midnight random thoughts

be kind 🐬

[legallydamned]

BANE by L.J. Shen

"Don’t you get it? We’re the outliers. The rejects. We’re free. Free to do whatever the hell we want, because it won’t matter. We’ll never fit in here, so we don’t have to try. We’re liberated from all this bullshit.” He motioned around us with his hand. “They can’t hurt you if you don’t give them permission to. So don’t.”"

Baaaaaaanneeeeeee!!!! Bane bane bane! Aaahhhhhhh I love hiiimmmmmmm!!! As compared to the last 3 books from Sinners of Saint series, this is my favorite! I thought Vicious will be my fave because Ruckus and Scandalous didn't really captured my attention as much as Vicious but then came Bane. I sooooo love the story and the issues that this book represent. I think it's so important to tackle this kind of issue because not everyone has the voice to stand up for themselves.

Jesse Carter. Haayyyy.. this badass woman! We all need someone like Jesse in every book seriously. She's stripped off of her voice from the very start so I really adored her when she said that the princess will save herself from the story and she really did. She doesn't need a man to rely unto to save herself and to stand up for her. I really liked her development from the very start of the book til the end. From being that shy girl who's afraid to go out and meet people to a confident, brave and courageous woman. Even after everything that she went through, she never lost herself and in the end she learned how to stand up for herself and found ways to get the justice she deserves.

Bane.. Roman Protsenko... ohhh Baanneeee! To be honest, I don't know what to expect from him since he does not belong to the HotHoles and I only got glimpses of him from Scandalous since he is Edie's ex boyfriend but holy shit! He has become my fave from the whole series. He is so funny I was laughing throughout the book. He is so confident about himself but so unsure about what he does at the same time. I really love his chemistry with Jesse. They are so adorable!

I really love the book so much that after reading it, I wanna read it again. And I did! I feel like this book is perfect as a closure from the series. There was no boring chapter! 10 out of 5 stars!!

[legallydamned]

SCANDALOUS by L.J. Shen

"She's a maze with no escape. An ethereal, steady pulse. She's there but just barely. I love her so much I sometimes hate her. And it terrifies me, because deep down, I know what she is. An unsolvable puzzle. And I know who I am. The idiot who would try to fix her. At any cost."

All those hints from Ruckus! We all know from Ruckus that Trent's love interest will be the nameless daughter of the FHH partner Van Der Zee and that she's wayyyy young. And in here, we found that her name is Edie and that she's freaking 18 years old as compared to Trent who's 33 freaking years old. But is it odd that while reading this, I don't get the feeling that Trent is 33 and that he's actually younger? I don't know, maybe because I got used to him and the HotHoles being young in Vicious when they were in senior year in highschool. That's why I don't find it gross or weird that he got paired with a young woman, a freaking teenager for god's sake.

Edie!! I really loved her! She's so badass and even though she's young, she's so mature in handling things especially when it comes to her family. I really love her bond with Luna. 😍 I also love that even though she came from money, she never show it.

As for Trent, he was the member of HotHoles that I was so curious about because as compared to Vicious, Dean and Jaime, his family is not that well off. I think that's also one of the few things that I liked about the HotHoles. They do not care about the other's family background they stick with each other whatever it takes. Trent and Luna's interaction was also adorable even if Trent can't communicate that well with Luna. He is so overprotective of her.

I really loved the book! Trent and Edie's chemistry is so cute and undeniable. Their age gap as I said doesn't bother me at all because Edie is so mature for her age and Trent doesn't really feel like he's 33. I liked the story as compared to Ruckus. ✌️

[legallydamned]

RUCKUS by L.J. Shen

"What makes you feel alive? Singing like no one’s listening. Dancing like no one’s watching. Eating like calories don’t exist."

Dean and Rosie!!! I actually kinda guessed Dean is into Rosie at the later parts of Vicious buutttt.. i never thought his feelings to Rosie ran that DEEP! I mean, Dean's POV from 10 years ago shocked me. That was not the Dean that I read from Vicious. I have mixed feelings while reading his past with Rosie to think that he really pursued Millie during their senior years. Same with Rosie! She's not the same Rosie that I read from Vicious. Guess it's really different when you write a character as a side character and as a lead one.

On a lighter note (if it's still considered light lol), I really cried while reading this. Rosie is so selfless. She never got mad when her family hid Millie's pregnancy from her, when her family always gets up on her about leaving New York and start living with them instead- though I can understand where her family comes from. They just want her to be safe and be taken cared of because of her illness, and of course by not being with Dean when they are so into each other.

Overall, I loved their story but I was not really into it and no plans of reading it again.

[legallydamned]

VICIOUS by L.J. Shen

"...and that’s when I realized that all this time, all this fucking time I was chasing her, I was actually loving her."

This is the 3rd book of L.J. Shen that I've read and.. daammnnnn.. she really does not disappoint. I can only count on my one hand my go-to authors I know that even without reading the gist of the story I know that it'll be really good and L.J. Shen is one of them. To think that this book has been sitting on my TBR for so long! I'm so glad I finally read it. This is actually my 1st book to read this year so I'm happy I started this year with a bang!

Anyway, this book really captured me! So many emotions and feelings! I loved and hated Vicious at the same and I loved Emilia so much! Vicious is that one who doesn't admit his own feelings but has a peculiar way of showing it instead and that is.. yes.. bully you. Typical right? But the things is he bullies Emilia in a most ridiculous and annoying way so much so that he pushed Emilia to other man. The four HotHoles and Emilia kinda reminded me of Meteor Garden/Boys Over Flowers. If only Vicious didn't stayed vicious as he is and showed Emilia how he really feels instead. As of Emilia, man I loved her. She's everything! I mean, she stands her ground and never puts up to Vicious's antiques. Her love to her family is so inspiring she's willing to sacrifice herself for them.

Vicious and Emilia's love story is so frustrating because of the wasted 10 years of them acting like idiots (Vicious's words) but I think it made them mature at the same time and realize things as they grow. I really hoped we get another book of them or a short novella just to see how they lived after they were married. I'm still dreading curious how Vicious proposed to Millie. Huhu

Overall, I loved this book so much! I wanna delete this book in my mind so I can read it again and feel that 1st feeling of reading a good book. 😍

[legallydamned]

IF THERE'S NO TOMORROW by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"I knew as I took the first step that while tomorrow was not guaranteed, never promised, there was going to be so much possibility."

I really love this kind of book. The issue that it talks about is so important and should not be taken lightly.

Lena just kinda annoyed me during her grievance. Like almost half the book was so dragging because of that. But I think it's just because in reality people take so much time grieving especially if they took the blame for the things that happened which they have no control of. We should not beat ourself with guilt because life goes on and so does ours.

Very important, WEAR.YOUR.DAMN.SEATBELT. And drive only when you are sober not just because you feel like you are.

[legallydamned]

THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER by Jennifer L. Armentrout

"I still had a lot of work to do and that was my work to complete and it was my voice that needed to be heard when I needed to speak. No one else. It was me who had to carry myself over the finish line, and all I needed to remember when I felt like not trying was that that feeling wouldn’t last forever."

Owkaayyyy... Those who know me knows that Jennifer Armentrout is my go to author. I mean, I love all her works and I never doubted her works. Like whenever I want to read a book which I want to blow me away, I know I make the right decision by going to Jennifer's works. And this one...I'm telling you.. THIS.IS.BY.FAR.MY.FAVE.FROM.ALL.OF.HER.WORKS. I know I sound like I'm exaggerating but nope. I've read almost all her works and yes this is no doubt (for me) the best from all her works especially YA contemp.

I loved every part of the book it's like a rabbit hole. Malloryand Rider really grabbed and moved my heart. I cried so hard after reading this but there is also that feeling of fulfillment. Like I'm so full and loved after reading this. I've learned so much from this book especially by not taking things for granted and that we should always be grateful for the things that we have.

I don't want this book to end to the point that when I was on the epilogue, I'm like, "you're kidding!" I want more! It was very fast paced and it'll grab your attention from first to last page that's why it's a very easy read for me. The side characters were also significant for the pacing of the book so much so that no charaters were left out til the very end. I just hope we got a POV from Rider but overall, everything is so good.

I very much recommend this book. I'm glad I wrapped up my 2020 Reading Challenge with this book. ❤️

[legallydamned]

I was thinking of making a full review of all Cora Reilly's books because I have read each and every one of them at least 5 times. Lol. It'll be a lot of work but let's see. I really love all her book and how she portrays the mafia world. Can't wat! 😍😍

[legallydamned]

LOCK EVERY DOOR by Riley Sager

"Never take anything you haven't earned, my father used to say. You always end up paying for it one way or another."

Ahmmm.. I loved Home Before Dark and it was so fast paced so I thought I'm gonna try and read other books of Sager but unfortunately, this one is not for me. It has the same progress as that of Home Before Dark where the main character discovers something or becomes suspicious of something and therefore finds it her profession to be Sherlock Holmes.

This book was so slowburn i wanted to skip some parts because I find them unnecessary. It was also very predictable. And to be honest, Jules really stressed me out especially on the later parts of the book. Her nosiness really will be the death of her.

However, that ouroboros thing was really interesting. I was beginning to think what Jules also thoughy when she started investigating things but turns out it was only symbolic as to what thos evil people where up to. It was so disturbing I can feel it to my bones. This only shows that every thing which are too good to be true cannot be trusted after all.

This book was sadly not for me. Just like Home Before Dark, I finished reading this overnight but it was so slowburn.

“Every so often, life offers you a reset button. When it does, you need to press it as hard as you can.”

[legallydamned]

HOME BEFORE DARK by Riley Sager

This was a really good read! Every character is suspicious and just when you thought you guessed right, it turns out you're wrong.

[legallydamned]

SPARROW by L.J. Shen

Well... That was unexpected. I have to be very honest. I read this because I saw Cory Reilly recommended it and it kinda have the same vibe with her Twisted Pride. If you read Twisted Pride you'll realize Remo and Troy share a lot of personalities. Tehee..

Anyway, I really enjoyed this. Sparrow (yes her name is so freaking weird i prefer Red all the time haha) is my kind of female protagonist. So badass, never lets anyone control her, knows what she wants and SO INQUISITIVE one day it'll be the cause of her death. Haha Though I get frustrated to her every now and then because she's hot then she's cold. She's black then she's white like girl MAKE UP YOUR OWN DAMN MIND!

I was also very much infuriated with Troy during the first few chapters because boy, he knows how to be a pro in being an asshole. But him being so cheesy like SO CHEESY IT'S SO CRINGY made up for it. 😂

Anyway, I really loved the flow of the story and it was so fast-paced. No bullshit no beating around the bush just straightforward cruel.

I also really love the fact that Sparrow never preferred to dress up and just choose whatever's comfortable aka jeans, tee, and sneakers. 😍

P.S. Ha! I kinda guessed who's the #3 on Troy's list when Sparrow runaway from Connor and guess I'm right after all.

[legallydamned]

THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett

"You didn't just find a self out there waiting--you had to make one. You had to create who you wanted to be."

Finally finished reading this! Wew! I've been reading this for 2 weeks but for some odd reason, I always got stuck in a chapter and won't continue reading it. I almost DNF this tbh when I was almost halfway thru the book because I really can't get myself with the story. But then when I was already 70%+ thru, everything happened so fast and before I knew it I was already in the last chapter. 'Twas a great read but not enough for me to give 5 stars. I still wanna strangle Stella and Kennedy. Lol.

"Being half lost was worse than being fully lost--it was impossible to know which part of you knew the way."

Rating: 3.5 ⭐

[legallydamned]

THE BRIGHTEST NIGHT (Origin Series #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

You know what?? I'm gonna say this for the nth time. And I mean everytime I finish a Jennifer Armentrout book.. SHE IS A FREAKING GODDESS (oops a little reference there)!!

Time and time again, she always proves why she is my all time favorite author. And I mean ALL.TIME! She got me hooked with the Lux series which brought me to her other works and man... This author can write! And I mean you get to be entertained during the whole experience of reading without getting bored. Ever.

Anyway, back to this book. DAAAAMMMNNNNNN!!! YOU KNOW WHAT??? I'm just gonna wait until the next book is out because the emotions I'm feeling right now??? You don't even wanna know. I wanna punch a wall, I wanna dance on a rainbow, I wanna kick an ass, I wanna CRYYYYYYY!! I'm feeling a lot of things right now and all I wanna do is rock in the corner and wait until the next book is really out because it'll take a while for me to forget everything that I read. That being said, I think I'll just reread all the Lux series and maybe even the 2 Origin books.

Also I've always adored Luc and Daemon's bromance ever since in the Lux Series and it just boomed here I mean.. They always bicker and everything but we all know they'll do everything for each other. 😍😍😍

You don't wanna know what I felt after reading the last chapter and found out there was a bonus chapter of Daemon because THAT IS WHAT I AM HERE FOR!!! *chef's kiss*

Tbh, this book deserves the most brightest stars. This deserves a thousand more stars and not just the freaking 5 stars. That's it. I've said it.

*I'm also a little bit obsessed with Daemon and baby Adam like AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! He's so cute!!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[legallydamned]

Update on my TBR... (I only read 2 books last week ✌️)

I know I said I'm gonna try reading all my tbr last week by Tuesday but I got sick so I didn't get to read all of them. Now I'm almost halfway thru The Vanishing Half and hopefully *crossfingers* I can finish it by tomorrow so I can start reading Have You Eaten Grandma. I have a lot of exciting reads coming up for the rest of October so I hope I can read them all. They're all spooky and mystery so I hope I can read them all without distractions. I actually tend to reread the books that I read especially if it's really good that's why I sometimes only read less book in a month than I actually planned. 😝

[legallydamned]

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng

"Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground and start over. After the burning, the soil is richer, then new things can grow. People are like that, too. They start over. They find a way."

Now I totally get the new cover. I have to admit, I was really not into the story not until I was 50% on the book. I was so confused about what the book is about but then everything starts to untangle and I was like.. oohh... That's what it was all about.

I had a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the book and I was so anxious about what'll happen next. That's why I was so eager to finish it.

Also, I think that the main point and highlight of the book is really about MOTHERHOOD. I feel like I can feel Mia's patience and love for Pearl and even to Lexie especially Izzy.

I lowkey hated Mrs. Richardson for being nosy, like really. Does she really have to go through all the troubles just to find Mia's dirts? Really?

I feel like there's more that the ending has to offer? It was so ended abruptly I was like "that was it? What happens next?".

Anyway, I really enjoyed the book I wish the ending could have been longer. Hihi

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51704136-little-fires-everywhere

Little Fires Everywhere

From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You, a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Ric...

[legallydamned]

October TBR

Week 1

I'm planning to finish reading this 4 by the end of this week, hopefully on Tuesday since I started reading Mexican Gothic yesterday and finished it just a while ago. I still can't believe I read a total of 19 books on the month of September so I'm challenging myself to finish at least 10-15 books this month. It always feels good whenever I achieve my reading challenge every month so yeah I hopefull to finish all my planned TBR this month. 👊

[legallydamned]

MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

"...She was trapped between competing desires, a desire for a more meaningful connection and the desire to never change she wished for eternal youth and endless merriment."

Wowwww... I really enjoyed every part of the book! I really loved reading the 1st half but the 2nd half, I'd rather watch it in a live action film cause it was all action (?) packed! I was clenching my hair while reading the last few chapters because i was so tensed with everything that's happening lmao! Anyway, finished reading it at exactly 12am and now I feel like eating a mushroom soup. It's also raining right now so... 😜

P.S. i really appreciate Francis. He was described as a not handsome boy but in a way, I imagined him as someone who's as good looking as Virgil because of his personality. ❤️

P.P.S. the house kinda gave me the vibe of the house in The Others. With the mist surrounding the house and a cemetery at the back, no?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53152636-mexican-gothic

Mexican Gothic

An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . . From t...