Cost of Taste

Seniors

by alluringli

Seniors Series #2

Maraming nagsasabi na hindi naman daw patimpalak ang buhay, pero bakit ang daming hurado sa bawat galaw ng tao? Arrisea Cabrera knows this very well. Her beauty leads people to believe she is there to appease them - pero kabaliktaran naman ng kanyang ganda ang kanyang ugali. She doesn't filter her words and actions, she is rebellion itself. Bilang estudyante ng TVL strand, she gets all the nasty comments when it comes to being inferior but she fights back with her savage comebacks. Para sa kanya, her life means her rules.

Adonis Renoir Reverio appears to be the perfect preppy rich boy of the ABM strand because the dark and ugly parts of his world are hidden from the rose tinted perspectives of the people around him. Pero hindi sa kanya, sa isang babaing nakipagpustahan na mahuhulog siya rito. It was farfetched for her to know him more than what the surface offers but she did...and both of them suffered a lot because of it.

Sometimes, we are only brave enough to try - not knowing the potential losses and not knowing the cost of tasting this kind of euphoria.

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Charm (⁠◕⁠ᴗ⁠◕⁠✿⁠) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adren and Arrisea's story reminds me of Hiro and Yanna's (Safe Skies, Archer) love story ng very light. Flawed characters, but found the perfect love in each others arms in the end. Luh, dami kong alam. 😅 5 stars sana 'to kaso hindi ko bet iyong scene kung paano sila nagkabalikan. Kumbaga, hindi ako napa-wow sa plot twist. Kasi parang ang bilis ng pangyayari. And may mga lines iyong ibang characters na parang iyong dating sa akin nagbabasa ako ng quotes. 😅 Parang hindi natural, ganern. Pero kahit paano, na-enjoy ko 'to. Weakness ko talaga mga tulad ni Sarathiel and Adren. Hahaha

[Yricka Somcio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arrisea's personality is wonderful! She exudes a bubbly, almost fierce aura, but on the inside she is kind, compassionate, and forgiving! I admire her ability to see the good in everything, even when I wish she didn't. Adonis was one of my favorite characters in the first installment, so i was really looking forward to reading "cost of taste," and both characters were perfect for each other!! I believe that opposites attract, and they certainly made me laugh and pumped up in the first few chapters.

The relationship plot and character building goes well. The pacing wasn't my favorite, but it was tolerable! The romance developed very quickly, but I can see the chemistry and connection. I like how they give off rich boyfriend and fun and sassy girlfriend vibes and the dialogues were both amusing and endearing!

This book definitely tackles senior high stereotypes, the stigma associated with when a person's nude was exposed, feelings of inadequacy, and rich people's dirty laundry and dark secrets. I enjoyed the lessons and the characters' stories that were shown and highlighted.

My only problem was the plot didn't seem to fit the book. It came out of nowhere, felt loose, and had nothing to do with the narrative. It was strange and confusing to read, and it made the writing sound sloppy. I just wish the plot was more appropriate and not so perplexing! The romance too just felt a bit shallow cause the pacing was a bit confusing and way to fast. But still a great read( ˶ ❛ ꁞ ❛ ˶ )

[★彡 · Rating 4 out of 5]

so cute !! love this series so much, it teaches young people a lot about school / shs in general. loved the plot too, kinda got bored at the end because it was too much drama na 4 me 😭 & i just wanna have them be together & live happily ever after na lol. but it was still great. 🙆🏻‍♀️ ms alluringli may still lack a bit on her writing but i know she’s still growing & learning. 🤍🌱 plus, she’s kinda still new to this. but she’s still doing great, keep it up miss ali !! 💐

love u arrisea & adonis. 💃🏻


seniors series:
a series about senior highschool students. it tackles about academic stress, strand discrimination, parental pressure, insecurities and the double standards between men and women. all of them aims to be comfort stories ꒰ യ •₊˚

[aye · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good review:
- ganda ng word of choice ni author
- i like it kasi may issue na tina-tackle sa bawat series like sa 2nd installment: strand discrimination
- maganda rin ang plot though medyo common o soft siya for me, goods pa rin
- luv it cos red string theory

Not so good review:
- nakukulangan talaga ako sa details
- medyo off ang transition ni author from one scene to another
- since kulang sa details, marami ring loopholes kaya ang ending, andami ko ring questions nang natapos ko na 'yong story
- masiyadong mabilis ang mga pangyayari
- flawed characters ( tho this is very common and us readers should accept flawed characters, may times talaga na nabobobohan o nakukulangan din ako mismo sa characters ng binabasa kong story TT) esp mention do'n sa scene where in nalaglag/namatay 'yong anak nila tapos after no'n nakipag break siya where in fact dapat siya ang naging support system ni arri tapos ending pa rin sila kasi marupok si girl. Okay na ending sila kaso ayon kulang lang siguro sa details kaya masasabi kong "bakit sila!?".

[r · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ngl, at first read, you'll think that this is a light story. Pero hindi pala.

It was great, if you'll make me rate the contents itself pero if it's about the plot, 50/50 na ako. I'm no judge, hindi rin ako professional reader. But I think that the plot twists didn't really fit the story (but who am I to judge the author. Ate Li thought that the twists fits the story so..).

There are so many turns sa story. Sa totoo lang di ko magets kung bakit madaming plot twist hahaha.

They were peaceful na e, already forgave and got forgiven. Tapos may twist pa pala hahaha. Nahilo ako roon, ah.

I like the female lead, her character and all. The male lead gave me "anak ng mafia vibes" obvious na maraming pinagdadaanan sa buhay hahaha. Good job kay author sa part na yon.

Still, in the end, I didn't like the few "twists" and "turns". I may reread it pero hindi siguro sobrang often.

[Daniela Macaambac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second installment of Seniors. I just read this a few days ago and I can say ibang-iba siya sa naunang series. Mas naging heavy 'to since madaming pinagdaanan 'yung both characters. I enjoyed reading this story also. Actually, naghehesitate pa akong basahin 'to because of the blurb and also 'yung panimula since medyo na-bore ako or maybe antok lang talaga ako that time. Pero no'ng nagstart na 'yung chase ni Arrisea and also pumapatol-patol kasi si Adren (ganun kasing trope bet ko sa book) doon ako naganahan magbasa hanggang sa hindi ko na namalayan patapos na ako. Akala ko nga hindi ako iiyak sa book na 'to kasi the first seniors series ay hindi ako naiyak pero heavy kasi ito and talagang nagkaroon ako ng empathy and sympathy sa both characters.

[lexi ୨୧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so much heavier than the first book. There are so many twists talaga, and it was very frustrating. Nakakasawa minsan. This is giving "Safe Skies, Archer" much lighter version. As some of the reviews say, the ending was rushed, and the execution was confusing, and overall, it was not so good. Am I dumb or it was all Etienne's fault pero bakit kinakausap parin sya ni Arri? I just don't get it. How can she forgive him so easily. It's not very realistic. However, I appreciate the author's effort because I know she's very new pa. I would not reread again.

[jhcas · Rating 4 out of 5]

T-T i love how this book perfectly depicted flawed characters and reality of being a woman. i lovee the ‘naked truths’ i just feel like the ending was a bit rushed pero okay na rin.

~

‘The truth was, love was good but the people who loves are not always good. We are all flawed, but in those times we let love invade our life we learn to accept the bad sides of the people we love. That what makes love good.’

“You are the stars to my night, and I shall be the darkness so that you can show your light.”


see you when i see you, arri and adren !! ❣️

[Dreyuh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ang ganda ng name ni Arrisea hehehehe love you my baby. Pero aaminin ko na mas nahook ako ni etienne HAHHAHAHAHA bwiset na yun kahit nakakainis siya mahal ko parin yun😭 anyways gustong gusto ko talaga yung date nila sa rooftop, then nung nag reconcile sila after magkaroon ng miscarriage ni arrisea, pumunta sila dun sa nirerenovate na rooftop ng UJD tapos nilagay nila yung ano “Arrisea was here” at “Adren was here too” something ganon ANG WHOLESOMEEEE WORTH THE READ TALAGA

[Umi Tellenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

—🌹🥰❤️‍🩹 My favorite🔛🔝 among Seniors Series! The image of authornim’s characters here is very interesting! Likeee?! The family background, the personality, and the visuals of her characters! It’s giving! It has caught my attention real! To the fact that it kept me intact/attached All throughout the story! My imagination works well on this too! This is such an ideal life indeed! Luvvv it! The conflict is just right, tho it can be more potential like if the story has more details.
12:56 AM

[riri ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t really like the book. I love how brave Arrisea is, the only reason why I enjoy the book is how it tackles the reality of being a woman. Thank you, author using your platform to speak up regarding the scandal that’s happening in our society but then I didn’t like the book because it feels confusing and seems manipulative. Or maybe, heavy book is not really for me.

[Kiers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Until now di ko pa din alam kung anong meaning ng slang na ginagamit ni friendship na "magi" 😭😭 but this story is great! I love that the author really give us everything "STRAND shaming", "slut shaming" gustong gusto ko talaga mga tao dito may mga flaws sila and that's okay!

P.S di ko pa alam pano to gamitin this is my first time giving ratings to a story: )

[Dokushoka Ai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how it points out inequality to strands. Because there really is no such thing as an easy strand because everybody excels in different things so they basically have different opinions when it comes to difficulty of strand. Though there wasn't really anything memorable about it, it's still a really good book.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

was a good book. i like the plot twist. very different from the first book. much darker. but i felt like the ending was bit rushed. didnt connect with the characters that much. the characters were giving hiro and yanna vibes from safe skies archer

[Miji · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Arrisea and Adren pero di ko sure sa story? the execution was a little confusing and the story felt unnatural? the ending felt rushed as well. But i guess it was okay. Pretty light, i would read it but not again.

[KL · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was certainly heavier than the first book but it was still enjoyable

[Flian Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

ganda din nito! this is probably the heaviest story in the series yet it's still good🥰🥰 as i have said, it's the heaviest story in the series so prepare some tissues

[Gillene Remo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Medj red flag si boy

[rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hanggang libro lang ba talaga ang mga lalaking matalino, pogi, at mayaman HWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I love you everyday, Arrisea & Adren. See you when I see you 🩷

[sophandherbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

the pacing is still not the best but I like this better than the first one.

[Kxte Dostoyevsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Adren sm, myyy typeee. I didn't expect the plot pero it was kinda disappointing since I can't feel thrill by that pero okss lang cutie

[Chesca Laire · Rating 4 out of 5]

WAAHHHH, it's a 4/5 for me kasi ang daming lessons na mapupulot at pwede mo ring ma-apply sa sarili mo, I mean each story naman mayroon but this one hits different. Jwkdhsjsh love u Adren!!!

[Antha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My arri and adren🥰😩🫶

[dia · Rating 5 out of 5]

literal na nakakawindang every chapter TT

[Adrian Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

They've both gone into a lot of problems but still they manage to get through it. What a graet story! 💙☁️

[gi x reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

so-so

[shamsa :3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

could've been better if like the part where they met again was not rushed.. but its a really great book. the ending just feels so rushed I'm sorry

[Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book. The story kinda messed up a little but it was still good.

[Juls · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute

[Anonymous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I didn't expect COT to have dark themes and might have been traumatizing but okay.. I STILL LOVE IT!! Once again, applause to alluringli for creating a wonderful book with such an amazing message that talks about strand/career discrimination. I love every aspect of the book from the plot, the lesson, the romance & especially the characters. Both our mc & mli are very flawed and went through sm and deserve the whole world <3 Even though both the characters went through darkness they both found light within each other!! This book also shows that we shouldn't judge people and revenge isn't always a better option. Be kind to others :> I love this book everyday <3