Andreea's Updates en-US Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:15:16 -0800 60 Andreea's Updates 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg ReadStatus7466319419 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 11:15:16 -0800 <![CDATA[Andreea is currently reading 'Raven Smith's Men']]> /review/show/6175022505 Raven Smith's Men by Raven Smith Andreea is currently reading Raven Smith's Men by Raven Smith
]]> Review6122004676 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 09:38:55 -0800 <![CDATA[Andreea added 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous']]> /review/show/6122004676 On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong Andreea gave 5 stars to On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (Hardcover) by Ocean Vuong
bookshelves: amazing-feelings, cry-the-shit-out-of-me, favorites, i-worship-these, non-fantasy
One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. ]]> Review4567802532 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:33:44 -0800 <![CDATA[Andreea added 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo']]> /review/show/4567802532 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Andreea gave 3 stars to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Hardcover) by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I started this book back in March 2022, stopped reading it mid-way in early April, and now in January 2024 I just finished the second half in mere hours. I guess my point is that while it is entertaining and gripping, I have not found it to be extraordinary, and I could’ve done without it. I’m honestly quite indifferent towards it.

It was light and easy to read (and I could pick it back up almost two years later), and perhaps that was part of the problem, as it sometimes fell flat. Revelations that have been continuously teased and hyped throughout the book did not carry the emotional punch I was expecting, nor were they what we had been promised � shocking details that would vilify Evelyn Hugo. Instead, they were meant to make you think “oh that’s not so bad� so you could reach the (surprise-surprise) conclusion that she is excruciatingly human, multi-layered and just like every one of us. Some authors can sell this sort of portrayal well, but I fear Jenkins Reid failed on this front.

Moreover, I had a huge problem with the main relationship’s temporary disentanglement, which made no sense to me � you can’t just say two people that love each other THAT much and that are supposed to have such a layered, complex and MATURE relationship can throw it all away just because one is “stubborn� and “insecure�. It felt like cheap writing, done purely for the drama with no concern for prior character development. That part was supposed to be achingly devastating and beautifully soul-ripping, and all I felt was frustration and annoyance because two characters were not communicating. And when they did communicate on the topic, years later, the writing style unfortunately made it emotionless and artificial.

I did love the many types of love portrayed in the book (romantic, platonic, parental) as well as the sub-types embodied by some of the husbands (abusive, passionate, idealistic). I loved the discussions surrounding what truly constitutes a family � is it chosen, is it made? I loved the emphasis on bisexuality and the fact that it was always differentiated from being gay. I loved that Evelyn was unapologetic and sexy until the very end and that she used her “feminine powers� to get to the top. I loved Evelyn and Harry’s friendship, it was truly a highlight, and I’m sorry to have skipped through her later years so fast, I would’ve wanted more of Connor and the daughter-mother relationship.

So some parts of it were good and some others were not, just like Evelyn herself ;) ]]> UserChallenge49585696 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:31:30 -0800 <![CDATA[ Andreea has challenged herself to read 12 books in 2024. ]]> /user/show/4858513-andreea-pop 11634
She has read 1 book toward her goal of 12 books.
 
1 of 12 (8%)
Create your own 2024 Reading Challenge » ]]> Review1227077457 Sun, 06 Aug 2023 05:59:51 -0700 <![CDATA[Andreea added 'The Nightingale']]> /review/show/1227077457 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah Andreea gave 5 stars to The Nightingale (Hardcover) by Kristin Hannah
Such a poignant story of love and endurance during war � and the power of women. A heavy read, but it is books like these that we must read and cherish and remember. ]]> Review5462284289 Sun, 06 Aug 2023 05:58:44 -0700 <![CDATA[Andreea added 'I'm Glad My Mom Died']]> /review/show/5462284289 I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy Andreea gave 4 stars to I'm Glad My Mom Died (ebook) by Jennette McCurdy
bookshelves: a-new-kind-of-fucked-up
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