Hi!
Here are the reviews of all the books I read in February and March :)
Careful! Spoilers ahead!
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
Genre: romance
About: Samantha (Sam) Casey is a school librarian. She loves her job, and her school family that’s pretty much the closest thing she’s had to a real one. When the new principal, Duncan Carpenter arrives, the once happy and cheerful school starts to turn dull and grey. But Sam knows he wasn’t always this bad. Years ago, when Sam was invisible to everyone including herself, they worked together. Duncan was the life of the party, the opposite of what he is now, and Sam was invisible to him.
Review:
I couldn’t feel the connection between Samantha and Duncan. They didn’t connection on an emotional level until the end which is fine. But how could Duncan possibly say he loved her at the end when that was the very first time they actually connected on a personal level? Their relationship went from dislike to like sooo fast without any reason. It just happened.
The story centred around the school so much and I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it’s because I never loved any school I went to? (I didn’t hate school, I just didn’t love it)
The characters felt one dimensional and very plain. The loving older people that the entire town loves, quirky teachers, a stuck up businessman whose also a terrible person etc.
What I did like was the message. We have to choose to be happy and live, not letting fear stop us. And I liked that it talked about epilepsy, trauma, and mental health.
Katherine Center’s writing was good but I couldn’t get into the story, the story was simple but took too long to get to the end.
Rating: 2.8/5
Spice: 0.2/5 (literally nothing unless you count the word “sexy”)
Trigger warnings: death, school shooting, seizures, missing child
Shopaholic Abroad by Sophie Kinsella (book 2 in Shopaholic series)
Genre: humour, contemporary romance
About: Life is great for Becky Bloomwood. She has a job on morning TV, a great boyfriend, and a fantastic best friend. As for money, her new motto is “buy only what you need”. But when she goes on a trip to New York, can she put her love for shopping under control?
Review:
Enjoyable to read overall. Some aspects irritated me but it was a nice read.
I like the writing and the characters. Even the “antagonists” are good antagonists.
Some parts were so funny though. When she delivered trunks of her clothes for a holiday, the way she stuffed all her shopping bags into the closet, or when the vacuumed bags exploded.
My main problem is that Becky doesn’t think her shopping addiction is a problem and doesn’t actually do anything to fix it. She just pretends to have it all under control.
She’s gotten into so much debt before and finally fixed it after a crazy situation but now she decides that spending thousands in a few days is okay. And she had an overdraft then too! She was already in so much debt, and yet she decided to continue spending and saying it’s a future investment or a work expense. It’s not. And don’t tv shows usually provide you with outfits?!? Like yes okay I know she loves shopping and maybe she can’t help wanting everything but asking Suze to be in charge of your spending doesn’t do anything unless you actually listen and not lie to Suze…
I don’t hate that she’s a shopaholic. My problem is that she lies about it. She thinks she’s not in the wrong when she could’ve been upfront about it. She lied to her bank manager. She lied to her parents. She lied to Suzy. SHE LIED TO LUKE SO MUCH. If she feels the need to him so much why is she even with him. As if Luke would care about her shopping all that much. He already knew she loves shopping and probably would’ve just helped her sort out what to return after a shopping spree. She lied to him about her clothes and shopping problem, and proceeded to act hurt and expected him to pity her when she got into trouble… and got Luke into a mess too… I would totally feel for her if it was a tiny overdraft and the press blew it out of proportion but she was in so so so much debt. And come on, you’re giving people financial advice on TV. If Alicia didn’t tell the news about your financial circumstances, you think no one would figure it out eventually???
The ending was expected. She sold all her stuff again and made up with luke.
The thing is although I think Becky has some real issues I still root for her because she’s kind and generous. She buys so much stuff but she also gives people those things too. She doesn’t just hoard it
Rating: 3.3/5
Spice: 0.01/5 (closed door)
Trigger warnings: nothing from what I can tell
Flawed Duology by Cecilia Ahern
Genre: young adult dystopian
Flawed (Book 1)
About:
In a country that only excepts perfection, those who are not, are branded flawed. The Guild is a moral court that decides if an accused is flawed. The flawed are not criminals but they are deemed harmful to society, and hence have to live with a different set of rules. But are the flawed actually flawed?
Celestine North is perfect. She’s a model daughter, perfect student, girlfriend of Art Crevan, son of the head judge of the Guild, Judge Crevan. One day when Celestine encounters a situation that in her opinion, goes against logic. She breaks a rule that changes her life forever.
Review:
I have the second book, so the ending makes me excited to read the next book. But if you don’t plan on reading the next book, this book isn’t too good. It’s just a lot of build up.
The story is really cruel and disturbing in my opinion (especially the middle part). I couldn’t read it in one go.
I don’t understand how a system can have so many loopholes and cruelty in it.
Even though being “flawed” isn’t a crime, the punishments and fate are much worse than going to jail. Not just to them, but to their friends and family too.
Also, come on, I haven’t read the second book but it’s so obvious there’s something in the snowglobe Tina gifted Celestine.
But, the writing was pretty good. It was easy to follow and read.
Please don’t read this if you’re someone who tends to feel deeply for others, is sensitive, and can’t read and watch cruelty. I heard the second book is better so I’m going to give it a try. If I didn’t have the second book I think I would’ve DNF-ed it.
Rating: 3.2/5 (if you read it as a standalone it’s a 1/5)
Spice: 0/5
Perfect (Book 2)
About:
Celestine North is on the run. Judge Crevan is hunting her down. Why? She knows something that can bring down the entire Guild.
Review:
I expected more.
Celestine is super courageous. But she’s supposed to be smart too. There are moments of brilliance, and then suddenly she doesn’t think her plans through. It wasn’t consistent.
The way she took down Crevan was not satisfying.
But, just like the first book, I like the writing style, it didn’t lose me and I kept flipping the page.
Don’t read this if you hate reading about cruelty and humiliation.
Rating: 3.1/5
Spice: 1/5 (described that it’s happening but not graphic)
Trigger warnings (both books): torture, cruelty, humiliation
Alex Rider: Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz (Book 9 in Alex Rider series)
Genre: action adventure, young adult
About: Alex Rider, the world’s most successful kid spy, is done with his spying days, or so he thought. When Scorpia, the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization, plans an operation in the Middle East, Alex Rider is once again sent on a mission. This will be his final mission. The question is, will he come out of it dead or alive?
Review:
The plot was pretty good, tying everything together. The writing was nice and the flow was quick. We’re reminded of what happened before without the book explaining and retelling the stories from previous books. Anyone can read this and understand but also go back and enjoy the previous books.
I liked the subplot about Mrs Jones. Her job is such that she has to make tough decisions and can’t save and protect everyone, but she has a conscience and cares about Alex. She finally set him free. I think MI6 is in safer hands with her in charge. I also liked that this book showed that Mr Smithers is a true spy and showcased his talents.
The ending was bittersweet but I think it’s a perfect way to end things. Being a spy isn’t fun and games. It’s dangerous, not just for the spy but also the the spy’s friends and family. Just because you’re good at it doesn’t mean you’re all set and you’ll always make it out alive. Alex had gotten away but Jack didn’t, which broke him, but he still got a nice ending with the Pleasure family. I liked how it wasn’t a fairytale ending where everyone is happy in the end and no one is harmed.
The entire book kept indicating that this is the final story but I also found out there’s like 3 more books. Started with an unexpected release in 2017. Interesting… Will I read those? I don’t know. This book already felt like the perfect ending to the story. Alex Rider is finally free. He finally gets to be a normal boy, something he’s wanted since day 1.
Rating: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (absolutely nothing)
Trigger warnings: violence, gunshots, murder, kidnapping
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That’s all for this week, have a great week ahead!
- Grace :)
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