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Kyera (8 KP) rated Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
The second book in the series follow anna to San Francisco, but tells the story of Lola. Lola is a unique girl with a penchant for fashion and boy troubles. Mainly, an older boy(friend) that her parents don't approve of. After falling in love with Anna and the French Kiss, I was excited to immediately begin Lola and the Boy Next Door. While it is still a good book, I didn't connect with the main character as much as I did the first book. It takes a while for you to fall in love with the book and Lola grows on you as the story progresses.
I was happy to see more of ANna and St. Clair, as theirs was the story that I fell in love with. Anna reads as older than she is, in my opinons. Where she seemed like a twenty-year-old college student in the first novel, she now feels older even though its only been a few months. Her relationship with Etienne, as well as her demeanor, make them feel like theyre now in their mid-twenties... or maybe they're just starting to feel like a happy, married couple.
Lola is faced with one of those typical YA love triangles - she's in a relationship but she's faced with unresolved feelings for another boy. Its obvious and you know who she's going to end up with at the end. A relationship isn't right if you are uncomfortable imagining a future with them - or if you fall for someone else. Love and committment don't lead to considering other people.
All that being said, I much prefer Cricket as her suitor than Max (so I shant complain that Lola questions her feelings). He doesn't have a fiery temper, he's kind and thoughtful, plus he's creative and smart in the way that inventors are. Max is angsty and although he's there for Lola, its more superficial and forced than it should be. He once said, "Do you have any idea what I've put up with to be with you?" You shouldn't have to <i>put up with</i> things. You do them because you love the person and it makes <i>them</i> happy.
Anna sums up the dilemma beautifully, "Sometimes a mistake isn't a what. It's a who." Her mistake is Max, but it will take her time to discover that. Even her friendship with Cricket is more healthy and full of love, than the lustful one she has with Max. Let's be honest when she says, "I care about you. I want to be connected to you." even though it's only in her head, you know who she's going to end up with. She just hasn't admitted it yet.
While I haven't fallen in love with Lola like I did Anna, there are still characters that I've fallen for in this novel. Cricket, the boy next door, is lovable because he's kind, a little unsure of himself and so self-less. He's an architect, an inventor, a creator and must learn to take pride in what he's good at. I'm fond of her best friend, Lindsey, although I find her woefully underdeveloped. (But who can't fall in love with the introverted, studious best friend with a Nancy Drew book collection, detective obsession, and desire to be a spy? That was my entire childhood.)
Calliope is the golden child, who is too possessive over her brother and takes on the role of mean girl in this novel. Late in the book there's a moment that gives much-needed depth to her character when Lola fixes her costume and she realizes that her family needs to appreciate Cricket more. Overall, the characters seemed more developed in the first book so I'm a little disappointed by the new ones.
"You have to do the hard thing... you have to be honest with yourself." You should not stay in a relationship, the wrong relationship, because you are only delaying the time until you find yourself in the right one. Why be unhappy longer than you need to be? The author portrays this wonderfully and maybe readers can learn from Lola's missteps. She also shows you how to be the person they deserve to love. If you feel that you don't yet deserve them, earn it. It's a good lesson for anyone to learn.
The author description of Calliope's ice skating actually gave me chills. Although I don't know what all the technically terms translate to visually, I could still imagine her routine and the emotion of the arena.
The ending was great, as the author leaves the reader satisfied but wanting to hear more of the story. There are no glaring cliff-hangers or unresolved plot points. Of course, you want to know if Calliope goes to the Olympics and does well - but maybe that will be addressed in Isla's book.
I was happy to see more of ANna and St. Clair, as theirs was the story that I fell in love with. Anna reads as older than she is, in my opinons. Where she seemed like a twenty-year-old college student in the first novel, she now feels older even though its only been a few months. Her relationship with Etienne, as well as her demeanor, make them feel like theyre now in their mid-twenties... or maybe they're just starting to feel like a happy, married couple.
Lola is faced with one of those typical YA love triangles - she's in a relationship but she's faced with unresolved feelings for another boy. Its obvious and you know who she's going to end up with at the end. A relationship isn't right if you are uncomfortable imagining a future with them - or if you fall for someone else. Love and committment don't lead to considering other people.
All that being said, I much prefer Cricket as her suitor than Max (so I shant complain that Lola questions her feelings). He doesn't have a fiery temper, he's kind and thoughtful, plus he's creative and smart in the way that inventors are. Max is angsty and although he's there for Lola, its more superficial and forced than it should be. He once said, "Do you have any idea what I've put up with to be with you?" You shouldn't have to <i>put up with</i> things. You do them because you love the person and it makes <i>them</i> happy.
Anna sums up the dilemma beautifully, "Sometimes a mistake isn't a what. It's a who." Her mistake is Max, but it will take her time to discover that. Even her friendship with Cricket is more healthy and full of love, than the lustful one she has with Max. Let's be honest when she says, "I care about you. I want to be connected to you." even though it's only in her head, you know who she's going to end up with. She just hasn't admitted it yet.
While I haven't fallen in love with Lola like I did Anna, there are still characters that I've fallen for in this novel. Cricket, the boy next door, is lovable because he's kind, a little unsure of himself and so self-less. He's an architect, an inventor, a creator and must learn to take pride in what he's good at. I'm fond of her best friend, Lindsey, although I find her woefully underdeveloped. (But who can't fall in love with the introverted, studious best friend with a Nancy Drew book collection, detective obsession, and desire to be a spy? That was my entire childhood.)
Calliope is the golden child, who is too possessive over her brother and takes on the role of mean girl in this novel. Late in the book there's a moment that gives much-needed depth to her character when Lola fixes her costume and she realizes that her family needs to appreciate Cricket more. Overall, the characters seemed more developed in the first book so I'm a little disappointed by the new ones.
"You have to do the hard thing... you have to be honest with yourself." You should not stay in a relationship, the wrong relationship, because you are only delaying the time until you find yourself in the right one. Why be unhappy longer than you need to be? The author portrays this wonderfully and maybe readers can learn from Lola's missteps. She also shows you how to be the person they deserve to love. If you feel that you don't yet deserve them, earn it. It's a good lesson for anyone to learn.
The author description of Calliope's ice skating actually gave me chills. Although I don't know what all the technically terms translate to visually, I could still imagine her routine and the emotion of the arena.
The ending was great, as the author leaves the reader satisfied but wanting to hear more of the story. There are no glaring cliff-hangers or unresolved plot points. Of course, you want to know if Calliope goes to the Olympics and does well - but maybe that will be addressed in Isla's book.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated The Perils of Growing Up Werewolf (Hair in all the Wrong Places #2) in Books
Dec 12, 2017
OMG!!! Colin and friends are back once again to entertain and captivate and I must say that though I loved the first book in this series I Loved, loved, loved this one. Full of werewolves, vampires, witches and an adorable; well, I think it's adorable, fire imp. This author immediately pulls you in and entangles you in the story line with his witty reportoire and characters that you'll quickly fall in love with. This is a book you'll want to read over and over again!!
A MUST read!!
(I requested a copy for review purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my ow.)
A MUST read!!
(I requested a copy for review purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed herein are unbiased and my ow.)
Anne-Marie (3 KP) rated Despicable Me 3 (2017) in Movies
Jul 16, 2017
As good as the others in the series!
Contains spoilers, click to show
Gru gets fired from AVL and Lucy jacks it in to support her hubby, all because an ex Child TV star gets away from them. When at his lowest Gru discovers he has a twin brother, Dru. Dru is soft and giggly and a disappointment to their villain father; Dru wants to make it up to his memory by talking Gru into a heist, taking the world biggest diamond! Hilarity, family, love and a real unicorn make this movie a great continuation from the other two. Pity Bob isn't in it but Mel leads the other minions to mutiny and jail!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Nightingale in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Wow! Just wow! This book was beautifully written. It is so full of heartbreak & evil but in the end the fact that love is what remained makes it beautiful. It felt so real, I don't doubt that there are women out there that did what Vianne & Isabelle did. They are 2 brave sisters who risk everything to help make the world a better place despite being surrounded by all the horrors of WWII. It has been a long time since I cried like I did at the end of a book. I'd have to stop reading several times in the last few chapters because I was so moved. What a beautiful story!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Columbus Affair in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Okay. I hesitate to say too much in this review as the book hasn't been released yet & I know quite a few people anxious to get their hands on it. I don't want to spoil it for anyone. So I will say that it did not disappoint in the least.
I think the biggest issue I had with it is that it isn't Cotton Malone. I love that character! This is a stand alone book. It did take me a little reading to really get sucked in to the story. But with that being said, it is still a Berry book with all the trappings that make him such a wonderful author to read.
I think the biggest issue I had with it is that it isn't Cotton Malone. I love that character! This is a stand alone book. It did take me a little reading to really get sucked in to the story. But with that being said, it is still a Berry book with all the trappings that make him such a wonderful author to read.
Kira (36 KP) rated Miitopia in Video Games
Sep 1, 2017
Customization (1 more)
Dynamic
Battles can begin to feel repetitive (1 more)
Only control one character in battle
I love that Nintendo have made it so the player is able to completely create the cast of the story. You pick the way they look, their personality and job, which leads to you feeling more attached to the characters than you might normally. I for one was pretty annoyed when the Dark Lord came along and messed with all my hard work!
Unfortunately the battles can start to feel a little stale, but there is an auto-battle function that helps with this. It also sucks a little that you can't control the entire party when in combat.
Unfortunately the battles can start to feel a little stale, but there is an auto-battle function that helps with this. It also sucks a little that you can't control the entire party when in combat.
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Come Sundown in Books
May 16, 2018
I won an Advance Reader's Edition of this book from the publisher, St. Martin's Press, via Goodreads giveaway. Thank you!
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I've been reading Nora Roberts for what seems like my entire life, and she consistently creates stories and characters that I fall completely in love with. This story grabbed me immediately and wouldn't let go. I saw another reviewer use the phrase "heartbreaking and beautiful," and I could not agree more. The characters are complex and interesting, and interact so well with each other that you almost feel like you're eavesdropping.
Also: I want to live and work on the Bodine Ranch & Resort. :)
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. I've been reading Nora Roberts for what seems like my entire life, and she consistently creates stories and characters that I fall completely in love with. This story grabbed me immediately and wouldn't let go. I saw another reviewer use the phrase "heartbreaking and beautiful," and I could not agree more. The characters are complex and interesting, and interact so well with each other that you almost feel like you're eavesdropping.
Also: I want to live and work on the Bodine Ranch & Resort. :)
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder in Books
May 25, 2018
I love Rebecca Wells' writing and most of her stories, but this one was definitely not one of my favorites. I felt it was a bit on the goofy dramatic side, and very predictable. I enjoyed the characters, and loved the setting and all the sweet, charming southern people who lived there, but it just didn't lure me in as her other books do.
I could have done without the La Luna / Moon stuff entirely. The writing also seemed very juvenile, even as Calla grew up. It was a cute story, so I wouldn't NOT recommend it - but not that fun to read, and a bit out of Wells' character for writing style.
I could have done without the La Luna / Moon stuff entirely. The writing also seemed very juvenile, even as Calla grew up. It was a cute story, so I wouldn't NOT recommend it - but not that fun to read, and a bit out of Wells' character for writing style.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Queste (Septimus Heap #4) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this fourth book in the Septimus Heap series and can't wait for the fifth to come out next month. The plots keeping getting better and better as the series progresses. My only complaint is Jenna. She's getting to be very bossy and it's rather making me dislike her anymore. I understand Jenna's a princess and will be queen, but she was raised better than that and I wish she'd get a lesson in humility soon. Especially since she's basically the main secondary character. I really want to like her again. Overall, great story with great creativity, and I just love the 'epilogues' of various characters that is always included.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
Mothergamer (1631 KP) rated Boku no Hīrō Akademi, My Hero Academia in TV
Feb 25, 2019
A friend introduced me to My Hero Academia and right from the first episode I was hooked. The story has a great and interesting concept, the characters are great, and the music and artwork for it are fantastic. Each character is quite memorable and I love how the episodes show what they can do. The main character is great and I find myself really liking him and the fact that with all the rough things he has gone through, he still tries to help others and has a good heart. There are great action scenes and wonderful emotional moments as well. I ended up binge watching all 3 seasons because it is that good.