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cluckieduck's reviews
291 reviews
Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
2.0
It's been a week since I finished it and I can barely remember anything that occurred. I think that says enough.
The Messy Truth About Love: A Cantos Novel by CL Walters
emotional
2.0
"Love might be messy. Life might be complicated. But being at home with your person means being all in, the good, the bad, the messy, the ugly, the beautiful. All of it."
For all the difficult subject matter discussed, it's a very surface level take on DV and toxic relationships.
Had I known this was a continuation/spin-off of a previous series, I may not have picked it up. While it is labelled as NA, it reads as YA and, as I get older, I find I'm not as enamoured with YA/NA titles as I once was. The characters and writing are too juvenile.
I enjoyed aspects of the second-chance romance between Seth & Hannah. Their re-acquaintance 'meet-cute' was sweet, but as their relationship blossomed and began to get into the messy, I felt it got cleaned up too quickly and neatly.
After reading the author's note at the end, I appreciate what they were attempting, but unfortunately it fell a little flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
For all the difficult subject matter discussed, it's a very surface level take on DV and toxic relationships.
Had I known this was a continuation/spin-off of a previous series, I may not have picked it up. While it is labelled as NA, it reads as YA and, as I get older, I find I'm not as enamoured with YA/NA titles as I once was. The characters and writing are too juvenile.
I enjoyed aspects of the second-chance romance between Seth & Hannah. Their re-acquaintance 'meet-cute' was sweet, but as their relationship blossomed and began to get into the messy, I felt it got cleaned up too quickly and neatly.
After reading the author's note at the end, I appreciate what they were attempting, but unfortunately it fell a little flat.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to review a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
What If It's Us by Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
This is peak YA and I have never felt so old as I did when reading this book.
For the most part, I enjoyed it. The pros outweigh the cons (could do with about half as many pop culture references!!) and I think the story, overall, was well done. It's very much an angsty teen rom-com. The ending/epilogue was my favourite - it's very realistic and I'm interested to see what the universe doles out for Ben & Arthur.
For the most part, I enjoyed it. The pros outweigh the cons (could do with about half as many pop culture references!!) and I think the story, overall, was well done. It's very much an angsty teen rom-com. The ending/epilogue was my favourite - it's very realistic and I'm interested to see what the universe doles out for Ben & Arthur.
I barely know him. I guess that’s any relationship. You start with nothing and maybe end with everything
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
funny
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Kate & Curran who??
"Congratulations, Nevada...I do hope you appreciate the full gravity of this momentous occurrence. Mad Rogan actually physically moved his body to bring you a cup of coffee instead of simply floating it to your lap."
"Congratulations, Nevada...I do hope you appreciate the full gravity of this momentous occurrence. Mad Rogan actually physically moved his body to bring you a cup of coffee instead of simply floating it to your lap."
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is an odd book for me to review - royal romance isn't really my jam so I I never intended on reading it, but with the upcoming movie and it being on so many recommended lists I figured why not see what the fuss is all about. All in all - I'd say it was cute, but nothing groundbreaking.
While there are some laugh-out-loud moments, most of the writing seemed rather superficial and juvenile. It was the weirdest mix of pseudo-fan fiction & fantasy playing out in a contemporary setting. I feel it would have worked better for me if all the characters and political figures were fictional. Instead, we're in some alternate reality where President Claremont succeeded from Obama but the Royal family has been led by Queen Mary for 47 years and the next line (Henry's mother) was married to an action star?? If that can be fictionalized, why couldn't the scope of the American background be entirely fictionalized as well? It didn't work for me. Also, Harry, sorry Henry, is like...4th in line to the throne and they're scandalized by his actions while the next in line was married to an actor? Seemed a little silly to me.
The excerpts from historical love letters was a nice touch and my favourite thing from the book.
While there are some laugh-out-loud moments, most of the writing seemed rather superficial and juvenile. It was the weirdest mix of pseudo-fan fiction & fantasy playing out in a contemporary setting. I feel it would have worked better for me if all the characters and political figures were fictional. Instead, we're in some alternate reality where President Claremont succeeded from Obama but the Royal family has been led by Queen Mary for 47 years and the next line (Henry's mother) was married to an action star?? If that can be fictionalized, why couldn't the scope of the American background be entirely fictionalized as well? It didn't work for me. Also, Harry, sorry Henry, is like...4th in line to the throne and they're scandalized by his actions while the next in line was married to an actor? Seemed a little silly to me.
The excerpts from historical love letters was a nice touch and my favourite thing from the book.
My Cone and Only by Susannah Nix
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Glow by Raven Kennedy
3.0
This really dragged, and while I appreciate all the extra time we got to spend with Dom Daddy Slade (and his dirty, dirty mouth), most of the extra content didn’t add anything beneficial to the plot. For example, the secondary, out of the blue, romance plot - totally unnecessary filler. On the other hand, I appreciate the growth that Auren is getting to experience through this series.
Like the previous books, this too ends on a cliffhanger, but I feel I won’t be waiting with bated breath for its release. Will I read book 5? Probably. But I won’t be itching for it.
Like the previous books, this too ends on a cliffhanger, but I feel I won’t be waiting with bated breath for its release. Will I read book 5? Probably. But I won’t be itching for it.
Virgin Flyer by Lucy Lennox
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Absolutely delightful & charming story. The two mains are just as sweet as can be in their own ways and I loved reading how their relationship grew. It was great to read that, after the initial hookup, time actually progressed at a normal pace! This was no whirlwind romance which I really appreciated.
The 7 Rules Of Moving On by Jess K. Hardy
2.0
In one word: forgettable.
Something about this just didn't quite connect for me. It was a cute, quick read in a lovely small-town setting gearing up for Valentine's Day celebrations, but it just sort of...fell flat. Nothing of substance there for you to grab hold of.
The first two paragraphs are almost a prologue, setting up the sparks between "Hot Bartender" Trig and "Sexy Bar Babe" Kissie. Yes, that is what they call each other at first and it's just, blech. It comes across as corny and desperate, rather than fun and flirty. Anyways, they share a steamy kiss and then Kissie goes home, leaving her Hot Bartender to pine for two years thinking about her until she returns to get over being dumped. I didn't mind the time-jump. It made it seem less insta-lovey than it actually was.
The sparks are still there between the two after their separation, and when Kissie's wingwoman falls ill, Trig steps up to be the wingman while Kissie looks to "hook up and get messed up." Being a novella, it felt a bit rushed and over-complicated with juvenile conflicts all in the span of their 3-4 days together. I didn't quite believe that their connection was more fulsome than just a lusting romp.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Something about this just didn't quite connect for me. It was a cute, quick read in a lovely small-town setting gearing up for Valentine's Day celebrations, but it just sort of...fell flat. Nothing of substance there for you to grab hold of.
The first two paragraphs are almost a prologue, setting up the sparks between "Hot Bartender" Trig and "Sexy Bar Babe" Kissie. Yes, that is what they call each other at first and it's just, blech. It comes across as corny and desperate, rather than fun and flirty. Anyways, they share a steamy kiss and then Kissie goes home, leaving her Hot Bartender to pine for two years thinking about her until she returns to get over being dumped. I didn't mind the time-jump. It made it seem less insta-lovey than it actually was.
The sparks are still there between the two after their separation, and when Kissie's wingwoman falls ill, Trig steps up to be the wingman while Kissie looks to "hook up and get messed up." Being a novella, it felt a bit rushed and over-complicated with juvenile conflicts all in the span of their 3-4 days together. I didn't quite believe that their connection was more fulsome than just a lusting romp.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.