My Reviews
Additional reviews can be found on my Goodreads account: Kati Murphy - The United States (213 books) | Goodreads ♡

Review:

Wow. I don't know if there are words to describe how much I truly loved this book. It made me feel empowered, comforted, peaceful, excited, and sad. Evelyn is a once in a lifetime kind of character that is as lovely as she is wicked, and I grew so fond of her. She was a force so powerful, she felt real to me. This might be my favorite book to date. A beautifully done, heartbreaking story.

Review:

So, I actively just screamed upon finishing this book. It was. Simply. Perfection. I haven’t felt these feels since the dystopian era that was the 2010s. I noticed little nods to Divergent that I very much appreciated, & didn’t realize how much I missed. Can’t wrap my mind around how utterly consumed I became in this book. The world building, the characters, the intensity... every. thing… chefs kiss. I screamed, I laughed, I cried. & I mean all of those quite literally. 

Review:

I ~wanted~ to say this was a beautifully done romance. In fact, about halfway through the book I made a note to say exactly that in my review. But. It was not just that. It was much more than a romance, & it feels like an injustice to compliment it in that genre alone. It was a feel good book that touched me on levels I didn’t know were possible.
This book brought me to a happy place. (corny I know, get over it) It felt like a nice warm mug of coffee on a cold day, filling me with immense peace. Bigger than romance itself, this story took on the complexities that come with mending relationships of all sorts: romantic relationships, friendship relationships, family relationships. I’m left feeling more whole than I did going into this book.

Review:

Do you know those kinds of books that leave you feeling like you're floating? Like you're in a limbo between happy and sad because the story was just that good that you can't help but be a jumbled mess of unidentifiable emotion? This was that kind of book. These characters were so powerful, so electrifying, always on the edge of greatness or inevitable destruction, it was addictive. "Billy & Daisy together was like tending to a little fire."

I've marinated on this review for days, writing it as I made my way through this story, because it left me with so many thoughts. (about the story itself, the author, the audiobook) This is what I've come up with:
If TJR has zero fans, I am dead. Her writing fascinates me. The stories that she tells (& how she tells them) are so concrete I feel in my bones they must be true recounts of history. Her on-brand character crossovers always add a nice kick to a story that already packed a punch. Every book I have picked up from her is a gem, they all have something profoundly special about them, something that just works for me. How she continues to create these larger-than-life characters & makes you connect with them as if they were a next-door neighbor, is INSANITY. In the realm of formulaic writing, she is an anomaly. (steps off TJR soap box)

The budget for this audiobook must have been insane. I mean, it truly felt like a podcast with real people telling real stories. I've always felt audiobooks cheated a story just a bit, in the way that they can be so monotonous, stripping away emotion you can only dream up while actually flipping through pages of a book. Although I do hope that I will one day read this story as well, I don't feel like I missed out by listening to it. It had spunk, passion, and charisma. Daisy's raspy voice, characters accents, laughter, sighs, and audible exaggerated emotion added extra dimension to the story that I wouldn't have imagined up otherwise. This audiobook brought the story to life and made me feel like I did right by it; I didn't cheat out of actually experiencing it.

p.s. on my way to watch the series on amazon prime :)

Review:

Unequivocally brilliant. I have never, EVER, had a book excite, shock, & surprise me quite like this one. I am baffled by how it was strung together so fabulously despite how complex it was. Zero plot holes. Everything had a purpose. This journey was a thrill. The story swallowed me whole and then some. At points, I had to take a break to process how stunned I was & to let the truth sink in.
I knew about half way through the book that it was going on my favorites list, but I had NO idea how much the book would really win me over. I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone until the day I die.

Review:

It was addictive. A triumphant story of grit and sheer will. The drive and passion (and inability to filter her most brazen thoughts) makes this journey all the more sensational. She is, at her core and despite what others want her to be, an incredible athlete. She does not change to fit the mold of the role model some want her to be, and ironically I find that to be something to look up to.

This book made me realize how much I love Taylor Jenkins Reid and her ability to make me FEEL something. Her writing is so unique I become enveloped in the characters in a way that I feel personally connected to them, they feel so real to me.

P.S. I adored the references to her other books :)

Review:

10/10. 5 stars. A+. Are there other ways to commend a story? If so, please inform me. No Colleen Hoover slander necessary. For so many reasons this book is captivating. It's a fast-paced page turner. Romantic, thrilling, even frightening at times, but mostly, it's thought-provoking. The second you think you know, you don't.

Review:

Tori Spring. She encompasses what it feels like to live an entirely different life all in your head. Sometimes it's hard for her to get the words out, and other times she doesn't feel like it's worth saying words at all. The journey isn't glorified, and it has a darkness that *hopefully* makes you stop and consider what someone else might be going through. Tori is odd, undeniably real, sad, and witty. Her apathy is addictive and humorous. It either draws you in because you are confused by it, or because it's so painfully relatable you just have to laugh. My love for Nick and Charlie is evident, but I have enjoyed the opportunity to dig deeper into Tori's character beyond her sipping her infamous diet lemonade through a straw. The cover did not lie, this is not a love story. The internal (and external) battles these characters face are bigger than that.
This story wasn't afraid to walk on the edge of "too real", the line that makes people "uncomfortable", and I think that's what makes this story so special, it's not sugar-coated, it is what it is. It helped that the characters weren't afraid to walk on the edge, literally, because jumping was always a feasible option. It's funny because it's true.

p.s. This book comes with a Q&A with the author Alice Oseman, which I love. (to clarify, I love the Q&A and Alice) I find it so fascinating that she has built such an extensive and elaborate world around these characters over the years. I don't think I will ever get tired of exploring the infinite traits and nuances about any character Alice Oseman decides to create.

Review:

I am ashamed that prior to this book, I was under the impression that memoirs were “boring”. This was witty & raw, and worthy of all the acclamation. I adored Michelle’s story telling. I feel like it’s one thing to have a story to tell, a totally different thing to tell it well. “Well” doesn’t even begin to touch how phenomenal this was. It was beautifully heartbreaking, powerful, and moving. You simply can’t deny how impactful this book is. It hits your where it hurts, in a desperate attempt to wake you up and make you realize and appreciate what’s right in front of you before it’s gone. It’s eye opening and stunning. I felt like I was transported by her side, a fly on the wall as she endured, processed, & evolved.

Review:

It was a slow burn, but it felt appropriately paced. Like the slowness was significant to the story itself, as if we were feeling each of Addie's 300 years, reliving them with her, understanding the pace at which she moved through them. I also feel the slowness of this book contrasts the life she has been forced to share with others, a life that is brief, rushed, fleeting. I think I was hoping for more closure, but, after all, there is not much closure to give for a story still being written... infinitely!

Review:

With perspective, I can recognize that this book was not a bad read, it just wasn't my cup of tea. For someone who fancies vulgar, unsettling, dysfunctional murder mysteries, this book is magnificently up your ally. There were parts that I respected: the ability to unnerve the reader was overwhelming, and the entire book was delightfully off-putting. A difficult, but effective read. It made me feel uncomfortable, queasy, and constantly on edge, just as it intended to. One could say it was simply... rough around the edges. :)

After some time, I find myself still thinking of the plot of this book. It was good. Strange. But really good. So, I’ve bumped it up a star.

Review:

Alex and Henry's stories effortlessly won my attention and heart, I was literally screaming at the pages. I found myself smiling like an absolute goofball. The story was touching, meaningful, and real. I fell in love with the characters and their stories. When they were in love, I was in love. When they hurt, I hurt. The story was so compelling I could feel it through the pages. I was rooting for them every minute, hanging onto their every word. It was an uphill battle with the biggest payoff I have ever felt. The momentum of the book was so intense and wonderful.
I can't form actual sentences to describe the remainder of my feelings, so I'll leave you with words/phrases that come to mind when I think of this story and these characters: Hilariously charming. Shocking. Incredibly heartbreaking. Chill inducing. Wonderfully complex. Shakespearean. Downright funny and likeable. Much more than a romance novel.

Review:

As I finish this book, all I can think is how absolutely comically chaotic it was. If this was as a movie, the ending would be cinematic gold. It was a hot mess I didn’t want to turn away from. To be clear, I love everything about TJR’s writing style. This however, just wasn’t my favorite plot. Still so much to appreciate about it. Like the nods to other books of hers, character crossovers, things that would go unnoticed if you’re stumbling across her work for the first time. Little gifts that she leaves for fans to notice. (Taylor Swift coded)
TJR is the queen of giving you less than perfect characters, with complicated pasts & presents, who have made poor decisions & have even poorer attitudes, & she makes you root for them nonetheless. She doesn’t try to give you likable characters, she gives you real ones. I love the detail that TJR provides, it’s what makes the reader feel so connected to her characters.

Review:

What an adventure this was. I can’t say Greek mythology has ever peaked my interest much prior to reading this book, but I can assure you it is now. I was intimidated at first, worried it would be too much to digest with the little knowledge I had on anything remotely within the realm of Greek gods. However, I was blown away with how fulfilling of a read this was. It was harsh, beautiful, & so intricate I know it was curated with such patience & care. In the best way possible, I felt like this book lasted a lifetime. I went on a full journey with these characters, watched them grow and evolve, & I felt more connected with them because of it.

Endless bonus points for there being a character glossary with extra info on gods/immortals from this story. Literally everything I’ve wanted from a book & more!

Review:

A beautiful story of love and grief. I was filled with all the emotions while reading this. I found love and compassion for all of the characters. I think the most powerful theme presented through this story is empathy, and how powerful and beautiful that emotion is in relation to forgiveness. The heart in this story was far bigger than the loss.

Review:

Nick & Charlie quotes that make me alsjalsjaka:
“Hi”
“Hi”
“He still smells like him. Like home.”
“I thank the universe that my life is like this.”
Instant puddle of tears.
You literally could not distinguish me from a pool of water, I have liquified, & become one with the floor.
Ok I’ll stop.
I will always rant and rave about Nick and Charlie, because they’re Nick and Charlie (and we all know what that means)
But this book!!! This book. Was magnificent. So many feels. I felt genuine pure joy from this story, like, it was truly lovely.
Compliments to the chef, Alice Oseman
post review thoughts: I'm realizing more and more exactly why I love what Alice has done with these characters and this story. Although this is "literally a love story" it doesn't shy away from pain. It is through pain that we really get to see how deep the love Nick and Charlie share is. Even beyond romance, it obvious there is immense unconditional care in all the friendships. Alice created something incredibly healing and equally as heart-crushing, and we should all thank her for it. On the count of three everyone *1, 2, 3* Thank you Aliceeee.

Review:

What an interesting little story. I was a bit confused at times, but also very intrigued as I learned more about the peculiarities and nuances of this magic coffee shop. It felt brief, a tad repetitive, and the plot felt a bit rushed, BUT it was deeply touching. This story is so unique, and the flow of this book is different than anything I’ve ever read. In the beginning I wasn’t sure if any of the stories would relate to each other, but the ending made it worthwhile. Happy I read it, pulled at the heart strings more than I anticipated <3

Review:

I am going to be a tad bit harsher on my rating only because I was able to predict a lot of what ended up happening. This was still such a good story! It never felt like the pace was dragging, and the classic Colleen Hoover perspective flip flop kept reeling you in. It just didn’t leave me with many “oou’s” and “ahh’s”.
I enjoy the fact that I normally don’t know what will happen next (even if I try to guess… and I always do try) because it’s so satisfying to be thrown off. It was lacking the giddiness of being so sure you know what will happen only to be surprised by something even better. Sooo, I can’t hide my smol bit of disappointment that I was able to suspect the direction the story was heading.
p.s. love cap!! <3

Review:

This book gave off heavy rom-com vibes, with just the right amount of cheese and *angst*. I found myself smiling, giddy in anticipation, and hooked to the romance. There was also genuinely good humor (to my surprise). I think it's hard to walk the line of being cute and funny without also being predictable and corny. This story achieved the former without the latter. This story had the signature sweetness with a side of tragedy that Colleen Hoover books never fail to deliver.
I also am starting to realize I really like (love, actually) when authors call themselves out in books. Let me explain. Ben is an author, and writer/book lingo are a huge part of the flow of this story. "Book boyfriends", insta-love, and wanting to achieve a kiss that lives up to romance books are brought up frequently, binding the story together. What I lovee is when Colleen Hoover has her characters acknowledge and defend the tropes and stereotypical romance cheese that people regularly sh*t on. Sending us a little message of "Hey, I know you all sh*t on romance tropes; not only am I going to have my characters spell it out for you, but I'm going to show why it works." It was satisfying, and amusing, and I adored it.
p.s. Also!! I am big supporter of character crossovers!! Such a fun moment seeing Ugly Love characters intertwine with this story.

Review:

Overwhelmingly heartfelt, heartbreaking, & heartsto- (I won't say it).
I am (severely) emotionally attached to these characters. A wholesome and touching series. I have never read graphic novels before; this was very easily consumable & the comics added extra intrigue and connection to all of the characters. This is a prime comfort read.

Review:

(Book 1/5)

At first, I was a little turned away by how easy this was to read. Like. It could be easily be comprehended by a 5th grader. But,, it ended up being so fun! The story has a quick pace, and just when things start to die down, it picks the pace back up again.
I can’t really put into words how I felt about this book as a whole, because I think I figured things out too easily. There’s fun in being confused a little bit. I’ve read enough mysteries at this point, I guess I can’t be fooled anymore. That’s a lie for those who aren’t in touch with my sarcasm yet. I usually can’t tell where a book is going, and I like that. I like to guess, and then when I’m wrong I love the “I should’ve seen that coming!” moment. So, when I actually do “see it coming”, I almost feel a little let down. I want the solution to be better than anything I could’ve come up with.
There was also something special about this story. It was just a really really pleasant book, if that makes sense. I truly enjoyed reading it. That could be thanks to the writing being elementary in nature, so I didn’t have to think too hard. But in addition to that, this was just a good story. 

Review:

(Book 2/5) 

This story is was really faxing good.
It had all the elements that were missing for me in the first book. I felt more connected to the characters, I was invested in their story lines. As far as the plot goes: I was confused & surprised & I loved it.

Review:

(Book 4/5) 

Jennifer Lynn Barnes knows how to pace a book. And by that, I mean you literally have no opportunity to lose interest. The double story line was new (in this series), and I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first, but ultimately, it kept things fresh.
Not quite 5 stars. I felt like the author is holding out on us to leave room for a bigger "wow" moment in a future book.
Reading this series just doesn't feel like reading. That probably doesn't make sense. Because. Well. It is reading. But more fun? Let me explain. It's either written in a way that lets me see all the scenes play before my eyes clear as day, or I have the most fabulous imagination known to mankind. The latter is doubtful.
To put it simply: This series is just so fun. Genuinely a glorious time. Looking forward to more books to come in the future.
Without spoiling anything, I feel a romance brewing. Or maybe I'm attempting to will it into existence. I can't tell if we (the audience) are being played, or if this the slowest of slow burns to ever burn (slowly).

p.s. I picked up on some British terminology the author sprinkled in, even after they were no longer in London, and there was no British person in sight to encourage the use of such British vocabulary. I found this funny. Because I too am fond of slipping into a British accent even when (especially when) it's uncalled for. e.g.: Referring to the gang that is: Nash, Grayson, Jameson, Xander, and Avery as "the whole lot of them," which sounds particularly bri-ish if yew ask meh.

Review:

Fighting back tears, and Oliver is definitely not helping. I just can’t get enough of Nick, Charlie, & Tori. I so deeply love how these characters leave you feeling full of hope and warmth and comfort. Even if things are looking a bit sh*t, you know in the Osemanverse, it’s going to be ok.

Review:

Warning: this is a long review. I have things to say.

wow. this was. so fun. I mean, maybe fun isn’t the right word? Because one thing Bobby never fails to do (besides talking about being biracial) is bring to light serious subjects. Love him for that. As I was putting the pieces of this plot together, there were many times when I didn’t know if I was onto something, or on something.
Talking strictly about the storyline, it wasn’t what I was expecting. It was surprising and mind warping.
Talking strictly about the author, it wasn’t what I was expecting. I went into this thoroughly prepared to have a good laugh because Logic, he’s a funny guy. But this was a novellllll. He wasn’t messing around.
INTERMISSION: I genuinely don’t know how to address him (the author). It’s quite the dilemma because I can’t talk about him without introducing him or else it could be confused who the “him” is that I’m talking about. Following? Ok great. Logic doesn’t feel right because that’s not the name he published the book under, but Bobby Hall feels forced because I don’t call him that, and Sir Robert Bryson Hall II is a mouthful and honestly its just a bit of a weird flex that I’d only use to prove I know his real name and am better than all of you because of it. But now that I’ve aired that out, I don’t feel the need to use it again. So sh*t. Where does that leave me? The 1-800 guy? Okay I’m rocking with that, that’s what we’re going with.
Back to what I was saying. Not knowing what to expect from the 1-800 guy. I was pleasantly surprised that this book feels very much like something he wrote effortlessly. I didn’t know if he was going to go all English-literature on us, which I also would have enjoyed, but I can tell that it was him that wrote this and it makes me appreciate it all the more.
This is the first book I’ve read that broke the fourth wall, and I loved it. It was relaxed, not too serious, and it felt very natural. Like he sat down, started typing, followed every drifting thought that popped in his mind then snaked his way back to the plot, and then without coming up for air one bit, he started and finished this book. In the best way possible, it felt like one gigantic run on sentence. Really fluid and not too rigidly structured, a very fun writing style.
It was silly of me to expect anything less of the 1-800 guy. (Yeah I can’t do this I’m never referencing him in conversation again)

Review:

I am in severe need of the next book in this series.
This book was the epitome of my cup of tea. It had such a natural progression of character relationships and emotions. It felt almost classically written, like this was a story from decades ago, of star-crossed lovers, and not a fantasy. There was minimal to no world building, which I didn't mind all that much because the story was so wonderful. (Although, I feel like we may dive more into the fantasy aspect of this story in a future book.)
Note: This is the least fantasy-feeling fantasy book I've ever read. I just want to stress this, because if you come into this expecting a grand fantasy world, I fear you will be disappointed. This felt like a timeless romance (with a dribble of fantasy). AGAIN, I remind you, this didn't bother me in the slightest, because the story was rich in heart and connection.
So easy to read, in fact, it was hard to stop reading. The mental pictures I had throughout reading this were so vivid, I must accredit this to the superb descriptive writing. I could see and feel what the characters were experiencing.
I love when books leave me with something to hang onto. A newfound perspective, or something that just makes me think. I'll leave you with a line that really resonated with me from this story: "It's not a crime to feel joy, even when things seem hopeless."

Review:

If I could cherry pick any book boyfriend out of the plethora of books I have read thus-far in my life, Charlie Lastra would be my choice. 
I became attached to these characters. I will hear echoes and see shadows of them every time I read a romance novel from this point forward, hoping and wishing that every rom-com character will take a page out of this book loving book. My faith in book boyfriends have been restored, my standards have been raised, and for the foreseeable future I will reminisce on how it felt to read this for the first time.
It's hard to pinpoint the intangible quality a book must have for me to add it to my favorites list, but I know that whatever it is, this book has it. Loads of it. It is oozing with favorites bookshelf material. Which is exactly where I shall put it.

INTERMISSION:
I thought it might be fun and informative to go over my process of determining whether or not a book ends up on my favorites list.
The stages of decision making go a bit like this:
Stage 1) When I start a book, the book is so far off my favorites list. Kind of like the concept of innocent until proven guilty, except it's: not on the favorites list until proven it belongs on the favorites list. (guilty until proven innocent is a more accurate representation of what's going on here)
Stage 2) About a quarter of the way through a book I usually know if it has potential to be on my favorites list or not. This is when that "intangible quality" my favorite books possess starts to manifest.
Stage 3) Once we've reached the halfway point, if a book is not already in consideration to be on my favorites list it is going to take an act of God to get it there.
Stage 4) When there are only a few chapters left, the favorites spot has been solidified and there's really nothing that can knock it off the list now. I mean, a truly horrific ending would have to unfold to change my mind. At this point, finishing the book basically feels like watching the end credits of a movie roll in peace.
I knew Book Lovers would be going on my favorites list at Stage 2, my exact documented words were: "pg. 119. oh okay, I'm genuinely laughing. I had to stop and shake my head in awe several times, this is so good."

This story made me feel safe and warm. I was either laughing at how genuinely good the commentary was or twirling my hair in between my fingers because I was swooning over these characters. I love a plausible, real-feeling romance, nothing too trope-y. This checked all my boxes.

Review:

At times, I disliked the antagonist so much that I wanted to give the book 1 star. BUT. I guess that’s sort of the point, and I should compliment Colleen on creating such an effective enemy. If I could ignore that character completely (which I simply can not) then this story would definitely gain a star. Beyond noting my clear disdain for said insufferable character, I was instantly intrigued by the concept of Confess & the story really did touch me. The way everything fit together was quite beautiful.
P.S. As the pieces of the story fell into place I was pleased by the surprises, and moved by the raw emotion. An enjoyable & easy read! 

Review:

(Book 3/5)

As I finished this book, I had the biggest smile on my face. (there was giggling and kicking of feet) This series, these characters. They are so FUN. I would need a floor to ceiling notepad to properly draw the layout of the Hawthorne family tree, but that’s what makes this such a fun read. It’s so elaborate it’s almost comical. I can see how some people might be turned off by all the new twists and turns, but for me personallyyyy, I ate this up. This story has layers, but it’s set up in a way that it can be enjoyable to people who don’t normally fancy (I’m on a British kick) mysteries. Things are spelled out clearly, and the author often reminds the audience of previous events that have relevance to the newest puzzle on hand. So good, so fun, such an easy read.