Danah’s Comments (group member since Jul 14, 2024)

Danah’s comments from the No Shelf Control group.

Starting this thread because I feel like I have decently unpopular opinions about some books and need to vent because Mariah is tired of me texting her.

FIRST... I hate a pregnancy trope. Drives me absolutely bananas. This also falls into the category of a book discussing a menstrual cycle or anything related. I just don't like it.

Second... I am struggling so bad to understand why everyone loves the Throne of Glass series. I am an ACOTAR FAN. If my house catches fire, I am grabbing my copies. But TOG is not it for me and I can't understand what I'm missing - if anything.

Maybe I get book blind while I'm reading a book and need to start taking a 24 hour cool down period before reviewing

Additionally, if my therapist showed up to my family member’s houses, I’d be getting a lawyer

The Silent Patient written by some guy
2/5 stars

I dont dislike thrillers. I dont love them either. Ive read a handful of Freida and some other unpopular titles. Average thriller rating for me is probably 3/5.

This was not good (for me). I was so bored, I kept falling asleep or distracting myself to keep me awake. Theo is lame, Alicia is even lamer. Im a gabber. I cant imagine a woman scorned who just becomes silent.

Whats the message here? Dont get married, youll cheat and become unhappy? Everyone abused, becomes a nut? The novel has an unhealthy view on mental health and childhood trauma.

Would not recommend.

4.5/5

AHHHHHHHHH

this was SO GOOD. I loved the writing, I loved the characters, I loved the storyline. Highly recommend to anyone who cares about my reviews.

Perfect lil read for October. I ate it up in one day.

-.5 stars because I hated how snobby the mean characters were. Felt forced. F Mia too.

4/5 stars

I dont read thrillers often and I dont know that I would count this as one, but it was good. Its a very easy read, and I honestly enjoyed seeing Adam lose his absolute marbles at every turn.

I would have liked to see more of the court case, and I dont love predictability so -1 star for me there.

“The perfect divorce” just released a special edition, I might pick it up but I feel like this is one of those books that are better left as a standalone.

I LOVED this book!!

I thought it was going to be corny but it really wasnt! I suggest this book to everyone I know that reads or listens. The spice level was perfect 🤭 the characters were so well developed and I felt like I understood them way more than alot of the other books I’ve read lately.

Immediately added “Prime Time Romance” by Kate Robb to my TBR.

Ladies and gentlemen…

If i could suggest one series for the rest of my life - it is the Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy. Featuring 6 books at no less than 400 pages each… an absolute banger.

Through the series we learn about Auren, the patriarchy, stereotyping, and a twist on the classic tale of King Midas. This series is dark, not necessarily dark romance but features really heavy topics such as shmexual assault, human trafficking, murder, slavery, and others.

If that aint your vibe, dont read.
If you love Rhysand, however, give it a shot.

As of Sep 30, 2024: i am finishing gold (book 5). Starting Goldfinch (6th and final book) soon 😭

Good LORD I love Ashley Poston. I have read The Dead Romantics, 7 Year Slip, and A Novel Love Story.

Each book is so good, and I’ve rated them 5 stars each. I’d give them 1000 if I could. I have recommended these to everyone I know that reads.

Shes one of the first true insta-buy authors of mine.

Official rating from D Beav is 2/5 stars. I remember nothing of the book 2 months later besides how bored i was reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This book had me HOOKED. I generally am not a fan of thrillers, don’t love the overdone tropes, yada yada BUT this was so well written that it kept my interest and curiosity.

If you liked this, read Layla by Colleen Hoover.

-1 star for the plot twist. That’s just me being annoying but it was a good pick

Ya i actually have reduced my rating multiple times

1/5 stars

This book had so much going on at all times for no reason. I did not want to pick this book up AT ALL. The daughter is insufferable, theres a million characters for no reason, and so many untied ends.

They all suck. Nobody dies. The end.

5/5 EVERY LAST BOOK

I ate this series up with everything in me. I love fantasy stories and I have really enjoyed YA fantasies since they don't focus on the romance or smut, but have a solid, deliverable plot. I heard such great things from booktok and from friends who have read this series, and not one bit of it disappointed. I have also heard that the audiobook doesn't deliver the same way reading it does.

It only took me a few chapters into book 1 before I ordered 2 and 3, and I'm about to place my order for book 4 just hours after finishing book 3.

The details: fae, fantasy, politics, character development, unreliable narrator, romance, happy ending

The Cruel Prince
The Wicked King
The Queen of Nothing
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories

⭐️⭐️/5

This book had been on my TBR since I started using Goodreads and WHAT A LETDOWN. Immediately in the story, you are thrown into a million place names and words that you don’t understand. Ive been spoiled with fantasy books in that they usually have a map of some kind. I could spend time looking up all the places and phrases but that would have wasted all the time I spent trudging through this book.

The story line was okay. I dont love toxic relationships and this initially read as one. Addie has some issues and of COURSE theres a miscommunication trope which I HATE and didn’t know about.

It read more of a travel brochure instead of a romance. Even the spicy scenes were boring and quick winded. I skimmed through a large chunk of the pages so I couldn’t even tell you any significant places beyond Scotland lmfao.

My copy is immediately getting unhauled.

The Lost Apothecary
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The concept of this book was unique. It wasnt a woman empowerment story in that women are physically strong or extremely witty, but more so in a way of girlhood and being there for one another. Nella and Eliza really showed that. Eliza also showed a maturity that would only come from this kind of background (no spoilers!!)

I also love a good happy ending and that was exactly what I got from this story.

As a history person, I dont know the credibility that went into some of the details, but it brought back the same thoughts of just being interesting - learning something about a time and place we otherwise couldnt experience.

-1 star because at points, the language was confusing and I dont always love multiple POV but thats also just me being annoying.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I kept going back and forth between 3 or 4 stars on this. For starters, both of the books I’ve read by Jimenez has had some type of pretty traumatic disease or condition, which sure representation, but it gives me such an icky feeling like shes trying to reach a specific audience without really knowing the experience.

Pros: Josh, Stuntman Mike, hot firemen apparently

Cons: Kristen, trauma, disease/condition trope, quirky “im not like other girls 🤪” FMC, communication between the love interests

Mariah you are so good at this