Ashley > Recent Status Updates

So many characters, some with both a name and nickname, and now I remember why I put this down the first time I tried to read it when it first came out. I need a whole day to get immersed - this getting a few minutes in here and there is making it hard to get started and keep everyone straight.

Ugh, I feel a third act betrayal/breakup coming …

I’ve had terrible luck with “Read Now” options on Net Galley … UNTIL NOW. What?!? I am nonfunctional until I finish this book.

Okay, I’m feeling good about this one already …

This is not perfection, but damn, I’m so entertained!

Page 263 … 36% in and the story now moved forward with them together? I’m proud of myself for sticking with this …

I’m no grammar expert, but I do know that em-dashes are not periods and thus should not be used as frequently as the former. I’m tempted to search the reviews to see how many people scream “AI!” simply due to this fact (I am not saying this is AI, just that people are going to think it is.)

The writing is just *chef’s kiss* and I have no idea what’s going to happen …

Attempted assassination of arranged husband. One horse. One bed. He is turned on by her violence. She wears his massive shirt to bed. Three years ago I would’ve been excited for this to all appear in the first 15% but now I’m regretting that I paid for this book. Hopefully some unique twists happen soon and the story is redeemed.

I’ve been avoiding this for two years … for no discernible reason … but now, it is time …

Slogging through half this book was a good reminder that gothic novels usually feel too slow to me and I need a lot of romantic tension to stay interested … it isn’t a bad book but it better pick up soon or I’m wasting the money I spent on it.

The originality has major potential but I am very confused with the world building and language …

Well. Now. That is certainly a first chapter hook.

Audio books by Sierra Simone should come with a warning about the dangers of listening to them while
operating machinery.

Ah, look at that! It’s a plot … at 58%.

Hands down some of the best dialogue and banter I’ve EVER read in a fantasy romance. I’m calling it at 43% - one of the best books I’ve read this year … also … I’m abandoning all my responsibilities today.

I am so glad I don’t take people’s reviews too seriously because I haven’t seen many yet on this book, but the couple I’ve seen weren’t great. But I absolutely adore this story. I don’t want it to end.

I think there was once a plot to this story …

I am literally in Poland and randomly picked up a book with Polish lore and inspiration.

Putting this down for now … probably a DNF if my past behavior is any gauge. It has too many POVs right off the bat, all stage direction writing, and I’m utterly bored.

This better not be heavy “stage directions” the whole book. Ugh.

This has to be one of the most unique fantasy settings I’ve read in a good long while! I’m loving it!

I’ve been super bored for 350 pages, and I’m skimming more and just reading dialogue most of the time … but I feel like I’m going to stick it out and finish so I can confirm that this was wholly predictable. God I hope I’m wrong.

I am not the same person I was when I started this series … or maybe the series got worse … but I’m bored and generally unimpressed. I’m not sure why I’m pushing through other than I don’t want to start a new book at bedtime.

Only 10% in and it’s already started off better than anything else I read in February.

I do not know how random house found me, but of course I wanted an ARC of Nagoski’s newest book.

Already a way better start than the last two duds I tried to read.

Dang, this plot is predictable but that spice is consistent.

Oh god, this is fairydale-level quirky but with Shakespeare prose … my mind is about to shatter (and I love it). What a trip so far …