Sweethand

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Read this as part of a tandem collective and collective voices readalong. I did enjoy this read and felt engaged from the start.

I thought the whole ensemble of characters were a great set of people. They all had a fun dynamic but also all have each other’s backs. I really had a sense of family within this book and I love how the author brought her culture into it all. I actually learned what soca was because before that, I had no idea! There’s not only BIPOC representation but LGBTQ+! And not just one character, but multiple characters.

I love the enemy to lovers trope, though with this read, I was laughing a lot at what the two main characters Kieran and Cherisse would do to each other, because it was so petty. I was there for it! There was no real reason why they disliked one another since childhood, but with Cherisse’s sister Ava getting married, they were forced together due to being best man and maid of honour. I liked how it all unravelled and how their forced duties to plan a joint hen and bucks night, was either going to end in disaster or reveal sides that the characters didn’t know about one another.

I had lots of fun reading this book. There were so many moments where I laughed or smile. Liked how bossy Cherisse was especially when it came to the bedroom. I find that with so many romances, the men take the lead but Cherisse was just empowered and took control. It was awesome to read that! Also, reading about all the baked good Cherisse made, made me wish I had them in my possession. Sounded so good!

Would recommend to any fan of rom coms.

The Cloisters

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I was intrigued by this book because it was marketed as being about a magical tarot deck. It really wasn’t magical at all and was more about the journey of the MC Ann as she becomes her own person through her internship at the Cloisters.

There were a lot of art references that I couldn’t appreciate, as I cannot say I’m an art history expert. Anyone that does love renaissance art, would probably love the extent at which various artists are mentioned throughout this book.

Ann was heavily manipulated from the moment she accepted to work at the Cloisters. I guessed that from the start and the larger question was always why? We have the owner Patrick obsessing about tarot and having an odd relationship with the other intern Rachel. And then Rachel never really revealing too much about herself, but wanting to help Ann in any way that she could. There was always something off with Rachel and the relationship she had with Ann. When Patrick and Rachel convince Ann to be part of their research into tarot, she became a believer in predicting the future with repeated use of a mysterious deck that she comes into possession of.

I liked the cute gardener Leo. He was intriguing at first but turns out he was just an aspiring creative, so his aloofness came with his personality. It was a bit of a slow burn to know what Rachel was all about. I think she just liked to manipulate people because she was bored. Patrick came off as a creepy sort of professor when it came to Rachel. I also felt like we didn’t really get to know him either.

The ending really wasn’t something I was expecting. It just seemed like it didn’t fit in with Ann’s character, so my reaction was along the lines of - oh that’s the ending you’re going with? Okayyyy

I can see why others may love this book, but I’m thinking it’s either going I’ve try head or it’s just not overly gelling with me. I really wanted to love it though!

Destroy Me

I loved that we got Warner's perspective in this novella. We start to understand why he is the way that he is. He sees a similarity between himself and Juliette. Although it might come across as obsessive, I believe he wants to share his experiences through abuse with someone else that would understand, and that person is Juliette.

Warner has no friends and potentially no one that likes him based on who he is within the Reestablishment. His father's expectations reinforces the inadequacy Warner feels in himself. I think he yearns for connection and his feelings for Juliette are misguided.

Although he saves her out the asylum and gives her an opportunity at a proper existence, his love for her is also possessive. He doesn't really know Juliette, but reading her notebook feels closer to anyone he's ever come across in his existence.

I appreciated this POV and am addicted to finding out how it all transpires in future books in this series.

Shatter Me

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I had seen this series all over TikTok and it was also chosen as a book club read. I don’t know why I haven’t read this sooner because I love dystopian stories!

At first I wasn’t sure what was happening with the scrubbed out sentences, but after reading online, that it was a representation of Juliette’s mental state, I started to appreciate it more.

I like the premise of the world’s resources being limited, the sky changing and a group called the Reestablishment making false promises of a better future. It just spews emptiness. Everyone thinks they have a better way, until they don’t. It’s always about power and greed.

With Juliette being locked up in the asylum, I kept wondering why. She didn’t seem like someone with mental health issues and only developed them whilst being locked up for years, so when it’s slowly revealed, I was thinking “this is interesting”. How has she developed a fatal touch? It’s still not even answered, so now I have to read on!

I thought the love interest Adam was a great connection to establish. Gives Juliette hope that not everything in her childhood was sad. Someone noticed her kindness and good nature, something she still holds.

With Warner letting her out, we still don’t know his true motivations behind that. Does he want to really use her as a weapon or are there other reasons?

As she’s in Omega point with others that have powers also, I hope she understands why they are special and why not everyone in the world develops powers/super human abilities. I did find this reminded me of x-men and Xavier’s school of the gifted.

This book has left me with enough intrigue to continue on!

Lucky Pucker

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This book had me engaged from the start! I’ve never read a book surrounding sports and romance, so I’m glad I follow Hilary on TikTok to be able to read such a fun story!

I loved the writing. It was hilarious and the kind of humour I enjoy amongst friends. This made it such an easy read that I was able to finish in approx 6 hours.

Holly was such a sweetheart! I loved her adorable nature and that innocence she had surrounding intimate relations. I didn't see it as a bad thing, that she was 25 and still a virgin, because for some, the right person just doesn't come along until they do.

I loved the development of Luke wanting to be a better person. He was patient, caring and loveable. For him, I did find that Holly brought out the best in him. The fact that he's also hot helps!

Avery was just a bundle of fun! Can't wait to see how her story progresses. I'm there for it!

If you want spice, well you've definitely got it in this book! It was definitely a path of discovery for Holly. I liked the twists towards the end with Candy and then Ryan also. Honestly wasn't expecting anything but HEA, so for me, I was like "oh that's a nice surprise!".

Overall, I laughed, I gasped, I smiled, I may have had a few "oh my!" moments and I was left with wanting more. Can't wait for the next book!