September 2023 Mini Reviews
Published: 5th August 2021 by Picador
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
I have heard nothing but rave reviews for this since it came out a couple of years ago, so I hesitantly had quite high expectations for this, and it definitely did not disappoint. I always feel a bit weird reviewing memoirs, because who am I to be judging the way in which someone recounts their life experiences, but saying that, Zauner's writing was beautiful in its brutal rawness. The way she so adeptly wrote about her tricky relationship with her mother and reckoning with both the Korean and American sides of her identity felt very important, and I loved the value placed on food and cooking as a way of bonding that was shown from the very beginning of Crying in H Mart. Zauner's depiction of grief was heartbreaking but clearly cathartic, and I honestly think would be so helpful to people who have recently lost someone, especially a parent. I've also recently heard that Zauner is hosting open casting calls for an adaptation of this, so I can't wait to weep in the cinema!
5 stars
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova
Meant to Be #3
Published: 3rd August 2023 by Bonnier Books
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
I had no idea that this was part of a Disney Princess modern retelling companion series, but the concept of this just sounds very fun, and I was hoping that some of the more outdated parts of the stories would be updated to reflect today's world. Ariel is probably my least favourite Disney Princess, but I really enjoyed the musician twist on the story that still kept the essence of her voice being taken without the literal sacrificing of her voice for a man. I did find this a bit slow to get into, but I ended up really enjoying this - the whole 'found family' element of the whole group on tour, while Ariel still maintained such a close bond with all of her sisters, was very heartwarming, especially as Ariel really grew into herself as the book went on. I'm definitely interested in checking out the other books in this series now too.
3.5 stars
Love to Hate You by Camilla Isley
First Comes Love #7
Published: 10th August 2023 by Boldwood Books
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
I love a good cowboy romance! I had no idea what to expect going into this, but it was just such a good time in the end, and exactly what I was looking for out of an end-of-summer romance read. The concept was definitely a bit far-fetched, of a movie producer having to help rebuild a town in order to get filming permits, but I honestly really enjoyed the ridiculousness of it all. I always enjoy a small-town setting, and this was no exception with the country dances and the one bar in town, and the tight-knit community. Travis and Samantha were very cute together, and I appreciated how New York was incorporated as a common point between the two of them while also loving the small town too. Travis was such a sweetheart and it was nice to see how thoughtful he was towards Samantha and her career.
3 stars
The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh
The Beautiful #1
Published: 8th October 2019 by Hodder & Stoughton
I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my review.
This felt like the perfect book to read to kick off Autumn - as a previously huge vampire fan, I was very excited to dive back into a spooky world, especially one set in 19th-century New Orleans (was really hoping for it to feel like The Originals if I'm being honest). I did really enjoy the setting and all the French elements interwoven throughout, but sadly that was one of the strongest parts of the book for me. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Sebastien and Celine, but I wish it was explored more, and the fact that the whole vampire element was used as the grand reveal at the end and yet had been marketed heavily as a vampire story was disappointing. I don't think I'll be continuing with the series, especially after seeing that there are 3 more after this one - unfortunately I just didn't love the story enough to get through that much more of it.
3 stars
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