Ranking All Books by Holly Jackson
Since I've read all of Holly's books, I'm going to rank them! Disclaimer: This is my opinion. If we don't have the same opinion, then respect that. Let's go!
Warning: this may contain spoilers for all books published by Holly Jackson. If you don't want to be spoiled, then scroll away.
6. Killjoy (2021)
I found this story cute! Very fun and fast-paced. I loved seeing how it all started and loved seeing the friend group's dynamic again. I just found this to not be the best out of all of Holly's books (granted this is a novella, but it's not my fave). Also, too much Ant Lowe in my opinion. I would have preferred more Jamie Reynolds. Also, I personally think Connor and Zach should've kissed but oh well.
Overall, fun book! If you wanna go back to where it all started, then this novella is worth it.
5. Five Survive (2022)
Guys... I have a reason why this book is ranked so low. I'm going to start by saying that I did not hate this book. I found the story intriguing and was engaged once the action started. For her first standalone, this book was really good and exceeded my expectations. My main problem with this book was that I found that I could care less about the characters. Personally, I found Red Kenny to be a weak protagonist in comparison to Pip and Bel and, not to mention how I could care less about Red and Arthur. Red and Arthur are cute, but honestly, I could care less if they got together or not.
Again, I don't hate this book. For Holly's first standalone, it was really good. However, I found that I didn't really care for any of the characters.
Overall, good book! Wish I connected more to the characters because the premise is incredible.
4. Good Girl, Bad Blood (2020)
All books in the AGGGTM series are five star reads in my opinion, but I find this the weakest book in the trilogy. Honestly, I love this book with my whole heart. Coming from being Connor Reynolds's biggest fan, I love how much he appeared in this book and how he aided in finding Jamie.
I think this book suffers from what I've dubbed "Sequel Slump" - meaning that the first book is so good that the sequel "slumps" in comparison. In this case, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder is so good that this book just "slumps" in comparison, and I think it's because it takes a while for the mystery to officially begin, since we're taken through a quick recap over the previous book's events and then the memorial.
Also, I personally think that Connor and Zach should've kissed. Connor going to Zach's house to play Fortnite after the memorial? Very fruity to me (joking... or am I?)
Overall, love this book. Wish it got more recognition in the fandom.
3. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2019)
LOVE THIS BOOK. This book is fast-paced, thrilling and mysterious. It has a healthy dose of mystery and romance, along with characters I truly felt interested in. Pip's an amazing protagonist who fought hard to prove Sal innocent and find the real killer under the guise of her EPQ, all as she got the guy (Ravi Singh) in the end.
I loved that this book kept me guessing until the very end. I was suspecting everyone (Max, Jason, Naomi, Elliot, etc) and was genuinely surprised finding out Elliot killed Sal. Holly had written him to be such a likeable person that I couldn't believe he would kill Sal just so he could frame him as Andie's killer. AND BECCA? Never would've guessed it. Holly Jackson knows how to write compelling thrillers and I love that for her.
My only real complaint is again, Zach and Connor should've kissed. Connor honey I get that you liked Pip, but Zach Chen is literally right there. You boys are soulmates and I pray that the show recognises that (along with LauCara).
Overall, AMAZING BOOK. Deserves all the hype!
2. As Good as Dead (2021)
AHHHHH I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. THIS BOOK IS HOW YOU END A TRILOGY GUYS. From the beginning, I was hooked by the mystery of Pip's stalker. This book broke my heart with Andie's email - poor girl was so scared of her father and died trying to escape him. I really like how this book doesn't give Andie a full redemption arc, rather it explains her actions. It really humanises Andie - a girl who grew up in a toxic environment and died trying to save herself and her sister.
My heart shattered when Pip broke up with Ravi. AND HIS SUGGESTION WAS TO MARRY SO THEY COULD GET SPOUSAL PRIVILEDGE??? RAVI FUCKING SINGH WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME???
The ending? EVIL. FUCKING EVILLLL BUT I LOVE HOLLY EITHER WAY. In my heart, I believe Pip got back together with him and they married. They also got another golden retriever in my mind after they got married.
Only complaint was WHERE WAS ZACH CHEN? CONNOR AND HIM SHOULD'VE KISSED WTF. Not to mention Lauren and Cara... Love my girl Steph though. Hoping that Lauren and Cara are a thing in the show though since we don't know much about Steph.
Overall, BEST BOOK IN THE TRILOGY GUYS.
The Reappearance of Rachel Price (2024)
HOLY FUCKING SHIT.
THIS BOOK... I WILL ONLY SAY ONE WORD: BRILLIANT.
When Holly Jackson said that this book was her favourite, I can see why it is. While I struggled to get into it from the beginning, once I read past 100 pages, I was hooked. Bel Price is such a complex protagonist that I could find myself relating to. All the characters were just so complex and you truly don't know who's lying until the very end, when we find out (spoiler alert) that Charlie (Bel's dad) had ordered his father to kill Rachel.
Not to mention how insane the sibling plotline was??? I NEVER WOULD HAVE SUSPECTED THAT CARTER WAS RACHEL'S BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER. My heart broke when Rachel spoke about how Patrick took Carter away from her when Carter was only two weeks old. The Price family are truly disgusting - Rachel, Bel and Carter deserved so much better.
Also, I preferred the romance between Ash and Bel over Arthur and Red. Ash is such a fun character and I was genuinely sad when him and Bel weren't endgame. I believe that one day, in the near future, they reunite and get together officially.
Overall, LOVE THIS BOOK. If you haven't picked this up yet, then do so now!
~~~~
That's it! If you wanna talk, then my inbox is open :) - Em
64 notes
·
View notes
5 songs from QLs (queer movies and shows)
Thank you for tagging me @dummerjan 💚
🎶They do not have to be custom-made for the series.
🎶Non-western tracks only. Let's support Asian music and languages! 🎶Feel free to tag anyone who may be interested in participating. 🎶Add #5qls tag to your post for others to find the new favourites!
So, I'll start the list with some Hindi songs as that's my beloved mother-tongue 😍 I'll basically list the queer movie/show name first and then its OST.
1. Maja Ma - Buniyaad by The Yellow Diary
This movie left me stunned. It was the first indian queer film I watched centred around a middle aged lesbian woman and it left me feeling so much.. the acting by Madhuri and Simone is stellar. I'm only sad we didn't get more scenes between them.
This is the reprised version. The original version is also on YouTube and both are lovely 💚
2. Shubh Mangal Zada Savdhaan - Raakh by Arjit Singh
I think this entire playlist is just going to be of songs that make me ache. Please do read the English translation of Raakh if possible. The lyrics are pure love and pain and really showcase the pain queer couples go through and how they have to fight tooth and nail for their love.
3. Couple of mirrors - Immortality by Zhang Nan
This song makes my heart ache. It is soft like a lullaby yet there's such pain. Simply heavenly PLUS it's sung by the very actress who plays the lead role of You Yi! And the show? Amazing! The whole old era vibe and the bond between our two ladies was killer (given that one of them is a literal killer lol) Love you Yan Wei and You Yi 💚
4. KinnPorsche The Series - Contradict by Season Five
Another song that reduces me to tears. It's stuck with me for so long and yet I couldn't bear myself to listen to it for a while there. That's how much it made me hurt.
5. We Best Love - Blue Lover by YU and Unbreakable love by Eric
Don't ask me to choose. I love both these songs. Just.. Just go listen to them 😢😍
Well here comes an end to the literal cry fest. Hope you all check out the movies and shows. Enjoooyyyy and don't forget to carry some tissues 😙😙😙
Tagging @fanshipper1412 @therealblessedaffliction @vvitcherys and anyone else who wants to take this up 😄💚
60 notes
·
View notes
AGGGTM One of Us is Lying AU
Hear me out... AGGGTM One of Us is Lying AU. I've only read the books so any change that happens in the show isn't taken into account.
Bronwyn Rojas: Pippa Fitz-Amobi
Nate Macauley: Ravi Singh
Cooper Clay: Connor Reynolds
Addy Prentiss: Lauren Gibson
Simon Kelleher: Max Hastings
Maeve Rojas: Josh Amobi
Jake Riordan: Ant Lowe
Keely Soria: Stella Chapman (Pip's classmate from book 2 who had her pictures used for Layla Mead)
TJ Forrester: Tom Nowak (Lauren's ex who broke up with her during book 1.)
Kris: Zach Chen
Janae Vargas: Either Naomi Ward or Millie Simpson (Millie was in Sal's friend group if you don't remember)
Thoughts? I just thought about how Pipravi are so Natewyn coded and ran with it. - Em
24 notes
·
View notes