Deepa > Recent Status Updates

Jarvis is very good therapist. I liked the crutch realization, acceptance, shame, and happiness. The mh rep from 70 to end is 5 Star. Also Angel and Pen are totally together , right?

4.5 stars from me. Count me in for book 2.

I think this was a slow burn ish. Once they get together 50-70% pt is just at standstill. That’s story progression you don’t go straight up or down. I liked everything until 50 and again after 70 to the end.

CW trigger warnings are crucial. Both of these character are in the deep end. That is not apparent to both of them but it to the reader. There’s half hearted confession. I’m like you . It from darker place.

We’re at that moment . There’s connection that’s formed between our protagonists because of it.

He pulls her back. It’s not something Josie admits immediately she starts find comfort in his knowing what she was going to do, the ways he starts entering her life.

cw: suicide attempt
i think it’s crucial to mention trigger warnings for this book. It’s first thing that happens.

I think for a long time I avoided anything that was too triggering. I can admit that I have complex feelings about being alive. It’s this feeling Anna Borges explains really well in her essay in the Outline “I’m not always very attached to being alive.”

I liked this overall. I might have liked it more if it wasn’t fantastical.

I think anyone who enjoys South Asian fantasies will enjoy this too. Kaikeyi fans especially. There are similar trajectories that’s something I enjoy. Marie Lu or Sue Lynn Tan readers too.

One of the things I think low key brilliant is that Indians were open to trade. They had lengthy history of it. But this idea of trying colonize people instead having to pay them fairly. That’s something that isn’t in the conversation.

I like the ending about sending the boats out immediately practically speaking.

I love Nalini’s intro. I think this idea of addressing duplicity is so much more like real women. I think the twist was good. I felt like it should have got their attention. Why did he believe so strongly? The question I have the argument that you’re paying them not to kill you as opposed them choosing not to kill you begin with.

Mangaluru.

For me 30-60% was when it got better.

I liked this as a historical fiction. Not as much for fantastical elements.

I am really excited for bk 2 to see how it goes into historical fiction elements.

majjige - my heart.

Buttermilk

I like the ending a lot. i like the change and the choices. i love the themes. even if things change tomorrow. it’s not all on you. this impossible circumstance. finding an ending for that is so fonda. making that great just another puzzle

I am glad I took the time to get back into this. Honestly this is a scifi corporate action who dunnit. Fonda charms with older characters but also does competence so well. Our second was savy. I think conveying this as magnetic when someone elite was the main focus without overshadowing is a gift. it’s compelling and mysterious. You think your guesses pan out until things change again-that’s the fun of it.

It’s brilliant and challenging and so lovely. I also damn well called it. I just knew that you know who is a little —-!!! He is! And what would that person do . All the herrings and all.

It feels like a month since I last read this. The pov is both unexpected initially but also something I kinda had in mind.

It’s very interesting learning about there world, the careers, and just character embodiment. Fonda really truly has a knack for detailing. This is a new pov new character but he’s moving the story forward so uniquely.

Overall, it’s a solid 3 stars from me. I like Hegde’s work. It’s too busy with mystery included.

The obvious bad guys was not my favorite thing. Whatever whatever, right. But I did like how a bad relationship with specific things can really cut deeper than what it is and feel internalized and about you. The time and work it takes to unravel this nucleus of sentiment. You don’t even realize that you have come to believe xyz.

Moment of truth between Naina and Tejas is the bathroom convo. It’s my most grounded and effortless romantic scene for them. Where did you come from? Sweet moment.

I like Dhanush and Anil relationship. ooooh I love Tejas and Dhanush friendship. I love Tejas is vocal about not joining a hate train when everyone is louder and in agreement. Loyal friend.

the book really improved at 60%. detective angle wasn’t what I was looking for. setting story in Goa and Bangalore was wonderful. All the Kannada language inclusion made my heart so happy. I’ve read two other prior release from Swati Hegde. Tejas is a very compelling representation of a bi character. Esp when his ex tries to cast their relationship as friendship. I love that Tejas reacts emotionally and openly.

I 100% loved this. I already loved them. But they are very rootable couple. This is while they’re aren’t a couple, right?

1000 great things. Little suns. the cutest.

friend security moment was freakin good. it’s wonderful adult moment you don’t need to be the most anything but you need to trust they’ll care.

Aleks is easy breezy and just a chuckle etc his demeanor is a win. especially cuz he doesn’t have a pov of his own . Nic’s I defended him to his sister moment was so so good.

“you’re going to do this and that’s fair” but it’s just going to make me mad—-like our self aware queen. That’s what I’m saying yeah she has vulnerabilities but she owns it and asks what she actually needs that’s a step up to me.

Nic does clock that she’s not him and he cannot use her problems as win when he can’t control his parents.

Chapter 24 the big fight is so good. I’ll say it forever : gimme a good fight and then I will be in your corner. A good fight is smart, competitive, and uses the best arguments in their arsenal. avoids low blows but impact is impact. This was a great fight.

That’s the thing keeping from a title and compares it his own past. He walked away after his title. His parents were also legacies and there was also immense pressure because as the eldest. I love that he’s an eldest brother. His guiding and helping his sibs is so sweet and just feeds my heart. Nic’s concern for him even when mad is wonderful too.

Nic reminds me of Sterris. If I do everything I can to achieve something I can let go of the outcome a little bit. But takes it the extra mile that she also punishes herself. The voices in her head don’t tire unless she’s exhausted too. So she pushes and pushes. Aleks as a conditioning and strength coach believes very strongly what she needs less exhaustion and more rest in addition very target conditioning.

incredible!!! once I picked this up again. you couldn’t keep me away. like I love how strong Nic is. She doesn’t think she’s strong but she is. She got some vulnerabilities but what makes her so lovable is that she knows what she needs and stands up for those things. Loyalty and feeling secondary she says it out loud. Aleks has got some resolve too. This is not frivolous tug of war for him. Eldest bro probs rooted.

I am definitely everything I can get my hands on by this author. Like she’s so freakin good. I am just having a TIME reading this. Like happy skipping all over the place.

I love this conflict about his sister and his love interest. Having really strong dislike between them. Having him communicate with both of them in a very invested capacity. Loyalties that are strong and involved.

I am would be surprised if this doesn’t make my favorites list which is my version above 5 start list. Mentally I’m skipping while reading this. Me realizing I’m going to do everything in my power to get her other books. I just rec 6 of her books to my library for purchase yesterday.

I’m hooked. it’s wonderful. internal dilemmas a workholic and happy go simp.

Aleks is radiant. “By the way, you have really nice penmanship. I like that in a woman.” — I just started giggling.. He’s nice confident and easy. How nice would it be to be like him?

Nic- I love her. I am her. Some of the time. most of my life. As confident as he is we know from her thoughts she is submerged in doubts.

Her friends are good with Aleks and Anya. And there’s all these relationships that have been referenced. I wonder if Anya and Maya have books too.

But drama is stirring and frankly I like Aleks.

ahhah and then there is Aleks, Anya’s brother and as we all know her love interest. This man tried to talk her off a treadmill. She’s thinking about the time his sister nonchalantly mentioned “her brother” noticed Nic is out of shape in a press conference.

We’re at the moment where Nic’s strength and conditioning coach had fam emerg. Nic needs a coach. Anya has 2. OFC the her friends are suggesting Aleks.