A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

 

"Because your human joy fascinates me - the way you experience things, in your life span, so wildly and deeply and all at once, is...entrancing. I'm drawn to it, even when I know I shouldn't be, even when  I try not to be."

TW: emotional abuse, kidnapping, drugging, murder, physical abuse, torture, violence

Release Date: May 2015

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction 

Rating:

Summary: 

When ninteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a terrifying creature arrives to demand retribution. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she knows about only from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not truly a beast, but one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled her world.

At least, he's not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it or doom Tamlin - and his world - forever. 

Review:

I finally caved.

I gave in to temptation, and I thank my lucky stars that I did. 

I finished the first book: A Court of Thorns and Roses. 

One of the first things I noticed when joining bookstagram was that the ACOTAR series was a beloved staple in the bookish community. I was actually shocked to find out the first book came out in 2015! It has been around for a considerable amount of time but has such a cult following. 

Admittedly, I can be quite a hipster. I'm not proud of it in the slightest. I can find myself very standoffish to anything that is popular or trending. The subconscious thought behind it is that I don't want to have such high expectations only find myself utterly disappointed. That leaves me in a position where I miss out, a lot. But there has to be a reason this book is so well-loved and such a classic, right?

 

I completely understand it now and I curse myself for not giving in to this temptation much sooner. 

From the first page, I was absolutely entranced by Sarah J. Maas with her intricate, and imaginative writing style as well as her magical storytelling, and this is only book one! The world building in this first book is one of the best I have ever read. I find that when you are creating an entire world for the reader, it can be a bit dry or slow but Sarah did this in such a masterful way. I was fully immersed in this magnificent world. It was so hard to put the book down once I was fully sucked in. Then having to return to reality? Such a disappointment! Give me a land of handsome fae men and magical powers, thank you! As for the handsome fae men, I absolutely loved Tamlin, Lucien, and Rhysand. They were all such wholly different, unique characters that I thoroughly enjoyed their interaction with each other as well as our main character, Feyre.

Feyre is, by far, one of the best female leads in a book that I have read thus far. I connected with her so deeply. I really loved getting to know her in the human world and also in Prythian. I cannot wait to go on more adventures with Feyre. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Amarantha is a wretched, foul creature but she truly is a bad bitch. Suffice to say, no matter the alignment of the character, I absolutely loved them because they were so multi-dimensional and well-thought out. 

This beautiful world, the multi-faceted characters and thrilling adventure had me utterly consumed. Thorns and roses wrapped themselves around my heart and I never want to go back. We must only progress forward! I will be picking up the next book in this series, A Court of Mist and Fury, and I absolutely cannot wait! 

If you were like me and were hesitating to pick up this book and to start this series, DO NOT BE A FOOL LIKE ME. This is your sign to get started! You will not be disappointed! 

Quotes: 

"Because your human joy fascinates me - the way you experience things, in your life span, so wildly and deeply and all at once, is...entrancing. I'm drawn to it, even when I know I shouldn't be, even when I try not to be."

"Don't feel bad for one moment about doing what brings you joy."

"Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all." 

"We need hope, or else we cannot endure." 

"He brought his lips to my ear. "I would have been gentle with you, though." I shuddered as I closed my eyes. Every inch of my body went taught as his words echoed through me. "I would have had you moaning my name throughout it all. And I would have taken a very, very long time, Feyre."

 "Because when the legends get written, I didn't want to be remembered for standing on the sidelines. I want my future offspring to know that I was there, and that I fought against her at the end, even if I couldn't do anything useful." 

"Because," he went on, his eyes locked with mine, "I didn't want you to fight alone. Or die alone."

"Because I'd want someone to hold my hand until the end, and awhile after that. That's something everyone deserves, human or faerie."

"I love you," he whispered, and kissed my brow. "Thorns and all." 

Safety in Numbers by Sophie Penhaligon

 

"Sweetheart, I've had a guardian angel since the day you walked into my life. My elevator angel. My fiery one. My Seraphina."

TW: car accidents, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, loss, disability 

Release Date: January 3, 2022

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

Sometimes you have to lose it all in order to find yourself.

When a tragic accident leaves mathematician Seraphina Ellis broken and despairing, she is convinced that she will live out the remainder of her life in lonely solitude. Determined to conceal her disability from her co-workers, she hides away in her desolate cubicle, crossing off the days of her life, unfulfilled and defeated.

A chance meeting with irascible but mesmerizing billionaire scientist and CEO Milo Grant provides her with the job of her dreams, and the chance of escape from cubicle land. But Grant is haunted by his own monsters and is increasingly interested in more than just her mathematical magic. 

Review:

I knew it had to go downhill at some point. The last few books I had read were such hits. I thought to myself, how did I get so lucky? But as we all know: what goes up, must come down. 

I was hoping for a story that maturely and accurately discussed trauma, PTSD, and disabilities...with a side of sexiness (especially since the love-interest is her BOSS). I'll get to the point: this story was very one-note, very superficial, and very shallow. There was so much conversation of deep-seated trauma that was never explored. This book feels like it was written by a pack of men that just gave me the ick. It was such a good concept that was never developed and fell flat. 

Milo is this billionaire CEO who is known for being a horrible boss. In fact, he is verbally abusive and manipulative with his team. This is totally acceptable though because he has trauma. Wonderful! I am so glad we clarified that he is damaged and that is why his behavior is acceptable, even to the head of HR who watches all this happen. Whew. Milo is also extremely possessive with Serpahina, yuck. Both Milo and Seraphina are exceptionally co-dependent, it is very unhealthy. The male gaze is strong with this one. The romance and sex scenes felt so masculine and very cringey. The blurbs about her being completely waxed and hairless? How sexy, how seductive. Wrong. This felt so unnecessary and written by someone who does not appreciate or understand the female form, hairless or not.

I liked the ending that briefly touched on Seraphina's experience at the Morley house. I was more intrigued by Robbie and Molly's story and relationship. However, the mentality that "what you are going through is not THAT bad. It could always be worse. You could be like Billy and be completely paralyzed. So don't feel sorry for yourself, feel sorry for someone who has it worse." HORRIBLE. WRONG. NO.

Please, just save yourself the trouble. Don't read it. Ever. I feel like I have wasted so much energy finishing this book and having to write a review on it. 

Quotes:

"You have me Seraphina," he rasped. "You definitely have me."

"He was fighting monsters the same way I was. They were just different monsters."

"My lost boy is no longer lost."

"Sweetheart, I've had a guardian angel since the day you walked into my life. My elevator angel. My fiery one. My Seraphina."

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

 

"You have no idea, do you? The lengths I'd go if you'd let me. What I'd do to make you happy."

TW: disordered eating, mental health, toxic friendships, near-death experiences, death of a parent, slut-shaming

Release Date: November 22, 2022

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

He's the one thing she couldn't plan for.

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills, and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate's focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team - including Anastasia, who clearly can't stand him.

But when Anastasia's skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn't worried...because she could never like a hockey player, right? 

Review:

DEVOURED. RAVAGED. DEMOLISHED. 

I absolutely DEVOURED this book in less than 48 hours. I ate this shit up, licked my fingers clean, and left no crumbs. 

SCRUMPTIOUS. MOUTHWATERING. DELECTABLE.

This book was utterly SCCRUMPTIOUS. I had seen it all over Bookstagram and knew I needed to read it at some point. I was entirely underprepared for how magnificent it would be. 

 I had never read a proper sports romance novel and this definitely delivered. The ice skater x hockey player trope is so fantastic. This very much gives me Cutting Edge vibes. I'm so hooked. I need to read more of this trope! 

The chemistry between Anastasia and Nate is astounding. Their connection leaps off the pages! I know a lot of people did not like Anastasia at first but she is exactly what I expected when her character was first introduced. I really appreciated getting to know the depth of Anastasia, know her deepest-darkest thoughts, and watch her interactions/budding relationships with other characters. On the flip side, can I get an order Nate Hawkins to-go please? Thank you! He is the perfect book boyfriend. Nate is ABSOLUTELY written by a woman. 

"It's not porn. It's a romance book that happens to have a little bit of sex in it." You're damn right, Anastasia. HOWEVER, for a book that is set on the ice, the smutty parts in this book were STEAMING HOT. SPICY. MUY CALIENTE. Chef's kiss. While there was quite a healthy dose of smut in this book, it was more than just the physicality of these scenes. Both of our protagonists are very physical, sex positive people. There were many soft moments during sex that allowed good insight to the characters and their relationship with each other. While also being just damn right delectable. 

I was fully prepared for a cheesy, smutty romance (which it definitely was) but in the most delicious ways while also having our main protagonists tackle some really tough experiences together. This book touched on some very mature topics while also demonstrating very healthy, communicative relationships.

An abundance of amazing side characters: Lola, all the hockey players, the coaches, Nate's sister and Anastasia's parents. I felt like I was part of their little family, this little community. It was so funny and so amazing to read. Russ, one of the hockey players, is getting his own spin-off novel called Wildfire (set to come out late 2023). Anastasia's relationship, specifically, with Henry was so heartwarming. Henry is such a great character, I hope he gets his own spin-off novel too! Also, how amazing Anastasia's family is and how great her parents are with Nathan. So precious.

This book was phenomenal from start to finish. This easily gets 5 out of 5 bunnies without-a-doubt. We have your enemies-to-lovers, reverse grumpy x sunshine, sports romance, spicy, showcases healthy relationships, and down right hilarious. If you haven't read this yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I highly recommend you pick this up. It will not disappoint! 

*Also the playlist provided at the beginning of the book is FIRE. It is so good. 

Quotes: 

"Looking at her makes me want to be the funniest guy in the room, so I can be the one to make her laugh."

"You have no idea, do you? The lengths I'd go to if you'd let me. What I'd do to make you happy."

"Of course, I know you really well, Anastasia. You're my favorite subject."

"Don't give me that shit. I've seen what you have on your smutty bookshelf."

"You're my favorite," I whisper, leaning in to kiss her flushed cheek. "Even if I had crab hands?" "Even if you had crab hands, Anastasia."

"Let it all out. You're safe. I'm here."

"She's taught me communicating doesn't mean everything is perfect, it doesn't mean we don't disagree. It means we work through the imperfect bit together, and if we don't agree, we at least know why the other feels that way, even if it's not going to change our minds. We're still individuals, but we're individuals together, and I never knew relationships could be like this."

"Falling in love with Nathan Hawkins was not something I could have planned. No planner, iPad, or freaking sticker chart could have prepared me for my future. My imagination isn't capable of dreaming up this level of happiness." 

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

 

"You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown."

Release Date: February 2022 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating:

Summary: 

After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time. The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But rivals old and new stand in the way of success-not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea of what coffee actually is.

If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won't be able to go it alone.

But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, a flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed up, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.

Review:

This book is the embodiment of warmth. Warmth from a fuzzy blanket, a freshly brewed cup of coffee, pastries out of the oven, a big hug. 

I have fallen absolutely head over heels, so deeply in love with this book and its characters. From start to finish, it was the perfect escape from reality to this comforting, slice-of-life story. 

This book is not about epic battles and bloodshed. Those are stories from a time long ago. This is about re-writing your storybook. "Things don't have to stay as what they started out as." This book is about discovering your family, choosing your family. It is about finding home. All beautiful themes nestled between scrumptious descriptions of aromatic coffee and mouthwatering pastries.

Fun fact, when I am not reading and posting bookstagram content, I am a gamer. I won't spend too much time discussing gaming (as that is for an entirely different Instagram account of mine) but for 14 years, I played World of Warcraft. I grew up playing this magical game. I have since stopped playing the game but I have such fond memories. Legends & lattes immediately conjured those nostalgic memories. It felt like no time had passed at all. I really appreciate this book for transporting me to such a wonderful time in my life that I was always worried I'd never get to experience again. 

When reading this book, I always made sure to be accompanied by a warm beverage, tavern ambience music in the background, and dim-lighting. It really set the perfect scene for reading this beautiful story. I highly recommend. 

This book is comfort. It is warmth. It is peace. It is home. I urge you to take a break out of your busy schedule, pull up a cozy seat, and disappear into this wholesome tale. 

Quotes: 

"Things don't have to stay as what they started out as."

"After twenty-two years of adventuring, Viv had reached her limit of blood and mud and bullshit. An orc's life was strength and violence and a sudden, sharp end-but she'd be damned if she'd let hers finish that way. It was time for something new."

"People just sat around drinking it from these little ceramic cups, and I had to try it, and...it was like drinking the feeling of being peaceful. Being peaceful in your mind. Well, not if you have too much, then it's something else."

"Well, shit. Milky bean water. I'll be damned." 

"The combined aromas of hot cinnamon, ground coffee, and sweet cardamom intoxicated her, and as she brewed and smiled and served and chatted, a deep contentment welled up. It was a glowing warmth she'd never experienced before, and she liked it. She liked it a great deal." 

"She was smiling, and for the first time, the building, the city, this place...felt like hers. A place she'd still be tomorrow, the week after, next season, next year...home."

"You've found a very peaceful place here. A special place. You've planted something, and now its blossoming. Very nice. A good spot to rest. My thanks to you for letting an old-timer shade under the branches of what you've grown."

"What flames could not consume, never shall be extinguished."

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

"You're the thousand-dollar dress on the rack in this thrift store and I can't believe no one's picked you up yet." 

Release Date: April 13, 2021 

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at Providence Retirement Villa for years, living on-site at the beck and call of the wealthy residents-and the rare tortoises that roam the manicured lawns. She has her routine, and not much ever changes. Until she lays eyes on Teddy Prescot, the son of Providence's new owner and her new neighbor. Tall, tattooed, and with the most magical hair on Earth (just ask him), Teddy's in town saving up money to pursue his dream of opening a tattoo shop. He's the definition of risky, and Ruthie's dazzled at first sight-until he mistakes her for a little old lady. 

Luckily, Ruthie has the perfect revenge for Teddy's insulting first impression. Her most eccentric residents have just placed (yet another!) ad seeking a personal assistant to torment. The Parlonis are ninety-year-old, miniature menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a week. Ruthie knows a quitter when she sees one and is more than happy to offer up Teddy.

To Ruthie's surprise, Teddy proves to be the ultimate hire, charming his way through the entire villa and into her heart with his joyful, never-serious outlook on life. But with the future of Providence hanging in the balance, and Teddy's family's plans threatening to shatter Ruthie's safe little universe, will Teddy be there when it really counts? 

Review: 

Let me tell you, I was starting to question my judgement. I was starting to think, am I too picky? Should I be lowering my expectations and standards for books? Why am I having such a hard time falling in love with them? Second First Impressions swept me off my feet and had me mesmerized. This book made me realize that you must be patient while you're waiting for "the one." I am melting. My heart is an ooey-gooey mess filled with an abundance of warmth and love. This book was utter perfection and had me captivated from the start. 

This was another book I picked up on a whim while strolling through Barnes & Nobles (with no intention of picking up this book at all). I had picked this up alongside Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert in a fantastic buy one, get one 50% off. We love books and books that are a great deal! 

I was immediately drawn in by two things: tortoises and bad boys. What a combination. The premise and setting of this book are so unique and very niche. I adore books that bring me into someone's special little world. Sally Thorne was able to do just that, I felt intrinsically connected to the little world of Providence Retirement Villa. I also feel that this would be a phenomenal book to turn into a movie BUT ONLY IF IT IS WELL DONE. We will need Sally Thorne on set but I also volunteer my services to help with casting, directing, and production. Count me in. 

I do not even know where to begin with this review as I loved everything in this book from the first to the very last page. This was perfection. How many other words can I come up with for perfection? Flawless, sublime, magnificent, exquisite, immaculate. I am also writing this review with Taylor Swift's Lover playing on repeat because this song gives me the same vibes as Second First Impressions. Highly recommend. 

Ruthie Midona and Teddy Prescott are POLAR opposites who have this undeniable, electrifying chemistry...even if their first impressions of each other were not very good. Their connection literally leaps off the pages and into your heart. There is instant chemistry, but this is a SLOW BURN, baby. I am here for it, let me wait, let me stew, let me yearn. They are enemies, friends, then lovers. My absolute favorite. I will say that after this slow burn when Ruthie and Teddy finally were able to consummate their affections, that was a bit lackluster for me after waiting for so long. HOWEVER, Ruthie is fairly underdeveloped and inexperienced when it comes to relationships and especially intimacy. Once I remembered Ruthie's significant lack of experience and her previous poor encounter, the writing for the sex makes complete sense. This was not an experienced woman having sex. This is sheltered, young woman who was essentially experiencing her first time all over again...but the right way this time! That made me realize how precious this moment was and how carefully selected the writing was. I would have also loved Teddy's perspective of their first time together, especially since Teddy has the experience when it comes to sex but not to intimacy, not to romance. That would have been such a treat but I will be happy with Ruthie's perspective. 

The character development throughout this book from several characters! WOW! Applause, simply applause. I feel like I went on a journey with so many characters, even the antagonists of the book. I tend to prefer books that have flawed characters who experience development throughout the book. These flaws really humanize them and connect you to who they are but then you also get to grow with them throughout their story. This book is about never judging a book by its cover, growth, self-discovery. It is a book that features love but also shows love in many different forms of relationships. Melanie and Ruthie's new budding friendship, Ruthie's strained relationship with her parents, and Ruthie's relationship with Renata and Aggie. There were so many characters and so many storylines in this book and I was invested in every single one of them. I would have loved more insight into Teddy's relationship with his sisters, specifically Rose. I won't be too greedy though. I am very happy with how things ended, well...technically, the beginning of Teddy's relationship with his sister, Rose. 

I absolutely adored Renata and Aggie throughout the entire book. There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud, especially with Renata's quirks. The ultimate shock, they were LOVERS, not SISTERS! The LGBTQIA+ representation, I am here for it. I had a feelin toward the middle of the book that our beloved Parloni ladies were a lot closer than we had originally suspected but the reveal was even better. Such a sweet, heartfelt moment. 

Absolutely love the addition of the tortoises. As I work in veterinary medicine, the nods to the tortoises, sanctuaries, and Ruthie wanting to be a veterinarian, it really made me feel more connected to the characters and the story. It was so quirky and very adorable. Now that I am typing up this review, it does have me pondering: is the tortoise also a symbol of "slow and steady wins the race" in regard to Ruthie? Food for thought. 

I was looking at some reviews of Second First Impressions after I read it. I try not to read them before because I really do not like to have any pre-determined impressions or opinions of a book. It seems that there is a 50/50 divide of people who really love this book and people who hated this book. A lot of people seemed to feel that Ruthie was too boring, the romance was slow, there wasn't enough passion. I felt it was so refreshing. This book was such a breath of fresh air and really gave me the sense of coming home. It was such a sweet, tangible romance that I can grasp between my fingers and feel so deeply in my heart. The main character does not always need to be this super quirky, charming, fiery personality and the romance does not always need to be so passionate right away and the characters cannot keep their hands to themselves. I loved that it was quite the opposite of what I have been reading. It was very precious and very special. I did read someone stating that Ruthie and this book truly were the embodiment of the color beige, as if that is an insult. Beige truly is such a wonderful neutral color that can be so refreshing and looks wonderful with many colors, many different phases of life. Not everyone is a red, a neon green, or a hot pink, it is okay to be beige and to love being beige. 

Quotes: 

"You're the thousand-dollar dress on the rack in this thrift store and I can't believe non one's picked you up yet."

"Brown-eyed sublime being. She of soft, deep cardigan pockets. Bubble-bath taker. Pool jumper. Cheese provider. Sunset glower. Heaven sent."

"It hurts that you don't know you're lovely, exactly how you are. You don't need to change. You don't need to put on a dress, like it's going to fix something. You don't have anything that needs fixing."

"Don't seduce Ruthie if you don't plan on sticking around, because she's a tender treasure that must be protected at all costs."

"I always thought that love would feel like something gentle, but this isn't. I feel a clawing, desperate need to hold his heart in my hand and to fend off anything that might damage it." 

 

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

 

"We're everything. Anything. Whatever we want."

Release Date: January 3, 2023

Genre: Young adult romance, fiction

TW: parental abandonment/absent parent,  anxiety, OCD, 

Rating:

Summary:

Could you brave the wilderness with your highly suspicious and unfairly cute ex-best friend?

Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect: he's a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes...except the ones he shares with Celine Bangura. They used to be best friends, until Brad decided he was too cool for conspiracy-theory-obsessed Celine and literally abandoned her for the popular kids' table. (At least, that's how Celine sees it). These days, Brad hates her guts-and the feeling is mutual.

So when Celine signs up for a two-part survival course in the woods, she definitely doesn't expect to find Brad right beside her. Forced to work together for the chance to win the grand prize, Celine and Bradley must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. As this adventure brings them closer, they start to remember all the good parts of their history.

But has too much time passed...or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

Review:

Hey everyone! It's been a minute hasn't it? I just finished reading this book but it took me an OBSCENE amount of time to finish reading it. 3 WHOLE WEEKS. That is a long time for me when I normally consume a book in less than a week! Albeit, I had a LOT going on in my life that made it difficult to sit down and read. However, I also found myself just...not wanting to read this book? When I did have time to sit down and read,  I found myself wishing I had something else to read instead. But let's get into it!

I discovered this book strolling through my local Barnes & Noble and there was such a cute display advertising this book. I am such a sucker for a good cover and the summary seemed cute, so I picked it up! 

Here's what I loved: 

I really loved ALL the characters in the book. Not just our amazing main characters, Brad and Celine. But also their families, their school friends, and their new found friends at the survival course. I truly was invested in all their stories and their interactions (which rarely happens for me). 

My FAVORITE character was Bradley. He is such a unique, refreshing individual. He is a star football player who is extremely smart, very kind, compassionate, bisexual and has OCD! What a well-rounded character. I loved the mental health representation when discussing OCD. Brad has been to therapy for his OCD and regularly uses different coping mechanisms and skills when he is having a hard time with his OCD. It is not WHO he is but it is a huge part of him and greatly affects his thinking as well as his every day life. Also to see that he has cultivated such great people in his life that accept him and are patient with him. 

The witty banter between Celine and Brad was off-the-charts and was VERY funny. 

It was also a book that touched on a lot of deep, mature topics but in such an easy-going and light-hearted way.

What was not my favorite:

This book immediately gives off enemies-to-lovers and grumpy x sunshine vibes but I felt that it was not adequately delivered. These concepts were not fully fledged. This was such an interesting timeline between Celine and Brad but it was SO RUSHED. It felt like we just sped through it so quickly. They used to be friends, now they are enemies but also becoming frenemies, to friends again, to enemies again, to lovers. It felt as if we spent no time really delving into WHY their friendship ended and also these two characters truly discussing what happened. Then spent almost no time discussing how they were ENEMIES FOR YEARS but now they are somewhat passive aggressive acquaintances? To then discovering they are actually in love with each other? It just felt like so many plot lines were being thrown at the reader and not fully developed. It was really great to read what was going on in both of their heads about what happened and their new relationship, but I don't feel they every truly communicated that to each other. This was a big no-no for me. Something as special and once-in-a-lifetime that Brad and Celine has deserves a conversation. It deserves more information and that was sadly lacking for me.

The story was simply...flat for me. I kept waiting for the magic, the spark but sadly it fizzled out for me. Truly, a forgettable book for me (which I absolutely HATE to say). Let me be clear, it was not a bad book but it could have been MORE. I guess I am guilty for having too high of expectations. 

Quotes:

"You don't need to be special or significant to have value. You're just as important, always, and people either see that or they don't."

"I'm positive. You're Brad Fucking Graeme. I'd bet on you any day."

"Nothing changes if we don't make it change."

"We're everything. Anything. Whatever we want."

A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young

 

"It must seem so strange, to have literally been on top of the world, to watch it turn and feel a part of this constantly expanding universe, and yet feel disconnected to something so intrinsically a part of you."

Release Date: October 18, 2022 

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction 

TW: toxic relationships, death of a loved one, gaslighting, cheating

Rating:

Summary:

When event planner Hallie Goodman receives party-inspiration material from the bride of her latest wedding project, the last thing she expects to find in the files is a collection of videos from the bride's ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it's wrong to keep watching these personal messages, but this guy is cute, funny, and an astronaut on the International Space Station to boot. She's only human. And it's not long before she starts sending emails and video diaries to his deactivated NASA address. Since they're bouncing back, there's no way anyone will ever be able to see them...right?

Christopher Ortiz is readjusting to life on Earth and being constantly in the shadow of his deceased older brother. When a friend from NASA's IT department forwards him the emails and video messages Hallie has sent, he can't help but notice how much her sense of humor and pink hair make his heart race.

Separated by screens, Hallie and Chris are falling in love, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other's baggage? 

Review:

I went from reading Love on the Brain where Bee and Levi were working on a project for NASA to reading about Chris who is an astronaut working for NASA in A Cosmic Kind of Love! I guess you can say I've had space on the brain!

It took me longer to read this book, just due to the joys of life! However, once I had time to sit down and really read this book, I was hooked.  I breezed right through it!  

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I felt that 2/3 of the book, I was absolutely hooked. As the book started to wrap up though... is when it fizzled out for me. Let's start with the positive first though! 

I instantly appreciated Hallie! For me, she was such a relatable character, especially with her people pleasing tendencies. I am also working on that right now and I cannot wait to kick those people pleasing tendencies to the curb. I also constantly find myself in odd situations because of my people pleasing tendencies and my soft heart so I can absolutely relate to Hallie. I also have brightly colored hair and a bubbly personality which makes people not take me seriously very often. 

Chris was such a charming, compassionate, sweet human being. I love a good dual POV and really appreciated being able to tap into the brain of Chris as well. It was also very unique to listen to his experience with losing his mom, his brother, joining the armed forces and becoming an astronaut. Then his experience being in space. I learned some very interesting facts about space that I was not expecting! I cannot wait for the day someone thinks about me the way Chris thinks about Hallie or the way Chris looks at Hallie. The way Chris loves Hallie. Obsessed. Swooning. 

The chemistry between these two characters was out of this world. There was an INSTANTANEOUS pull between Hallie and Chris, before they even met! They were watching these secret, private videos and both had this undeniable connection. Then when they finally met, fireworks! It made me heart so warm as they navigated their friends-to-lovers dynamic. Also the SEXUAL TENSION just bursting through the page during the sex scenes. Mouth = salivating. Chris was so patient and communicative during sex. He WORSHIPPED Hallie's body and comforted her through her insecurities. That was the hottest parts of the intimate scenes between the pair for me. Also, Chris and Hallie had such a real, beautiful relationship. Both characters had so much depth and it was fascinating to watch how these two intertwined with all their "baggage." 

Side note, Althea is such an amazing co-worker and friend. The way she stood up for Hallie time and time again. I think everyone needs a friend like Althea! 

Throughout the book, I really hated reading the horrible dynamic between Hallie and her parents. However, the character development of her parents and the strengthening of her relationship with her parents was worth it in the end. As for Chris and his relationship with his dad, I appreciated the depth and the context that was provided for the character. He was not JUST an asshole dad. But he still was an asshole dad, and his villain backstory was explained. 

My biggest complaint with this book was the THIRD ACT BREAKUP. I absolutely DESPISE a third act breakup. I would much rather sit through an excruciatingly slow burn instead of the alternative: a whirlwind romance that happens too quickly therefore a third act breakup is inevitable. That is exactly what happened here, and it was completely unnecessary. It really ruined the relationship for me. I was really enjoying their story up until this moment, even though it was so predictable. It is cliché, overdone, and completely unnecessary. Authors: MAKE IT STOP. 

So like I said, overall, I enjoyed this book and appreciated the majority of the book. Just wish the last 1/3 of the book was completely re-written. But I really resonated with the main character, Hallie. The undeniable chemistry between Hallie and Chris was so special to experience. Truly, a cosmic kind of love. 

Quotes: 

"It must seem so strange, to have literally been on top of the world, to watch it turn and feel a part of this constantly expanding universe, and yet feel disconnected to something so intrinsically a part of you."

"Being yours...that's the only thing in my life I am one hundred percent certain I want and need to be." 

"It seemed we were drawn to each other like binary stars. It was addictive and disorienting."

"It means 'my sky,' 'my heaven.' I never really gave much thought to it-" He stared deeply into my eyes. "But now, every time I look at you, those words fill my mind. Mi cielo."