Yvon

Idk why, but i found the second volume a bit boring, compared to the first one.
The cosplaying event was surface level. There were some things that piqued my interest, like wakano's grandpa and the new character, but overall im not as hyped anymore.

This volume, Komi got an obsessed sapphic admirer, Yamai.
Still, Najimi is carrying the story imo. It's getting more and more intriguing!!

This could've been a 5 stars if it wasn't for the FMC being so young (15?) and portrayed in a sexual manner.
As someone who's barely legal this book would've probably made me so uncomfortable if i picked it up as an older adult.
I can understand the whole horny teen part, but what i don't like is their portrayal and the target audience.
Other than that, i love the characters' dynamic (cosplayer x costume maker) and that's the main reason I'll pick up the 2nd volume.
I also really like how the FMC had a few moments of wisdom that stuck in the MMC's mind? Those contributed nicely to fleshing out the characters

Unexpected ND and queer rep?
The FMC has social anxiety disorder and has a hard time talking to people face-to-face. A really hard time. However, with the right support, she manages to make small progress which helps her in achieving her goal: make 100 friends.
Tadano, the MMC, will be the one to help Komi in helping her all the way through her friend-making journey. #1
Najimi doesn't use labels but they are portrayed as a gender non-conforming/genderfluid very sociable and bold student. This is Komi's friend #2.
Agari also has some sort of social anxiety but she expresses herself outwardly, she's very hyper and loves to put Komi on a pedestal, considering herself her dog. #3
I really like how Komi is perceived like an “otherwordly god” by others, while in her POV shes just an ordinary girl who struggles with verbal communication.
I also noticed a cute detail: whenever Komi is feeling silly she's illustrated with cat ears and i love that.

Not a 5 stars bcz i feel like the pacing is a bit too slow for my taste, but i still recommend it

I was not prepared to awaken my fears, insecurities and traumas through someone else's lense. It hit back home, hard.
And I appreciate the author for sharing such vulnerable thoughts and experiences with the world. In the end, it gave me hope that our lives aren't meaningless, just bcz of our struggles. That we can still pursue our personal goals and that the path to healing is still a viable option, be it full of obstacles.

This book could've been a new favorite if it wasnt for the rushed ending.

I loved everything. The characters. The chemistry between Dylan and Theo. The rich family drama. The Singaporean culture and the food making. The side characters. And the writing style too.

I was rooting for the boys, the author did a great job at making me feel the feels. And every chapter something new had to happen. Very little filler, or boring scenes. I was invested the whole time.

Having all that said, the last 4 chapters were....not it. They were unrealistically perfect after a heart wrenching climax. The villain of the story literally went “nvm, im not gonna stand in your way anymore”. While i was hoping for a HEA, it felt rushed and unrealistic.

Would still highly recommend this book. My rating would be closer to 4.5 tbf

Still like it, it's just that comparably, the first volume was more exciting.

The art style is gorgeous, and the characters are so intriguing, I need to keep reading.
I dont even need a plot, I just want to see more scenes with the characters

Dnf at chapter 1.

Like most classics I've read before: boring. Maybe the genre is not for me and i should give up on it

Honestly, i would've given this 2 stars for the suspense and the plot twist at the very end, but no.

During the whole book i hated everyone. The MC is a disrespectful homewrecker, the love interest is a cheating husband, and Verity was portrayed as the most detestable human being on earth. The characterization is also lacking, i dont even know what they look like.

Also the romance has misogynistic undertones. 2 women sexually obsessed w a man fighting over his attention? “He fucked me like I was his virgin”??

My only complain is that it was too short. Im begging for vol 2

Never would've thought I'd 5-star a book which had thrown me into depths of sorrow but here I am.

I was almost yawning in the first 2 parts of the book but then “it” happened. And i had to reread the beginning again because I got a completely different perspective.
I was not ok afterwards. It was too painful to keep reading Aaron's story, but I still did, hoping everything would turn out fine.
The ending was brief, and more bitter than sweet, but I couldn't have done it better.
If you're in for an emotional (depressing) rollercoaster, this the book for you.

I also have conflicting feelings about Aaron. On one hand, I empathize with him and relate to some of his struggles. On the other hand, I think he's a pretty shit person (for cheating, for being disrespectful towards Thomas' identity etc.). So my rating is mostly based on how amazing the story was written.

This was so creepy, so insane, so sad, so dangerous, so beautiful, so emotional it left me in tears.
The smut was quite odd (didn't last long though), but the rest was just perfection. Definitely not for squeamish ppl

I think its getting better

Oh my god i loved the ending so sweet

Loved this, the art, the plot, the characters (especially Landlady, she's so mysterious i need to know more about her). And it's not as sexual as i thought it'd be, they are mostly portrayed in domestic scenarios.

However, the whole contract thing is morally dubious at best. Landlady kinda knew Chiyo was straight. Even if Chiyo starts questioning her sexuality, i wish she wasnt labeled as straight from the beginning.

Overall, I'd still recommend

Its just that good.
Some bits of descriptions were odd but overall i enjoyed it. It was refreshing to see FWBs portrayed as something loving and with mutual consent. The setting and storyline converge into a beautiful short story. No big thoughts, just cozy vibes.

2 stars is a generous rating coming from me and here's why!
–>Spoilers ahead–>






Im gonna start positive, i liked the idea of a queerplatonic relationship seen from an allo perspective as i kind of had to deal with that in my life as well. But oh boy this was not a fun read...

1. Cliché character typology. We have the classic fuckboy Albert who cheats, which aint a surprise to anybody, not even his gf. And poor her got heartbroken after loving him- oh, nvm. In her words: she was just attracted to him, but never loved him. And she was also losing that attraction. So her being furious about the dude cheating makes little sense to me, especially since she knew from the beginning about his cheaty behavior

Yeah speaking of which, 2. Ironic how Emma has amazing communication skills with Noah, but awful ones with Albert and all her exes. All her relationships, except the one with Olive, would've probably been less disastrous if it just occured to her “hey! Im worrying this relationship aint working! It doesn't make me feel good! I should bring this up to my partner!”

3. No, but this is what irked me the most: the miscommunication (which suddenly disappears around Noah)

4. Noah the rebound? I know it wasnt meant to be, but thats what it looks like and its hard to ignore


In my next points ill try to be more constructive in my criticism:

5. Is it really a queerplatonic story? Just because the idea of such a relationship is suggested, it doesn't make it the theme of the book. The theme felt more like “how do i get over my toxic ex and all my failures in dating”. I would've much rather had the story start with the ending. And actually get to see them trying out being in a queerplatonic relationship

6. Too much “this is this and that, and this is how i feel about it” and too little “this is the result of this”. In other words, please more show and less tell

7. Related to the previous, i wish the characters would've been described more, especially through more significant actions. Even through some flashbacks, like, involuntarily remembering key moments in their relationships, to see why they feel the way they do in the present, would've made them more interesting, or just anything really


All in all, not for me, disappointed, but i cant say i hate it from the depths of my soul

5 stars bcz i dont have anything to complain about

This is type of book that shows its value by the end of it. I really couldn't connect to the characters at the beginning thinking it was too confusing with the dual timelines. But by the last third it made me realize i can actually relate to the mc's story which hits pretty hard. Very satisfying ending

Rating is low cuz there are several things that dont make sense to me:
1. What does freddy even like about laura? The make out sessions and thats it?
2. Whats the reason behind laura breaking up besides being cruel? Like, for real. She already fools around with everyone so why the need for break ups?
3. The teen pregnancy thing ruined the book for me. Especially the way it happened. Doodle might be a victim but i do not feel bad for her at all. She even said sth like “seeing u w a person as toxic as laura made it seem ok for me to have sex w this married man” Just no. That's immature and disgusting.
4. I understand doodle's dad being pro-choice but he's kind of too relaxed about this whole situation?? Dude, theres a creep out there who got involved w ur daughter

I'd say this book is overall mid and cliche but the last chapter made me realize that the moral of the story can be interpreted in more than one way.

The good: Even though im not a fan of sci-fi it wasn't too hard to read and understand what was going on. Its a battle of good vs evil, but what exactly was the good and what was the evil? The hero, Meg, is a young girl full of flaws and big emotions. The bad guy, is the “brain” who just wants everyone to be the same, perfect, sticking to a format, assuming thats how equality can be achieved. But Meg wins bcz she realizes “hey im a human with a soul and i cant change that and that's ok”. I really liked this message.

The bad: Can someone explain why poor Calvin got involved? Poor boy was just used to comfort Meg (even though he had issues of his own). Then the genius little boy Charles Wallace....another prop. And this might be just me but the bible verses made no sense.

Overall: not outstanding and very cliche, but the ending and the message of the story were good. Quick effortless read too

DNF at 43.7%

While i really liked Addie's personality and found it relatable I feel like she acts 18 when she's well into her 20s. Also, the way she keeps saying she's straight even after having sex w Marry is off-putting (i feel like the denial is going for too long). I also feel like none of the characters have a life outside of their relationship. The only reason why i had kept reading is because it was easy to read and was waiting for something a little more “shocking” to happen.

I think this book is amazing in understanding the basics of non-monogamy. However, it was a little too focused on opening up an already existing relationship (what about people who are single and wish to join a polycule?)

Thanks to Netgalley i received an e-arc in exchange of an honest review.

I think this was overall an enjoyable read. MC Poppy is a sex worker from the 1800's and i really liked the way this was portrayed in a positive light. One day, she becomes the victim of old vampire Cane's attacks and that's how Poppy becomes a vampire herself. Roisin will take her under her wing and they will live and bond together in a secluded place. Later on, Roisin wants to track down Cane so she leaves Poppy with her new found family: the Brood. (This is where i feel like the pacing goes very slow). By the end of the book, there's a very graphic scene of a fight with Cane and the Brood and after lots of tension Cane gets killed and their human friend almost die so they decide to turn her. And in the epilogue we get to see Poppy and Roisin getting engaged.

Pros: • i liked the writing style a lot, very unique
• the horror in this book was just enough to shock you, not too much nor too little (mostly gore/body horror, violence and profanity)
• fav tropes, found family, grumpy x sunshine, pining
• lesbian MC, trans lady side-character, gay male character (just queer vampires in general)
• favorite parts of the book were the beginning and the ending
• the romance was quite nice
• sex scenes were bearable

Cons: • a little too uneventful for my taste
• slow pacing
• plenty of details didn't make sense to me (especially Cane's motivation)

TLDR; enjoyable read, but i can see how it might not be for everyone