syd > Recent Status Updates

4.8 ⭐️ SO GOOD “He is half of my soul, as the poets say” Achilles through Patroclus eyes was js praising the boy he fell in love with (Which is this beautiful book) While reading it seemed Achilles grudge over honor overpowered love until he lost Patroclus. Quotes had me flipping back to reread them over and over. Maybe I would feel differently if I knew more about mythology but for now these are my thoughts.

I haven’t had time to read so here’s some quotes that stuck with me:
•”I would know him in death, at the end of the world”
•”You can use a spear as a walking stick, but that does not change its nature”
•”To release him from it, and make him Achilles again”
•”I will never leave him. It will be this, always, as long as he will let me”
• “No hands had ever been so gentle, nor so deadly”

This book intrigues me so incredibly much. “I am going to be the first”. The build up to the inevitable has me clutching my pearls to all the moments of Patroclus and Achilles. Therefore, I am dreading the unavoidable conclusion that is bound to happen.

I didn’t know what this book had in store, why is this so interesting…

5⭐️ RIP Anne Shirley you would’ve hated this world but still make well of it. I will never complain that she puts her feelings first even when it comes to Gilbert. I will never forgive Netflix for cancelling Anne with an e. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s world is what I felt like I was living in through her story. I wish I didn’t have the misfortune of being born in the wrong century.

5⭐️, I LOVED THIS BOOK. The friends to lovers, the yearning, wholesomeness, cheesiness, etc was everything I needed and adore. Sure it was the tiniest bit slow + minor tweaks I had a hard time getting around but overall probably the best book I’ve read in 2025, (also the last!)

1⭐️, ONLY TOOK ABOUT 7 MONTHS TO FINISH. Biggest slump of my life! I honestly hate everything in this book + we never got character development from…anyone. Everything is such a non-problem therefore no reason for 500 pages. Can’t even explain how much this pmo and I hate that I have completion bias because there are more books coming, which is… great.

UGHHH. Everything is so repetitive and irritating. Seriously 80% through and where is Arthur’s character development already? Not only Arthur but Phoebe. Both are always blaming other people for anything

Yes I did specifically stop at 67. Anyways so far I love the vibes especially since it set near me in nyc. I can already tell it’s gonna be a pure love type of book (my fav) because of how much it’s already making my face pink <3

4.5⭐️ “We just want to live, if anyone would let us.” These girls had their lives taken while they were still breathing, didn’t get the chance to actually live. They were isolated, the boys “love” was never to understand them. Obsession. They watched every detail yet never got explanations. Also their parents being heavily controlling, never considering their part, and everyone covered their deaths up.

I can’t I can’t I can’t. I do NOT understand the lengths of these books, frankly in all those pages I just didn’t get it?

the quotesssss. The sisters are like animals in an exhibit and the boys are constantly lurking/pressing their faces to the glass. All they speak about is trying to understand them + don’t bother to read the species sign that teaches you about the animal. they are their own people and not oblivious aliens.

3.9⭐️ honestly expected more especially because of how much I loved them, but this CANNOT BE THE END OF WES AND LIZ’S STORY.

⭐️4.45, it’s hard to hate a book that’s meant to be hated. Even though the narrator is meant to manipulate you to feel sympathy for the protagonist until you realize you are like the jury Humbert explains himself to, which is what makes it great, I can’t give it any higher purely because what the book is about. Honestly Nabokov and H.H. did a very good job at making me unlock new facial expressions.

“I kiss your chinesed eyes” … oh so like 🙂🔫, anyways the story is getting sorta slow but still think the complex story makes it better

“Frigid gentlewoman of the jury! I had thought that months, perhaps years would elapse before I dared to reveal myself to Dolores Haze; but by six she was wide awake, and by six fifteen we were technically lovers…it was she who seduced me” IM SORRY HUH? I need this in her pov im done with Humbert Humbert

Similar to saving 6 which I especially hated the characters. At least Joey lynch wanted the best for Aoife even tho she pushed it/partially knew what was good for her but didnt want to believe it. On the other hand they dont care what’s good anybody, they both know it’s a toxic relationship and still want it. (titles, money, looks, etc makes them stay?). Has gotten more interesting tho in the last couple chapters

what the fuck? period.

she is so real for trying to sleep her life away. she’s literally the definition of ‘no reason’ and ‘just because’ AND I GET IT

Hawthorne brothers ❌ Jameson and Grayson ✅, I love gigi, idk how I’m gonna feel about the next couple books… how is Jennifer dragging this still😭

idk if the author wants me to get frustrated bc I have 0 clue where this is going. I thought after they broke up it would be finally the time for character development but no, phoebes self respect is non-existent. (doesn’t need to serve Arthur like a puppy/worship him/defend his actions even tho he gives 0 fucks about the ppl around him) The whole cycle is just a way to not communicate. 1 step forward 9M blows back

At first I thought this is gon be a cute romance and I saw how in love they were with each other but after only 50 pages OF 500, both Phoebe and Arthur are insufferable and the relationship is UNBELIEVABLY toxic. Phoebe doesn’t even care and lets herself get walked over constantly by him & somehow decides it’s okay? Even her friends don’t do anything? Now Arthur, controlling, manipulative, addict and much more

not a fan of the self-destructiveness + Aoife only partially girl bossing on certain occasions thank u

eye ROLL.

Ok notes so far, wow i don’t have to hear about johnny or shannon which is a big relief, I love that Joey speaks up to his dad, I don’t get why the whole thing with Aoife is a main conflict? she doesn’t break up with Paul bc thats just how she is, yet does the most to get attention from Joey. And I agree with Paul when he says Joey’s only mad bc he has the girl. Everything just feels unexplained as well.

srsly how did she avoid marrying David for 5 years after a dream nobody could be sure of until Dec 15, 2025. At least this book was shortish.

I cannot with these excuses, everybody grieves differently but no that’s wasn’t grieving… Bella was still alive. The ring also unnecessary. However, the book had some good quotes, mostly pointless (justice for David) other than slight destiny meanings, and NOT a romance (I’m happy she ended up alone tho) Extra points rounded up just for the setting ⭐️1.6

And why does Dannie blame her fate on anything or anyone other than herself? Yet of course everything is done to be convenient for her (page 225 literally proved that everything revolved around her)

omg. Dannie is such a horrible person, I guess she was sorta right and Aaron/Greg didn’t love Bella as much as he said he did. If my bestfriend did that to me I would resuscitate and die all over again.