Review: Takedown Twenty

Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars




These plots are just getting more and more wild. And redundant. How is that possible?
Redundancy:
⬥︎ Stephanie and Grandma are in trouble i.e. kidnapped, almost killed, etc. --The cement was new. At least she wasn't blown up.
⬥︎ Ranger and Morelli to the rescue.
⬥︎ Stephanie threatens to/gets another job, but we all know she'll go back to bail bonds. -- Hey, Steph, it's okay. I couldn't be a butcher either. That cow tongue.

⬥︎ Back and forth romance with Morelli.
⬥︎ Almost Sex with Ranger.
⬥︎ Cars get blown up/stolen.
⬥︎ Grandma is out wildin'.
⬥︎ Mrs. Plum trying to get Stephanie to get married and quit her job.

Wild:
⬥︎ Well, a giraffe. Seriously? I mean, it's like Evanovich has to include a wild animal in every story now.


By now, everyone knows who the characters are. Do we need to go over how hot Ranger is and what is job is? Do we need to constantly be reminded every other chapter of every book that Lula was a hoe? Maybe these characters hit their peak? Maybe they just don't have anything else to do? Maybe that's why Stephanie tries out new jobs? Because she's plateaued as a bounty hunter? Maybe?


☞︎ Ranger in spandex, though??

☞︎ "You can stop ironing. I don't have cancer. I'm not pregnant. Grandma isn't spending her social security check on online Bingo."
"There's always tomorrow."


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Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Still reading. Stay tuned for updates



Excuse me, while I just dive right into a fairy tale.


I already absolutely adore this writing! Whimsical and fun and I just love it. Oh, and I'm on page 4. :)


First, the Bell. Is the Bell considered a character? If not, it should be. Sniffing out shifty dudes from page 1.


All stories are made of both truth and lies. What matters is the way we believe in them.

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Review: Born at Midnight

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Still reading. Stay tuned for updates.



Ya know, I thought maybe this time, Kylie would be less annoying, but no. Well, maybe a little. Her judge-y attitude is still too much for me. Everyone but her is a monster, freak, slut, whatever. However, she does grow out of this by the end of the book. I mean, it kind of has to be beaten over her head, but it happens. I appreciate that kind of character development. Her 'donating' blood to Della helped me like her so much more. It was a turning point for her.
I want to like Derek but that whole 'make you jealous' thing was just plain bad. Was it supposed to be romantic? Because fail. At least the other girl didn't mind. Eh. Definitely Team Lucas. He's sweet and thoughtful and was the 'bad guy' for the beginning, but is totally redeemed. Mostly because he didn't actually do anything wrong. But whatever. I like him.


By the half-way point, still drawn out. Let's get on with this soldier guy already...


⧫︎ Yeah, Mr. Pepper deserved more than just a mental hospital. Jail for him, for sure. Dirty old pervert.
⧫︎ So, Derek is better than Lucas because Lucas chose to leave to make everything easier for everyone and the camp not be shut down???



Not gonna lie. The idea of this camp is a tad cheesy, but I'm hooked. :)


__________________________________________________
If I take out the main character's whininess, the slut-shaming, the hypocrisy, and the protagonist's constant over-exaggerating, I may be tempted to like this book more.

Seriously, there is no middle ground with sex? Virgin or whore?

And the judgment here is ridiculous.

And oh, no. Daddy didn't call!

Grow up!

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Review: Dance Upon the Air

Dance Upon the Air by Nora Roberts
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Trigger warning: Physical/Domestic Abuse



Thoughts:
I want to be Mia when I grow up.
Pretty accurate depiction of PTSD

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Review: The Maple Murders

The Maple Murders by Micol Ostow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: White Cat

White Cat by Holly Black
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Still reading. Stay tuned for updates


"Let me just steal your tongue real quick here."

Random Thoughts:
- Glad this isn't my family.
- Um, yeah, this testing doesn't sound ethical at all. Kind of reminds me of X-Men.
- Bullying someone "because they like to be bullied," is a bit too much like gaslighting to me.

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Review: The Program

The Program by Suzanne Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trigger Warning: Suicide



I am having all the feelings right now.
Anger. Betrayal (is that a feeling?). Confusion. I mean, I could go through the alphabet.

But first, who even is Realm? A good guy? A bad guy? A little of this and a little of that guy? I don't know! He was so sweet. Like so sweet to Sloane when she arrived. I thought for sure it was going to have a ALERT: Love Triangle! but no. I mean, there was sort of, but not really. Even Realm knew that <3Sloane&James<3 are endgame here. Still, he gave it a valiant effort. But ugh, Sloane and James-so cute. Codependent, for sure, but cute nonetheless. They were so devoted to each other- even more than themselves. Normally, at their age, this would bother me. But given their situation and environment, I think it's okay. Maybe other teens need something like that.
Of course, that brings us to the main main topic: why are these teens going suicide crazy? I mean, sure the world sucks, but there is nothing written anywhere in the book about it getting worse. There was mention of antidepressants and vaccines. Perhaps because every bit of emotion has been banned, their depression is amplified by the guilt of simply feeling? Idk. Maybe.
Very eager to read more about these rebels and how Sloane and James will fit into that. And who will take the orange pill???

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