We all know how awful I am at a timely review of a book anyway, but like… Y’all, Making Up is an ARC I’ve had since 2018. So… Anyway, I hope y’all enjoy reading about these books that I enjoyed, especially if you haven’t picked them up yourself yet! I do just want to say that I need Kelley Armstrong to keep writing this series with the time travel forever. I don’t know what it is about the premise, but I find myself hooked every single time. I’m just enjoying them so much. And I’m thrilled to have finally read Making Up by Lucy Parker so I can finally continue on in this series. Pretty Face remains my favorite so far, but I am very willing to let her try and displace it from my number one. And All the Best Nights by Hanna Earnest is a great book about music, which is something I always enjoy. And despite having been out for a couple of years, it does not have nearly the attention that I think it should have. If you have read any of these books, please talk to me about them! I would love to discuss. And now, without further ado, let’s actually get to the reviews!
A Castle in the Air
by Kelley Armstrong
Plot: Portia goes through the time slip because Miranda, her sister, was meant to be back from the 18th century already, but isn’t. When Portia arrives in the 18th century, she has to travel to where Miranda was headed. Along the way, she encounters two highwaymen, moves into a haunted, crumbling castle, and falls in love. A busy time.
What I Loved: I really think Armstrong does atmosphere so well. I don’t know that this was my favorite book in the series, but the gothic castle vibes were immaculate.
What I Struggled With: I mean, truly, overall, I really did adore this one, but also I was a little wishy washy on how much I actually believe in the romance. I think the end, particularly, had me a little too skeptical of the overall longevity. This was one where I felt like the need for a little more breathing room for the couple to be together at the end of the book would have been extremely beneficial. Or even maybe having more conversations about the future during the course of the book.
Who I Would Recommend This To: While I think theoretically this series could be read as stand alone, I would strongly discourage anyone from starting with this installment in particular as I think it builds so much from book three. And, for that matter, the time slip isn’t explained at all, so I also think it would be best if you’ve read all of the books, but that’s just my opinion. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a book with excellent vibes for Fall, definitely pick this one up! The atmosphere is excellent.
Making Up by Lucy Parker
Plot: Trix has a lot of unexpected things happen in quick succession. Thrust into a lead role in a Cirque du Soleil style show (with singing) while suddenly having her nemesis as a new roommate would be a lot for anyone. For Trix, her self-confidence was shattered by her ex-boyfriend, and so she’s finding herself dealing with a lot of self-doubt that is very unhelpful whilst doing tricks high in the air. And Leo isn’t helping. Or… is he?
Leo, meanwhile, is a make up artist for the show, and he’s doing this after something went wrong on someone he did special effects makeup for. He’s also gotten his sister an internship with wardrobe, but she’s acting really hateful and bratty and he’s not really sure what’s up with that. Also, living with Trix isn’t exactly ideal. But the two of them do slowly come together and then eventually (obviously) fall in love.
What I Loved About this Book: Is it bad to say seeing the side characters from Pretty Face? Because, I really did adore that part. But honestly, once I managed to get invested in this book and the characters (right around when Trix has a panic attack and Leo is sweet about it), I really did feel like Parker’s usual magic was present.
What I Struggled With: The beginning of this book was SO slow for me. It took me actual ages to convince myself to read on past chapter two. I have no idea why, because I’ve loved and re-read Act Like It and I absolutely adore Pretty Faceand didn’t have that problem with either of those books. But something about the start of this one… I just struggled. That said, I think it was a personal issue because ultimately, once I forced myself to read a good chunk of it, I was in.
Who I Would Recommend This To: I don’t think I would make this your first Lucy Parker, but I do think if you like books with mental health representation, domestic emotional violence isn’t a trigger for you, and you like a book with an athlete struggling to perform well, this book could really work for you. I also think that in general this series will work for anyone who is seeking an angst-y but not extreme angsty-y read.
All the Best Nights
by Hanna Earnest
Plot: Bran Kelly has started his solo career and writing the follow up to his first album is… not going well. Nelle had a childhood crush on Bran from his band days, but now she’s a superstar and her good girl image is important to maintain. Her life also doesn’t seem to necessarily feel like it belongs only to her, with the way that her Team all wants to have their own opinion. Anyway, the two of them meet up one night in secret and then they make an actual secret together.
What I Loved About this Book: I always love the creative aspects of a book about music, where songwriting is an integral part of the plot. I’m not sure why, but it gets me every time, and the way that Earnest wrote that part felt right to me. (“Right” meaning it felt like it lines up with the way Taylor Swift has talked about the songwriting process. Lol) Anyway, I also liked the dynamic between Bran and Nelle and their attempts to carve out space for them to be their whole selves.
What I Struggled With: I think this book though needed to be a bit longer. And it’s apparently 384 pages, but honestly this book had a lot of individual work that needed to happen for each character and then also, the romance. So for me, I felt like Bran’s interior work mostly made sense and was fleshed out on page. What I felt like was missing was a full understanding of Nelle. She was very rigid in some of her ideas of how she wanted their non-relationship to work, but I don’t think I ever really understood the why. Which is part of why when the third act conflict occurred, I leaned more Team Bran. And maybe you could argue that it’s just a miscommunication plot device, but it really felt like I didn’t understand Nelle and that to me goes beyond miscommunication.
Who I Would Recommend This To: If you, like me, love books with a music plot, definitely pick this one up. Also if you need an angsty read, this is a great book for that!
Closing Thoughts
Again, if you’ve read any of these books, please let me know! I would love to hear your thoughts. And if you haven’t, let me know if you might want to pick one up now or if you know that one of these is definitely not the book for you based on these reviews.
xx
firewhiskeyreader 