ashereadsstuff

[ashereadsstuff]

'The Nightblood Prince' by: Molly X. Chang

I received an ARC from NetGalley In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5:  ⭐⭐⭐.75 (3.75/5)

Release Date: 01 July 2025

Content Warnings: War, Death, Misogyny, Blood, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Child death, Suicide

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SYNOPSIS:

Two princes. One prophecy. A fate she cannot outrun.

 The night Fei was born, a prophecy was made: she would one day become the Empress of All Empresses.

Torn from her family as a child and raised in the palace to one day marry the Crown Prince of the most powerful empire in the land, Fei has only ever known loneliness. When the opportunity arises to seize her own destiny for the first time in her life, Fei sets out to hunt a legendary tiger, knowing it might cost her everything. What she doesn’t expect is to fall under the mercy of Yexue, the beautiful runaway prince from a rival kingdom. Blessed by the night, harboring a dangerous magic, and capable of commanding an army of deadly vampires, Yexue could be the key to Fei gaining more than just her freedom.

But to outrun destiny, Fei must spark a wave of events that will change the world as she knows it. Torn between two princes and plagued by nightmares of bloodshed, she finds that the stars might be more inescapable—and more irresistible—than she ever considered before. . . .

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MY REVIEW:

A Solid Read with a Surprising (and Refreshing) Ending

This book was a pretty engaging read—solidly average, but not in a bad way. I’m definitely intrigued enough to check out the second book. I went in expecting a love triangle (which I usually hate), and while it seemed like the story was heading that way, I was honestly relieved it didn’t go there. Good riddance; men are overrated anyway.

I actually really appreciated the way the author chose to end things. It felt intentional and fitting, even if it wasn’t the romantic resolution some might expect. While I didn’t feel deeply connected to the characters or the story on an emotional level, that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. Sometimes, it’s not about seeing yourself in the characters; it’s about recognizing others through them. And in that sense, the book still resonated.

[ashereadsstuff]

[ashereadsstuff]

'A Theory of Dreaming' by: Ava Reid

I received an ARC from NetGalley In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5:  ⭐.5 (.5/5)

Release Date: 05 August 2025

Content Warnings: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Incest, Sexual harassment, War

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SYNOPSIS:

Return to the immersive, lush, and dreamlike world of the instantly bestselling dark academia fantasy A Study in Drowning as the aftermath of their first discovery pulls Effy and Preston on a final adventure and brings their haunting love story to its end in this stunning sequel and final book in the duology.

All stories come to an end.

Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairy tale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll.

But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university—and soon the entire nation—is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin’s legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories?

With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king—visions that start to follow him even in waking.

As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire: Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his.

Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

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MY REVIEW:

I would Like to thank NetGalley for providing a ARC copy in exchange for a review.

Unfortunately, this book felt stagnant for the majority of the story. The plot doesn’t gain any real momentum until about the 59% mark, which made the pacing difficult to stay invested in. Effy and Preston spend most of the book avoiding honest communication, circling around each other with unresolved tension that never builds into anything meaningful or satisfying.

It was frustrating to see Effy constantly refer to herself as fragile—especially considering the strength and courage she demonstrated in defeating the fairy king in the previous book. Preston reflects this same pattern, and rather than feeling relatable, their insecurities felt excessive and repetitive. Effy continually puts herself down and encourages Preston to do the same, which became emotionally exhausting to read.

Their lack of trust made connecting with the story even harder. Effy doesn’t believe anything Preston says, and Preston withholds important information because he assumes she can’t handle it. These communication issues felt contrived and unnecessarily dragged out.

Normally, I would finish a book like this in a few days, but this one took me nearly three months just to get to the 60% mark. And even then, I struggled to see what the story was trying to accomplish. I haven’t mentioned the plot much—because, frankly, it’s unclear what the plot even is. Effy spirals and shuts herself down, and Preston isolates himself instead of turning to the one person who could understand: the girlfriend who went through something similar in the last book. The setup had so much potential, but the execution left me deeply disappointed in the author, editor, and publisher.

The first book was fantastic—atmospheric, emotionally rich, and full of genuine character development. I loved the slow bonding between Effy and Preston in that story. But this sequel felt unnecessary, as if it only exists because the first book performed well. Not every story needs to become a series, and this trend of dragging out narratives for the sake of marketability is becoming increasingly common—and honestly, it’s concerning. 

[ashereadsstuff]

'The Monstrous Kind' By: Lydia Gregovic

I received an ARC from NetGalley In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: .5 (.5/5)

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Content Warnings: Blood, Death of parent, Death, Classism, Murder, Grief, Child death, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury

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SYNOPSIS:

Merrick Darling’s life as daughter of the Manor Lord of Sussex is better than most. Unlike the commoners, she is immune to the toxic fog that encroached on England generations earlier. She will never become a Phantom—one of the monstrous creatures that stalk her province’s borders—and as long as the fires burn to hold them back, her safety is ensured. She wants for nothing, yet she will never inherit her family’s Manor. She must marry smartly or live at the kindness of her elder sister, Essie.

Everything is turned on its head, though, when Merrick’s father dies suddenly. Torn from her New London society life of ball gowns and parties, Merrick must travel back to her childhood home, the Darling estate of Norland House, and what she finds there is bewildering. Once strong and capable, Essie is withdrawn and frightened—and with good cause. A recent string of attacks along the province’s borders has turned their formerly bucolic countryside into a terrifying and unpredictable landscape. The fog is closing in and the fires aren’t holding, which makes Merrick and Essie vulnerable in more ways than one. Because the Phantoms are far from the only monsters in Merrick’s world, and the other eleven Manor Lords are always watching for weakness.

Revealing her and her sister’s current state to the rest of the Manors is out of the question, but when Essie goes missing, it’s clear that Merrick needs help. Only, who can she trust when everyone seems to be scheming, and when all she holds true feels like it’s slipping right out of her grasp?

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MY REVIEW:

The first thing that stood out to me about The Monstrous Kind was how slow and wordy it was. The first 30% felt like pure information dumping, and I kept waiting—hoping—for the pace to pick up. This is my first time reading a Regency-era novel with real substance, so I’m not sure if that kind of slow buildup is typical, but it made the reading experience feel like a slog.

The story hinges on miscommunication between the sisters and repeated attacks by the Phantom, but neither element felt engaging enough to hold my attention. I found myself wanting it to be over. The only reason I didn’t DNF it was because it's an ARC, but I seriously considered it.

As I kept reading, it became clear that one of the main issues was the protagonist, Merrick. She’s clearly privileged, yet spends most of the book complaining about her situation without making any real effort to change it. Everyone has their struggles—hers didn’t feel compelling enough to warrant the constant self-pity. Her character came across as one-dimensional, and she consistently blamed her problems on others, particularly her sister Essie and their father.

Overall, this book didn’t work for me. The premise had potential, but the execution fell flat.

[ashereadsstuff]

'Heir' (Heir Duology #1) by: Sabaa Tahir

I received an ARC from NetGalley In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 (4.5/5)

Release Date: October 1, 2024

Content Warnings: Child death, Violence, War, Sexual content, Grief, Torture, Death of parent, Vomit, Blood

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SYNOPSIS:

Prepare for a ruthless and romantic new fantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author Sabaa Tahir that introduces a new generation of characters set in the same world as the unforgettable An Ember in the Ashes series. An orphan. An outcast. A prince. And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees.

Growing up in the Kegari slums, AIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeance, but it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prison, where the embers of her wrath ignite.

Banished from her people for an unforgivable crime, SIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destitute, she agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attraction, Sirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than she’s willing to give up.  

QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empress, but he’s loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperor, he, better than anyone, understands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the Empire, Quil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need.

Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives—and their hearts. Literally.

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MY REVIEW:

I want to thank NetGalley for providing an ARC of Heir by Sabaa Tahir in exchange for an honest review.

Heir is a gripping, fast-paced novel that you won’t want to put down. The world-building is stunning, immersing you in a richly detailed and complex environment. The characters are multi-dimensional, shaped by their surroundings, and their growth is both intriguing and compelling. While I had some issues with Aiz—particularly her reckless decision-making—the book’s other characters, like Sirsha and Quil, more than made up for it. They were incredibly entertaining, bringing humor and warmth to balance Aiz’s darker tendencies. Aiz’s transformation into a villainous figure was shocking, though it felt somewhat sudden. Despite this, the book kept me hooked, and I couldn’t stop reading. That ending—what the heck was that?! All I can think about is the next book, and I will gladly devour every page of it.

While writing this review, I read other people’s thoughts, and some mentioned that it helps to read Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes before Heir. I agree—especially if you want to understand the more technical components of the book. However, I didn’t realize this until I was about 50% through. Personally, I think you can read Heir without the previous books, but only if you have strong reading comprehension skills. Since this is a fantasy novel with heavy world-building, the extra context would definitely help.

Spoilers Ahead:

Aiz was a major source of frustration for me. Her actions, especially as the plot unfolded, felt increasingly out of place for someone who was supposed to be seeking help and grew up in the lower class. Her recklessness didn’t fully reflect the struggles of someone in her position, which made her character feel inconsistent. Her POVs also became dull until about 70% through the book, making it difficult to stay invested in her journey.

The relationship between Aiz and Mother Div was another issue. While I understand that Mother Div was meant to be controlling and manipulative, the lack of explanation surrounding Aiz’s mission as the "Chosen One" made the intended manipulation feel off. I get that she’s a deity, but if you need someone to fulfill a grand destiny, shouldn’t you provide more guidance than just Shut up, free my people, and do my bidding? Aiz’s descent into villainy felt abrupt, and I wish the author had provided more subtle hints earlier on��whether through the book Aiz was constantly reading or her conversations with Mother Div—to better show how she was being influenced.

Despite these frustrations, Sirsha and Quil were absolute standouts. Their interactions were funny, engaging, and provided much-needed balance to the heavier themes of the book. I loved their dynamic, and they made up for the weaker parts of the story.

Overall, I loved Heir and rated it 4.5 stars. The world-building, character depth, and emotional impact made it a fantastic read, even with some flaws in Aiz’s arc. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for the next book!

[ashereadsstuff]

'Vanishing World' by: Sayaka Murata

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Grove Atlantic Press In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟.5 (3.5/5)

Release Date: April 15, 2025

Content Warnings: Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Kidnapping

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SYNOPSIS:

From the author of the bestselling literary sensations Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings comes a surprising and highly imaginative story set in a version of Japan where sex between married couples has vanished and all children are born by artificial insemination 

Sayaka Murata has proven herself to be one of the most exciting chroniclers of the strangeness of society, x-raying our contemporary world to bizarre and troubling effect. Her depictions of a happily unmarried retail worker in Convenience Store Woman and a young woman convinced she is an alien in Earthlings have endeared her to millions of readers worldwide. Vanishing World takes Murata’s universe to a bold new level, imagining an alternative Japan where attitudes to sex and procreation are wildly different to our own. 

As a girl, Amane realizes with horror that her parents “copulated” in order to bring her into the world, rather than using artificial insemination, which became the norm in the mid-twentieth century. Amane strives to get away from what she considers an indoctrination in this strange “system” by her mother, but her infatuations with both anime characters and real people have a sexual force that is undeniable. As an adult in an appropriately sexless marriage—sex between married couples is now considered as taboo as incest—Amane and her husband Saku decide to go and live in a mysterious new town called Experiment City or Paradise-Eden, where all children are raised communally, and every person is considered a Mother to all children. Men are beginning to become pregnant using artificial wombs that sit outside of their bodies like balloons, and children are nameless, called only “Kodomo-chan.” Is this the new world that will purify Amane of her strangeness once and for all? 

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MY REVIEW:

I would like to thank netgalley for an eARC being provided so I could review this book.

I’ve had my eye on Sayaka Murata for a while, and I was excited to finally read one of her books. The Vanishing World was unsettling, eerie, and deeply thought-provoking. Murata has a way of immersing the reader seamlessly into her world, and her ability to capture the most grotesque aspects of human nature—the insecurity, insatiable greed, and hypocrisy—is both disturbing and fascinating.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this book was its depiction of family structures. The way Murata presents them feels unsettlingly plausible, as if she’s holding up a warped mirror to our world. Whether her vision of the future is dystopian or just the inevitable evolution of society is left up to the reader to decide.

I also appreciate how direct and unflinching Murata’s writing is—she doesn’t waste words, and every sentence feels purposeful. That said, I found myself irritated with every single character, which I think was intentional. Their flaws are the driving force of the story, making them difficult to like but impossible to ignore. And then there’s Saku—his character felt so odd and disconnected from traditional masculinity that at times, it didn’t even feel like he was written as a man. Which I understand now was an intentional decision. 

Overall, The Vanishing World was an unsettling yet compelling read, and Murata’s unique storytelling left a strong impression on me.

[ashereadsstuff]

2024 Reading Wrap-Up

I have included everything I have read including fanfic. But I have not rated them; (Which is wrong for those of you who don't know). I have a blog post expressing my opinions about this year and the publishing world.

Published Book | Manga | Fanfic

The Standard You Walk Past

There’s No Way This Is Fate: Newlyweds Arc

Clean and Dirty

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)

Countdown to Love

Dear your Holiness

Stranger Than Friends

Bewildered

You've Got the Antidote for Me

Hello Goodbye (t'was nice to know you)

Storm in a Teacup

Dangerous

punch-drunk fingerprints

Hey, Potter

men, abort mission (that is the silver lining in my cloudy disposition)

Not Nothing

Bad Dream

Draco Malfoy & the Mirror of Ecidyrue

The Cuckoo's Egg

Rising Tide

God of Fury (Legacy of Gods #5)

Draco Malfoy & the Heir of Slytherin

The Foxhole Court (All for the Game #1)

Beast Giving Love

The Raven King (All for the Game #2)

The King's Men (All for the Game #3)

Lazarus (All for the Games #3.5)

Son Nefes (All for the Game #0.5)

Extras All for the Game

Providence

Egotistical Puckboy (Puckboys #1)

Irresponsible Puckboy (Puckboys #2)

Shameless Puckboy (Puckboys #3)

Devilry (Kung University #2)

Foolish Puckboy (Puckboys #4)

Clueless Puckboy (Puckboys #5)

Bromantic Puckboy (Puckboys #6)

Power Plays & Straight A's (CU Hockey #1)

Face Offs & Cheap Shots (CU Hockey #2)

Goal Lines & First Times (CU Hockey #3)

Far From Camelot

An Unexpected King of Love (When Snow Falls #1)

Line Mates & Study Dates (CU Hockey #4)

Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (CU Hockey #5)

Iris (Mike Bravo Ops #1)

Rouge (Mike Bravo Ops #2)

Atlas (Mike Bravo Ops #3)

Zeus (Mike Bravo Ops #4)

Fake Out (Fake Boyfriend #1)

Trick Play (Fake Boyfriend #2)

Wrath (Sinful Secrets)

Gravity

There were so many good books this year and obviously a few bad ones. In total I read 62 books because I re-read a lot of them this year. Also I'm kinda in another reading slump... I'll try to update the blog as best I could.... sorry :(

[ashereadsstuff]

Due to the results of the 2024 Presidential Elections I have made the decision to be more mindful of what entertainment, media, and consumables I am using up. I have made the decision to not interact with anything Amazon related which includes Goodreads I have left my account up but that’s all I’m doing.

As I go about my day I’m going to be reviewing what I am spending my time on. I highly suggest everyone to do the same.

Also remember you are loved, valued, and needed always. Please never entertain the thought that you are not these things. There is only one of you and the world would not be the same if we lost you. Now more than ever we need to stick together.

[ashereadsstuff]

The Sadenverse, reading order

Green: Written by Eden Finley Red: Written by Both Authors Yellow: Written by Saxon James

purple is not significant, it just means the arrows are layered so its just to separate them.

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First off, the Sadenverse is a universe created across multiple series that Saxon James and Eden Finley have either written separately or co-written together. There’s no one “right way” to read these books, so you might come across minor spoilers depending on where you start. Personally, I didn’t read them in any particular order. I began with the Puckboys series, moved on to the CU Hockey series, and then jumped into the Mike Bravo Ops series without worrying too much about the reading order. That’s when I realized what the Sadenverse really was.

While reading the Mike Bravo Ops series, I discovered a couple things: first, there is a suggested reading order that doesn’t follow the chronological publication dates, and second, there are over 25 books in this universe, with more on the way from both authors. People on TikTok and Reddit have been discussing the best order to read them in. I found a map that was both helpful and a bit confusing—if that makes sense. I recommend checking out ‘Steph Sometimes Reads’ on TikTok for guidance on the reading order or this map I found on figma. The authors also have a reading order on their website, though I haven’t been able to find it myself, but others have mentioned it’s there.

Honestly, I don’t think the reading order is as crucial as some people make it out to be. If you want to dive into the entire universe, go for it! But if you’re a moody or picky reader, just read what you feel like and check the synopses and warnings for each book. I plan to read the whole universe, but I’ll drop a book if the characters start acting too stupid—I’m not about to subject myself to that, I have things to do.

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Fake Boyfriend Series

Famous Series

Mike Bravo

CU Hockey

Frat Wars

Puckboys Series (VOL 1-3)

The Husband Hoax (Accidental Love 1)

Puckboys Series (4-6)

Up In Flames

Bastard and the Heir

Headstrong

Divorced Men’s (Prequel + VOL 1-4)

Not Dating Material (Accidental Love 2)

System Overload (Divorced Men’s 5)

The Revenge Agenda (Accidental Love 3)

The Dating Disaster (Franklin U 2)

Football Royalty (Franklin U 8)

Can’t Say Goodbye

[ashereadsstuff]

CU Hockey Series By: Saxon James & Eden Finley

So after reading the Puckboys series, I decided to read the CU Hockey series. It was alright. Puckboys is so much better. But anyways here's my rapid fire review of the series.

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5. Line Mates & Study Dates (CU Hockey 4)

⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ I really didn't like this book. Asher's POV was annoying at times, and while I understood his perspective, I just couldn’t get into it. It was so hard to read it.

4. Power Plays & Straight A's (CU Hockey 1)

⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ This one was alright, not bad, but it’s very much an insta-love trope, which feels like a cop-out to me.

3. Goal Lines & First Times (CU Hockey 3)

⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆ I liked this one until the end. Seth was kind of annoying and unfair to Cohen, but the representation of ace/aro people was a nice touch, something you don't see often or done well.

2. Face Offs & Cheap Shots (CU Hockey 2)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ I’ll always love enemies-to-lovers, and this book was so addictive to read. I can't wait to see more of Beck and Jacobs in the other books.

Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (CU Hockey 5)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ This one is the best so far. I loved Wes in the Puckboys series and it was great to see his story and how it connects with Puckboys. I absolutely loved the epilogue. Jasper and Wes had a better relationship than most of the other couples in the CU Hockey. I think it was because Wes and Jasper were adults.

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I finished the the Mike Bravo Ops series as well. I'll post a rapid fire review later. As always please check out my blog

[ashereadsstuff]

Puckboys Series (Books 1-6)

So recently I finished the Puckboys Series within a couple of days; I had no power and a Kindle with full battery (Thanks hurricane Beryl). I only got power today (again thanks Beryl) so I'm rapid firing my reviews and ranking them to save time. My blog has more in-dept reviews as well as surprises. I am also reading all of the CU Hockey Series.

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6. Egotistical Puckboy (Puckboys 1)

⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆ I don't know what it was about this books. It just didn't hit but I was able to finish the book and still enjoy it. It wasn't bad it just was very in the middle.

5. Foolish Puckboy (Puckboys 4)

⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆ I liked it at first, but then something changed in the middle of it. I think it was just because I didn't agree with the books (and series) stance on marriage.

4. Shameless Puckboy (Puckboys 3)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ I really liked this one. I loved the dynamic between Lane and Oskar. They were stupid and funny. It just was a good time all around.

3. Irresponsible Puckboy (Puckboys 2)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ I also really liked this one. Between these last four it was very hard to deliberate where I stood with them. I honestly would rate all of them as a number 1. I liked that this one yes it did make a shame of marriage a little but in the end it was sweet and I was happy for them. But my god were they dumb (non-derogatory)

2. Clueless Puckboy (Puckboys 5)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ I love Quinn and Vance so much. Especially Quinn I love those types of dynamics and the blundering idiots aspect. It was so fun to read.

Bromantic Puckboy (Puckboys 6)

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ This is the best one. Hands down. I Miles is so lovable and I only started reading this series because of a TikTok I found describing this book alone!

and with that all I can say is. I can't wait to read book 7! I'm gonna read the CU Hockey series now.

[ashereadsstuff]

'Anthem' By: AM Leibowitz

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Supposed Crime. In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 2: 🌟🌟(2/5)

Release Date: March 16, 2016

Content Warnings: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, harmful religious aspects and themes.

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SYNOPSIS:

Trevor Davidson has everything going for him. He’s just moved out on his own with three friends, and he’s landed a job as music director at a large Boston church. He has high hopes for marrying his long-term girlfriend and settling into a comfortable, devout lifestyle.

Andre Cole has spent the past few years throwing himself into a dead-end job at a Cape Cod-based call center. When an opportunity to move back to Boston arises, Andre believes it will be the do-over he needs to put his past behind him.

A chance meeting in a club on New Year’s Eve brings Trevor and Andre together for a brief but steamy encounter. Both assuming that’s the end of it, they are unexpectedly thrown back into each other’s lives when Trevor’s church hires Andre for their website design. While Andre is content at first to move on, Trevor’s conflicted feelings bubble over into his songwriting. Before he can stop it, his ode to Andre becomes an inadvertent Christian radio hit.

Unfortunately for Trevor, he isn’t the only one who knows the song’s hidden meaning. Someone has leaked the story and upended Trevor’s life. In order to put the pieces back together, he needs to learn to be honest with his girlfriend, with Andre, and especially with himself.

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MY REVIEW:

After reading just the first chapter, the writing comes across as very simple and straightforward, bordering on fanfiction style without quite crossing that line. The story is a classic queer love narrative reminiscent of the early 2000s, featuring familiar elements: a homophobic church and congregation, a protagonist who is clearly queer but not openly out, and the internal struggle of wanting to have it all before realizing the impossibility of that desire. But that's also the books downfall, Its so predictable there isn't much to say about it because of that.

Check out my blog it has more of my reviews:

[ashereadsstuff]

I just realized that I'm like a magpie with my blogs, If i find something I like I collect it and show it to everyone in my blog. Like a trophy case.

[ashereadsstuff]

'Providence' By: Craig Willes

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Union Square & Co. In exchange for a honest review.

Rating out of 2: 🌟🌟(2/5)

Release Date: April 23, 2024

Content Warnings: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence

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SYNOPSIS:

An introverted English professor's quiet life gets turned upside down when he falls for a dangerous, enigmatic sophomore. 

Mark Lausson has everything he thought he wanted: a coveted job at elite Sawyer College in Ohio. But at the start of his second year, stuck in a small town with deadlines piling up and paychecks falling short, Mark can already feel the fantasy crumbling. And then, a few weeks in, sophomore Tyler Cunningham shows up in class. 

In Tyler - confident, mysterious, and popular - Mark glimpses another way of being in the world. He finds Tyler's self-possession both compelling and unsettling. Caught in the rush of sex and secrets, Mark ignores the increasing evidence that Tyler can't be trusted. But by the time Mark comes to his senses, the irreparable damage is done. Complicating easy ideas of innocence, Providence explores the ways loneliness and desire distort our senses of self and other, right and wrong. 

Intense, propulsive, and impossible to put down, Providence is perfect for readers of P.J. Vernon's Bath Haus and Donna Tartt's The Secret History, as well as Patricia Highsmith's Talented Mr. Ripley and Garth Greenwell's What Belongs to You.

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MY REVIEW:

Just from the first chapter alone, I wish I knew more about The Talented Mr. Ripley. It's a book and a movie that have been on my radar for a while now, but I just never found the time to read or watch them. Just within the first chapter, Mark was making excuses for Tyler; granted, it was over little things like financial aid or being caught up in class, but the way he mentioned the excuses was very interesting and foreshadowed what you would see as their relationship developed. You can get a great feel for Mark's personality just from how the author wrote about his interactions in class and with his work. He was the type of person to blame things around him for actions he took. A little self-seeking at times as well as cowardly and pessimistic, there's a deep shame you can sense in the tone of his inner monologue. Also, after reading the book, Mark is so dumb, but to an infuriating level, not the loveable level that some characters have.

This book is anything but a love story; it's about obsession. Mark was obsessed with Tyler after their first conversations. As you read Mark's inner monologue within the first chapters, you can see that Tyler is different from everyone else, but in an unnerving, obsession-type way. I appreciate the way the author wrote about the character's appearance, especially for Tyler. I've noticed a trend where, when authors write a MLM romance, they make both characters try to look like apollos amongst men. But for Tyler's, it was obvious he didn't fit modern-day beauty standards, but there was something. You can easily tell that Tyler was trouble from their descriptions, and Tyler had the same tendencies as Mark in the beginning. The amount of foreshadowing made the end a little obvious. 

However, literary analysis aside, as I was reading the book, there was nothing keeping my attention on reading this book. It felt like it was going nowhere. I couldn't connect with the book, and sometimes continuing to read it was difficult. At times, it was very wordy, and it felt like there were more characters than were necessary.

Check out my blog it has more of my reviews:

[ashereadsstuff]

I didn't get to read the books when they came out as a kid, I never knew that. That's crazy. This is all the motivation I need to read the 3rd book. For now; reading feels hard sometimes >_<

“Oh my god we’re getting Haymitch’s games” “oh my god I can’t wait to see this from Haymitch’s pov”

Suzanne Collins doesn’t write unless she has something to say. With the current political climate, I can’t wait to hear what she has to say. It’s supposed to be about the power of propaganda and implicit submission? Consider me sat, oh my god this is going to be great.

[ashereadsstuff]

'All for the Game' (Books 1-3) By Nora Sakavic

Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4/5)

Content Warnings: Rape, Torture, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual Content, Drug use, Drug abuse, Violence, Homophobia, Death of parent, Death, Ableism, Murder, Vomit, Car Accident, Child Abuse

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SYNOPSIS:

Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He's short, he's fast, he's got a ton of potential—and he's the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.

Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn't need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.

But Neil's not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil's new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can't walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he's finally found someone and something worth fighting for.

PS: I posted only the first books synopsis because the other ones are major spoilers. I used that picture for the covers just because it looks better. But those are books covers available to anyone to purchase here's is their website.

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MY REVIEW:

So, I've recently decided to forgo my current TBR and the ARCs that are desperately waiting for my attention to spend my time reading the "All For The Game" trilogy for the second time so I could brush up on it again before I read The Sunshine Court. All I have to say is that I regret nothing... Okay, maybe I regret some things. But it was totally worth it.

My previous points still stand: Neil is so oblivious, but he's such a prick of a genius, and Andrew deserves the world for everything it took from him. I am so proud of Kevin and the rest of the Foxes for their strength. In a funny way, I sometimes forget they are all fictional. Nora writes characters in such a way that the second read felt like a totally different story and if feels so real. That's an incredibly difficult feat to achieve as a writer. Nora has such a way with words that I can't even put into words—the context, the wordplay, the foreshadowing, and the literary devices used were amazing. I am trying so hard not to spoil anything for other readers, but it's so hard to do. I don't even know how to end this post so I guess I'm leaving it like this. If you want a review with spoilers please check out my website.

PS: I Read the 3rd book in one day both times. I just felt like you needed to know this.

[ashereadsstuff]

I made a Website!

So basically what the title says, I have a website I basically am gonna write about almost anything, books, movies, life, coding, and fanfiction. So if you're interested please check it out.