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deldc's reviews
128 reviews
Wahala by Nikki May
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
interesting premise but it just didn't give lol
it follows the friendship of the three: Boo who seems to have a perfect family - a loving husband, and a daughter - which Ronke dreams to acquire someday too with Kayode, whom she wishes to be "the one"; and Simi whose husband thinks they're trying for a baby but she doesn't feel like having one yet. these three have been through a lot together for the longest time, but this testament of their friendship didn't seem to prove enough until Isobel, a childhood friend of Simi, came in like a poison and started to slowly wreak wahala in each of their lives disguised as comfort and fun, and put cracks in their friendship. the only question is why?
this didn't turn out to be completely pointless. it answered the why, but i just needed more justice to what had happened. it didn't seem clear to me the purpose of this storyline in a manner that i can't tell if this is a story of friendship or a mystery thriller genre. whichever's the case i feel like it didn't resolve the conflicts with gravity and focus that it needs(?.
although, i do get that Isobel's character was vital in testing their friendship and in floating up their deepest, darkest personalities and desires to the surface. the multiple povs also helped in that part and revealing their true perception of each other, which i found to be relatable. i also appreciate the book's culture. (i am mostly curious and hungry for the cooking lol)
at most, this book showcased the friendship dynamics of women: it can often turn ugly and complicated as emotions, assumptions, and a lot of overthinking gets all mixed up, but at the end of the day, i think the friendship we offer still bears credit for all it's worth.
it follows the friendship of the three: Boo who seems to have a perfect family - a loving husband, and a daughter - which Ronke dreams to acquire someday too with Kayode, whom she wishes to be "the one"; and Simi whose husband thinks they're trying for a baby but she doesn't feel like having one yet. these three have been through a lot together for the longest time, but this testament of their friendship didn't seem to prove enough until Isobel, a childhood friend of Simi, came in like a poison and started to slowly wreak wahala in each of their lives disguised as comfort and fun, and put cracks in their friendship. the only question is why?
this didn't turn out to be completely pointless. it answered the why, but i just needed more justice to what had happened. it didn't seem clear to me the purpose of this storyline in a manner that i can't tell if this is a story of friendship or a mystery thriller genre. whichever's the case i feel like it didn't resolve the conflicts with gravity and focus that it needs(?.
although, i do get that Isobel's character was vital in testing their friendship and in floating up their deepest, darkest personalities and desires to the surface. the multiple povs also helped in that part and revealing their true perception of each other, which i found to be relatable. i also appreciate the book's culture. (i am mostly curious and hungry for the cooking lol)
at most, this book showcased the friendship dynamics of women: it can often turn ugly and complicated as emotions, assumptions, and a lot of overthinking gets all mixed up, but at the end of the day, i think the friendship we offer still bears credit for all it's worth.
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
SO BEAUTIFUL! A MUST READ.
i would love to read this all over again. thanks to the narrators of this audiobook who gave life to all the meanings this book wants to put out there. i especially love lauren ambrose's voice and narration. will definitely look out for her other works.
now let's talk about the book. i am aching for all of these characters. their truths very much deserve to be shouted at the rooftops. very interesting conflict (I DON'T WANNA GIVE SPOILERS SO JUST READ THE BLURB!) alongside tackling relevant issues mainly regarding lgbt rights and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in 1981. i also appreciate the tribute for madonna -- it provided a gateway for me to get to know her legacy and how much it made impact to marginalized groups.
this book has so much volume everyone needs to hear about so i definitely recommend đâ
if you loved the seven husbands of evelyn hugo, you'd love this too!!!
i would love to read this all over again. thanks to the narrators of this audiobook who gave life to all the meanings this book wants to put out there. i especially love lauren ambrose's voice and narration. will definitely look out for her other works.
now let's talk about the book. i am aching for all of these characters. their truths very much deserve to be shouted at the rooftops. very interesting conflict (I DON'T WANNA GIVE SPOILERS SO JUST READ THE BLURB!) alongside tackling relevant issues mainly regarding lgbt rights and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in 1981. i also appreciate the tribute for madonna -- it provided a gateway for me to get to know her legacy and how much it made impact to marginalized groups.
this book has so much volume everyone needs to hear about so i definitely recommend đâ
if you loved the seven husbands of evelyn hugo, you'd love this too!!!
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
3.85!
i won't give much details bec i feel like i'd be spoiling a lot đ but i have just a few things to say:
this book has spoken volume on many things which you should look out for when you read this. i liked beth revis' writing. the way it pulls the reader into and float in its deepness -- ironically, like the universe. definitely one of the books that leaves you thinking, not just about the book's direction but also about the question it's asking. (hmm) i was fascinated by the conflicts and the way it invites the reader to investigate, and think about their own stand. for others, the plot might be considered predictable, but for me, i was just really enjoying every part -- the confusion and the thrill of it all. i also find it unique how the diversity of the characters were intended. it showed how complex it is to be human regardless of origin.
for reference:
if you liked Passengers, Never Let Me Go, or even playing Among Us (lol) you might enjoy this.
but then, i believe this can be an important book that everyone might want to give this a try :-)
i won't give much details bec i feel like i'd be spoiling a lot đ but i have just a few things to say:
this book has spoken volume on many things which you should look out for when you read this. i liked beth revis' writing. the way it pulls the reader into and float in its deepness -- ironically, like the universe. definitely one of the books that leaves you thinking, not just about the book's direction but also about the question it's asking. (hmm) i was fascinated by the conflicts and the way it invites the reader to investigate, and think about their own stand. for others, the plot might be considered predictable, but for me, i was just really enjoying every part -- the confusion and the thrill of it all. i also find it unique how the diversity of the characters were intended. it showed how complex it is to be human regardless of origin.
for reference:
if you liked Passengers, Never Let Me Go, or even playing Among Us (lol) you might enjoy this.
but then, i believe this can be an important book that everyone might want to give this a try :-)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
i didn't think this would get a 5 star from me until that last chapter, that acknowledgment.
just read this and be patient.
casey mcquiston's words: they just bloom out from the page; it reaches and clings to your heart âĨī¸
definitely be reading her other novels. :')
just read this and be patient.
casey mcquiston's words: they just bloom out from the page; it reaches and clings to your heart âĨī¸
definitely be reading her other novels. :')
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
i actually thought i would love this more. :( sadly. it was good at the beginning then it flopped downwardsbecause of the extra banters, (the 2 chapters of them sexing âšī¸), and the grand gestures from the brown family to check up on eve (could appreciate this reunion if it wasn't too extra tbh), and that, at the ending, from jacob & eve âšī¸. (not really a fan of big-gestures-chasing-to-win-love-back)
but i should say, among the brown sisters, eve was the one i resonated with more. we're both chaotic and a ball of mess most of the time. i could relate to her self-doubts, and her process of discovering her true self -- the one that she loves most and now, wears with confidence. :') that's actually a plus for talia hibbert, for being able to express such emotions in an accurate manner. i also like that this gave the lightest aura compared to the previous two, despite the expressed conflicts within the characters. it lifts off the weight reading it in conjuction to the curated playlist đ
+ her taste in music! đ
at this point, i've come to know that talia hibbert used to write smut romances so now i get the horniness of these novels. still, i must comment that it could've been lessened because sometimes it sabbotages the romance rather than spicing it up! (that's just my opinion, anw). also, the banters, the side comments -- could also be minimized as it tends to become redundant. i guess she should focus more on incorporating those one-liners that summarizes the dynamics because they're so good! and her metaphors! i just love her analogies and how she spins her words.
+ would've loved it more if autism were expanded within the story, and did not just serve as an additional feature.
all in all, it has been a challenging ride. (i guess because i was saturated with the romances and lust of these three novels, and i got numb lol). regardless, thank you for writing this piece, ms. talia đĢĄ
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
i actually thought i would love this more. :( sadly. it was good at the beginning then it flopped downwards
but i should say, among the brown sisters, eve was the one i resonated with more. we're both chaotic and a ball of mess most of the time. i could relate to her self-doubts, and her process of discovering her true self -- the one that she loves most and now, wears with confidence. :') that's actually a plus for talia hibbert, for being able to express such emotions in an accurate manner. i also like that this gave the lightest aura compared to the previous two, despite the expressed conflicts within the characters. it lifts off the weight reading it in conjuction to the curated playlist đ
+ her taste in music! đ
at this point, i've come to know that talia hibbert used to write smut romances so now i get the horniness of these novels. still, i must comment that it could've been lessened because sometimes it sabbotages the romance rather than spicing it up! (that's just my opinion, anw). also, the banters, the side comments -- could also be minimized as it tends to become redundant. i guess she should focus more on incorporating those one-liners that summarizes the dynamics because they're so good! and her metaphors! i just love her analogies and how she spins her words.
all in all, it has been a challenging ride. (i guess because i was saturated with the romances and lust of these three novels, and i got numb lol). regardless, thank you for writing this piece, ms. talia đĢĄ
Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan by Bob Ong
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
sorry sobrang slow ko i know
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
4.25 :')
i can't form proper sentences atm bec it's 4am!! (why do i tend to finish books at 4am???) so this review contains only a bunch of words, phrases??, some sentences, and expressions.
- zoe :'(
- nico!! (made me more curious abt rick riordan's new series ;) )
- bianca ????
- i got rlly confused by the speed of events in the beginning though. i thought there would be a preview first of how thalia adjusted in the camp after waking up from the sea of monsters, but then yep, straight to on a mission they go. ~
- bessie!!! < 3 why did rick riordan pictured such loveable creatures :')
- blackjack!!
- love how the olympians and their diverse characters were perfectly shown during the council :')
- excited to encounter tyson again for the next!
- clarisse's quest????
- still love rick riordan's writing -- the depth đ¤ the meanings đ¤ it's morals đđ¤ and the mystery đ§Š
that'd be all. :--))
i can't form proper sentences atm bec it's 4am!! (why do i tend to finish books at 4am???) so this review contains only a bunch of words, phrases??, some sentences, and expressions.
- zoe :'(
- nico!! (made me more curious abt rick riordan's new series ;) )
- bianca ????
- i got rlly confused by the speed of events in the beginning though.
- bessie!!! < 3 why did rick riordan pictured such loveable creatures :')
- blackjack!!
- love how the olympians and their diverse characters were perfectly shown during the council :')
- excited to encounter tyson again for the next!
- clarisse's quest????
- still love rick riordan's writing -- the depth đ¤ the meanings đ¤ it's morals đđ¤ and the mystery đ§Š
that'd be all. :--))
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
2.5 :((
the chapters were too many and almost 80% of them seemed pointless? ?? idk i rlly had high hopes for this one. maybe i should have read pride & prejudice first so i could comment about their similarities or lack thereof. nevertheless, that's all. but im still looking forward to curtis sittenfields' romantic comedy.
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
2.5 :((
the chapters were too many and almost 80% of them seemed pointless? ?? idk i rlly had high hopes for this one. maybe i should have read pride & prejudice first so i could comment about their similarities or lack thereof. nevertheless, that's all. but im still looking forward to curtis sittenfields' romantic comedy.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5!!
i admit being more biased towards this than get a life, chloe brown lol
this book has the perfect recipe for a romcom: sugar, spice, and everything nice!
â a nice and sweet -but can also be smug! (in bed đ¤Ģ)- hopeless romantic male lead who reads romance novels!
â friends to lovers and fake dating trope
â entertaining and funny sarcasm
this book also displayed more of the brown sisters' relationship - that's a plus. although i can assume now that talia hibberts' novels must be frequently horny lol. but the lust in here wasn't as disturbing (for me) as in chloe brown's entry. i appreciated talia hibbert's writing in get a life, chloe brown, but i much particularly prefered this one because it portrayed wider range of relevant topics including mental health, sexuality, feminism, dealing with PTSD, trauma, and anxiety; personal and relationship growth. i could forgive every complaint i had in get a life, chloe brown for this. (not that it mattered anyway)
just one little thing: #DrRugbae??? really?
ps. Zaf the best man đ¤
pps. excited to meet eve brown :'D
i admit being more biased towards this than get a life, chloe brown lol
this book has the perfect recipe for a romcom: sugar, spice, and everything nice!
â a nice and sweet -but can also be smug! (in bed đ¤Ģ)- hopeless romantic male lead who reads romance novels!
â friends to lovers and fake dating trope
â entertaining and funny sarcasm
this book also displayed more of the brown sisters' relationship - that's a plus. although i can assume now that talia hibberts' novels must be frequently horny lol. but the lust in here wasn't as disturbing (for me) as in chloe brown's entry. i appreciated talia hibbert's writing in get a life, chloe brown, but i much particularly prefered this one because it portrayed wider range of relevant topics including mental health, sexuality, feminism, dealing with PTSD, trauma, and anxiety; personal and relationship growth. i could forgive every complaint i had in get a life, chloe brown for this. (not that it mattered anyway)
just one little thing: #DrRugbae??? really?
ps. Zaf the best man đ¤
pps. excited to meet eve brown :'D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death, Grief, and Car accident