I actually did read these books in January, I just dragged my feet writing these reviews. Why? No idea. Anyway, I’m so excited to bring you reviews for Wild Life by Opal Wei, Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan, and Faebound by Saara El-Arifi. I received all three from Netgalley, but I listened to Faebound via an audiobook I purchased myself and Love, Naturally on either Hoopla or Scribd, I can’t remember which. You can already pick up all three if you’re interested!
Wild Life by Opal Wei
I was really delighted by Wild Life by Opal Wei and enjoyed it even more than I was anticipating. Essentially Wild Life is about this woman who lives her life according to The Plan. When confronted with the fact that actually maybe she does not want to spend her life in the lab researching bone cancer, she’s not really sure what to do. Fortunately, she’s confronted with that fact at the same time that she winds up needing (“needing”) to accompany a very cute man to his private island that he’s trying to turn into an animal sanctuary. Honestly, with this premise, things could go the romance route or a pretty decent thriller route, but I was thoroughly delighted with the romance route. I really enjoyed this one and although there is a melancholic note to parts of this romance (think Honey Girl almost), ultimately, I found it an easy read that kept me company during a January that refused to end.
Love, Naturally by Sophie Sullivan
Speaking of books that kept me company during a January that took forever, Love, Naturally was such a perfect book for the beginning of the year. I love that it’s about a woman who has had blinders on for the duration of her relationship with this man and she finally registers that he’s actually kind of awful and then goes on the vacation she planned for him for his birthday by herself. Only the vacation she planned for him was like, catered to his preferences, which means it was intended to be a very outdoorsy type of vacation. I loved the way she decided that she was just going to embrace trying new things on this trip. Ultimately, was it realistic? I mean, not to me, but I did love the message of finding people to appreciate the multitude of gifts that you bring to the table because YES, that’s a great message for the start of the year. And ultimately, I would recommend if you’re in the mood for a romance with that message at the center. (Oh and the love interest really is amazing. I quite liked him. It’s just, I loved her more.)
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
Here’s the thing. I wanted to love this book. But, well, I didn’t quite. If you didn’t like the writing in Fourth Wing though, but you like the dragons talking part, I would say you should give this book a try. Especially since this is a fantasy book with a queernorm society. Also, I want to be clear, this book is a fantasy book. I went into this book with the expectation that it was a romantasy and… I’m so sorry, but I disagree. Although, in all fairness, I’m also not sure I fully understand the world enough to say that the fantasy stands on it’s own well enough to really work as just a fantasy either. Honestly, the more I think about this book the less I like it, which is really upsetting because I wanted to love it. Ultimately, I think I’m prepared to give it book two in the hopes that the sequel will even out some of my issues with this one and I’ll come to be extremely attached to these characters. Here’s hoping!
Closing Thoughts
Sometimes I feel like I really don’t know my reading tastes, but ultimately, I think it’s good for me to write reviews because it does help me focus in on things I do and don’t like. I just hope they wind up being at least a little helpful for y’all too. Have you read or are you planning to read any of these?
xx
firewhiskeyreader 