KByoo > Recent Status Updates

Imogen is seriously brilliant. No seriously. I’ve been kidding myself I could be a writer since I’ve been in a reading kick punctuated by pretentious criticism of writers of subpar escapism fiction. But reading this makes me not wanna try unless I’m gonna treat writing like an art not just a self righteous/self aggrandizement of prose.

It felt kinda weird and jumpy in a disorienting way when the focus went from Maria’s brain space to another person’s but I think I’m getting into it. It’s a lot of food for thought as a trans masculine lesbian who is also a late bloomer.
It’s a challenging (in an introspective sense) read but I know I’ll be thinking about this work for a while.

It’s very inconsistent how sometimes we get the race of a character and other times we’re left guessing…

There’s nothing more depressing and exhausting than the third act breakup

All the queer signaling in these books make me gag a little- I must say. It’s true, and representation I guess but it’s so in the nose it’s hard to look past as well. Sigh.

I look forward to Blake’s growth as a writer but I have to give her her flowers in how she gives her characters very compelling back stories that I can almost always get into if not emphatically relate to.

I wish I could replace the editor for Blake’s books. It’s getting to me now. One chapter ends with a character running to get lunch because it was past lunchtime (afternoon implied here). Only for the next chapter to pick up in their absence but it’s suddenly morning (“mornings breeze description). This editor is sleeping on the job! Put me in coach!

What's with the obligatory breakup ?

I definitely wasn't a fan of Astrid from book one but ngl, this is beginning to read as a humiliation ritual for her.

I’ve been bitching quite a bit for the first time since I started reading Blake’s work. And this book four for me. So, it deserves this moments break to celebrate how humane she’s managed to make Astrid seem from the saltine, uptight prick she’s been since the previous book.

I wish these books could admit it’s ok not to have retrospectively been falling since the first encounter. Heck I’d take the second as being more realistic. It’s not always love at first sight. Come on!

I was almost ready to forgive Blake for the unremarkable writing in this series installment. But then I realize that people don’t quite speak like these characters. How many carpenters go around using “remiss” or someone else said “dapple”. But my little gay heart is reliving my past encounters and yearning for future romance while reading about two sapphics falling so I’ll pause in my negative remarks.

Ok I officially hate both lead characters. Wasn’t expecting two dickheads. I guess that’s why they’re matched but now I hate myself for reading on.

I might start my career in copy editing from spotting editing misses in these books. From missing words (83) to incorrect articles/typos (86).
Also I’m still early my up to the book. The writing could be better ngl.

I’m not sure I can relate to either character except maybe I’ll find something in Astrid’s late in life dating a woman pov? Time will tell that mystery.

The gift is really in the prose not the plot. It’s like reading in a different language just for the linguistic training.

The plots is really quite slow and mundane but I guess such was life at the time. Were it not for the prose this could replace my nightly med regimen

As a sufferer of chronic loneliness I really really really want to be embrace Delilah in a warm hug. Though I might be too cold from said lacking. I wish I read more slowly so I could savor the experience but I also can’t stop reading on because, and then what?!

Blake always has my emotions in a spin (more than usual). I’d want to live in one of her books for just forever tbh. I knew this was coming the will they won’t they, the push and pull but this one is breaking my heart as much as it’s breaking Delilah’s.

There’s this sweet, constant ache in my chest for these characters that Mrs Blake keeps drumming up to keep my mundane life livable. They keep me deeply reflecting and reminding me of the things that are worth celebrating like meaningful friendships/relationships and simple passions for life itself.

I’m a soft masc falling for Delilah already. I keep feeling like I’m growing up again with these characters who are already my age.

There’s so much aching reading this second installment. A healing type of ache. I feel for the unwritten portions of Ramona and April’s story. So relatable and very heartbreaking but also very real.

I feel as though I’m coming into another/a new sexual awakening by just reading this series. I find both Daphne and April relatable for exciting and tragic reasons each.

This is the second book of Blake’s I’ve read and for the umpteenth time I’m inspired to get her proses tatted on me. This time it’s, “Running away, but towards herself” because same.

I’ve caught what I believe to be three typos of the same kind, misspelling of Vivian’s as vivan’s. I really enjoy Blake’s writing style but that’s been distracting!