Kelly

I enjoyed this, though if I have to look for a flaw I would point that Vera is consistently written like she is much older than 60. But I enjoyed the bonds that were formed, and Vera is just a well-meaning bull in a porcelain shop.

There is just so much slut shaming, especially from the "friends", and this desperate need to lose the "disease" that is someone's virginity. Just not good, made worse by calling itself "sex positive".

Definitely something that needs to be taught, but the author makes an effort in some places to give names and be conscientious of their verbage, but not in others. They give names to two of the enslaved people on the ship who are later mentioned in the trial, but throughout the book calls them and others "slaves" rather than "enslaved". I feel, especially in a book like this, that wording distinction matters; what was done to them is not who they were.

This book had potential, and it just wasted it by not exploring the world, the characters, the trials. Nothing, just "oh there is this issue" quickly followed with "and now, TA-DA, that's solved" and on to the next.

I'm sorry, I just can't seem to find a way to care about Stranger. I think this book could have been so much more, but the protagonist is just the worst. Now if I could get a story about Lucy and how she turns out, I could get behind that!

I think I just wanted more from this book, and I know the genre so romance was bound to happen. I really liked the exploration of "what would you do with the time you have left if you know you're about to die" and I feel like the relationships kind of took over that theme. I also think some things were introduced to be red herrings, but never closed the loop - like the woman who makes the calls, no resolution on that whatsoever. Overall, worth the read, but I don't think I would pass it along like I would have for the first half of the book.

I love how this book started, and the switching back and forth to get both sides of the story. However, I was more invested in Belle and Hemi's story, and Ashlyn/Ethan just didn't pull me in as much. Also, I get it, but the ending was just too much wrapped in a happy bow and together, just too perfect. I'm happy for them, but I think by that point I was just removed from the story - after the two books finished and I had already deduced what had happened, I think I started reading to finish rather than being caught up in the story anymore.

This was predictable in almost every way, and ridiculous. The FMC was so naive and gullible, and in a book that was so full of lies and truths being so easily believed was just exhausting. And incest!!!

Finally finished this, only due to it being an audiobook from the library (that took 4 separate Libby loans) and sped up to 2x the speed. I need to work on DNFing books.

Predictable, sure, but this was by far my favorite of the series (as of now). It had heart and it had the energy I had been hoping for from the previous 2 in the series. Here's hoping that this is the start of the upward trend!

This book probably would have been a 2, if it didn't have the previous book in this series to compare it to. Enjoyed the references to the film, though it was sometimes a little too much, if that makes any sense. Going to keep slogging through this series though because my love for Disney, each book being written by a different author is fun, and this book being such an improvement over the Cinderella adaptation gives me some hope!

This book was a little too repetitive and predictable, and asked us to care about characters from books/series we haven't read just because the FMC loves the series/characters.

I just don't think Ashley Poston is for me, if I am being honest. This is the second book of hers I read and while I liked the idea, I shouldn't wish that at the end of a romance book that the FMC doesn't end in a relationship. I think this plot would have worked better for me if it had been about the FMC's self growth and moving past her past hurts, finding herself and peace in the process, which is definitely not this genre, haha!

Okay, I'm sorry, I just don't get the hype. The prose and everything were brilliantly done, poetry almost. HOWEVER, the MMC was awful, AND a pedophile - grooming a 14 year old girl whose parents had entrusted him to look after because he could see how beautiful she would become?! Disgusting. I know time/place/culture, I get that, but he was grateful after she kills herself when he ends their "affair" that she didn't tell her parents. I'm sorry, but that screams that he was well aware that he was doing something wrong.

Loved the FMC, until she gives in to MMC, her pragmatism and realization that she was just infatuated, though abrupt, garnered her my respect.

The title both buries the lead AND spells out the book - but the book has heart to it that I didn't expect. The stories help these overlooked women find their voices and community/bonds with each other, and though this is not a book that will join my trophy shelves, I am glad that I read it. We all need community and people who "see" us, and the courage to find our voices.

Probably more of a 3.25, but I'll round up for heart!

Not my favorite Emily Henry book, but it had the charm, quips, and wit that I've always loved from her books. Her books never fail to entertain with how she writes conversations, so though the plot was a bit predictable, I still highly enjoyed the journey!

Also, Michigan in the summer sounds like a place I need to go!

I just love these characters so much.

But honestly, the best part, is that Klune signs off as the "Anti-JK Rowling". hate can be so loud, and love so quiet, but in this hard world, love and acceptance can change a life.