Daijah

ashley poston has done it again with her latest novel, weaving a heartfelt and enchanting love story that seamlessly blends emotional romance with magical realism. from the very first page, i was captivated by eileen merriweather's journey and the quaint, mystical town of eloraton.

when life hits rock bottom—pain from a breakup, a job you despise, and feeling left behind while everyone else finds happiness—who wouldn't crave an escape to a fictional small town created by their favorite romance author? that's precisely what happens to elsy, albeit accidentally, and it's the beginning of a tale that's as magical as it is moving.

poston's storytelling shines with its emotional depth and lighter tone, focusing on self-discovery rather than the heavy grief present in some of her previous works. this shift doesn't detract from the story; instead, it offers a refreshing exploration of healing and finding one's path after loss. elsy's character is wonderfully relatable, embodying the struggle many face when trying to move forward after an unexpected life event. her journey resonates deeply, whether you're grieving a relationship, job, or friendship.

the town of eloraton itself feels like a character, with its charming quirks and timeless atmosphere that reminded me of stars hollow but with an extra touch of magic. poston's attention to detail is evident, as every aspect of the town and its inhabitants serves a purpose in elsy's journey. the side characters add richness to the story, creating a vibrant small-town romance vibe that i absolutely adored.

initially, i hesitated to give this book a full five stars, wishing for a deeper exploration of anders, the grumpy bookstore owner. however, once his backstory is revealed, it brilliantly ties together his closed-off demeanor, adding depth and understanding to his character. this revelation was a turning point, fully developing anders and solidifying my love for the story.

while i noticed some repeated descriptions, this is an arc copy likely undergoing further revision, and it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment. the themes of healing, self-discovery, and finding home are beautifully interwoven throughout the narrative, making every detail purposeful and impactful.

ashley poston has crafted yet another masterpiece that left me both heartbroken and hopeful. this novel is a testament to the power of love, the magic of second chances, and the importance of finding one's own path. i wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in need of a magical escape and a heartfelt, emotional journey.

thank you to berkley publishing, ashley poston, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

i really adored this story and the ending was so good. i just wish the actual cult was explored more because it felt a bit surface level but overall such a good read.

abby jimenez is THAT GIRL

this is such a good dark family drama and THE END?! it ripped out my heart

the final chapter april 2024 bookclub pick: https://www.patreon.com/daijahsbookworld

i appreciated the commentary on women being hurt by men, colonization, etc. but i didn't care about the plot, the writing, especially the sex scene were so cringe, and honestly it was like pulling teeth to read this book.

what more could you want than a sapphic, cottagecore, horror?

this was such a good coming of age horror story

actual rating: 4.5/5 stars

read for reading booktubers' best books extended edition 2024: https://www.patreon.com/posts/reading-best-97379970

this was literally so fun and made me feel so warm and fuzzy

actual rating: 3/5 stars

i really loved the italian vacation vibes of this and the commentary about not fitting into your family but i feel like the author literally lost the plot in the second half. the horror was lowkey disappointing and i didn't enjoy that the vacation element basically disappeared in the second half of the book.

while this wasn't very horror filled, i enjoyed seeing a realistic adult coming of age story 

this was actually incredible 

i really enjoyed learning about the indigenous community explored through this story and their traditions. it was extremely insightful and i loved the metaphor for these people infiltrating the community just like how the native population was invaded by white people when they first came to america. but this was a bit slow for me and i'm not a huge fan of apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic stories. i still highly recommend this book overall tho. 

this was literally so cute and cozy. i adored it

i really enjoyed the writing in this but for some reason it didn't keep me engaged.

actual rating: 4/5 stars

yk i love a second chance romance AND it's a black hockey romance? yeah.

as someone with bipolar i just wasn't a huge fan of the bipolar rep but the experience is different for everybody.

this made me sob and nesta is everything

i think listening to this as an audiobook really took away from my experience of this book unfortunately but i enjoyed the spacey and culture elements of this story 

i loveeeeee a grumpy love interest
 

tender follows carolanne, a woman fixated on the pursuit of an ideal existence: a flawless wedding, a perfect husband, and a curated family. as she meticulously plays her various roles, manipulating those around her to fit her vision, her desperate need for controlcauses her to unravel. when faced with uncontrollable circumstances and a devastating loss, carolanne's descent into madness takes a horrifying turn as she engages in self-harm, consuming fragments of her own flesh in a desperate attempt to regain control.

the art is the main selling point of this graphic novel. the art has an interplay of colors which intensifies the more nightmarish scenes, effectively capturing the emotional turmoil within. however, the story itself tends to lean towards the straightforward, allowing the bold art to shine while falling short in fully exploring the complex themes promised by the novel's description.

the graphic novel challenges traditional body horror norms by presenting a female perspective on self-sacrifice, societal expectations, and the consequences of relentless pursuit of an unattainable ideal. while trying to have a in-depth exploration of these themes, the narrative fell short in delivering a comprehensive and nuanced discussion of these subjects. the graphic novel touched upon the psychological toll of societal pressures and the protagonist's descent into madness, but the depth of exploration into these themes remained somewhat superficial.

thank you to fantagraphics books and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.  

this was honestly such a fun time and i really enjoyed the plot and the romance 

the final chapter patreon book club pick: february 2024

this was a basic thriller and (mostly) boring

read for finishing up series vlog

this is my least fav in the series but i still adored it. i can't believe the series is almost ending