Review: Carrie Soto is Back (Taylor Jenkins Reid)

Rating:

Book 37 on My Book List 2023

”Your faith in yourself drove you to the top once. And it can drive you there again,” my father says finally.

Oh boy, what a ride! When I went into “Carrie Soto is Back” I already expected that Taylor Jenkins Reid would work her unique magic and make me love a book about tennis even though I’ve never really played it. What I didn’t expect was how invested I’d get into Carrie’s comeback and all her matches. Believe me when I say that I was at the edge of my seat, holding my breath while reading and simultaneously crossing my fingers for Carrie all at once. Never have I ever in my live pulled for a tennis player as much as I did for Carrie. And I’m pretty sure I’ll never ever do it again. (Well, I pulled for Bowen too but yeah, since he’s another fictional character of the book you get the idea. *lol*)

I think before I go into this review I’ll have to say a couple of words about my own relationship with tennis which is almost non-existent. I mean young V once picked up a racket when I was about 13 years old and back then it was only because one of my friends (who happened to be kinda rich) took me with her to a tennis court. Back when I was a teen playing tennis and to go riding was something only the rich kids could afford and I think things might not have changed all too much. (At least over here in Austria it still seems to be the same.) So I played tennis once and never again. I stuck with basketball, dancing and soccer instead but that’s a different story for another day. *lol*

Anyway, because of that background, I never really got warm with tennis and all I know are the things you just can’t seem to be able to elude. Like the fact that Boris Becker and Anna Kurnikowa are two of the most known names in tennis. Or that Alexander Zverev is dating Sophia Thomalla right now. To be honest, I know him rather from the gossip columns than I know him from all his tennis achievements. *lol*  #SorryNotSorry (If you love tennis, mea culpa! You’re allowed to roll your eyes at my glaring ignorance. ;-P )

This said, I still loved this book and all its characters and I think this is such a glowing testimonial to TJR’s writing style and the way she manages to capture her reader’s attention. She’s one of those rare authors who can tackle any topic and it will still pull on your heartstrings and make you root for her MCs. The way Carrie fought for her comeback was so admirable and I absolutely loved her relationships with her father who also happened to be her coach. And because we all know I can’t keep things short and simple, I’ll talk about all this in depth now. You’re welcome to join me in my characters section. 😉

Beware of this tennis court and enter at your own risk. There’s a crazy tennis ball serving machine that will throw spoilers your way! Either you dodge them or you face them head-on. It’s your choice and you gotta live with it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Carrie Soto:

”Will Ilona play me?”
“You beat Ilona at Monte Carlo in ’88 and then told reporters it was ‘embarrassingly easy,’ so no, Ilona does not want to play you.”
“It was embarrassingly easy. I was embarrassed for her. That’s empathy.”

I loved Carrie to bits and pieces and this even though many people would say that she’s a woman that’s hard to love. Throughout the entire book she’s called the Battle Axe or even the bitch by some of the reporters and even though she never reacts to it you still know that she’s hurt by those nicknames. But Carrie is different than all the other female players and basically everyone thinks she’s arrogant and cold, which she’s obviously not. She’s just extremely honest and doesn’t beat about the bush. Carrie is direct and says exactly what she thinks, she doesn’t sugar coat her words and if someone made mistakes or didn’t give their best she’ll address it. I could relate to Carrie so much because I’m like that too and if anyone knows that you don’t make a lot of friends with honesty, then it’s me. Most people don’t want to hear the truth and if you confront them with it they tend to avoid you. Been there, done that, got the freaking t-shirt. 😉 But Carrie’s honesty isn’t the only problem she has to face and I could relate to her struggle of getting older as well. Whenever the topic of her trying to make a comeback at 37 was addressed, I felt every single word in my bones. Your body changes over the years and Carrie fights against that and does her best to get back in shape. It’s a hard fight though and she doesn’t only have to compete against the other players but against her own body as well. Sometimes it was so heart-breaking to read about how something that brought her so much joy in her youth turned into a source of pressure and stress. To follow her journey was so rewarding, though. I loved Carrie’s character arc and the way she learned to accept herself and her limits. How she found happiness in the little things again and how she finally made peace with herself. The way her character started out at the beginning of the book and how the story ended? It was perfection and I have nothing to add! <333

”It was okay to win as long as I acted surprised when I did and attributed it to luck. I should never let on how much I wanted to win or, worse, that I believed I deserved to win. And I should never, under any circumstances, admit that I did not believe all of my opponents were just as worth as I was. The bulk of the commentators … they wanted a woman whose eyes would tear up with gratitude, as if she owed them her victory, as if she owed them everything she had.

„I am not in the same body I was in at age twenty-nine. I am not running as fast. I am tiring more quickly. I am slower to pivot. I can feel the cartilage of my knee sometimes as I bounce.“

”My ambition has long felt oppressive. It is not a joy – it is a master that I must answer to, a smoke that descends into my life, making it hard to breathe. It is only my discipline, my willingness to push myself harder, that has been my way through.“

”I’m so grateful, right now, for every match and every win and every loss and every lesson that I have behind me. It feels so good, right now, to be thirty-seven years old. To have figured at least some things out.
To know the ground underneath my feet.”

Bowen Huntley:

Bowe leans into the table and keeps his voice low. He says, „I want to fucking win, Carrie. I want the crowd screaming my name. I want to know that for one moment, I am the best in the world. One last time.“
I can’t help but smile. „You are taking the words right out of my mouth.“

THIS man!!! Bowe was so amazing and I think him and Carrie are the perfect match! Did he have anger issues and was he a sore loser? Yes, he was all of those things but there’s so much more to him than initially meets the eye. Bowen is also a gentleman and someone who’s painfully aware of his own limits. He knows exactly how far he can push himself and he’s been fighting his way back to the top against all odds. I know Bowen has a lot of respect for Carrie and how she fought her way back into the A-list of tennis, but I think he should give himself more credit as well. I mean this man never stopped playing, he took a lot of losses, but he never gave up and in the end he got into the finals. And through it all he was so supportive of Carrie and was able to acknowledge the fact that she was the better player. It didn’t bother him, he knew and accepted it and continued to pull for her. Bowen is awesome because he saw the beauty of Carrie and her game and was able to appreciate it like no one else. ❤ The perfect man for Carrie!

”I’m pulling out of all my events next month. Focusing on recovery. But … I’m not going home. I’m going to stick around and watch Carrie Soto,” he says. “I think what she’s doing here is remarkable. And I want to be able to say I saw it happen.”

Bowe grabs my shoulder and squeezes it, then escorts the two of them out. He turns back to me at the last second. “This is a beautiful match,” he says. “An absolutely beautiful match.”

Javier Soto:

Despite the fact that I was eighteen, my father put his hand gently on my shoulder and said, “We are Sotos. We do not yell, and we do not throw temper tantrums if we’re not good enough. What do we do?”
“We get good enough,” I said as I turned my head away from him and settled my gaze out the window.

I adored the Jaguar and even though he had his faults as well and wasn’t perfect it was always obvious how much he loved Carrie and the game. It was interesting that he was a tennis player himself and apparently, a great one because of all the legends we heard about him throughout the book. Javier’s heart was at the right place and it made me sad that he never found another partner after his wife died. He would have deserved to find true love again. With a kid like Carrie he didn’t have it easy, though and my heart broke for him when they had their big falling out. He only wanted what’s best for her, but she didn’t see it because she was too set on winning. Poor man. Despite all that, I think he was very happy when he died and I’m glad he and Carrie made peace before it happened. =)

He looks down and then back up at me. “Sometimes I think you don’t understand the heartache I feel when I see you lose,” he says, catching my eye and not letting go. “Knowing how badly you want it, knowing how much your soul needs it. Sometimes I think it is enough to break me.”

Nicki Chan:

”Brava, Soto! Take a breath and fill your lungs with your victory, friend. I promise there will not be another one. See you in New York. XO, Chan.”

Haha! I loved Nicki Chan and she totally reminded me of Carrie! No wonder those two were enemies but then sort of became frenemies when they started to talk. That girl had courage and I really liked her conversations with Carrie. I think in the end they both realized that the only reason they were enemies was because they both wanted to be the best so badly it hurt. Plus, I was a sucker for their mutual respect and bravado. The way things ended with them was great and it was such a suitable ending for their rivalry.

Carrie & her father:

He was staring at me, his eyes wide and tearing up. I had never seen this version of him before. „What have you done?“ he said softly. His voice was barely a whisper. It cracked as it escaped his mouth.

Their relationship broke my heart and glued it back together! No, those two! ARGH! I loved them so much and the way they both loved each other so strongly and fiercely was so beautiful to read about. This is a father that loves to be a part of his daughter’s life! Still, the moment they broke off contact because Carrie thought her father didn’t believe in her the way she did … Her getting another trainer because of it. It was so painful to witness. Those two had a really long way ahead of them and I’m so glad they eventually found back together. Javier only wanted what’s best for his daughter and to see her so set on being at the top must have been so frustrating and painful. You always suffer with your kids and the way Carrie stubbornly refused to give up while ruining her own body… Uff! I could understand where Javier was coming from. Their relationship was pretty strained for a while but they found back together again and this is what counts. They never gave up on each other and this made their father/daughter relationship so precious and beautiful. ❤ And yes, I admit it. When Javier died near the ending I cried. It was so sad. T_T I’m just glad Bowen was there for Carrie and supported her through her grief because to lose a person like that – a life person – is such a hard loss and it hits you with full force. RIP Javier Soto! You were one of the best.

My father starts to open his mouth, and I stop him. “I’m not a child anymore. Sometimes I’m going to have an opinion. Sometimes, when I’m ten miles and fifty laps in, I’m going to complain. But I’ll do what you say, and you deal with my attitude, and maybe one day soon, we’ll win another Slam title, Esta bien?”
He looks at me, emotionless for a moment. And then he smiles and holds out his hand. “Perfecto.”

”I asked you if you thought I could get the number one ranking over her, and you said, ‘I don’t know.’”
“And you’ve never forgiven me for it,” he says. “I’m paying that price even today.”
“You should pay it for the rest of your life!” I say. “For making me believe in myself like that and then pulling the rug out from under me. For giving up on me when things were at their hardest. I never gave up on this. Ever. And you did!”

”And he knows you’re a better player than he is,” my dad says. “I was always worried about that with you. Because the only person who could ever understand you would be another player. But how many players would be okay knowing they were second place? He takes to it well, though. Which is about the highest compliment I can think of. I’m not sure there is a greater strength.”
“Playing second to a woman?” I ask.
My father winks at me. “Feeling secure, even knowing you are not the best.”

I laugh, and he pulls me back to him. “Te amo, cielo. Being your father is the best thing that has ever happened to me. My Achilles. Greatest of the Greeks.”
“Dad …” I say.
“No,” he says. “Just accept it. Let me feel it and say it. You’re the meaning of my life.”

Carrie & Bowen:

”You’re mad at me because I retired?” I ask. “Are you serious? What should I have done instead? Hung around and become a joke? Let everyone see me limping to the finish line?”
Bowe looks at me and closes his eyes slowly. He takes a breath. “You act like you’ve dedicated your life to tennis. But you came back to win, not to play. That’s why they’re all pissed at you for returning. You’ve got no heart.”

The easy banter of those two was so cute. I was pulling for Bowen from the moment he was introduced but Carrie really wasn’t an easy nut to crack so I was worried about them for a while. Thankfully, Carrie decided to let him in and gave him a proper chance. What I really liked about them was their brutal honesty and how they could just be themselves around each other. They didn’t have to sugar coat things and while Bowen always supported Carrie he never backed down and called her out on her bullshit as well. He challenged her and caused her to reconsider her stance on things and Carrie did the same for him. They were great together because they brought out the best in each other and matched in the best way possible. Carrie as well as Bowen loved to play tennis and they connected on a level not many people do. To love the same thing and to bond through it is really one of the best things. ❤ Also I think I almost died when Bowen told Carrie that it was a “beautiful match”. All the respect, awe, admiration and joy that resonated in those words. Go find yourself a Bowen who supports you even though he knows you’re better at the game than him, but loves you nonetheless. I’m not crying, you are!!! T_T

”I wish you could see it from the outside.”
“See what?”
Bowe looks me in the eye and is quiet for a moment. And then he says, “Eres perfecta, incluso en tu imperfección.” You are perfect, even in your imperfection.

”I think maybe I needed you to tell me that. I knew that you would.”
“Or,” he says, “and I’m just taking a stab here, maybe you also have a thing for me.”
“Would you cut it out?” I say.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” he says. “All right, go to bed. Glad I could help.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“No, Bowe, I’m serious. Thank you.”
“Sleep well, Carrie. You have this.”

Taylor Jenkins Reid did it again and absolutely wowed me by writing a book that had me at the edge of my seat! “Carrie Soto is Back” was one hell of a suspenseful story and even though I’m no huge fan of tennis I still loved this to bits and pieces! Carrie and her father felt so real and once again, I found myself pulling for fictional characters! It’s TJR’s particular brand of magic and I can’t wait to see what she’ll come up with next. No matter which kind of topic she’ll tackle, I already know it will be something extraordinary and great! =)

Review: Idol, Burning (Rin Usami)

Rating:

”The idea of making direct contact with my oshi didn’t interest me. I went to shows, but only to be a part of the crowd. I wanted to be inside the applause, inside the screaming, and anonymously post my thanks online afterward.”

I’m not sure how I feel about this book because on the one hand it had a good grasp on how it feels to be a part of a fandom and to have an idol you look up to, but on the other hand it also failed to dig into the dark side of fandoms. Maybe I was expecting too much, but after reading the blurb and some of the reviews, I went into this story with the expectation that we’d get to see how obsession with an idol can easily turn out to be toxic and dangerous. Not only for the fan, but for the idol as well. None of this happened though and whenever the author tried to make a point it was written in such a flowery writing style that it confused me more than it helped me to understand Akari.

„My angle was simply to keep trying to understand him, as a person and as an artist. I wanted to see the world through his eyes.“

I literally tried to do that with Akari but even though we got her POV and experienced everything first hand, I still didn’t understand her character, let alone her actions. If I got it correctly Akari’s mental health wasn’t the best and apparently she also struggled with an eating disorder. See, what I mean? I read the entire book and still can’t pinpoint which kind of troubles Akari went through. We’re told that she struggles with school and apparently has problems to remember things and to focus on studying. I didn’t get the feeling that it was her obsession with Masaki that was the reason for this, though. It felt more like she was depressed and probably had a mental illness that got in her way whenever she felt the pressure of studying and life in general. Maybe she was even dyslexic because it was mentioned that she confused words and got them wrong.

”I still think you should graduate. You can keep pushing just a little longer. Think about your future.” I felt like what he was saying was true, but the voice in my head overwrote it with But my present is already too much. I was losing sight of the line between what I needed to accept and what I could run from in order to protect myself.“

So her love for her oshi got her through the day, but it also got in the way of actually doing something about her dire situation, because every free second was spent on being a part of the fandom. What it comes down to in the end is that Akari is a teenager with no prospects and future. She fails at school, she gets in trouble at work and instead of saving her money she spends it on fan merchandise and concerts. I find it odd that her parents gave her a hard time about being bad at school, but apparently never tried to find out why she was struggling so much.

”I started to notice myself yearning to push my body to its limit, whittle it down, seek out hardship. Letting go of everything I had – time, money, energy – in service of something outside of myself. Almost as though by doing that, I could cleanse myself. That by pouring myself into it, and taking the pain in return, I could find some kind of value in my existence.”

I mean, how can a parent not notice things like that?! You’d think a parent would do everything to try to help their child but the parents in this book weren’t supportive at all. To me it was obvious that the problem wasn’t Akari being obsessed with Masaki but rather her suffering from mental illnesses that were never diagnosed and caused her to fall into a depression. The only way for her to cope with life was by being a fan of her idol because it brought her joy.

”He makes me breathe easier no matter how cold the day is. The heaviness melts out of my body, he warms me from my core and, honestly, gives me the strength to get through the day. My oshi relights the fire of life for me every morning.”

Well, and then we should have had the big topic of toxic obsession with an idol and how cancel culture affects celebrities and their fans. I’m saying we should have had those topics because for me they totally fell flat. Due to Akari’s mental health and all her issues it didn’t feel like her obsession with Masaki was the main problem. It felt more like a side effect of her struggling with daily life and trying to fight the downward spiral she was in.

As for the cancel culture: Yes, there was a scandal and Masaki’s status as an idol was threatened by it, but we never truly found out if the allegations were true and how it affected the idol. We only got rumours, which is to be expected with public figures but if you’re a part of the fandom you know that there always has to be a public statement and the one Masaki gave was extremely unrealistic. No true idol would get away with this. And that’s not me being petty, but facts! I think the author tried to make a point by the reader not getting any closure for this, because after all idols don’t owe us any explanations, but I think if this would have been a real life idol a statement and public apology would have been the minimum to fix the situation. None of that happened, though and the only consequence for Masaki was a drop in popularity and some vile comments during his vlives. Or well, at least those are the only consequences we’re allowed to see as a reader. I really wish this topic would have been explored in more depth. There was a lot of potential but it wasn’t used and therefore the two aforementioned topics fell flat for me.

„It was tiresome being told I was being taken advantage of, when I had no expectation of getting anything in return. My devotion to my oshi was its own reward, and that worked well for me, so I just needed people to shut up about it. I wasn’t looking for my oshi to return my feelings.“

“Idol, Burning” was an okay book for me, but considering all the raving media reviews it got I honestly expected more. If Akari would have been an ordinary fan with a healthy mental state and her downward spiral would have stemmed from her obsession with her idol I would have probably ended up liking this book. But all I took from this story is that Akari already had mental health problems that kind of reinforced her obsession with Masaki. In short: Her obsession with her idol wasn’t the reason for her deteriorating mental health. I had the impression it was rather the other way around. As a reader and someone who’s part of a fandom this left a bad taste in my mouth, because it implies that everyone who is part of a fandom must be in a bad headspace to start liking an idol enough to follow their journey. Not to mention, that a lot of fans act like Akari and have a blog about their idol and buy weird amounts of fan merchandise. I’m sure the author most definitely didn’t want readers to view the book like that but it’s how I took it. Maybe I’m interpreting too much into it and maybe I should just accept everything at face value and not question it. But I’ve always been a critical thinker and you’ll always get my thoughts and honest opinion. I’m sorry to say it, but this book just wasn’t for me. Still, there’s the saying: “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” and I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy “Idol, Burning” and take something good from it. =) This time around it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

SASSY Saturday

Hey there my lovelies!

Welcome back to another round of my montly blog meme „SASSY Saturday“!

How does it work? Well, that’s easy! 

All you have to do is to follow those three golden rules:

1. Credit the creator of this tag (The Sassy Library Fox) and link back. (so I can see all your amazing answers!)
2. Answer the 5 questions below!
3. AND enjoy doing the blog meme! 

„SASSY Saturday“ is planned to be a monthly meme but if you want to do it more often feel free to go for it! This meme was created to get to know other bloggers, their new obsessions and to reflect on your own last month! Above all it was created to have fun though!  If you want you can also use the banner I created! This said let’s head to the good part:

S – Series you loved this month

Boys Over Flowers: I finally got back into watching another k-drama because Netflix claimed that this one would only be available until the 1st of May. So I binge-watched all 25 episodes and boy was this a wild ride. XD We have a highschool student named Geum Jan-di who saves a boy at an elite school before he can jump from the roof.  Turns out he was bullied and got the F4 card. So yeah there are 4 Flower Boys in the school that are all rich and famous and once they give you that F4 card you’re basically done with. To silence all the rumors in the media Jan-di is offered a place at the school and of course gets in conflict with the leader of F4, Gu Jun-pyo. I think today we’d call this a bully-romance because obviously they both fall in love. Still, the bullying was very extreme and if I’d have been Jan-di I would have never wanted to be with Jun-pyo. It was an okay drama and it had it’s cute and sweet moments later on, but phew the start was really quite something. >_<

A – Author you discovered

Rebecca Yarros – „Fourth Wing“

Rebecca Yarros was one of two authors I discovered last month but since I didn’t really like the other book I read, I decided to go with „Fourth Wing“. This one was a great romantasy book with lots of supsenseful scenes and the ending was quite the cliff-hanger. I loved that dragons are a part of this and of course we have a school setting and an enemies-to-lovers trope that delivered on all fronts. So yeah, I enjoyed „Fourth Wing“ and I’ll definitely read the next one.

S – Song you couldn’t get enough of

Calum Scott – Dancing On My Own

I know I’m super late with discovering this song, but I really like it and it’s so nice to listen to! Calum Scott has so much feeling in his voice and you feel all his emotions when you listen to his songs. This is a great cover and I just couldn’t stop listening to it. ❤

S – Surprise – Something that totally caught you off guard

That I fell into a reading slump after reading too many books in a short time. *lol* I never knew this could happen but I guess I should have known?! I mean, whenever you do something too often or too much it starts to feel like a chore and too much of anything is never good. XD Let’s hope I’ll get out of my reading slump soon.

Y – Your fave blog post of another blogger

„My personal plague“ by Luna @ lunaiswriting

Blog posts like Luna’s are so important because they not only inform us about things we probably never heard of before, but moreover they also mean a lot to the people who suffer from the same problems and symptoms. It was very brave of Luna to write about her experiences with hypothyroidism and I’m sure her post will help many people who suffer from it too. 🙂

What do you think about „SASSY Saturday“? Would you like to join the fun? Which new-to-you author did you discover last month? Did you ever watch „Boys Over Flowers“ and if yes, did you feel conflicted about the bully-romance too? Any great blog posts I should read?!

Talk to me and let me know! 

And as always, stay healthy and safe!

*hugs’n’kisses*

The Sassy Library Fox

April Wrap-Up

April was one of those months where I finished to read two books right at the beginning but then kinda struggled to get back into reading. I dunno if I’m the only one but whenever I have to read books from the library because I need to return them soon, reading starts to feel like a chore. I read the hell out of „Carrie Soto is Back“ and „Fourth Wing“ because I needed to give them back and couldn’t prolong them anymore and then struggled with some sort of book hangover.

I just couldn’t find it in me to pick up anything after that, so about a week went by with me not reading a lot or nothing at all. So I turned to watching another k-drama instead and *lol* didn’t get a lot of reading done until the month ended. But that’s okay, every once in a while you just need to follow your instincts and I was just not in the mood to read so I decided to do something else. Well, and I decided that I would stop borrowing so many books at my library and that I wouldn’t force myself to finish them in time. Everything that starts to feel like a chore is unhealthy so nope, no more deadlines for me.

So far this works well and I only borrow a max of two books whenever I’m at the library and if a book runs out and I can’t prolong it anymore – tough cookies! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Aside of that not a lot happened. My life is busy with work, family and doing housework and with going to physical therapy once again. My shoulders have been killing me for a while but I didn’t do anything about it because the aftermath of last summer kept us busy for months. Now that things finally quieted down a little I decided to do something about my own health and unfortunately I let things slide for too long. So physical therapy it is. >_< Fingers crossed it will help.

Anyway! Let’s stop the life update here and go for my monthly wrap-up instead! I DID read four books after all! 😉

Books read: 4 (4 books & 0 webcomics, 2 AFTG fanfics)

Pages read: 1.427 (not bad, considering it were only 4 books and one of them was extremely short )

Average rating: 3,75 (A pretty good rating & reading month)

Books that were on my reading list: 3 ( 0 from 2022, 1 from 2023 and 2 from 2024. Wow, I’m so good at reading my TBRs lately. )

April Reads:

       

(using this cover because it’s so pretty!!!)

Carrie Soto is Back:

Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote an amazing book once again! So far I loved every single one of her books and this one was no exception to the rule. I never thought I could get that invested into a book about tennis but boy, did Taylor work her magic with this one. I loved Carrie Soto and her dad! Their relationship was so precious and I was at the edge of my seat whenever there was a match. Also Bowen! Such a great man! ❤ He might have had his flaws but he was amazing. This was great!

Fourth Wing:

Okay, I gotta admit, the hype is real! I finally read „Fourth Wing“ and it was a really entertaining and suspenseful book. The way Violet fought her way through school even though she was at a huge disadvantage was quite something. And Xaden as the love interest! ❤ I loved the dragons so much and I hope we’ll see even more of them in the next book! After that cliffhanger at the ending I’m very curious how the series is going to continue.

Idol, Burning:

Well, this book sadly wasn’t for me. I think I went into it with too high expectations or more like different expectations than what it delivered. I thought I was going to read a short book about the toxic obsession of fandoms and how they affect a fan and his idol, but what I got was something completely different. I think it’s best if I write a full review about this and explain my thoughts in more detail so stay tuned! I’ll get it up soon! =)

Imogen, Obviously:

With Becky Albertalli it’s always either hit or miss for me and I didn’t love any of her books as much as I loved „Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens“. Well, that was until I read this book! „Imogen, Obviously“ was so damn good and I absolutely loved its message! We had so many different LGBTQIA+ reps and I loved the fact that Becky explored the topic of how sometimes even the queer community isn’t a safe space for everyone. Not to mention the romance between Imogen and Tessa! They were adorable! ❤ I’ll definitely write a full review about this one too!

This said: How was your April? Did you read a lot of great books too? Have you ever read „Idol, Burning“? Do you like to read books about idols and do they deliver for you? (For some reason most of them don’t deliver for me.) Do you like to read books about sports? Have you ever been in physical therapy?

Talk to me and let me know! 

And as always take care and stay healthy and safe!

*hugs’n’kisses*

The Sassy Library Fox

Review: The Young Elites (Marie Lu)

Rating:

”His words remind me of the strange whispers that have accompanied my illusions – something dark and vengeful, tempting and powerful. A weight presses on my chest. I am afraid. Intrigued.”

As it seems 2018 is not only the year in which I’ll finally finish a few series I’ve been reading for years, but also the year in which I hand out my v-card to new authors I’ve never read before. *lol*

Last week it was Holly Black’s “The Darkest Part of the Forest” this week its Marie Lu’s “The Young Elites” and after reading both books I can say that I regret nothing! XD
I really liked this book, yet to write a decent review somehow seems to be so very difficult. I don’t know why I feel this way but I think it might be the same problem I had with Maas’s “Throne of Glass”. You just feel that it’s a debut novel and there were some flaws that make it kind of hard to write an elaborate review. Does that even make sense? No? For me neither! *lol*

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I loved the characters! They were so grey and complex and I would have loved to dive a little deeper into their thoughts. But unfortunately Adelina’s POV was the only one that actually ran like a golden thread through the story. Sure, we got a little glimpse at Enzo’s, Teren’s and Raffaele’s POV as well, but overall I really would have enjoyed to read a little bit more of them. I think in some way those brief and few chapters only made me even more curious about them and left me kind of unsatisfied which is actually sad, because there was so much potential in those characters!!! XD I really hope Marie Lu tackles that in the second book and gives us more insight into their lives and backstories!

”Something blackens your heart, something deep and bitter. It has festered inside you for years, nurtured and encouraged. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

I think another thing I missed and which wasn’t all too clearly portrayed was the world in which they live in. I mean yes, we are informed that there are Malfettos and Elites and at the beginning of the book we even have a map, when it came down to describing their environment I could never really grasp the idea though. The picture of the Fortunata Court is still vague in my head and I’m afraid it will only become even more vague the more time passes after finishing the book. *lol* That’s just my subtle opinion though so don’t let that keep you from reading “The Young Elites” because I’m sure it will get better with every book that’s following! 😉

”I will be whispered about. I will have enemies lurking in every shadow.
Let them talk. Let their fear of me grow. I welcome it.”

Well, and last but not least I have to point out the romance and diversity! *LOL* We don’t only have people of every skin colour and with obvious flaws or different appearances but we also seem to have a nice LGBTQIA+ representation!!! Which of course, was enough to make yours truly more than just a happy person! ❤ Haha!

And speaking of which: Is it just me or does anyone else ship Enzo and Raffaele?! I mean I know we’re obviously supposed to ship Adelina and Enzo but I really didn’t feel anything between them… Not at all! Their scenes seemed to be so forced and if anything their ambitions seemed to be the main reason they were so drawn to each other. Enzo and Raffaele on the other hand?! Gosh you could feel their chemistry in every single line. They had about two moments but boy were they more intense than the ones with Adelina. *lol* There was not even the slightest hint at a romance between those two boys but for me they somehow worked better than the official love interest?! I guess that’s again something that doesn’t make sense, but it is the way it is. XD

Also I think this is the right moment to mention that I absolutely love and adore Raffaele! <333 He’s the secret star of the show and I loved the dynamics between him and the other characters. Especially Adelina and Enzo of course! ;-P I really hope to see even more of him in the next book and hopefully his POV will be represented again as well. =)

Did I miss anything? Yes, Teren!!! I hate him… strongly, deeply, intensely!*lol* But he’s an awesome villain and I can’t wait to see what happened to him that changed him so profoundly! I’m sure there’s so much more than initially meets the eye and I can’t wait to read about his past! I already know this is going to be more than just interesting. =)))

”The rush of darkness through me is intoxicating and irresistible, and I find myself embracing it, letting it cover my insides like ink. Such power over these little masses. I love it.”

I loved to read “The Young Elites” and I can’t wait to read “The Rose Society”! Especially because the prologue was so freaking intriguing!!! That was a nice move Marie Lu, to introduce new characters at the end of the book. ;-P AND I’m really curious about that one particular ship on the horizon!

All things considered: Happy Reading! I’m sure you won’t regret it! XD

Top Ten Tuesday: Unread Books on My Shelves I Want to Read Soon

TTT was created by The Broke and Bookish and moved to That Artsy Reader Girl (click here for upcoming TTT topics!).

Today’s Topic is:  Unread Books on My Shelves I Want to Read Soon (Bonus points if you tell us how long it’s been sitting on your shelf waiting for you.) Uh oh, this is going to be fun! *lol* Am I going to call myself out big time now?! XD

1.) „Iron Widow“ by Xiran Jay Zhao

This hasn’t been in my shelves for all too long because I just got it as a birthday present from one of my besties! =) Oh yeah, side note: I only chose books I physically own and that are actually standing in my bookshelves at home. 😉 I wanted to read this for quite a while because it sounds like this might be a great f/f fantasy book with sort of „Pacific Rim“ and „Sleeping Giants“ vibes? *lol* So far I only heard great things about this one so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it immensely!

2.) „The Serpent and the Wings of Night“ by Carissa Broadbent

This is another birthday present so it got added to my shelves pretty recently! And it’s probably the first book I got from my sister after… years. *lol* I read a lot over the years and my family only gave me gift cards because they usually don’t know which kind of books I read, but my sis knew I haven’t read that one so I got it from her! ❤ I’m very curious about this one because it sounds like a vampire tournament with high stakes and gives me strong enemies-to-lovers vibes. I’m about 80% convinced I’ll love it too.

3.) „The Stolen Heir“ by Holly Black

I think this one has been on my shelves for like about 7 months or so? I bought it last year at the end of summer and the book only got released in January 2023 so it can’t have been in my shelves for long. Anyway! I’ll read anything written by Holly Black because she’s the Queen of Faeries and I love the way she writes them. They are extremely close to the myths and I honestly can’t wait to dive into Oak’s story. Plus I’m hoping for Jude and Cardan cameos! =))

4.) „A Taste of Gold and Iron“ by Alexandra Rowland

So „A Taste of Gold and Iron“ must have been on my shelves for at least about a year now?! I think I bought it last year in March when everyone on Instagram was raving about it. Everyone says this is the perfect prince/bodyguard romance and that the two MCs are lovely! Not to mention that it’s apparently a m/m slow-burn romance. And you all know how much I’m a sucker for slow burn romances. XD The book has been recommended to me by tons of people so I hope to get to it, eventually.

5.) „Empire of the Vampire“ by Jay Kristoff

I think I bought that one last year too? In February as a birthday treat for myself if I remember it correctly. I just couldn’t resist! I mean Jay Kristoff and vampires?! How am I not supposed to read this? I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and I know Jay’s vampires won’t be of the shiny sort. Haha! I think they’ll be some sort of brutal and cunning kind of creature and I’m so here for it! Also there’s been a war raging between vampires and humans and apparently one of the imprisoned humans tells his story. I swear if this book wouldn’t be as heavy as a brick I would have started it already. It’s intimidating. Haha!

6.) „How to Bite Your Neighbor and Win a Wager“ by D.N. Bryn

I know for fact that I bought this last year in winter! Once again Instagram made me do it. Haha! I love vampire stories and this one just sounds great! A vampire who falls for the taste of one of his former childhood neighbors and then for him? Perfect. Also there seems to be a mystery surrounding the death of Wesley’s mom that needs to be solved and I’m sure Vincent will help him solve it. This sounds kinda wholesome and sweet and like the perfect read for me.

7.) „Camp“ by L.C. Rosen

I’m not entirely sure how long this has been sitting on my shelves but I think it must have been at least two years because I wanted to read „Camp“ last year in pride month but never got to it. I really hope to get to it this year though because a LGBTQIAP+ camp sounds so good and I dig the finding yourself vibe I get from the blurb. I already read another L.C. Rosen book and loved it so I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy this one too. 😀

8.) „These Violent Delights“ by Chloe Gong

I bought „These Violent Delights“ last year and I’m so intrigued by the premise of the book. I mean some sort of Romeo & Juliet retelling with rivaling gangs?! Not to mention that there are apparently also monsters involved and a from lovers to enemies and then maybe back to lovers trope?! Oh and did I already mention that it all plays in 1920 Shanghai?! Nope? Well, I did now and I’m so ready to pick this up. I have no idea if this is a duology or not but the second book is definitely out already. 😉

9.) „Falling Kingdoms“ by Morgan Rhodes

Okay, so this book series has been on my TBR since 2018! I can’t believe I still haven’t read it or even begun to read it because damn, I actually have all 6 books at home! Who am I even?! >_< I think 2024 should be the year in which I start this series! I mean I’m so curious about the characters, it’s multiple POV, fantasy and apparently has a great and character driven plot? I honestly dunno what I’ve been waiting for.

10.) „Wallbanger“ by Alice Clayton

Haha! Okay, hear me out! I heard about this book a couple of years ago and about 2 years ago I found it in one of the little free libraries and couldn’t resist the temptation to pick it up. I still wonder who put it there, but I always have to laugh when I look at the title and cover. I think the plot is pretty much about a woman who moves into a new flat and finds out that her neighbour is well, a „wallbanger“ who likes to have his flings against the wall. *LOL* So yep, I suppose they’ll hit it off too? XD Gotta read it to find out but I’m sure this will be fun. ;-P

So what about you? Which books have been on your shelves for ages and do we have some in common? Have you already read the books that are on my shelves and if yes, did you enjoy them? Are you treating yourself with birthday books sometimes too and *lol* what’s the most interesting book you ever found in a little free library?!

Talk to me and let me know!

And as always take care and stay healthy and safe! 

*hugs’n’kisses*

The Sassy Library Fox

Review: The Inheritance Games (Jennifer Lynn Barnes)

Rating:

Book 34 on My Book List 2023

”The remainder of my estate,” Mr. Ortega read, “including all properties, monetary assets, and worldly possessions not otherwise specified, I leave to Avery Kylie Grambs.”

I honestly thought I could write a short review about this book, but the joke’s on me because when I looked through all the quotes I marked, I realized that it’s impossible to keep this review as short and simple as I intended it to be. There are just too many characters and different players in this story so a full-blown review it will be. I hope you have time because we’ll sit here for a little while. *lol*

So first of all I’ve to say that this story blew me away in the best way possible! I absolutely loved this and it turned out to be the perfect book for me! This series popped up on my feed a lot lately and I got curious enough to add it to my TBR. The interesting thing is that I think this series might still be a little underrated?! Aside of on goodreads I never saw it in any bookstores and no one my country seems to put an effort into trying to market it. Maybe that’s just an Austrian thing but I feel like “The Inheritance Games” should be more popular than they actually are over here.

Anyway! What I really loved about this first book was the fact that a seeming nobody inherited a billion fortune and that there are four handsome grandsons who try to solve that mystery alongside the new heiress. All those four boys were very different and I adored them all in their own way. We didn’t just get two big mysteries but also a lot of secrets and a big mansion with hidden rooms and corridors, action and suspense, lots of intrigues and riddles as well. It was the full package and catered to all my needs and I honestly can’t wait to read the next book. Which is the main reason I’m writing this review now because I need to get it up before I jump into the second instalment. *lol* This said, let’s head to the character’s section! There’s a lot of ground to cover and I’m eager to discuss all those characters!

”Legally,” she said, “the Hawthorne family is required to provide you with keys. Practically speaking …” She narrowed her eyes. “The Hawthorne family is a pain in the ass.”
“That a legal term?” Oren asked dryly.

Welcome to Hawthorne Manor! This house is full of secrets, lies, intrigues and spoilers! You better tread carefully or either the estate or it’s occupants will make sure to let you disappear. Trust no one and keep your heart close, but most of all don’t read this spoilery spoiler section if you haven’t read the book. You’ve been warned! Now go, have a good time spending your billions! ;-P

Avery Grambs:

“I was supposed to have an edge. But sharp-edged girls had feelings, too.”

You know, despite Avery kinda living the dream and inheriting billions, I actually felt really sorry for her most of the time. The way she was treated by most of the Hawthorne family members was horrible and it wasn’t even her fault that Tobias gave her all that money. I mean, she didn’t even know the man and from one day to the next she was an heiress and had more money than she could spend in 10 lifetimes. Of course, there was a lot of hostility to be expected, but I think for a person like Avery who came from nothing this must have been even harder than for most. Not to mention all the attention from the media and people that only spoke two words with her before she became rich and then expected to get some money. It was a real sh*tshow and Avery was thrown into it without any warning. It hurt to see how much she struggled to adapt and the fact she couldn’t trust anyone made everything so much worse. Despite all the things that were thrown at her she held her own pretty well, though and I think given the circumstances she acted like a boss! I love that she had so much compassion and tried to see things through the Hawthorne boy’s eyes. She stayed true to herself and I hope she’ll continue to do so in the next books as well. =)

”Think of someone you trust.”
That hurt in a way that should have hollowed me out but left me feeling like I might throw up instead. I swallowed.

Grayson Hawthorne:

”You.” Alisa greeted him with a steely-eyed look.
“I take it I’m not forgiven for interfering?” Grayson asked.
“You’re nineteen,” Alisa retorted. “Would it kill you to act like it?”
“It might.” Grayson flashed his teeth in a smile. “And you’re welcome.”

I gotta be honest here, I wasn’t Grayson’s biggest fan at first but he somehow won me over?! I have no idea how it happened, but to see his soft side and to know that everything he did, he did in order to protect his family was something I could relate to. I will always protect my family and friends as well, so the fact Grayson did it so fiercely kinda softened my heart for him. *lol* Still, he was a douche when Avery inherited the Hawthorne fortune and I won’t apologize his behaviour. I gotta give it to him, though. For a nineteen-year-old boy he is quite self-assured, intelligent and skilled. He seemed so strong at first but I think most of it was for show while he tried to keep everything from falling apart. I can respect that and I think Avery does too, which is the reason she started to like Gray more than she probably should…. XD

“I will pay you to stop right there,” Grayson said, a pained expression on his face.
Skye patted her son’s cheek. “Bribe. Threaten. Buy out. You couldn’t be more Hawthorne, darling, if you tried.” She gave me a knowing smile. “That’s why we call him the heir apparent.”

But his grandfather chose me. “I’m –“
“Don’t say that you are sorry.” Grayson stared at the wall a moment longer, then turned to face me. “Don’t be sorry, Ms. Grambs. Be worthy of it.”

Jameson Hawthorne:

“Where are you going?” I asked him. After everything it has taken to get to this point, he couldn’t just walk away. “To hell, eventually,” Jameson answered. “Probably to the wine cellar, for now.”

I think it will surprise absolutely no one that I loved Jameson right from the start! Haha! That boy is the perfect blend of tortured rich bad boy who can be so very gentle and soft when no one is looking! While it took me a while to warm up to Gray, I was on Team Jameson from the minute he was introduced. I have a weakness for broken boys and Jameson immediately gave off that vibe. What can I say? I’m just weak for boys like him. ;-P Still, like all the Hawthorne boys he has a sharp mind and is strong-willed and there’s definitely more than meets the eye. I’m very curious what’s going to happen with him in the next book and where his character arc is going.

Hands reached past me to turn on the faucet. I should have jumped. I should have panicked. But somehow, my body relaxed into the person behind me.
“It’s okay, Heiress,” Jameson murmured. “I’ve got you.”

Xander Hawthorne:

„I apologize for Xander,“ Grayson commented. „He tends not to buy into such antiquated notions as thinking before one speaks and sitting still for more than three consecutive seconds.“ He looked down. „He’s the best of us, even on his worst days.“

Okay, but isn’t Xander just a ray of sunshine?! I adore this boy so much and as it seems everyone else does too! He gave off serious puppy vibes, and this despite being the tallest of the Hawthorne boys. *lol* I loved that he was a foodie and an inventor as well! Science seemed to be his passion and I swear he made me so hungry with all the talk about scones and cupcakes etc. But just as with Jameson I’m convinced there’s more to him than initially meets the eye. The reader is supposed to not see him as a threat, but I can’t help but wonder if we shouldn’t be more weary of him. It’s hard to tell. I guess only time will show his true face and I’ll definitely keep an eye on my sunshine boy in the next book! 😉

”Maybe you’re blameless.” Xander shrugged. “Maybe you’re the evil genius that Gray seems to think you are, but at the end of the day, even if you thought that you’d manipulated our grandfather into this, I guarantee that he’d be the one manipulating you.”

Nash Hawthorne:

“We aren’t normal. This place isn’t normal, and you’re not a player, kid. You’re the glass ballerina—or the knife.”

Now Nash is a character I instantly liked and I actually believe him that he doesn’t want any of the money. Of all the Hawthorne boys he seems to be the most grounded, reasonable and down-to-earth. What I find interesting is that it was mentioned Nash tries to save everyone and that most of the house’s personnel is loyal to him. So why not let him be their heir of all that money? A person who isn’t even interested in it would be best suited for it, right? Like you should never give power to the people who want it, but to those who don’t want it because they would do the right thing. For some reason old Tobias didn’t give him the money though, and I wonder why that is?! Maybe we’ll find out more in the next instalment?! I honestly hope so because this has my mind in knots. XD

Nan – The Wildcard:

She swatted his arm. “I’m this rascals great-grandmother.” Nan settled, with no small difficulty, into the open seat beside me. “Older than dirt and twice as mean.”

I couldn’t help but like Nan from the moment she said that quote above. *lol* She’s quite something and I hope we’ll see more of her in the next book. Also from all the Hawthorne women she actually seemed to be the most sincere and honest one so I’m a fan of her. I don’t think she might play a bigger role in the books to come but who knows, maybe I’ll eat my words in the future. Everything is possible with Nan – The Wildcard. 😉

”You ask me, if you’re going to kill someone, you should at least have the decency to do it yourself and do it right.”

Avery & Grayson:

„You have no idea,“ Grayson said lowly, „how ill prepared you are. A girl like you?“
„You don’t know me.“ A rush of fury surged through my veins as I cut him off.
„I will,“ Grayson promised. „I’ll know everything about you soon enough.“ Every bone in my body said that he was a person who kept his promises.

I just realized that it’s kinda odd I saved more moments between Avery and Grayson than I did between Avery and Jameson. I guess this might be because their feelings are more restrained? They don’t really act on them which makes for amazing chemistry and as you all know I’m a sucker for a slow-burn and gentle gestures. I suppose Grayson fully delivered on that front yet I’d probably still choose Jameson as a love interest?! Help! I’m confused. *lol* Those two boys make it really hard and I think I’m not the only one who’s confused! Avery seems to be pretty undecided as well and if Gray wouldn’t hold back they probably would have kissed as well. Those two connect on an entirely different level than Jameson and Avery because they both value their family, are less impulsive and think a couple of steps ahead. They look at the bigger picture, which makes for a quite formidable pair. I wonder if they’ll ever act on their feelings in the other books. I guess only reading them will tell.

„Remember me?“ I raised a hand, then paid for it. „Subject of your conversation and capable individual in her own right?“
Grayson must have seen the pain the movement caused me, because he turned and used his hands to gently lower mine. „You’ll let Oren do his job,“ he ordered softly.

Beside me, Grayson unbuckled his seat belt. He reached for my wrist, his touch gentle. „Oren’s right. You shouldn’t go out there.“
I looked down at his hands on mine, and after a heartbeat, I looked back up. „And what would you do,“ I said, „what lengths would you go to in order to protect your family?“

Grayson let out a ragged breath, and then I felt him gently turning my face back toward his. “Avery.” He almost never used my given name. He gently traced the line of my jaw. “I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. You have my word.”
He thought he could protect me. He wanted to. He was touching me, and all I wanted was to let him. Let him protect me. Let him touch me.

Avery & Jameson:

„Avery doesn’t bite.“ For once, Jameson referred to me by my actual name. „Frankly, now that the issue of relatedness has been settled in the negative, I’d be game if she did.“

Those two had a lot of chemistry right from the start and I think that automatically makes them the more obvious couple. I mean I almost instantly knew that they would hook up later on and that there would at least be a kiss somewhere during the book. It was almost inevitable and I’m pretty sure the author wanted it to be that way. We’re supposed to ship Avery and Jameson, but will they be endgame? I dunno. I’m very sceptical about their HEA because their relationship is a little bit too on the nose. Jameson deserves someone who’s nourishing and will give him the love that he craves, I’m not sure Avery is the one who can give him what he needs, though. Am I making any sense?! All I’ll say is, we’re supposed to ship them but then the author turned everything into a love triangle and as we all know they usually end up with a happy couple and one person who’s heart gets broken. I guess I’ll just read the series and see what’s going to happen in book two? XD

”Yes?” I asked him hoarsely.
“Yes, Heiress.”
My lips closed over his. He kissed me back, gentle at first, then not gently at all.

Grayson & Jameson:

”I’m trying to protect you,” Grayson said lowly.
“I think we both know,” Jameson replied, “that the only person you’ve ever protected is yourself.”

Those two brothers had a seriously messed up relationship and I think it’s sad that they aren’t close anymore because of what happened with Emily. That girl must have been quite the heartbreaker and I hate that she used the two brothers and pitted them against each other. I suppose you could say Avery isn’t any better because both boys have feelings for her too, but while Emily did it on purpose Avery had no such intention. It just happened that she developed feelings for both of them. For Emily this was just a game and she probably basked in the attention she got from the brothers. Jameson and Grayson suffered because they loved her and if Emily would be still alive I’d give her a piece of my mind. The way she led them on was just vile and unfair. Jameson and Grayson deserved better than that! I really hope they’ll have a heart-to-heart and get closer again because it’s obvious they still care about each other. ❤

”Can’t an older brother spend time with his younger brother and an interloper of dubious intentions without getting the third degree?”
“He doesn’t trust me with you,” I translated.
“I’m such a delicate flower.” Jameson’s tone was light, but his eyes told a different story. “In need of protection and constant supervision.”

”You didn’t kill her,” I said.
“The adrenaline did. Or the altitude, the change in pressure. I don’t know. Jameson wouldn’t take her. I shouldn’t have, either.”

“I will always protect you“ he told me, his jaw tight, his eyes shadowed. „You deserve to feel safe in your own home. And I’ll help you with the foundation. I’ll teach you what you need to know to take this life like you were born to it. But this…us…“ He swallowed. „It can’t happen, Avery. I’ve seen the way Jameson looks at you.”

Libby & Avery:

Libby picked up a cupcake and cradled it in her hands. “I’m doing the best I can, Avery.” She was a people pleaser. Drake liked putting her in the middle. He used me to hurt her. I couldn’t just wait around for the day he stopped punching walls.

Libby’s and Avery’s sisterly bond was great and I liked those two a lot! Sure, they didn’t have it easy with all the Drake stuff going on and then Avery basically becoming a billionaire over night, but in contrast to Avery I never questioned Libby’s loyalty and love. She didn’t have to take in her sister after her mom’s death but she did and she really tried everything to make things work. It’s unfortunate she ended up with a guy like Drake but I think that matter resolved itself by now. For Libby I hope that she won’t fall for another “Drake” and that things will get better. She deserves some happiness and their sisterly bond deserves a chance to grow as well. =)

”Libby wouldn’t hurt me, I thought desperately. She wouldn’t let Drake hurt me. And then: She didn’t block his number.”

”Don’t you dare say we’re not sisters,” I told her.
“Would you still want me here?” Libby asked me, her fingers rubbing at her choker. “If we’re not –“
“I want you here,” I promised. “No matter what.”

Libby & Nash:

Nash peered through her hair to the black eye underneath.
„What happened here?“ he murmured.
„I’m fine,“ Libby said, sticking her chin out.
„I can see that,“ Nash replied softly. „But if you decide you’d like to give me a name? I’d take it.“

Please someone tell me I’m not the only one who’s shipping those two like crazy! *lol* Nash going all “who did this to you?” and “touch her and you die” was my personal highlight of the book! Also in a very weird way those two make absolute sense?! Like it’s not just that Nash is someone who saves people and Libby kinda needs saving but it’s also the way they interact and just, I dunno, can be themselves around each other?! They are so in sync, it feels like they were always a part of each other’s life. Also the cowboy and the goth?! Love it! Give me more of this amazing “we’re blowing all the stereotypes and do it in style” couple. I’m a 100% convinced Nash wants to nibble more than just Libby’s cupcakes. Okay, that sounded weird now, but you get what I mean! *LOL* ;-P I’m fully on board of this ship and I hope we’ll see some development in the next books! <333

”Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.” Libby looked up from the cupcakes she was icing to narrow her eyes at Nash.
“Yes, ma’am.” Nash smiled, wide and slow. I wondered how long he’d been with her – why he’d been with her.

I loved “The Inheritance Games” and this book was deliciously perfect! Mysteries, a big mansion with secret rooms and corridors, riddles and hints to be solved, 4 handsome heirs and many scheming and dangerous jilted family members? The perfect recipe for a suspenseful story that kept me guessing alongside the characters! All I can say is: I want more! =)

Review: Mysteries of Thorn Manor (Margaret Rogerson)

Rating:

Book 29 on My Book List 2023

Nathaniel roamed over, already lifting his chin for Silas’s assault on his cravat. “Some of the guests are visiting from outside of Brassbridge, so they expect us to host them for the night. Silas, if you’ve ever wanted to strangle me, now would be the time.”

AHH! I have no words for how much I love those two and their relationship! Their dynamic is impeccable and I honestly don’t know how this is possible, but I adore them even more after reading this short novella! There’ just something about the Nathaniel/Silas/Elisabeth dynamic that works so effortlessly and makes my heart feel like it might burst with happiness. I know this book is only 192 pages, but for me they were all pages of sheer bliss. I’ve been dying to read more of this world and the characters ever since I finished “Sorcery of Thorns” in March 2022 and when I heard that there was going to be a sequel I was over the moon.

”But even thought I don’t believe he would harm a member of this household, I wasn’t about to weigh my trust in him against Mercy’s life. Silas understands that.” And he might even approve, Elisabeth thought. She still didn’t fully grasp the strange dance that went on between them, the delicate balance they maintained between danger and understanding. Perhaps she never would. No matter how much she trusted Silas, she would never do so with the same complexity as Nathaniel, who had seen the demon kill his own father – and afterward, had immediately summoned him back.

I mean, the world building is awesome and the characters and their relationships are so complex it brings me joy just to read about them. You rarely see such strong relationships portrayed in a standalone book so Margaret Rogerson achieved something amazing by writing “Sorcery of Thorns”. “Mysteries of Thorn Manor” might not have had the biggest plot, but it has heart and it’s just very wholesome to read about how much Nathaniel and Elisabeth care about each other. Also there’s Mercy and Silas who have quite the interesting relationship as well. I think it’s good Mercy is a part of the household now, but for Silas who is used to doing everything himself she might have been a little bit too much to handle at first. Well, I’m glad he agreed not to kill her and bury her in the back garden. *lol*

”If Elisabeth watched him steadily enough without interruption, she began to grow aware of something different about him, though she couldn’t explain exactly what: only that he seemed to fade, to become thinner and more insubstantial. At times she imagined she glimpsed pain lurking deep in his yellow eyes, as difficult to interpret as the impassive gaze of a wounded feline.”

I think one of the most interesting things about this novella is the fact that we know something is different with Silas, but that we’re not allowed to grasp what exactly it is. If you ask me Margaret Rogerson teased us with this novella because the ending left me with a lot of question marks and wondering if there’s going to be a second book. There are still so many mysteries left and I personally wouldn’t mind to get an entire book told from Silas’s POV. Actually, I’d be more than just ready to dive into that. XD

At last his cold, soft voice broke the silence. “Her wardrobe, Master Thorn. I shall not go near it. It is a stain upon your house. Never before or since have I beheld garments so disgracefully out of fashion.”

I mean that man!!! I love how offended he gets by the horrible fashion styles of other people and his duality is so damn intriguing. On the one hand he’s a demon who doesn’t hesitate to kill someone when he deems it necessary in defence of his charges and on the other hand he shudders when he’s forced to witness a fashion disaster! *lol* How could you not love a man like that?! I love that he’s so cunning and secretive and always wants what’s best for Nathaniel and Elisabeth. He is a demon, but he’s a demon with a soul that decided that those two people are the most important thing for him. There’s literally nothing he wouldn’t do for them and the feeling is mutual which makes everything even more intense and precious.

”And she recalled the peace on his face when he walked into the Archon’s circle, embracing his own destruction. There was a mercy afforded mortals that Silas would never receive. He would never be the one to die first. Her throat aching, she brought his hand to her lips and kissed it. His pale skin was as cold and flawless as alabaster. She could feel his claws, and even those were dear to her.

Elisabeth and Silas had so many lovely moments in this book and it made me so happy that the focus of the novella was on the relationships between the three MCs. The way Elisabeth loves Nathaniel and Silas so fiercely made my heart feel full, and to know they both return her feelings was like the icing on the cake! Nathaniel might be bad at talking about his affection and feelings, but he loves Elisabeth and you could see it in every single one of his gestures. He’s a man that might not be able to speak the words but he showed it with his actions every day. I’m just glad Elisabeth knows this too. =)

”Nathaniel looked at her in astonishment, as though she were the one who had worked magic, not him. She set Demonslayer down and clambered straight onto the bed. A moment later she was gathering him into her arms, holding him tightly.

Also, I really like that both Nathaniel and Elisabeth can hold their own and are capable of defending themselves. Yet, they are still vulnerable around each other and Nathaniel is able to show weakness in front of Elisabeth. She would never judge him and that makes their relationship so beautiful and precious. And Silas, well he’s something else and I was so here for it! Seriously! Please give me an entire book about Silas! I need to hear his POV and his thoughts! ❤ Oh and if we’re already at it I need to know what happened when he was with the Archon and what ails him. I have so many questions and I want them all to be answered!!!

”I’m sorry,” she said, her face buried against his shoulder.
“It is well.”
It wasn’t. She loved him. She loved him as much as she did Nathaniel, with an intensity almost too powerful to bear. What did it mean to love a demon? Not merely to care for him, pity him – but to love him?

All told I loved “Mysteries of Thorn Manor” and had an awesome time with this additional novella. It was exactly what I needed after craving for more when I finished “Sorcery of Thorns”. I really enjoyed getting more of the Elisabeth/Nathaniel/Silas dynamics and to see how everything continued after the first book ended. Still, after THIS kind of epilogue, I can’t help but want even more and I dunno if it’s realistic but if you read this Margaret, can you please write a book about Silas!!! *making huge puppy eyes* (You can always hope and dream.) Bottom line: If you enjoyed “Sorcery of Thorns” I have no doubt you’ll love this one as well! ❤

Review: So Near the Horizon (Jessica Koch)

Rating:

”Time heals all wounds.”
“But every wound leaves a scar.”

To write a proper review about “So near the Horizon” is kind of hard and if I had to describe the book with one word, it probably would be “heartbreak”. Well, I most certainly wouldn’t use the word romance because I feel like this is the wrong word. When I think about romances I want to read something fluffy and nice that will make me smile and to read this book was some entirely different experience. There is nothing fluffy and sweet about Danny’s and Jessica’s story, it’s tough, it’s unfair, it’s painful and cruel and it actually caused me to cry on multiple occasions. I suffered through this book and sometimes even had to pause for a few days before I was finally able to continue.
Not because the book was bad, NO!! If anything it was because it was so damn good that it sometimes hit way too close to home! Danny’s and Jessica’s feelings are so raw and real that I was reminded of certain situations when I felt the same way and OH, BOY did it hurt to remember them!!!

”We resided together in unconditional love, united through pain and cemented through the trust we’d worked so hard to build between us.
We were one, and we would remain so for all eternity.”

There were so many moments that resonated with me and their despair, frustration and fear was almost tangible at times. Since I don’t want to spoil anything I’ll stop to describe the book now and won’t write about the plot. All I’ll say is that “So near the Horizon” is about Jessica who meets Danny and falls in love with him. I know it’s just a short sentence but looking at it in retrospective it’s the only thing that matters. XD You’ll just have to see this short summary as an onion, it has multiple layers and each and every one of them is sufficient enough to make you cry. 😉


WARNING: There will be many spoilers in my characters section and if you still want to read this book, you better skip it and never look back! XD

Danny:

“I’m afraid you’ll jump up and run away and never come back.”

Oh, Danny! How my poor heart ached for him. This boy was so doomed from the very beginning and yet he still tried to make the best out of his adverse situation. His willpower was amazing and even though he could be stubborn and fierce you still couldn’t help but had to like him. I think it’s remarkable that he survived for so long and that he reached so many things in such a short time and just like Jessica I’m sure that he might have lived even longer if Christina’s death wouldn’t have thrown him so much.

”Most people have all the time in the world. They’ll live to be eighty or older. But they don’t use the time they have. They waste it on the couch, in front of the TV, or at the computer. They don’t have time for the things that make life really worth living: other people, their friends and family, the friendship of a dog, the beauty of nature… They’ve lost all mindfulness.”

I think truer words have never been spoken and I really could identify with Danny’s view. I think there are many people that never realise how precious their time is and when I remember this moment in the book, my heart becomes all heavy again.

”He was extending his hand, and I couldn’t stop myself from flinching away. He let out a soft, joyless laugh, and I realized he was just reaching for the doorknob behind me.”

I didn’t know all too much about AIDS except of the things you’re taught in school and to read about it from Jessica’s and Danny’s point of view was really interesting. I don’t even want to know how many people struggle with the same prejudices Danny did and the entire encounter with this group of youths that bullied him really made me angry! It was so frustrating to experience their ignorance and truth be told, I could more than just understand why Danny snapped in the end! I mean ARGH!!! It was his own father that raped him and infected him with AIDS and then there are people that know nothing about it and judge him and automatically assume that he’s gay? As if he wouldn’t have had a hard enough life already! T_T
And don’t even get me started about his father! This – excuse my crude language – worthless piece of shit that outlived Danny and took away everything Jessica had left of him! THIS OUTRAGEOUS INJUSTICE!!! =((((

”There’s nothing in life you can’t get through, or at least work around. But the fact that he’s sentenced me to death as an innocent man… I’m powerless against that.”

*takes a deep breath* Okay, I’m fine again, or I’m not, but I just have to write this review in order to get rid of my many emotions so please bear with me. XD It just hurt so much to witness Danny’s decline… The scene in the gym was almost unbearable and the moment when they spoke about Danny’s wish to have a family with Jessica… It shattered my heart into thousand tiny pieces. T_T
The chapter that hurt the most was Christina’s death though, because it hit so close to home that I actually had to pause for almost a week before I was finally able to pick up the book again. I know exactly how Danny felt and to experience this moment through his POV was… excruciating.

”It hurts so much! I can’t breathe! It hurts. I can’t breathe without her! I can’t live without her!”

Jessica:

“She gives as good as she gets… and she seems like she’s interested in me as a person. She doesn’t just like me for my looks, the way everyone else does.” He smiled crookedly. “I think I need that. I need someone who will look beneath the surface sometimes, not just tune out the things they don’t want to hear… Yeah, I want someone who will really get to know me. It’ll have to be a girl who doesn’t scare too easily. You need pretty damn thick skin to put up with me.”

Jessica was a really remarkable character! I mean she is so young and all of a sudden she has to deal with all those serious problems and is forced to see life in a completely different way. If you make these kinds of experiences at such a young age they always leave their marks and to say I really admired her for her strength would be putting it mildly. Yes, she was scared, yes she was hopelessly overstretched and had a hard time to deal with everything, but she still tried to be optimistic, she did what she thought was best and she always stayed true to her character. She stayed with Danny even though it was hard, because she loved him and she wanted to be there for him! Her love was unconditional and pure and I’m really grateful Danny was able to experience this kind of love before he finally had to go.

”Vacation with friends! With totally normal friends who didn’t hang out in the dark at night because they thought it was safer not to turn on the lights. People I could take into an elevator or grab jokingly without sending them into a panic. People whose company I could enjoy without thinking about a million different things, like accidentally hugging them or accidentally closing the window or accidentally coming into contact with their blood.”

”I’ll always be different, I’ll always go through life with my eyes open, free of prejudice and rigid expectations, able to swim against the current. I’ll never be content with seeing the obvious anymore – I’ll always try to look behind the façade.”

Christina:

”Danny’s more than my boyfriend,” she said. “He’s my family. I love him more than anything. I would die for him without hesitation if I had the chance.”

I loved Tina and her relationship with Danny certainly was one of a kind. They were more than just close and considering what both of them went through it was good to know that they would always have each other. Still, when Tina began to take drugs again I felt at least as helpless as Danny and Jessica! It was so hard to see how they changed her, how they made her so desperate and eager for the next dose. I hated to see screaming and angry Christina and the way she treated Danny and Jessica was so painful to watch. I understand that she didn’t see it this way and that all she could think about were the drugs but to read Danny’s and Jessica’s POV, to see how hurt they were by her behaviour… it was almost unbearable at times. They suffered with her and their deep love for her made everything so much harder to bear. Tina didn’t deserve an end like that and I really wish she would have been able to make it. =((

”We were the weirdest little group in the world, but we were happy. Maybe we were naïve, too, because none of us would ever have guessed that this would be our last summer together.”

I think I could go on and on with this review and I still wouldn’t be able to write down all of my complicated emotions. Still, this book touched me in a way not many books do and if you’re certain that you’ll be able to handle this kind of heartbreak I can really recommend it to you. 😉
Jessica, your book was an amazing journey and it hit me right in the heart! I think I’ll remember it forever and I’m sure that through your book Danny’s memory will remain. =)

”Someday,” he said, “when I’m not around anymore. When you’re near the horizon, you’ll be near me, too..”

March Wrap-Up

Is it already April again?! *lol* March was such a busy month! Work-wise and life-wise, but also reading-wise! It was the more positive kind of stressful, though, which means I got a lot of reading done and actually managed to finish 6 books! Yeah, I know, right?!! 6 is A LOT! And I can’t even remember the last month I managed to read that much. It’s very likely it was last year. XD

Still, all that reading kinda caused me to fall into a major reading slump right now. Haha! I had to return three 450+ pages books to my library and paged through them in about 10 days or so. Unfortunately that kinda drained me and all I was able to pick up those last couple of days was  „Mysteries of Thorn Manor“ which is a very short novella. Did you ever read so much in such a short time that you fell into a reading slump?! It feels like I’m having a book hangover and I dunno how long it will last. Fingers crossed it will go away soon.

I suppose for now I’ll just read magazines or short stories. Or I’ll go for Sudoku’s and crossword puzzles. Haha! Maybe Netflix?! It’s been ages I last watched a k-drama. I guess I’ll find a way to „cleanse my palate“.  Life-wise I honestly don’t have a lot to talk about, I go to work, pick up my kid, do homework with my kid, fall asleep on the sofa, and go back to work the next day. XD Pretty uneventful but after the year that was 2023 I’m really thankful for this! ❤ I can appreciate a little quiet.

Anyway! Let’s stop the update here and go for my monthly wrap-up instead! With 6 books there’s a lot of ground to cover! So let’s do this and jump right in!

Books read: 6 (6 books & 0 webcomics, 2 AFTG fanfics)

Pages read: 2.555 (This was quite the reading month! Did I ever read that many pages before?)

Average rating: 4,42 (All those books were amazing so an exceptionally high rating it is. ❤ )

Books that were on my reading list: 4 ( 1 from 2022, 2 from 2023 and 1 from 2024.  Wow, this got to be a new record. 4 out of 6 books were from my TBR! XD )

March Reads:

       

       

The First to Die at the End:

This one might have not hit as hard as „They Both Die at the End“ but it still packed a pretty hard punch! I loved Valentino and Orion so much and they were such precious souls! ❤ Also all the cameos that appeared in this book and the questions and issues it raised! Adam Silvera is an amazing author! If you enjoyed „They Both Die at the End“ then I’m sure you’ll like this one as well. And if you want to read my full review you can do it: here!

A Psalm for the Wild-Built:

I know the blurb of this book sounds strange: Centuries ago robots gained self-awareness and lay down their work to go into the wild, leaving all of humanity behind. Well, and then one day, one of them starts to talk to a tea monk in order to fulfill the robots promise of checking in on human kind. But hear me out: This was great!!! I loved every second of it and the way Dex and Mosscap got to know each other by just talking about their lives was so wholesome. This book felt like a hug and I was so here for it! If you want to read my full review, here’s the link!

A Little Life:

Boy, this book… I don’t even know where to start?! Like, this was…. extremely tough to read and I understand everyone who said that you need to be in a good headspace to be able to read this book. Jude’s story is… A LOT! Really a lot. I mean this book is really good and you’re glued to the pages but I honestly can’t recommend it to anyone because it’s not the kind of book you’d recommend?! I was put through the wringer reading this and I get all emotional just thinking about it. Uff… I need to write a full review about this but I don’t even know where to start. T_T

The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks:

It was so nice to be back in this world and to see all the characters of the former books as cameos. Adrian was a very lovely and intelligent character as well and I think his anxiety rep was done so well. I really felt with him because I know people that have anxiety disorders and I know how tough it can be to handle your anxiety. I think to read about a character like Adrian might help a lot of people who are affected by it and that’s always a good thing. I’ll definitely write a full review about this book too, so stay tuned. 😉

The Inheritance Games:

Would you believe me if I told you that I had a blast with this one?! ❤ It was so damn good and I didn’t expect to love it that much! I mean is it unrealistic for a random girl to inherit the fortune of a billionaire even though he had 4 grandsons? Yep, but I still enjoyed the heck out of this. *lol* I loved the mystery element and all the riddles, plus the big mansion with so many secret tunnels and hidden rooms, etc. This is exactly my kinda jam and I gobbled it up like nobody’s business. Also it didn’t hurt that 3 of the Hawthorne boys are really tempting love interests. Haha! I can’t wait to read the next book and I’m honestly DElIGHTED this is a 5 book series. 😀

Mysteries of Thorn Manor:

I loved, loved, loved, this novella! Of course it was way too short and I wish we would have gotten a full length book instead, but I’ll take what I can get because Elisabeth, Nathaniel and Silas are amazing! ❤ My love for them knows no boundaries and I lived and breathed for all the Silas moments with Elisabeth and Nathaniel! Silas is the best and ahhh how I wish he would get an own book! That man! I’m besotted with him! I’m so sad there won’t be more. *sniff* Maybe Margaret Rogerson will hear my prayers and answer them? Who knows?! You can always hope and dream. XD

This said: How was your March? Did you read as many books as me? Am I the only person who falls into reading slumps when I read too many books?! Did you already read some of the books I read in March? Please someone talk about „A Little Life“ with me because this book is still haunting me! How come people are still sleeping on „The Inheritance Games“?! Which book was your favourite in March?

Talk to me and let me know! 

And as always take care and stay healthy and safe!

*hugs’n’kisses*

The Sassy Library Fox