madeline's reviews
776 reviews

this book was kind of a surprise to me: the road trip is about 5% of the plot (a great 5%! just only 5%) and the bulk of it is the two main characters in their hometown for CHRISTMAS. no mention of christmas in the blurb, and yet this is most definitely a christmas book!

the characterization was a little inconsistent - they're both 23 and read much more like 33, both jaded and tired, and i will say that i wasn't totally sold on the conflicts between the two of them, particularly hazel's feelings towards ash.

and yet! it was fun. they're very cute together, and ash is a delightful golden retriever. i loved watching hazel find her place in her new stepfamily, and ash's family is also very fun. i think i'm giving this a little leeway because it's a christmas book and i just feel like they get more of that, but still definitely recommend. no idea why christmas isn't mentioned in the back copy or why it's being published in july, though.

thank you gp putnam and edelweiss for the arc!

 gilded, ethereal, haunting, like biting into a candied apple to discover the core is rotten, like admiring a first frost to find it's spiderwebs, like reaching for a dream only to have your fingers slide right through it, like holding your finger to melted wax for the sting of it all, like knowing you are doomed and continuing anyway 

everything i needed and nothing i didn't -- almost effervescent and a thorough delight. swoony, funny, heartbreaking, and dare i say: emily's horniest book yet. i loved it, i loved it, i loved it.

thank you berkley and edelweiss for the arc!

A delicious (and quick) historical romance with so many of my favorite things - a strong heroine who needs a little spoiling, a cranky hero who secretly really wants to do said spoiling, a thoughtful and honest approach to the historical setting, and a meaty plot. All in under 300 pages! San Andres is one I'll be watching.

Wholly enjoyed this - a real antagonists to lovers that is simultaneously tense and tender. Etienne is a survivor of the 2010 Haitian earthquake, an inclusion that I've never seen before and which really contributed to his character and the narrative. Absolutely picking up more by this author!

It's bittersweet to see this zany, hilarious series come to an end, but what an end! Probably my favorite book in the series, Meddy and Nathan are in Jakarta to celebrate Chinese New Year with her extended family. When a red envelope is handed to an unintended recipient, though, hiijnks ensue - including not one but TWO kidnappings, drugged caterers, karaoke as distraction, and the reunification of childhood lovers. You know, all the normal holiday traditions. I miss Meddy and her aunties already!

Thank you Berkley and Edelweiss for the ARC!