I think…. Okay I’ll just say it. this is the best contemporary romance I’ve read so far.
Okay yeah, maybe I haven’t read alotof them, but enough to know most of them struggle to even brush my standards.
Wanna know my standards?
Both love interests arelikable.
The girl doesn’tconstantly whine.
The girl isn’t such a *tough girl* that she has no emotions or cares about no one whatsoever (or there isn’t a character arc for her becoming a caring, etc. person).Truly, this critique applies to every book out there, and I’m especially looking at YOU, YA.
If it’s supposed to be funny,it makes me actually laugh
A plot that doesn’t revolve around MISCOMMUNICATION
Their chemistry is somagnificent,the writer doesn’t need a kiss to show it (there can still be a kiss, obviously, but it should reflect their emotional/personality compatibility… not create it)
(And my personal standards are it’s not spicy and doesn’t have incessant and/or flippant language)
So guess what: this book met those standards and exceeded them.
Hannah isfreaking awesome.She’s a martial artsqueen,she reads people’s body language like a book, she’s so smart at her job of being a bodyguard. She struggles with workaholism (but honestly.. this was relatable to me so Igotit) and forgiving other people and herself, but her character arc in this was sweetly done. She does care, though— and that’s what I like about her. The book starts after she’s just lost her mom and she goes through a breakup— and I think that was a well done way to start the story, as it showed Hannah is a woman whodoescare a lot, about people and relationships, and she’s not this cold-hearted bodyguard figure. Also- her inner monologue is SUPERB. Her wit is delicious, I eat it for breakfast.
And Jack…. ahhh just discover him yourself. his character subtly unfolds into someone beautifullll. I loved how Katherine Center gave him the personal conflict and internal struggles that she did, I think they played out well in the story.
Their chemistry is. So. Good. The BANTER. The LOL moments. The cute fights over little things. Also, I’ll just say… PIGGYBACK RIDES. Adorableeeee Also Jack’s mom and dad were incredible people, simply put.
Only objections:The external conflict (not the inner, emotional or relational conflict, but the one involving Jack’s threatener) was a little ridiculous… and honestly I was here for that, until the ending, when it was… Idk, it wasn’t bad it was just kind of odd how it played out. Like, it supposed to be dramatic or inspiring maybe, but instead it was just kind of ridiculous, so I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to take it seriously.
But, it did not affect my opinion of the romance or dim the entire book. The resolution was sooo sweet, and the last words were yes, a little cheesy, but also so beautiful and I was here for it.
This is a little more than just a romance. Its themes weren’t anything profound… but they were there, as a simple and straightforward reminder. This is about losing love, finding love, defining love. Love is forgiving the people who ask for it, and forgiving yourself. Love is not about looks or fake or money. Love is in the little things, the smile lines, the worry creases, the stupid jokes, the peaceful walks. Even if Center didn’t attribute this kind of love to a reflection of God’s love, this book truly does grasp and reflect at beautiful love as much as it can.
In short:I devoured it. It warmed me from the inside out. It was freaking adorable without being cringey, and romantic without beingsteamy.I laughed more than I remember laughing at a book for a long time… and Imight’veshed a few tears too.
If this sounds like something YOU want to read, please pick this book up right now...more
A review I wrote a long time ago after reading the book:
The Resistance is about a Jewish girl who fights in resistances against the3.5 STARS
A review I wrote a long time ago after reading the book:
The Resistance is about a Jewish girl who fights in resistances against the Nazis.
It was really interesting, and worthwhile, but hard to get through. The culture was so rich and incredibly on point, at least to my knowledge. And the writing style is really good and descriptive but not overbearing.
The plot could just be… heavy sometimes. It was exciting in a way, but there was always something depressing happening. It wasn’t graphic or anything (nothing beyond Marvel). And understandably, there was no humor and could be sad sometimes.
And the protagonist, annoyingly, hardly made any mistakes and was always super tough and unrelatable, except at the end. There was only one character that I liked entirely, who had a beautiful and touching character arc.
My favorite part was the bravery and willfulness and persistence that came through. Resistance showed that no matter how large the unfairness and cruelty of what the Nazis, there will always be people fighting for good, and that was a really wondering message.
So, it was a worthwhile, eye-opening, and soul-cutting read that would recommend if you are prepared that it isn’t an easy one....more
The book that started one of the greatest story adventures of my life.
Rereading the series for the hundredth time (or something around that) and I waThe book that started one of the greatest story adventures of my life.
Rereading the series for the hundredth time (or something around that) and I was reminded of how wholesome yet also exciting and complex this story was. The themes of loneliness and belonging will always tug at my heartstrings (after all these rereads i still tear up at a certain part…). So good.
FIVE STARS!!!! ————— My first Dickens novel, and it was incredible.
Go into this book like I did: knowing nothing of the plot. Maybe not even with anFIVE STARS!!!! ————— My first Dickens novel, and it was incredible.
Go into this book like I did: knowing nothing of the plot. Maybe not even with any expectations (if so, stop reading my review now. It will definitely give you expectations;))
My review below doesn’t describe any of the events, it just talks about how well done the mechanics are. (And spoiler-free, as always!)
PLOT.It doesn’t matter to me if some people thought the plot was “recycled” or the ending “cliche”. First of all, of course it shared similarities to other great stories — there’s a reason cliches are overdone: because they WORK. But at the same time, nothing of this novel felt “over recycled” to me. Maybe some of it was copied from Dicken’s other books —— I wouldn’t know, and so then it doesn’t matter. The thing that mattered to me was everything was connected, from the beginning to the end. Nothing was wasted. There was foreshadowing, there were allegories. And, it had some of my favorite plot elements: political drama, court cases, family heritage reveals, and of course: the ending. I love that kind of ending. It was beautiful and heartbreaking and satisfying and thrilling at all once. AND, I LOVE when an author takes a phrase or word sprinkling it throughout the book, and connecting it to the end. I won’t say what those words are so new readers can discover them for themselves… but readers of this book, you know what they are.
WRITING.Every word of Dickens was also intentional, moving towards the ending while immersing the reader into the present actions Was his writing hard to get into at the beginning? Yes. But it’s always hard for me to start a story anyways. By the end of the book, I LOVED his writing style, and it didn’t slow me down at all. (Hey, maybe this book made me smarter!) There are some absolutely incredible quotes and descriptions and writing techniques… ahhh it’s so good.
CHARACTERS.Every character in this story was unique and dimensional. Dickens assigns a couple phrases to each character that stays significant to them and defines them. Some of the greatest character arcs and redemptions I’ve ever read are in this book. One of the most interesting villains. Everyone is important — so pay attention to every character, no matter how hard it is to keep track at them at times. After finishing this book, I immediately wished I could read it again (though I’ll wait a bit probably) just because I wanted to see the characters from the beginning knowing the end. That’s rare for me. Most books, I know exactly what the characters are like every step of the way. But in this book, I knew there must have been bits and pieces I didn’t think were significant and forgot — but actually contributed to their arc, redemption, and personality.
This is a book I know i will keep discovering new things every time I read it. The story lives on far past the words on paper and far beyond when the words end. ––––––– TW // Character with mental illness because of imprisonment, sexual assault (mentioned, not described), character watches child die, character carelessly runs over child with carriage, and child executed by guillotine, antagonist plans to kill a child. Imprisonment & separation of loved ones, death of loved ones. CW // Violence (descriptions of blood, war, death & murder, suffering, guillotine), poverty, one character is at one time an avid alcoholic.As long as this content won't trigger or harm you, know that the powerful themes of redemption, justice, and love will seriously outweigh the darkness in this book....more
Jane Eyre is a book you need to dive into with no knowledge of the plot, no expectations, no assumptions.
All you need to know4 STARS...? _______
Jane Eyre is a book you need to dive into with no knowledge of the plot, no expectations, no assumptions.
All you need to know is this classic is unlike anything you will ever read —a coming of age + romance + thriller/mystery with Gothic, dark academia vibes, and told through the lens of a strong, and profound female protagonist.So I highly,highlyrecommend (and I don't usually recommend this) that you exit Goodreads now and crack Jane Eyre now, before your unblemished opinion is swayed or spoiled by anything else.
And when you've finished, continue on to my review — an analysis on my feelings about this complicated story (+ the continuous rant of why oh why you justcannotcompare it to Pride & Prejudice. I love both so deeply but for very different reasons).
The below is still spoiler-free, though! __________________
Alright, folks, let's talk aboutJane Eyre.And boy do I have some complicated feelings about this book.
*gives one last chance for those who haven't read Jane Eyre to leave and go finish it*
Firstly,
Jane Eyre deserves more than false comparisons and unfair expectations. So PLEASE, let me clear things up for you.
This is not Pride & Prejudice, and you will not find worth in Jane Eyre if you compare it to Pride and Prejudice.Don't get me wrong — I'm obsessed with P&P just like you likely are (because, um... really, who doesn't like P&P??), but so many reviews consist of "Pride and Prejudice > Jane Eyre and therefore, you shouldn't read Jane Eyre." That's just ridiculously unfair! I lovePride and Prejudicebecause it's acharming, swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers written through wit and powerful character arcs.I loveJane Eyrebecause it's thecomplicated, haunting story of Jane's life — involving atragic and flawed romance.
Second:Because this book is so rich and layered, you will find worth in iteven ifyou don't like the romance or Mr. Rochester.I have very mixed feelings about the before stated plot lines, but after reflection on my struggles through them, I found something eerily alluring in them.
Once I stopped comparing it to the OTP Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, I found the romance beautiful because it is so tragic and so unusual. It's no smoky Hollywood romance, and if you are anything like me you willnotbe wishing for "your own Mr. Rochester" after you read it. I surely wasn't.
What I can say I love for sure is Bronte’s extraordinary writing that transported me into this dark academia world she made; I love Jane’s character for the most part, she has so much depth and goes through many relatable circumstances — loneliness, losing friends, feeling ugly, feeling lost, feeling hopeless — but she pulls through them all with a fierce and independent spirit ( “I am a bird, no net ensnares me.” ). Even if I don’t think the ending of this book completely deserves her or encompasses my favorite parts of her, it does show her unwavering compassion and forgiveness; her never failing to love Rochester for who he really is.
I also found this book engrossing— I don’t understand those people who found it boring at all. Though, the only moment I really was considerable putting it down forever was… (view spoiler)[ after Rochester’s atrociously manipulative first proposal and the whole disaster of them getting married for the first time. And that being said, the ending of Jane Eyre does fit for the conclusion of their relationship… because them marrying the first time just would not have worked.(hide spoiler)]
Jane Eyre is a masterpiece, but not (in my opinion) for being a swoon-worthy, star-crossed romance. It is complicated, it is frustrating, it is incredible — and that is what makes it a timeless story. _______
TW // Mental child abuse, bodily disfigurement, MC is discriminated against for being unattractive, orphaned & called ugly, relationship is mildly toxic. CW // Violence (house fire, attempted murder), toxic abuse of "Christian" (more elitist orthodox) beliefs, death & death of loved one (MC is orphaned and brief graphic description of death), loneliness, mild misogyny, classism
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