After We Fell by Anna Todd

After We Fell by Anna Todd
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I hate to say it, but I just can’t do it anymore. That’s two really long books in a row now with no actual plot or interesting storyline, other than a lot of endless drama. I’ve even gotten bored with all the sex.

Gasp. Yes, I did say that, but it’s hard to enjoy the intimacy between the characters when their relationship lacks true intimacy. I can’t even seem to get caught up in their sexy times, because it’s usually just a way to stop fighting or set their problems aside for a few minutes before returning right to them. And that’s not sexy to me. It’s actually kind of sad and pathetic, as well as completely dysfunctional.

The cycle is pretty much the same with Hardin: controlling behaviors paired with rude and disrespectful commentary, epic arguments that always escalate, screaming hateful things at a woman he supposedly loves but can’t seem to even remotely respect, running away and drinking himself into a stupor, Seeing Tessa with another man (usually just a random guy or friend—nothing questionable), getting in physical fights and/or verbally assaulting the other man, returning pathetic and grouchy and desperate, having sex, and then promptly becoming hateful, controlling, and emotionally abusive all over again. And the whole cycle repeats ad nauseam.

I was hoping for some actual character growth and development in this book, but honestly, I think Hardin got worse and worse. I don’t even really like him anymore. He pissed me off so many times by being such a controlling and abusive bastard. It was just red flags every 5 pages with this book. I thought maybe these two would start to grow up and learn how to work together and respect each other, but clearly I was asking for too much. And Hardin makes no effort at all to help himself, such as by going to therapy. He does start confiding in family more, which helps a bit, but that only lasts for a matter of minutes before he reverts to the same bad behaviors.

I liked Hardin a lot, initially, but in this book, it’s just so very clear that he is immature, insecure, and has really low self-esteem, and the way he makes himself feel better is by controlling Tessa, bossing her around, and making her feel small, which is something I can’t accept or respect at all.

Granted, he’s dating someone who he knows is a cheater, so that alone tends to create trust issues in a relationship, but after 2,000+ pages, we shouldn’t be in the same spot that we were in back at the start of book 2. If he’s never going to afford her any trust and respect, then they both need to just let go of this co-dependent idiocy and get their own shit together before trying again in relationships with new people (or maybe not trying, in Hardin’s case).

Also super shitty is Tessa constantly blaming other people for upsetting Hardin, after he loses his effing mind and goes crazy breaking things and attacking people. This just happens over and over again, and every single time, it's someone else's fault for upsetting Hardin, rather than Hardin's fault for behaving so dramatically and aggressively, instead of controlling his temper and handling situations like a rational, non-violent adult who can communicate their feelings, issues, concerns, and emotions.

So yeah. From 5 stars to 2, because being crappy at relationships and not knowing how to be in one and make it work is one thing, but failing to learn and grow from past issues and mistakes is entirely another. Hardin seems to be incapable of growth, and I’m sick of it. And him. He’s a nasty bastard for most of this book, and there’s nothing charming, hot, or sexy about that. Then, there's Tessa, who is basically becoming the classic abused woman, putting all the blame on everyone and everything other than where the blame should be laid, which is at Hardin's feet.

I’m obviously not moving on to book 4. Clearly, this series is being drug on endlessly for the purpose of selling books, not because most of this shit is relevant to telling a good story about these two characters. It’s disappointing, but them’s the breaks. And I pretty much saw this conclusion coming while reading the last book, but I was holding on out of a desperate hope for something better. I wish I could have back the last 7 hours of my life.

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After We Collided by Anna Todd

After We Collided by Anna Todd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh, the drama. These two are complete idiots, but I’m kind of crazy about them. I don’t even understand why, because I would not be a fan of most of their behaviors in real life, which feels like a double standard. Regardless, I seem to be addicted.

This book isn’t quite as good as book one, because it drags on forever and doesn’t provide much that is actually new through the majority of the middle of the book. However, the characters start to show minor glimpses of personal growth here and there, which gives me hope for them.

If you like a lot of ridiculous and/or shocking drama, then this will be right up your alley, as it seems to be right up mine. I think it’s because some of the drama has real teeth. I’m usually put off by excessive surface level drama, but Todd does a decent job of making the drama feel deep and complex.


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After by Anna Todd

After by Anna Todd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an interesting blend of BEAUTIFUL DISASTER and 50 SHADES OF GREY (without the BDSM) for me. It's really angsty, emotional, and there's a ton of poor decision-making occurring on everyone's part. Characters are so damaged by their pasts that they don't always behave lovingly, or as expected, in fact, they rarely manage to take a deep breath and figure out what is going on before overreacting.

Honestly, I thought this was going to be yet another boring NA that was so married to a common romance trope that it failed to be anything more, but I was wrong, as I was completely obsessed with this story and couldn't put it down. So long story short, I brought a lot of doubt and judgment into this read, and while there are behaviors I still don't condone, I was wrong on most counts about this being an interesting read. There's even a part of me that wants to go back and reread it with fresh eyes, after knowing how it all works out. But I can't do that, as I have already moved on to book 2 and need to know what happens next.

At the end of the day, I always prefer an emotional story with seriously flawed characters over a story that has flat characters and makes me feel nothing. Can I see some behaviors here that are red flags in a real relationship? Absolutely. But this is not a real relationship, and red flags don't always lead to crisis. Both characters know how to stand up for themselves, so nobody is being walked on, even if I don't always love and/or understand their decision-making during heated moments.

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Roar (Stormheart, #1)

Roar by Cora Carmack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I revisited this in preparation for reading RAGE, and I still adore this book and am fascinated by the world. I can't wait to see what happens next.

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
I can’t figure out what I’m going to say that will explain how much I loved this story, adored these characters, and was awed by this world of living storms. This YA fantasy has a truly unique magic system that is both captivating and emotional.

I have hearts in my eyes for this story, and it’s impairing my ability to review it. This is one of those books that has an absolutely amazing cover, and you worry that will be misleading and disappointing. It isn’t. The story as every bit as fabulous as the moody cover.

It does wrap itself around towards a partial conclusion, while still managing to end at a point that leaves you desperate for the next book.

I listened to the audiobook, which was excellent. I enjoyed it so much that even though I borrowed it from the library, I will definitely buy this one, both to support the author in her work, and because I know I will read this one again.

I love that feeling when a new world becomes so enthralling that you want nothing more than to exist inside it, and you can barely function outside of it, until you reach the conclusion.

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Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I confess that, at first, I was not sure if I was going to like anyone in this story, as circumstances are rather rough at the beginning. However, I quickly came around on almost everyone, and I really enjoyed this one. There's a lot of change and growth, which all feels very realistic and honest. The romance elements are so sweet and hopeful.

The writing and storytelling are both fantastic, and the pacing seems to be spot on. Overall, this is a really solid YA Contemporary romance with a good amount of diversity that doesn't come only from the LGBT characters.

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The Toll by Neal Shusterman

The Toll by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved books one and two so much, so it’s with a heavy heart that I’m giving this 3 stars, and probably feel only 2.5 of them at most. This is long, and not in a delightful way. It’s sort of all over the place, yet it also feels like it’s going nowhere for most of the book. I had no idea what I was even supposed to be rooting for or hoping for, because the plot is random, character intentions are unclear, and there are so many scenes that seem to lead absolutely nowhere.

The pacing probably could be worse, though I’m not quite sure how at this moment, because I’m still so shocked and sad that it felt like a complete chore to read this book. I had to force my way through the last half and was relieved when it was finally over. I mean, there are some great moments here and there. It just isn’t enough to make this feel like an exciting and worthwhile story. Now I have to go, because I kind of want to wallow in despair.

PRE-RELEASE COMMENTS:
I NEED THIS BOOK. RIGHT NOW.

GET IN MY WAY, AND I MAY HAVE TO GLEAN YOU.

RULES SCHMULES.



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Arc of Scythe Series

Scythe by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I revisited this book in preparation for reading the final book in the trilogy. It’s still fantastic and so well-plotted. The characters are deep and fascinating. The world and premise are stellar. This is just a great read by any standards.

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

THIS BOOK SLAYS!

I would give it all my stars, and not just to avoid a reaping.

Book 294 read in 2018

Book Pages: 435

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Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So happy to have revisited this masterpieces, and I can’t wait to go start book 3. Bye now!

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!

JUST SHUT UP AND TAKE ALL MY STARS.

Book 295 read in 2018

Pages: 504

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The Kill Club by Wendy Heard

The Kill Club by Wendy Heard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I should start this off by saying about 32.7% of me wants to actually be in the kill club, 56.3% of me is absolutely horrified by it, and 11% of me seriously wonders if someone is going to go out and try to start their own kill club after reading this. I mean, it’s practically a user’s guide for how to kill and/or fail to kill bad humans, which makes it a total breeding ground for future serial killers to converge around. Good lord, I hope that doesn’t happen, but this book does provide some sort of deranged education that could be useful to the wrong crowd.

If you’re the wrong crowd, then move along, there is nothing to see here. Also, I am not available for killing, as my calendar is quite full.

Anyway, let’s get back to the point, which is that this book is thrilling right up until the very last page. It’s dark, intense, and seriously emotional (or maybe that was just me, as I think I emotionally flailed through the whole book). Maybe we should just ignore the fact that I dropped the book quickly around page 311 and glared at it intensely for 2 days, while chewing all my fingernails to stubs, before I was able to pick it back up again and finish reading.

I am convinced that I need to be best friends with Jazz, the main character, even though she’s not really the warm, snuggly bestie type of person. In fact, I think she’d probably hate me if we met in real life. Sigh. I have to up my street cred. My Midwestern upbringing seems to be harmful to forming real and lasting literary friendships with fictional characters.

Back to the point, I effing love this book. I mean, this is how you follow up a stellar debut—with a second offering that left me guessing and stressing the whole way through. There were so many twists and turns that I just never saw coming. My adrenaline level has been so high that I haven’t slept well since I picked this book up (3 days ago). And now, it ended, and I’m still intensely anxious (thanks a lot, Wendy Heard).

It’s well-written, brilliantly plotted, and the character development is top notch. I enjoyed so many of the characters, as even the really awful people are absolutely fascinating. This book puts the characters in situations where they have to make a lot of hard decisions, and I think that’s part of why this is so phenomenal. Nobody gets an easy ride, and not knowing what will happen next or how someone will react to a situation is half the charm of the story (assuming I can call it charm, considering the story is full of brutal murder scenarios---I’m not sure what the appropriate review etiquette is for this sort of situation).

I suspect an audiobook version of this would be phenomenal (and/or emotionally debilitating), which means I have to go now, as I want to hop on over to Audible and see if I can preorder a copy.


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Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin

Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I recently purchased this book from Audible for nostalgic purposes, as I read the whole series as a kid. This was glorious. I feel 12 years old again.

I thought maybe it wasn’t going to be nearly as good as I remembered, because some books don’t age well or stand up to the test of time. Fortunately, I enjoyed this all over again, and the 80s references and clothing descriptions are an additional fun perk.

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The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole

The A.I. Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overall a fun audiobook with excellent narration. It was a good change of pace. Who doesn’t want some solid sci-fi with their romance?

A lot happened at the end, so I’m still trying to absorb some of it. Something about the ending felt a bit rushed and overwhelming to me, but I still enjoyed the story.

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Summer Series by Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty
by Jenny Han

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed revisiting this one. It’s such a great story of summer, growing up, firsts, and dealing with hardship. It’s deliciously angsty, and yet still so young and hopeful.

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It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Every time I read this series, it completely shreds my fragile heart, and yet I keep picking it back up to read it again, just for those brief moments that give me some hope that are tucked carefully inside all the corners of the sharp edges of grief.

So yeah. I like it. Just like people like paying taxes, which is not at all in the moment, but when you're driving across a safe bridge, picking up a new book at the library, or dialing 911 for some assistance in a terrible moment, then everything looks pretty different, and you kind of do like paying taxes. So yeah. I liked it like that--where it feels like there's nothing inside me but hurt and ache, and then I suddenly remember that there's some flashes of good inside all of the hurt that almost make it worth it.

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We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It ends well but almost feels too fast after everything I went through. I mean, everything the characters went through, of course. ;)

It has been fun revisiting this trilogy, or maybe fun is the wrong word. It has been emotionally overwhelming to reread this trilogy, but apparently, I like having all the stressful feels. If I'm not exhausted at the end of a book, then who even am I?

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The audiobook narrator (Jessica Almasy)for this series has a high pitch that took me some time to adjust to, but once I did, I really enjoyed her narration.