romantic comedy

Review of The Princess Diaries, Volume IX: Princess Mia by Meg Cabot

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Synopsis:
Mia has been invited to speak at a gala for Domina Rei, an elite society of powerful businesswomen. But what could she possibly have to say? Michael has broken up with her, her bff Lilly won’t speak to her, and her parents are forcing her to see a therapist. Even J.P.’s efforts to cheer Mia up (he’s being really sweet!) aren’t helping.

Just when things couldn’t get worse, Mia discovers a long—forgotten diary of a teenage princess of Genovia. It could be just the inspiration Mia needs to write her speech—but what it reveals might change everything.

Review:
“It’s funny how this can happen when you’re in a hole. You forget about the people who would do anything–anything in the world, probably–to help you out of it.” (Page 72)

“It just.. it so blows, you know? I don’t WANT to be that girl. The crying emo girl. Next thing you know, I’ll start wearing skinny jeans and too much black eyeliner and nail polish and reading vampire romance novels.” (Page 210)

I love that this series uses real life tragedies and problems that people experience and shows healthy ways of tackling them, all while maintaining a level of realistic comedy. I loved how Mia really worked to understand herself and find herself and the answer to what she should be doing in this novel, especially with the forgotten diary. As an avid horsewoman I also really appreciate the therapist and all of his stories; very accurate to real life! J. P. is certainly being greatly attentive, and it’s great that Mia has a friend who will keep pushing her. I cannot say anything more on J. P. as I’ve read the entire series and… you should too!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Princess Diaries, Volume VIII: Princess on the Brink by Meg Cabot

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Synopsis:
At last, Mia is a junior. An upperclassperson. So why is it that everything is going so terribly wrong? What is she doing in Intro to Creative Writing? When she has made it through Algebra and Geometry, why must she be faced with Precalculus? All this is nothing compared to the news Michael springs on her, however. Her beloved boyfriend could be leaving for Japan for a year—or more! Precalc has nothing on preparing for the worst separation ever!

Turns out there is one way she might convince Michael to stay. But will she? Or won’t she? No matter what, Mia seems headed for disaster.

Review:
“And what about the fact that once you DO IT, that’s ALL you want to do when you get together?” (Page 48)

Lana seems like a serious jerk in this book, but, at the same time, she is also one of the only people who tells Mia something straight. There are so many times that Mia really needed to be able to talk to her mom, but she was so preoccupied with Rocky that she really had to try to figure things out on her own. This book really pulled at the heartstrings of having been a teenage girl, and while some may think the subject matter is “too mature”, it’s something most girls that age are experiencing in some way or another. Great job on another awesome teen book, Meg Cabot!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of The Princess Diaires, Volume ll: Princess in the Spotlight

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Synopsis:
Just when Mia thought she had the whole princess thing under control, things get out of hand, fast. First there’s an unexpected announcement from her mother. Then Grandmère arranges a national primetime interview for the brand-new crown princess of Genovia. On top of that, intriguing, exasperating letters from a secret admirer begin to arrive. Before she even has the chance to wonder who those letters are from, Mia is swept up in a whirlwind of royal intrigue the likes of which she’s never before witnessed.

Review:
“Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

These books just read so quickly. I absolutely love reading from the perspective of our young princess protagonist. It’s so fun to see into her mind about what she worries about, thinks about, and how she tries to hard to be a good person, even when it means agreeing to things she really doesn’t want to. Her reactions are priceless, especially since I could see myself (or others of that age) reacting in the same way. I actually have found more and more dislike for Lilly as I’ve been reading, and wish she’d spend more time with Tina.

It is so amusing to read the books and keep in mind what Mia is supposed to look like versus Anne Hathaway/the movie crew. In the descriptions used I still see the same Lilly in my head. I think it was a grave disservice to cut out Tina from the film, but it was clear that they could only do so much with a limited timeframe. Regardless of however I feel at the end of the book series, the movie is, and will forever be one of my favourite feel good movies. Whenever things are really horrible and I’ve been truly upset, it always helps bring back some joy and happiness.

That being said, this book series is truly enchanting, and one you start a book you’ll be hard pressed to set it down until you’re done with it.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot

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Synopsis:
It’s Magic When You Meet Your Match

In her teenage years, lovelorn Jessica Gold cast a spell that went disastrously wrong, and brought her all the wrong kind of attention—as well as a lifetime ban from the World Council of Witches.

So no one is more surprised than Jess when, fifteen years later, tall, handsome WCW member Derrick Winters shows up in her quaint little village of West Harbor and claims that Jess is the Chosen One.

She’s the Chosen One

Not chosen by West Harbor’s snobby elite to style them for the town’s tricentennial ball—though Jess owns the chicest clothing boutique in town. And not chosen finally to be on the WCW, either—not that Jess would have said yes, anyway, since she’s done with any organization that tries to dictate what makes a “true” witch.

No, Jess has been chosen to help save West Harbor itself . . .

As Summer Ends, Her Power Grows

But just when Jess is beginning to think that she and Derrick might have a certain magic of their own—and not of the supernatural variety—Jess learns he may not be who she thought he was. 

And suddenly Jess finds herself having to make another kind of choice: trust Derrick and work with him to combat the sinister force battling to bring down West Harbor, or use her gift as she always has: to keep herself, and her heart, safe.

Can she work her magic in time?

Review:
I started reading this book while sitting in the hospital waiting room with my cat Abby(who is featured on the website banner). It was the absolute perfect thing to take away worries and bring you to a completely other, though entirely realistic, place. There were so many things I adored about this book that I actually bought a hardcover as soon as I finished reading it on kindle.

The book starts off completely immersive, bringing forth vivid imagery and locking you in place with a timeline that seems completely plausible about when girls do things. There were lots of sweet little witchy “suggestions” from Goody Fletcher’s book in the beginning of the chapters which I thought was very cute. There were definitely times reading that I wondered why there wasn’t more threefold law taking place with a certain annoying blonde character, but in the end, I quite enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves modern romantasy.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

**I finished this book in February, however, due to Abby’s hospitalization, many things (book reviews included) were pushed off.

Review of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore

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Synopsis:
When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can’t understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just needs someone to help her out.

Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he’s been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!

Hazel didn’t go looking for romance, but as the treasure hunt leads her and Noah around Dream Harbor, their undeniable chemistry might be just as hot as the fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns the bookstore sells…

Review:
I wasn’t sure I’d like Hazel because she is very standoffish and, honestly, because she comes across as the stereotypical book nerd but since the first book, I’d hoped Noah would pluck up the courage and see what might happen between them. It was great to see Hazel come out of her shell, though I thought there were times that the intimate scenes were just a bit too long/overdrawn for me. All in all, a quick, cozy read if you like romance.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Forked by Melanie Harlow

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Synopsis:
I have trouble saying no.

To shoes, handbags, the dessert tray… you name it.

But when I agreed to plan a last-minute engagement bash for a spoiled Mafia princess, I had no idea she’d demand that my sexy ex, Nick Lupo, cater it. Sure, he’s now a famous celebrity chef, but to me he’s just the boy who broke my heart.

Still, I need the money for a down payment on my dream house, so I summon all my strength and approach him. I should have known Nick would turn the situation to his advantage.

He’ll agree to work for me, but only if I agree to spend a weekend with him.

Hear him out. Give him a second chance.

Did I mention my weakness for dark eyes and tattoos?

I’m completely and totally forked.

Review:
I absolutely loved both Coco and Nick. Seeing their interactions, and how he clearly still is head over heels for her, made me team Nick from the beginning. I love how supportive Nick is, how he tries so hard to do and be everything Coco needs and wanted him to. There were times when they obviously needed to communicate a little better, and one in particular made NO SENSE AT ALL. No one goes that long without a phone in today’s day and age. Yet, in the end, this was an absolutely beautiful story and I am so glad I read it; even if it was so long after I read Frenched that I was reading about completely new people I didn’t really remember.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Star-Crossed Letters by Sarah Deeham

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Synopsis:
One girl with a typewriter + one movie star = anonymous pen pals, a secret crush, and a steamy, slow-burn summer to risk it all.

The bookshop barista…
When I sold a vintage typewriter, I never imagined its new owner would become my pen pal, best friend, and secret crush.
We have two rules: no photos and no real names.

Over the years, “Remington” and I go from typewritten notes to daily texts, but our rules stay the same. And so does my life. I’m a wannabe writer who can’t complete a novel, and I’ve fallen for a guy who I’ve never met.

So when I receive a letter my Nanna wrote before she died encouraging me to embark on a summer of risks—my first on the list is to break all the rules.

& the celebrity…
I hate keeping secrets from my pen pal, the one woman I care about. But I’m Hollywood’s hottest celebrity, and my fame is toxic. If I get close to a girl, she becomes vulnerable, stalked by the tabloids, trolls, and superfans.

Our anonymous friendship works until “Typewriter Girl” suddenly ghosts me. Now, I’ll do anything to ensure she’s safe, including stepping out from behind the screen and leading a double life.

Review:
Normally the “girl next door” troupe is so not me and yet this book takes a completely different angle that makes it just *chef’s kiss*. There were moments where you think for sure that “Typewriter Girl” and “Remington” will reveal themselves; or figure out who the other is of their own merit, but the whole time they are living their lives and it is impossible to stop reading. While there were many things I did absolutely love about Olivia, I wasn’t a fan at all of how she came across as too naïve and inexperienced. That being said, I absolutely adored this book and couldn’t wait to start the second one. This is a quick, cozy, feel good read. Highly recommend it for a little bit of romance.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️

*This book was read in August, though reviewed now.

Review of Hate Mail by Donna Marchetti

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Synopsis:
Naomi and Luca have been pen-pals since fifth-grade. Well, more like bitter rivals caught in an epic battle of insults and verbal jousting…

But what starts as a hilarious chain of hate filled letters, slowly develops into a friendship spanning coasts and years. That is until one day, years later, when the letters suddenly stop.

It’s been two years since Naomi last heard from Luca. Two years since the letter that changed everything.

But when a new envelope turns up out of the blue at her desk at the local news station, Naomi is determined not to let Luca have the final word.

Review:
This book was great. It was easy to fall into, a quick read, and one that was hard to put down. I loved the interspersed backstory bits about Luca, though it was a bit one sided as it was predominately from the perspective of Naomi. The main big “mix up” I saw a mile away and while I didn’t like the huge reaction it caused, I was completely smitten with how everything tied up in the end. There were some great quirky side characters, some awesome adventures, and a great little peek of spice. I also quite loved how one small connection kept over your life since you were young can make all the difference to what you turn out interested in/doing/being/who you are. If you like enemies to lovers, wordplay, and good banter, this is the summer beach read for you.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️