recent favorites ft. mini reviews || talking bears and cheesy high school contemporaries

I literally scoured the entire blogosphere because I have forgotten how to write a wrap-up post: that’s how long it’s been. But fear not, I am not going to hurdle boring lists of books at you. Just going to share a few recent favorites. It’s been a weird few reading months. Everything I picked up turned out to be a two stars or three point five at best. I was this close to going into a slump. But thankfully, I did find a few favorites and it’s not a lot compared to the total number of books. But some of them were incredibly unexpected and totally stole my heart. So, here’s 6 books from the past three-four months which made life worth living. Literally.

Title: The Northern Lights

Series: His Dark Materials#1

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Rating: ★★★★✪

A classic fantasy/sci-fi middle grade with talking animals, bear kings, air balloons, deadly operations, witches, and a fierce little Lyra – I loved it. It is a box of nostalgia. Personally, I don’t think that this book should be labelled as middle grade because despite the protagonist being a twelve year old the book pretty much reads like a YA and it low-key reminded me of Lord of the Ring’s writing style although they are nothing similar.

Not exactly fast-paced, but it doesn’t drag with unnecessary details either. Exceptional character development, world-building, and some of the best side characters. I am not too sure about the plot yet but for a first book, it seemed enjoyable enough. I am interested to see how it expands as the series continues. The audiobook is the best thing ever and I highly recommend it. Definitely planning on continuing this series!

Title: The Heart Principle

Series: The Kiss Quotient#1

Genre: NA contemporary

Rating: ★★★★★

The last book in the kiss quotient series ~THIS BOOK HAD NO BUSINESS BEING THIS GOOD! This book is hands down my favorite in the entire series. This actually came as a huge surprise and here’s why. Most of my fav books are my favs because I resonate deeply with the stories or the characters. But in this case, everything was polar opposite of me. It was unexpected and everything I wanted. I am very good at saying no to people and doing things that primarily make me happy. It was borderline scary reading about Anna and her mental struggles as a people-pleaser besides being autistic.

This book is definitely not a light read. It made me laugh out loud, it made me cringe, it made me cry with sadness and happiness and it still managed to be relatable – I have no idea how. It definitely didn’t have a lot of romance it in as compared to the other books in the series but I am a sucker for mental health rep and this book was a balm to my heart. And not to mention Quan. I had this different picture of Quan in my head and I very much expected him to be this clichéd bad boy protagonist but Helen just made him a real person. And his story broke my heart and stitched it back together. It was interesting to watch them work out their differences so incredibly different and yet tied together. This series has been pure joy and I am definitely reading whatever Helen Hoang puts out in the future.

Title: Ruin And Rising

Series: Grishaverse#1

Genre: YA Fantasy

Rating: ★★★★★

Yes, another unexpected favorite. I didn’t like the first book in the series very much. And the second book was meh for me but the ending was pretty darn intriguing. The only thing that made it better was the arrogant little privateer. However, there was too much inconsistency with the pacing and the plot kept on lagging. But lo and behold the third book. Loved it. Absolutely loved it.

I didn’t even realize how much I would miss the characters until I turned the last page. It was beautifully done in my opinion. I am very picky about endings in usual. Not a lot of series end in a satisfactory way but this series had one of the best endings I have ever read. It was so bittersweet. Guys! I couldn’t stop the tears. It felt so fair and so unfair. I despised the character developments in the second book honestly, but after the third book when I think of the first one – it seems like these kids have grown so much damn. They deserve every spark of happiness. okay. I need to stop. I think this is a great series for anyone getting into fantasy or someone looking for some good-old fantasy story with clichés and satisfactory endings.

Title: Counting Down With You

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: YA contemporary

Rating: ★★★★★

This book is a bundle of joy. You know when you read a book and get this feeling like everything is so eerily similar to your life, it’s almost like the author has specially written the book for you? Well, that’s the feeling I got from this book. I don’t think I can give constructive criticism for this book, because that’s how attached I am at this point.

But it has Asian rep, Muslim rep, Mental Health rep, LGBTQ rep, and most importantly we have the fake dating trope! And *drumroll please* the best part of the deal is that – the boy buys her a dozen books a week. The characters were incredibly realistic and fleshed out. I am not too sure about the side characters but they are not half as bad. Easy to read, easy to follow – just get it already! I think my most favorite part of the book was the poems which were sprinkled every few chapters and they stole my heart <33

Title: The Inheritance Games

Series: The Inheritance Games#1

Genre: YA Thriller

Rating: ★★★★✪

Read this book if you haven’t already! This is one of those books which you wish you could read for the first time again after finishing it. I had given up on the thriller genre because I read so many that they stopped surprising me. And although I had predicted the ending for this one, it was so beautifully done that I kid you not I threw it across the bed.

Finished it in four hours. Fast-paced from the very first chapter, not cliched, stunning side characters, secret tunnels, too many riddles, and intense power play. I must warn that there is a slight hint of a love triangle in it but hey, give it a chance. It’s worth the read. And the cliffhanger will leave you tearing your hair out but lucky for you the second book is out already. You can find my detailed review here.

Title: XOXO

Series: Stand-Alone

Genre: YA Contemporary

Rating: ★★★

Three stars? And on the favs list? Yep. I have seen so many contradictory reviews going around about this book and I agree with literally all of them. The characters are underdeveloped and the story was lackluster. The pacing was medium but it is one of those books which are incredibly easy to read and you just fly through. BUT it was such a wholesome read for me!

I am a huge fan of k-drama and k-pop and just the Korean culture in general. And personally, I had a great time with this book. A breezy read – exactly the kind you need to get away. Loaded with cuteness, teenage hormones, and angst. It was lovely. I recommend this book if you are crazy about the Korean culture and I suggest that you don’t go into it with a lot of expectations. Just think of it as all your fav k-drama moments but in writing. Don’t think too much and let the sweetness flow through you.

Aaand it’s a wrap baby. Now, you guys tell me some of the books that you have devoured recently and hopefully shed your tears over. What do you think of all these books? Have you read these? Loved these? And don’t tell me if you hated them. See ya in the comments below! <33

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