reaofsunshine28's reviews
27 reviews

I understand why this book is considered a contemporary classic. It is a good piece on the nuances of toxic masculinity, the corruption the filthy-rich more often than not fall prey to and is a product of its time. But good God, reading this book was a torture not even Patrick Bateman himself could’ve thought up. His inner monologue is incessant and overly detailed, which I understand is the point but read like “GWRM: Wall Street slash Murderer Edition!” Circling back to the product of its time bit, there are certain terms and words used within the novel that are both dated and offensive but sadly still used to this day in circles like Bateman’s and other like-minded individuals. I have not seen the film, personally, but if you wish to delve into this story, I would advise doing so via the silver screen.

Regrettably DNF. As much as I adore Janelle Monae, her writing does not soar as powerful as her singing. Points for the world building but I feel as if one is not familiar with the Dirty Computer universe already, they may be a bit lost. Good concept, not intriguing enough for me.

After reading Twisted Love, I wanted to see if Ana Huang’s writing remained as bonkers as her smash hit. King of Greed definitely tones down the craziness but I would definitely equate her books and writing to fast food. You enjoy it, you crave a basic, easily accessible treat and some of it stands out and makes you come back for more when nothing else fills the void. She certainly isn’t winning any Pulitzers but if your guilty pleasure is cliche-ridden tropes with some (very, very vanilla) spice, she’s your girl.

As I’ve said before, Ana Huang’s books are the reading equivalent of fast food. Something to satisfy the need to read but no real sustenance or anything to take away from it. I will say, the only reason this is getting one star vs the usual two or three (if I’m feeling generous) her subpar gets is because Isabella is so, so insufferable. I could almost sympathize with her but what do you mean she’s just a *quirky* version of Paris Hilton? Oh, no, I lose my trust fund if I don’t do something with my life by 30? Get a grip, girl. You would’ve been fine either way. Your life wasn’t in any real danger. Kai was fine. Charming enough to be a lead. A few funny sarcastic lines. Again, nothing stand out in this one.

Another contemporary classic I desperately wanted to like and yet. Here I am breaking rule one of Fight Club, talking about Fight Club. The only thing that kept me going through this book is the knowledge of the infamous plot twist, which made the reading more understandable but still a bit frantic.

I never thought I would quote Lois Griffin in a book review but “I guess I’m not woke, okay? You win with the gay stuff!” I hate to admit I couldn’t finish this.

I won’t say I was disappointed with this book, but it’s not the sequel I was hoping for after finishing Secrets of the Universe. Frankly, I don’t think it needed a sequel to begin with and it ended on a perfectly content note, but I liked the first book so much I gave this a shot.

And boy, did it miss.

Ari discovering who he really is, is a nice plot point, sure. But I think it was fleshed out enough in the first book. Having him make friends in the town he’s from just doesn’t make sense to me. Not to mention the AIDS crisis sprinkled throughout the book; I understand my queer history and know it fits with the time period of the story. I’m not asking for a fairytale to pretend it never happened, I’m just so tired of seeing it in stories.

Dante wasn’t in the story enough for me to stick around, and I feel like he could’ve added more spark, more life. But alas.

Pick it up if you want. Leave it on the shelf if you adore the first book.

The recipe of Decklee Cassel goes like this; take the charm and talent of Dolly Parton, the easter eggs, scrutiny and intricacies of Taylor Swift, and the fiery selfishness of Evelyn Hugo.

Boom. You’ve got the star of this book.

Darren and Kendall are fun, typical romcom characters and honestly, props to the author for giving both leads gender neutral/unconventional names. I love that little detail. The queerness of their generation is so casual, so comforting, but then you get yanked into the heartbreaking reality Decklee, Mickenlee and Markell dealt with.

I wouldn’t even say it’s a love story between Darren and Kendall, and more a love story between Darren and the town of Mayberry. It pushes her away, pulls her back in, will always hold a place in her heart.

Just like Mickenlee does for Decklee.

I would say this book is definitely reminiscent of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in certain scenes, hence the comparison, but there’s just something about Decklee that pulls you in. Perhaps it’s because this is the story of her legacy, how she’s long gone, how you start the story with her dead and she comes to life throughout the book.

Or perhaps maybe they’re their own genre. Queer, classic, timeless, legendary women who want it all but can’t have it. They break everyone’s hearts and their own for the price of a dream.

All I know is that I finished this book with a lump in my throat and a longing to see it on the big screen someday.

Jesus ‘effing Christ.

(Can we swear here? I don’t know if we can swear here.)

This is the kind of book that leaves you staring at the wall for a good amount of time when you’re done with it. It makes you want to throw it across the room, scream, slam it shut and then apologize to it, cradle it gently, lovingly.

I haven’t been consumed by a book like this in a long, long time; I would’ve read it in one sitting if not for needing the occasional break for my own sanity.

You can’t tell if the lump in your throat throughout this story is tears, nausea or both.

To say it’s a modern Lolita is too dismissive, too easy.

To say it should be mandatory reading is too harsh, too intense.

But it definitely embraces the iconic adage of “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”

Jacob Strane could be your friend, your teacher, your supervisor, your uncle. Vanessa Wye could be you, your sister, your mother, your cousin or one of many voices saying “Me too. It happened to me too.”

Their behaviors lurk amongst us every day, everywhere we go.

Regardless your stance or belief on the so called movement, this book does an amazing job at breaking down the nuances of it. Vanessa is so clearly a victim, despite her swearing up and down she was no such thing, and I share many of her same sentiments, wondering if I’m a “bad feminist” for doubting certain stories when, yes, things did indeed happen to me too.

Reading the flashback chapters is like watching a car wreck in a thunderstorm. You think maybe someone can slide out and be spared, and no such thing happens. You drown and tremble and worry in helplessness.

And reading the modern day chapters are a slap in the face, a harsh shove into the world she lives in now. You walk along the street and open emails alongside her. Her coping mechanisms are cliche but they’re the painful result of what happens to victims like her. It can take days, weeks, months, years and *decades* to realize what truly, really happened.

Even if the sexual abuse doesn’t resonate with you, and dear reader, I pray it doesn’t, the other forms of abuse (namely, emotional) intertwined throughout the storyline also hit you where it hurts if you’ve been subjected to that as well.

Good Lord. I could probably yell into the void long enough to rival the book, but I’ll leave you with this: thank you for sharing your story, Kate Elizabeth Russell. You’ve said more than enough for the rest of us.

I’ve mentioned before Ana Huang’s books are akin to fast food, and I gorged myself with this one. You win this one, lady. This is my favorite book by her, and the only one that was genuinely fun to read despite being weighed down with a million and one tropes. Dante and Vivian have real, relatable struggles (looking at you, Isabella) complete with entertaining banter. I love a good enemies to lovers and “it didn’t start that way but now everything has changed”, I can’t deny it. It’s still cheesy but I guess I ordered mozzarella sticks with a side of queso.

Four stars because the porn is still painfully plain but you know what?

Dante Russo is the epitome of cold, concise dude who falls apart like a big ole baby over his woman leaving him and always does a little something-something for her first, if you catch my drift. Good for them.

Merged review:

I’ve mentioned before Ana Huang’s books are akin to fast food, and I gorged myself with this one. You win this one, lady. This is my favorite book by her, and the only one that was genuinely fun to read despite being weighed down with a million and one tropes. Dante and Vivian have real, relatable struggles (looking at you, Isabella) complete with entertaining banter. I love a good enemies to lovers and “it didn’t start that way but now everything has changed”, I can’t deny it. It’s still cheesy but I guess I ordered mozzarella sticks with a side of queso.

Four stars because the porn is still painfully plain but you know what?

Dante Russo is the epitome of cold, concise dude who falls apart like a big ole baby over his woman leaving him and always does a little something-something for her first, if you catch my drift. Good for them.

Merged review:

I’ve mentioned before Ana Huang’s books are akin to fast food, and I gorged myself with this one. You win this one, lady. This is my favorite book by her, and the only one that was genuinely fun to read despite being weighed down with a million and one tropes. Dante and Vivian have real, relatable struggles (looking at you, Isabella) complete with entertaining banter. I love a good enemies to lovers and “it didn’t start that way but now everything has changed”, I can’t deny it. It’s still cheesy but I guess I ordered mozzarella sticks with a side of queso.

Four stars because the porn is still painfully plain but you know what?

Dante Russo is the epitome of cold, concise dude who falls apart like a big ole baby over his woman leaving him and always does a little something-something for her first, if you catch my drift. Good for them.

Merged review:

I’ve mentioned before Ana Huang’s books are akin to fast food, and I gorged myself with this one. You win this one, lady. This is my favorite book by her, and the only one that was genuinely fun to read despite being weighed down with a million and one tropes. Dante and Vivian have real, relatable struggles (looking at you, Isabella) complete with entertaining banter. I love a good enemies to lovers and “it didn’t start that way but now everything has changed”, I can’t deny it. It’s still cheesy but I guess I ordered mozzarella sticks with a side of queso.

Four stars because the porn is still painfully plain but you know what?

Dante Russo is the epitome of cold, concise dude who falls apart like a big ole baby over his woman leaving him and always does a little something-something for her first, if you catch my drift. Good for them.

A fun little romcom you can breeze through in an afternoon (like I did) and just as you think you’re dancing through life, just like Evie & X, the stage collapses underneath you. But that’s the moral of the story, isn’t it? Keep dancing.

Despite the simplicity of this book, it still shines. It’s definitely young adult but that’s what makes it so easily readable and fun.

Nicola Yoon’s previous books focused on heavier, more relatable topics and this story whispers those issues but in a more relatable way, I would say. Easily digestible: divorce, “it’s not a phase dad”, growing up, and yeah, dancing!

Overall, a cute and forward story to entertain you, for sure.