The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  • Twitter summary: Life as Evie knows it takes an extraterrestrial turn when she crosses paths with the mysterious yet annoying Luc.
  • The good: Armentrout is a fantastic fantasy and YA author. I was captivated right from the beginning and had a strong urge to keep reading, I needed to know what was going on. Luc, oh Luc, I need to figure out how I truly feel about him. Regardless, I felt the tension, history and chemistry between Evie and Luc. Cannot wait to read Book 2 of this series!
  • The bad: I haven’t read the Lux series and now I must (Note that it is not necessary to read the Lux series as Armentrout does an excellent job providing enough information to follow). Excuse me.
  • Recommendation: Hell yes
  • Overall rating: 4/5 amethyst eyes. I’ll see how the series goes as I think this will likely end up being a 5/5… *fingers crossed*
  • Goodreads link

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

  • Twitter summary: Lucie attends the wedding of her former babysitter in Capri.
  • The good: Decided that I need to go visit Capri and go back to Italy.
  • The bad: I don’t even know what is the purpose of this book, the story I am supposed to fall in love with, it’s raison d’être… I am annoyed that I spent all this time reading this book.
  • Recommendation: Sorry, no
  • Overall rating: 1/5 extravagant weddings
  • Goodreads link

In Case You Missed It by Lindsey Kelk (ARC)

  • Twitter summary: Sacked from her job, back home in London and living in her lovebirds parents’ shed, Ros can’t help but try to relive her 20s.
  • The good: Kelk writes a breezy rom-com with substance (read: changed family dynamics, long lasting friendships, a rekindled romance and a cute bar owner all while the heroine is trying to get back on her feet professionally). I loved Ros and her mom’s conversation about The One.
  • The bad: I kept waiting for my heart to get that all too familiar flutter-flutter when reading or watching a rom-com. I was waiting for the moment John went from annoyed at Ros to falling in love — I knew they had a connection but I felt as though that part of the story was not fully complete.
  • Recommendation: A good read for a rainy afternoon.
  • Overall rating: 3/5 podcasts
  • Goodreads link

ARC provided by HarperCollins on Edelweiss+

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

  • Twitter summary: 18-year old Tate falls hard and fast with Sam, who breaks her heart and reveals her identity to the world. 14 years later, they are finally reunited…
  • The good: I loved how Christina and Lauren set the stage for Tate and Sam in the flashback while in London. I loved their immediate and intimate connection — it was beautifully vulnerable and hopeful. I appreciated how Sam learned his lesson and will now spend the rest of his life making it up to Tate!
  • The bad: The plot is extremely predictable and right from the get go, I knew what was going to happen.
  • Recommendation: Nonetheless, I was captivated by the storytelling and read the majority of this book in a single sitting.
  • Overall rating: 3/5 starry nights
  • Goodreads link

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria

  • Twitter summary: Co-stars on an Americanized telenovela find themselves unable to stay away from each other even when Ashton’s biggest secret is revealed.
  • The good: I was initially apprehensive because I have no interest in reading a book about the celebrity life of famous people blah blah blah. Daria tells a well thought out story and I believed in Jasmine’s character. I felt Jasmine and Ashton’s passion. Bonus points for the fact that I was getting strong Jane the Virgin feels while reading this book, which is a sign that I need to watch a telenovela or some sort of drama. I also have a strong urge to learn Spanish.
  • The bad: The ending was too easy — after all that build up, Ashton vanquished his fears that quickly? Jasmine, who had her Leading Lady pledge, forgave a bit too easily.
  • Recommendation: Yes if you want to be swept away in a telenovela world.
  • Overall rating: 4/5 telenovelas
  • Goodreads link

She’s Faking It by Kristin Rockaway

  • Twitter summary: @breebythesea hits rock bottom IRL and tries to manifest her way through Instagram.
  • The good: This easy breezy book was just what I needed to help me out of my reading slump. I devoured it in a couple of hours and felt surprisingly connected to Bree’s struggles. Who hasn’t been scammed by a post on social media or believed in something with such passion in the hopes that it’ll come true? I mentally applauded Bree at multiple moments in the second half of the book — you go, girl! Loved the way Rockaway wrote the reality checks.
  • The bad: The book was great without Rob making an appearance…
  • Recommendation: This book is for you if you need a quick reality check.
  • Overall rating: 3/5 social media influencers
  • Goodreads link

Educated by Tara Westover

  • Twitter summary: “I call it an education”
  • The good: This is the second time reading Westover’s memoir and I was still utterly captivated. I had to remind myself multiple times that this is not a work of fiction and this is a retelling of her experiences. Westover has a way of writing that flows smoothly while taking your breath away. In her words, I feel a sense of inspiration to continue on my own self-journey.
  • The bad: It is difficult to believe that these are real-life experiences. Children are innocent.
  • Recommendation: Must read.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 mountain peaks
  • Goodreads link

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

  • Quote: “I can’t blame her, but that’s not for me. I don’t want to be saved by some knight in shining armor. I’d like to be the one in the armor, and I’d like to be the one doing the saving.”
  • The good: This book started out strong — the words flowed beautifully together. I felt as though there was so much promise and it lead to high expectations…
  • The bad: …too high expectations that came crumbling down as I hit the 15% mark. I know that it is a Young Adult novel but wow, did everything seem overly exaggerated. The twists and turns were obvious and over the top. It all came way too easily for Sophia and Constance.
  • Recommendation: No
  • Overall rating: a generous 2/5 because the story idea intrigued me but, ultimately, fell short.
  • Goodreads link

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

  • Twitter summary: “Maybe it isn’t the worst thing to want to be loved, even if you’re not. Even if it hurts. Maybe being human isn’t always being weak.”
  • The good: I enjoyed the pace of this book — a much faster plot that did not drag on unlike Book 1 and Book 2.
  • The bad: I admit that the ending was too happy for my liking. After all the pain and fighting, I wanted a bit more angst.
  • Favourite part of the series: I felt okay about Book 1, did not like Book 2 at all but this book redeemed the entire series. I was proud of Jude for finally having a backbone (e.g., telling off Lady Asha) and trusting her humanness to save Cardan.
  • Recommendation: I recommend if you’re looking for a somewhat easy read in a fantasy world (except for Book 2) and willing to read the entire 3-book series.
  • Overall rating: 3/5 coronations
  • Goodreads link

The Wicked King by Holly Black

  • Twitter summary: Set five months after Book 1, Jude is navigating the faerie world as Cardan’s puppeteer or is Cardan the one pulling the strings?
  • The good: I admire Jude’s resolve to protect Oak but I’m starting to wonder if she ultimately is actually helping Oak. I was curious enough to finish reading this book as Jude doesn’t seem like she has a plan. However, as I sit here now trying to write this review, I’m not sure what I liked about the book.
  • The bad: At times, I found myself disengaged from the plot and underwhelmed by the details to truly care about what was happening. I also didn’t care at all for the undersea (don’t quote me, probably wrong terminology) characters, her family (except maybe Oak and Vivi’s girlfriend) and I’m glad Balekin is done. I’m too far into the series to quit now and so I wonder why I am choosing to read Book 3…
  • Favourite character: I’ve decided I like Jude more than Cardan but my favourite character is the Bomb.
  • Recommendation: If you enjoyed the first book then yes, please read.
  • Overall rating: 2/5 twin sister weddings gone wrong
  • Goodreads link