Rock Courtship by Nalini Singh (Vicky)

Title/Series: Rock Courtship (Rock Kiss #1.5)

Author: Nalini Singh

Target: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating:★★★★

 What happens when the Gentleman of Rock decides to play dirty?

  A drummer for the hottest rock band on the planet, David has a single, powerful weakness: Thea, the band's publicist and the woman who steals his breath away with her every move.

 Only problem is, Thea doesn't date clients-or musicians. Emotionally scarred by a cheating ex, she's not about to risk her heart with a man who has groupies buzzing around him like flies. Even if his sexy smile ties her up in knots.

 What she doesn't know is that David is a one-woman man...and he's madly in love with her. David's determined to prove he's worth the risk, and willing to court her, step by exquisite step. Thea's about to discover just how long and hard this handsome drummer can play.

 I am SO GLAD I decided to continue reading this series! I had several problems with Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1), but Rock Courtship worked so much better for me. None of my issues with the previous instalment applied with this one.

 The Good:

 + I LOVE David, aka “The Gentleman of Rock”.

 He is SWEET and LOYAL and, as Charlie put it, totally SCRUMPTIOUS. I also fell for his deep sense of honour and family values. Plus, he loves that Thea’s tough, which makes me love him even more.

 + THOSE MEMOS! I can’t even. My mind was made up after the first one.

 + Thea who, faced with some insecurities and jealousy, decides to OPEN A LINE OF COMMUNICATION with her partner. Colour me shocked. A MC in a romance novel who decides to talk things through instead of keeping everything inside.

 + The choir anecdote! I loved seeing how the band members became a family.

 The not so good:

 - There was this one scene in which I wanted to shake some sense into Thea and maybe give her a punch for good measure SPOILER-> She’s makes a situation about her, what she needs (a moment to breathe, to think) but she isn't the victim there and she should be assuring David she believes him and being there for him. <-SPOILER, but it was quickly resolved, and even though I was mad at her actions (or lack thereof) I did understand her predicament.

 - I rolled my eyes a couple of times, but it’s becoming clear that this is inevitable for me when I'm reading Romances. I like romantic stories but aren't too fond of some of the exaggerations/ridiculousness than appear mostly during the sex scenes.

 - I miss the world-building and intricate plots and sense of danger from Nalini Singh’s PNR series.

 In a nutshell: This was SO MUCH BETTER than the previous instalment in the series for me. David has made himself a place in my heart. Now I'm eagerly awaiting Charlie and T-Rex’s story, as well as those of the other Schoolboy Choir members.

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski (Vicky)

Title: The Winner's Crime

Author: Marie Rutkoski

Target: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Rating:  ★★★★★

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince is the event of a lifetime. It means one celebration after another: balls, fireworks, and revelry until dawn. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit. She's a spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret. 

 Political machinations. Conspiracy. Plots withing plots. Darkness. War. Betrayal. Grief. Motherfucking angst! 

 This book didn't have angst, it was angst. To the nth degree. And yet... I LOVED it. I wanted to pace myself to try to prolong the experience, but I just couldn’t stop turning the pages.

 The question of the hour is why, Marie Rutkoski? 

 Seriously.

 I’m choked up and I can’t find the words to write a proper review, so for now the following gifs will have to be enough to cover the general idea.

 This whole book:

 The ending:

 When I finished reading The Winner's Curse I thought waiting for this sequel would be Hell. How naïve of me. The ending of that first book was nothing compared to this one. Now I know, Hell will be waiting for The Winner's Kiss.

A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev (Vicky)

Title: A Bollywood Affair

Author: Sonali Dev

Target: Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rating: ★

 Mili Rathod hasn’t seen her husband in twenty years—not since she was promised to him at the age of four. Yet marriage has allowed Mili a freedom rarely given to girls in her village. Her grandmother has even allowed her to leave India and study in America for eight months, all to make her the perfect modern wife. Which is exactly what Mili longs to be—if her husband would just come and claim her.

 Bollywood’s favorite director, Samir Rathod, has come to Michigan to secure a divorce for his older brother. Persuading a naïve village girl to sign the papers should be easy for someone with Samir’s tabloid-famous charm. But Mili is neither a fool nor a gold-digger. Open-hearted yet complex, she’s trying to reconcile her independence with cherished traditions. And before he can stop himself, Samir is immersed in Mili’s life—cooking her dal and rotis, escorting her to her roommate’s elaborate Indian wedding, and wondering where his loyalties and happiness lie.

 Heartfelt, witty, and thoroughly engaging, Sonali Dev’s debut is both a vivid exploration of modern India and a deeply honest story of love, in all its diversity.

 Well, it looks like I’m going to be the black sheep this time. I was pretty excited about getting to read this e-arc because it came highly recommended by one of my favorite PRN romance authors, plus it had many early rave reviews. That’s why I was so disappointed because not only did I not love it, but I didn't even like it, not even a little bit, not even at all. In fact it made me mad enough to want to throw my computer across the room at times.

 What went wrong?

- Mili was the archetypal “damsell-in-distress” (not my thing at all). She tripped, fainted and frequently required to be "rescued". She spent most of her life waiting for her prince charming to come get her. When she decided (at the beginning of the book) to go get an education and travel to another continent to “absorb the American culture” it wasn't for herself, but to “become more cultured to please her husband”.

 She also cried all the time. Seriously, ALL.THE.TIME! I don’t mind crying and even acknowledge that a good cry can be very cathartic from time to time, but seriously: I kept thinking that if she didn't close those floodgates she might be in danger of dehydration!

 Her behavior was highly irrational. For example: SPOILER-> One moment she told the MC nothing could happen between them because she was married and stormed off. The next she went out of her way to find him and stood staring at his almost naked body and led him on. <-SPOILER

- Samir was an arrogant prick. He said hurtful things. He was hypocritical: He reproached Mili for lying to him when he had done nothing but lie to her. Imo he crossed a line from which there was no coming back: SPOILER-> He went to her apartment, into her room, rummaged through her things, stole her marriage certificate (one of her most prized possessions) and then went back to writing his movie script and looked her in the face as if nothing had happened! <-SPOILER. In one scene he admitted (to himself, not her) that he had violated her trust beyond redemption and I was like “You think?!” YOU GIANT TWO-FACED A-HOLE!

 At one time he made a comment about “putting Mili in her place”. What place would that be, huh? And I know that he wasn't serious when he said that, but given his behavior I must ask myself “Wasn't he, really?”.

 The only thing he had going for himself was that he was a wonderful cook and cooked for Mili constantly (but if that tiny bonus came at the expense of everything else it seems like a pretty poor deal to me).

- I didn't buy the “romance” (and I use air quotes because I don’t think anything about their relationship was romantic at all). Their relationship was based in LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND LIES. They were distrustful of each other: SPOILER-> Mili informed him that his biological mother was terminally ill and he felt the need to ask her if she was lying about it just to get him to go see her. <-SPOILER What kind of person would do that?? Oh, right, the heroine apparently. She admitted she hadn't done it that specific time but that she would have done it if she'd thought the goal justified it.

- Inaccurate portrayal of sex. This actually happens in a lot of romance novels, but in this one I found it to be way too much. I mean... Mili had never had sex before and for her sexual debut he:

“...drove into her like a crazed beast. And for the first time in his life came up against a barrier.” (Like a crazed beast. For her first time. Smooth. And he came against a barrier. Barrier? What barrier? May I point the author to a Laci Green video to clear up this issue? ---> Laci Green Youtube Channel)

“...he ripped past the resistance.” (Holy shit that sounds painful!)

“...as she gave herself to him, as he changed her forever...” (Sex CHANGED HER FOREVER. You hear that, people? Be warned.)

- There was a scene of casual slut-shaming, portrayed as something to be laughed at. A mother called her 16-year-old daughter a slut and shook her forcefully because the girl dared to pull down the neckline of her blouse and expose the top of her breast for a henna artist to draw on. The MCs' response to this? They were "trying very hard not to laugh". Wait, what?? Were those the ‘hero’ and ‘heroine’ I was supposed to be rooting for?

 The only positive thing I can say about this book is that the premise was original and it dealt with the topic of child marriages. This is a very “difficult topic” but I think it needs to be talked about to raise awareness about it. Child marriages exist today in certain cultures/countries. This is a fact. What I've got to say about it is that I am aghast and mad in equal measures that this still happens in parts of the world, that women are married as infants and are treated as property and “belong” to their husbands. This is so wrong. Saddening. Sick.

 In a nutshell: I was extremely disappointed by this book. It took me forever to finish it because I kept finding other things I’d rather be doing than reading it. I skimmed the last 20% because I just wanted it to be over. I wish I’d DNFed. I wish I’d never picked it up in the first place.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (Camila)

Title/Series: Twilight (Twilight #1)

Author: Stephanie Meyer

Target: Young Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Rating: ★★

 When Bella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

 What Bella doesn't realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back...

 It could've been worse. Way worse.

 THERE, I SAID IT. Now, hear me out. What do people claim to hate about this book?

 BELLA. Yes, she's a Mary Sue. Yes, she's dumb as fuck. But, at the end of the day, the worst thing she does is being oblivious to the danger that seems to constantly surround her, from the invisible rocks she stumbles upon to the bloodsuckers and volatile animals she relates herself with. She might neglect her friends and family because all adoration should go to Edward, but when there's actual danger they're the ones she thinks about first, however excessively. She's just a plain, stupid teenager, whose priorities are seriously fucked up. And has the lowest self-esteem ever. BUT I'VE READ WORSE. WE ALL HAVE. If she didn't have such bad press, Bella Swan would be simply forgettable. Her thoughts are so boring, Edward isn't missing anything.

 EDWARD'S OBSESSION. Let's talk about double standards. If Edward is a creepy stalker, so is Bella. Her so-called 'love' for him is just as obsessive. She simply doesn't have the ability to break into his house and watch him sleep, mostly because he doesn't. Sleep, you know. But she constantly thinks about him, looks for him, she asks everyone what they know about him, gets worried and upset when he doesn't show up at school EVEN THOUGH SHE DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HIM. How is she better than him? Actually, he is drawn by her blood, which 'sings' to him. In trying to justify her creepiness, you can only say that he's hot and mysterious. And, really, how many books we all love have started with a curious chick and a guy who is drawn to someone he shouldn't? They just take it to supernaturally cheesy, annoying and obsessive levels.

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…" he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word.

"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.

"What a sick, masochistic lion.”

 Horribly cheesy. Seriously.

“It's twilight. It’s the safest time of day for us. The easiest time. But also the saddest, in a way... the end of another day, the return of the night. Darkness is so predictable, don’t you think?”

 Casual conversation with Edward Cullen.

 SPARKLY VAMPIRES. In a century where supernatural is cool, and vampires are the new black, Meyer came up with new rules. Are they highly romanticized and narrow-minded? Sure thing. But nobody is making you or me read the book, explore the world. She's just laying it out, offering it. I don't see anyone complaining about Adrian Ivashkov not sucking Sydney dry, Eric Northman falling for Sookie, Cat and Bones fighting evil, or the Black Dagger Brotherhood having the stupidest slang. Just kidding, everyone hates the slang. My point is, "vampires are not supposed to shine" is a shitty argument. Bram Stoker doesn't own vampires whenever you find it convenient.

 Personally, I find the world extremely underdeveloped. Believe it or not, it has potential. The territorial wars from the South and Maria, the Volturi (the 'royalty' of the vampires), vampire and human's hybrids, Alice's past and savior, even the Cullens' lifestyle and the matter of morals. Those are topics that I would have liked to learn more about through the series, instead of seeing every guy alive, undead or undecided hitting on Bella. Plain, stupid Bella.

 THE LOVE TRIANGLE. If only people understood, THERE'S NO FUCKING TRIANGLE. IT'S JUST TWO GUYS PINNING FOR THE GIRL, AND HER EVERY SINGLE TIME CHOOSING ONE OF THEM, EVEN WHEN HE'S GONE AND SUPPOSEDLY NEVER COMING BACK. She never gives Jacob the time of the day, she never really even leads him on. I mean, yes, she hangs out with him when he's clearly in love with her, but she always clarifies that they're just friends (except for their first meeting, she DOES lead him on there, BUT FOR EDWARD-RELATED REASONS, OF COURSE). When Edward is gone, she thinks about him. When Edward is there, she think about him. When she's taking a dump, she thinks about him. She does care about Jacob, she even says she loves him in Eclipse. But even then, she still chooses Edward and immortality with him over everything else without blinking, even if it means leaving everyone behind.

 Twilight is a bad mix of the already bad Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights. Are you telling me either Edgar or Paris ever had a chance at winning the girl's heart over Heathcliff and Romeo? Please. They were there just for dramatic effect. Because God forbid a courtship goes smoothly or the main couple has actual issues to overcome. That would be just wrong.

Unnecessary gif is not unnecessary because Benedict Cumberbatch.

 THE FANGIRLS. Everyone hates them. I get it, I'm as done with Team Edward and Team Jacob as anyone else. But that has nothing to do with the books. It's like hating Justin Bieber for the annoying believers and not because he's an asshole.

 Overall, the worst that I can say about this book is that it's underdeveloped, the dialogue is cheesy and unbelievable, its characters are either one dimensional or don't have a definite characterization to begin with, awful writing, and it's just SO FUCKING BORING.

 Also, Meyer makes more comments about the weather than English people.

 But Alice is cool. I like Alice. And Ashley Greene.

 That's one of the stars. The other is for good ol' times when I loved this. Oh, how I don't miss ten year old me.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins (Camila)

Title/Series: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Target: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆

 From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

 Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

 I have a smile plastered on my face, and the fucker won't go away. Maybe it's the fact that one of my favorite authors didn't disappoint me. Maybe it's that I loved all the characters, even when I hated them. Maybe it's just Taylor Swift's new catchy single on repeat. Maybe it's that I'm done with my History homework. Maybe it's the euphoria of reading the great ending of an amazing book. Maybe I have chosen to momentarily forget this was the end of one of my all times favorite series. Or perhaps I'm really crazy and everyone was right this whole time. It doesn't matter because, for the time being, the smile is there and not even Stalin and his cray-cray ideas can ruin it.

 This is one of those books that's hard to talk about because I have a personal connection, and therefore I'm biased. I'm one of those who usually feels identified with almost every character, especially the main one, one way or another. I suspect it's my earning to feel accepted, understood, not alone. And I have come to terms with it, especially since I don't see anything wrong with it. People aren't one-dimensional and, when well-written, characters aren't either. It's okay to feel close to a side of a character, even if you're completely opposite in every other matter. Personally, I think that's my fatal flaw: my insecurity. Even if it's hard for me to accept it, I rely completely in others and their opinions. I fear failure not because it will make me unhappy, but because others will see my failure and be repelled, leaving me alone and making me unhappy. So, seeing even a tiny bit of me in a character that is important enough to be put on paper gives me relief, somehow. I don't expect you to understand it, just to accept as it has affected my opinion on this series completely. Why? Because Stephanie Perkins is just too good at nailing it.

 I see myself in Anna's teenagedom—because there's just no better way to describe it. In St. Clair's inability to chance being alone. Lola's need for an identity. Cricket's cool weirdness. Josh's need for love and recognition. Isla's cowardice, and courage. Kurt's hurt. Hattie's rebellion. Meredith's otherness. Rashimi's fire. Calliope's refusal to get second place. And so much more. Perhaps the one character I have never been able to identify with is Max (from Lola and the Boy Next Door), and that made him so much bigger for me. His cruelty was beyond my understanding, and the relief in that was probably alarming.

 The point I'm trying to make is that Perkins' art has affected me in more ways than one, having come to me at exactly the right time. Because, even if some of you don't know and I try to ignore it, I am a teenager in my late secondary school years. I have stupid crushes, get subconscious over how my hair looks when I go to school, think I'm eternal, fight almost everyday with my mom over the smallest things and my biggest problem is choosing a career and which college I should go to, which is a life-or-death, black-and-white matter. I secretly hope adulthood is going to make everything easier and better, when I know it's the opposite. Sometimes I wonder if grown-ups are just like me, just better at pretending to have their shit together.

 And all these questions and insecurities, along with the normal fuck-ups and often cringe-worthy moments? Stephanie Perkins' characters have them. For some this series may be about a feel-good read, for others it may be impossible to stand or just boring. And that's okay, I get it. This is a randomly exhilarating, often impossible to stand, and sometimes boring phase of life. However, it is a thing that exists and we all go through it, regardless of most people's wish to just get it over with. And then wistfulness to get it back, I hear (which I think is weird, because it totally sucks).

 So, yes, I am marveled with the hormones, dumb decisions, first loves, and seemingly eternal friendships of this era that makes no sense, and at the same time has so much power. I love it because I hate it and I just can't get enough of it. And, honestly, I'd rather do it in a possibly unrealistic setting with an ensured happily-ever-after, because isn't that everyone's dream?

 Alright, not THAT marveled.

 I guess I could actually talk about this book specifically, but I'm sure there are lots of reviews about the mushy romance, funny banter and I-will-never-see-them-the-same-way rabbits. For now, my feels and thoughts on this as one the best YA books I've read that actually makes me feel the YA essence is all you're getting.

 Also, if you have read the book, THAT ONE SCENE AT POINT ZERO OHMYGOD I'M STILL HYPERVENTILATING AND CRYING AND DEAD. It was so unexpected and definitely my favorite scene of the book.