There is no one book for everyone, and that is okay. 

If there is a lot of hype around a book it can go either way: it can exceed the already high expectations you have set for it, or it can disappoint you. Not sure if it would have disappointed you if it wasn’t hyped up – or maybe it would have – but either way, how you respond and feel during and after reading a book is your own.

Below are three books that didn’t give me the 5 star feels it gave other readers; that is not to say they weren’t good, I just had a different reaction to either a small plot point or the whole book. If you read them, I hope you loved them, and if you decide to read them, I hope you love them!

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

3 disco balls

Published: May 14, 2019 by St. Martin’s Griffin
Category: Contemporary Romance, LGBT, New Adult
Goodreads Choice Award for Romance and for Debut Novel (2019)

First son of the POTUS, Alex, and the Prince of Wales, Henry, are enemies…more like Alex has this internal competition with Henry. Is someone jealous?! Or could it be something more than what Alex understands at the time? After an incident a PR move causes them to start an unlikely friendship that morphs into a secret romance. Living under the scrutiny of the public eye, how long can they keep it a secret and if the truth is uncovered what is the cost on both sides?

I really, really loved the concept of this book. And, Prince Henry is darling.

It just wasn’t solid for me. Way too long and some scenes could definitely have been cut out. Involving some the of dialogue: it just tried too hard to be hip (or maybe I am uncool) and over the top on purpose (soooo much cursing). Maybe I’m being a curmudgeon. It also took me a while to warm up to Alex; I did feel like it flowed better after I was about half-way through (but then the end took way to long).

My favorite parts were the emails back and forth between Henry and Alex; so freaking romantic (swoon).

I’m being nit-picky, I think I just wanted it to be better because the idea of the story was so stinking cute. The book cover is also one of my favs. I’m glad I read it to see what all the hype was about. I would read a sequel or a “Where Are They Now?” novella if one came out. I mean, Henry was my favorite character.

Here is a glowing 5 star review from The Bookish Linguist that may convince you to pick it up!

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Find it at your local independent bookstore: Bookstore Link

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Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

3.5 disco balls

Published: March 19, 2019 by Orion Publishing
Length: 9 hours and 45 minutes, narrated by Shvorne Marks
Category: Contemporary Fiction

Going into it I thought I was going to read a funny story of sorts – being partly compared to Bridget Jones Diary – but Queenie’s story is no laughing matter.

It was more than just someone in their mid 20’s on the heels of a break up, trying to find themselves, with good and terrible friends and family issues, and who seems to make the wrong decisions often. At first I was like “Queenie seriously?!” BUT how wrong I was. I won’t go into details to avoid spoilers. I did learn that although you may believe to have someone pegged: how wrong you can be. So don’t be so judgmental; be kind and patient and listen to what is unsaid.

I’m still processing how I feel about it and have been wondering if I should have read the book rather than listen to the audiobook. The narrator was lovely, but maybe I would’ve experienced the story differently if I got to interpret the tone on my own; or if I didn’t expect to read something “funny.”

Here is a thoughtful 4.5 star review from Nomshado that will certainly convince you to pick it up!

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Find it at your local independent bookstore: Bookstore Link

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Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

4 disco balls

Published: April 16, 2019 by Sarah Crichton Books
Category: Contemporary Fiction, Mystery

I didn’t hate it and I didn’t love it (content is very hard to love, this will make sense if you read it). I did give it 4 stars for the writing style and originality.

How far would you go to protect your child from the world, from yourself? Is this protection for their benefit or for your own? Do you value your marriage? Is shielding a hurtful truth from your spouse for their benefit or yours? You will find yourself asking: “what would I do?” many times; and, also passing judgment (some deserved, some not so much)

I hated many of the characters but that was probably the intention. All the little white lies they tell to save their hides without a care for anyone else: selfish bunch of people that is for sure.

Here is a detailed 5 star review from Emma’s Biblio Treasures that may convince you to pick it up!

Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble
Indigo
Find it at your local independent bookstore: Bookstore Link

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What books haven’t lived up to their hype for you? Let me know and if you can find a glowing review from another blogger on it, I hope you share it in your comment too!

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