[REVIEW] Sophie Kinsella European Weeks

I've read 4 books by Sophie Kinsella and so far, I've not rate any of them below 4-stars (not Wedding Night). I dare say that she's an amazing writer who knows how to grip my sense of humour. Additionally, I've been in the contemporary-chicklit mood and Sophie Kinsella just made all my days. There ain't no any particular reason for this double reviews mashed-up. Both books are from the same genre and author, thus, it'll be easier. 

1. Can You Keep A Secret? 

Goodreads synopsis: Meet Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets: 
Secrets from her boyfriend: I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken. 
Secrets from her mother: I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur. 
Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world: I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is. 
Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.…Until Emma comes face-to-face with Jack Harper, the company’s elusive CEO, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her...

I'M SO INSANELY IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK. The feeling was so attached that I had a book hungover again. I never expect it to be that hilarious and cheesy and embarrassing at the same time. And yes, I agree that it is indeed very cliché and predictable. However, this book is capable of making me laughing out loud in public in every turn pages. It was so freaking hilarious, how can you not-

Sophie Kinsella's writings has the power to make you feel embarrass for her main girl character. I don't know how she does it but all the time you'll feel like telling the character 'oh god no', I swear. Plus, it's no secret all Sophie's books are freaking fun to read. But, this book actually made me laughed out loud. Those little thoughts of Emma were just so funny. 

The relationship between Emma and Jack is the reason I could not put this book down. I practically flew through this book, during my brother's graduation ceremony (yes, I was reading while all the choir and speeches were on-going). I love how the story unfolds and how Emma deal with all the problems. 

I'm surprised I didn't have much to say for a book I rated 5-stars. Overall, it was fun and enjoyable read. The only complaint I've got is that "it's not real", and that's not really a complaint. 

2. The Undomestic Goddess

I bought this book from an Italian bookstore because I needed something to read after CYKAS? hungover. 

Goodreads synopsis: Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She's made a mistake so huge, it'll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she's mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they've hired a lawyer-and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can't sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope-and finds love-is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does...will she want it back?

This is not as fun as CYKAS? but it still have all the fun elements. This book still makes me laughed but not as much? However, Samantha's life is very much relatable to me (even though I ain't IQ 158 but I'm a pathetic law student). I would be almost a Melissa, still struggling in law school. 

No matter how I convince myself that this is just a fiction, I still wouldn't believe that a high-pay lawyer would choose to be a domestic worker. It's insane. I would prefer an ending of Sam being with  Nathaniel and helping him with his job or something, not being a domestic worker. But, that's the whole point of the insane plot of the book. 

Usually all law-themed fiction or movies made me uneasy, as if people trying to make fun of the subject, like the movie Legally Blonde. I do believe lawyers do get a life. However, in the Acknowledgements page, Sophie did mentioned that she'd consulted the real lawyer and such, so I guess the story ain't that fiction after all. 

Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the book very much and I highly recommend both books (in fact all Sophie's books). I've always loved a happy book. 

Summer

Nothing goes wrong with a Sophie Kinsella: Can You Keep A Secret? / The Undomestic Goddess

[REVIEW] Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

First off, I want to share that I love retellings, any retellings. I don't remember how I stumbled upon this book but I knew it is a Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling and the cover is gorgeous. I knew I had to read it. As if someone heard my wish, I won this book in a Tumblr bookblog giveaway. YAY.

Goodreads synopsis: Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny. Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him. With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people. But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her. As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love. 

The starting of the book was quite messy and some parts were confusing. Many infos were shoved in and I had a hard time trying to figure out what's going on. I wish the author could slow down with her writings and just let the readers digest the informations. Until now I still didn't grasp what's the point of the four Hearts. I felt t 

However I do enjoy the relationship between Nyx and Ignifex. I like how their relationship slowly buds and Nyx was torn in between the forbidden love and her mission. It was both heart breaking and sweet at the same time. (Something about forbidden love which attracts my attention...) 

It was an enjoyable read but somehow it doesn't pull me into speed-reading it which I thought I would. The mysterious and dark effects of the book really stand out with the author's writings. Somehow I don't feel like it's a retelling but more to a standalone paranormal fiction, maybe because I'm just familiar with the Disney's version of Beauty and the Beast. 

I absolutely adore the ending plot twist. (It's hard to not share that part because this has to be spoiler-free but it's amazing.) At the end, I didn't know what's going on and suddenly I was pulled back to the story. The feeling is amazing. I love it when a book does that effect on me. Not to mention, the beautiful quotes and poems which the author wrote, they were stunning. 

Overall it was enjoyable but many parts confused me thus I gave it a 3-stars. I still recommend this book because the plot was very well thought out and the plot twist was effective (is that the correct description?).

Summer

a beauty and the beast fan?: Cruel Beauty / paperback version to pre-order 

[REVIEW] Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

So much for galaxy porn. I freaking adore this book. I'm officially a Perkins fangirl. If you think Anna and the French Kiss was good, this is 10 times better. I can't even imagine Isla now.

Goodreads synopsis: Lola Nolan is a budding costume designer, and for her, the more outrageous, sparkly, and fun the outfit, the better. And everything is pretty perfect in her life (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the negihborhood. When Cricket, a gifted inventor, steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

I'm currently so contemporary-deprived that every book I picked up in my TBR list is a contemporary. 

This book... AWWWW... (with caps and !!!!) Lola and Cricket's interactions were just SO ADORABLE. Most of the time I was just squealing and rolling on my bed. Stephanie did that to me again. The feeling was so heart-warming and happy. 

Yes, the story is still very cliché but contemporary is all about the feeling. I was grinning all the while reading this book and that matters. It feels like a RomCom which could be watched again and again and you'll still laugh at the same joke. It's a wonder Cricket being all geeky, he could snuck up some cheesy pickup line. 

One thing - I really like Lola's parents. Yes, they're gay and they're so cute. It reminds me of the Modern Family. Gosh, everything's so cute and fussy, even the parents. I ran out of words. 

"So you believe in second chances?" I bite my lip.
"Second, third, fourth. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. If the person is right," he adds.
"If the person is... Lola?"
This time, he holds my gaze. "Only if the other person is Cricket."

GOD. I CAN'T TAKE IT. EVEN IT'S THE SECOND READ. I SHOULD REALLY CALM MYSELF NOW.

At this rate, everyone will stop reading my reviews. 

The other thing about self-discovery. As the story goes, Lola grows to learn more about herself. How she should be honest to her feelings and how to just being herself - how to be Lola. It's beautiful when Cricket is there to assist her, asking her to be herself. Cricket is so sweet in his geeky way.

A self-discovery journey. An adorable budding romance. What do you need more in a book?

Summer

Read this and you'll love it: Lola and the Boy Next Door

[REVIEW] Fangril by Rainbow Rowell

My first Rainbow Rowell's book was Eleanor & Park and I absolutely adore it. I like Rainbow's writings, her humour and those cutesy scenes in the book. They made me feel so good. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. Almost all book tubers love this book. It was so hyped-out that it made me wanna read it. So I did but I didn't enjoy it as many other readers did.

Goodreads synopsis: A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan... But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to. Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

To be honest, I was let down by all those high reviews out there. I'm pretty sure every comments about this book were a straight 5-stars. I had my hopes up before reading it. It was a huge let down. I really didn't expect to be let down but it happened.

Firstly, the plot was a huge mess. Most of the time I did not know where is the focus point? Is it the fan fiction writing? Or the twins relationship? Or their dad? Or their mother? Or even the relationship between Cath and Levi? They were all jumbled up. I felt that some parts were too draggy while some other parts were too rush. When I reached the end, I was feeling like "huh? What?", and it just ended like that. 

However, the story is unique. Fanfiction is hardly a topic to write about in a fiction. It was impressive that Rainbow did a story within a story. To me, it's practically hard to even write a story and she mashed up two stories. 

Overall it was a leisure read. I was just not attached to it as many other contemporary or even Rainbow's e&p. Maybe I am not fangirl-ing enough. But since many readers do enjoy the book, maybe they do find something they really like about it. I would still recommend this book because of Rainbow Rowell. Her writings are light and fun read. 

Summer 

I will still have a link to purchase the book even if I did not enjoy that book as much because I believe in challenging someone's opinion. Everyone should listen and accept people's opinion but form your own. 

FANGIRL (my version is not available)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

This book killed me. In every way possible. Ms Jenny Han, you've done a great job on that. *round of applauses*

I was introduced to this book by Regan (the booktuber: peruseproject). The title might sound cheesy but it's definitely not a cheesy book. It has its cute moments.

Goodreads synopsis: What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them... all at once? Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control.

This is not your typical contemporary reads. First off, the story is cute and "troublesome". I read the synopsis and it was immediately added to my TBR list. It was that intriguing. Not to mention, the cover was gorgeous to the maximum level.

This book technically has no flaws until the last page which literally made me so angry with Jenny Han. Please, why did you do this to me? OMG. I almost saw it coming and the last page slapped me into reality. If this isn't a duo-logy/series, I'm officially writing a letter to Ms Jenny Han insisting for an epilogue. I really don't mind an entirely new book just for an epilogue, just please give me an ending because there was none. The problems in the book aren't solve and I'm pretty annoyed and I couldn't sleep peacefully tonight without an answer.

Despite that pissful ending, I love this book. It was a fast read. The chapters spacing (whatever you call that) was so perfectly structured. It stops at the right time and begins with a good start.

DID I EVER MENTION THE GASTRONOMY? Jenny Han, despite everything I've written above, you're an amazing food-writer. I always have a thing for books which write about food, in details. I didn't see it coming from a YA contemporary fiction. It was a great surprise. The korean foods, the cookies baking and all those dinners. If Jenny Han writes like that in all her books, I'll eat all of them.

I stay quiet for all of ten seconds and then say, "Wait, were you wanting me to be quiet too?"
"No, I just didn't want music. You can talk as much as you want."

That was my favourite LaraJean-Peter scene. It was hilarious with cute-ness overloads. I love their cutesy moments. (on the repeat mode) I just love everything about this book except for the delirious ending. I love so many things I can't describe them in words.

I hope Jenny writes more about Chris. She's very interesting.

It would be a 5-stars if not for that ending. However, I highly recommend this book for anyone, especially contemporary readers. YOU'LL LOVE IT.

Summer

I bought it: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (new cover paperback) (hardback)
p.s My edition was out of order.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Almost everyone in the book world has been raving about this book and I cannot NOT check it out. There must be a reason for the whole hype, right? 

Goodreads synopsis: Can Anna find love in the City of Light? Anna is happy in Atlanta. She has a loyal best friend and a crush on her coworker at the movie theater, who is just starting to return her affection. So she's less than thrilled when her father decides to send her to a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. But despite not speaking a word of French, Anna meets some cool new people, including the handsome Étienne St. Clair, who quickly becomes her best friend. Unfortunately, he's taken —and Anna might be, too. Will a year of romantic near misses end with the French kiss she's waiting for?

Yes, it is an adorable-makes-you-feel-so-cuddly-and-good book. A book for remedy situations, for after break-ups (maybe?), for book-hangover, for RomCom desperate moments, for dateless measure and for Paree-lovers. If you are any of the above, you'd to pick this book up. 

First off, I love that Stephanie Perkins describes about the settings. Many RomCom books do not care for anything other than the two main characters. But when I was reading this book, I did feel like I'm actually with Anna in Paris and speaking français all these while. You can't help it. It's written everywhere. I could even smell the croissants.

Next, the storyline. Despite everything being perfectly structured in this book, the storyline was very cliché. It's another a-new-girl-in-school-meets-perfect-guy-but-with-family-problems kind of book, the "perfect-ending" book. If it's the book alone, the story is perfect but if you compare with the other RomCom around, the storyline will not standout. 

But I don't think the storyline is the aim of the book. This book is supposed to make you feel good and feel real. There's no save-the-world-apocalypse and no unsolvable-Will-Tessa-Jem, it was just simple romance and friends-family drama. 

In fact, the middle part of book was pretty heart-wrenching. (page 259) God, I cried a bucket for Anna. Maybe it's because I understand her feelings. It was awful, her narration sounded like she's going insane (metaphorically). I was almost shouting at the book, 'no Anna, you can't do that! You can't you can't!'. That's how deep the book affects me. 

However, one part really did annoyed me. I didn't know what the hell was St. Clair doing. The book explains the reason but me myself don't really comprehend it. Why? Why won't he break up with Ellie? I was as confused as Anna. 

Overall, it's a RECOMMENDED 5-stars YA contemporary read. I will definitely get Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After (coming out on 14th August 2014). I'm pretty excited for Isla and the Happily Ever After because Josh (from AaTFK side character) will be the main character of the book.   

READ THIS BOOK,

Summer

i'm getting it: Anne and the French Kiss