Ash
Ngl, I googled the qualifications to receive a Pulitzer because I couldn't figure out what would make this book receive such an award other than the manifestations of the main character in the story. I couldn't find much information other than if the board likes the submission, they vote and someone wins. This book was suggested to me by a book loving friend, but it took me two years to attempt to read it. I judged from the cover that it would be about the misfortunes of a white male so you can imagine my surprise when not only is that exactly what the book is about, but the characters even talk about it not being a good selling plot. It's not that I didn't enjoy this book, it was just mundane and okay at best. I will not read the second one.
There's a reason this genre resonates with the masses. It's a good time. All of the fantasy romance tropes were accounted for and I was here for almost all of them. The 1 horse 1 bed trope. Childhood friends to lovers/enemies to lovers at the same time. Stabby fmc, mindful of consent but will murder everyone who mildly inconveniences his mate mmc. A glossary of the made up language. Let's be honest though, we could all do without the virgin trope forever... This book would be going viral if it wasn't independently published. I can't wait for the next one.
Look maybe Jane Austen would have been able to marry Thomas Lefroy if she didn't find miscommunication so romantic... Anne is basic and Frederick is cowardly. When the story finally gets interesting and you think you're going to hear the conversation between them, you don't. It's just a recap. To be fair, it was published posthumously, so that part could have been unfinished. I do love the casual uses of “fervent ejaculations” and “daily intercourse.” I feel obligated to actually read Pride and Prejudice now just to compare.
I know I'm not a nonfiction fan, but sometimes memoirs get me. This, unfortunately, wasn't one that did. It was boring. I know that sucks to say because this is a real human's life experience, but it just was. High on shrooms (which definitely do not taste anything like what one would sprinkle over bolognese...they taste like death bro) and you took a nap listening to Laura Marling? I'm incredibly introverted and I genuinely couldn't relate to 90% of this book. Maybe it's because my introversion isn't induced by a fear of social failures. I just really like being in my home at all times. If I get lonely, I don't do stand up comedy or find a self help guru, I find niche friends online and talk to them on discord. Lol It read as disingenuous because it felt like it was more about getting material for the book than it was getting herself out of her own head.
This book started off great for me and lost its steam a little over halfway and I was just annoyed by the end. I liked when the miscommunication was actual miscommunication, but when it went to not voicing any feelings or thoughts, that's when I was over it. The ending felt rushed and the characters were clichéd to an unenjoyable degree. I'm not even going to start with my issues with consent and sexual harassment in the workplace that are in this book. I'm going to continue the series, 1) because I'm a monster who buys a whole series before reading it, and 2) because this series is very hit or miss for readers, but is talked about everywhere.
Most of my favorite books have taught me something significant. This is one of them. The stories Meilin tells Renshu throughout their travels and how they correlate to Renshu/Henry's life was written beautifully. I was scared that the ending would also be a tragedy like most of the stories told, but the author tied it in perfectly with Meilin's version of Peach Blossom Spring. It was easy to visualize the scenes in this book. I wish we had more of Meilin's older years with Lin-Na. I felt most connected to Meilin. I also was hoping that Julie would somehow be Lifen's daughter because Wenling and Lifen actually made it to Hong Kong, but it's supposed to be realistic historical fiction. This book is beautiful and I hope Melissa Fu writes more from the WWII era in China and Taiwan.
This book was as fluffy as Nadia's cupcakes. Great for fans of fade to black romances. Both of the main characters were refreshingly not annoying in any way. The banter and inside jokes were adorable. I feel like the “doomed from the start” trope is tricky to get right. I loved Hunter, Doug, and Pops. The magic of the town reminded me of the show Good Witch. Fluffy magical vibes. I really want to try the date idea of picking random things for entertainment and food. When Nadia's cakes were mentioned I thought it was coincidental that there was another one in Minnesota, but then I googled it and Abby Jimenez is the same person who opened the Palmdale one I went to when I lived there a decade ago. Small world. I have a few more of her books on my shelf, so I'm looking forward to reading more.
There are so many things that rub me the wrong way about Katee's writing. Not just that it's bad writing in general, but the way every spicy scene for every book I've read has a huge element of insecurity and unworthy bullshit inner monologuing for one or both of the characters involved. It's also the way she describes the look of her characters by race first when they live in a fantasy setting. It's that feeling of it feels racist even though it's not racist. Just weirds me out. None of her characters have a different voice even though the POV changes for every chapter. I just want to know why there isn't an editing process and how so many books have happened without the writing getting any better. I hate that I own this all of the books currently published for this series. I'm forcing myself through it because I feel like I'm in desperate need to find at least one good book or even redeemable scene so I understand the vice grip she holds over the booktok community.
It was okay. I loved The Sun-Down Motel, but this one didn't do it for me. It felt slow even though it wasn't really. I kept falling asleep while reading it. The flashback scenes with Lily were the best part. It had moments where I was speed reading because I was scared. I don't understand why the title was chosen. The blog had barely anything to do with the story and it was one of the cold cases. The Lady Killer or The Ugly Greer Mansion would have made more sense. Like I said, it was okay.
As much as I couldn't relate to Piper, I found myself actually relating to Hannah. Also, the “taming the rake” trope is my favorite. The chemistry between Hannah and Fox was wonderful. I loved that Hannah had a song for every moment and feeling and Fox started to communicate to her in that way. I loved the humor and the nod to the importance of communication and mental health in a relationship. The epilogue was adorable. It was a good read.
I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea! It's one of my all time favorite books. I recommend it to literally everyone. Because of this, I had extremely high expectations going into this one and most of them were met. Under the Whispering Door is a great book. There are, however, many similarities between the two books. The main character is a jerk who values professionalism over kindness and humanity. He gets sent to a place where an attractive and extremely humble man is in charge and takes care of an eclectic group of individuals whom the main character falls for. The side characters include a mute animal creature that is adorable, a seemingly prickly character that is on the MC's side from the get, a strong and gruff female character also in a leadership position, even a diabolical and sociopathic child that you are warned about, but can't help but to love. The MC changes and becomes self sacrificing and deferential. And then the big scene at the end makes you cry. It's a great template, but I wanted something wholly new. Of course I loved this book and I'm sure I will be on the waiting list as soon as his next book is announced.
The premise had promise, but I couldn't consider the writing to be compelling. I didn't enjoy a single second of this book. I didn't like that the characters were supposed to be 19 but talked as if they were 13. The switch at the end felt cheap and was executed poorly. None of the scenes where I, as the reader, should have felt sad or emotional were written in a way to facilitate feeling anything at all. Zero tears were shed and there were how many deaths? I'm a huge crybaby. Gagged plenty of times, but I couldn't care less that all the characters are dropping like flies. The romance was completely unnecessary as it was shallow and none of it was fleshed out. I think this author would benefit from aging down her characters because her sense of history and her scenery writing is great. She has said that her 5th grade dream is to be the next Judy Blume so writing from the perspective of children would make more sense. I read this for a book club and I swear if I'm the only one that hated it, I'm quitting it.
Update: I was the only one
I'm a sucker for ghost romances so this was definitely up my alley. I loved the humor and references. I decided early on that I would read this book through the scope of my romance genre expectation lens instead of my sci-fi lens and I'm glad I did because I finished on an extreme high. After a few days though, some of the minor letdowns became more apparent. I feel like the things I would change sound nit-picky, but I wanted the Jane reveal at Billy's to be bigger and more drawn out. The cliché boom box at the window moment zoomed right by. I wanted the standoffishness of August at the beginning of the story to continue to be a part of her personality throughout. I wanted more emotion and autonomy out of Jane (it leaned a little too far into the white savior trope for my liking). I wanted more continuity with August's schooling and schedule balancing. That being said, I enjoyed this book as much as I wanted to while reading it. This is one of those books where you get lost in the scenery in your mind and can only recall scenes as if you watched them instead of read them. I wanted to be one of their roommates so badly. I will live in the service elevator in the Popeyes just to encounter Annie/Isaiah. I want a whole book series on just the roommates. Great read.
Okay. I'm way too lazy to make the notes I took while reading into an actual coherent review so...I'mma just copy paste:
Oh my god I can't believe it's taken me two months to read the first 200 pages. I'm so bored and confused.
There are too many characters to follow so early.
Okay...here we go.
I would die for Syrinx.
I love mlp too Bryce.
I feel like Danika is bad...
Ahhhhh I love these otters.
And merman can get it.
Finally!!
Oooh couch scene...
Eww couch scene...
Tf Danika. Tf Hunt.
Okay Danika is good. Duh.
NOT SYRINX!!!
I hate sjm. Justice for Lehabah.
The best part about Christina and Lauren's writing is all the squee moments. This one sucked me in and held me the whole way through. I love their books. I genuinely liked and understood all of the characters. Every scene where Jess and River were together was so electric and believable. Definitely pictured River as William Levy. ;) They are my favorite fluffy romance authors, for sure.