Last Tang Standing

⭐️⭐️

I really wanted to like this book and was actually going to DNF, though reading through the mixed reviews, I thought I’d proceed anyway. There may have been moments I skimmed read.

Let’s start with what I liked… I thought the author’s writing was engaging, witty and fun. I liked her style and would love to check out her other work. The main reason why I bought this book was because it was set in Singapore and my heritage is there. I like to have representation and support BIPOC authors. The premise intrigued me - Andrea Tang being a 33 year old who is the last in her family to get married, so she’s the “Last Tang Standing”.

The book definitely explored the family and cultural pressures that some people face in todays world - where tradition outweighs personal needs and wants. The MC Andrea felt like a pariah because she is getting on in years, and in her family’s eyes, being unmarried was frowned upon. Though some of us in today’s day and age may not feel this pressure, there are still so many that have this idea of success being housed around having a good job and also marrying someone with a good job. Can we really judge this mentality? Andrea’s mum makes a point of why she acts the way she does and her sacrifices have always been to see her children succeed. With this in mind, you can start to (somewhat) forgive the harshness of her actions. I personally have only felt some of this expectation of having a good job though never felt like I had to meet someone with a good job also… however you define what a good job is.

So the main problem I had with the MC Andrea is her alcoholism. Honestly, she has a drinking problem and if she wasn’t drinking every day, she was drinking every other day. I don’t see how this is funny or entertaining… it’s a serious problem. Because of this, she lacks maturity. Andrea is a successful lawyer who is trying to make partner at her firm, but she goes into work so many times hung over and you’re telling me she’s supposed to be a professional? If you want to make partner, you might take your job more seriously or have more respect for yourself to be the best individual to make partner? Very frustrating to read.

I agree with other reviews how there’s topics which can cause an uncomfortable feeling amongst readers. There’s “casual racism” which I didn’t really feel was challenged enough by those that could educate others, there’s Chinese privilege (which by the way still exists in Singapore), there’s inappropriate comments surrounding weight and plastic surgery, the queer cousin won’t be accepted and disowned unless she marries a straight person, there’s ageism, there’s fat shaming, an inappropriate comment in reference to pedophiles on page 12 and did I mention how much alcoholic drinking is in this book by the MC and her friends?

The person Andrea ends up with, isn’t even a convincing romance. I didn’t really get the sense that much spark was there. They were colleagues and they were just getting to know one another. To me, it didn’t really scream out hot burning desire. It really felt short for me.

The reason I stayed until the end was to see if Andrea would grow as a person. We did see this towards the end where she quits her job, tries to stop drinking and truly think about what she wants to achieve in life. If you blink you may miss it as it’s only covered in very few pages.

The book is also long for not much character building. Since we get Andrea’s internal monologue, we get her judgemental commentary of those around her, but we don’t really get to know anyone in too much depth… or maybe that’s the point? Everyone in her life is so surface level, including the MC, so no one has any real substance to them? Not sure if intentional or not.

I am sitting here still with mixed feelings on the book but as I said I would still like to check out this author’s other work. It could just be that this book didn’t really hit, but that’s not to say her other work won’t. I feel like this story could have been really great and a missed opportunity.

Zodiac Academy - Ruthless Fae

This one is another 3.5 stars from me. It was slightly better than the first book.

The twins getting they’re revenge with their pranks was entertaining. Caleb showing a softer side was nice to read - like there is some decency underneath that exterior. The pool scene with Lance and Darcy was sad. I never tire of Tory’s sarcasm and quick witted comments. Darius’ circumstances with his betrothed cousin and abusive father are unfortunate. It’s clear he only bullies to keep his father happy but that one chapter with his POV clearly shows his affection for Tory. That scene with Tory and Caleb, I was thinking “yes girl go get some!”. I’m waiting for Tory to kiss Seth, so then she’s had a taste of all of them. The pack scenes with Seth opened us up to his sexuality and that was refreshing to read.

This book has so much happening in such a short amount of time. It’s still only just over a month in the timeline which I think is insane. Tory and Darcy continue to show how strong they are. They really know how to hold their own and it’s awesome to read them fighting back in their own way.

I rated this book slightly down because it was riddled with spelling errors, grammatical errors (which I’m not even an expert on, but if I noticed, then it’s bad) and I still find it annoying that they don’t study the hell out of Solaria’s history because if I were them, I’d spend every waking moment trying to figure what I’m up against. Also those end scenes with the nymphs just dragged on for me, but it gave us a little insight to how much Tory actually cares for Darius.

It's a Wonderful Wife

So, I see this book is a retelling of “It’s a wonderful life” though I haven’t seen that movie to know what it’s about.

The story follows Bailey who runs her family's business after her parents passed. Her aunty accidentally loses $200k due to some dodgy dealings and Bailey doesn't know how she's going to pay her staff. It's approaching Christmas and so many people are relying on their pay and bonuses. On top of this, she catches her husband and best friend in bed together.

As her life is throwing her massive curve balls, Bailey heads to a bar to drown her sorrows. She meets an old high school friend Nate and they get to talking again. Not wanting to go home, she stays over at Nate's and wake up in an alternate world where no one knows her after wishing she'd never been born. As Bailey tries to comprehend what's going on she realises, her impact on everyone important to her and wishes her life back. Bailey gains the confidence to figure it all out and wouldn't have life any other way.

I definitely enjoyed the premise and loved the narrator on this story. There was some funny commentary that made the story engaging. For a short read, we really did understand the relationships in Bailey's life. Even though life was crumbling around her, Bailey saw the value in those that she loved and how they supported her in more ways than one.

This could be a fun Christmas movie for sure. It's something that's fun for the holidays.

The Package

⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

This one is a very quick read.

Forced proximity in an elevator.

Jules is having a bad run - lost her job and broke up with her boyfriend. She’s stuck in a lift with her soon to be boss Archer and they’re both instantly attracted to another. Archer has taken over his grandfather’s company and based on Jules’ not so subtle feedback, he does want to make it a better workplace for all.

I enjoyed it and would love more to the story because there was potential for it. Do like the representation of women of all sizes. It was lighthearted with a few funny moments.

Eight Winter Nights

⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

This was a short read and easy to get through quickly.

It’s set during the holidays, though isn’t entirely a holiday read.

Rachel and Oz meet at a party, hitting it off instantly. Rachel’s best friend Tamara joins the conversation and ends up dating Oz for a year while Rachel secretly pines for him. When they break up, Tamara goes off to Bali asking Rachel to live with Oz as he’s hurt himself, and to look after him whilst she’s gone. Rachel agrees and Oz spends most of the time using Rachel to think of ways to get Tamara back. Rachel’s innermost thoughts on Oz are kept in her journal and when he decides he wants to write love letters to Tamara, thinks Rachel’s journal is the perfect source, not realising the words are about him. Oz starts to take notice at how amazing Rachel really is, but thinks to himself if he should really go there.

I don’t know that I would want to date my best friend’s ex. This could have all been avoided if Rachel had more confidence at the start or Oz pursued her instead of Tamara too. It was a bit sad that Rachel referred to Tamara as like the hot best friend that everyone goes for - it diminished her own value and I found this relatable.

It was a very clean romance. Tamara was quick to give her blessing and everyone was happier in the end. Definitely one of those reads that could be a cheesy romance movie.