Book Review: Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Hunting Adeline

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Hunting Adeline 〰️

Small side rant before I get into my thoughts on the book as a whole. (Okay, not super small).

I think I mentioned this in my review of the first book, but this issue has been ramped up in the second book. Zade is the most hypocritical character I've ever read. Yes, he loves Addie, and I see his love and he can be a genuinely great guy to have as your boyfriend (if you look past all his "bad" stuff). But for someone who kills people for a living, because those people raped and tortured other people, you'd think he'd take his own advice. Yes, those people he killed were monsters and this isn't the type of story where we judge a character for taking the law into their own hands. But he does the exact same things to Addie, someone who has now been a victim of extreme trauma herself. (Also, I don't care how much the book tries to make it seem not so, but Addie 100% was kidnapped and put into human trafficking because of Zade and his obsession over her). Zade is always saying she is safe with him and that she's not with the monsters anymore, yet he still screws her without her consent (although she's into it, so I guess it's consensual?). He stalked her. He forced her to love him. He marked her with a knife. He's done basically everything her captors did to her, but because he loves her, it's now okay? Yeah, sure.

Not to mention he kills people just for even looking at her wrong. (Granted, it's "justified" now because those people end up being bad people, but still). Yes, she loves him in the end, but he leaves her no choice. Stockholm syndrome, much? I know he wanted her to love him as he is (which she does), but he didn't treat her better than the people who raped her most of the time. She was basically his personal human sex toy.

I know a lot of people like Zade, and as a character, I do too, but he's not a good guy and if he were real, he should be in jail and not someone to root for. I feel like I have more to say but it's probably going to be repetitive, so I'll end my rant here.

That being said, I really did enjoy this book. It's problematic af, but we knew that going in. Was it as good as the first book and Satan's Affair? No. But the part one of the book was a gripping read. I really felt like I was held captive in a human trafficking ring. Part two, however, was just okay. I'm glad Addie survived and, over months, was able to deal a bit more with her PTSD. But the search for the bad guys in the book dragged a bit.

Not going to lie; Sibby was the best part of part two. I genuinely enjoyed it every time she was on screen. Even had a few good chuckles.

Speaking of Sibby, I don't like how this book ended. It ended on a weird cliffhanger by introducing a new character right in the last chapter, and in the epilogue that follows, she's been gone with this random character that we still don't know much about. Zade was looking for her for like a page or so and then it's just smut with Addie until the end. I feel like I'm missing something. Does this mean a third book is in the works or another spinoff with Sibby? Who knows.

All in all, though this book has its faults (we knew this going into it), I still enjoyed the read. I just wish Zade thought more with his heart and not his dick.

Book review: Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Haunting Adeline

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Haunting Adeline 〰️

Well, this book made me see things in a way I didn't think I ever would. I picked it up because a friend told me about it, and it sounded interesting. I read Satan's Affair first, and I love that we get to see that mini-story again, but from Zade's perspective. It was short but cool. You don't need to have read Satan's Affair in order to understand this story, especially as it was such a small part of the grand scheme of things, but I will admit it enhanced the reading experience. (Plus, I enjoyed the little novella).

There were basically two stories going on at once. Well, three, if you count the stalking part before Adeline and Zade made contact. We have Adeline trying to solve the murder of her great-grandma, Gigi. While interesting, this plot point wasn't the main focus, in my opinion. The really interesting part was Zade's storyline. He truly is a hero for what he does, even if he goes about it in, let's say, an interesting way.

At first, you wonder how Zade can be so passionate about saving women and children from the horrors of sex trafficking and not wanting to do anything to them other than get them to safety, yet at the same time be willing to stalk and assault Adeline because he's super attracted to her. I mean, yes, it's sort of consensual as she's into the non-consensual stuff, so in a way, it does make it consensual? I dunno. It's weird. But when we read from Zade's perfection, somehow it all makes sense and we root for him even though he's the bad guy (yet also the good guy?) This book really makes you question your own morals.

Side note, though I don't mind reading smut so smutty it may as well be porn, I do wish the author stopped using the word "juices" so often. That was kind of a turn-off for me; not gonna lie. Took away any sexiness the scene had as it was more gross than anything.

Also, don't get me started on both MCs having a major cliffhanger. Guess I need to get reading on book two now because what can I say? This may be a dark read, but it's a helluva interesting one.

Book Review: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

An Anonymous Girl

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An Anonymous Girl 〰️

I love how this book is told. We get Jessica in first person. But then we have Dr. Shield's POV, which is told in the second person. It's not often I come across this POV. I think the only book I've read with this POV was "You" by Caroline Kepnes. (Granted, I did read a book once that had this POV in small parts for certain chapters, but "You" used it the whole way). I think having Dr. Shield's chapters told in the second person is perfect for her personality. It reads like a clinical report, which to me, gives the impression that this is what she would write after each session with Jessica. It also really helped differentiate each character's chapter and gave each of them a distinct personality. It made for an interesting read.

The book was interesting from the start, but it was reading more like a four-star read for me until the halfway-ish point. As soon as Jessica starts to doubt Dr. Shield's motives and sees something more sinister is happening with the experiment, the book gets interesting. Not that it wasn't before. But before that point, it was mostly just Jessica doing random questionnaires, then random (to Jessica) experiments Dr. Shield asked her to do. Nothing odd other than she was being paid a lot of money just to meet (seemingly) random people and accept some gifts. But then Jessica starts to question everything, wondering if everything she does is a test, which is a valid response. It's a normal response. As I said, what really made it interesting was when we realized there is more to Dr. Shield's experiment than beneath the eye.

Then a whole web of lies hidden beneath truths comes out to play, and we question if everything means something. And it turns out, yes. Jessica was just a plaything for Dr. Shield. All the doctor wanted was to see why her husband cheated and see if he'd do it again by using Jessica as bait. Add in some murder and some deep philosophical questions, and we've got ourselves a worthy read.

I'm not sure how co-authoring works. Maybe one author writes one character, and the other writes the second. Maybe not. But what I do know is that Hendricks and Pekkanen worked extremely well together and wrote a compelling story. I'll be honest in saying I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if it wasn't given to me for free by a friend who was moving. But I'm glad I got it and read it because it was one helluva ride, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It makes me wonder what I would have done in Jessica's shoes.

Book review: Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

Sometimes I Lie

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Sometimes I Lie 〰️

Holy mother of twists, Batman! This book hooked me right from the first page and held me right until the end. (Sequel, anyone? It was kind of left open for a sequel, and I wouldn't be mad if there were one. I need more. I feel like there is more to the story because of how it ended. But if not, it still has such a great ending).

We always wonder if those we love who are in a coma can hear us. In this case, Amber, who is in a coma, can do just that. She can feel and hear everything but is unable to react physically. No one knows she is aware of everything as she tries to piece together the mystery of what happened to her leading up to her accident that got her in this situation. But Amber is an unreliable narrator (love that), and because of that, we are on the edge of our seats the entire novel.

I'm not one for guessing twists or picking up clues that are usually obvious to most readers, but if there were hints as to what happened to Amber and her relationship with Claire and her ex, I didn't see them. The whole book was a wild guessing game as to who did what and why. And when you think you have it all figured out, Feeney pulls a fast one and hits you with twist after twist. I personally didn't see them coming.

When Amber was in the "now" chapters, you first took everything she heard at face value. But then, as time goes on, when you realize she often hallucinates (which I don't blame her; coma brain and all), you wonder what is real and what isn't, and it all adds to the mystery.

I love how the "now," "then," and "before" chapters all tell separate stories but blend into one in the end. Feeney is truly an expert storyteller. She can keep you guessing and wondering what we would have done in Amber's situation.

Loved this book from beginning to end and can't recommend it enough.

Book review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Everything, Everything

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Everything, Everything 〰️

I admit, I got the ending and twist spoiled for me because I had read Save The Cat! (a guide to writing novels), and this book was one of the examples for romances. I never thought I'd read the book, despite finding its premise super interesting. Then my friend was moving and getting rid of a lot of books, and this was one of them that I got from her. Despite having it spoiled for me, it was a while since I read the plot in Save the Cat!, and so I was still on the edge of my seat, wondering how they got from point A to B.

This book was genius. From the writing style (including the emails, letters, and texts to the artwork), short chapters vs long chapters, it all worked to tell a cohesive and interesting story. The premise was fascinating as well. Maddy is said to be so sick she can never leave the house. But she soon falls for the boy across the street. We can see Maddy fall head over heels for Olly through a series of cute interactions. I can feel their chemistry. They are adorable teenagers acting as normal teenagers should. (Even in Maddy's case, where she's never had the experience of a normal teen because of her "sickness."

I loved learning about Maddy's world in her white, sterile room. I loved Carla. She sounds like the perfect nurse to have as a friend when you are stuck inside. She's so kind and caring and is the one who gives Maddy the idea to live her life, despite her illness. And it's a good thing she did because it's how we discover Maddy wasn't sick all along!

Yoon really plays with your emotions through this book. Despite feeling trapped, we also feel hope for a world worth living, one outside Maddy's bubble. Even when we thought Maddy was sick, we still wanted Maddy to live a normal life. And when she does in Hawaii, we see the world in anew light, like a toddler experiencing life for the first time. Things we took for granted are now brought to light, and I love that. This book truly makes you appreciate love, life, and the gift of being alive, even if things seem bad.

If you're into a cute YA romance and want to see the world in a new light, this book is excellent for you.

Book Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls by Lynn Weingarten

Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls

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Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls 〰️

Well this book was a rollercoaster from start to finish. There were so many twists I didn't see coming. Especially when it comes to the dead girl, well, not being dead. And when the ending line of the books blurb says "Now Delia is dead. And June owes it to her to find out the truth... which is far more complicated that she ever could have imagined." Well. It wasn't kidding. It was way more complicated. In that sense I'm not saying the story itself was a complicated read, just that all the plot twists were a kick in the gut for June over and over, until she can barely tell reality from fabrication.

I feel for June. She was the best of friends with Delia. But then they grew apart, as some friendships do. (Especially if you see your bestie kissing your boyfriend). But when she learns of Delia's suicide, she realizes all the potential their friendship had and how she'll never get the chance to be there for her friend again.

I was hooked right from the very beginning. Though I will admit, the first half of the book reminded me of Holly Jackson's "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder." I loved that book (the whole trilogy really). But I wasn't sure I was into reading another story about someone trying to solve a murder. (Well, suicide in this case). But then the first big twist happened. I'm sure people probably say it coming, but I'm very clueless a lot of the time so I was blinded when it happened. Never expected Delia to fake her own death. I was truly thinking this was going to be AGGGTM kind of story where June goes down lots of crazy rabbit wholes to discover the truth about her friends death.

But here we are! She's alive! And we now have a new POV, from Delia. And we can see how manipulative and obsessive she really is. It was all of June. It was like Delia knew what would happen to them in the future and planned it out from the first moment they met. Maybe she had some grand scheme. Maybe she only thought of her plan later on. Either way, it was a wild ride to read.

The only thing I didn't really like about this book is that it portrayed bisexuals in a negative light. Because I kind of see Delia as the villain and wether is is bi, pan, gay, whatever, her and Ashling make the LGBTQ+ community seem a bit crazy. Not saying you should never have a queer villain. It just puts queer people in a bad light when the only LGBTQ+ people in your novel are doing bad things.

All in all, this was an excellent and quick read and I highly recommend.

Book Review: A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Silver Flames

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A Court of Silver Flames 〰️

Not gonna lie, when I heard that this story was to be told from Nestsa and Cassians POV (and in third person, a switch from the other books), I wasn't sure how I felt about it. I didn't really want a book about the side characters, y'know? But having read this book, I can say for a fact that I want more of Nesta and Cassian. I can also say that this story was meant to be told for them. I think the first three books in this series were meant to be a trilogy as they ended perfectly. The fourth book was a nice little bridge and gave us our last farewell of Feyre's POV. And this final book, well now we're starting new stories in this universe and I for one am all here for me. (I head there is going to be a sixth book. No word yet on whose POV it will be from, but I do hope for more Nesta).

Actually, I really enjoyed Feyre. But I 100% enjoyed Nesta's story more. This story was about healing and self-discovery (with lots of spicy romance in between. Not gonna lie, when I read the spicy bits I was at work during a downtime and was glad this was in written form and not something I was watching on Netflix because it was basically porn in written form).

Nesta was such an interesting character. I didn't care much for her before in other books, but seeing her POV, I understand her now. I see why she acted the way she did and I empathized with her. I enjoyed watching her grow a character and I can't wait to see more. (Cassian was great, too, but now Nesta is my new favourite. They're super cute together, too).

I absolutely loved watching her become such close friends with Emerie and Gwyn (and the House, too, if I'm being honest). They all trauma bonded, but also helped heal each other. Are they all truly okay after what happened to them? Not at all. But they will get through it together. Found family is awesome.

I felt all the emotions reading this book. It had me feel the debts of Nesta's depression as if it were my own. It had me grin wildly when Nesta found joy over friendship and love. From low to high I felt it all and I love that.

All in all, if this series truly ended with this book, I will be happy for it had the perfect ending. If it continues, I won't be mad. Unless Maas ruins it somehow. But if you loved the ACOTAR series, you'll be sure to thoroughly this book.

Book Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight

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A Court of Frost and Starlight 〰️

I'm not sure how to feel about this book. I enjoyed it. But if it wasn't part of the ACOTAR series, I'm not sure I would have. (Or even cared to read it). It was nice to read a lighthearted story after all that happened in the first three books. But still, this fourth book read like it was a made-for-TV Christmas movie. It was clearly a filler to tie us over until the fifth book. Probably also a cash grab. This book didn't need to be written. But again, I still enjoyed it for what it was. It wasn't my favourite read of this series.

I didn't care for how random chapters weren't told by Feyre (or even Rhys) and that chapters not in their POV were in the third person. I dunno; it just felt like a weird writing/stylistic choice. Other have it all in be first person or third person. And the random chapters in between Feyre and Rhys felt like filler within the filler. Especially Mor's chapters. Cassian's made sense. But Mor's could have been taken out, and nothing would have been missed.

But for those flaws, it was still sweet and charming and a nice little break from all the darkness. A friend told me she feels like it was Maas's way of writing from Feyre (and Rhys, I guess) and telling their story one last time before completely changing POV (and perspective) in the fifth book.

If you're a die-hard fan of ACOTAR (as I now am), I think you'll still enjoy this very short read. If not, you could skip this book and probably be just fine in going straight into the fifth. A few things may be mentioned in the fifth book that was in the fourth, but I think you'd pick up what's missing from context. After all, this book was super short (and a larger font) than its chonkier mates.