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kandisteiner's reviews
609 reviews
Say Yes by Kandi Steiner
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READ NOW: amzn.to/2T7poJy
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I smiled at the sight of the white paint against the deep blue of the river, and as I did, a tingle spread down my spine.
I could sense someone’s eyes on me.
I glanced up and to my left, but no one was looking at me. A glance to the right confirmed the same. But when I cast my gaze across the small room, I found a pair of dark eyes under thick lashes watching me from behind a canvas I could only see the back of.
It was a boy, though I supposed calling him a boy was somewhat silly, considering he was easily the oldest in the class. I couldn’t be sure of his exact age, but I knew he was closer to thirty than he was to twenty, and that just one look into his eyes confirmed he’d lived more life than I had.
I’d seen him last night, coming into the classroom as I was leaving it. He’d sat down at a blank canvas and I remembered shaking my head at the procrastination.
An entire oil painting in one night?
Even if he did wet on wet, there was no way the professor wouldn’t be able to spot that it was a last minute painting.
A closer look told me he likely hadn’t slept at all, and though I couldn’t remember what he’d been wearing last night, I was almost sure it was the same black Pearl Jam t-shirt he wore now.
He had dark, hickory brown hair, lush and unruly and an inch too long by my mother’s standards. A scruffy beard of the same color peppered his jaw and upper lip, scraggly and unkept, and again I could hear my mom’s voice in my head making a comment under her breath that he should trim it.
I kind of liked it, though.
I kind of liked the way it made him look older than he was, but how the boyish gleam in his eyes gave him away. I kind of liked that he looked grumpy but curious all at once.
I kind of liked the way he didn’t look away when I caught him staring, and how one corner of his lips ticked up just a notch when I didn’t look away, either.
READ NOW: amzn.to/2T7poJy
And now, a Goodreads exclusive sneak peek inside!
I smiled at the sight of the white paint against the deep blue of the river, and as I did, a tingle spread down my spine.
I could sense someone’s eyes on me.
I glanced up and to my left, but no one was looking at me. A glance to the right confirmed the same. But when I cast my gaze across the small room, I found a pair of dark eyes under thick lashes watching me from behind a canvas I could only see the back of.
It was a boy, though I supposed calling him a boy was somewhat silly, considering he was easily the oldest in the class. I couldn’t be sure of his exact age, but I knew he was closer to thirty than he was to twenty, and that just one look into his eyes confirmed he’d lived more life than I had.
I’d seen him last night, coming into the classroom as I was leaving it. He’d sat down at a blank canvas and I remembered shaking my head at the procrastination.
An entire oil painting in one night?
Even if he did wet on wet, there was no way the professor wouldn’t be able to spot that it was a last minute painting.
A closer look told me he likely hadn’t slept at all, and though I couldn’t remember what he’d been wearing last night, I was almost sure it was the same black Pearl Jam t-shirt he wore now.
He had dark, hickory brown hair, lush and unruly and an inch too long by my mother’s standards. A scruffy beard of the same color peppered his jaw and upper lip, scraggly and unkept, and again I could hear my mom’s voice in my head making a comment under her breath that he should trim it.
I kind of liked it, though.
I kind of liked the way it made him look older than he was, but how the boyish gleam in his eyes gave him away. I kind of liked that he looked grumpy but curious all at once.
I kind of liked the way he didn’t look away when I caught him staring, and how one corner of his lips ticked up just a notch when I didn’t look away, either.
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
OH. MY. GOD.
Y'all. It's over for me. I'll see you on the other side of devouring this series because after this book, I am head over heels OBSESSED. Book one was amazing, but this one? THIS ONE?!
GAH!
It's so hard to review without spoilers, so I'll just say that this book had me more wrapped up than ANY book has since I read the Divergent series. I was completely obsessed, staying up late, reading whenever I could. I dreamed about the world, the characters. IT IS THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE and obsession.
I'm so in love with these characters, and I LOVED seeing the growth in this one -- from everyone. Also. CHAPTER 54. FUCKKKKK ME!!! The best. Crying forever.
This is going on my top ten favorites EVER. Eeeek!
Y'all. It's over for me. I'll see you on the other side of devouring this series because after this book, I am head over heels OBSESSED. Book one was amazing, but this one? THIS ONE?!
GAH!
It's so hard to review without spoilers, so I'll just say that this book had me more wrapped up than ANY book has since I read the Divergent series. I was completely obsessed, staying up late, reading whenever I could. I dreamed about the world, the characters. IT IS THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE and obsession.
I'm so in love with these characters, and I LOVED seeing the growth in this one -- from everyone. Also. CHAPTER 54. FUCKKKKK ME!!! The best. Crying forever.
This is going on my top ten favorites EVER. Eeeek!
Between You and These Bones by F.D. Soul
3.0
I really enjoyed this one! It's not my favorite, I'm definitely more of a Rupi, Beau, Faudet, and Lang kind of gal, but I read poetry with my mom each morning and we did enjoy this one. It was different and fresh and at times, haunting!
Dune by Frank Herbert
4.0
Dune is not my usual type of read, but my fiancé and I both wanted to read it before the movie came out. We did a buddy read and while this book was dense and slow in the beginning, it quickly pulled me in and I really enjoyed it. Watching the movie after finishing was a bonus and I can't wait to see what they do with the last one!
The one big reason I dinged a star was because of the way the female characters were handled in this book. The end, in particular, left a sour taste in my mouth and made me feel like this writer simply did not care to even pretend like women matter other than to be a wife/mother/concubine to a male. It's disheartening to read, especially with such strong female characters that, at times, should have stolen the show. There were many instances where I found the author could have expanded on Jessica's powers and abilities, or Chani's incredible understanding of the desert, so on and so forth, but it never happens. And even though Paul seems to understand how important the women in his life are, he is quick to disregard them and make choices without thinking of how it will impact them.
Also, I felt like Paul's character declined as the book went on. Instead of a strong, heroic character ARC, he turned into a man-child. I liked him better as a young kid reluctant to accept his powers and responsibility more than the "man" he became by the end.
All that said, the writing is fantastic, and the world-building alone kept me glued to the book. I do recommend this one.
The one big reason I dinged a star was because of the way the female characters were handled in this book. The end, in particular, left a sour taste in my mouth and made me feel like this writer simply did not care to even pretend like women matter other than to be a wife/mother/concubine to a male. It's disheartening to read, especially with such strong female characters that, at times, should have stolen the show. There were many instances where I found the author could have expanded on Jessica's powers and abilities, or Chani's incredible understanding of the desert, so on and so forth, but it never happens. And even though Paul seems to understand how important the women in his life are, he is quick to disregard them and make choices without thinking of how it will impact them.
Also, I felt like Paul's character declined as the book went on. Instead of a strong, heroic character ARC, he turned into a man-child. I liked him better as a young kid reluctant to accept his powers and responsibility more than the "man" he became by the end.
All that said, the writing is fantastic, and the world-building alone kept me glued to the book. I do recommend this one.
The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen
5.0
This was a beautifully written and absolutely enthralling historical fiction that I just couldn't put down. My first Bowen read and I was amazed at how she so intricately weaved this story, unveiling more and more as the plot progressed. It was also an absolutely gorgeous tribute to Venice and Italy as a whole, which has a special place in my heart. I loved reading about all the fascinating characters, the art, the city, the love, the heartbreak, and more. My first read of 2022 and I'm very happy to have started my year with this beauty!
Tangled Up by Tia Louise
5.0
A wildly addicting second chance romance with delicious enemies-to-lovers vibes weaved throughout, Tangled Up swept me off my feet and left me breathless. Tia Louise knows how to suck you in from the start and keep you begging for more. Surprising, fresh, and beautifully written. Five stars and a tequila sunrise!