#yaromance

[thetypedwriter]

The Brothers Hawthorne Book Review

The Brothers Hawthorne Book Review 

You know, this book is pretty good! You might be taken aback by my surprise, but Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ series about the wealthy Hawthorne family has been fun at best and poorly characterized at worst.

The entire series has been carried on its entertaining elements: from the puzzles, riddles, and enjoyable (albeit predictable) twists and turns, only the plot and its labyrinthine lines has made these books enjoyable at all. 

However, this book tones down the puzzles and focuses a little more on the characters, a recipe that works really well for me and what I’ve essentially been begging Barnes to do since the first title, The Inheritance Games. 

This novel, called The Brothers Hawthorne, is a misnomer. It’s only about two of the brothers, Jameson and Grayson, leaving Nash and Xander as one-dimensional as they’ve always been. But hey, I’ll take it. Two brothers getting some characterization is better than the zilch we’ve been getting in previous books. 

The book alternates POV’s between Jameson and Grayson, chronicling different plotlines of them trying to solve two very different mysteries.

Jameson’s story follows a rather thin chain of events where he gets entangled with a secret club called The Devil’s Mercy. The club boasts clients of only the rich and powerful variety, a club that Jameson can’t help but be tantalized by. 

Jameson’s chapters simply follow him trying to get into The Devil’s Mercy, gain the attention of the man in charge, the Proprietor, and then solving a puzzle put forth by the Proprietor against other competitors for Vantage, a Scottish castle that belongs to Jameson’s estranged father. 

The focus on Jameson, for lack of a better description, is boring and ridiculous. It’s in my opinion that Barnes couldn’t think of anything better for Jameson to do than finding more rich people who are also hungry and who also love to play games. I like the bits with Jameson and his father, but there weren’t enough scenes of them.

Unfortunately, only a handful are sporadically sprinkled throughout the book. If there had been more of Jameson coming to terms with his complicated relationship with his mysterious father, it would have been much more interesting than anything dealing with The Devil’s Mercy. 

Grayson’s plotline, on the other hand, is handled with much more care and consideration. Even though the stakes are much lower (no Scottish castles or jumping onto bell towers) it's a hundred times more intriguing because I actually learned about Grayson’s emotions, his ties to his family, and his flaws. With Jameson, you kind of do, but it’s shallow and not nearly as deep as Grayson’s begrudging affection for his half-sisters. 

Grayson’s story essentially revolves around keeping the true nature of Sheffield Grayson (his father) dead and buried and away from his sisters. He sabotages their efforts in learning what happened to Sheffiled Grayson with the mentality of protecting them. However, the more time he spends with them, the more his affection—and his guilt—grows. 

While not the most novel of plotlines to exist, the emotions feel real at the very least. It’s the first time in the entire series where Grayson and Jameson feel like different, distinct people to me and not just pretty archetypes for Avery to agonize over.

Grayson’s family dynamics fascinated me much much more than any cockamamie game Jameson was playing in England because he’s constantly hungry due to an inferiority complex stemming from childhood. 

The relationships Grayson builds with his sisters and their mother, in addition to coming to terms with the fact that he’s not perfect and certainly not okay, is a heavier reckoning than Jameson trusting Avery with a secret that’s not that deep and not that interesting. 

Speaking of Avery, her bits were so painful that it hurt. 

Every time Jameson or Grayson mention her I wanted to retch. Her and Jameson are just so perfect together. Perfect to the point that it’s unrealistic and fake. Every time Jameson solves a riddle, Avery is right there with him, equal in terms of logic and intelligence. 

I get that Barnes wants to portray Avery as smart, but the idea that they’re completely and utterly synchronized every single step of the way feels so paltry and disingenuous that it makes me actively dislike any part of the book that contains both of them.

Jameson on his own is tolerable. Jameson “burning” for Avery and “breathing” for Avery is absolutely stupid. Thank goodness she was just a side character in this and didn’t have her own POV. 

Other than the complaints about Avery, The Brothers Hawthorne is an enjoyable read. Could the characterization be more complex and sophisticated? Yes. Is the plot pretty foolish and duplicitous? Yes. Is it more enjoyable than the last few books of the same series? Also, yes. 

Will I read the next installment? Unfortunately, yes. 

While The Brothers Hawthorne is a step in the right direction, these books are still more candy cotton fun than true substance. You know what though? Sometimes that’s okay. Not every book you read has to have an intricate plotline with heavy elements and intense characters. 

Sometimes books can just be fun. 

Sometimes all you want is cotton candy. 

Recommendation: The Brothers Hawthorne is probably my favorite book in the series since The Inheritance Games. If you’re still on the Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ bandwagon, don’t jump off now. Read The Brothers Hawthorne and enjoy the morsels of characterization that get tossed your way. 

Score: 7/10

#the brothers hawthorne #the inheritance games #jennifer lynn barnes #ya book rec #yaromance #ya fiction #book blog #book review #book recommendations #book rec #popular fiction #books #popular books #top books #favorite books #book recs #7/10

[librarycomic]

Crumbs by Danie Stirling. Etch / Clarion Books, 2022. 9780358467793. 384pp. http://www.powells.com/book/-9780358467793?partnerid=34778&p_bt Originally published on Webtoon in 2020. https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/crumbs/list?title_no=1648&page=1

Ray is an ambitious young seer who goes to Marigold's bakery every Friday to get her favorite treat, a dessert filled with romance. Laurie works there (it's his aunt's place) -- he's a musician who very much needs to pass his test and get his license to fly his broom. After they talk, they bond over their attachment to their old model "phones," outdated devices that seem to have spirits in them and a lot of character. It's not too long before their flirting leads to dating, which is complicated by Ray's special ability -- unlike most seers, she doesn't see the future, but sees the present. This makes her very powerful, and almost certain to be named to the Council if she wants to pursue a life of service. But it also means that she gets insights into the life of anyone she touches. At some point it becomes clear she can basically see in to Laurie's life anytime she wants to, which is a bit weird (and made stranger still by the very reasonable fact that there are some things he wants to tell her in his own time). And then Ray has to decide what to put first, her career or romance.

I don't expect YA romances to hook me but every year or so I pick one up and can't put it down. This is that book for me this year. So sweet, fun, innocent, and inclusive, plus it's full of baked goods. I'm buying a copy for my family as soon as I get a chance, and I'm buying it for a gift for someone else tomorrow if I can find it in a bookstore. Check it out on Webtoon and then maybe buy a copy for someone you know, too.

#bookreview #graphicnovel #graphicnovelreview #paranormalromance #romance #yaromance

[naoadays]

Q: What was the last signed book you ordered or had signed in person?. 💎 On Friday, February 17, I went to Books of Wonder for the Revelle by Lyssa Mia Smith launch event! She was in conversation with Lauren Blackwood, Rochelle Hassan, and Meg Long. This event was so good, I loved the conversation and learning more about Revelle. ✨ Since the book is set in the 1920s, of course I had to dress the part for this event too! Any excuse to wear my flapper dress, and I received a lot of compliments on it. It was a fun event and I'm really glad I was able to go. 💃 If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a big fan of Moulin Rouge - Revelle is Moulin Rouge inspired but with MAGIC, lots of magic! And lots of family love for Luxe Revelle - I loved the relationship Luxe has throughout the story with her cousins - it was so heartwarming. There are a few different magical families on Charmant, the island just a ferry ride from New York - and some of the powers include being able to charm and make the customers desires (seemingly) come true, time-travel, healing, mind-reading, and making food or drink the best you've ever had. But of course, all this magic comes with a cost to the user. Highly recommend this book if you're looking for a historical fiction fantasy with some forbidden romance and rival magical families! #Revelle #RevelleTheBook #LyssaMiaSmith #MoulinRouge #MoulinRougeBroadway #epicreads #balzerandbray #fantasybooks #yafantasy #debutauthors #debutbooks #debutfantasy #newbooktuesday #yahistoricalfiction #yaromance #yafantasyromance #yahistoricalromance #boostingya #currentlyreading #bookevent #booksofwonder #booksofwondernyc (at Books of Wonder) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co0RPI5vUR4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#revelle #revellethebook #lyssamiasmith #moulinrouge #moulinrougebroadway #epicreads #balzerandbray #fantasybooks #yafantasy #debutauthors #debutbooks #debutfantasy #newbooktuesday #yahistoricalfiction #yaromance #yafantasyromance #yahistoricalromance #boostingya #currentlyreading #bookevent #booksofwonder #booksofwondernyc

[getawaykar-89]

got bored and started writing a story based off of champagne problems from the other person's perspective. 4 chapters are posted <3

#champagneproblems #evermore #findinghappiness #findingtruelove #heartbreak #love #romance #startingover #taylorswift #yaromance #books #wattpad #amwriting

[ireadyabooks]

☕Spilling The Tea: Sayantani DasGupta On Sense and Sensibility & Rosewood

For all my fellow First Born Immigrant Daughters

“Look into your own heart because who looks outside, dreams, but who looks inside awakes.” — Austen 

“Awake, dear heart, awake. Thou hast slept well; Awake.” — Shakespeare 

“Oh, you and your rules.” — Kate Sharma, Bridgerton 

Dear Reader,

For many years, my midsummers have been full of magic. There’s nothing more I enjoy than going to an outdoor Shakespeare performance, and being transported into an imaginative world far greater than my own — a world of kings and fairies, lovers and villains. It’s the same transformative feeling I get when I lose myself in the novels of my favorite author, Jane Austen. 

I wanted to infuse this romp of a story with all the midsummer joy and giddy firefly romance I feel when I see outdoor theater. I wanted to cast it with the same inclusivity that color-conscious directors are using to transform Regency adaptations on the small screen. Unlike Debating Darcy, which is a fairly faithful reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, this novel is far more loosely based on Sense and Sensibility, with hearty doses of many Shakespearean plays — from The Taming of the Shrew to The Tempest to A Midsummer Night’s Dream — thrown liberally in. 

I wrote this story because representation matters. Because no matter our ethnicity, sexuality, background or body, we all deserve to see ourselves as beautiful, magical and desirable. I never did as a little brown skinned immigrant daughter, but I vehemently want a different, self-loving happy ending for my own children, and all those younger people coming up after me. For this world to be a fair and just place, our stories must center us all as protagonists, heroes, and love interests. 

I hope that this tale sweeps you into a world of dreams and fancies from which you will awake transformed. Because now, more than ever, books make things fictional so that they can be made real. Stories help us dream new worlds we would imagine into being. Let this new future we are creating together — in story and in practice — be more just, inclusive, loving and true. 

Let us together dream such a world into being. Let us awaken from our dreams and fight for it. 

For love is always, always enough. Radical love and joy can be revolutionary. 

🖤

Sayantani

Click here to pre-order Rosewood, on sale 3/7. 

#janeausten #romcom #yabooks #romancebooks #yaromance #readers #bookstagram

[etiennepaddywrites]

"i couldn’t bear his being considerate now when for the past year it was his cruelty that had saved me from my loneliness. when you spend your life begging for love, you’ll teach yourself to find it in copper coins, lint and bottle caps. but this?

what was I supposed to do with this?"

— the curse, etienne paddy

~~~

follow for more snippets of my wip!

#love #romance #yaromance #ya fantasy #writersofig #lovequotes #heartbreak #heartache #writing community #fiction #yafiction #timothee chalamet #alicia vikander

[thebookshelfmonster]

“I want to get to a place where I’m ready for you,” I whisper. “Just get to a place where you know how wonderful you are,” she whispers back. “They’re one and the same.” She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlen was everything I could have asked for and more. It was a fun, wholesome sapphic teen romance with an engaging plot and interesting characters who were imperfect and messy but loveable and easy to root for. The story is set in a suburban high school with the main character Scottie, a basketball player, navigating her struggle to deal with the rejection of her ex-girlfriend and her own feelings of self-worth in relation to how others view her, while circumstances put her in the path of the girl she considers her nemesis, or so she thought, until she is forced to reckon with her own presumptions and prejudices. I liked how character-focused the narrative was and how much the characters' decisions (both good and bad) led the plot.The teenage characters were portrayed with both realism and empathy. The main character, in particular, made several ill-advised decisions that costs her heavily which came from a place of pain, confusion and insecurity that is both relatable and understandable. The best part was that the author makes her characters earn them redemption, sometimes even at the cost of the characters' comfort to the point that as I reader, there were moments I wondered what kind of ending her story would have. 4/5 🌟 and full review on #goodreads #bookreview #kellyquindlen #shedrivesmecrazy #teenromance #sapphicbooks #highschoolromance #yaromance #queerya #queerreads #wholesome #oppositesattract #enemiestolovers #fakedating #highschoolbasketball #cheerleading #characterdevelopment #yafiction #kindlebooks #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer https://www.instagram.com/p/CnjqqcsrTQT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#goodreads #bookreview #kellyquindlen #shedrivesmecrazy #teenromance #sapphicbooks #highschoolromance #yaromance #queerya #queerreads #wholesome #oppositesattract #enemiestolovers #fakedating #highschoolbasketball #cheerleading #characterdevelopment #yafiction #kindlebooks #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookreviewer

[authorjenniferannedavis]

👑Cover and synopsis reveal!!!! 👑 (Pre-order link in bio,) Eighteen-year-old Princess Sabine Ludwig of Backley thought her biggest problem was finding a man remotely interesting to dabble with while trying to fill her days with something other than knitting or drinking tea. But when her dear sister is brutally murdered in a foreign kingdom a week before she’s to be married, Sabine suddenly wishes for boring, ordinary days again. Seeking retribution, Sabine decides to take her sister’s place and marry the mysterious king of Lynk. It’s the only way she can hunt down and find the killer. It’s the only way she can get revenge. When she finds the king far more appealing than she’d intended, it becomes difficult to keep her wits about her and remember why she’s there. Thrown into a world of lies, power struggles, and seduction, Sabine must learn to navigate through the foreign kingdom’s dangerous court as she seeks her sister’s killer. The closer she gets to discovering who it is, the more she questions who she can trust—including herself. #queen #crown #reign #throne #fantasy #newbook #newbookseries #truereign #reignofsecrets #yafantasybooks #yaromance #royalty #realmofknights #knightsoftherealm #arrangedmarriage #forbiddenromance #book #fantasybook #enemiestolovers #sword #revenge #yafantasy https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNeq7xLd7k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#queen #crown #reign #throne #fantasy #newbook #newbookseries #truereign #reignofsecrets #yafantasybooks #yaromance #royalty #realmofknights #knightsoftherealm #arrangedmarriage #forbiddenromance #book #fantasybook #enemiestolovers #sword #revenge #yafantasy

[wellreadwyvern]

🐉RATING: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/5 Whiteout is a collection of love stories, written by an all-star team of YA authors - Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany P. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. Clayton first brought the group together to write Blackout, published in 2021, a collection of loosely connected stories that take place when the power goes out in New York City. Unlike their first book, which had each chapter - each story - credited to its author, Whiteout intertwines its characters and fits them under the umbrella of a primary plotline. This modified format encourages the reader to guess the lead author of each character and their subplot. There are even hints in the authors’ note. A sweet series of teen love stories, Whiteout takes place in Atlanta during a rare snowstorm. Despite the obstacles - due to the snow and their own stubbornness - there are enough happy endings to program a week of Hallmark movies. There is strong LGBTQIA representation within the ensemble cast of characters, and their families are both structurally and ethnically diverse. Atlanta residents will appreciate references to popular landmarks, the original Snowpocolypse, and the spot-on descriptions of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as well as highways I-75, I-85, and I-285. Atlanta native Nic Stone knows how traffic can turn any day into a nightmare. Whiteout is a sweet novel, and I would recommend it to any teen who enjoys love stories and any adult who counts down the days until holiday TV-movie season. ❓Do you enjoy ensemble books and movies where each character has their own subplot but the stories all come together? ❓Are you a lover or a hater of the ensemble movie Love Actually? Thank you to Quill Tree Books, a division of @harpercollins and @netgalley for this ARC. #whiteout #blackout #dhonielleclayton #tiffanydjackson #nicstone #angiethomas #ashleywoodfolk #nicolayoon #ireadya #yaromance #contemporaryya #atlanta #snowpocolypse #blackjoy #happilyeverafter #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck_mzEIvFml/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#whiteout #blackout #dhonielleclayton #tiffanydjackson #nicstone #angiethomas #ashleywoodfolk #nicolayoon #ireadya #yaromance #contemporaryya #atlanta #snowpocolypse #blackjoy #happilyeverafter #bookstagram

[angelamariaxo]

#AngiesReadingAdventure I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey Mcquiston Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The one was one I really liked! While I wasn’t a huge fan of One Last Stop, the one by Mcquiston changed her in my rankings for authors especially in that I have read all her 3 novels. YA genre is one of my favorites and this one did a good job. At first for me it was a bit slow and a bit like Paper Towns. The more I read I did get mad and dislike Shara Wheeler. Oh Bible Belt towns is all I to say! PS B&N HAS THE HARDCOVER FOR 50% Finally 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 #bookreview #bookstagram #booktok #bookstagrammer #ikissedsharawheeler #caseymcquiston #yabooks #yaromance #yalgbtbooks #lgbtq #biblebelt #chloegreen #sharawheeler #alabama #redwhiteandroyalblue #onelaststop #2022bookreleases #stophomophobia #loveislove https://www.instagram.com/p/ChV1TwMpGv9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#angiesreadingadventure #bookreview #bookstagram #booktok #bookstagrammer #ikissedsharawheeler #caseymcquiston #yabooks #yaromance #yalgbtbooks #lgbtq #biblebelt #chloegreen #sharawheeler #alabama #redwhiteandroyalblue #onelaststop #2022bookreleases #stophomophobia #loveislove

[thekeeperofscrolls]

Huge fan of Levi!🥰

#book blog #bookworm #currently reading #book review #books #book recommendations #rainbow rowell #fangirl #manga and stuff #yaromance #book nerd #booklr #bookish

[deanie-dhampir]

Lou le Blanc ✨🍃 Originally I had planned to turn this edit into Lou casting magic but somewhere along the way it started giving me “Cheeky Lou inviting you to make mischief” vibes instead so that’s where I ended up. I’ve been missing Lou a lot recently and it felt good to bring her back! I have plans in the works for her but they’ll have to wait till I can walk again 😂 Character by @shelbymahurin #louleblanc #louiseleblanc #louleblanccosplay #louiseleblanccosplay #serpentanddove #serpentanddovecosplay #shelbymahurin #bookish #bookishcosplay #bookcosplay #bookcosplayer #bookcosplaycommunity #yaromance #yanovel #epicreads #witch #magic #witchwednesday https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch8PcqJvHIs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#louleblanc #louiseleblanc #louleblanccosplay #louiseleblanccosplay #serpentanddove #serpentanddovecosplay #shelbymahurin #bookish #bookishcosplay #bookcosplay #bookcosplayer #bookcosplaycommunity #yaromance #yanovel #epicreads #witch #magic #witchwednesday

[elisabethwheatley]

Five Stages of Reading a Slow-Burn Romance:

Denial: Ooh I can feel the tension...maybe this won’t be slow-burn after all.

Anger: WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG?!?!?!?!

Bargaining: Okay, we’re at 60% through the book. If they got together now, it would still be slow-burn, right?

Depression: It’s never going to happen. 😭😭😭

Acceptance: THEY’RE😍TOGETHER😍AND😍IT’S😍SO😍HOT🥵AND😍THIS😍WAS😍TOTALLY😍WORTH😍IT😍OMGEEEEEE!!!!!!!

#romance book #romance reader #slow burn romance #booklr #book nerd problems #ya books #ya fantsy #yaromance #ya romance

[naoadays]

Q: What's your favorite era of historical fiction?. 💎 Happy Book Birthday to Revelle by @lsmittywrites!. Charmant is only a ferry ride away. Give a Revelle a jewel for a chance to feel ecstasy. Revelle had me at "Moulin Rouge inspired" - say less! So of course I had to bring this book with me the last time I visited the Moulin Rouge on Broadway - and of course dress the part! I absolutely love historical fiction, especially set in the 1920s Prohibition era, throw in some magic and mystery and fantasy and I'm SOLD. If you're a fan of historical fiction, dual POV, YA fantasy, forbidden love, family bonds and of course - Moulin Rouge - this is the story for you! So happy Revelle is out in the world today in all formats including my favorite, audiobook~. Fun fact, I've seen Moulin Rouge on stage 15 times since October 2019, including New York, London, and Chicago on the tour - but I just watched the movie for the first time this past December!. Another fun fact, I first met Lyssa in an elevator at YallFest in 2021 before her book officially had a title and kept running into her during Yallfest!. P.S. Hello. Yes, I am alive, I know I haven't posted in ages but let's see if I can get back to it. I'm still reading as much as I can, but -gestures around- life has gotten in the way of blogging & bookstagram-ing. But I miss this! So I'm hoping to find time to come back!. #Revelle #LyssaMiaSmith #MoulinRouge #morerouge #MoulinRougeBroadway #epicreads #balzerandbray #fantasybooks #yafantasy #debutauthors #debutbooks #debutfantasy #newbooktuesday #yahistoricalfiction #yaromance #yafantasyromance #yahistoricalromance #moulinrougemusical (at Moulin Rouge The Musical - Broadway) https://www.instagram.com/p/CopabIeLL6W/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#revelle #lyssamiasmith #moulinrouge #morerouge #moulinrougebroadway #epicreads #balzerandbray #fantasybooks #yafantasy #debutauthors #debutbooks #debutfantasy #newbooktuesday #yahistoricalfiction #yaromance #yafantasyromance #yahistoricalromance #moulinrougemusical

[reecethegeek]

if this gets out is such a book, me and who when??

#if this gets out #bookblr #booklr #reading #lgbtbooks #yaromance #pride month #i love reading #goodreads

[mldedmunds]

“Don’t you get it? 

Everything that I am, 

that I do, 

you start. 

You are the thing that motivates me. 

You are the reason I do anything.” 

-a quote from my new book

#mledmunds #poetry #romance #yaromance #yaauthor #selfpublishing