Gracie > Recent Status Updates

I feel too dumb for this rn haha. It's very dream like, it reminds me a lot of Murakami and his magical realism (though nothing magical has happened). Lines are often repeated pages later and it feels like the past and present are blurring. Or rather, as the book seems to be suggesting, everything exists simultaneously, all at once.

ALSO: Clark is doing a good job at showing how gross the true crime media and community can be

really enjoying it so far!

some notes for myself:
- the case of the hotel fires shows us how stories can be manipulated, and the victim sidelined
- the way no one reported the fire shows how we can get desensitized to violence in a way that makes us complacent

liking but not loving it. will really need to land the twist for me to give this 4 stars or more

i'm sorry but i hate reading modern slang like "i'm in deep shit" or "something fierce" in a fantasy book

"i blinked at him. he blinked at me."

i've read this line so many times now istg

first chapter down! some of the sentences are a little awkward tho? a fun run on sentences, but also some weird short ones. maybe i'm just feeling picky idk!

one of the stupidest protagonists ever in an extremely predictable book.

the main character Diem is meant to be strong and "fiesty" but really she's just reckless and stupid. it's like she's trying to get herself killed with both her words and actions.

also, while we don't know Luther's motives, he is constantly bailing Diem out that now the "enemies" part of this enemies to lovers has zero tension.

the writing isn't my favourite and listening to it on audio might be exacerbating it? the way it delivers information to you feels very clumsy and forced, especially though unnaturally info-dumpy dialogue between characters. the way the fmc feels instantly drawn to a mysterious broody sexy man is also so embarassingly cliche, and i already feel like her boyfriend OR her brother OR the mmc's sister is going to die

THEY MADE A HARRY POTTER REFERENCE THAT'S SO EMBARASSING

this book is fascinating because for being a demon romance, it doesn't seem to fully commit to the demon bit. the relationship is very communicative and healthy, which is fine if not boring. i just wanted more tension, buildup and banter. the way the mmc talks is too modern and friendly. he doesn't look like a demon while he's on earth. and he has a shockingly good moral compass? it's just a little boring

Oh boy this is kinda bad. I feel a bit distant from both characters, and would've liked them to be set up more, especially since they've known each other since childhood. I think this is just going to be an eh listen but I did pick it up for an easy predictable time.

girl how many times can Preston's hair "reach new heights of unruliness." we get it he has messy hair!!! less repetition please girl 😭😭

Hmm I was really enjoying the first half but then the tension kinda plateaued for me. I don't like that the thing keeping them apart at this point is the MMC's commitment issues. I'd rather it be more balanced with both having things to work through, or just be slower burn.

what do you mean she just slapped her own ass at work 😭😭😭😭

cute, fun, with the character's having realistic misunderstandings about the other, and depth to how both their previous toxic relationships have had an affect on them. i just wish it was a little less horny/cringey at times but that's my personal preference for romance nowadays! that smut itself is fine, even if cumming 7 times is ridic, it's just the lustful thoughts outside of those moments that feel too much

I loved the first book, which was horny, but this is even more horny and smutty with less plot. Loved how this book opened but I personally needed a slower burn and more time with the characters - I'm just not as invested in them.

JUDD 😭💔💔💔
SLOANE 😭💔💔

still really enjoying this!! but romantically it's getting a little drawn out - the mmc isn't communicating his feelings and letting the fmc think he doesn't want her that way and it's getting ridiculous lowkey.

her dog is soooooo cute

SO fun so far

slow/boring so far...

I would've loved this if I read it as a teen. But now I'm distracted by how clunky it is and wishing it was slower burn.

Love the set up concept and the emphasis on friendship first, but it's kinda been moving too fast. What do you mean he moves in in chapter 6? Maybe I just wasn't expecting the roommates element but it's never explained why he's staying in a hotel? Doesn't he live in the town? He and his dad both work there?? Just needed it to make more sense if we're going the roommates route

Extremely straightforward so far, takes us right into the world and situation. I like the intrigue that's being built with her sisters disappearance and reappearance.

it's cute, will finish soon. it's giving 3.5 to 4 stars