Recent Reads Mini Reviews

More mini reviews from books I’ve enjoyed to varying degrees over the last few weeks! I had a stretch of lackluster reads and it’s unfortunate they happened to be grouped together, but luckily they didn’t put me into a reading slump!

---

The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth

Rating: ★★★☆☆
Release Date: June 9, 2020

There was parts of the story that didn’t quite work for me, but overall I thought The Falling in Love Montage was a cute story filled with great family moments and some adorable and realistic relationship. Saoirse goes on quite the journey through the story, coming to grips with her father moving on, her mother’s illness, and her own insecurities and while she did have a lot of moments that were unlikeable or I found her annoying I like where she ended up. Love interest Ruby is loveable and uplifting, helping Saoirse gain new perspectives, and I really enjoyed the unexpected friendship with Ruby’s cousin Oliver as well.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

---

Again Again by E. Lockhart

Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Release Date: June 2, 2019

DNF @ 25%

I think I can definitively say that E. Lockhart just isn’t the author for me. While the writing was absolutely beautiful and had a graceful rhythm that pondered along with Adelaide’s thoughts. I don’t actually know what the hell was going on. I think this might be a book I need to physically hold in my hands and see the words on a page to try and understand what was happening. It’s a good story, I think, with Lockhart’s expected pretentiousness, but I don’t think I’m mentally capable of getting anything from the story other than a huge question mark. But if you’re looking for a weird time and want a cerebral book that engages you with a stream of conscious style narrative, I think you’ll enjoy this.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

 

---

To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 Stars)

Release Date: August 21, 2018

This was a perfectly cute story with a good message behind it. I loved how much Savvy loved herself and the strong support she had from her sister and best friend. The biggest downfall of the story was that it was quite rushed toward the end, and I don’t feel like the conclusion was very satisfying. We got a resolution, but it was very simple and a little easy. But overall, this was the perfect book to get me back into a reading mood!

---

Aristole and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: February 21, 2012

As Dante was watching me search the sky through the lines of a telescope, he whispered, “Someday, I’m going to discover all the secrets of the universe.”
That made me smile. “What are you going to do with all those secrets, Dante?”
“I’ll know what to do with them,” he said. “Maybe change the world.”
I believed him.

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read this book after seeing it everywhere for years. This might be one of the most satifsying reading experiences I’ve ever had because it surpasses all my expectations. What a beautiful, sad, and heartfelt story about friends, family, love, grief, growth, fear, and self. I don’t even think I can articulate why it resonated with me so much, but after a string of DNFs last month I am not going to complain. I thought the writing was beautiful; every conversation was layered with emotion and purpose. And I genuinely loved the strong family ties at the center of the story. And seeing Ari and Dante grow closer was just. If fro some reason you haven’t picked this book up yet, do it as soon as you can.You won’t regret it.

---

 

What are some of the book you’ve read recently?