviously keeping secrets of their own.

It’s hard not to like Sang. She’s so sweet, shy, and innocent. I picture her as a lost little kitten. I was oddly fascinated by her home life, curious as to why her family members behave the way they do, and how that’s shaped her. The scene where Sang’s mother punishes her was the moment where I sat up and thought now this is getting interesting. I found myself feeling weirdly protective of her considering she’s a character in a book. As for the boys, there’s way too many of them. The only way I can keep track of them is random superficial details. Victor is the one with the money, Nathan has a pool, Luke has the diner (like in Gilmore Girls!).

My big issue with this book is that Sang’s relationship with the boys made me uncomfortable. She’s 15 years old and desperate for someone, anyone, to be nice to her. The boys don’t take advantage of the situation. There’s some mild flirting, lots of innocent touches (holding hands, rubbing her back). I just kept thinking to myself this is the kind of girl who gets seduced by a teacher, a coach, or some creep on the internet. It really bothered me when Sang thought even Dr. Green was cute. Seven guys is more than enough, let’s not add an adult into the mix. It doesn’t help that the boys treat Sang like she’s a helpless, fragile doll. I need the guys to help build up her confidence so she can be an equal in their relationship or it’s always going to seem a little icky.

If I didn’t have the four book bundle I probably wouldn’t bother continuing with the series. I’m not that curious about the boys’ secret, and like I said this one was kind of boring. The title is very descriptive; it really is nothing other than introductions to the large cast of characters. It was a quick read though, and I might as well continue. Who knows, maybe I’ll get sucked in the way so many others have.

Objectively, this book isn't great. It's the start of a series that is never going to end, with plots that go nowhere and a main character who has literally no personality. And yet these books will always be a comfort series that I can't help but reread time after time.

Cute, quick easy read