[Chinese BL novel] 反派非要和我结婚[娱乐圈] by 林盎司 / The villain insists on marrying me

Summary: On the day of high school reuinion Su Qing regained consciousness and found out that he was a cannon fodder, a control group in the novel. All this time when he was fighting for his life, doing everything to get good grades, trying good places to get a part-time job, many of those things would seem insignificant in the eyes of readers who follow koi fish protag, who gets into good school by luck, is clumsy and unable to work, but is helped to get the part-time job because of circumstances, basically does not need to do anything, just lie down and everything will arrive. To Su Qing this was particularly frustrating. On the night of the reunion he got completely frustrated and was really angry and got drunk, but then he saw Cheng Han, another sorry character who will be the villain of the story. With the good intentions he wanted to remind Cheng Han, but who knew Cheng Han was drugged that night. Both could treat it as a one-night stand, but Su Qing had no idea that it was also a mpreg novel when he found out that he was pregnant. It didn't help that Cheng Han for some reason wanted to continue being acquainted.

Note: At the moment of me posting this, this novel is still on-going, but it basically passed all the important phases.

Even judging from the renowned red cover it is obvious that this is Lin Ang Si, author ofnovels like: I am the Father of the Villain, The Film Emperor Asks for Divorce Every Day, The Supporting Male Character Just Wants to Be a Tool Man and others.

It's again connected to the entertainment industry, I had no idea how author will tie it to it. Justifiably someone said author includes actors and showbiz a lot. I had my question because of the premise of this novel and that is Su Qing lost parents at 18, worked and studied, then at 22 they had a reunion and Su QIng had a night with Cheng Han, several months later he figures out that he is pregnant. Su Qing was working as a freelance author. He was helped by his friend after he found out, this friend is a doctor. Su Qing followed him to another city and this is how we have a time skip to 6 years later. Su Qing is now 28, fatefully meets Cheng Han again, but he is also discovered by an agent, the promise of more money that will help his kids in future is what moved him, his writing career and experience helped him grasp the acting and he started at this age. This was unexpected to be honest. As if Lin Ang Si doesn't know any other profession except actor for the MC and boss for the ML.

Good thing that this novel doesn't have any ridiculous beginning Lin Ang Si is so famous for. Some might find it funny, I find it bothersome, they never care to tuck the loose ends in a rational way, it just passes, they also have some nonsense settings. Thankfully this novel does not have all those things, we jump straight to the night, few chapters later we have a time skip to 6 years later and now we have lovely twins, Su Qing who meets Cheng Han again and the relationship that spans from physical to emotional.

To be honest, This might come off as critique, but this is simply stating facts, many of their characters have the same mindset to me. For example, some of this story will remind you of Tool man for example, because MC has this notion that is they exist in the book and villain will like the protag, they can't have a future and is entangled emotionally. He sees the good parts of ML, but he feels like he can't cross the line, because ML might change his mind under the influence of the plot. Even if Cheng Han's character tells everyone that he would never do that. 

Their emotional journay is also followed by the famous "oblivious" state, like they certainly are attracted to each other. ML might not realize it even. MC is more on the side of realization, but entanglement because of the plot. This happened in their previous novels.

But these are not bad things, it's just "nothing new", you could say. The novel itself is cute and nice. Although their relationship is questionable at first. But Cheng Han slowly infiltrates the life of Su Qing, makes many moves, even if he repeats again and again it's not like that. Inside, because Su Qing was the only one who made him feel physically attracted, he put this forward, but it's a pretty shameless thing to confess to others. Also his actions contradict his own judgement, this is why I say they are in that oblivious stage. He takes care of the kids, does many things for both Su Qing and the twins. And then he goes and denies that he did it out of duty or whatever other reason he thought of.

Oh, another part that reminds me of Tool Man is that Cheng Han has an older brother, who cares for him. This brother is the only sharp one, he figured that kids look too much like Cheng Han and this is weird and he simply confirmed his guess. But what I liked about him is that he decided not to disclose it, because some things are better left undisclosed. He sees that Cheng Han likes the kids and he might tell the truth if he catches up to Su Qing, might truly like him and want to be father to the kids. He doesn't want to muddy water before that to influence anyone's decision. Even though he has his own opinions and conclusions on the situation in general.

This affection will not prompt him to marry you, but I hope that his marriage is what he wants, that he likes someone from the bottom of his heart, that he wants to be with the other person, that he enters the palace of marriage because of love, that he wants to have children with you and then he finds that he already has them. Rather than him paying for other people's decisions when there is not need.

As for the plot. As mentioned it starts at the reunion, Cheng Han is drugged by a guy who is in love with him, but Su Qing happened to be wanting to warn Cheng Han about protag. They had this night. Several motnhs passed and Su Qing figured he was pregnant, Cheng Han was actually chasing him a bit, because he figured Su Qing had such an influence on him. 6 years later they meet again by coincidence. Cheng Han is revived in his desire to rekindle the old relationship. Even if he finds out that Su Qing had two kids does not stop him, he finds that twins are truly precious. He slowly infiltrates the life of another person in daily life, without realizing that this is not physical anymore. So a lot of simple daily life, even if Su Qing switches careers from writing to acting, it continues to have this cozy feel of homely life and warm relationships.

I have no idea how long the novel will be, so far within 100+ chapter it's the emotional path to love and also the truth of twins. I'm saying I'm not sure because my opinion on Lin Ang Si changed drastically during Toolam publishing, their constant reminder to give nutritient so they will write 2 chapters daily, while most of the ending part of the Toolman felt nothing but a water filler, which completely changed the ending of the novel. I don't mention bazillion extras. I am a father to the villain had the problem of having some critical moments because of the plot, but they were spread so far and in between those moments of homely life (I think I even wrote it in review on NU that I don't need 30+ scenes of someone showering). Later they might have changed and don't do this. But this left me as this skeptical person :)

And I'm writing this review simply because I finished what I consider the main "plot" lol. And had quite fun with it. I must say that I liked this more, because author got rid of many things, even if two MCs go through the same stage of believing that plot has sort of influence on people, but he comes to realization that it might not be true, he can influence people and it's not some desperate situation where people will meet their ending just because of the plot and fights for what he wants.

In this regard the novel is really light-hearted, has no bigger conflicts, but it's not like a stale water, it has a flow of emotions. This is why I had my fun with it. And I'll finish when it's over.

RATE: 4,5/5.

[NOVEL] Part of your world by Abby Jimenez

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Part of your world series. Book 1

Part of your world (romance, contemporary, age difference) tells a story about Alexis, who to escape hitting a raccoon got stuck in a ditch and is helped by a passing driver, who happens to be Daniel Grant. Daniel is just there to help and needs nothing in return. Being stuck in this small town because of a dense fog she meets Daniel again in the bar. The inadvertant dialogue and some unexplained magnetism pulls the two together. Alexis in her all wildest dreams would never have thought that she'd spend a night with a guy she just met, but she did and this relationship with Daniel was her wake up call in life.

What I didn't expect was the portrayal of abuse and Alexis being the victim of it. As a result I can't say that I wasn't vibing during the romantic moments of this book, but I must admit that I spent a good deal of time just feeling so sorry for her. because almost for entirety of the book she was in a wrong mindset and as a person or a reader you could see it and I was simply waiting for her to have an enlightment moment that will allow her to see the picture that the position she thinks is devastating wasn't that bad and had all the chips to be on even ground with her parents, but she was so deeply into the mindset that was fed to her since childhood, that she couldn't realize it. And later the abusive relationship kept her in this cage for another 7 years. One might ask - how she did not realize that her dad was no better than her ex? Like the first moment I heard that he was okay with her ex cheating on her and she should forgive him and work on their relationship, I knew what type of man he was. But I've never been in her position or anyone who had similar experience, so I can't say or judge why she did not get a wake up call about her parents. It just felt that she lived in a bubble and author confirms that. But looking back there were conditions for her to live in that bubble. And as she said herself, if things did not change she would have continued to be a stuck candy to her ex, Neil. So even if someone has criticism about why she was not waking up and see her parents for who they are, it's not an impossible situation in any shape or form. But it made me feel heavy so much. The lightest and happiest I felt was at the ending where the choices were made.

But the romance was good? Let's talk about the (im)possibility of their attraction. Actually, I see nothing wrong with how they got together. The thing is, they were firstly connected physically. Some people have very compatible hormonal or pheromone screen. It's the same when Alexis always talked about how she liked how Daniel smelled. Some people, if they're lucky to find such a partner, are promised to have great intimacy. It's not that it may connect you emotionally though. But the two of them also liked each other as people and basically in Daniel she found what she needed to find in a man, even if he was almost 10 years younger.

I think relationship with someone like Daniel was good, this is what was important. What a nice guy, good-natured, has correct views on life. If small town romances have guys like him, then I'm quite ready to read about them. He is just a truly good person and also humorous. And for 28 you could tell he is quite mature. It's not like his life does not have a shitty stain in the face of his mother, who thankfully never appeared in person, but he made the right decisions when it came to her. He wants to save the house, he works in it and wires her money, she wants to sell the house and he tries to collect the money to save it. 

They grew up actually in similar situations of having a long legacy of people before them, Alexis had ancestors working for the hospital, Daniel's looked after the small town. But Alexis is like a precious princess, but Daniel is like a poor prince. This is what made their situation impossible to cross it seems, as if one should sacrifice everything for the other. And actually Daniel was ready to do that, 

"I love you more. If you think I want any of this without you in it, you don't know anything about me." His golden-green eyes held mine. "I can't lose you. I won't. The job doesn't have to end what we have. I won't let it."

but the parents and her lifestyle and the fucks she gave too much about everything in her life made it impossible to progress. It was the delightful moment of inspiration that Alexis got her shit together and found a perfect decision for herself, for the both of them.

My whole life I'd always felt a little fractured and scattered. Probably because it was always someone else trying to decide what I needed to be. I was a mosaic of someone else's design where none of the fragments were put in the right place. And now I finally put myself together and I recognize myself together and I recognize myself for the very first time.

All I can say, not all parents deserve to be parents. Alexis' dad is the perfect example of very old-fashioned, "only-my-way" type of person. He grew up in prestige, felt for it and put it on top of everything else. Having kids just to continue the lineage, force your kids to study medicine, just because the entire family did that, cut off your children from the world, humiliate your daughter all the time like you don't expect any accomplishments from her and not recognizing any she made. Choosing the person he likes on top of well-being of your own child. Neglecting the fact that the person in qiestion was cheating and instead putting the blame on her. Red flags are waving so hard.

The only thing that my head stumbled upon was the decision to make Neil have a small realization and apology moment, like he has issues, he is sorry yadayada. I honestly didn't care because his portrayal wasn't the best even if he was a background character.

And also it felt a bit tricky how fast Daniel's cousin changed her mind, but actually when you have a wake-up call, it doesn't seem to be so out of place anymore.

And because the second book is about Bri, who is Alexis' friend, I wanted to leave her for a finale. I think she is an amazing friend, although it is impossible to instil some thoughts in the head of another person to make them realize the situation they're in, but Bri did her best as a friend. Unlike other two friends, Gabby and Jessica, who are very unlikable as people, Bri stayed Alexis' connection to reality and a normal world. She is truly a great bestie.

RATE: 4/5. Truly great book, Daniel is a great guy, but I'm shaving off the star because I was mostly distressed all the time instead of romancing. 

It also took me like a day to read this. I'm writing this today because I fell asleep right after finishing. My point is many say that it's impossible to read that many books, as if booktok or YT book readers are faking it. But actually it's pretty possible, since they are bingeable. Earlier I couldn't judge, but after few days I could get the feel of it.

[NOVEL] Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

Reviews:

Book 1. One Dark Window

“There once was a girl,” he said, his voice slick, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same:

“The girl, the King, and the monster they became.”

The Shepherd King series. Book 2

Two Twisted Crowns pick up right after we left the first book. So the rest of it is a massive spoiler. But because of it one must not expect for the main character of the first book to be as prominent in the second book. I must say even if the relationships in this book are strong, might be even stronger, but the plot is still quite crucial too.

As the first book ends, in the moment of despair and danger, Elspeth decided to trade for Nightmare's help, but she knows this will be the last time, but she can't let herself fall into the hands of Hauth Rowan, the first Prince of Blunder, heir to the throne. Otherwise she might spill all the information about them collecting cards under the King's nose and all their efforts would be for nothing. She can't risk it. But as a result the Nightmare takes over her body.

This book has much awaited "adventure" we needed, but also a bit of family drama and intrigue, because after what Nightmare left of Hauth Rowan, Elm had to take his position. The Nightmare should have met his end, but he had other plans, he had bartered with the King to get the chance to go into the mist and finally retrieve the Twin Alders Card that was lost for five hundred years. Because he had plans of his own, for this mist, for the Yew family and for the Rowan King.

The book also switches from three points of view. One follows Ravyn, one follows Elm and one follows Elspeth. It is pretty crucial to the story to show the separate plotlines that were going on.

Ravyn, despite being so deep into deception still managed to hold on and follow teh Nightmare into the woods. He did not care for distrust from the King, did not care for losing his Captain status upon his arrival, all he cared for the chance to cure his brother and Elspeth.

Elspeth was not lost but she spent some time in the deepest parts of Nightmare's consciousness or soul, to recuperate herself. Even if she eventually is freed from that place, but she basically can only peep through Nightmare's eyes, but can't do anything. So she and Nightmare basically traded places, the way Nightmare appeared only here and there, it was Elspeth's role now.

The third POV belonged to Elm, or Renelm. We now have a chance to peer into his past and his true self, his story how he spent the life in the Stone castle, being brutallized by his own brother, going through humiliation and suffering. This is why he cherishes his connection with the Yew family so much. He also tries to save life of Ione Hawthorne, Elspeth's cousine, who managed to save his life when they wre ambushed. Ione was bethroad to Hauth, but was made to use the Maiden Card all the time, which later was hidden, this card inevitably changed her and now she was on her way to find it and release herself from its' magic.

This was a bit sudden to me, because there might have been a glance, but not as obvious? Or I was oblivious to it :) Yet since the Ravyn and Elspeth can't feed to reader's need for romance, it is now Ione and Elm who suddenly took their turn. It is a relationship between then a boy, now a man, who saw a girl so real and so unaffected by the court's hypocricy and was quite envious of her and the girl, but now was so unfeeling yet hag the glimpse of real her peering through the cracks, and a girl, who considered the other party handsome, but he was Rowan and she came to hate Rowans in all her capacity, until Elm with actions has proven that he is different and he doesn't want to be compared to his brother whom he hates no less than her. So part of the plot is spent in the Stone castle where Hauth is barely alive after Nightmare's claws, Elm and Ione try to find where the Maiden Card is hidden while they grow close to each other and also show their true selves and what is the truth behind the Maiden Card.

Their relationship is quite strong, it left the impression of being even stronger than Elspeth and Ravyn in the first book. Even if Ravyn basically does things mainly for her, so let's not forget that.

Another relationship dynamic actually follows Nightmare and Ravyn, who is now devastated that Elspeth is nowhere to be found, but has to deal with him. Their travel into the mist and woods brings out some things hidden deep within.

Most of the past of the Shephers King is uncovered through memories that Elspeth witness. The past of the King, the never-ending desire to create more, the betrayal of the closest, how Rowan came to reign, what happened to his family who is that boy with dark hair and grey eyes just like that of Ravyn Yew. Through these memories things for us become evident. For participants not so much, because a) Elspeth saw them but had no means or desire to relay them and b) Nightmare himself did not share his backstory outloud, so it came to them as a surprise at the end, understandably.

Most prominent character was and still stays the Nightmare or Sepherd King. We now know his past, we know he has plans, but honestly, he is the most faceted character out of all of them, he is not good, but he is not bad either. He had to keep his secrets, he had to stay strong for the greater goal. At first I had the impression that even if he says he protects Elspeth, but you always have a feeling like there is some agenda behind it and there is, but he's not completely unfeeling, since we find out why he cares for Elspeth too. I'm sure if he could go through this alone he would, but he had the need of companions to retrieve the cards. And although we know he has revenge on his plate to serve, but it's interesting that he's not portrayed as the only one participating or everything weighs down on him alone, a lot depends on him, but not everything that's for sure. He is truly a really great character to follow and I must say I was reading for him in the end, I realized he's the one I rooted for the most.

In the end I find that relationships were quite great, although the dynamics changed, it was still pretty great, the plot was interesting, some of its' turns were fun to follow and the ending enough to shed a tear.

Now looking back it's interesting to find that I've basically said many thing, but without spoiling the whole thing. I can pat myself in the back.

RATE: 5/5. Even if the book felt like it dragged a bit, I can't truly say that, took me by surprise that I finished the second book just two days later after I wrote the review on the first one (OvO) but that only shows how bingeable it is.

[NOVEL] One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

The Shepherd King series. Book 1

One Dark Window (fantasy, romance, gothic vibes) is the first book in The Shepherd King duology, takes place in a fantasy place called Blunder, which is now surrounded by thick, mysterioud and dangerous mist, locking the entire kingdon inside. The only way to lift the mist is to collect the entire deck of cards, but the point is the one main card is missing.

This is a more in-depth lore of the story and what happens.

The story of the mist and infection with magic starts from the first king, The Shepherd King. As the legend goes, there is magic in this world and people came to the Spirit of the Wood to ask for gifts. Part of the lore.

"Long ago," my aunt said, "before Providence Cards, the Spirit of the Wood was our divinity. Folk of Blunder sought her out, combing the woods for the smell of salt. They asked her blessing and gifts. They honored her woods and took the names of the trees as their own. This was old magic - old religion." Her brow had darkened. "For his reverence, the Spirit of the Wood granted the Shepherd King strange, powerful magic. He wanted to share his magic with his kingdom, and so he made twelve Providence Cards." Her voice had grown solemn. "But everything has a price. For each Card, the Shepherd King gave something up to the Spirit of the Wood."

But because he asked for magic and created the Providence Cards he shared with people, less people came to the Spirit. Then the mist came. To get the information on how to lift the mist the Shepherd King bartered again, but was tricked, because he gave one and only Card of Twin Alders, meaning that he can't collect the entire deck of cards and the Blunder will forever be enclosed within the mist. 

The deck of cards was very powerful in itself and consisted of twelve cards:

The Black Horse made its beholder a master of combat. The Golden Egg granted great wealth. The Prophet offered glimpses of the future. The White Eagle bestowed courage. The Maiden bequeathed great beauty. The Chalice turned liquid into truth serum. The Well gave clear sight to recognize one’s enemies. The Iron Gate offered blissful serenity, no matter the struggle. The Scythe gave its beholder the power to control others. The Mirror granted invisibility. The Nightmare allowed its user to speak into the minds of others. The Twin Alders had the power to commune with Blunder’s ancient entity, the Spirit of the Wood.

And the number of cards in total is as follows:

The Shepherd King had made seventy-eight Providence Cards in descending order. There were twelve Black Horses, held exclusively by the King’s elite guard—the Destriers. Eleven Golden Eggs. Ten Prophets. Nine White Eagles. Eight Maidens. Seven Chalices. Six Wells. Five Iron Gates. Four Scythes. Three Mirrors. Two Nightmares.

And one Twin Alders.

Black Horse should be the least prominenet because it only granted physical advances and were all given to Destriers, King's guard. And other cards that were within king's family were the Scythes, which allowed anyone in possession to make the other person do anything against their will. The rest of the cards seem to be scattered all over the place. And even if the theft or other means of possession of the Cards is a death sentence, it does not prevent the Cards changing hands. Like we know from the beginning that Elspeth's uncle came into possession of the Nightmare Card when she was little and he came back with a blodied sword.

The name and fate of the Shepherd King are unknown, but he left a book as a warning. That all magic is not free. Either the card you hold or the magic you possess when you survive the fever. Thus the Blunder lived for hundreds of years under the rule of the Rowan family (not the same as Sheherd King) and as it is said many kings wanted to lift the mist, which became thicker and closer. It meant that the danger of everyone falling victim to the mist is getting closer. But because under the Rowans the children who caught the fever were condemned, they were taken by Physicians to the Stone castle's dungeons, snatched with their fate unknown and those who concealed the infected were treated as traitors, becoming infected became one of the most feared things.

Elspeth had the fever when she was little, but her father, who was the Captain of the King's guards - Destriers - at that time, had sent her away into the woods, to her aunt's and uncle's estate. She survived, but then she knew what was her magic. One day when her uncle returned with a Nightmare Card, she touched it out of curiosity and basically absorbed the monster sealed in the card into her mind. She called him Nightmare, they lived like this for years, in caution. All before she met Ravyn Yew on that fateful night. She had no idea it was him and had no scruples showing her side and asking Nightmare for help, who in return gave her strength to escape. But because Ravyn was the one who was behind the mask they later found her to confront her and they ended up working together to collect the deck, lifting the mist and getting rid of the monster in her head was in her own interests.

Due to their confrontations and crossing paths Ravyn and Elspeth started to have feeling for each other, but both were burdened by either their own secrets or responsibilities, but love was stronger than anything else.

But one should not wait from this story more that in can offer. For example, it says about adventure. But adventure they can have when the kingdom is already this small, they are not meant to travel to unknown places, they have to find and collect the remaining few cards they're lacking from existing ones. And the higher the cards are, the more rare.

The participants are mostly the Yew family and the second prince who openly dislikes his Rowan family of brutes, his ruthless father and his older brother who seemingly enjoys the torture of people. And thankfully they were at work for some time, so they only have few cards missing, the Iron Gate, the Well and Twin Alders. Although it seems like the stakes are not that high, but stealing cards is punishable, what they do is treason and they can't escape anywhere if they're caught. It's kind of hard to do it in lain sight.

As mentioned, all magic comes with a price to pay, for card users it's the opposte effect of the cards itself (like wealth and poverty), but for infected with magic things are different, infected possess magic of their own, so with the use of magic comes degeneration, each person has their own type, but mostly they involve body and mind. Because Ravyn's brother was basically king's hostage, Emory had the same effect of using his magic, he withered physically and mentally. Same goes for Elspeth, her own talent is only about absorbing the cards, it is the talent of the monster inside to see the light emanated from those cards (which allowed her to join the escapade) and also her physical outbursts.

Speaking of the Nightmare. It becomes evident for the reader who this Nightmare truly is, but honestly he's kinda neat, always speaks in rhymes, I quite liked him.

Last passage is the few words about romance, although it felt a bit bleak, but I consider it a thing when it comes to first person narration, you can't deeply feel what the other person truly feels, but overall it was quite fine. I rooted for them, especially at the ending.

It was really interesting to dive into this type of lore and the book itself felt quite good. The overall atmosphere indeed feels having gothic vibes, it also feels a bit medieval to me. The folks of the Blunder are not really in the picture and we don't know their habitat, but there are small details here and there at least to enrich the picture. From what we know there are quite few noble families, each with a tree as their last name, all have their own insignia and colors, household daily life is not included though. But they make a big deal to celebrate a nameday and with the king the celebrate Equinox in the book there is a talk of Solstice. So here's that. Overall because our characters are preoccupied by collecting cards, they do not dwell into the joys of life. They might only miss it a bit.

So this is it, the story of a girl with a monster in her head, trying to live her life, but not being able to live her life to the fullest, finding her aim to help lifting the mist, but being entangled in this confrontation between several people. Author does not explain and goes into many details, for example to explain motivation of people outside of our main characters, mainly because it's a first person narration, so you can guess the details of who is whose side and why they do what they do from actions.

Anyway, it was deeply enjoyable. I liked that it's quite fast-paced and easy to binge. Even if I don't prefer the first person narration, but it was fine, I could handle it no problem :)

RATE: 4,5/5.

[MUSIC] Madison Beer - 15 minutes

Madison Beer and her own cinematic universe. References to the movies are always the best.

~ ~ ~

I couldn't stop myself, I couldn't help myself

This isn't like me, can't you tell? (Can't you tell?)

Show me around this place (Show me around)

And take me in your embrace

It feels so right, but ain't it strange?

In this moment, all I know is

Fifteen minutes ago, I was layin' in bed

Then I had a crazy thought in my head

So I took the keys and got in the car

Don't know how I got here, but baby, here we are

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

Baby, here we are

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

Show me how much you care

Touch me and pull my hair

Give me emotions I can bare (I can bare)

I want you to fantasize and think of it every night (Every night)

Never forget I made you mine

In this moment, all I know is (All I know is)

Fifteen minutes ago, I was layin' in bed

Then I had a crazy thought in my head

So I took the keys and got in the car

Don't know how I got here, but baby, here we are

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

Baby, here we are

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

Fifteen minutes ago, I was layin' in bed

Then I had a crazy thought in my head

So I took the keys and got in the car

Don't know how I got here, but baby, here we are

La, la, la, di, di, da (Ah, ah, ah)

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

Baby, here we are (La, la, here we are)

La, la, la, di, di, da (Ah, ah, ah)

La, la, la, di, di, da

La, la, la, di, di, da

Baby, here we are

[NOVEL] Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.

After centuries of sleep, the gods are warring again. But eighteen-year-old Iris Winnow just wants to hold her family together. Her mother is suffering from addiction and her brother is missing from the front lines. Her best bet is to win the columnist promotion at the Oath Gazette.

To combat her worries, Iris writes letters to her brother and slips them beneath her wardrobe door, where they vanish―into the hands of Roman Kitt, her cold and handsome rival at the paper. When he anonymously writes Iris back, the two of them forge a connection that will follow Iris all the way to the front lines of battle: for her brother, the fate of mankind, and love.

Letters of Enchantment series. Book 1

Which YouTuber made me pick up this book first on my adventure, I can't say for sure, because many have recommended this book and out of the entire bundle I decided to pick it up first. Partially knowing, but on the other side not fully understanding or expecting what it will bring me. Or partial regret that it has a historical fiction woven in and some parts hit me.

After the emotional turmoil is toned down and I sat with it for a while, I can finally look back and analyze it a bit more rationally. Because what made me more emotional and depressed were the events. The characters made me have feels. But the lore of the world was kind of a mixed bag. 

Divine Rivals, first book in the Letters of Enhcantment duology is a YA fantasy novel, that follows the story of two young people, Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt. From being rivals at work as journalists, to unexpected "pen" pals with magic typewriters, to two young lovers that found themselves coming together in times of the world falling apart.

Pacing, I'd say it is quite fast-paced, the writing style is easy to follow, so it's worth of binge-reading. Interestingly enough it was also a slowburn for the two characters, the events weren't progressing much, although a lot seem to have happened. My personal note is that narration is carried out from the third party perspective, which I prefer more. I don't know what is it about phrases like "I'm this and that" that put me off a bit, maybe because they always sound kind of cocky?

World, characters, plot:

• World. Actually I had the most problems with world-building, because when it came to time period it felt like a mixed bag, with underdeveloped magic. But when it came to lore behind the Gods it also left me with numerous questions. Time period. I have no idea which time exactly the author wanted to take away from. With electricity, trams, lifts, typewriters, cars/lorries, "fridge", shower, but with no telephone yet and no telegraph even? Also things like women working for a publisher and other miscalenious things make me think of beginning of last century up to 30's, but when it came to the front line described in the book it made me think of more backwards era. The Gods. To be honest the knowledge of the reader resembles the knowledge of Iris, even if it is mentioned that they have some "myth classes", but it has no purpose at all, since the knowledge stays quite bleak. We only find out the truth behind two gods starting the conflict. We basically find out about it at the same time Iris did, when Kit sent her one of the myths on why two gods, Dacre and Enva, had beef with each other. But we have no idea what part other gods had in it. Our story starts within the city of Oath in an eastern borough, where a goddess of Skywards, Enva, resides. There are 5 gods in total: Dacre (west), Mir (north), Alva (south) and Luz (center). Not much info about creation of this world, why there are gods, who basically live on earth but also belong to some sky type folk, Skywards and those who belong under the earth - Underlings. So Enva belongs to Skywards, has a harp and sings to the fallen to let their sould pass. Dacre belongs to the Underlings, the underworld king if you'd like to, who can bring destruction and is connected to death, but can also heal (which is mostly, bring back from the dead). People in the city come off strangely, because prior to the events, the gods were basically sleeping for several hundred years and it felt like everyone started to forget the myths and legends and the threat, but actually there is also unexplained underlying feeling like many things are cut out/censored in present time. Especially when they worked in the Gazette, it felt like they could not write about certain topics. So when the conflict starts, instead of proactive opposing, there was a massive destruction of stringed instruments, because Enva owns harp and if she calls for you, you must follow her call and join the cause. On the other hand we have a glimpse at Dacre supporters. So people might join either side, but this calling or the cause and effect of this choice is quite a mystery to me. Hopefully, there will be answers in the second book, because I have few. This is the beginning of this novel, when Iris's brother, Forest, received such a calling from Enva, he dropped everything, his career and his family and went to war. Although I must say, the reason for the "beef" is kind of underwhelming. Spoilers. So you tell me that Dacre fell for Enva and wanted to take her to his underworld and to lure her, he basically blackmailed her with the lives of people. She went along after a while and her music made every creature of underworld fall asleep. This is how she escaped, but also why gods fell asleep and why Dacre is now enraged, raising cities to the ground to basically fullfill his threat. This is where my question about Enva also rose up, like we know others can hear her calling, but where is she herself? End of spoilers.
• Characters. The best part of this story are the characters. Despite the fact that I find the characters a bit muddled in the beginning, like their actions and motivation, which much improved later on. Surprisingly, Roman was on the top of this list. I'd say many of the things he did and say were the most logical. Iris Winnow. Some say she is mature for her age, but I think she is simply brave. If we talk about what she did, it does not take maturity to do what she did, but bravery. She found it in herself to drop out and work, she found it in herself to go to the most dangerous place to find her only relative with that little bit of hipe she had. She is a brave girl with her heart scarred. She is like many others lives with questions of why this is happening, why her brother left, why her mother fell to alcohol and there are many other 'why'. But to me they're still kids. A kid who is guarded, afraid of forming bonds with others after her losses, but still managed to find family and friends and a loved person to hold on to. But I'd say she also had her Mary Sue moments, which thankfully were stopped in time. Roman C. Kitt. He comes from a rich family, not aristocratic one I mind you. So they have some prejudice from the start. I don't think there was enough elaboration to his change of heart from being a bit high of himself to actually falling in love with her. So even if it says rivals to lovers it's a bit far from that to me. Because it becomes apparent soon that Roman is quite awkward and chooses to keep this legend of their rivalry going on for a reason.. and she is naive enough to believe it... This is where it wasn't enough for me to show this transition and felt like an afterthought. Like you know "I was prejudiced, but then you wrote a letter to Forest, but it ended up with me and from then on I could not help, but follow your words". Roman is not ready to be together at first, he might love Iris, but from another side a deep guilt for his sister made him basically a puppet in the hands of his father, obeying his orders. But when he realized where Iris was going to, he braved the most important decision of his life, to follow her. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, but today we are destined to come together. And that moment shed a guilty boy in him and he was pretty neat. Secondary characters. I skip her brother Forest and let's talk about her mother. Actually, Aster feels like a person who already lost her son as we find her drowning her sorrows in alcohol. It is not elaborated, but I suppose she might have lost hope not receiving a single letter. But from another side, she still has a daughter and it felt pretty bad that her mother did not hold on for her. At one point we have a scene when Aster feels like she will get better, but at that moment I knew she will be offed (there are several predictable turns of events), she felt like that patient who suddenly gets better before passing. Because Iris had no one holding her back she signs up as war correspondent and leaves. This is where she finds a friend in the face of Attie, another corresondent and a family in the face of Marisol (a keeper of B and B) and her wife Keegan. This place is full of danger, but also has a light and a warm corner. Which is pretty realistic, it may sound surreal, but part of people continue to live and not be afraid of some sort of happiness despite the dire situation surrounding them. If things are dire, it doesn't mean you have no chance for happiness. As for those who were left in Oath. I feel a bit sorry for Roman's nan, I wonder how she is, she had little time, but she was delightful. And I don't feel sorry for his parents.
• Plot. With spoilers. So we start from the time when Iris sends her brother off. We have a time skip to few months later. She had not received a single letter from her brother, she is always tense about it. Not to mention that her mother is now drinking heavily and was fired from her job. Because of this Iris dropped out and was hired by Oath Gazette to subsidise their life. And because she's a poor girl who dropped out Roman had a bit of prejudice when she joined. Both of them were aiming for promotion as columnist. Iris for money raise and Roman.. because he was told to. The rich-poor dynamic brought a bit of a conflict between them. They bickered, but to be honest their dialogues at the beginning were kind of awkward, as if they both felt awkward. Next thing is the typewriters. They have a lovely story. One day Iris was so pent up that she wrote everything she wanted to say to her brother and remembered the old way of sending letters, but she did not expect that her letter will disappear, she sent many letters in hope of Forest getting them and most certainly she did not expect to receive a reply. Although this person is anonymous, it becomes clear soon that the other person is none other than Roman himself. Their typewriters are connected for a reason. This is where a bit of lore follows, that when gods fell asleep the magic flowed from their bones and penetrated like veins, so some parts of city may be enchanted. Typewriters were connected by magic thanks to a master who was keen on these magic veins and powers, it was an only way to connect between three friends (although I instantly asked myself, if one typewriter is in the museum, how does the typewriter know which address to send to, magic). Through this connection both become close to each other, Iris can't help but have feelings for this unknown person and Roman who certainly knew who Iris was kept the secret, being afraid that she will stop writing if he confesses. She was his only joy in life, his only true emotion. But then an accident happens, Iris' mother was hit by a tram and died. Now she had only Forest left as her family. Being devastated she had no desire to continue at Gazette, so she steps down, Roman gets the columnist. While this is going on they hear the news from the front line printed in Inkridden Tribune. This is the only newspaper that wishes to report on the events and not shy away from relaying the warning that one day this existing threat might come their way. Iris also found a recruiting message there and this became her only way as she saw it, follow there to maybe find her brother as her only relative. From the Roman's side we find out that their family is rich, but it does not belong to aritocracy and Roman's father decided to arrange marriage for him with miss Little. From one incident we also find out that in case of Dacre stepping into Oath they will be his supporters. Because this miss Little with her father created a weapon (explained at the end of the novel), although Roman didn't know what was in there, but I at that moment wanted to bury miss Little myself. But being manipulated by guilt again and again Roman was on the verge of agreeing and letting it go, but then he knew that Iris left to the most dangerous place and everything else paled in comparison. I felt sorry for this young man, although he was partially responsible for the accident with his sister, but the entire family should have bore the blame too. They did not instill the feeling of caution in their daughter and made her a bit willful, which might lead to numerous mischievous endeavours. But I'm pretty sure his little sister wouldn't want to see her brother sacrificing for all those things their father cares about because he felt guilty. He not only felt guilt himself, but he was reminded of it on a regular basis, so no wonder he was so rigid. This is the bravest thing of him, to follow heart and not reason, Travelling hundreds of kilometers away just to reconnect with Iris. Back to Iris, after cremating her mother, taking essentials and her typewriter, she travels to Avalon Bluff, a town a bit away from the hottest point, she meets Attie, Thea Attwood, who is also a correspondent. As partners in their common cause they form a friendly bond. With the adversities they faced later no wonder they formed a deeper friendship. They met Marisol who provided lodging and was overall a sweet and lovely woman. The first thing the new was about sirens. And here my bells started off, because I wish no one knew what it's like, it is indeed as scary and dreadful. Siren at night - hounds, sirens at day - eithrals, intermitten siren - evacuate. She lived for some time and wrote her "pen pal" Carver expecting a reply, when suddenly she saw Roman on the road when the day siren went off. I must say that was a thrilling scene of her running with all her might, because in the depth of her heart she didn't want him to die. They survived this moment of horror and I think their connection grew deeper. Although Roman still chickened out to confess that she wrote to him, that he was here for her only. All this before they were chosen to go to the front line. And I'll skip this part, because it is bloody. The ambush, the retreat, Roman getting hurt when saving her, helping with soldiers, evacuating. This is where she grabbed his bag as he asked and later when she was at home, she finally paid attention to it and spilled the contents of the bag only to find the heap of her letters and she realized that Carver was Kitt. At first she was angry, as if she's being played with, but honestly.. I wanted to smack her. Who in their right mind will follow a woman to such a dangerous place, shield her from harm, if they wanted to just play with her. That's pricey. But thank goodness this wasn't for long and they made up pretty quickly. Because what they found in each other was far more important. The love finally blossomed. It feels a pity that it wasn't for long. The intermitten siren went off, meaning evacuation and Dacre's forces will be here soon. With soldiers pooring in and civillians and wounded evacuating only a handful of people stayed to defend. Iris was going to leave, but then she got the letter, finally a letter explaining where her brother was and it gave her hope to stay. Because Roman would not go anywhere without her, he also stayed, even if he was still wounded. In this dark moment the two of them decided to unite in marriage, which Iris found weird, but actually there wasn't anything bad to feel a bit of happiness even in such a dark period. But there was an emphasis on one thing, two packs were missing and Roman's jumpsuit was missing too. It didn't sound right and felt like somethign is going to happen. And it happened. When everyone expected eithrals and explosions, those very cylinders that Kitt's father was talking about fell from the sky. And it was gas. This is why I say I'd strangle miss Little myself. In this corroding smoke with people trying to find their way out the two became separated. Iris was looking for Roman in the crowd and smoke, but happened to see someone wearing his jumpsuit and also a.. gas mask. Although in that moment it's understandable while she disoriented to feel strange about it, but gas mask. So she is taken away for some time before she realizes that the person is not Roman, she fights and looks back only to see Roman trying to reach her, with his wounded leg and also suffering from the gas. During the fight the call of "little flower" her pet name given by her brother makes her stall, but even if she knew it's him, she still wanted to take Roman away, but Forest refused and forced her with him. Being awaken from her faint, she realizes they're deep into the woods and she insists on going back. He agreed but only if she follows him without protesting afterwards. They do find the field, Roman's marriage ring, but with no Roman in sight. Avalon Bluff fell in the hands of Dacre. Iris followed Forest into the woods. Only few days later when she saw his wounds that looked fatal she finally realized why they keep away from roads and why they are alone, Forest joined Dacre. Forest explains that he was "revived", but with it comes the price, following the command. He barely deserted when he accidentally found the locket that belonged to their mother and he knew Iris was here. He only has power to take her home with him. They indeed follow back to Oath, to the old apartment. And this is where Iris is surprised to find the letter from Kitt. In Afterword it becomes apparent (with all being said about Forest) what fate befell on Roman and why the second book is titles Ruthless Vows.

This is the basic of it all.

Although the dialogues at the beginning made them look awkward and odd, and also his praise for her articles when we never saw a glimpse of one felt like 'why he praises her', but actually their letters were quite young but heartfelt. They really made you fall in love with these characters. Their vulnerability, but also strength. There are also a ton of wonderful quotes from the letters and when they finally come together and could speak openly.

Their names would be entwined—Roman and Iris or Winnow and Kitt because could you truly have one without the other?

Repeating myself, but world-building felt a bit contradictory and shallow, not much information. Even if partially it is logical to not know as a reader what Iris doesn't know herself.

Another point that falls short, although there are a lot of scenes that were quite close to the truth, but overall the warfare fell short to me like if there is an army, why people feel like only if it's a free will you have to defend your land, why everyone don't bother to do anything etc. Also why everything feels so backwards in such a developed world (actually I was happy for its blankness, I would not mind some fantasy battle, but not something that hits close). I don't know if Dacre lacks efficiency or just wants to make it slow and as twisted as possible, because he could have cut off electricity, roads, bridges, the infrastructure is the essential one. But part of me felt like - there is no moving forward in this, only retreating, as if there exists nothing but being wounded, being on a receiving side and it was quite depressing. Like where is Enva, does she only send people, are they pawns to her? But there were also other small details that felt a bit off.

RATE: 4/5. For the feels. Won't be reading the second book any time soon though.

[AMBIENCE] Bossa Nova in Miami by Coffe Shop Ambience

 

[MUSIC] WHEE IN - coco water

[TL] Ah, ah

Ah, ah

Eh-eh-eh, journey

The weekend welcomes me with open arms

Sunlight filters through a half-drawn curtain

I fall down and down and down

Like a little paper boat

Ah, I swim along the current, yeah

While we're splashing and laughing

The heat doesn't bother us, we're oblivious

Summer nights filled with the scent of green

A breeze blowing on my hair

Let me surrender to the breeze

Take me anywhere, even if wе get lost, babe

Stomping on top of this cloud (Yeah)

Floating away, baby, can you comе through? (Through)

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

The more I drink, the thirstier I get

I'm curious about what's next, you and I

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

Oh-oh-oh

Eh-eh-eh, journey

The night deepens

Or maybe it's just in between

We’re leaving without a word, oh, yeah

Look up at the sky

The moon looks like it's about to fall

I want to fill my eyes with it

We fly along the dawn

Leaving footprints behind

The heat doesn't bother us, we're oblivious

Summer nights filled with the scent of green

A breeze blowing on my hair

Let me surrender to the breeze

Take me anywhere, even if we get lost, babe

Stomping on top of this cloud (Yeah)

Floating away, baby, can you come through? (Through)

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

The more I drink, the thirstier I get

I'm curious about what's next, you and I

Smiling until my cheeks hurt, it's funny

I want to dive deeper into our summer journey

Oh-oh-oh

[MUSIC] Billie Eilish - Chihiro

To take my love away

When I come back around, will I know what to say?

Said you won't forget my name

Not today, not tomorrow

Kinda strange, feelin' sorrow

I got change (yup), you could borrow (borrow)

When I come back around, will I know what to say?

Not today, maybe tomorrow

Open up the door, can you open up the door?

I know you said before you can't cope with any more

You told me it was war, said you'd show me what's in store

I hope it's not for sure, can you open up the door?

Did you take

My love away

From me? Me

Me

Saw your seat at the counter when I looked away

Saw you turn around, but it wasn't your face

Said, "I need to be alone now, I'm takin' a break"

How come when I returned, you were gone away?

I don't, I don't know why I called

I don't know you at all

I don't know you

Not at all

I don't, I don't know why I called

I don't know you at all

I don't know you

Did you take

My love away

From me? Me

And that's when you found me

I was waitin' in the garden

Contemplatin', beg your pardon

But there's a part of me that recognizes you

Do you feel it too?

When you told me it was serious

Were you serious? Mm

They told me they were only curious

Now it's serious, hm

Open up the door, can you open up the door?

I know you said before you can't cope with any more

You told me it was war, said you'd show me what's in store

I hope it's not for sure, can you open up the door?

Wringing my hands in my lap

And they tell me it's all been a trap

And you don't know if you'll make it back

I said, "No, don't say that"

Hm-hm

[SHORT REVIEWS] #14

The list of latest finds were mostly flops and I basically started them and then something happened (mainly with the characters' portrayal) along the way and I'm not into finishing.

Okay, let's begin.

代替姐姐嫁入豪门后 by 春风榴火

(mtl: After marrying the wealthy family instead of my sister)

[BG] Completed. Summary: Bai Yin was sent to the countryside by her father when she was seven, her mother couldn't live through betrayal of her husband and having an illegitimate daughter older than her own, she took her own life and Bai Yin witnessed it. Listening to his mistress her father sent her away. But now when they wanted to unite with the Qin family, the illegitimate daughter refused because of her stardom dreams, thus Bai Yin is taken back from the countryside to marry instead of her half-sister and in return the Su family will provide money to save her grandmother. Everyone thought that she is a rustic bumpkin, but actually Bai Yin was beautiful and full of charm. She came back with one goal. Revenge.

Status: dnf

Portrayal in this one is quite messed up and the setting and reasoning is really beyond. I may have never seen such long comments under the novel that marvel how old-fashioned and bad this is. And the only thought that crossed my mind while reading - Bai Yin is such a bitch.

Bai Yin lived with her grandma who is a master of embroidery, she is her maternal grandma. When her grandma was popular in the world, she actually lived a good life, but the death of her daughter made her cry her eyes out and she actually damaged her eyes. Her sons were too good at wasting money and now they lived in dire straits. How she taught Bai Yin embroidery is a secret, because it is said that she is basically half-blind. So they were having a hard life and I can understand why she wanted the revenge, since she witnessed her mother's death, but the ones at fault lived a happy life. And she even saw the illegitimate daughter on TV. But actually Bai Yin had talents like dancing and she also embroidered on a good level, she is quite good and could achieve success. She is described as very hard-working, although oblivious to world and even her own body (again, all because her grandma supposedly didn't care of her). So I don't understand why she was stuck with the idea of revenge from this angle and how she managed to continue to live a hard life with so many skills. Instead she agreed to the money transaction, but mostly it also involved marrying into wealthy, yet a marriage without love and also she managed to piss her future husband who also wanted to pay her back, like why would you risk it girl, your mother wouldn't like seeing you putting your body and well-being on the line. But she loved ML when she was young, he was also her first man, but author wrote him calling other girl's name when he was drunk and they had sex (this part according to comments was never explained). So her idea was not to ask who this A Yan was, but to pretend that she is a scheming bitch who plotted against him. Stupidest idea ever. And he lived with this notion about her for years. And even later when he helped her escape embarrassment during wedding and stepped into this trap she created, she really relied that he won't leave her to this second master of the Qin family who is so unworthy, but she still didn't step down or showed sincerity, this bitch actually said that she deserves it. Lol, I'm angry at her, fuck her, I'm dropping this, I feel sorry for ML who has such bad love and stupid author with no brains. It's so bad to know their marriage started because she used him for revenge. And she always talks how she loves him and wants to possess him, but she never said a word about wanting to erase the first love and become his new love instead. That would be powerful of her. Anyway, the content also does not correspond to the official summary on JJ, I felt so messed up about it and could agree that it felt weird. Why it has such high ranking, it totally doesn't deserve it. Hearing comments it's another novel when ML does many things, while FL is so heartless after that one night. We did not vibe with this one, so I put it down for good.

你是不是想赖账 by 图样先森

(mtl: Are you going to default on your payment?)

[BG] Completed. Summary: Sheng Ning is approached by a great CEO Wen Yan for her to help him persuade her sister to stop dating his brother. What a twister. Wen Yan's brother showed his rebellious side when he said that he will marry his girlfriend from a much poorer background. Wen Yan wanted to prevent this relationship, so he approached Sheng Ning to become partners in crime and break this pair of lovers. But instead they became a pair themselves.

Status: dnf

The official summary doesn't show you or explain to you that her sister is a gold digger who could dumb her bf at any second and her boyfriend was not much better, they are like two Kings of the Sea meeting each other.

Maybe I'm so outdated, but morally speaking, Shen Ning knew her sister dated men and actually those with better backgrounds for the sake of vanity, even if she acted cute with her sister, but Shen Ning did not comment on that. More than that, when she was approached she could have easily said - okay, but instead she offered an exchange, she will exchange a house for breaking her sister apart. I think she desrved to be cheated by ML when he brought the contract. Her sister was on this scheme too at first and later they switched to other things. Tbh it felt so random and both sister have questionable morals to me, because of that cheating of the house and fully knowing what your sister is doing and basically condoning it. Anyway, weird portrayal, randomest story, did not like it and left it like that. These days it's like a curse, I read like 10 chapters and judge the novel in this period and they all feel like having problems with female characters or the plot is simply random.

Next is a trio from 梦筱二

先婚后爱 (Marriage first, love later)

暗恋你的第七年 (Seventh year of secretly loving you)

你若南风 (If you are the south wind)

First two can be found on NU. They all come from inter-connected universe and basically all couples know each other and appear as characters in other novels, but as per usual not much.

I stumbled across Marriage first, love later. It is a pretty decent novel with two career-oriented adult people who enter the marriage through blind date and decided to treat each other well. What was truly a good part is that they truly communicated within this marriage instead of a pile of misunderstandings being written about them. Even if they had conflicts, the talked it through and solved it like champs. I thought it was decent. But nothing to swoon me. I completed it, but was not interested in continuing the next two novels I bookmarked from the same universe.

Seventh year of secretly loving you tell a story of Luo Qi whose successful fiance cheated on her right before the wedding and she is approached by her boss who offers to try it with him, because he loved her these years. I didn't bother to read it actually after the feeling the first novel got me was "you won't miss anything, if you won't read it" kind of vibe. Also, there was a comment that explained how many things that happened in the novel would nto happen in real life.

If you are the south wind is still an on-going novel. Tbh have no idea why you need to write about every couple. But it picks up a story about one of MLs friends from the first book, Jiang Sizun, who is in love with the girl, Xu Zhiyi, who was chased by his good friend, Qi Zhengchen. And you know that when your friend chases someone, as a good brother you don't chase the same person. But from the first book we know they end up together (?), because this good friend eventually married a secondary character from the first book, they were a pair of people who had their first unforgettable love and thought it would be fine if they get married. Btw, hated that character.. Zhong or Zhang Yanyue, she was a bitch. Why author wrote extras about her is beyond me.

结婚而已 by 蒋牧童

(mtl: Just got married)

[BG] Completed. Summary: Cheng Li found out that her boyfriend lives a double life, while he's dating her, he also pays attention to a wealthy lady. Cheng Li can't say she has a decent background, but her professional prospects are great. Yet her scumbag boyfriend told her to be realistic, he is dating a woman who will save him years of work.  While she was asked to be realistic she decided to be and asked the neighbor's grandson for a blind date.

Rong Qi was a classmate, but mainly Cheng Li remembers his grandmother a lot. Now he is an upstart and is eyed by many people, but fate decided to bind these two together in a series of events and they got married. Rong Qi was secretly happy, because Cheng Li is someone he had a crush on.

Status: dnf

Don't understand the portrayal of FL. Like she is sitting there without spouting a word that her ex cheated on her, giving him "face". Like why? Do you have feelings? No. Why would you let oyhers pity you instead of telling everyone what that scum did. She could be smarter about it, like jokingly explain the cause and effect and put pressure on him that he won't use his position to block their company's way. Instead she was just dumb. Later she meets Rong Qi several times and his grandma moves closer, later they decided on a blind date, but due to her care for his grandma the speed of their getting married picked up a lot. Although it is described like she was concentrated on studying a lot, I don't get why he chickened out and did not confess later on. Anyway, the beginning made me skip it and add this novel in a pile that drove me into a slump with romantic novels. Like what is wrong with FL portrayal, why everyone is having something about them.

他的女主角 by 雪满山岗

(mtl: His heroine)

[BG] Completed. Summary: Jiang Wenqi married Xu Chuyun to deal with his family. Xu Chuyun married Jiang Wenqi to deal with her past. They saw each other only few times in a year after marriage, but now that the Jiang family was interested in his partner, Xu Chuyun is asked to move in with Jiang Wenqi before the family dinner. And Xu Chuyun is also in the dilemma, she always tried to keep her feathers clean, but her dream of acting after finishing school feels so far away now. She is in a dilemma if she wants to use some of her husband's connections to give her a little boost.

You can guess that from the time they decided to move in together things start to heat up. Despite the family situation where Jiang Wenqi has this unbearable sister (who knows if she's biological) Qin Siwan, who acts like a psycho and princess, the rest feels quite okay. There is also a promise some chase after his wife.

I don't know, lately there is no surprise in these novels where they stick to one thing only.

The only danmei I started I finished in a day - Feudal superstition harmed me! - and I wrote a separate post for it. Is it the power of danmei or what. Before that the only bangers I found were all danmei.

But after such fail after fail in search, I decided to conentrate on The Pile. Actually I collected few books of some popular books and already started one, which is Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. I've watched multiple YT videos with book reviews to screen different genres in recommended ones and trashy ones that are trashy, but I might like them. Let's see how it goes.