Joint Movie Discussion: ALways and Forever

 

Been a long time since we sat down and reviewed a movie together. This month Carole and I are reviewing, To All the Boys: Always and Forever. 

I am in blue and Carole in purple.

Title:  To All the Boys - Always and Forever
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family 
Running Time: 1h 49min
Rating: TV-14 
Released: Feb 2021


Senior year of high school takes center stage as Lara Jean returns from a family trip to Korea and considers her college plans - with and without Peter.

TRAILER: 

DISCUSSION: 

Another movie, more romance. I still prefer the first though

 

Awww yes the first was the best, but I did like this one a lot. I caught myself Awwing a lot lol. 

 

It was fun,but, I do not see a future for them, I am being horrid. Not even if they break up and meet up again.

 

Nooo. I do not think they will still be together esp how the movie ended. (Trying not to give spoilers lolll) it seems impossible and a story as old as time. Who knows? Maybe the author will give us an epilogue book and we’ll get another movie!

 

I think we are meant to believe they will always be together, but for some reason I did not feel it here. I felt she wanted more and he just thought of himself. Maybe if they break up, meet new people, and meet again at 40...yes maybe then.

 

Ya I think they were hinting that they’ll make it work……...but at the same time not. IDK. It was totally left open-ended like the book. WHICH I am not amused by that hahaha. They had a lot of issues and he is super insecure. I can’t imagine it working. Love him….but he’s going to be constantly jealous and mad at her. 

 

They are still cute together and I want them to be happy, but life has a way. We can always hope they will grow into secure happy adults and make babies and all that,.

 

Yess, one can hope. Maybe they’ll break up for a couple of years and he’ll fix his relationship with his dad/find security he doesn’t NEED his Dad’s approval and love. They both have issues to deal with. I think she will want to be single and live her life for a while too. She finally found courage to be on her own. SIGHS. I want another book and movie. 

 

Though I do remember when reading book 3 that I got annoyed that they had issues with their relationship again. I wanted more happy, they had too many issues. SO if we were to have more then I want FIRM TRUE happy ending.

 

They need that. I want them to have that so bad. Someday maybe. I do appreciate that the movie cut out one scene that was in the book. I was so mad at Peter. It was the scene at the beach. I’m glad they did something different. 

 

Same! All in all, cute teenage drama, I like her siblings, I like her dad, she should have made more cookies though. This girl loves to bake after all

 

A very cute relationship that seems impossible and makes me wish I had a Peter in school ;) And yessss, I adore her family. I LOVE Kitty’s mini little romance. That was a cute bonus side “drama”. Haha

 

Yes, same :) I do recommended this one, but do watch in order!

 

100% it needs to be watched in order. And I highly recommend the movies AND the books. They are all cute. They are similar, but do have some differences, but the heart is the same. 

 

Aye, the books are so adorable. The first made me happy

 

Me too! It was soooo cute. 

 

I do not really have more to say, cute was the word

 

Yess not much else to say without giving some big spoilers. I keep catching myself LOLLL. Yes - this is cute and it will make you wish you had a Peter! 

Lol, the end.

 

The end! :D 

The dragon republic by RF Kuang

Hardcover, 658 pages

Published August 8th 2019 by Harper Voyager

Series: The Poppy War #2

Fantasy

Own

I had been reading for 3 weeks, and sure it moved along, at a snails pace. It was never bad, but it was never good either. It felt like one big struggle, but not bad enough to dnf.

But enough is enough. I did not connect anymore, or care. But I also wanted to see what happens. But at the end I just wanted it done with and started skimming and that felt tough too.

I will give it an ok, because it is not bad. But I will certainly not read more.If someone want to spoil the end, go ahead. I am curious, but NOT curious enough to read more.

In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.

With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.

But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.

Lady Darcy's Bluestocking Club by Rosie Fairbanks

Kindle Edition, 330 pages

Published December 29th 2020

Series: Pride and Prejudice and Bluestockings #2

Pride and Prejudice Variation

Own

My reading lately have been slow, so I started with a PP novella, and now I read a PP book. I truly needed something that I can finish fast and enjoy.

Yes I admit, this was book 2, and yes I could read it without knowing, but I am so curious about events! Like how Lizzy and Darcy fell inlove here. Why Darcy does not speak to Bingley or Fitzwilliam anymore?! How Jane ended up marrying a Duke! How Kitty married Wickham, and Lydia is preggo by him, damn, scandal!

Though it was not as sweet as some. The Ton is right bastards towards Lizzy. Calling her a harlot, not just cutting her, but saying mean things, men and women whispering. Because they all think she seduced Darcy so he would marry her. She has a hard time. He has a hard time. But they do have each other.

And then at the end something happens, not to them, but something, and oh, now I want book 3 (which is not out), but I am so curious! I want to write spoilers but can not *sobs*

PP books always makes me happy

The newlyweds, Lord and Lady Darcy, struggle to take their proper place in London Society amidst rumours surrounding their rushed wedding. The present gossip is nothing compared to what would follow should anyone discover their secret. Their dreams of reforming the Bluestocking Club would shatter.

Insult after insult leaves the new bride terrified that she cannot fill her predecessor's shoes and that she will lose Darcy's love if she cannot charm London.

Easing the path of acceptance for Elizabeth proves arduous for Darcy after the betrayal of his two closest friends and past demons come back to haunt him.

Beset on every side, scandal breaks out, challenging everything they have come to hold dear.

Audio: Hit me with your best Scot by Suzanne Enoch

Book 3 in the Wild Wicked Highlanders serier

Narrated by Mhairi Morrison

Publication date Feb 9, 2021

Running time 11 hrs 1 min

Historical romance

To review

Coll needs a wife, but it is hard. English lasses faint at the sight of him, and if they do stay he is most likely to say something to cause offense. And he have to marry because else his mother will hold back the money he needs to keep his estate running.

In comes Persephone Jones, well known actress, and certainly not the English Lady Coll's mother wants him to marry. But they run across each other, sparks fly, and some things you can't hide from.

Sure I would have wanted Coll to understand at once that he should just marry her, and not be all, but she is an actress! But hey, his mother is scary so...

And there is danger too, someone is after Persephone

Danger, romance and happy endings. What more could one ask for! I enjoyed it (though I still think his sister should marry someone else ;)

The MacTaggert brothers have one task: Find English brides or lose their land!

Coll MacTaggert, Viscount Glendarril, is a big, brawny Highlander who doesn't like being told what to do—not even by his exasperated English mother who is determined to see her eldest son wedded and bedded. However, when he comes to the rescue of an irresistibly beautiful woman, Coll discovers that he may have found his perfect match . . .

The challenge isn't that Persephone Jones is famous, wealthy, independent, and smarter than anyone he knows.The problem is that she isn't interested in marrying any man—especially not a hot-headed Scot—even if he is the only man who seems to understand who she really is even when she's not sure herself. When Coll learns that Persephone is actually a lady-in-hiding and someone is willing to kill her for what she stands to inherit . . . Well, Coll has never been one to turn down a fight. When hearts are involved, nothing comes between a Highlander and his lady.

I really enjoyed this narrator. She had a nice Scottish brogue, and I really felt like I got to know all the characters.

TMST

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

'

What books are you looking forward to reading in Spring 2021 (March - May)?

Oh you know I am bad at this. I have no idea! Is a new Briggs coming out? I think so. There is always a Briggs in March.

I have goodreads, thank you GR! But since I never know, I never long for anything. And it is my bday, yay me, so well there went my new books. The others must wait, perhaps until I order a bday present for S, or maybe until xmas. Sorry new books.

 

Carole's Monday: Haunted and Hexed

 

Author: Misty Bane

Title: Haunted And Hexed

(Blackwood Bay Witches #1)

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 232 

Published: January 16th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon freebie)

Summary: 

Welcome to Blackwood Bay, where magic and murder have come out to play...

Okay, if that had been on the sign when I drove into town, I probably would’ve thrown it in reverse and kept the pedal to the floor until I made it safely back to Las Vegas. Probably.

Instead, I'd been lured in by the cute little beach town, a handful of instant friends, and a hunky local.

My name is Dru Rathmore Davis, and In my defense, my life had pretty much just fallen apart. So, after learning that I'd inherited a bookstore from a grandmother that I never even knew existed, I was desperate to make this my fresh start. I daydreamed of owning a quaint little bookstore and spending my weekends reading on the beach. Sounds great, right? And what could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, everything. The bodies start piling up along with my arrival in town, someone may have murdered Granny… and that’s only the beginning. As a former private investigator, I really can't help but find myself drawn (or pushed) into doing a little investigating of my own. It also helps that the Police Sergeant is super hot… cliché, I know, but what's a girl to do?

Things are much more complicated than they first appear though, and being new in town certainly has its disadvantages. No one is who they seem to be. Not even me.

The only ones I can trust are the dead. Well, and my cat. But none of them are talking. Or are they?

Review:

This was a freebie and I've been itching for a cozy mystery. 

We follow Dru has just inherited a bookstore from her grandmother she never knew. After her own life has pretty much fallen apart, she is excited for a fresh new start in a new town. However, things are not as they seem and the bodies start piling up and murder is starting to look like the cause. The only ones she can trust are the ghosts and the cat. 

This started off fun and I felt bad for Dru especially with all the twists and turns thrown at her. 

Which....I enjoyed the twists and turns at first....but then they kept coming. It got old esp when we learn about a secret about Dru's parents (no spoiler). Don't get me wrong...I love twists and turns, but there has to be a limit. For such a short story it seemed like the author was shoving so much into this that I really stopped caring. Maybe if some of these secrets were revealed in the next book? Somethings could have waited. I felt like it took away from the murders and from learning about our main character Dru. 

I want to love this town and these witches. Maybe book 2 will be better? Sighs. If I randomly stumble upon it maybe I'll give it a try. How many more reveals can we really get at this point!!

In the end, I'll give this 2 stars. It started off good, but the story seemed to get lost from all the big twists and turns. I want to know more about Dru and this town...so I'm not ruling out book 2.

  

Matching Pemberley by Rosie Fairbanks

Kindle Edition, 84 pages

Published February 12th 2021

Series: Matchmakers & Wallflowers #1

Pride and Prejudice variation

Own

I have been reading another book for 3 weeks, and getting nowhere. And then this one showed up, perfect! Totally what I needed. Honestly, there is nothing like a bit of pride and prejudice to finally get reading. I finished it in one sitting. Short and sweet

Elizabeth is the lady in this one and heir to Pemberley. Darcy is a bookseller who made good money via good friends. They meet, they do not have any pride and prejudice issues, but there is another thing. Collins, ugh, what an ahole. He is the danger here.

It is a short novella. But it packages some drama, some romance and a happily ever after (though I still wonder who...spoiler! But like who! it was not him was it? Oh no one knows what I am muttering, but yes I wonder, conspiracy!

I do need pride and prejudice variations. They help me over reading bumps. 

One would think that an heiress would have everything she wanted lying at her feet and a cadre of friends to ensure her happiness. However, one would be wrong. Lady Elizabeth Bennet secretly carries a devastating burden and, having spurned too many suitors, is a wallflower by choice. However, if she cannot find a match quickly, not even her money and title will save her from a fate worse than death.

William Darcy, a shopkeeper’s son and distant relation to the Darcy’s of Pemberley, never thought he would part of London’s society, but an unexpected friendship and a fortunate investment has thrust him into the bowels of fine society. It is not, perhaps a place he enjoys being, but it does afford him the prospect of finally restoring to his family what was once stolen.

There is, however, a rather pretty obstacle standing in his path. Lady Elizabeth, the woman with the unforgettable eyes, threatens to upend all of Darcy’s plans, while, unbeknownst to him, he poses a complication in her quest for security and safety. Can two rivals find a solution that brings them both what they want, or will one have to win at the other’s expense?

Audio: Vacation Hell by Eve Langlais

 Narrated by: Rebecca Estrella

Series: Princess of Hell, Book 4

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Release date: 02-07-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

PNR Erotica

To review

These are amusing, even if I thought they would be pnr and erotica, cos as always, Muriel wants all the d*cks*.

Muriel feels compelled to go to the sea, and by now I realise the reason at once, she obvi needs a man of the sea. She fights her attraction, he fights his attraction, but obvi she will add a merman to her harem.

But she is so fun and kickass. And Lucifer, omg, love him. He is all bad, and nice to her, and so wicked. 

There is also some fighting, she does not spend all her time in bed after all. A big bad is coming and now I am so curious. It seems to actually find out how this ends you have to read book 6 or something in her next series! I need to know now! Things happen....not to Muriel though, she is happy with her harem.

I like Estrella's narration, she keeps it fun and upbeat because everyone here is just so weird. And she keeps the weird real.

Juggling a happily ever after is harder than it looks, especially when it involves a fallen angel who is my soul mate, a hunky cat shifter who stole my heart, and a darkly delicious vampire who is like that piece of forbidden chocolate you just can't resist. Add in a precocious little girl, who is totally spoiled rotten-not surprising given Nana and Poppa were Mother Earth and the Devil-and my life was a never-ending series of dramas, foot stomping, yelling, and tears. By me. I never knew being a grown-up could be so much damned work, which is why I decided we needed a vacation. But of course, as Lucifer's daughter, that didn't turn out as expected. Now I've got to figure out if my bathtub is big enough for a hunky merman-and is there room in my heart for one more?

Audio: The dream guy next door by Lauren Blakely

 Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Shane East

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Release date: 11-30-20

Publisher: Audible Originals

Categories: Romance, Contemporary

To review

A sweet short audiobook, without any major drama. I really liked that.

January is a single mum living in a town with mostly women in it. She loves her job, she loves her life, she loves her daughter. Life is good.

In moves a hunky British neighbor, a single one. And the town is a buzz with talk, everyone wants a date with Liam.

They meet, they see sparks, they become friends (she fears he wants kids and all that and she is happy as she is now.)I liked they slow yet fast romance, they are just meant to be, and when they see it then they see it.

Cute romance

It had two narrators. I did like the male narrator cos his Liam accent was gooood. The female narrator gave Liam a weird posh accent, not as sexy. I liked both their January voices. I did like the two POV view, one chapter here, one chapter there. It does work so well 

Just my luck - my new next door neighbor is a unicorn. Yep, the British hottie is clearly a mythical man because - get this - he's a sexy, witty, charming, big-hearted single dad. Who, wait for it, wants to find Mrs. Right and get hitched. He’s a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of man, and it’s a darn shame I’m not on the market. If I were, his accent alone would melt me. Add in the fact that he's a veterinarian, and my animal-loving heart would be flip flopping.

But my heart's on the mend. I'm a single parent like him, and raising my teenage daughter is my top priority. Plus, falling for a guy who shares your property line is a line you shouldn’t cross. Still, I'm an outgoing gal, so I do the neighborly thing and offer to be his dating insider. Surely, I can help this small town’s most eligible bachelor ever navigate his way through all the fantastic single ladies eager to make his acquaintance.

What could possibly go wrong in helping the dream guy next door find his one true love?

So I set him up on one date, two dates, three dates -- and I’m about to find out exactly how dangerous my offer is.

TMST

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

 Share some of your favorite romantic stories/books.

Oh this is hard! On the top of my head nothing ever comes up, I would love to just take a look at my bookshelves, but yes that room is not unpacked and will like never be. So then I should go to goodreads, that takes so much time. But I shall go to GR and look for my 4 stars! Edit: I only went back to 2018 so here they are, some of my favs from recent years :D

Paranormal romance: Psy-Changeling Trinity series by Nalini Singh in audio! Awww, these are great, and the romance is smokin'

Scifi romance: Consortium rebellion series by Jessie Mihalik. Love in space! "pew pew"

Contemporary romance: Hard Play by Nalini Singh. All the feels, all the feels.

YA romance: To all the boys I have loved before by Jenny Han. This one is so cute (book 3 was not awesome though.)

Romantic suspense: Through the fire by Katie Ruggle. Nothing like things blowing up to get those romantic feelings exploding

Contemporary romance with humour: Heidi's guide to four letter words by Tara Sivec and Andi Arndt. Oh this was funny!!

Special mention. Any historical romance book (well almost), they never have to blow my mind, they just have to BE and I will enjoy them and be all awwww.

Feb 23 What books are you looking forward to reading in Spring 2021 (March - May)?

Carole's Monday: My one and only Duke by Grace Burrowes

 

Author: Grace Burrowes

Title: My One and Only Duke

(Rogues to Riches #1)

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 442 

Published: November 5th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Summary: 

A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows...

One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.

There was just one tiny problem...

Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.

They were wrong.

He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?

Review:

This author is fun! I've enjoyed previous novels and I seen this one and the summary sounds so different!

We follow Quinn and Jane. Quinn is a London banker who fought his way up from the bottom. However, his enemy has framed him for murder and now he is facing execution. He has made peace with this, but Jane comes along. Jane is widowed and pregnant and is being forced to go to the Newgate prison with her meddlesome prison preacher and help comfort those who are facing execution. After talking, Quinn decides to offer Jane marriage to help her guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither think they'll actually have a future together, but they are wrong when Quinn is able get off of death row. 

What a fun and different romance! They are married right at the beginning and they are forced to say goodbye thinking Quinn is going to executed. Things happen and they now forced to get to know each other and become really man and wife while she is preggo with her late hubbie's child. AND he is given the Dukedom. Lots of changes!

It was fun getting to watch them learn about each other and fall in love. I also loved watching Jane become a part of his crazy family. Those Wentworths are cra-cra! They didn't come from a normal upbringing and they all went some through a really rough past so they are a little...off. But I liked them and I want them all to be happy. 

The side characters were fun! I am curious to see if we get to see them more in the next books. 

The lust is instant, but they don't act on it for numerous reasons. The love took a while too, but it worked well. They have a lot of baggage to get through. Plus, Quinn has a lot of his mind...finding the person who want him dead. 

This did drag a little bit here and there. A few lulls so it took me a while to get through it.

In the end, there were some lulls here and there, but I did enjoy it. I love our characters and the story. It was for sure unique and different. I am curious about book 2. I want to see the Wenthworths find love. I'll give this 3 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #7 for Romance Bingo - "Lady in Red Dress on cover"

Audio: One Fine Fae by Molly Harper

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Amanda Ronconi

Series: Mystic Bayou, Book 4.5

Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins

Release date: 12-08-20

Publisher: Audible Originals

Novella, paranormal romance

To review

Short and nice, just what I needed.

Charlotte is a midway and heading to Mystic Bayou to help a dragon and a phoenix with their egg. Yes things gets strange in the Bayou. We do meet side characters from previous books, but I did feel like this novella could stand on its own. Enough was learned to move along.

While doing baby dragon egg stuff, she meets Leonard. The other POV, he has a Fae curse on him, oh I forgot to say that Charlotte is Fae! Anyway, poor Leonard, this is a mean curse that has been passed down generations for 200 years. They meet, they intrigue each other, and they were just cute. it is a novella, so it does not go deep, but I could still feel they were meant to be.

I liked the two narrator thing. Ranconi is good, and I really liked Davis too. He had this nice smooth voice that fit so well, and I could have listened to it for a long time. But I must say that even in 1.7x it managed to feel that I could have speed up even more with his voice. But that is just me. It was lovely.

Charlotte McBee knows she’s in for a challenge when she accepts a job as midwife for a dragon and a phoenix shifter. Being a fairy herself, it isn’t the supernatural world that scares her. It’s the thought of delivering a giant metal dragon’s egg, which has her gritting her teeth in pain for poor Jillian, the anxious mother-to-be.

While preparing for the big event, a handsome town resident catches her eye. Leonard is kind, charming and a little bit mysterious. He’s also suffering from a highly unusual condition brought on by an ancient fairy curse, and he’s too wary of Charlotte to allow her to get close. Will love overcome fear before the end of her assignment?

The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso

Paperback, 483 pages

Published June 4th 2020 by Orbit

Series: Rooks and Ruin #1

Fantasy

Own

I enjoyed this one and arghh no news about book 2. I wish goodreads had some kind of notification that tells me when someone adds news about book 2. Srsly goodreads, you need something like that!

It does have its flaws too, but I can live with them all for the easy flow of things in the book. It is adult, but yes it does read as YA at times. As always sorry YA, I think it is because the main character is 21, I read her like 16. As with all her new found friends and even this enemy that shows up. I guess he can be 100, but eh, 16 the bunch of them. And also cos the world is still not fleshed out. We are there, we do not learn much.

But it was still so good! It was almost great, like omg, 5% more and it would have been. But the evil guy gave up so easily, Ryx who had these awesome dark powers where even the grass withered under her did not use them or could use them when she should have. That felt a bit plotholish. She could have vanquished her foe with just a step. Do not tell me someone is that powerful and then just eh, not this time.

Still, I really liked it. It was light. Shit goes down, what is this evil tower (like omg tell her what the evil tower is, how can one guard something and not know what. OH OH and bloody easy to gain access to said tower. Bit plotholish again.) People argue, people show up, people die, and what will happen next? I do wonder.

With all my complaints I truly liked it. I totally want more, damn goodreads for not having a button that will let me know.

The mage-marked granddaughter of a ruler of Vaskandar, Ryx was destined for power and prestige at the top of Vaskandran society. But her magic is broken; all she can do is uncontrollably drain the life from everything she touches, and Vaskandar has no place for a mage with unusable powers.

Then, one night, two terrible accidents befall her: Ryx accidentally kills a visiting dignitary in self-defense, activating a mysterious magical artifact sealed in an ancient tower in the heart of her family’s castle.

Ryx flees, seeking a solution to her deadly magic. She falls in with a group of unlikely magical experts investigating the disturbance in Vaskandar—and Ryx realizes that her family is in danger and her domain is at stake. She and her new colleagues must return to the family stronghold to take control of the artifact that everyone wants to claim—before it destroys the world.

Audio: Girl on the line by Faith Gardner

Narrated by: Caitlin Davies

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Release date: 01-19-21

Publisher: HarperAudio

YA Fiction

To review

You might have noticed by now that I like my YA emotional, it is the best YA. Here I want it real, and heart wrenching.

Journey tried to kill herself. She had a hard time before, she had ups that were high high, and lows that were bottomless. She was in an accident. She fell in love and was left. What really is going on is hard to know, some just want to give her pills and a diagnosis. 

It takes place before and after, until we get to a time when we can go forward. And yes it feels real and sad, she is struggling so much. At times she is going forward, but then she falls into that dark hole where her thoughts plague her again. She has a loving family, she has her best friend, but she can't tell them of these things.

And do not think there is some happy ending, she is not suddenly cured, but at least I can tell you that it did not make me cry, so you know that she will make it. I think I can spoil that. We need some hope.  And her hope is that she starts to see that she can get better, but she will never be fully hole.

I liked it. The sad and hard truths that were her life. But never going into really sad, it was life, she was human. We all have flaws.

I liked the narration, she had a  great young voice for Journey, and distinct voices for all. She brought emotion into her narration

Life’s tough when you didn’t expect to be living it.

But now that Journey has a future, she apparently also has to figure out what that future’s supposed to look like.

Some days the pain feels as fresh as that day. The one with the pills, the hospital, and the end that didn’t come. Her parents don’t know how to speak to her. Her best friend cracks all the wrong jokes. Her bipolar II disorder feels like it swallows her completely.

But other days—they feel like revelations. Like meeting the beautiful Etta, a community college student who is a world unto herself. Or walking into the office of the volunteer hotline and discovering a community as simultaneously strong and broken as she is.

Or uncovering the light within herself that she didn’t know existed.

TMST

 

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

How has your reading changed since the pandemic started?

It hasn't. My life is honestly not that much different then it was prepandemic. I still have to go to work, S has daycare. Life just kept on rolling. For many it changed, but here not so much (except for you know not going to fun things for S and etc but that had nothing to do with reading anyway.)

So I read the same books, I listen at the same speed. Yup, nothing has changed at all. Except for me picking up this book I wanted to read and there was a pandemic there and I say F no! I do prefer some happiness these days

Feb 16 Share some of your favorite romantic stories/books.

Feb 23 What books are you looking forward to reading in Spring 2021 (March - May)?