If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

 

"But that is how a tragedy like ours or King Lear breaks your heart - by making you believe that the ending might still be happy, until the very last minute."

Release Date: April 11, 2017

Genre: Thriller, mystery, literary fiction

Rating:

Summary:

ENTER THE PLAYERS. There were seven of us then, seven bright young things with wide precious futures ahead of us. Until that year, we saw no farther than the books in front of our faces.

On the day Oliver Marks is released from jail, the man who put him there is waiting at the door. Detective Colborne wants to know the truth, and after ten years, Oliver is finally ready to tell it.

A decade ago: Oliver is one of seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory; a place of keen ambition and fierce competition. In this secluded world of firelight and leather-bound books, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. 

But in their fourth and final year, good-natured rivalries turn ugly, and on opening night real violence invades the students' world of make-believe. In the morning, the fourth-years find themselves facing their very own tragedy, and their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, each other, and themselves that they are innocent.

Review:

This book is sublime for a moody, dark academia, autumnal read. I highly recommend dim-lighting (candlelight would be even better), rainy ambience, and a warm beverage to really offer the most immaculate vibes.

This book was absolutely riveting and impossible to put down. The dual timeline was exceptional. I love the duality between his past and his present as well as how they intersect. The concept was so unique and the writing was fantastic. I love the way M.L. Rio pieced together this book, set up similarly to a Shakespearean drama. The book is split into five acts and there are scenes within the acts. There are Shakespeare references and quotes throughout the book. I have a very base level, minimal knowledge of Shakespeare and theater but found this very easy to read. Do not think you need to be a devout thespian or Shakespearean to enjoy this.

I personally didn't connect with any of the characters and, shockingly, I was content with that. When I am reading a book, I try to connect with a character and find parallels between our personalities or shared experiences. However, while reading If We Were Villains, I truly read this story as if I was watching a play in the comfort of my cushioned seat in a theater.  I was safely detached from the characters and their self-destruction but completely in awe of the raw emotion. Without any spoilers, the ending completely wrecked me but then sprinkled potentially a dash of hope. 

This book was everything I expected but also, nothing I had anticipated all at the same time.

A moment of perfection: when I closed this book after reading the final words, I was left in a moment of contemplative silence and deep reverence. THAT is an extraordinary book for me. A book to render me speechless but completely thoughtful. 

Quotes:

"When we first walked through those doors, we did so without knowing that we were now part of some strange fanatic religion where anything could be excused so long as it was offered to the altar of the Muses. Ritual madness, ecstasy, human sacrifice."

"For someone who loved words as much as I did, it was amazing how often they failed me."

"You can justify anything if you do it poetically enough."

"But that is how a tragedy like ours or King Lear breaks your heart - by making you believe that the ending might still be happy, until the very last minute."

"How tremendous the agony of unmade decisions."

"Through the thorns, to the stars."

"Actors are by nature volatile - alchemic creatures composed of incendiary elements, emotion and ego and envy. Heat them up, stir them together, and sometimes you get gold. Sometimes disaster."

"The thing about Shakespeare is, he's so eloquent...he speaks the unspeakable. He turns grief and triumph and rapture and rage into words, into something we can understand. He renders the whole mystery of humanity comprehensible."

"The future is wide and wild and full of promise, but it is precarious, too. Seize on every opportunity that comes your way and cling to it, lest it be washed back out to sea."

"Hatred is the sincerest form of flattery."

"Nothing unites men like a common enemy."

"I don't know, it's like I look at you and suddenly the sonnets make sense. The good ones, anyway."

"When did we become such terrible people?" "Maybe we've always been terrible."

"How could we explain that standing on a stage and speaking someone else's words as if they are your own is less an act of bravery than a desperate lunge at mutual understanding?"

"Make art, make mistakes, and have no regrets."

"You can't quantify humanity. You can't measure it - not the way you mean to. People are passionate and flawed and fallible. They make mistakes. Their memories fade. Their eyes deceive them."

"The water, too, was still and I thought, what liars they are, the sky and the water. Still and calm and clear, like everything was fine. It wasn't fine, and really, it never would be again."

The Nanny by Lana Ferguson

 

"You can have good things, but you have to let yourself have them."

Release Date: April 11, 2023

Genre: Fiction, contemporary romance

Rating: 

Summary:

Suddenly unemployed and on the brink of eviction, Cassie Evans is left with two choices: get a new job (and fast) or fire up her long-untouched OnlyFans account. But the job market is terrible, and as for OnlyFans...Well, there are reasons she can't go back. Just when all hope seems lost, an ad for a live-in nanny position appears to be the solution to all her problems. It's almost too perfect - until she meets her would-be employer.

Aiden Reid, executive chef and DILF extraordinaire, is far from the stuffy single dad Cassie was imagining. He shocks her when he tells her she's the most qualified applicant he's met in weeks and practically begs her to take the job. The idea of living under the same roof as Aiden-with his hands that make her hind-brain howl and eyes that scream sex-feels dangerous, but with no other option, she decides to stay with him and his adorably tenacious daughter, Sophie.

Cassie soon discovers that Aiden is not a stranger at all but instead someone who is very familiar with her-or at least her body. Given that he doesn't remember her, Cassie is faced with an impossible situation. As their relationship heats to temperatures hotter than those reached in any kitchen Aiden has ever worked in, Cassie struggles with telling Aiden the truth, and the more terrifying possibility-losing the best chance at happiness she's ever had.  

Review:

If you have been looking to add a super sexy book to your TBR, look no further. The Nanny ABSOLUTELY delivers. 

✔️ Forced proximity

✔️ Found family

✔️ Workplace romance

✔️   Zaddy single daddy

                                                      ✔️    Spicy 🌶️

I absolutely loved the modern elements to this book, referencing Taylor Swift albums, OnlyFans, Shrek, etc. I do think that the OnlyFans aspect could have been utilized more. 

The connection between Aiden and Cassie is INSTANTANEOUS and HOT. Muy caliente! 🔥While Cassie and Aiden did have instant chemistry, I would have loved to spend more time really developing their connection OUTSIDE of the sexual tension. 

The two best characters in the entire book: Wanda and Sophie. They are hilarious side characters! Together? They are even better! (This is also saying a lot because I normally do not enjoy children but I loved Sophie's personality and mannerisms). 

There are lots of serious, mature elements that are expertly mixed in with the light-hearted nature of this book. I think it is a great "filler" book because it is a super easy read. Definitely recommend! 

Quotes:

"You can have good things, but you have to let yourself have them."

"The dream is  coming home to someone who loves  you every day."

"I'm trying to pull myself out of my gloomy mood by blasting Taylor Swift's entire discography on the drive to the restaurant, but even my Spotify seems to be against me today, playing entirely too much evermore and not nearly enough Red. It's like the universe wants me to cry today."

"You've never seen Shrek?" "No." "Sophie. It's a cultural phenomenon. An epic love story. A comic masterpiece. I can't in good conscience allow you to continue through life without having seen it." 

Happy Place by Emily Henry

 

"You're in all of my happiest places."

Release Date: April 25, 2023

Genre: Fiction, contemporary romance

Rating: 

Summary:

Think of your happy place...

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college - they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except now - for reasons they're still not discussing - they don't.

They broke up five months ago...and still haven't told their best friends.

Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group's yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week, they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most.

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale, and this is the last week they'll have all together in this place. They can't stand to break their friends' hearts, and so they'll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laidback charmer who never lets the cracks show. It's a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week...in front of those who know you best?

Review:

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

Emily Henry does it again. This woman is a true artist. The way she wields words to make such a beautifully crafted masterpiece. Happy Place holds such a special place in my heart (alongside Book Lovers and Beach Read).

I almost did not read this book. I was 95% committed to the fact that I was not going to read this book (while the 5% was devastated that I was not going to read Emily Henry's latest novel). The premise of this book just did not strike my fancy. I absolutely despised the idea of reading about two ex-lovers being forced to pretend they are a happy couple and relive all the good as well as bad memories.

However, SO many people were raving about how good of a book this was. I finally was convinced. 

This was giving me such strong 500 Days of Summer vibes throughout most of the book where you are seeing where everything went wrong in the relationship. For the majority of the book I was absolutely dreading what I thought was the inevitable but this book blew my expectations out of the water! IT WAS SO PHENOMENAL. I am SOBBING.

Such beautiful lessons and beautiful characters in this book. This book makes me feel like I am in my happy place. My heart is so full and so warm. I need to go to Maine on vacation ASAP and re-read this book. Who's with me? 

Quotes:

"It doesn't matter how busy life's been, how long the five of us have gone without seeing one another: meeting at the cottage is like pulling on a favorite sweatshirt, worn to perfection. Time doesn't move the same way when we're there. Things change, but we stretch and grow and make room for one another. Our love is a place we can always come back to, and it will be waiting, the same as it ever was. You belong here."

"Like even when something beautiful breaks, the making of it still matters."

"Love means constantly saying you're sorry, and then doing better."

"There doesn't need to be a winner and a loser. You just have to care how the other person feels. You have to care more about them than you do about being right."

"I understood then, the immense honor it is to hurt like she does. To have loved someone so much that the taste of maple syrup can make you cry and laugh at the same time."

"I want my life to be like-like making pottery. I want to enjoy it while it's happening, not just for where it might get me eventually."

"You're in all of my happiest places."

"You, you, you."

"No," he says quietly. "In every universe, it's you for me. Even if it's not me for you."

"I love you," I tell him. "In every universe."

"Because there's nowhere I wouldn't go for you."

"Are you saying I can come home?" "I'm saying," he murmurs softly, "it's not home unless you're there."

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

 

"For every Nesta out there - climb the mountain."

Release Date: February 16, 2021

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

AN UNFATHOMABLE POWER

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it. 

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and it only burns hotter as they are forced to work closely together.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance - and healing - in each other's arms. 

Review:

Last night with a storm raging outside my window, I finished A Court of Silver Flames. As the pitter patter of rain echoed through my ears, I cried as my journey reading this beautiful series came to an end.

What is left to say? What words exist that I can conjure up to describe these feelings and these emotions? I think I will be spending an eternity searching to find the perfect words to say that truly encompass how this series has made me feel. 

I started writing this review being like "how can I choose which book and character is my favorite? It is impossible to choose" blah, blah, blah. Let me make this clear: this series is heavenly, divine, other-worldly. Every book, every character, every word should be devoured and worshipped. The found family, romance, adventures, world building: exceptional. Now, with that being said, I discovered that I do have a favorite and that is 110% okay! I was convinced that A Court of Mist and Fury was going to be my favorite. The breathtaking love between fated mates Feyre and Rhysand. However, once I finished reading it, I realized that A Court of Silver Flames, is my favorite book out of the series. I despised Nesta Archeron when she was first introduced. She was a foul woman but there always seemed to be something lurking underneath the surface. More to this character than meets the eye. All of that was unearthed in this book. The character development in this book was unmatched. The uphill battle that Nesta faced but ultimately came out victorious once she conquered her inner demons. The undying love that she felt for Cassian but initially refused to accept. He kept coming back. He never gave up and kept reaching out his hand. Always here for a forced proximity trope and this book delivered. Also, ALL THE SPICE SCENES WERE DELICIOUS. The found family trope still extremely prevalent and profound in this book. The entire storyline with the priestesses and the Valkyrie. This book felt the most human to me, the most real. Nesta Archeron, you have my whole heart. You have given me so much strength. 

I had spent so long listening to other readers talk about how amazing this series was. I never believed it to be true until I finally decided to pick up the first book. Now I curse myself for taking so long to be part of this magic. To be part of this community of wonderful human beings who we all love this series, these characters, with our whole being. Throughout it all, I realized something very important: the feeling of home. I am home. 

Quotes:

"For every Nesta out there - climb the mountain."

"She had been born wrong. Had been born with claws and fangs and had never been able to keep from using them, never been able to quell the part of her that raged at betrayal, that could hate and love more violently than anyone ever understood."

"She was a wolf who had never learned how to be a wolf, thanks to that cage humans called propriety and society. And like any maltreated animal, she bit anyone who came near."

"So Nesta had become a wolf. Armed herself with invisible teeth and claws, and learned to strike faster, deeper, more lethally. had relished it. But when the time came to put away the wolf, she'd found it had devoured her too."

"Never again. Never again would she be weak. Never again would she be at someone's mercy. Never again would she fail. Never again, never again, never again."

"I am the rock against which the surf crashes. Nothing can break me."

"She would not be mastered by anything again. She was the master of herself."

"I have been broken once before," Gwyn said, her voice clear. "I survived it. And I will not be broken again - not even by this mountain."

"I wish for us to have the courage to go out into the world when we are ready, but to always be able to find our way back to each other. No matter what." 

"The first time I saw that look on your face, you were still human. Still human, and I nearly went to my knees before you."

"You're an arrogant bastard." "And you're a haughty witchy. We're evenly matched."

"He had called her Lady Death, and he was her sword."

"Keep reaching out your hand."

"But I still don't know how to fix myself." "There's nothing broken to be fixed."

"I am going to tell you that you will get through it. That you will face this, and you will get through it. That these tears are good, Nesta. These tears mean you care. I am going to tell you that it is not too late, not for any of it. And I can't tell you when, or how, but it will get better. What you feel, this guilt and pain and self-loathing-you will get through it. But only if you are willing to fight. Only if you are willing to face it, and embrace it, and walk through it, to emerge on the other side of it. And maybe you will still feel that tinge of pain, but there is another side. A better side."

"Nesta had loved Cassian since she'd first laid eyes on him. Had loved him even when she did not want to, even when she had been swallowed by despair and fear and hatred. Had loved him and destroyed herself because she didn't believe she deserved him, because he was all that was good, and brave, and kind, and she loved him, she loved him, she loved him."

"She whispered, "And I am yours." Those golden threads between their very souls shone with the words, as they formed a harp strummed by a heavenly hand. For it was music between their souls. Always had been. And his voice was her favorite melody."

"Ataraxia, she had named that magic sword. Inner peace."

"The world was beautiful, and she was so grateful to be in it. To be alive, to be here, to see this. She stuck out a hand over the railing, grazing a star as it shot past, and her fingers came away glowing with blue and green dust. She laughed, a sound of pure joy, and she cried more, because that joy was a miracle." 

"Amren put a hand above Nesta's heart. "That's the key, isn't it? To know the darkness will always remain, but how you choose to face it, handle it...that's the most important part. To not let it consume. To focus upon the good, the things that fill you with wonder." She gestured to the stars zooming past. "The struggle with that darkness is worth it, just to see such things."

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

 

"Stars flickered around us, sweet darkness sweeping in. As if we were the only sounds in a galaxy."

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Genre: High fantasy, romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

A TIME TO HEAL

Feyre, Rhysand, and their friends still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly altered world beyond, recovering from the war that changed everything. But Winter Solstice is finally approaching, and, with it, the joy of a hard-earned reprieve.

Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, her concern for those dearest to her deepens. They have more wounds than she anticipated - scars that will have a far-reaching impact on the future of their court.

Bridging the events of A Court of Wings and Ruin with the later books in the series, A Court of Frost and Starlight explores the long-lasting effects of a devastating war and the fierce love between friends. 

Review:

A Court of Frost and Starlight - a comfy filler novella that wraps you up in a warm embrace while the snowstorm rages on outside the window. (I definitely had winter ambience videos playing in the background reading this to really set the mood and distract me from the 115 degree weather in Arizona). 

It felt *literally* impossible to pick up this book and continue reading, I'll be honest. I started reading it directly after A Court of Wings and Ruin but I had to stop. There was just such a marked difference from the masterpiece that was ACOWAR to then reading ACOFAS. I read a few palette cleanser books in-between then set back on my determined path. Taking that break was EXTREMELY HELPFUL. I was able to power through! I thought it was a very cute book...for a filler. There isn't much more to say about it. Simple, sweet, completed. Time to move on to A Court of Silver Flames! I am SO STOKED! 

Quotes:

"Stars flickered around us, sweet darkness sweeping in. As if we were the only souls in the galaxy."

"The weaver went on, "I have to create, or it was all for nothing. I have to create, or I will crumple up with despair and never leave my bed. I have to create because I have no other way of voicing this." Her hand rested on her heart, and my eyes burned. "It is hard," the weaver said, her stare never leaving mine, "and it hurts, but if I were to stop, if I were to let this loom or the spindle go silent..." She broke my gaze at last to look at her tapestry. "Then there would be no hope shining in the void."

"To the blessed darkness from which we are born, and to which we return."

"You were born on the longest night of the year." His fingers again stroked down my back. Lower. "You were meant to be at my side from the very beginning."

"I think my heart knew you were mine long before I ever realized it."

"I will never stop being grateful to have you in my life, either, Feyre darling. And no matter what lies ahead"--a small, joyous smile at that--"we will face it together. Enjoy every moment of it together."

"You look like an angry snowball."

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller

 

"I'll say whatever I please. I'm not a lady, I'm a pirate!"

Release Date: February 28, 2017

Genre: Fantasy, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I've gotten what I came for. 

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map-the key to a legendary treasure trove-seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King. 

Review:

Ahoy there, me hearties! (Yes, pirate slang is 100% appropriate). Let me start by saying, this was SUCH a quick read. I literally read it in one day. I don't often read books in one sitting so that was surprising for me. It is a smaller book though with large font so it was also pretty easy to do. However, simply because I finished reading this book in one day, does not mean it was a glorious read. 

I truly wanted to like this book; I had heard wonderful things about it. Expectations vs reality though right? 

When I started writing this review, I would have given it 3 bunnies but after completing my review, I will say this book gets 2 out of 5 bunnies for me. 

I absolutely LOVE the concept of this book. I think the idea of it was phenomenal. The delivery fell flat and left a lot to be desired. 

I overall didn't mind Alosa, I did enjoy her ambition and her sass. I love the idea of her pirating an all-female ship. Feminism, always. I really enjoyed Enwen and Kearan's characters. I would have loved to spend more time really fleshing out her character, as well as Riden. I think these two characters have the potential for marked character development but only witnessed glimpses of that in this book. 

However, I do find it extremely distasteful and concerning that the main character is 17 years old. She is a child. I understand that this is set in a different time period but it shouldn't have been acceptable then and it is certainly not acceptable now. I felt that the book and the character were hypersexualized. It would have been so easy to age up this character; why leave her underage but then have such sexual tones and themes throughout this book? 

I adore sirens and mermaids; I think they have to be my ultimate favorite mythical creature. I do feel that the siren concept materialized out of thin air; it was very rushed and not thoroughly developed so it felt forced. The confusing story of her birth (being half-siren, half human), switching in and out of her siren powers, the siren powers themselves...they just felt very comical and unrealistic. 

Am I going to be scrambling to pick up the sequel to this book? No. 

Will I read the sequel down the road to continue the storyline? Possibly. 

Quotes:

"I'll say whatever I please. I'm not a lady, I'm a pirate!" 

"Lass, you've the face of an angel but the tongue of a snake." 

"I am me because I choose to be me. I am what I want. Some people say you have to find yourself. Not I. I believe we create ourselves to be what we want."

"Everyone has something dark in their past. I suppose it's our job to overcome it. And if we can't overcome it, then all we can do is make the most of it." 

"I value brilliant minds, honest souls, and those with long endurance. I forge relationships based on trust and mutual respect, not fear and control."

"Imagine that you traveled all over the world, looking for happiness, looking for thrills to pass the time. Imagine seeing everything there is to see and still not finding happiness. Well, that would give you a very bleak outlook on life, would it not?"

"Yes, we should all worship the stars. They are as useful as they are beautiful. Some never change position. They are constants in the sky. Without them, we would be lost." 

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

 

"I wish you could see yourself the way I see you." 

Release Date: September 14, 2021

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary: 

When a fake relationship between scientists meets the irresistible force of attraction, it throws one woman's carefully calculated theories on love into chaos.

As a third-year Ph.D. candidate, Olive Smith doesn't believe in lasting romantic relationships - but her best friend does, and that's what got her into this situation. Convincing Anh that Olive is dating and well on her way to a happily ever after was always going to take more than hand-wavy Jedi mind tricks: Scientists require proof. So, like any self-respecting biologist, Olive panics and kisses the first man she sees.

 That man is none other than Adam Carlsen, a young hotshot professor-and well-known ass. Which is why Olive is positively floored when Stanford's reigning lab tyrant agrees to keep her charade a secret and be her fake boyfriend. And when a big science conference goes haywire, putting Olive's career on the Bunsen burner, Adam surprises her again with his unyielding support and even more unyielding...six-pack abs.

Suddenly their little experiment feels dangerously close to combustion. And Olive discovers that the only thing more complicated than a hypothesis on love is putting her own heart under the microscope. 

Review:

I have finally finished reading The Love Hypothesis! I have been dying to read this ever since I finished reading Love on the Brain! I am 100% aware that I went out of order here but I don't want to hear it! No judgement! 

I know I distinctly remember saying in my previous book review post that it was a rare occurrence that I read a book with a fake dating trope...well, clearly, I lied. I've done it again, two books in a row. Who am I? This book delivered the fake dating trope tastefully. I didn't experience my normal rage when reading about the tangled web of lies.

While I do normally loathe the fake dating trope, one trope I will NEVER get tired of is grumpy x sunshine. This book literally is the embodiment of grumpy x sunshine. Adam is "antagonistic and unapproachable" at first but then becomes UTTERLY SWOONWORTHY. "I wish you could see yourself the way I see you." Such a sweetheart. I would adore a book a POV book with Adam pining after Olive for the past 3 years and throughout the timeline of The Love Hypothesis. That would be divine. ALSO, THAT BONUS CHAPTER Y'ALL?! That was scrumptious, finger-lickin' good. 

I also need more books with women in STEM. I am here for the strong, intelligent feminist icons. Anh is such a badass. "Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man." Yes, queen!

I had two complaints about this book 1) that the summary of the book was misleading. I felt that the summary that was written does not accurately describe the story. The story was obviously way better than the description. 2) The book is not long enough. This is always a complaint of mine for a spectacular book though. I never want the story to end!

I cannot decide if I prefer Love on the Brain or The Love Hypothesis more. I think both books are absolutely amazing. They were such wonderful reads that I didn't want them to end. I may have to do a dual book review with these two going head-to-head to see which one comes out on top! 

Quotes: 

"Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man."

"I wish you could see yourself the way I see you."

"You can fall in love: someone will catch you."

"I'm going to kill you," he gritted out, little more than a growl. "If you say another word about the woman I love, if you look at her, if you even think about her - I'm going to fucking kill you."

"This might be inappropriate but...Olive. You are really...You are extraordinary."