just_one_more_paige's reviews
1500 reviews

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Thanks to Libro.fm for the ALC (though I am way behind on getting to it) for this one. After reading a number of reviews for this, it seemed similar to Last Night at the Telegraph Club, as far as YA lit with salient themes. And I was looking forward to it, but also knew it would be a little heavier/more emotional, so I wanted to be ready for it. I ended up waiting until my request for my library to purchase the novel had been filled, so I could have a physical copy on hand as well. And I'm glad I did, because after reading this, I am thrilled that it'll be in our collection - it was so good, so important, and definitely deserves more readership.

It's the summer before her senior year of high school when Avery's family moves from Washington DC to rural Bardell, Georgia, to care for her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. Things are tense from the start, with Mama Letty and Avery's mom at each other all the time, over a past drama they refuse to talk about. In trying to avoid her family's tempers, Avery starts spending time with her next-door-neighbor, Simone, and Simone's lifelong bestie, Jade. The three become friends quickly, and Avery is drawn into connection and local secrets/excitement against her will. The more time Avery spends in Bardell, the more her relationships with Mama Letty, Simone and Jade grow and change, and she realizes that finding out what happened to cause her mother and Mama Letty to be at such odds, and sharing her own truths as well, is more important to her than anything else. More important than keeping the peace, more than letting this small town keep its ugly secrets hidden, more even than her budding closeness with Simone and Jade, if it comes to that.

Y'all, this was amazing. I cannot believe this is Hammonds' first novel. They created something so special here. Impactful and important and emotional and necessary. I was sold from the first chapter, by Avery's narrative voice alone. And things only got better and better from there. Every single character was exceptionally well developed, with depth and nuance and the kind of complexity that comes with being a fully dimensional human (with the exception of Avery's dad, who was just a chill, calming vibe - though in this situation the story was not about him/his perspective, so maintaining a supporting role only made sense). And the relationships between and amongst them were equally fully-fleshed out. The storytelling was spot on, giving space for development, but keeping the conflicts and reveals coming often enough to provide a reasonably edge-of-your-seat pacing. The addition of short, extra POVs from other characters at the end of some of the chapters, to give depth to the greater story without dragging things out or forcing it into the normal narration, helped maintain that pace and interest too.

The coming of ages all over the place were spectacular too. I mean, obviously, Avery's is central, as the narrator and as a traditional age for a coming of age story. She learns, over the course of the book, a myriad of lessons about defining yourself for yourself, independent of anyone else (not for or because of or in connection to anyone else). How that is so hard, and not something everyone can do, but is all the more worth it because of that. As part of that process, Avery learns that adults do not have it all together or figured out. And that's huge for me - I wish more adults would be authentic and admit that, so more young people could understand and be ready for how lifelong that journey of becoming yourself can be. We also see some adults struggling and dealing with it, realizing that the kids are old enough to hear the truth/don’t need to safety of protection, while on the opposite end, the young adults are realizing the shades of grey that come with years of history they haven’t lived through and beginning to understand the complexities of older people’s/adult relationships and experiences. And then there is Mama Letty. She's almost a fable, in that as long as you are still alive, there is always time to realign and reform, to forgive and recreate relationships...all while managing to keep her classic spiciness and her own (heavy) secrets, of course. Just, people are so complicated. Grieving and abuse and systemic social limitations and so many circumstances outside one’s control play a role in who a person is/becomes. And who can judge that? How does one atone and forgive and move on? Honestly, the way Hammonds portrays all of that genuine universal "unsurity" and attempts is so good, so real.

Throughout the novel, Hammonds also explores a number of other salient issues, highlighting the racism of the American South, acceptance (or not, as it were) of queer identities, expectations from society and family (whether it be aspirational educational goals and/or family support roles), and, in connection to all of these themes, the reality of intergenerational trauma. I experienced very real grief at the tension and conflict and pain that that trauma caused for Avery and her family, and (while slightly less central, but no less developed) for Simone and Jade individually and with their families as well. The invisible scars of racism and intolerance and prejudice on the present and future generations...these emotional scars and baggage can’t be measured quantifiably, but have very real impacts on health/wellbeing/relationships/families/humanity that must be recognized in order to be addressed and (hopefully, eventually) overcome. Because the writers of history don’t mark the lives and experiences of those it deems unworthy, we, in the present, must work to uncover and recognize and honor without the traditional “proof” (isn't the word and memory of those who experience it enough?). And when that doesn’t happen, when very few even try to achieve that, can a person be blamed for avenging their tragedy and sorrow in their own way? Do we have the right to judge them for that? And how do we then move forward, and put an end, for real, to that back and forth of pain. Worth noting, I also experienced such big joy, reading when Avery and Simone were able to find a safe space, a haven where they could live and be and experience as their true and open selves.

This was a story of healing. Not perfect, never perfect, but the effort is what makes it real. The way that trying, really trying, and recognizing and owning and working to repair/atone, in new generations *can* start to prevail over what ancestors have perpetrated and suffered. This is also a story of all the best and worst parts of growing up and being grown all at once. I cried so many times; there was catharsis and freedom and grief and feeling trapped/uncertain, in family and in greater society, and all the emotion was just so much. This really did answer the titular statement, addressing who “deserves” monuments (and if, for those currently doing the choosing, do they really deserve that power/voice), in stunning fashion. Excuse my language, kind of, but this entire novel was absolutely fucking phenomenal.

“People are messy, kid. Families are messy.”

“I didn’t know how to fix something that stretched past decades I’d been alive.”

“It’s okay to feel lost sometimes, Avery. It's okay to feel like you don't have the answers. You don't need to always have the answers, but you do need to give yourself some grace. It's okay to breathe sometimes. Why does everything have to be so urgent? […] Life was short. Everything was urgent, and who had the time to breathe in all that? […] You’re going to run yourself ragged [...] if you don't stop and look around and breathe sometimes. You can't get to know yourself if you can't sit with yourself for a while.”

“They were in love. They were alive.” (Oh, the layered meanings here are *beyond*)

“My heart was a mess, and it was full and beautiful.”

Content Warnings

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I've been on the waitlist for this one for a few months now. I had been hoping to get it in time for our relaxy-vacay to Mexico, but no such luck. It would have been the perfect poolside read. But, I enjoyed it even without the pool. And it was a great complementary read to The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, which I had finished just as this hold came through.

Lucy Muchelney just had to sit through the wedding of her former lover, and needs a distraction. With her brother threatening to sell the family's telescope, her only remaining refuge - the study of the stars she learned from her father - looks to be in jeopardy too. So when a letter comes from a correspondent of her father's, looking for someone to translate a definitive astronomy text from the original French, she takes a chance and leaves for London, to present herself as the best choice for the job. Catherine St Day, getting over the recent death of her husband - a well known explorer/scientist - is a bit surprised when Lucy shows up in person, on her doorstep, to answer the letter she'd sent. But the surprise quickly turns to intrigue and interest and she decides to let Lucy stay. As the two women orbit each other, spending more and more time together between embroidery and art (for Catherine) and translation and research (for Lucy), their relationship changes into something more than friendship. And together, they'll have to fight misogyny, social norms, and scars of previous relationships in order to make a future together (one brighter and more promising than they'd ever have imagined without the other).

Apparently, this is the year I get really into queer historical romance. I can't say I'm upset about it. Historical romance is not a sub-genre I've ever been pulled to before, but I think the additional sub-sub-genre of queer historical romance was the missing piece I needed to get me going. Anyways... I really enjoyed this one. It was quieter, on the whole, than the ones I've read recently, like Country Gentlemen, the entire The Last Binding trilogy, or Mortal Follies. To be fair, a number of those had magic, and one had smuggling as a key plot point, so they were predisposed to heightened drama. But it was an interesting contrast to move from that into this world. Lucy and Catherine had sparks of their own, no question, as they pushed the boundaries of what society allowed for women, both privately and publicly. And of course, the sparks that flew between them as they discovered each other emotionally/physically were bright as well. But the overall story felt more controlled and contained. I sort of enjoyed that change. I fell into the two of them together, all the time they were able to spend with each other, supporting and nurturing each other's projects and confidence; it was sweet and comforting and fulfilling in a different sort of way. And I personally have a very intense soft spot for lovers (even if it’s just the nascent feelings and they don’t even really know it yet) getting all worked up and angry in defense of their “person’s” honor and dignity, especially if they don’t feel that way for themselves (yet), but doing that for someone else helps them find their own strength and realize they’re worthy of that same dignity/defense. One of my favorite "tropes" and it was deployed spectacularly here. Yes, please.

I thought the framing story, Lucy's choice to get a bit creative with the translation of the French astronomy work, in order to make it accessible to a wider population, was inspired. Creative nonfiction is the reason I got into nonfiction, and I have learned so much through that entry-point. Similarly, I so appreciated the discourse on widening the definition of who deserves the title of scientist or artist. Who, historically, has been able to "bestow" that honor or create those parameters and who are they keeping out? What types of science and art are refused recognition on similar grounds of "undeserving?" It's a major theme of the novel and I thought it was well done. Important, but not overdone or too heavy in presentation. And then the ending, the low key surprise twist, showing that women (and people of color) have always been there, doing the work, it’s just a matter of getting recognition, added a perfect exclamation mark to the points Waite had been making the whole time. Finally, story/theme-wise, the debates on art and science, that despite how the world insists on seeing them as opposites, the genius of both lies in creativity and pushing boundaries, was everything. I have long tried to make similar points, but have never been able to do so with such clarity. I was so grateful to read it here.

As far as Lucy and Catherine themselves, I really liked reading their overall arc. Catherine's support of Lucy and Lucy helping Catherine to come into her own - stop dempening herself for others' sake - was lovely. The dynamic of Lucy being the one to guide Catherine as a lover, as she had greater experience and awareness despite her younger age, was unique, not something I've read often in romances, and done so sweetly and gently. The worry and jealousy each experienced was very real, and authentic, but also...it leaned a bit too close to miscommunication at times, and that's one of my least favorite tropes. They were each legitimately trying to care or allow space/freedom for the other, and that's genuine and I love the sentiment, but so much of that could have been avoided if they'd just talked and I always struggle with that. The agreement they come to in the end, a way to commit both to each other and to the women and work they want to champion, was such a fantastic wrap-up though. Oh my stars (see what I did there?), hats off to that.

Like I said, this was a lovely read, even without the poolside vibes. Inspiring, scientifically and self-discovery-wise. A couple very nice steamy scenes. And overall, a solid first experience into what felt like, to me, a more earnest/classic style of historical romance than I've read before.

Content Warnings

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was a "read due to receiving it as an ALC from Libro.fm" situation. I had not heard of it prior to it being offered and I likely wouldn't have picked it up anyways. I do really appreciate that that program has really expanded some of my reading choices/horizons.

This is a dual-POV historical fiction/contemporary literature novel (early 1960s and present day). In 1962, a Mi’kmaq family from Nova Scotia arrives in Maine to pick blueberries for the summer. Weeks later, four-year-old Ruthie, the family’s youngest child, vanishes. She is last seen by her six-year-old brother, Joe, who finds himself unable to move on from her disappearance. Present day, in Maine, a girl named Norma is the only child of a well-off, but not easy-going (her father is distant and her mother is super overprotective) family. She is close to her aunt, and her aunt's partner, but they live too far away to help Norma through some of the more difficult moments. She is often troubled by recurring dreams that feel more like memory than imagination and, as she gets older, she realizes that there are things her family isn't telling her. As Joe never stops searching for his sister, Norma decides to try to uncover her family's secrets, their stories will collide with great emotional release.

This was a really solid read. From the very beginning, the trajectory of the story was clear; no real subtlety or attempt to obfuscate. I think I appreciated that. Since it was so obvious where it was going, trying to pretend the reader wouldn't see it likely would have felt a bit insulting. Instead then, we were able to go on the journeys the characters experienced alongside them, making them the highlight, as opposed to the plot. With that in mind, it would have been really easy for this to be a less emotionally impactful read, since one was able to prepare for the culmination over the entirety of the novel. In fact, I was kind of expecting that. And yet, it wasn't the case at all. When it came, the tentative rediscovery and reunion of the finale was *deeply* emotional. I found myself moved to tears a few times, because over my time with these characters, as they grew and developed and lived their lives, I got to really know them. So yea, the "twist" was almost obvious to the reader, but so smoothly written in its reveal to the characters that you felt like you were watching it happen for real, could imagine it playing out exactly like this if it was a true story. That authenticity of interactions - filled with feeling, but never expressed in an overdone way though the writing itself - made it all the more powerful. I was very impressed with that.

Thematically, there are a couple very strong messages Peters imparts. First, the highlighting of how much inequity, bias, and institutional racism allow the population in privilege to get away with, literally and logistically and morally and legally, truly unimaginable things. And there is often no real recourse for the oppressed. Like, a split second decision to literally steal a child, no matter what the mental state of the person perpetrating that kidnapping, is just... I don't know, it boggles the mind, in a devastating way, how easy it was to just get away with that choice. It should make you question all the institutions that didn't ask questions! And I appreciated the way the uglier sides of humanity/people were directly confronting, there is no softening due to intention, not when the impact was so catastrophic. Yes, there is recognition of a choice made in the throes of heartbreak, but never in a way that eases the despair and further heartbreak caused as a result. And my goodness, the way Peters illustrates the heartbreak/guilt of those left behind and the unexplained empty spaces for the one stolen away is enough to emotionally break you as a reader.

There are also some great head-on interrogations of the way that some types of families, based on look/position/income, are considered innately "better" than others. Peters shows a whole slew of faulty humanity in these pages, giving a clear comparative look at how each family, each person, has their own complications and difficulties, but also their own styles of comfort and support and love. And who has the right to decide which is preferred and would (or would have) provided a better/happier/safer home? No one. The accident of birth is just that, an accident. And then no one but the person themself should have the power to decide if/when that accident was the right fit or not. To take that choice away from someone...it's unthinkable. But she balances that too, with the conflicting loyalties of love and connection a person may face - asking who gets your silence or support, for example - when you have ties of family but perhaps don't agree? Those choices can be similarly impossible to make, though we are often asked to, in life. Nothing is easy, and Peters doesn't shy away from that hard truth.

Each of the characters in this novel is incredibly nuanced. There are no easy fillers or cookie-cutters. And that is the absolute highlight of this novel. Peters takes a single very wrong choice and builds it into something that, as each character is pulled into its orbit, creates a string of further reactions and decisions that just build in layer and complexity. And while you know that first choice was wrong, as every other character gets drawn in at different times and in different ways, their compounding choices make it so that, as a reader, you are caught in the tangled web to the point where you don't know how you'd have fixed it either. And that is literary magic.

I don't know if this reading experience was exactly what I wanted or expected from the novel. But I cannot deny that I was pulled in and deeply invested by the end, to an extent I didn't even realize (like I said, I cried multiple times and I truly hadn't been expecting to). I really respect that. And in the end, I was left with this stunning essence: that failings are part of who we are as human, and we all deserve grace and space and the chance to live for ourselves, with full knowledge of who we are and the power to choose how we want our life to look. And that is something worth being left with.

“It’s funny what you remember when something goes wrong.”

“We hollered Ruthie’s name so much that the trees knew it by heart.”

“People will be someone other than themselves if they have people who rely on them.”

“You never know what your last words to someone are going to be, and it’s hard to reconcile it when the deed is done and the person is gone.”

"Marriage is a funny thing. There are so many people in the world, and you decide to commit the rest of your life, the rest of your emotional energy, to just one. You assume that the mysterious connection that ties you to one another will hold. A connection that can't be trusted, one that probably manifests in that same mystical space where stories come from. A place that allows you to suspend your disbelief. Marriage assumes that you will bend and twist and adjust to one another. It assumes that your desires will forever be interconnected by the placement of a piece of gold around a finger. For many people this is true. I envy those people who can dig deep and find that thing that originally allowed them to believe they could spend their entire lives [together]."

“Some wounds cannot be healed. Some wounds never close, never scar. But the further away from the injury, the easier it became to smile.”

“Secrets and lies can take on a life of their own, they can be twisted and manipulated, or they can burst into the world from the mouth of someone just as they are starting to lose their mind.”

Content Warnings

Rouge by Mona Awad

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Mona Awad has been in my awareness for a few years now. Some readers whose reviews I really trust have loved a few of her previous works; Bunny, specifically, so I've been meaning to pick that up. But when this most recent release was an option as an ALC through Lifo.fm, I decided to start with it instead. The ease of access won me over. Haha

Borrowing from Goodreads for the blurb again: "For as long as she can remember, Belle has been insidiously obsessed with her skin and skincare videos. When her estranged mother Noelle mysteriously dies, Belle finds herself back in Southern California, dealing with her mother’s considerable debts and grappling with lingering questions about her death. The stakes escalate when a strange woman in red appears at the funeral, offering a tantalizing clue about her mother’s demise, followed by a cryptic video about a transformative spa experience. With the help of a pair of red shoes, Belle is lured into the barbed embrace of La Maison de Méduse, the same lavish, culty spa to which her mother was devoted. There, Belle discovers the frightening secret behind her (and her mother’s) obsession with the mirror—and the great shimmering depths (and demons) that lurk on the other side of the glass."

Phew, this was trippy and creepy. And if that's what you're looking for, it delivers. I knew going in that was the vibe of Awad's writing, so I was ready for it, and got exactly what I wanted out of this reading experience. From the very start, and consistently throughout, the dark and claustrophobic fairy tale atmosphere was everywhere, with nods to Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz (magical, red shoes), Rapunzel/Tangled (there was a hella strong Mother Gothel feel to Noelle), Beauty and the Beast (at least for me, the rose/jellyfish situation was aesthetically reminiscent, plus Belle's name), and - through the stories Belle loves from her childhood - the general feel of the "perfect princess" and the unattainability of that IRL. These aspects combine with a thematically overbearing focus on skincare and the beauty industry, and the reality of dealing with grief over the loss of a parent (even, and particularly, when that relationship wasn't particularly healthy or smooth) in a way that creates a perfect fever dream of a novel. I was never totally sure what was real - what was actually happening,and what was an imaginative exaggeration or a hallucination or a dream - in a way that created a psychological spiral that was impossible to fully grasp. But in the best way. And the fantastical aspects were really uniquely intertwined with a very real the ebb and flow of mental health, especially around grief and the complexities of parent-child (mother-daughter) relationships. Altogether, the disconnect of unreality that is infused throughout this entire novel was unmooringly stunning.

Other than the atmospheric vibes, the novel's major theme was the "health" and beauty industry. It's an industry I have very little direct/personal knowledge of (I have never worn makeup and my skin care is basically nonexistent). But I, of course, am not immune to the body messages that media and celebrity sells, and have had my moments of unhappiness with how I look as a result (I feel like it's an unreal expectation that it would be possible to not internalize some of that). Just...keep that framing in mind, as you read through my thoughts on this part of the book. I thought it was great. The way beauty standards intimidate and low key terrify and make you feel bad about yourself as you swim in inadequacies that you hate/regret/wish you could defend against better is demonstrated terrifyingly well. Similarly, the insidiousness of the universal approval we get when our “efforts” to remain looking young as we age are deemed “successful,” based on an arbitrary and external and a somehow-applicable-to-every-woman standard, hits the reader like a brick (though not an overdone one, IMO). Especially in the way this affects young girls, Awad interrogates that dark reality in such a creepily stunning fashion. Like I said, I know nothing about skin care products, so I have no idea how much of those mentioned are real and how much are sarcastic/exaggerated/satirical, but it FELT overdone and I *loved* that (it’s honestly what it feels like to me when people pyramid scheme/peddle beauty products...which, full disclosure, I despise). This aspect, too, was tied in so well with the complex and kind of unhealthy relationship the author had with her mother. The messages young (girls) with darker skin get about their own beauty (or lack thereof) from so many "public" sources was compounded interestingly here, since she and her mother looked so different from each other, and her perspective of "beauty" was skewed even further. This allowed for a fascinating additional, kind of side-commentary, on the myths we build up around those we fear, or admire.

I have a few other more random thoughts that I'll just mash up here together at the end. First, the cover was simply dazzling. So eye-catching and perfect for the book, with the rose and jellyfish combination. The word mix-ups that Belle experiences were a phenomenal literary touch, super well-used to portray a sense of displacement both that Belle was experiencing and for the reader. I was less a fan of the attempt to add a romance storyline; it was fine all the way through, with the weird pull/connection, but then the ending just felt like, too real, after the unreality of the rest of the novel. I also thought the inclusion of "Tom Cruise" was jarring. Like, I liked the role he (the character with his name) played/had, but I wish a less famous/notable name had been employed, because his name conjures so many other things that it took me out of this story a bit sometimes.

Overall, I finished this book feeling very disconcerted and unsettled, but very satisfied with the story that made me feel that way. It was exactly what I'd anticipated and wanted from this read. This perversion of “self care,” the fantastic unreliable narrator, the "longing for delusion" that was palpable and the ending of being “saved ourselves from the nightmare of our most magnificent selves” (I mean, what a concept?!) was all just so good. A promised, and delivered, wildly unpleasant read...when that's what reading mood you're in, give this one a go.

“No one knows what’s inside grief. Anything at all can be there.”

Content Warnings

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Oh hi, I'm back on my romance game. A Power Unbound had me looking for more m/m historical romances, and this one had been on my radar - I've been wanting to try something by K.J. Charles for some time, I've read nothing but great reviews for their work - so I grabbed it.

As per Goodreads (because life is out of control right now and I'm just barely keeping up with reviews, so writing my own blurbs is just not happening), here's a synopsis: Abandoned by his father as a small child, Sir Gareth Inglis has grown up prickly, cold, and well-used to disappointment. Even so, he longs for a connection, falling headfirst into a passionate anonymous affair that's over almost as quickly as it began. Gareth has little time to lick his wounds though: his father has died, leaving him the family title, a rambling manor on the remote Romney Marsh...and the den of cutthroats and thieves that make its intricate waterways their home. Joss Doomsday has run the Doomsday smuggling clan since he was a boy. His family is his life...which is why when the all-too-familiar new baronet testifies against Joss's sister for a hanging offense, Joss acts fast, blackmailing Gareth with the secret of their relationship to force him to recant. Their reunion is anything but happy and the path forward is everything but smooth, yet after the dust settles, neither can stay away. It's a long road from there - lots of danger and mystery - but along the way, one well-mannered gentleman may at last find true love with the least likely of scoundrels.

This was a super fun regency romance! It had bootleggers/smugglers and blackmail and treason and kidnapping and lots of fights. Like really, the plot itself was a highlight, which is not always the case with romances. It was page-turning, the drama and conflict and conspiracy, and I was as desperate to know how that would all play out as I was for our MCs happily ever after. It had the classic historical vibes of propriety, in language and societal rules, but also managed one of my favorite subversions of that propriety: wielding propriety as a weapon against the higher classes when they try to profligately use their power and privilege to run over/take advantage of others. It is truly one of the most satisfying things to read - I can never get enough of it. The banter between Joss and Gareth was similarly well done, using "proper" back-and-forth but with heavy euphemism. So good. I love when the dialogue shines like it does here. And while there weren't an overly high number of steamy scenes, I enjoyed the ones we got greatly. They were really nicely written, and tender, and I will be coming back for more from Charles as a result, because non-cringey steam is not always a given.

The side characters in this novel were fantastic too, pretty well developed for all that they weren't our central characters (again, not always a given in a romance). NAME and NAME were great, as Gareth got to know them and they became more comfortable with/sure of him. And Goldie/Luke...just yes. Getting to see Gareth come into his own and stand up for himself (and be there for Joss to lean on too) was great. I loved it. But I loved even more that Gareth was able to stand up for what basically amounted to a younger version of himself too. The comfort redemption in that is something I could not get enough of. I'm also really appreciating the way lots of the recent historical romance I have been reading is not ignoring the greater world around it, but instead addressing the social/class issues and general inequality of the time in question.A Power Unbound did it spectacularly. And The Queer Principles of Kitt Webb and We Could Be So Good also did a nice job with those aspects. In that case, Charles weaved it into the greater story smoothly, and it was addressed, but also the HEA did sort of allow us to pretend it wasn't an issue still. I'm not mad about that, but just want to be clear.

Look, overall, the principled “blackguard” who will break a jaw and a law for those they care for and the "proper" gentleman who finally loses his control to defend those he cares for, are tropes for a reason. We got both here. And I cannot help but swoon for them. I love a man with a good heart - mess and all, but trying their best - and this book had two.

“I…I would like to be just for you.”

“If you want something, you ask for it. You told me so, before. Is that always how you get what you want? / You don't get what you want by not asking for it.”

“They kissed their way past the hurt and the loneliness, kissed themselves back together…”

“…wondered how it was possible to be at once annoyed and hopelessly charmed.” (ahhhh, relationships, haha)

“…the way he looked could break a man’s heart and mend it all at once.” (GAH what a line!)

Content Warnings

The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

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adventurous reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I have a soft spot for retellings of mythology - any mythological origin and (mostly) any retelling genre/style. A few months ago, I posted a review of a retelling asking for recs for others and someone recommended this! I have looked back and cannot find which review it was that I got the recommendation on, and I feel bad because I wish I could recognize whoever sent over the rec... In lieu of that, I'll just send my thanks to the universe and hope the person feels it in some way.

The Palace of Illusions is a retelling of the Mahabharata, a Hindu epic that details the intergenerational saga of power/succession (primarily) between two family groups, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. In this case, the story is narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the five Pandava brothers. We follow her story from the moment of her birth (in fire!), through her childhood raised as a princess and beloved by her brother, and through the moment of her marriage to the Pandava brothers, where her life took some turns that were unexpected, contrary to promises made, and set her up to follow a preordained path of drama. Her support of her husband's lifelong efforts to regain their birthright gave her some years of happiness and contentment in her own home, dubbed the "palace of illusions." But their focus on that goal, and social rules/propriety, combined with some self-centered decisions, led her to experience a great deal of tragedy, and a lifelong struggle with unrequited love.

This was a really interesting retelling. I have not read the original, nor am I overly familiar with the story, so it was honestly all quite new to me, plot-wise. I have to say, even with the female centered narrative voice, there were still incredibly strong tones of patriarchy and a deep lack of control over her own life that made me feel deeply for Panchaali. I recognize that that's the most accurate way to present the story, even with the reframing to be more female-focused here, but I do want to make sure my frustration over that is clear, cause it sucked to read. But it was faithful to the original in that way, and gave Panchaali what I can only assume is significantly more space and consideration than she ever was given regardless, and I appreciate what the author did, compromising those two ends of a spectrum. Plus, I was invested in the unfolding of everything, frustrations about social realities of the time aside, and that's good writing and I respect it.

Relatedly, I want to say how much I love that Panchaali was allowed to be so flawed here. She made so many decisions that were selfish, prideful, against advice, in direct conflict with what she wanted, or just didn't feel "right," and she explains reasons for them all, but you're still annoyed about some of it. But we, none of us, are perfect - we make selfish and inadvisable choices all the time - and I love that she was given the chance to be that human here, to have those relatable dimensions. I have done some further research about her since reading this, of course, and have found out she is seen as a goddess in some areas/to some sects in India, and it's believed that her name carries power(s) when recited. This is so interesting because in reading about her here, even given her own voice, she is more part of a greater flow of fate, as opposed to having the power to change/do anything herself... I know that acceptance of what is preordained/destined is a major part of many belief systems, and honoring those who manage/survive that tide makes sense, but it still felt like a unique, kind of contraposed, juxtaposition to me.

Outside of Panchaali herself, like I said, the plot definitely carried me. I was very interested in trying to identify all the aspects of this story that made it such a popular and important cultural cornerstone of an epic. It definitely has all the drama: cycles of revenge, war, undercover personas and revels (oh that final secret family relationship reveal at the end was a surprise!), romance (ish, and a heavy dose of unrequited/unfulfilled love), insults and confrontations, political machinations, a difficult mother-in-law and other intra-family struggles that are universally relatable, prophecy and tragedy, and of course, a bit of gods and magic. I liked most of it, especially the mystical aspects. I was less enamored by the sort of overwhelming pride that, in the end, was the cause of most of the tragedy. It's not my favorite personality failing to read, despite it being common and very real, especially when it shows as hypocritical, like it did at the end, when men abandoned all "virtue and honor" that their pride was supposedly defending/revenging insults against, in the face of war/battle.

As a lovely final note, I really appreciated the ending. As Panchaali is looking back on her life, there is a gorgeous highlighting of the gift that is friendship and platonic love. That's not normally something I see highlighted, in general, but especially in fantasy. And like I said, I really liked that. Also, as an FYI, the writing itself was objectively solid. It was very "narrating my own memoir looking back" with *strong* foreshadow vibes, similar to other retellings like Kaikayi and The Witch's Heart and, a bit, Circe. So, if you enjoyed any of those, I would recommend giving this lesser-known one a try.

“…for a story gains power with retelling.”

“He believes it to be so. Isn't that what truth is? The force of a person's believing seeps into those around him— into the very earth and air and water—until there's nothing else.”

“Fear makes us selfish.”

“For isn't that what our homes are ultimately, our fantasies made corporeal, our secret selves exposed? The converse is also true: we grow to become that which we live within.”

“Expectations are like hidden rocks in your path—all they do is trip you up.”

“Your childhood hunger is the one that never leaves you.”

“Because ultimately only the witness—and not the actors— knows the truth.”

“How little we know our own reputations…”

“…war is like an avalanche. Once begun, it cannot cease until it has wreaked all the destruction it is capable of.”

“In this way the chariot of vengeance, which requires no horses or wheels, rolled on.”

“I am buoyant and expansive and uncontainable—but I always was so, only I never knew it! I am beyond name and gender and the imprisoning patterns of ego.”

Content Warnings

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Well, this exploded onto the literary scene last year and there was no chance I wasn’t going to read it. A cozy fantasy about a coffee shop with a sapphic (ish – I mean they both sue she/her but also aren’t technically human so, idk exactly what that means), and a blurb that talked about how it was the “what happens after the D&D campaign ends” plot. Plus, I don’t think I saw any negatives vibes about this book at all. So. Yes, please.

Viv is an orc who’s decided to hang up her sword and, essentially, retire. And what will she do with her retirement? Open a coffee shop, of course. In a city that has never heard of coffee before. It’s the kind of journey that takes a community and support. And even though Viv starts off solo, she stumbles into a heartwarming AF found family situation, gathering a builder/carpenter (Cal), an artist and server (Tandri), a baker (Thimble), a musician/mason (Pendry), and a few others. Drawn together by Viv’s dream, and buying into the concept completely, this group builds and rebuilds the coffee shop, while facing down some specters from Viv’s past, and some threats from other sources as well, to create a space that is safe and homey for them all.

I mean, my goodness. The people were right. This is hella cozy. All the aspects of fantasy that I love – magic, multi-species, legends/folklore – with just enough antagonism to create interest and plot (never so much that I felt tense or overly concerned about the final outcome). Mostly just, comfort. All the highlights of building a business from the ground up, of working towards a dream, to make friends and a home in a new place, and just a dash of the stress and sleepless nights that come with that type of undertaking IRL. And as a person who drinks way more coffee than is likely healthy, or even useful, the fact that this entire novel (novella?) is essentially an ode to coffee, “like drinking the feeling of being peaceful,” spoke to my damn soul.

This review is basically a list of things that made me cheese, and feel cheesy, while reading. The awkward and sweet discomfort Tandri and Viv have as they push and pull from friends to more(?) is so endearing. A solid found family situation is one of my favorite tropes of all time. The baking piece was mmmmmmmm. Introducing the most common coffee house treats to people with no frame of reference for them allowed me to rediscover the magic of the bitter coffee and sweet pastry combo and I’m grateful for that. The cover art gives top notch fanfic/fan-art (I cannot get over the detail of Tandri’s tail – it gives me feels). And the little chapter icons are a cute touch too. I love a good comeuppance epilogue! The bonus story, that was like an origin story to this “remaking” story, was enjoyable; I liked the little extra look into who Viv is as a “person.”

Look, the message of “it’s the community/people around you who make home/belonging” is not new. But there’s a reason for that: it’s such a comforting and beautiful message. And Baldree gives it a creative face here that I simply loved. There is a wholesomeness in the promise that you can be worthy of kindness/support/love regardless of previous lifestyle/choices if your heart is right and that’s a lovely message, full of promise and hope. *deep sigh of contentment*

“Things don’t have to stay as what they started out as.”

“I’ve heard a lot of stories and a lot of legends in my time, and they’re always worse than the real thing.”

“The darkness bristled with dangers, some perhaps even worth risking.”

Content Warnings

Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert

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dark emotional tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

This series is really starting to remind me (as far as cravings fulfilled) of The Psy-Changeling fantasy-romance situation. And I say that complementarily. I had so much fun with (and was so entertained by) that series and I am getting just as much enjoyment out of this one.

So this installment, the fifth, focuses on Aphrodite (the title currently held by Eris, the sister of Helen/Ares - one of the focal characters in the third book, Wicked Beauty, which is my fav to date - and the current Zeus). She volunteers to marry the new Hephaestus (Theseus, who was a contender for Ares and then took this Hephaestus role in the last book through the secret assassination clause), in a "keep your friends close and enemies closer" move, that breaks her ex's (Adonis') heart. The political machinations at play in this marriage are ureal, and everyone has an ulterior motive or someone else pulling their strings or some other secret. As Aphrodite and Hephaestus jump further into this power struggle, they are assisted by/partner with some outside players, like Adonis and Theseus' best friend Pandora. And as all these characters spend more time around each other, or cannot get over feelings from the past, the sexual tension ramps up and real connections begin to grow. Which it turns out they all need, because the danger all around them (from Theseus' father-figure Minos, as well as from citizens of Olympus trying their own hands at the assassination clause), is only growing greater.

The dedication promises mess - and I was ready for it. It delivered. The on again-off again history, not-over-it, feelings between Aphrodite and Adonis. The butting-heads-but-always-there-for-each-other friendship of Pandora and Theseus. The immediate sexual tension and surprising tenderness between Adonis and Theseus. The blooming friendship/comfort between Pandora and Adonis. The enemies-to-lovers-to-reluctant-real-feelings-of-protectiveness between Theseus and Aphrodite. The soft and sweet something, but like, with heat, between Pandora and Aphrodite. It is great. After Cruel Beauty and a few other recent-ish reads (like A Dowry of Blood), I am really finding a love for polyamorous relationships. I mean, I need to point out that at a few points, there are some very real trauma-bonding and toxic AF moments amongst these characters (though there is always a clarity of consent that I deeply appreciate). But, there was also some legit growth (and lust/steamy scenes, naturally.) I really liked reading the development of all these relationships separately, knowing the dramatic turn where they all come together was coming (and that it was going to be explosive, in all the ways). And with the 4-person poly situation, there was a chance for a lot of different types of connections, which I loved, especially all the “casual intimacy” in these pages. The layers of relationships old and new, sexual and not, and honestly having all this support and love and casual intimacy is about as dimensional as a series like this allows for. Like I said, I think I'm fast becoming a big fan of polyamory; so much of the idea of different people filling different needs, but with commitment, appeals to me.

A few other things I want to note. All through the series, I have really liked the casual inclusion of so many identities and sexualities, and even gender identities/diverse pronouns (though so far these have been utilized more by smaller/side characters, but they are at least there...and natural, not a point of trauma or contention. A highlight detail of this book for me was the inclusion and care for chronic pain/injury. And the plot/story arc for the series really deepened here. Things are getting dramatic and real and I am actually getting a bit invested in how that plays out for Olympus, past just my "I'm here for the spicy romances" level of interest in this series. On that note, I appreciate that the natural enmity - the conflicting loyalties - of our 4 MCs are not completely left behind/forgotten as the romantic relationship progresses. I mean it’s obviously surface level (this is still very primarily a romance), but it’s there as a part of the conflict and greater story, which is something. And as always, fantastic steamy scenes, of a variety of styles/types, which should be obvious. (Though still none of them match what we got with Helen/Patroclus/Achilles...who, let me just say, I was excited to see more of - as side characters, but still - in this book.)

All in all, a solid installation. I'm already on the waitlist and ready for the next one.

"I need her to lose control. It’s the only way I can regain it."

"Everything about her is a nightmare in how perfect it is. A harpy in the body of a nymph."

"...there’s no use railing against fundamental truth. It simply is."

"I could be at home there. It felt almost wrong to want that in the moment, but maybe that was because it clashed with what I thought I should have."

"I will never fault a person for doing what it takes to survive..."

Content Warnings

Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I love mythology. I love retellings. And I, like Babalola, love love. Plus, I enjoyed her debut romance novel Honey & Spice, when I read it last year. So really, reading this collection was a no brainer. And I managed to plan it to coincide with Valentine's Day this year so, check me out! Haha.

Usually for short story collections, I do a little blurb on each story. I honestly hadn't planned to do that with this one, but as I was reading (listening), I found myself jotting things down for each of the stories anyways, so I figured why not share my thoughts with you as per usual. If you're interested, I'm starting with that. If you want just my overall impressions, skip to the end, and check out the final little paragraph. Oh! No real "blurb" for this, but just to make sure everyone is on the same page, as it were, this is a collection of retellings of love stories from mythology and history from across the world (Greek, African, Middle Eastern, and more).

- Osun: This story had great poetic/metaphorical back and forth dialogue and magical/ethereal storytelling. The relationship highlighted was one of those loves whose attraction and inevitably pulls stronger than nature or space or time. And it showed the epic and divine and transcendent love of being fully seen by a perfectly matched partner. Mmmmm. “She knew that sometimes having everything you desire can make you question your own worthiness.” and “It’s not about need, but desire.”

- Scheherazade: Love the multiple spins on storytelling (as a “job” and also at the end, to talk to someone every day to try to bring them back) and 1001 nights (taking one night at a time as a defense mechanism from her POV and then in suspension between life and death). Also, the mysterious quality to this story fits the original. The ending had huge feels (tragedy and revenge)! Also, I loved how this retelling really highlighted how much of the power is with Scheherazade. “I felt like there was an infinity within our affinity…”

- Nefertiti: Ohhhh lady gangsters! Look, I have a historic soft spot for Nefertiti’s story, but even without that, I loved this retelling. Women power and revenge and just, yessss. “…no queen can be a queen without also being a warrior.”

- Attem: A classic cross-social-classes/royal-not royal forbidden (infidelity) love that the deep connection of finding the person that fulfills and complements you makes it worth it, despite danger. Ok and my heart with the carved leopards in dedication and remembrance and that’s how she found him again. And then the “gift” he was able to give “the woman who already had everything.” Again, my heart.

- Yaa: Freeing yourself from the burden of expectation/duty in order to “choose yourself” is such a powerful message. And the way finding a pure love for someone else (the person that sees past the outside to the inner you, the person that then becomes home) can help you find and love your real self too – yes. What a cathartic spontaneous ending! “Love immediately pulled at her. It was a kind of love she’d never known: unburdened, pure, and without exception. Transparent love, unqualified love.”

- Siya: Surrendering to that creeps-up-on-you-unexpectedly friends-to-lovers vibe is great. Love as distraction versus love as actually what matters most is a big message that’s well-developed here. Oh, when fear of a broken heart leads to suffocating that same heart. And that ending full of future promise was done so well. “Siya let go of thinking and allowed herself to feel, and what she felt was held but not captured, at his mercy but all-powerful. She felt loved and loved and loved again.”

- Psyche: Love as the person who sees through your BS to make a real (genuinely messy and cheesy) connection. And OMG to this dual “realized and went to tell you even if you don’t feel the same cause I reached a realization/breaking point” is so sweet - I cheesed hard.

- Naleli: Much younger than the characters in the rest of the stories so far and it was kind of jarring for that. However, it was a gorgeous coming of age/confidence story, accepting and loving yourself allows you to let others accept and love you too.

- Zhinu: A chance meeting and someone outside your normal scope/sphere being able to give you the space you need to be who you are (without pressure/expectation/ulterior motive) and open up a new future in that way, is such a wonderfully classic romance story. The fantastic sarcastic dialogue and sweet/hopeful ending were a great contrast.

- Thisbe: This was the first (maybe only?) dual POV story and I loved how it unfolded. Falling in love by catching snatches of who the other is from “afar” and finding comfort in that separated proximity. This one had a different feel to it than the others and I liked the way it went a lot – so sweet.

- Tiara: This one had fun formatting too, with Tiara’s tips. The relationship highlight here is on the “big gesture” and that’s a romance staple that I’m glad we got before the end of the collection.

- Orin: Oh, fantastic dialogue in this one. I too love a rosé! Ahhhh you *can* have both excitement and stability in a partner, and you deserve it, and you should look for the partner you want, and I love this match where these two found that. “Hope, innit? That’s not a bad thing. It’s not a character failing.”

- Alagomeji: Ok, this is based on Babalola’s own parents?! Stahhhhhp. I cannot. The writing is like a classic fairy tale. And the letters, oh my heart! “Time was constructed with love in mind. It is why the moments before a desired kiss stretch, why when your lips are finally introduced with another pair, it feels as if they have wanted to meet for some time, and why a day with your loved one can feel like an eternity on turbo-speed. Achingly, deliciously slow, but too fast, over too quick, melting between too-hot fingers. Time and love are intertwined, they are both measures of life, they are the two clocks.”

So, my overall reactions. Basically, I loved this collection. It was diverse, as far as origin, with a great variety of genres and vibes to the stories themselves. It is worth noting that the relationships in these pages were hetero/straight (except for one), as the myths Babalola chose all began as. And I wouldn’t have hated a little more diversity there, but I truly enjoyed each story that was included regardless. and if you are looking for something similar, but with a diversity of relationships styles too, I'd suggest (as a nonfiction comp read) The Sex Lives of African Women. In any case, the love for love is raw in these pages. There is no coyness or attempt to be anything other than an ode to love. Each story ends with happiness and/or hope in a way that filled my heart so full. And I loved that. Random, but I thought the little icons under the titles for each chapter (each was named for the female lead: big yes to that!) were cute and I enjoyed seeing how they tied into the story afterwards. A fun touch. Honestly, I know I didn't catch all the references and nods to originals, but I enjoyed all the stories anyways, even the ones I knew less about. And I loved looking up new mythology (always a favorite of mine). Of the ones I did know more of, and based on my basic research into the others, a common theme among them all is that the originals were all born from violence and misogyny, with tragic, upsetting, miserable and/or downright horrific, endings for the lovers (and especially the women). This reclaiming of happier and more hopeful endings for these stories, giving them full expressions of self and interpersonal love, was so uplifting. And the added lady strength and power throughout really spoke to my soul. All in all, like I said, this was such a lovely, heart-filling, collection of love.

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of the most polarizing love-hate reaction books I've seen recently. So, of course, I had to see for myself. It's a little late, as far as the peak timing of the conversation about it (it was published two years ago now), but I'm ready to weigh in. And, spoilers, I am so glad I read it for myself!

It's been five years since Feyi survived the car accident that killed her husband and love of her life. And she's finally starting to live again: living with her bestie, Joy, creating art in her own studio, and maybe getting back into the dating scene. After a steamy encounter at a party gets her back into things with a bang (#sorrynotsorry), she finds herself talking to another guy, Nasir, who invites her to spend some time with his at his family home on an (unnamed) Caribbean island *and* show her work as part of a major show. She goes (like, who wouldn't?). And in addition to the luxury home and offer for a major break in her artistic career, Feyi meets Nasir's father, a world-renowned chef, Alim. The connection between them is strong and hot and, though both try to ignore it, the pull is too much to resist (and things get a bit messy after that).

Alright y'all. I see why everyone had such strong reactions to this book. I had one too. And you can officially mark me as "Team Feyi" - I'm falling on the "love" side of this love-hate dichotomy. At about twenty percent of the way into reading, I wrote this: "More than anything I’m impressed with this nuanced look at getting over a love lost traumatically. Balancing the need to be close to someone else versus the fear and guilt of letting that happen again...and the (much) easier option of keeping things light/unattached/in no way reminiscent of what the past held." I kept waiting and waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the part where I was like "oh no, Feyi, cringe." But, it just never happened. Did things get dramatic and messy? Oh, big yes. There was no way to avoid that with a setup like this (it would have been disingenuous and a much worse story). And yet. I never stopped being impressed.

Mainly, I got so emotionally invested in Feyi and Alim. The small (and then growing) moments between them were so touching. It hurt to read their pain, and that absolutely leaned me into "cheering" for them (just the idea of losing my own love in that kind of traumatic way, in any way really, leaves me devastated so I am inclined to support pretty much any style of coping/recovery, tbh). But it was also soothing and hopeful, the way they were able to connect through and because of those shared experiences and feelings. (The sexual tension was top notch.) I mean yes, a few times, knowing that they knew the draw between them was powerful, they did make some slightly questionable choices. And mayyyyyybe Feyi "led Nasir on" a bit, but also let's talk about how friend-zoning and her "owing" a feeling somehow (one she hoped would develop, but just...didn't) is BS and I'm disinclined to feel bad for him in that respect. However, I also feel like Feyi and Alim did recognize how difficult things would be for Nasir and the way things fell out was a bit outside their control? Also, Nasir's reaction was a lot and honestly didn't help me feel any more sympathetic towards him. For me, it came down to the fact that the connection between Feyi and Alim was so clear and deep and bound up in some tender and painful parallel memories. They bonded on a deeper level and, to me, it makes sense that it’d be difficult to resist that.

Also, beyond Feyi and Alim, there were so many other aspects of this novel and reading experience that I loved. Joy is a chaotic bestie and was entertaining AF to read. I loved the way Feyi used art to cope and express (and I loved the pieces that she made!). The installation especially, it hit hard and raw and leaves behind, as one of the “curators” said, a very real ache. I was here for the bisexual rep from characters who had both had more hetero-looking relationships previously and here, with each other, while also sharing, on-page, same-sex experiences they'd had. Sort of on that topic, I very, very rarely read anything with a parent coming out to their children, especially in a situation where it doesn't go well. (It sort of happened in All My Mother’s Lovers, but that was a very different vibes/situation style novel.) It was (surprisingly, though idk why I feel that way because it wouldn’t have felt like a surprise if the ages were reversed…maybe I hope for more acceptance/inclusivity from younger generations as a rule, maybe just because it’s an unfamiliar story) particularly heart-wrenching. And, though I would expect nothing less from Emezi at this point (after reading Freshwater and The Death of Vivek Oji) the writing was gorgeous and original and poetically descriptive and, overall, really stunning.

To reiterate, in case there was any way you missed it, I loved this book. I have already recommended it to numerous people, and I will continue to do so. #sorrynotsorry

"I think we’re just figuring out how to survive a world on fire… that it’s okay to be alive.”

"Everyone had a right to keep some hurts buried and private."

"...they were turning her into a woman who wanted so loudly that it was drowning out the logic of a choice, and that terrified Feyi. That felt dangerous, fast and menacing. She had to get away from it."

"She was hers; she was alive; there was so much to do."

“I used to try to capture it in a camera when I was younger. It was… so futile.” He laughed. “Some things are only meant to exist in our eyes, I think.”

"She let too many secrets fall into the syllables, a foolish accident that threaded a vein of hunger into her voice..."

'"...there are so many different types of love, so many ways someone can stay committed to you, stay in your life even if y’all aren’t together, you know? And none of these ways are more important than the other.”

"Feyi’s heart beat wildly against her ribs as the taste of mango detonated in her mouth. She felt like she was leaping off a waterfall, the rush of a river clamoring in her ears."

"Showing work like this felt a little like screaming out loud in a public place, screaming and screaming until someone understood what the fuck had happened to her, until it drove them to silence because there was nothing, nothing any of them could say to make it better."

"None of this mattered, except the parts that did."

"I want you—I want us to know that this is real. That it survives the mountain, that it can cross the sea and still be there, in our hearts.”

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just_one_more_paige's reviews 1500 reviews

just_one_more_paige's reviews
1500 reviews