been waiting for this since the first offhand mention on twitter that it was even going to be a thing. so, naturally, i devoured it the day it came outbeen waiting for this since the first offhand mention on twitter that it was even going to be a thing. so, naturally, i devoured it the day it came out. so i could reread it as soon as possible.
this is a balm to an aching heart. a perfect dose of one of my OTPs, without all the danger and murder.
sprinkled with nods and references to the main CI story, and containing all the soul of both characters and their amazing connection....more
First read: 3 stars Second read: i’m an idiot. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all of the stars.
I teared up more times than I can count on my reread, so many little things wFirst read: 3 stars Second read: i’m an idiot. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all of the stars.
I teared up more times than I can count on my reread, so many little things would make me just so emotional - and then there was just some all out sobbing and foaming at the mouth at the big ones. i.e. dO wE hAvE A dEaL???????
This story is so grand, it can't be contained. It can't be taken in in just one way through. I can't imagine how many times I'm actually going to read this book before I actually get to read TSA10....more
This book was a whirlwind. I was in rapture from the very first page.
Do you ever read the first chapter ofALC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
This book was a whirlwind. I was in rapture from the very first page.
Do you ever read the first chapter of a book and just… know? Know in the deepest part of you that you will never be the same. Know that those words are going to be an intrinsic part of you from that moment on. Know, with certainty that only comes around a few times in one’s lifetime, that you have found a piece of your soul that exists outside of your body.
But not to be dramatic or anything.
A vividly Queer historical romance, “A Lady for a Duke” brings a trans heroine with a clear voice, a hero with a disability, and diverse secondary characters.
Writing this was h a r d. It was a messy process of wavering back and forth, saying too much and too little, not having the right words and being unable to utilize the ones I do have in a way that does this book justice.
You may have noticed I haven’t actually managed to say much about the actual book. Or anything really.
“A Lady for a Duke” is a story of longing, friendship and humanity. Longing for the life you want but can’t have, for someone who is close enough to touch and yet far out of your reach, for someone you’ve lost. It’s a tale of a friendship experienced in two very different ways, but made no less true or special in those differences. The humanity of grief, desire, and mistakes we can’t help but make over and over again.
And the romance, dear god. I haven’t read prose this beautiful in a long time. The sweeping tenderness and vulnerability, the raw want in these pages begs to be tabbed, and highlighted, and annotated – quoted, studied and dissected.
While Viola and Gracewood are extremely compelling voices, and unmistakably the stars of this story, I found so much joy in the secondary characters. Little Bartholomew, Lady Marleigh (I want to be her when I grow up), Badger, Miranda and Lady Lillimere are the reason this story shines in such a well-rounded manner.
‘’A Lady For a Duke” will be out tomorrow, May 24th. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy ASAP....more
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley I fell in love with Therin's writing mere pages into Spellbound, the first book in the Magic In Manhattan sARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley I fell in love with Therin's writing mere pages into Spellbound, the first book in the Magic In Manhattan series, and four books later, this series already feels like home.
"Proper Scoundrels" picks up where Wonderstruck left off, only this time we're following Lord Fine, Ace's British Nobleman of an Ex, and Sebastian de Leon, who we first met under less than pleasant circumstances.
Therin managed to make two very different characters absolutely made for each other.
I found myself attatched to both of them so deeply for different but no less special reasons.
Wesley's cynic jadedness, and his sharp edges to mask his loneliness and depression. Sebastian's kindness through all the trauma he's lived through, his feelings of inadequacy and guilt.
This is a book filled with magic but it's humanity in its purest form. With humor, beautiful prose, and some steam that will make you swoon, this might actually be my favorite Therin....more
I don't hold any world records but if i did it would be "the human being alive who has reread 'Bossy' by N.R. Walker more than any other person.
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Had tI don't hold any world records but if i did it would be "the human being alive who has reread 'Bossy' by N.R. Walker more than any other person.
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Had to change the rating to 5, because I've now read this *insert number* of times cover to cover, and I've reread some chapters and scenes countless times already. Bryce and Michael refuse to leave my head.
1st Read: 4.5 grinned like an idiot the whole way through. Couldn’t put it down....more
The way I want to scream about this book from the rooftops but also I don't anyone to read it because that would be like baring my soul. Raw. UneditedThe way I want to scream about this book from the rooftops but also I don't anyone to read it because that would be like baring my soul. Raw. Unedited. Unfiltered.
The way all I want in this moment is to find a time machine so I can send this book back to my sixteen year old self and hold her tight.
The way I managed not to cry during this book but now that it's over I am so overcome....more
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous 4 books in this series and yet this was somehow so much better. If you toARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous 4 books in this series and yet this was somehow so much better. If you told me the fifth book in this series would be the best (so far) I would be skeptical to say the least. This was such a beautiful culmination of all that we've been building up to. Cooper and Park are stronger than ever, and their character growth individually and as couple makes my heart so happy. This is one of those stories that you can't help but get invested in. I'm also excited about the strengthening of the secondary characters, they really build the backbone of a story, and I'm glad these two are getting that support.
This was also, ehm, really hot so... All in all, it checks all the boxes....more
First read: 2.5 stars Second read: 4 stars Third read: 4.5 stars - I guess the rating will just keep going up every time I read it? lol this is officialFirst read: 2.5 stars Second read: 4 stars Third read: 4.5 stars - I guess the rating will just keep going up every time I read it? lol this is officially one of my comfort book :') Fourth read: 5 stars - I've read this four times cover to cover ffs
Listen. I'm trying not to be too hard on 2020 Mariah, cuz she was going through a lot. BUT WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE SMOKINGGGG??????? (the answer is nothing, cuz drugs are wack.)
I was in a 2 star book slump, and I decided that the obvious remedy was a reread. Don't ask me why I thought of this book, since I clearly wasn't thrilled by it the first time (I suspect aliens were involved.) but here we are.
This was so much lovelier than I remembered. It felt like a case of the exact right book at the exact right time and that is always a wonderful, magical thing.
I enjoyed both characters and their stories so much more this time, and I can't explain why. They're the same people I remembered. they're story is still the same. I honestly don't know what to tell you.
But. BUT. THE GODDAMN CORBIN WALE REFERENCES AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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"Better Than People" was the first RP book I ever read because I stumbled on it on NetGalley and thought it sounded interesting. Flash forward to 2021 when my world was irrevocably changed by The Remaking of Corbin Wale and I greatly enjoyed her Riven series, as well as Invitation to The Blues. I cannot tell you the joy it brough me to see these stories cross.
My original review is below. I don't discount those observations, I'm just baffled at how my perception changed with time.
August/2020: ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley 2.5 A story about two animal lovers, thrown together by circumstance. I was instantly infactuated with 'the pack', Jack's menagerie of rescues and their quirks. However, even though I empathized with both Jack and Simon, I didn't feel like I was ever fully invested.
The romance was sweet and the connection was there, but it didn't completely take me away.
I did love Simon's grandmother though, and I feel like there was more of chance for development if we had met more of Simon's family. My heart instantly went to Charlie though, and I feel like maybe he might get his own book? (I would read that in a heartbeat)
Overall, this was a short and sweet escape, with fluffy friends. I did appreciate the portrayal of Simon's social anxiety, and how being on a relationship with Jack didn't instantly fix him, or even significantly improve his condition. Amen for that....more
What does it say about me that I read this book twice, cover to cover, in the span of 12 hours but am now just realizing it's NOT called "The RemakingWhat does it say about me that I read this book twice, cover to cover, in the span of 12 hours but am now just realizing it's NOT called "The Remaking of Corbin Bleu".
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I'm a 90s kid, sue. me.
This book ripped my heart out, gave it a cuddle and then put it back.
Thank you to Rachel Reid, Carina Press/Harlequin Books and Net Galley for ending (and simultaneously prolonging) the 912 days of suffering I went throThank you to Rachel Reid, Carina Press/Harlequin Books and Net Galley for ending (and simultaneously prolonging) the 912 days of suffering I went through since first reading Heated Rivalry by providing this long time fan with an e-galley of "The Long Game". You've made my year.
February 4th, 2022:
Did i finish this book or did it finish me.
Have I emotionally recovered from the 3 year wait or the actual wild ride that was "The Long Game" by Rachel Reid? Not even a tiny bit.
There are so many quotes I want to share, but it is way too soon and this book is so nuanced and filled with so much yearning that parts of it can't exist in a vacuum and hold the same weight and meaning.
I innocently stumbled onto "Heated Rivalry" in the summer of 2019 and thought to myself "great, another queer sports romance, that's right up my alley." I added it to my TBR, and figured that was that.
A month later, I read it in one sitting and then reread it the next two days while taking copious notes and unshufulling the back and forth timeline.
In the time since, these two have never been far from my mind. Always the both of them, as individuals and together, for very different and yet deeply personal reasons.
"The Long Game" delivered on every level. It is filled with the humor and banter we expect from these two, and so much love and deep emotion that I was overcome from the very first chapter.
My chest swelled with pride, my jaw clenched with rage, my heart shattered into a million tiny pieces and was then gently put back together.
This and HR are and will always be two of my favorite books of all time, with two of my favorite characters, and Shane and Ilya remain, proudly, one of my OTPs.
"The Long Game" will be out on April 26th, 22, but you can grab "Heated Rivalry" right now.
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EDIT: October 29th, 2020
release date: April 26th, 2022 Will be available in Paperback.
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Rachel said 2022. Rachel said she hasn't started writing this (as of October 29th, 2020). I cried a little bit. But these boys are so worth the wait.
July 19th, 2020:
Most anticipated book of 2021. I said what I said.
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No more feeding off of mentions of my boys. No more crumbs. Here comes a whole meal. I am overcome.
Rachel said “I promise that Shane and Ilya being in a somewhat stable relationship won’t mean that they will stop being antagonistic shitheads to each other” and I wept. OTP of chaotic assholes is where it's at and I wouldn’t have it any other way....more
Been sitting on this for a bit because I couldn’t quite manage to put my thoughts into words. If you allow yourself to experience this universe in itsBeen sitting on this for a bit because I couldn’t quite manage to put my thoughts into words. If you allow yourself to experience this universe in its entirety, it is guaranteed to consume you.
I first picked up “Elantris” late October of last year. I was completely swept up by this standalone Epic Fantasy novel, that promised an even greater adventure. . And here we are: 10k+ pages, 12 books, 3 graphic novels, 6 novellas & 3 short stories later. With much more to come. . This book features long awaited reunions, confrontations, realizations and discoveries. Ever since Oathbringer I’ve been describing Sanderson’s writing as a symphony that comes together masterfully under careful coordination.
I’ve also noticed a conscious effort on the author’s part to include more and more diverse characters. It is always so refreshing to see the spotlight on them, and no self-proclaimed EF Gatekeeper has a leg to stand on when it comes to the Cosmere.
Also. Jasnah fricking Kholin.
Only 2 years and 8 months until TSA5. It’s fine....more
The sheer genius of the magic system and world building is so overwhelming. I can now truly appreaciate why it takes him so long to write these, eve4.5
The sheer genius of the magic system and world building is so overwhelming. I can now truly appreaciate why it takes him so long to write these, even with years of planning beforehand. The intricacies. The little nods and nudges sprinkled here and there. The references to other Cosmere stories and systems. The very flawed and very real characters. The ugly humanity of it.
I continue to struggle to really get attatched to the characters, but I have long stopped seeing that as a shortcoming when it comes to Sanderson. His characters are too much like real people we have all met for me to really form the sort of attatchments I'm used forming from books. (Mariah from the future here. HAHAHA. Look at Kal wrong and see what that gets you. Safe to say I got attached.)
This story is a complete excalation of everything we've been seeing build up to this point. By chapter 118 I was breathing heavily, exhausted by the fight, awed by revelation on top of realization.
Following The Cosmere pub order has really been the best way for me to enjoy this series, even if there were some low points for me. Sanderson never disappoints on the High Fantasy aspect, I also appreciate his effort to include more diverse characters in his more recent work, and I can see how their story lines are pacedly becoming more prominent....more
”I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.”
Why does an atheist, privileged”I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.”
Why does an atheist, privileged, latinx child from a two parent home relate to Jane Eyre on a visceral level? Your guess is as good as mine but here we are.
I’ve read this approximately 5163637x times and it only gets better. At this point reading this book is like coming home....more
Feb/04/22 EDIT: did i just sob my way through The Long Game? yes. am i jumping straight back into a reread of this? also yes
Edit: June/20 I have read thFeb/04/22 EDIT: did i just sob my way through The Long Game? yes. am i jumping straight back into a reread of this? also yes
Edit: June/20 I have read this book 3 times in the past year. And that's just the actual cover to cover reads, not counting when I come back to it to just reread my favorite moments. I need to do a proper review for this gem.
August/19
This book has two problems: 1. The atrocious cover. 2. The fact that it ended.
Please read Haley's review for how I feel about this book.
Edit 08/13/2019: Y'all know why I don't regret giving this 5 stars? Because I just read it again for the second time in less than a week and it was just as fantastic. I even took notes and wrote out a timeline because this is officially one of my OTPs now and I cannot wait for the next book (which is about Ryan) and please gawd let his romantic interest be a teammate. that. would. be. so. good.
This is romance with comedy and snark and wit, and it hits on the rampant homophobia in the NHL and it's so effing releavant. 10/10...more
I’m gonna need Elizabeth Acevedo to crawl out of my soul because this is too much. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this woman is incapable I’m gonna need Elizabeth Acevedo to crawl out of my soul because this is too much. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this woman is incapable of writing anything but 5 star masterpieces.
I can’t actually talk about this book without breaking down so I’m gonna leave it at that.
X So this cover pops up in my feed and I'm like: "Wow". And then I read the synopsys and my mind is like: "Damn, this would probably be great in audiobook format, but maybe I'm just picturing this as an Elizabeth Acevedo type of thing." And then I looked up to actually see who wrote this. I swear to god you can *smell* this woman's talent....more
At this point I’m starting to wonder if Elizabeth Acevedo is capable of writing anything but a 5 star masterpiece that’s relevant and rich with culturAt this point I’m starting to wonder if Elizabeth Acevedo is capable of writing anything but a 5 star masterpiece that’s relevant and rich with culture and spark. I call witchcraft....more
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