Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3)

Okay, so there are lot of the same tropes in all three of the Knockemout books. We’re basically talking rich, alpha male in the rough-around-the-edges-with-a-heart-of-gold town. It’s a spicy, foul-mouthed Hallmark movie, but I was intrigued by Lucian and Sloan’s childhood friends gone bad past, and I was not disappointed here. Though I didn’t really like book 2, I think you have to read it to know what’s going on in book 3, and I did enjoy seeing the gang with all of their happily ever afters. Not quite as good as book one, but a solid 4.5/5 for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I’ll take it, but book 1 is still my favorite.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Things We Hide from the Light (Knockemout #2)

Hmmm… I don’t really know how to rate this one. Nash and Lina just didn’t work for me like Naomi & Knox did from book one. It seemed like Nash & Lina’s relationship was based very much on the physical “well if it feels this good, it can’t be wrong” and “the body doesn’t lie” which I just didn’t buy. And honestly… I wasn’t feeling the chemistry, and individually, I didn’t like them as much as Naomi & Knox either.

That said, I still love the town and the side characters and I still want to read book 3, because my interest in the whole Lucian/Sloan situation is piqued, but if book 3 turns out not great, then I’d definitely recommend just reading book 1 as a stand-alone. (no rating)

I’m still kind of salty about this one. I really don’t trust sequels.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout #1)

So this book was a great surprise. It is a foul-mouthed, spicy, unapologetic Hallmark movie. Is there anything particularly surprising here? No. But does it execute it with near perfection? Yes. So if you’re looking for:

– Quirky, rough-around-the-edges small town with heart of gold
– Lovable side characters
– Quick, witty dialogue
– Laugh-out-loud moments
– Found Family
– Dual POV
– Strong, broody, hurting, rich, & fist-fighty MMC
– Lovable, recovering people-pleaser FMC
– Complicated family issues

This totally saved my road trip, the narration was excellent, and I downloaded Knockemout 2 immediately after finishing. What can I say? I am but a simple person who loves me anything resembling a K-drama, and this hit it on all marks. Warning: the bonus epilogue shows them like 10 years down the road, contains intentional spoilers for book 2, and is skippable (though I enjoyed it.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I mean, I loved it. I don’t know what else to tell you.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy

Version 1.0.0

It is so very rare that I start a book expecting not to like it and end up loving it. I legitimately cannot remember the last time it happened, but this book completely won me over. The silly enemies-vs-lovers, the witty pitch-perfect banter, an intriguing premise, likable, flawed characters, great writing, and a goofy sort of darkness. I still wish I hadn’t known beforehand that this started as fan fiction because at first I feel like I was trying to guess what everything was originally and it kept me from getting engaged right away, but that aside, I totally think this book stands great on its own, and I can’t wait to read the sequel! Recommended for anyone looking for a goofy enemies-to-lovers vibe in a fantasy setting.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love a good surprise. Bring on book 2.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Prison Healer

This was definitely a five-star read for me! I enjoyed the way the world unfolded, the secrets were uncovered, and the characters definitely stood out. Though I definitely predicted a few of the twists, they came off very satisfying. It was grittier than I was expecting, and I wish Kiva had been a little more active in the trial and the climax, but I’m curious (and a little apprehensive) to see where the sequel takes us. Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a fresh, well-written YA fantasy that’s a little on the darker side.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Solid fantasy (though as an update, I did end up DNF-ing the sequel as it wasn’t quite for me.)

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Book Review – The Hobbit

Finished reading this aloud to my 7-year-old & 9-year-old for their bookdragon club. At page 50, I wasn’t sure they were going to make it. (I forgot how slowly it starts. Like seriously it takes the 50-page first chapter to get out of the living room, and three pages of it is Thorin just giving this massive 3-page info dump of all info dumps that’s like: “here’s everything that’s happened for the last century.”)

But by the end, this was their favorite book we read all summer. They all had a great time gushing about it at the book club meeting, so it turned out to be an awesome one to end on. (We also watched some clips of both the animated Hobbit movie and the Peter Jackson movies, and they were a little appalled how unfaithful the PJ’s Eagle scene was to the original material, purists that they are. In general, I think it’ll be some time before they’re ready for the Peter Jackson trilogy.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So there are officially now 2 more (very hobbit-like) hobbit fans now in the world. Though if they ask me to read LOTR aloud to them, we might have to schedule it over the whole summer.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – Rose in Chains

I realized I won’t be able to attend book club due to work travel, so I let myself DNF this at 50%. I think I would’ve enjoyed this as fan fiction if I had not read Manacled. But I don’t think the characters or world had quite enough oompf for me outside of the pre-established details of the fanfic, and the premise just read too close to Manacled (which I adored.) I found the flashbacks tedious, the vibes felt kind of off in terms of the dark dystopia/romance balance, and the audiobook narration wasn’t my favorite, which might’ve also turned me off a little. I was curious to hear what the rest of the book club but apparently reviews were pretty mixed. (no rating from me.)

Ugh, man. The book club picks aren’t going so hot for me. I don’t think I’m cut out for this.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – I Hope This Doesn’t Find You

Aww this was such a strong YA romance. The YA voice feels authentic here, and I was totally able to connect with Sadie’s struggle with image, perfectionism, & people-pleasing. She was easy to like, and I enjoyed her development throughout the book. The story does a wonderful job of balancing sincerity & humor, and I thought the relationship between the leads seemed to grow naturally over time. Though I had mixed feelings about Julius at the beginning, he won me over with the little ways that his feelings for Sadie would pop through, and his genuine-feeling exchanges with her.

Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a sweet academic rivals to lovers that reads authentically YA.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely adorable! Definitely recommend.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – The Otherwhere Post

What I liked:
– Beautiful writing.
– The world-building! I loved the idea of courier post between worlds.
– Loved the magic system beaded on calligraphy & ink
– Tristan & Nan! I loved how the side characters popped from the page
– A nice mystery that keeps you guessing

What I didn’t like:
– Maeve wasn’t my favorite protagonist. I didn’t dislike her, but I wished she’d played a more active role in events.
– Slower pace than I usually prefer (but keep in mind I like my books breakneck.)

Recommended for those looking for a fantasy that feels fresh with a sweet, slowburn romance subplot

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I’m always here for a cool fantasy world and a unique magic system for it to run on.

Thanks for reading!

Posted on by hrchow12

Audiobook Review – This Cruel Design (This Mortal Coil Book 2)

I really enjoyed book one, but book 2 wasn’t for me. I felt it was extremely plot driven, and I would’ve enjoyed more character and relationship development. I also felt like the post-apocalyptic virus/zombie vibes weren’t as strong here, and in general, I didn’t feel as invested in the story. Of course that’s just my subjective 2 cents, so if you loved the first one, I’d still give this a try. Though be warned, while I felt like the romance subplot was significant in book one, it is barely there in this one. (no rating.)

H

Thanks for reading!