“Watching you become who you are has been the greatest privilege of my whole life.”
Oh, wow. Even after how many years, Prince Henr4 Stars!
“Watching you become who you are has been the greatest privilege of my whole life.”
Oh, wow. Even after how many years, Prince Henry and Sarah still couldn't get any cuter!
[image]
This short story takes place in the future. Our royally loved couple from Royally Matched are now having kids of their own and living their happily ever after.
I simply loved how Henry and Sarah stayed true to their love and commitment to each other and to their country. In this novel we get to have a glimpse of them as parents and not just as husband and wife. The way they raised their kids was simply awe-inspiring. And their children (especially Gilbert)-- they are completely adorable.
I especially found myself smiling at their balcony scene where they shared such a sweet and meaningful conversation and particularly reminisced their past. Ah, the nostalgic feels! This was such a feel-good short story and I wished there was more because these are Henry and Sarah we are talking about and you can't get enough of these characters.
Everyone seemed to enjoy this short story, and here I am... an oddball.
[image]
Was it the writing? Yes. The narrative and I just didn't click well. ThEveryone seemed to enjoy this short story, and here I am... an oddball.
[image]
Was it the writing? Yes. The narrative and I just didn't click well. There were a lot of things that I didn't get about the story and I was confused about most of the things that the characters were discussing. :-/
Emma Chase continues to spoil us with another treat through this short story which serves as a prequel to the next bAnother dose of Drew Evans!
[image]
Emma Chase continues to spoil us with another treat through this short story which serves as a prequel to the next book, Twisted. At first I was kind of surprised because I really thought it will be 'their' wedding, but it wasn't. I was deceived. Lol. Buuut I loved all the scenes here. That fight between Billy and Drew was so hilarious af. And that shocking scene between Kate's mom and Steven's dad. *facepalms
Here's my favorite conversation between Drew and Kate:
"I want you to be surprised. You're going to lose it when you see me in it. It'll be your new favorite dress."
I kiss her forehead, and work my way down over her temple, across her cheek. "My favorite dress of yours will always be... the one on the floor."
This is yet another short story that teases. It was brought out in a way that simply entertains. Drew and Kate-- they're now my new favorite book couple! <3
"Relationships only work when both parties put the other person's feelings before their own. Without that? Things tend to implode rather quickly."
I immediately delved into this after I finished Tangled because I just can't simply get over Drew and Kate's story. Tangled Extra Scenes didn't fail tI immediately delved into this after I finished Tangled because I just can't simply get over Drew and Kate's story. Tangled Extra Scenes didn't fail to make me laugh and swoon over the characters once again.
Drew and Kate are finally living together as a couple. Things that happened here were typical couple's experiences. Some hilarious and entertaining fights and arguments, some misunderstandings, and tons of make-up smexy scenes that are sizzling hot. I loved how these two characters stick together despite the fact that it's not easy to adjust to a new, booming relationship.
But Drew and Kate are really meant to be and I'm happy to see them enjoying their relationship on a different level.
[image]
Mackenzie's special appearance here was also adorable. Mackenzie and her Bad Word Jar. (Her college fund is now truly secured. Drew can even buy her a Ferrari with the amount of dollars on it.) LOL!
Thank you, Emma Chase, for giving us these extras. It means a lot to us fans. :)
Don't get me wrong. The writing was promising, but the main issue I had was the plot which wasn't there. The character description was also va1.5 Star
Don't get me wrong. The writing was promising, but the main issue I had was the plot which wasn't there. The character description was also vague. I don't know how the male and female lead were related to each other. They could be lovers, husband and wife, or anything.... ??? It lacked on so many levels. Anyway, there's always a room for improvement. :) I hope to read a better work from this author in the future....more
This short story had so much of what I loved about Khalid. I loved getting into his mind! His POV was amazingly written in a manner that give3.5 Stars
This short story had so much of what I loved about Khalid. I loved getting into his mind! His POV was amazingly written in a manner that gives goosebumps to the readers. I also loved how he sees Shazi prior to their dreaded wedding and how Shazi got him intrigued when he knew that she volunteered to become his next wife.
The Crown and the Arrow could've been a great short story but the problem was, it was too short. There was simply not enough. I want more Khalid!!! Otherwise, it's still a good shortie. It's like tasting a tiny piece of chocolate and you still want more. :)
So many feels in this short story! I instantly became a fan of Jalal and Despina the moment they were introduced in The Wrat4 Jalal and Despina Stars!
So many feels in this short story! I instantly became a fan of Jalal and Despina the moment they were introduced in The Wrath and the Dawn so it didn't surprise me to find myself completely enamored by these love birds here. These characters are unique in their own ways. They're simply irresistible and oh my God, the chemistry! It's definitely there! I.JUST.CANNOT!
My favorite part here was the garden scene. I think it's the highlight of the story. It was so swoony and it felt like it came from a scene in a historical romantic movie or something. I had so much fun in this short story. I laughed and swooned and totally went to crazyland because of how cute Jalal and Despina were! If you have already read The Wrath and the Dawn, don't miss this short story! :)
3.5 Stars because the heroine is such a strong woman who knows exactly how to value herself and get out of an abusive relationship before it eats her 3.5 Stars because the heroine is such a strong woman who knows exactly how to value herself and get out of an abusive relationship before it eats her alive and frankly, I respect and admire that characteristic.
"She should give up on men, and stick with chocolate instead. Chocolate was smooth, even and dependable; it comforted you and made you happy. Chocolate didn't leave your feelings jangled and raw, and your nerves over-stretched like old elastic."
It was the line that made me want to scream f*ck yes!
[image]
[image]
Choosing Chocolate is a short story that pertains to actual reality, an eye-opener that shows that not every relationship you see is a happy relationship and every woman should be smarter than to stick around a man who hurts her emotionally and physically. The author has made this short story a worthwhile read. It's something new and realistic to me. The writing, however, is not perfect but it's the message that counts. :) Every girl and even guy should read this!
For a short story, it managed to swoon me because of the way it was rendered in a heartfelt way. :) This short story actually expresses the e3.5 Stars
For a short story, it managed to swoon me because of the way it was rendered in a heartfelt way. :) This short story actually expresses the essence of true and uncoditional love. :)...more
Short and sweet but nothing quite remarkable. I love the idea of second chance romance and I believe this short story is a huge potential if th2 Stars
Short and sweet but nothing quite remarkable. I love the idea of second chance romance and I believe this short story is a huge potential if the author pushed it into a lengthy novel. Actually, the writing reminds me of those sweet and swoony Harlequin romance books. :)
The characters were okay, but I wish there was more depth in their characterization. The plot was also okay but because it's a short story and there was limitation in stretching the entire storyline, I could not bring myself to appreciate it. When it comes to romance, it wasn't really enough. And the ending-- it was unsatisfactory. :( I'm giving it 2 stars though because the writing is good and Harlequin potential. :)...more
This short story is Fangirljunior. So cute and irresistible and I loved it!
Elena is a Star Wars obsessed. When another sequel of the film ser4 Stars!
This short story is Fangirljunior. So cute and irresistible and I loved it!
Elena is a Star Wars obsessed. When another sequel of the film series was about to hit the theater, she camped out for four days prior to the show and eventually met guys, Gabe and Troy, who are also Star Wars fanatics.
I loved the fun moments that happened here. Even the witty and nerdy banters shared by Gabe and Elena. They just clicked with every part of me! These characters are very interesting and adorable and though the story was only short, it captured my heart because of how the entirety of it made me happy.
And oh, there's a plot twist here that made me LOL. If you want to be entertained for a few minutes, go grab Kindred Spirits!
For a short story, this one is exceptionally good. It's heart-warming and thought-provoking. It makes me contemplate the value of taking chances and eFor a short story, this one is exceptionally good. It's heart-warming and thought-provoking. It makes me contemplate the value of taking chances and embracing life's strangest opportunities. While it narrates a beautiful love story of an old couple, it never fails to instill life lessons, too. Such an amazing quick read! ...more
"Meeting you has been the best part of my vacation."
Short, sweet, and swoony. I did enjoy this one, despite how brief it is. It's a romant
"Meeting you has been the best part of my vacation."
Short, sweet, and swoony. I did enjoy this one, despite how brief it is. It's a romantic story that takes place in a cruise line. Kristin and Brian met in the middle of an ocean vacay. What started off as exchange of glimpses from a distance eventually led to a flirtation. I have to say that it's one of those cliché stories we usually read in a vacation-themed romance book but I actually find it cute. Both characters shared genuine interactions without getting the sexual tension and romantic build-up forced. Instead, everything came out naturally.. which was good enough for a short love story. I just wish the ending was different though. It was a good ending but there could be more to it. I want to see what happened to Kristin and Brian after they went back to Miami. :)
A beautiful, moving story about two orphaned siblings named Fyolka and Danilka and a cobbler named Terenty who were together in the woods after TerentA beautiful, moving story about two orphaned siblings named Fyolka and Danilka and a cobbler named Terenty who were together in the woods after Terenty rescued Danilka when his hand was stuck into a hole in a tree. In just one day, Danilka's life changed after learning a lot of things from Terenty.
This short story is touching. Anton Chekhov's powerful prose explores a child's desire to learn more about the world and to live in a normal society where childhood experiences should be explored. It's a real life expressed through every spectrum, with deep and entertaining dialogues that will somehow give you unexpected emotions. The writing is simplistic yet the message imparted in the story tugs the heart. :)
Einstein's Beach House surprised me! I didn't know what to expect from this book and from this author but the overall impact it brought me was beyond Einstein's Beach House surprised me! I didn't know what to expect from this book and from this author but the overall impact it brought me was beyond my expectations. This book consists of 8 short stories, each with different themes but all in all, coming up with one thing -- life experiences.
The writing style of Jacob M. Appel is so impressive. He has this unique plot and great, three-dimensional characterization and he laces everything with humor and emotional conflict that even if each story was short, I felt as if I was reading a regular-length book.
I made a brief review for each story because I was too overwhelmed with everything in this book and here they are:
1. Hue and Cry
This is the first short story of Einsten's Beach House. It's a dark and twisted story, with an underlying sensitive issue that centers a man who is a sex offender. How he was treated by the people around him totally describes harsh reality. I don't know exactly what to feel about this but I can say that the author very well establishes a great reality-based story.
2. La tristesse des hérisson
This second short story held a very heavy topic which was handled perfectly with humor. It's about a couple who adopted a hedgehog. Sounds a bit normal but the moment they took the hedgehog home, their relationship slowly went downhill because of some psychological issues that were focused on the hedgehog. If you read this book blindly, you will appreciate the hidden message the author was conveying. This short story is beautiful and gripping. It's psychological and an eye-opener. We tend to blame other people for the fault which is entirely done by ourselves and act this defense mechanism which is so-called displacement.
3. Strings
"It's much better to not be okay when you ought to be fine, than to be perfectly content when you really should be falling to pieces."
Well this third short story hits home. It's about a 40 year-old woman who was approached by her ex-lover who's a musician, for a favor. At first I didn't get the message behind the story but when I reached the ending-- wow! The story sent a deep, powerful message that hit straight to the core. It's about defining the value of success and failure and how each person's approach towards these things vary. It's also more about moving on and forgiveness.
4. Limerence
The fourth short story of this book completely stole my heart. It's heartbreaking. It's a flashback story about a teenage boy and a girl whose friendship started right when they were in high school. Despite the girl's imperfections and issues in life, the boy slowly developed feelings for her, which was unfortunately not returned due to the girl's circumstances and misfortunes. I love how this short-length of a story felt longer than I've thought. There was so much emotional depth in this story. The melancholy tone also made me feel like I'm reading a Nicholas Sparks book. From the beginning up to the end, I was pleasantly moved because of the great characterization the author was able to distinguish and the emotions being poured that tugged at my heartstrings.
5. Einstein's Beach House
Now this fifth story is more about the things that usually happen in the family household. It's about a couple with two kids who live in a beachfront house which was perceived as Albert Einstein's beach house. As they later on made the house a source of their income through the tourists that usually visit because of their curiosity, they later on learned that in fact, the house was originally owned by Einstein's niece. What made this short story brilliant was how the author emphasized the essence of sentimental value for a particular thing and how a person values childhood and family relationships. The ending of this short story was so touching!
6. The Rod of Asclepius
By far, this sixth short story is my most favorite of all. I loved the dark theme in which a father and a daughter bonded through some twisted kind of activity. In this story, the father was introduced by the author in a very mysterious way. He pretended to be a doctor whenever he enters the hospital and when he's inside a particular room, he injects random patients, basically killing them. But he always did it together with her daughter who was a seven year-old. As the girl grew up, the memory of what happened still lingered and even served as a traumatic experience to her. This is such a brilliant, dark story. It's cringe-worthy and as usual, very well-written. It also gives a reader something to ponder in the end.
7. Sharing the Hostage
This short story is particularly funny! It's about a divorced woman who wanted her tortoise, which was already in the hands of her ex-husband, back. The ex-couple didn't have a child but the way they value the turtle, sharing a joint custody, as if it's their own child, was so hilarious and strange. The woman and her lover planned to abduct the tortoise from her ex-husband but when they've already had it, they realized that maybe after all, they shouldn't have took it because it won't survive in their planned trip. All throughout the story, I was laughing because of its unrealistic but hilarious approach. In the end, I realized that the story itself shows the importance of giving value to a certain thing-- no matter how small or big it is.
8. Paracosmos
The last short story of Einstein's Beach House is charming. The story centers around a small family consisting a couple and a daughter. The daughter had an imaginary friend whom the couple thought was alarming. This short story is realistic in a way because having an imaginary friend is part of childhood. The message behind the story was also amazing. It emphasizes importance of family bonding and of course, the importance of fidelity.
As a whole, Einstein's Beach House is a masterpiece and a real gem! I am so thankful to have been given a copy of this book from the author because it's a book that I will forever treasure. The contents are all unique, amazing, and very well-written, in a can't-put-it-down way. It's a powerful anthology that explores every sensible and even psychological aspect of life. If you want a wholesome, thought-provoking reads, I highly recommend this anthology!
Loading...
