Kejtie

Firstly, Lauren, girl, get a better editor.
Honestly, this book was kind of a mess. Between writing in simple English to poetic descriptions of love, lust, and death, I got lost a lot. Also, this book was a poorly written mix of The Hunger Games, Throne of Glass, Harry Potter, and to be honest, even a little The Vampire Diaries.

The writing style still has me confused about the time period. Was this happening in a medieval or modern time period? Also, the characters were so damn juvenile. At times, I forgot they were all around late teens to early twenties.

This book was too long. 250 pages too long.
There was so much going on, and at the same time nothing was going on. She was jumping from scene to scene, the characters were bland, the story was predictable — honestly, I was struggling the last few pages. Show more

This was more rivals than enemies book.

Author really wanted to sell the idea of them being star-crossed lovers from two powerful families.
But it basically read like this: girl had a crush on boy, he didn’t really notice her until college, then they both developed feelings toward each other and had weak excuses to infuriate each other, until they met again years later on a conference in Vegas. And then everything started being really predictable.

It wasn’t a bad story. Basically it read like a Hallmark movie, with lots of spice. Show more

A weak execution of a pretty big issue.
People-pleasing is a disease that is common in most of the population. Mostly, it comes from dysfunctional families, where the people-pleaser plays a role as the mediator. I saw what Hazelwood wanted to do with this issue; I saw how much she wanted to point out how painful it is when you lose the real you among so many yous you give it. It is painful. More painful is the fact when other people call you out on it. And then you want to please them by being different. It's a never-ending circle, really. One you can tear if you are persistent enough.

Back to the book.
I could not connect with the main character. I couldn't even connect with her nemesis - turned - love interest.
The whole story was clinical, to the point where it was really painful to read. Hazelwood was writing about these intense emotions they both felt and saw in each other's eyes. But it read like a doctor would read a report about a person having a heart attack: clinical and without real emotion.

Also, I could not, for the life of me, understand this weird obsession everybody had with Elsie. The moment they got to know her - boom, instant love for her. Why? I don't understand. Because her inner monologues were so out of depth, again - clinical, and her struggling to vocally express herself did not do her any favors.

I say again, a weak execution with good intentions. Show more

There is something about Ali's writing that compels me to read her books.
Her writing style is effortless and quirky. She knows how to write a good story that kind of keeps you on your toes.

There were so many Star Wars references and puns, my little heart couldn't take it. I loved it! Insert Michael Scott's: I loved it even more!!! when there was an Office reference.

I have read a bit of the reviews from fellow readers here on GR. And an ongoing theme was Bee's apparent lack of emotional intelligence.
All right. I believe many people don't see trauma, even when it's right in front of them. Bee wasn't stupid in this department. She had been avoiding painful memories from her childhood and was scared of being left behind.
There is something very tragic about loving so deeply and at the same time pushing loved ones away.

Unpopular opinion, I guess: I still feel like this is a nicely written story about overcoming your emotional traumas and embracing love without the fear of impending disaster.   Show more

“Sometimes,” Iris began, “I don’t think we know what we’re made of until the worst moment possible happens. Then we must decide who we truly are and what is most important to us. I think we’re often surprised by what we become.”

The last few chapters of this book made me weep. I was sitting at the laundry service, waiting for my comforter to dry, and I was openly weeping. I didn't care at that moment the way I looked - my heart was raw from reading about Iris and Roman.

Rebecca Ross once again took my heart and kicked it a hundred kilometers away with her words. This story was so full of yearning and making promises, and shattered souls. If I was reading it in the evening, I would spend the whole night wide awake thinking about it. Who am I kidding? I'll probably still do that tonight.

Thank you Rebecca, thank you for this wonderful story. Show more

This was badly written. The plot, the characters.
Norah acted like a 15-year old most of the time; being spoiled and getting what she wants. The Shadow King wasn’t as scary as he was described in the tales she heard. He gave her everything what she requested, changed the customs, and still she wanted more and denied him her closeness.

Also, dark skinned people as savages? I thought we were long past this.
This whole book was so juvenile and badly written, and I’m surprised I even got to the ending - which was predictable really. Show more

“Tell me, could you love me?” he asks, seemingly out of nowhere.
“Of course.” I laugh, not sure of the answer I am supposed to give. But the question is so oddly phrased that I can hardly deny him. I love my parents’ murderer; I suppose I could love anyone. I’d like to love him.”

I am so glad I picked up this book. I loved the writing style, it has such a lyrical note to it. I liked how the storyline unfolded and how page by page we got to know Jude.

And Jude - she was battling with her humanity and wished so much to become stronger, like the Fae, like her father. I really enjoyed her inner dialogue, we got to feel her pain of being stuck in a place where she wasn’t wanted. I liked that she behaved like a teenager and an old soul at the same time.

Can’t wait to start reading the next book. Show more

I didn't hate it, I didn't - but the story felt so juvenile all the time, and it was from a POV of a 26 year old! I mean, the amount of ego and whining I was reading throughout the book had me cringing.

And there was a particular scene in the book that really had me laughing out loud in disbelief. So, get this - she deleted all of her social media because she got sent dirty messages and guys jerking off on her. I get this part, it's ugly. But then, THEN she decided she's going to do a naked photoshoot with her partner just so she could get back to her ex. What. The. Actual. Fuck? I can't be the only one to see this as just stupid right? And there were so many times she behaved like a spoiled brat that thinks everything revolves around her.
She was so boring and plain, even Ivan seemed like a good character. And he - controlling little freak with no boundaries. That's all I'm going to say, because Jasmin was so up in her head, we didn't really get to know Ivan's personality.

If this book is ever made into a movie, it would look like that: Ivan whining to Jasmine and telling her she needs to stop or start doing something, and she looking at him like an idiot and not saying anything.

I also want to add that everything was narrated and described so clinically. There was no passion, just repetitive words and sentences. And this book could be at least 150 pages shorter, if Zapata could stop writing "and then I blinked" and "and then he blinked, twice" every few pages.
It was honest to God, really bad - the only thing saving this book was the occasional hilarious banter between the main characters. Show more