Words do matter.

Book review: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

2025-08-18T20:58:00.005+05:30

The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So this one gets 3.5 stars from me. The main girl? Totally relatable. I loved her voice, her messiness, and the way she handled things—felt very real and easy to root for. But the guy… eh. Not exactly the type that makes me go “oh my god I’m in love with him too.” He was fine, nice even, just not the swoonworthy type I personally fall for. Good for her though.

The pacing was a bit weird for me—just as the story started dragging and I found myself getting a little bored, it picked up again right near the end and pulled me back in. So yeah, overall, I ended up enjoying it. It’s not one of those romances that left me crying or running to hug the book, but it was sweet, fun, and worth the read. A comfortable 3.5 - 4 star kind of book.

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Book review: Finale by Stephanie Garber

2025-07-03T20:54:00.005+05:30

Finale by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book is finally done. I took a long time because I was caught up with not finding it interesting enough because I was only waiting for jacks to appear over and over. Which was quite scarce. But by the second half I was interested in the book. The story finally made some sense. But yet again. Jacks and Evangeline will rule for me. Almost there but not quite, Scarlett I liked more than Donatella.

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Book review: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

2025-06-25T20:51:00.001+05:30

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a cute one. I liked the rawness of emotions from the start, the way everything unfolds slowly and so realistically.
This is a read if you have been in an emotionally abusive relationship and don’t know how to put it words for other to make sense of what happened to you. And for you to realise how such small-small stuff can break you apart.
The highs and lows and the shear ‘meaninglessness’ of life is captured really well in this book. Looking forward to read more from Linda Holmes.

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Book review: Spectacular by Stephanie Garber

2025-06-19T22:18:00.002+05:30

Spectacular by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was short and fine. Not something to relate to much, since tells isn’t the one who is relatable for me. A halfway through the book it finally caught my attention and then it was just a game of half and hour for the novella. Just read it to complete my series of caraval.

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Book review: Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

2025-06-15T20:49:00.001+05:30

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not something I was hoping to get. No long lasting impact in the story. Just a lot of fluff and gore. I guess I am not the demographic target for this book.

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Book review: Legendary by Stephanie Garber

2025-02-11T20:48:00.003+05:30

Legendary by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked Julian better. The only person I have been looking forward to reading more about was Jacks and he has such less mentions, or maybe not enough for me to be involved. Tella and I couldn’t relate. She’s just too spoilt for me to root for.
And Dante? Seriously.

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Book review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

2025-01-07T20:47:00.002+05:30

Caraval by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started this after reading the once upon a broken heart series. I was scared that this might not be as good as the OUABH but it was good. The writing style and details and the way the author describes things and feelings. Colours and smells. It’s always right amount of detail. I loved the story of Crimson girl.

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Book review: The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren

2024-09-16T09:58:00.004+05:30

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The book was relatable in the context of how hopeless life sometimes feels on the romantic front when you have too many responsibilities and too little time. More on the front that dating truly is more exhausting than anything else.
The vibe on the intimacy front was a bit flat. The brooding man was nice but somehow things weren’t that gripping. Data and science were nice learning experiences, and they were different stuff for me.
Other than that I guess 3.5 stars from me. Also,
TELL ME THEIR SCORE!!!

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Book review: One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

2024-09-01T09:56:00.006+05:30

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was well written. The twisted poetries were a thing that kept me ensnared. The names. Elspeth and Ravyn. Ah… I like new and different names. Beautifully written. A good combination of Horror, Fantasy, Magic and Romance.
Some villain inside the head who is was suspecting will become a hero. Let’s see how it pans out in the next book. Loving the pace and characters. Favourite so far being Elspeth and Elm. Hated most of course Ione and Hauth.

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Book review: Funny Story by Emily Henry

2024-08-23T15:32:00.003+05:30

Funny Story by Emily Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has torn me apart. The way Emily portrays the raw emotions hooks inside and pulls you from your intestines.
First of the first, my heart fell out of my stomach when I read the name of Protagonist Daphne Vincent. It was my pen name for some time and just felt too cruel to read it kinda tauntingly in a romance book.
The emotions that Daphne is feeling at 84% of the book. The eternal wait, being chosen the last, being a backup, all of those intricacies are told in such a thoughtful and deep manner that I had no choice but to put the book down weeping and write the heaviness I feel about. It’s heartbreaking and I hate Peter and Sadie and her Dad. I feel so deeply for her, this Daphne. She deserves to be happy. She deserves not to wait for people to show up and for some reliable people to just be in her life to stop her from questioning her worth.
The Guy is the best book boyfriend ever.
With Emily's writing I am not usually looking for the heat or smut but the way she makes the sentences so wholesome, the analogies that she draws from the depths of mundane life examples. I love what she writes, Just like Emma here says, "I can happily read her grocery list as well"

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Book review: Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

2024-08-13T11:56:00.005+05:30

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an okayish book. The drama of the first book was good enough but it stretched too long in this one too. I wanted some closure for the Villain and his assistant but alas there's one more book and I can't read this more or wait for it to give me closure. The drama should have been shorter and made more sense. Uff. Giving up. Too many gapsing, flinching and loud emotions in the series what was interesting in the first book was eventually irritating in the second one. I don't know I wanted more. More of them, more essence and the stupid POV's of the side characters? No, thank you!

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Book review: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

2024-08-11T11:55:00.002+05:30

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

17%
This is cute. Clumsy girl and broody a villain. Oh yes!. Happy me!
30%
The villain is afraid of the dark? And has throw pillows? Awwwww
100%
The writing - refreshing and so powerful.
The intricate scenes were done so beautifully almost each page of it was powered with some buzz, drama and story moving and moving. The suspense and comedy and subtle signs of romance were so well woven. I am amazed I hadn't seen this on Instagram booktok as much as it should have been. The clumsy girl, brooding guy, TAKE MY MONEY!! The character development was amazing, the ultimate suspense unravelling of the traitor was WOAH!

Onto the next book. This book is 5 stars because it was un-put-down-able! I rather missed work and read this.

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Book review: See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

2024-08-09T10:17:00.003+05:30

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I liked the writing. The concept of time loop. But it got a bit repetitive after a while? Ofcourse they were stuck in time, it was supposed to.
For a change I liked the portrayal of a curvy girl in the books. The protagonist not being petite, and slim was like breath of fresh air and I felt a sense of camaraderie with her in her body image issues.

Other than that, I felt a certain kind of disconnect with the characters as I couldn't immerse myself completely in the book. For me it's a huge part of the rating system, being un-put-down-able.
But this one was. I kept doing other stuff in between, and willingly.
So 3.5 stars? It was good. But I guess not something I'll remember for a long time and not something I'll read again.

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Book review: Betting on You by Lynn Painter

2024-08-05T11:45:00.004+05:30

Betting on You by Lynn Painter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I like her writing style. But the characters. I didn't like the immaturity of the male characters of Ms. Lynn painter. Like NOT the book boyfriends I'll dream of.
The indecisiveness, reckless, and thoughtlessness in the characters is a bit jarring for me which makes me cringe and scream at my kindle.
The character has much much similarities with the one in 'Better than the movies', the relationship with parent, the insecurity about the new partner of the single parent. I like those details though, the way the emotions are explored and explained.
The part where she realises about the bet was emotional one for me, when she feels all alone in the world, that too hit home like anything. I usually rate books that make me cry as 5 stars, but this one wasn't that good. The most frustrating thing about this book was the anticipation of the kiss between the characters, it was so misplaced. They were kissing without preamble, without the build up and kind of anti-climactic. Phew, a light read, good writing, great emotional explanations, but I guess I needed more for it to be in my 5 stars list.

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Book review: Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

2024-08-02T11:49:00.000+05:30

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was apprehensive about starting this. I knew it was about non/dub-con. The writing wasnit gripping enough for me. But yet I soldiered on without DNFing.

Two stars because I did find the guy 'redeemable' and 'good at heart'. I know it is messed up. But what can you do, we are like that sometimes.
Few dialogues of the main guy were nice but it mostly irked me the first person talking about yourself. Both in the case of Adeline and Z. I have read a better non-con story on informal platforms. So yeah, not very impressive. In fact I skipped soooo much of the text with the Male's POV.

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Book review: Bride by Ali Hazelwood

2024-08-01T09:52:00.002+05:30

Bride by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just started on prologue and hooked. How does Ali Hazelwood do it every time? Her characters have so much depth and the language. I thought I might now like it this time since I have been reading fantasy for some time but dude. Her language goes to the heart. The vocabulary and sentences. Hooked hooked hooked.
Ali Hazelwood is so funny. Effortlessly so. It looks effortless, I am sure It can't be. The bond between Serena and Misery is *chefs kiss*
I fell more in love with you Ali Hazelwood ❤
Misery was relatable. Lowe was admirable until the point of him being a douche and then it went kinda downhill for me. It was definitely 5 stars up till then. But then I had to let go. Even the end and bliss wasn't satisfactory once I lost the anchor in the characters.

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Book review: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

2024-07-19T09:47:00.001+05:30

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

10%
The last book was where I HATED Jake Barlowe, like I hated Umbridge in Harry Potter but this book is where I LOATHE Varrish. He is a sadistic AH.

40%
This fucking Viscount Tecarus called her to wield in a dress on a Venin? Does he not know Xaden? and his rage?

60%
I take my words back I guess I HATE Cat. Catorina whatever.

Andarna is so funny as a teenager. Just so sarcastic, witty and annoying to Tairn. I love love love their bond. I love love love Xaden. So so much. And Ridoc and Sawyer and Rhiannon.

I love the way Rebecca writes about the platonic moments between Xaden and Violet. The details of hands and breaths. The beautiful picturization. It's so heartwarming and exceptional.

The end was *BOOM*. JACK BARLOWE ????? again?

There are still so many things that need to be resolved. But yes, I am going to await the next book. This is one I feel is going to be worth the wait. Rebecca is a promising writer.

the show stealer for me will be the bond between Violet and her dragon, Tairn. Hands down. Their banter is perfect. The way he is there ALWAYS in her head, givings comments. I love that shit!

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Book review: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

2024-07-16T14:50:00.002+05:30

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was LOOOOONNGGGG. I mean I usually read a 7-9 hours long book in a day and a half but this one took me a week full of evenings. It was 22 hours long on my Kindle. Like WOW.

I was into it as soon as the angle of the reluctant journey came into being. I kinda had my apprehensions about a certain 'best friend' from the start. He was annoying and interfering. The best relationship in the whole of the book was between Tairn and Violet. I love love love Tairn. And Andarna. She is such a pure soul. Like our Violence. The book was a perfect blend of action, thriller and slow budding romance. All along the book I HATED Jake Barlowe like I hate Umbridge. He is a sadistic, unhinged AH.
The cliffhanger had me start the second book right away.
This book is something that warrants a re-read for all the bits and pieces one overlooks but are important later on in the story. It's a well-written and well-woven world. Rebecca Yarros, take a bow.

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Book review: Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

2024-07-10T09:53:00.001+05:30

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the previous two books in the series. I don't know why I couldn't feel for Emma much. I loved Justin's character. Abby Jimenez seriously writes the best book boyfriends ever. Like, these men are straight out of our dreams.
Amber.. I hated her so much. So so much. And the twist just made me hate her more and more.
I loved the relationship between Maddy and Emma. What I didn't like was the repetitive 'getting small' thing. I understand it was to make a point but it was getting on my nerves after the second time it was pointed out.
Again I loved the other two books but this fell short on Emma. Three stars are all for Justin.

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Book review: Twisted Games by Ana Huang

2024-07-06T14:48:00.001+05:30

Twisted Games by Ana Huang
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The book was a collection of all the cliches in terms of writing, a person can think of. How can a person see a " flash of *any emotion under the sun*" on another's face with accuracy?
The writing was the reason I literally skipped the last three chapters. Talk about closure. Closure was putting it in the "Read" section with a sigh.
People on Instagram have been going on and on about the chemistry and love in this book.
That wasn't chemistry. Give me a brooding and sullen hero and bubbly and auah sunshine lady, I'll make a thousand more beautiful scenarios that don't end with making you roll your eyes at the predictably and again "cliche-ness".
I gave it a try, an honest one because the setup for me seemed ideal. Bodyguard and a princess. Uff.. so much potential and such a let down.

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Book review: The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

2024-07-01T11:30:00.004+05:30

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

DNF-ed. I guess i can't read boring and prolonged kinda text. I felt no connection with anyone. I wanted to read quickly the author's and Ella's story but it was interrupted by Shams and everything. I couldn't complete it and had to stop after 40%. Not my cup of tea.

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Book review: The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

2024-07-01T11:24:00.004+05:30

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was better than the previous one because it had angst on Cardan's part. Drama. Wrapping of many many plotlines. and satisfactory on that. Jude, I liked her here, finally show of vulnerability was here which I really was craving from the start. And the confession was good. The end was good. The middle and start were good too. I liked Grima Mog. And hated Madoc like anything. And Yay Locke got what he deserved. But I still don't like Taryn, I don't know why but I couldn't forgive her.

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Book review: The Wicked King by Holly Black

2024-06-28T11:17:00.000+05:30

The Wicked King by Holly Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jude's ambition was off-putting for me. I wanted to see more of everything. I like the Vivi-Heather storyline. Even Orianna and Jude's plot line. Even Madoc and everyone's storyline. It is a good story the plot is good but I want more. More romance more drama. It's gripping of course but I could use more more more.

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Book review: The Lost Sisters by Holly Black

2024-06-27T11:10:00.001+05:30

The Lost Sisters by Holly Black
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Short. Useless from my point of view. But anyway. I only read it for the completion of the series. It would have been better to read Cardan's POV.

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Book review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

2024-06-27T11:05:00.001+05:30

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wasn't boring. But not not-put-down-able. The twist at the end was nice and I am looking forward to the next book. The slow burn romance of it may be worth it. The writing is good enough. Hoping for better twists ahead.
I liked the part about Jude not being able to belong anywhere, not feeling like home anywhere. Being powerless and power hungry. I hated Taryn and most of all I hated Locke.
The prince hasn't caught me in his grip yet. He has been kind of a side character in this book.

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