june reads & reviews
i struggled to find time to read in june, or maybe i just picked up some misses. even tho the ratings are decent i don’t think any resonated heavily with me. i wasnt ever yearning to any of these books.
📘The Last Letter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
absolutely fuck my friend for having me read this. while the romance was actually great and the smut was minimal (hence no rating) it was cringe at alot of places.
but most notably this book is absolutely fucking devastating. it will leave you thinking about life for fucking days. but you will also be absolutely crashing out because theres about 2 brain cells between the adults and only one of them have access to them. ella is the epitome of “orange cat vibes” when it comes to how fucking blind she is to the VERY obvious clues shes straight up ignoring.
outside of that it definitely makes you question if you’re parenting right, tho i am glad there’s about 2 pages of hopeful energy to end on.
still fuck my friend.
📓We Used To Live Here
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
this book is so good, but i feel like it’s hard to write a good review of it. its a crazy mind bending psychological horror mixed with grave encounters. i feel like there’s things still unanswered, maybe a good reread session and annotation will help me discover things that were left unanswered.
learn morse code, youll need it. this is also is a lot of the reasons for my questions.
📕Hidden Pictures
⭐️⭐️⭐️
the thing with this book is if you expect horror and get a YA horror, youre a little disappointed. its still a great book, and when i actually enjoy YA i can’t be that disappointed. despite my 3 star rating on it, i think its overhyped. its definitely not a book for everyone especially horror fans.
spoilers:
there’s a few things that knocked it from 5 stars.. and its mostly the ending. the weird unnecessary confessions about her past, the fact its a retelling of the whole event (makes sense to why there’s huge personality changes), the “one year later” honestly i would’ve preferred that just be left out. i initially hesitated reading it.
and while alot of people say there’s a lot of fatphobia, transphobia, and racism.. i don’t really agree with it. yes definitely a nod too racism but what decrepit and paranoid old lady in new jersey isn’t??? (ill tell yuh, not many). as for fatphobia, idk the entire confession involving it was completely unnecessary.
the fact she made no comment about the professor who in the beginning was wondering if her mind was tricking her?? idk its almost like the author forgot how big of a deal he made it originally.
do not get me started on the whole nannying thing. you’re a nanny for 6 weeks ish.. there’s no way you’re that attached to the child youre watching even if you do live there. especially given the history of drug use. that will fuck your emotional response to it. its clear the author doesnt have that much experience with drug addicts, especially newly clean. on her first try trying to get clean????
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In June, I turned my focus to three distinct books that stirred a mélange of emotions—ranging from puzzlement to intrigue. 'Add depth to your reading experience with 'The Last Letter,' written by Rebecca Yarros, which is being hyped on social platforms and is a must-read for fans of emotional stories. This novel showcases love intertwined with hardship; however, don’t underestimate the mental toll it may take. Readers should brace themselves for heartbreak and necessary introspection after turning the last page. Moving on to 'We Used to Live Here,' by the talented RC Kliewer. This one offers a dive into the psychological horror genre, laced with mind-bending twists that demand your attention. Consider taking notes or mapping the plot flow to catch every nuance as they intertwine—the significance of learning Morse code also surfaces, adding a thrilling layer to the narrative. Lastly, 'Hidden Pictures,' a YA offering that promises to bridge maturity with youthful commands of storytelling. Though it attracted mixed feelings with some whispering of overhype, many appreciate the youthful voice and accessibility of themes like addiction and recovery. Its portrayal of complicated emotional relationships provides the reader with authenticity, though some might walk away with different perspectives on its treatment of sensitive issues. This month has shown that each book, regardless of ratings, can evoke deeper conversations around narratives, character choices, and reader reactions. By sifting through and sharing genuine reactions, we contribute to an ever-evolving literary discussion and foster community among book lovers.