The third (and last?) instalment of this series is set for late 2026??? Re-reminding myself to not start se
My name is Galaxy, you fucking glutton.
The third (and last?) instalment of this series is set for late 2026??? Re-reminding myself to not start serieses (movie, book, or other) if they are not finished yet.
Goodreads Fall Challenge | September - December 2025 | Community Picky...more
⤐ ... you didn't get enough Thomas Cresswell thus far (not sure I'll ever reach that stage but yeah) ⤐ ... th
4 STARS ★★★★✩
This book is for you if…
⤐ ... you didn't get enough Thomas Cresswell thus far (not sure I'll ever reach that stage but yeah) ⤐ ... the idea of a murder mystery happening on a ship crossing the atlantic makes your fingers tingle with desire to get your hands on that book ⤐ ... you find magical tricks entertaining - mostly because you want to know how they work - science, baby, science ⤐ ... semi-cheating is not a trigger for you
⤐ Additionally. Whoop, this is my 50th book of the year. To be honest, when the year started and I transitioned into full-time work, I totally bought into this myth of friends that said rubbish such as "Once you're done with studying, you'll have zero time for your hobbies." Honestly, I never had more free time on my hands than I do now and I'm loving it. Guess it's a matter of prioritisation.
⤐ What’s happening.
“I love when you look at me that way." I searched his eyes. "How?" "Like you might possibly love me in the same extraordinary way that I love you.”
spoiler alert: If you thought Thomas couldn't get any cuter in this series, this book is here to proof you wrong. _____________________ 4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary. ...more
it's been *checks notes* almost five years since I've read The Nightingale and I still think about this book and recommend it / the author regularly.
it's been *checks notes* almost five years since I've read The Nightingale and I still think about this book and recommend it / the author regularly.
This book is for you even if… you're wary of historical fiction. A scepticist of WWII literature mysef, this was one of the first books I found thoroughly worthwhile, despite its potential to break my heart.
⤐ Overall. When I say I don't like WWII historical fiction, I mean stuff such as The Book Thief. Many authors come up with a useless plot and then make it happen in WWII times 'to make it interesting' - or that is what it feels like reading such books.
The Nightingale, however, is deeply meaningful, educating and heartbreaking in ways I did not expect. I loved that Kristin tells us a story not set at the front of war but alongside those people who are left behind and live in occupied zones. The stories my grandparents tell/told of the war rarely include bomb shrapnel, gunshot wounds and gunfire. Instead, they tell me how my great-grandmother, pregnant with her oldest child, was walled-in with rations every time her family feared the soldiers were coming too close. How it felt lining up for meagre rations of your own food day in day out. Having to share your home with the enemy, often cruel and violent men.
I cannot count the number of times I had goosebumps crawling up my arms and legs while reading The Nightingale. It's an incredible book I can recommend wholeheartedly.
⤐ What’s happening.
‘Men tell stories. Women get on with it. For us it was a shadow war. There were no parades for us when it was over, no medals or mentions in history books. We did what we had to during the war, and when it was over, we picked up the pieces and started our lives over.’
spoiler alert: This book is full of both female and male power and tells the tragic stories of the many beautiful people who had to live through war as soldiers who were left behind: the women, the old, the 'weak'. _____________________ 4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary. ...more
This book is for you if… short futuristic retellings of old Christmas slassics are your thing.
⤐ Overall. There isn't much to say, really. George to
This book is for you if… short futuristic retellings of old Christmas slassics are your thing.
⤐ Overall. There isn't much to say, really. George took our beloved Classic A Christmas Carol, ripped the plot of time-frame adequate details and beautifully redecorated it all with some futuristic elements. Simultaneously, he substituted creepy goats with some fun taxi drivers which I deem a success.
If I could change anything about the original, it would be a detail of the ending which George added to his retelling: (view spoiler)[ This Scrooge did not only raise his secretary's salary and helped her pay for her kid's medical expenses, he also acknowledged her vast contribution to the company's success and made her partner, effective immediately. (hide spoiler)] Definitely would have wanted that for Cratchet as well.
It did wonders to my mood on this years Christmas Eve since I was in for some fun with my covignorant family members and their disregard to vulnerable members of our society. _____________________ 4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary. ...more
This book is for you if… you enjoy watching idjits digging their own grave out of sheer self pity. TW: death of a parent, cheating,
⫸ 3.5 STARS
This book is for you if… you enjoy watching idjits digging their own grave out of sheer self pity. TW: death of a parent, cheating, triggering partner/friends.
⤐ Overall. Edit: It's so cold in Germany at the moment that I'm literally almost in the mood to read winter-y books. Lol. Please send warmth, thanks.
In All About Us, Tom manages to illustrate a beautiful relationship. Daphne and Ben are a couple that could be described as OTP if they'd both put in the effort. Trouble is, while Daphne is successful and selfless, Ben has a harder time leaving behind the shadow of his ignorant and self-righteous father. The contrast between the two certainly makes for an interesting conflict, especially since Tom gives the reader the possibility to see their relationship develop over the years they've known each other in a A Christmas Carol like scenario.
Admittedly, Ben's habit of rushing headfirst into disaster willingly gets a bit annoying after a while. He has a hard time reading people and understanding their true intentions which means us readers have to tag along for a rerun of all his biggest mistakes, one eye closed in fear, the other wide open in unabashed fascination.
In the end, I was just attached enough to want to finish the book but more often than not I was very impatient with both Tom and Ben, but that's men humans for you.
⤐ What’s happening.
‘I guess none of us turned out how we thought we would at nineteen. We all made mistakes and concessions and wrong turnings.’
spoiler alert: Fat chance it's never too late to change your ways. But sometimes that takes a rerun of old mistakes. Lucky Ben. _____________________ 4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
3 STARS. Decent read that I have neither strongly positive nor negative feelings about. Some things irked me and thus it does not qualify as exceptional. ...more
This book is for you if… romances get extra points if they're set during the holidays in an environment filled with family pressure and infused wit
This book is for you if… romances get extra points if they're set during the holidays in an environment filled with family pressure and infused with painfully denied horniness.
⤐ Overall. It's not you, it's me is about the most unhelpful feedback a writer can get. It is also very honest. My biggest issue was that I saw the plot twist in The Christmas Pact coming the minute ViPen indicated there was a secret. I just knew. And it sort of spoiled the entire romance for me even though The Christmas Pact is about so much more than just that one plot twist.
Overall, this cute and cosy romance novel beautifully illustrated the power of love and taking a chance. Life is nothing but a series of events that we either miss out on or not. And as wise philosophers everywhere on the planet tell us: The things we regret the most are the opportunities we didn't take.
If you haven't read a specific book in the last time that has a similar secret/plot twist you most likely will not be as disgruntled about it as this sad reviewer right here. [image]
⤐ What’s happening. Because both Riley and Kennedy feel like appearing to the annual Christmas celebrations of each of their families with a spouse would be excellent for their stress level, they decide to pair up and play happy couple for a while at each others' parties. If it only didn't feel so damn good. _____________________ 3 STARS. Decent read that I have neither strongly positive nor negative feelings about. Some things irked me and thus it does not qualify as exceptional. ...more
This book is for you if… there's nothing like some good old romantic intermezzos to have your heart sing glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria.
⤐ O
This book is for you if… there's nothing like some good old romantic intermezzos to have your heart sing glo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ria.
⤐ Overall. The entire audiobook amounts to less than three hours so everybody who's expecting big sensations is about as much of a fool as our favourite Christmas-hater and name sake to this collection; Ebenezer Scrooge.
All three short stories were cute and heartwarming. I was a bit disappointed that no les sexy times happened in any of the three stories but beggars can't be choosers. This was up on YouTube, to my complete and utter surprise and I'm thankful my book buddy made me aware of that.
They were each charming in their own way but Sexy Scrooge was definitely my favourite. I had the most fun listening to it!
Sexy Scrooge: 5*
The Merry Mistake : 3*
Kissmas in New York: 4*
_____________________ 4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary. ...more
This book is for you if… authors have an easy job getting you into the holiday spirit with romances. In that case, this is total
3.5 STARS ★★★✬✩
This book is for you if… authors have an easy job getting you into the holiday spirit with romances. In that case, this is totally your read. If you have high standards, you should likely skip this.
⤐ Overall. I was trying to keep my expectations chained for In a Holidaze but still managed to be just a tad disappointed. For one, the synopsis advertises this as a Groundhog Day narrative, but there was definitely not enough time-loop going on in my personal opinion. I really would have wanted Mae to jump back one or two more times in situations where it got really juicy. It would have definitely given the book an edge it is missing this way.
In general it seems like there's little going on in In a Holidaze but I really appreciated the simple winter atmosphere and the heart-warming friendship and family dynamics. Since my personal Christmas experiences have always been mediocre at best - stemming from a life-long trauma of semi-toxic relatives and draining table topics - the loving and fun tone of the book really is the highlight for me.
⤐ What’s happening.
‘I ask the universe, simply: Can you show me what will make me happy?’
Via a groundhog-day-esque One simple wish grants Mae the opportunity to finally set things straight with the love of her life AND the pillar of her family and friend's anual Christmas meetings. _____________________ 4 STARS.Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
3 STARS.Decent read that I have neither strongly positive nor negative feelings about. Some things irked me and thus it does not qualify as exceptional. ...more
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