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ALWAYS ONLY YOU BY CHLOE LIESE // spoiler-free book review: my first 5-star of 2021 aka this delightfully diverse sports romance
Yes, you read that right. I’ve finally read another 5 star and YOU ALL NEED TO READ IT! This is just going to be screaming and admiring this book and author for 1000 words straight and I’m not sorry. Buckle up, folks. Also idk who I am right now with all these reviews but I also honestly don’t care. Enjoy *wink wink* Title: Always Only You Series: Bergman Brothers #2 Author: Chloe Liese Page count: 355 Date published: 4 August 2020 Genre: Adult contemporary romance ❆ Synopsis: Get ready for an emotional ride filled with laughter, longing, and a sweet slow-burn in this sports romance about love’s power not in spite of difference, but because of it. Ren The moment I met her, I knew Frankie Zeferino was someone worth waiting for. Deadpan delivery, secret heart of gold, and a rare one-dimpled smile that makes my knees weak, Frankie has been forbidden since the day she and I became coworkers, meaning waiting has been the name of my game—besides, hockey, that is. I’m a player on the team, she’s on staff, and as long as we work together, dating is off-limits. But patience has always been my virtue. Frankie won’t…
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FEBRUARY RECAP // the month of tv & movie love aka welcome to my reading slump chaos
Now I could be wrong but I heard, you know through the grapevine, that February sucked universally. This statement may be bold and I’m glad if it didn’t suck for you. But it certainly did for me. You wanna know why? Because I didn’t read a thing. I tried to. I did read things. I just didn’t finish anything… Love that for me. So I have no wrap-up to share with you today. I can share my current read and the books I’d like to read in March. Because I definitely do need to read something this month aghhhh. I was going to say that February was cursed or something else that is as vaguely exciting. But I did read books in February of last year for class. So oh well, it is just me and not the month. Anyways, here’s what I have been reading for basically the entirety of February: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas: I was (and am) so so honoured to have been approved an eARC of this one by the stunning author @thebibliotheque and I have been slowly making progress with it. I’ll tell why it’s been slow in a second. I have…
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STARFISH BY AKEMI DAWN BOWMAN // spoiler-free book review: stunning writing & brilliant social anxiety representation
Hello, my friends LOOK WHO FINALLY READ THIS BOOK!! It is I. The biggest failure of tbr followers. Lmao, what did I even say?? Anyways, yes I finally got around to reading this book which was been on many a tbr and though I didn’t ~love~ it as much as I expected to, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Let’s get into this review. Which is smol but I wanted to chat with you anyways. Title: Starfish Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman Page count: 352 Date published: 5 April 2018 Genre: Young Adult contemporary ✧ Synopsis: A half-Japanese teen grapples with social anxiety and her narcissist mother in the wake of a crushing rejection from art school in this debut novel. Kiko Himura has always had a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking. With a mother who makes her feel unremarkable and a half-Japanese heritage she doesn’t quite understand, Kiko prefers to keep her head down, certain that once she makes it into her dream art school, Prism, her real-life will begin. But then Kiko doesn’t get into Prism, at the same time her abusive uncle moves back in with her family. So when she receives an invitation from her childhood friend…
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VALENTINE’S DAY ROMANCE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS // 10 romantic reads to make you smile, yearn, laugh and cry (in no particular order)
I refuse to take notice of the fact that I’m listening to driver’s license amongst other songs that are considered “sad” this weekend, so do with that what you will. Yes, I was being dramatic but also I am kinda only in the mood for sad music. Truly no idea why. Who else has been streaming driver’s license and acts indifferent but is also very invested in that drama? Okay, I’ll stop now because we are here for happy books and smiles. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. I mean, it’s technically tomorrow (in my time zone) but I’m trying to be slightly on time. Before we start, wanted to let ya know I was going to make this part of the Distracting Yourself series however idk if it fits, but I would like to say that social distancing is still a thing my friends. I hope you’re listening and adhering to guidelines. Now that that’s out of the way, I wanted to do something fun for a Valentine’s Day post, and whilst this isn’t unique or anything, you may have noticed that I’ve been reading quite a lot of romance lately. Idk did you pick up on that? So I may have…
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WRAPPING UP 2020 IN FILM // a smol list of 2020 favourite films AND anticipated movies & tv shows of 2021
Hello, and how are we doing today? I don’t know which one of you kept me in your prayers and manifested this but LOOK WHO IS ON TIME WITH END OF YEAR POSTS? What a crazy time to be alive tbh… No, but seriously. This is the last of this set of posts that I have planned and I’m quite chuffed with myself. Before I get on with the films, lemme just explain the title. Now, I don’t know if you heard but the world kind of shut down last year? I mean, it still is in a lot of places. But that meant that a lot of movies also didn’t get released. And also we couldn’t go to the cinemas (AS IT SHOULD BE!!). Plus, I also didn’t watch all that many movies last year anyways? I rewatched quite a few of my old favourites, which shouldn’t shock you by this point. So my favourites list is VERY VERY SMALL. Therefore I thought I’d just combine both my favourites and most anticipated shows. Got it? Good. Let’s get started. FAVOURITE MOVIES OF 2020 If you’re new to how I talk about my favourite movies, then I’ll just briefly explain.…
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JANUARY RECAP // hello 2021 ft. content planning & much reading
Today, you witness a miracle, my fine friends. You know why? BECAUSE THIS RECAP WAS POSTED ON TIME. I think we should all just take a second to soak it all in. And also so I can pat myself on the back. Let’s ignore that Valentines Day is in approximately two weeks. We have books to keep us company in this household. We’re definitely not alone in this household, no ma’am. I’ll stop now, let’s get into it. The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata {★★★☆☆}: You may be thinking that it’s very unfortunate that my first read of 2021 was a 3-star but in full honesty, I couldn’t care less. I 99.9% believe that it shan’t represent the rest of my reading year. I did really like this one, it’s not a bad 3-stars, more of an “I don’t have much to say”. I know this one is a fan favourite and I can tell why. From Lukov with Love is still my personal fave but this one and Dear Aaron are fighting for second place. This book is INCREDIBLY slow-burn, like so slow you might pull your hair out. Can be a good and a bad…
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THE MORE THAN 21 TOP BOOKS ON MY 2021 TBR // a very long list of backlist, 2019 and 2020 titles I’ve neglected (pray for me!!) ft. worst books of 2020
Yes, you did just read the title correctly. This list is going to be extremely long and I am already scared. Welcome to the second-last post of my end of year posts. Though the list is very long, this post is going to be rather short because there are just TOO many books to talk about them all *nervous laughter* If you didn’t know, 2020 was a failure of a year in terms of reading books on my physical tbr, among a plethora of other reasons. I say that with no exaggeration on the behalf of the entire world. But I did want to do this post again so I can have a list to look back on. I’m putting no pressure on myself as I clearly failed at the last one but having this list out in the universe might urge me just a smidge. Trying not to jinx it here folks. I’m dividing this up into a few sections because… well honestly I don’t know why I just feel like it. No surprise there. Let’s get into it!! TOP 21 BOOKS TO READ IN 2021 My priority list hasn’t changed since last year apart from one other which…
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DECEMBER RECAP // lots of reading and vacation for days aka living my best life
Indeed I do find the background of my featured image very funny. I have a weird sense of humour. You know, I honestly need to stop trying to get these out on time and lying to you all. It’s deceitful and I don’t want to be that person. I just,,, oof I need to maybe start working on them earlier in the month BUT I NEVER DO. But at the same time, I’m incredibly shocked that I’m posting two days in a row. I thought that the recap aspect was fitting haha. Anyways, before it becomes February and I combine them. If I get around to it quickly then idk maybe you’ll see my January one quite soon. Who knows? Not even me. An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir {★★★★★}: my friends over on Instagram are applauding me right now because THIS BOOK TOOK ME 3 MONTHS TO REREAD!!! I just,,, Sabaa causes me a lot of pain and I honestly don’t need to be going to the hospital right now so I… avoid at all costs. Anyways, this one was just as fantastic. I loved finding all of these hints (I have read like 3/4 of. book…
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2020 READING AND BLOGGING RECAP // checking up on 2020 in stats and goals ft. reading challenge, progress in pie charts & new years resolutions
Hello friends, here’s me trying to get all of my end-of-year posts up on time and not post them in April. Which I DEFINITELY have never done before… *crickets chirping* I should do double *crickets chirping* because I disappeared for 2 weeks again. I explain why later in this post but IM SORRY. I’m ~trying~ to get better at not abandoning you all for weeks on end. Anyways… let us take a minute to THANK THE HEAVENS it is 2021. Even though the year has maybe not been off to the best start already lmao. And just because it’s a new year, it doesn’t mean all of our problems will magically disappear. It’s really just the number that’s changed. But STILL, you all get it. Anyways, I absolutely loved doing my mid-year goals check-in last year so here we are reflecting on 2020 as a whole. Feast your eyes on a couple of pie charts and my 2021 goals. READING STATS AND OVERVIEW So,,, unfortunately, there wasn’t really any drastic change in my reading from the last update. My reading year didn’t improve a ton, I still ended up with a very short list of favourites. I haven’t reread all…
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THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS BY CHLOE GONG // book talk: finally reviewing my fave book of 2020 ft. tears, stabbiness and yearning
And Happy New Year everybody. Here’s to 2021 being at least a little bit better than the horror that was 2020. But before we move on, I can’t leave behind my favourite book of last year, so I’m here today to share my review of These Violent Delights by the wondrous Chloe Gong. A round of applause is definitely necessary. I have A LOT to say about this beaut, this stunner and the actual love of my life. I also have an author interview up if you’d like to give it a read (click the image): Oh yeah, I also read the Christmas special that was uploaded a week or so ago and I am a wreck. Love to see it. Anyways, without further ado, let us all scream together. Title: These Violent Delights Series: These Violent Delights book #1 Author: Chloe Gong Page count: 464 Date published: 17 November 2020 Genre: Young Adult historical fantasy 🥀🔪 Synopsis: Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River. The year is…
