Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan

Love and Other Foreign Words
Erin McCahan
Stand Alone
Young Adult Contemporary
ebook, 336 pages
1st May 2014 by Penguin Group 

Goodreads Ratings : 3.9/5
My Rating : 4/5

Can anyone be truly herself--or truly in love--in a language that's not her own?

Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue--the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn't always like, and the best friend who hasn't said a word--at least not in a language Josie understands.

Leon of Bookalicious suggested me this book few months ago, saying that this is my type of book. "You will love it," he said. I read the blurb and I replied, "Maybe. Maybe not. I don't know." I wasn't interested at the time. 

Today, 19th November 2015, I decided to give it a try and now all I can say is, "Leon knows me well."

Love and Other Foreign Words is about a girl named Josephine "Josie" who is a 15-going-16 high school girl and also a fast-track college girl (Shes THAT genius.) ((The book will explain to you about her school life)). She has a different view about the world, like genius people would. (Think Don Tillman of The Rosie Project but less weird). Josie loves languages and she has her own way to interpret words and languages. 

“I can speak the languages of lots of groups and learn others with some ease, but no matter how fluent I am, when I'm not speaking Josie, I am merely acting. We all are when we interact outside of our natural cultures. It is inevitable, because it is impossible to be fully yourself in a foreign language.” - Josie

The story starts with Josie who disagrees with her sister Kate over the guy Kate chooses to marry, saying that Kate is making a mistake. She tries to make her sister understands that George with a silent p is the wrong man for her while Kate disagrees and says that Josie knows nothing about love. And now we have a story.

One thing by the way, ISNT THE COVER JUST SCREAMS CUTE ?!!!!

Moving on.

Josie is a weird girl. She sometimes comes of as a genius & funny but other times shes just plainly irritating but tolerable-and-can-still-be-loved kind of irritating. Sometimes shes rude and too much. Its just who she is and she cant help it. Shes not perfect and I get that about her. I feel for her, though. Cant say that she and her feelings are relatable to me but I can definitely feel her. I feel her in every way possible. I understand her heartaches, her curiosity, her frustration, and I understand her when she's completely numb and clueless. I really really love that connection between me and Josie. 

I love almost all characters in this book. I love Stu (can i have a Stu too, please?), Kate, Maggie, Ross and Sophie. I love the dynamic between Josie&Stu, Josie&Kate, Ross&Maggie&Josie, Josie&Sophie, Stu&Sophie. They totally spiced up the book even more! 

The ending is totally predictable!!! And I really really love it!!!! But I especially love how the author made it seems oblivious yet so obvious with the right amount of sweetness. Its very natural and not so suddenly thrown, if you get me. 

I love love love how the author connects the title of the book with the content of it. Love and Other Foreign Words. This book discusses all the 'foreign' words there is in the most creative way. Most importantly, this book discusses the topic love itself brilliantly because 'love' means A LOT of things. Romantic-love is one thing but family-love and sisterhood-love is another and both parts are excellently delivered by the author.

I read this is in the ebook form and I might just buy the physical book soon, or at least when I have the money to do so. In the meantime, I'm gonna private message all of my friends and force them to read this book. I AM FORCING YOU TO READ THIS TOO, in case if you dont realize it yet.

"Sometimes, people think they are in love when they choose to see in ties, none of the bad ones-- only the qualities they most admire, none of the flaws or the obstacles. “Good becomes perfect, but perfect is an illusion. And illusions are like all spells—temporary and soon broken. And when that happens, feelings change.”

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Carry On
Rainbow Rowell
Fantasy Young Adult
Paperback, 517 pages
6th October 2015 by MacMillan

Goodreads Ratings: 4.27/5
My Rating : 4/5

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters

THIS IS A SUPER LONG REVIEW

If you have read Fangirl, you must have known where Carry On comes from. But just to make things clear, I’m gonna explain. This is going to be a bit twisted and this twistery is called Metafiction. Carry On is a story about Simon Snow and Baz where these two characters comes from the book Fangirl. In Fangirl, Simon is the hero of a series of children’s adventure novels written by Gemma T. Leslie (she is totally fictional) and he is also the subject of Cath’s famous fanfictions. (Cath is the leading character in Fangirl). Rainbow Rowell, being the awesome person that she is, decided to bring Simon and his friends to life and now here we are.

You don’t have to read Fangirl to understand Carry On, anyway. The Simon&Baz in Carry On is nothing like Fangirl’s Simon&Baz because this time, it is all about Rainbow Rowell. Not Gemma. And certainly not Cath. Or maybe this is Rowell’s fanfiction of Gemma’s story. That could be it too, come to think of it. BUT YOU SHOULD READ FANGIRL ANYWAY IF YOU HAVENT YET BECAUSE OF THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS LEVI. You can find my review on Fangirl HERE.

Carry On starts right off at Simon Snow’s 8^th and Final Year at Watford, a magic school in England. Slowly the readers are introduced to various characters (Baz, Agatha, Penelope, The Mage, etc.) and the whole setting starts to take place. There are a few tidbits and stories from Simon’s past 7 years and adventures in school to help you understand better.

This book is told from various POV. It has more than 5 POVs if I am not mistaken. My favourite POV would be of Baz. I swear to God his mind is SO ADORABLE LIKE I CANT EVEN KIND OF ADORABLE. I imagine Baz would be some sort of a Draco-ish guy. Cold, sarcastic and he sneers a lot. (Although towards the end he’s nothing like Draco). Imagine Draco Malfoy with the whole cold demeanor but with a really cute thoughts inside. Isnt that just adorable?

“For a moment -- not even a moment, a split second -- I imagine him saying, 'The truth is, I'm desperately attracted to you.' And then I imagine myself spitting in his face. and then I imagine licking it off his cheek and kissing him. (Because I'm disturbed. Ask Anyone.)” - Baz

NOW DO U GET ME?!?1?1!?1?!!!!1

Carry on has quite a slow start. The world building takes up 150+ pages which may bore you but hold on. Everything will be worth the wait, I assure you. Also, within this pages, ypu’ll notice the striking resemblance it has with Harry Potter. It made me feel like I was reading a fanfiction rather than an original story. (THERE WAS EVEN A SCENE FROM TWILIGHT INSIDE LMAO)   But the similarities end somewhere in the middle and you will start to see the magickal (no, this is not a typo.) that is Carry On.

I know nothing about Simon’s world to be honest. The only reason I badly want to read this book is solely because of Simon&Baz and nothing else. (I have a HUGE knack for gay romance tehee) ((I honestly don’t know why girls are so into slash fiction. Maybe it’s the same reason as why guys love lesbian porn. Idk idk.)) (((WHICH REMINDS ME: CARRY ON IS A GAY-THEMED FICTION. Simon and Baz are both very good looking guys who falls in love with each other. Thought I should give a heads up in case if you were wondering or in case youre a homophobic))) BUT OH MY GOD THE ROMANCE. I SWEAR TO GOD ROWELL DEFINITELY EXCELS IN WRITING THE ROMANCE DEPARTMENT.

Simon and Baz is just urgh. Annoyingly cute is the best way to describe them I gotta say. (I’m sure Penelope would agree with me on this one). The sexual tension is so strong it’s a wonder why Simon and Baz don’t realize it themselves. There were a lot of kissing and innocent touching that got me squealing so hard. If you don’t know yet, I am now a hardcore shipper of them both. OH OH AND BAZ IS TOTALLY MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER. THERES NO COMPETITION AT ALL. Baz is totally bae but he isn’t anyone’s bae. Simon holds him alone, there should be no one else.

“The whole prophecy is bollocks," I say. "'And one will come to end us. And one will bring his fall.' Did I also bring my own fall?""No," Baz says. "That was me. Obviously.""How did you bring my fall? I stopped the Humdrum myself."Baz looks back at his phone, bored. "Fell in love, didn't you?” 

GOD DAMN IT, BAZ. /fans self/

Romance apart, the whole adventure part came out as a surprise for me as I was not expecting it at all but I enjoyed it! The spells used in this book is ridiculous but so freaking funny!!! The spells goes from “Up, Up and Away” (levitating/accio spell) to “Have a break, Have a Kit Kat” (breaking things/give something a rest kinda spell lmao). I CRACKED UP A LOT! Oh, Mrs. Rowell, you funny, funny thing.

*SPOILER DISCUSSION*

1) So Rowell jumped straight to Simon’s final year in school with VERY LITTLE tidbits of the past 7 years. Simon’s adventures in the past 7 years were plainly described that I was left wondering ‘what actually happened?’ Its like 2 people telling stories to each other and suddenly you jumped in mid-conversation, totally clueless, but these two people just continue the conversation from where they left off without feeling you in the details. Do you get me?

2) I can’t imagine Simon with wings and tail. I honestly cant. Since he lost his magic, hes not considered as a magician anymore. But with the additional wings and tail, what is Simon exactly? Is he a monster? He certainly isn’t a Normal.

3) I LOVE the epilogue. I love how besides everything, Rowell cares about her characters. I love how Rowell decides that these characters of hers can decide what to do with themselves. How they can break stereotypes if they want to. Its incredible and its very refreshing.

4) I don’t get the deal with Simon’s creation/birth. Does it involve dark magic?

5) The prophecy. Lol where does that even came from?

*SPOILERS END*

I somehow feel like theres a huge patch in the story that I miss. A lot of things left me confused and it bugs me since the plot holes kinda ruined my reading experience.

All in all, Carry On has the perfect amount of adorableness, amazing characters, thrilling magical adventures and every bit of Rainbow Rowell that you can ask for.

(COME BACK HERE ONCE YOU’VE READ THE BOOK SO YOU CAN READ THE SPOILER SECTION AND DISCUSS IT WITH ME, I BEG YOU.)

“At Watford, Magic is just the air we breathe. It's not what separates us from each other; it's what keeps us together.” 

― Rainbow Rowell, Carry On

The Allure of Dean Harper (The Allure #2) by R.S. Grey

The Allure of Dean Harper
The Allure #2
R.S. Grey
Contemporary Romance
Ebook
28th September 2015

Goodreads Rating :4.09/5
My Rating : 3.5/5

From: LilyNBlack@Gmail.comTo: JosephineKeller@VogueMagazine.comSubject: You’re a flippin’ idiot

Good morning my dear, naive friend,

I hope you’re enjoying a breakfast of regret and sorrow.

Why? 

Because you sent me to work for Dean Harper, aka a control freak in a tailor-made suit. Sure he owns the trendiest restaurants in NYC, but c'mon Jo, his ego makes Kanye West look like the Dalai Lama.

He's the type of guy that only hears the word “no” when it's followed by “don’t stop.”

Working for Dean Harper would be like selling my soul to the devil…and before you say anything, I don’t care if the devil has punch-you-in-the-gut brown eyes and an ass to match. My soul isn’t for sale.

Love,Regretfully yours,Lily


The Allure of Dean Harper is a full-length standalone romance with overlapping characters from The Allure of Julian Lefray. Both books can be read separately. Chronologically, The Allure of Julian Lefray happens first. 

The Allure Of Julian Lefray is the only book by R.S. Grey that i love so much so I have a high expectation on the The Allure of Dean Harper. Unfortunately, it didnt manage to exceed my expectations.

I actually enjoyed 65% of it. (lol somehow that percentage is so irrelevant) Its funny and light and SO FULL OF FOOD THAT I WAS STARVING THE WHOLE TIME I READ THIS BOOK. Damn you and your fictional food, Grey.

I have some issues with Lily though. I understand that she is this one stubborn and strong girl that nothing can intimidate her. I get that demeanor, I do. But honest to God its too much. Shes too stubborn that its rude and annoying. She crossed the 'stubborn and strong hearted but insanely cool heroin' line. Shes overdone it that it doesnt look cool anymore. Whats worse is that for me, she radiates negative vibes with her. There are some scenes/parts in the book where she went overboard and outrightly rude. ITS INFURIATING OK. 

Also, i'm sorry but i cant really sense the chemistry between Dean and Lily. Sometimes theyre okay but sometimes its a bit.... off? Idk. maybe its just me. There are some Dean-Lily scenes that make me want to hit her head with a brIck and knock some sense into her. Seriously, what is she playing at?