August Wrap Up (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with a wrap up, to knock the month out with a bang! 

I read all of my planned reads this month! 

Whoopie! 

Okay, that might not be a huge thing for people that consistantly do that, month in month out, but for a person that hasn't done that all year, it's a major breakthrough. 

Without further ado, here are my thoughts on the books I finished this month! 

1. A Perfect Ten, by Chris Higgins

An age old favourite that I picked up, so I would become motivated to read again. A Perfect Ten is about Eva, who is desperate to be the best gymnast she can be, and score a perfect ten. She's had her ups and downs when she was growing up, but she's determined not to let that stop her from being the best. Then her past starts to be dragged into the present, and she finds herself struggling to deal with it all, especially when her mum isn't around much any more. A wonderful, coming-of-age story about coming to terms with your past and growing up at the same time. Trigger warnings: diet as an athlete, death, friendship, competitive sport, car accidents, missing parent. 

What I love most about Chris Higgins' sory-telling is the light-hearted tone she has when writing about heavy subjects. A perfect stepping stone for pre-teens that want to read books with more serious issues in them. 

2. The Olive Tree, by Lucinda Riley 

I feel like at this point, whenever a Lucinda Riley book crops up, that I've read in a month, I should just put: I loved it. And leave it at that. 

But this one felt different. I loved it, just like every other Lucinda Riley book I've read in the past year, but this one hit differently, because I've realised, now I've read The Love Letter, I only have two Lucinda Riley books left. And it's not like she'll be writing any more. 

I very much enjoyed The Olive Tree. Set in angelic Cyprus, we follow Helen, whose holidaying in her family home with her son Alex, for the first time in over a decade. All of her family are due to join her, and it's not long until she stumbles across someone she hasn't seen since she left last time. And there are secrets between them... 

The Olive Tree was mysterious, with more secrets flying round than mosquitos, not to mention a fair bit of romance. This was definitely more on the romantic historical fiction for Lucinda Riley, and a novel I enjoyed immensely. 

3. Wildfire, by Hannah Grace

Okay. Wildfire is probably one of the funnest reads of the year for me. Set in a summer camp, with characters from Icebreaker but with a new couple as the focus, of course I was going to love it instantly. What I wasn't expecting was, that I actually enjoyed it more than Icebreaker. I always seem to do better with with 1) the first book in the series, especially if it has a strong start, and 2) Icebreaker has a clear premise, Anastacia wanted to become an olympic ice skater, and was determined to do it. But somehow Russ and Rory found their way into my heart and refuse to leave! Love both of these characters so much, I wish I could read about them forever. On to the third and final book I guess. 

4. The Love Letter, by Lucinda Riley 

Boy, was this different to the usual Lucinda Riley books I'm used to reading! An intense thriller that starts with a funeral, a mysterious elderly lady, and a letter! 

I think this might be my favourite standalone book of the bunch! Despite it being a bit long for my taste, I want more of these uniquely dark, thought-provoking novels from the legendary Lucinda Riley! 

If you've found yourself wanting something more fast-paced, but detailed, with amazingly well-written characters, then this is your book! 

I only wish I didn't have just two more Lucinda Riley books to go... 

5. Yellowface , by Rebecca F. Kuang

I have a full review linked into the title, so if you want more of my in-depth thoughts, you can check those out by clicking the title. 

But in short, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Surprised because I didn't know how I'd gel with what this stolen book was about, once I knew (I went in more or less blind). Obviously I knew I'd enjoy Kuang's storytelling, because I always do. But I had a little trouble with getting into this, and then all of a sudden, it was all I could think about, and it was all I could do. 

Let's just say, I was dead set against picking up Babel, but now I'm actually conisdering picking it up. 

This seems to be a popular critique, but the protagonist wasn't my favourite. There never seemed to be any sort of character arc for her, and I wish the ending had gone in a different direction. Other than that, fantastic novel.  

6. Theatrical, by Maggie Harcourt

I've been meaning to get to my re-read of this book for several months now, but with my rapidly growing reading motivation for this month, I definitely wanted to finish this before the month was out. Theatrical is probably one of my favourite YA Contemporaries, because there are so few books about theatre, much less about the tech crew, and all the going-ons behind the scenes. For me, it's a fun, breath-of-fresh-air book that can take all my stresses of the day away. There's a cutesie romance in the midst, and we follow stage manager intern Hope as she navigates her first proper job in a professional theatre, trying to prove she's good enough, and not just here because of her costume making mother. 

It was a pleasure to be able to pick it up again and delve into Hope's story, and get lost in the magic that is theatre. 

Okay! Those are all the books I read in the month of August! I hope September will be just as successful, and with my 24-hour-readathon taking place, I have no doubt it will be! 

I'll be back in a couple of days or so with my September TBR (2024), so stay tuned for that. 

I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you all soon! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx

Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Kuang

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with a rare post: A review. 

Not just any, but of Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Yuang. 

I finished it in just a few days and I can't think of a better book to review. 

Without further ado, here are my thoughts! 

Title: Yellowface

Author: Rebecca F. Kuang 

Genre: Thriller

Release date: May 2023

Status: Standalone

Pages: 319

Blurb: "Athena Liu is a literary darling and

June Hayward is literally nobody. 

WHITE LIES

When Athena dies in a freak accident, 

June steals her unpublished manuscript

and publishes it as her own under the 

ambiguous name Juniper Song. 

DARK HUMOUR 

But as evidence threatens June's stolen 

success, she discovers exactly how far 

she will go to keep what she thinks

she deserves. 

DEADLY CONSEQUENCES

What happens next is entirely

everyone else's fault." 

My Thoughts

I wasn't sure what I was going to get, going into this. I couldn't remember anything from when I purchased this book in Waterstones, having bought it, just based on the fact that Rebecca Kuang wrote it. But, I knew people were loving it, it wasn't long, so I put it on the shelf to read another day. 

I finished it yesterday, after only reading it for three- four days. 

At this point, I truly feel like R.F. Kuang can write anything. The Poppy War trilogy was so different to this, but both were extremely well-written, thought provoking novels that made you think and leave you wanting more. 

As usual, it felt like I should be further along than I was. Rebecca Kuang is able to move the story along in so few words, it genuinely is amazing. 

Yellowface tells the story of Junie, who after witnessing her friend Athena Lui's death, steals her unpublished manuscript and passes it off as her own, since her own writing career never really flew off the ground. What happens next, nobody could have expected. 

If you're a writer, dreaming of getting a book deal, like many of us have, Yellowface gives an accurate depiction of what the publishing is like, and the trials and tribulations that come from the first draft, to the promoting part of the process, as well as the struggles to be noticed as a serious writer. It was never too info dumpy, it was part of the story, but never the main part, let me tell you. 

There was plenty more than that, Kuang did an amazing job of helping the reader to think about the issues within the publishing industry, and interpretations fans of books might make about the author writing about certain topics (I'm not saying anymore than that). There was also some very creepy moments when you're left wondering unpleasant facts about Athena, and what she was like outside of how June knew her. 

I liked Junie as a protagonist, never felt like her character was rushed, and I never got bored of reading about her. Thoroughout the book I was almost rooting for her to come out on top of everything she was put through, unscathed, but then another part felt that there should be some form of punishment for her. (I admit, I did start to feel sorry for her as the book progressed though.)

Almost I was clamouring for more of Yellowface when I finished the book, I do think it was just the right length. There's a very definite start, middle and ending, and I liked that the story didn't just fade away. 

I only have one book of R.F. Kuang's left to read, which is Babel. Honestly, I don't know much about this one, but I could definitely be persuaded. Anybody think I should pick this book up? Comment down below. 

In a sum up, this book was fabulous. Intense, engaging, original, and so detailed. If I could read it again blindly, I 100% would. Will definitely be making my favourite books of the year list. I think this might actually be my favourite R.F. Kuang book. 

Okay! Those are my thoughts on Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Kuang! I hope you enjoyed it, and as always, feel free to comment your thoughts down below! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all next week, with my August Wrap Up (2024)! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx

August TBR (2024)

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And for the first time in months I'm actually posting just a TBR, and not a Wrap Up & TBR! 

I'm honestly as surprised as you are, probably. 

But, sometimes miracles do happen. 

Without further ado, here are my reading plans for the month. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

1. The Olive Tree, by Lucinda Riley 

I'm just under halfway through this and am just as invested as I've been every other Lucinda Riley book I've read to date. It takes place in exotic Cyprus, it's about a character called Alex that has been left the crumbling mansion, Pandora. I'm currently in the part when he's reading through his childhood journals of when his family (and extended friends and family) are holidaying in the very same mansion. I have no idea where it's headed, and what it has to do with present day, but I'm intrigued. Not only do I love all of the characters, I love all the secrets and mysterious that I feel I'm about to find out about. Confident I'll finish it in the next few days. 

2. Wildfire (Maple Hills #2), by Hannah Grace

After loving Icebreaker, I've been so excited to pick this up. Russ and Aurora are mentioned in the first novel, (I think- I know Russ was) but other than a brief cameo, I know little to nothing about them, so that's something I'm looking forward to in this book. 

After a crazy night celebrating the end of the school year- that leads to a one night stand with barely a goodbye, Ross and Aurora are extremely surprised to come across eachother at the summer camp they happen to be counselors at. 

A summer camp that has an extreme 'no fraternizing' rule. 

Will Russ and Aurora learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night stand together ignite a flame that can't be put out?

Okay, I get the feeling that there will be a lot of sex scenes in this, like Icebreaker did. And I guess I'm okay with that. Because I know I'll enjoy this book. The story obviously. Because it's light-hearted and fun, with discussion of more adult themes in it. And just because it's a fun time. 

Just, please let it not be 75% sex. 

3. The Love Letter, by Lucinda Riley 

Okay, I've worked out a system with these. Read the book and audiobook, every other book. That way I'll get some variety in, and actually enjoy these a whole lot more. 

I like the premise for this one, because it reminds me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It's about a journalist covering a major celebrity. The only difference is, she's covering his funeral, instead of interviewing him directly. 

Not to mention, this is a Lucinda Riley novel, so she's bound to uncover the secret that only his family knows about, upon his death. The only thing is, she knows there are other interested parties, trying their hardest to find the source of the secret she's also desperate to discover... 

Yeah, this feels very much towards the darker, mysterous side of Lucinda Riley fiction, as opposed to the passionate romance fixation that I tend to get with her books. Although I love the passion and the romance, I'm excited to delve deeper into this side of her writing. 

4. Theatrical, by Maggie Harcourt

A contemporary romance I've been longing to read for a while now. A book about a girl working behind the scenes of a theatre show- I was immediatelty interested in this when I first heard about it and I am super excited to pick it up again. The best word to describe this book is just cute! The characters are cute, the story is light and fluffy, and it has a special spot in my head, right next to As If On Cue. 

5. Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Kuang

Yep, I'm sticking this back on here. After like, a month. But honestly, I was at a loss as for what to read next. Rebecca Kuang is such an awesome writer, and I don't want to wait until my interest of her books have dwindled to nothing, to pick up one of her books again. So I'm sticking this on here in case I feel the urge towards the end of the month. 

Notice, I haven't talked about what it's about. That's because I don't want to know myself. I want to go into it completely blind. If you want to know, go and read the blurb on Goodreads. Or just go and read it, if you haven't. 

I know I'm going to enjoy this. Because Rebecca Kuang wrote it. 

Okay! Those are the books that I'm hoping to read in the next month! I have a good feeling about this month, maybe because I've already finished a book, and am a good portion through another. But something is definitely looking up. 

As always, feel free to comment what books you have on your TBR, and we can talk about them! 

So, I hope you have a wonderful day, and I'll see you again soon! 

Byeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx