Not Your Valentine

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Thanks NetGalley, the author and publisher for having this available as an ARC.

I had so much fun reading this book. Helen’s internal thoughts had me laughing a lot! The whole premise with her ex dumping her on Valentine’s Day and have that break up go viral would be so devastating! In todays world, that really could happen, which is a bit sad as no one’s personal life should be on display like that!

I thought Taylor was so cute! Their friendship or should I say conversation did seem a bit odd when they met for lunch. It seemed as though Taylor was a bit short in his answers. I thought maybe he was reserved and when Helen asked to fake date, it’s like it opened his personality. I guess we found out later why that was.

I thought the pacing was good and length of the book was perfect. Loved Helen’s mum as it just reminded me of a typical Asian parent. Would have loved more scenes with Helen’s friends, so if this is made into a series, I’d be there for it.

This is easily a read that can be done in a few hours because it flowed so well.

The Gravity of Existence

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Thank you NetGalley for my ARC copy.

I didn't mind the darkness of the poetry. The science fiction section was probably my favourite with life outside of Earth. It felt to me a bit more relatable.

I did feel if some of the poems were longer, I would have appreciated it more. If it delved just a bit more deeper that would have been my preference, but I still understood the message that was coming across.

Definitely can see why this isn't for everyone.

Where Wild Peaches Grow

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Thanks NetGalley, the author and publisher for my ARC copy.

I definitely have mixed feelings on this book as I was close to DNFing purely because of the story. I’m giving this 2.5 stars.

Let’s start with the positives:

- I thought the book was well written

- The overall message about making amends and leaving the past behind is something we can all learn

- I was happy that the characters grew at the end

I don’t read blurbs and the cover intrigued me. As I read the opening chapters, I thought to myself, what grudge would you have to not talk to your family for 20 years? It’s got to be something particularly bad right? When it was about halfway through the book (or more), that we find out Nona’s grandmother and Ruby that meddled with Nona’s plan to elope, only for Nona to blame her dad and sister, I was like whaaat? I thought to myself, why wouldn’t Nona just take the time to listen to her dad when he came to Chicago? Why would she not talk to her family because of that? Also, why didn’t she contact Marcus and figure it out when he didn’t meet with her? It just doesn’t make sense. For grandma Opal to not reveal the truth over all the time they talked on the phone… it just all could have been avoided without miscommunication and misunderstanding. I’m not sure I particularly like this trope. It makes the characters come across as immature.

There was too much back and forth of - should I / shouldn’t I talk to her and should I avoid them between the sisters. Some parts of the story felt repeated because of it. The ending felt rushed and it was left open ended in parts. It would have been good for Julia to see Cat and for the sisters to meet their brother Ben together as I think it would have wrapped up the story a little better.

I’m still trying to get over the fact Nona wouldn’t speak to her sister for 20 years because she thought Julia revealed her elopement secret to their dad, which didn’t happen. It seems too far fetched to me. I definitely understand Julia’s point of view of feeling abandoned and that’s why she couldn’t pick up the phone, but because it impacted Nona THAT much, she could have unleashed her anger through a conversation and realised what she knew was wrong.

Maybe She’ll Stay

**ARC review**

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Available 28th February

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for having this available as an ARC.

I read this in one day as it has a steady flow throughout the book. This book is really about self acceptance and knowing your self worth.

The MC Nancy clearly had self esteem and worth issues that stemmed from her narcisstic mother. I never had a parent who was a narcissist, though I do know what it's like to have a partner who is, so could really relate to what was happening.. This is where Nancy failed in her three marriages and every relationship after that. The toxicity of the commentary from her mother played on her own thoughts and feelings.

Even though Hank had it tough, going to jail twice, he never stopped appreciating his children and the beauty they brought to his life. With all the feeling of being unloved, it was Hank that uplifted Nancy to realise she was so much more to people and there were those that cared. I think because of her tumultuous relationship with her mum, Nancy held people at an arm's length because in some way she was always sabotaging those connections.

With all the self sabotage, it was evenly distributed to Ashish too. I don't think she fully believed that she could be his equal because she thought she'd lose him eventually. Hank's words cemented into Nancy's growth as a character.

Would love to see if Nancy's mum ever mellows out from her narcisstic behaviour with therapy or something like that, but since this seems like a stand alone, I won't get that answer.

Found

Are you aware of the messages the universe is sending to you?

If you're trying to tune in, are you aware of the opportunities coming your way? Are you aware of what's going on in your environment? Are you able to take notice if you haven't before? It can come in the form of messages in music, a TV show you watch, maybe it's something you read in a newspaper or book, maybe you're seeing repeated numbers or even it's advice from someone you know, but you haven't really been paying attention or being open to receive.

They say the universe works in mysterious ways. Could there be repeated patterns that you're not aware of? If you start to pay attention, what answers could be within your reach? These answers could set you on the right path in whatever you're trying to achieve in life.

Sometimes we are working against the natural flow of events the universe is trying to convey. We can work against our intuition and instincts when there are signs the universe is sending for us to embrace change.

Be aware of your surroundings, dreams and time spent in meditation. Pay attention and see the opportunities around you. The universe is trying to subtly let you know, there are ways to have a steady flow on your path if you work with it. Don't stand in the way of natural events occurring that will set you in the right direction.