2016 Reading Challenge: Ugly Love

Because I've yet to read a book by Colleen Hoover, so... I wasn't expecting much from the book and even if it has a 4.33 rating on Goodreads, I now know better than to keep my hopes up. I kinda already have an inkling that there would be plenty of sexy times but I wanted to know if it would be of the Rock Chick kind or more similar to Alice Clayton's Wallbanger.

Tate just moved in to his brother's apartment and living across his brother's unit lived a hot guy who also happened to be one of his brother's bros. Ang convenient, I like. Haha. So nothing really happened on the first night (nako ang mga characters sa YA/NA novels mas mabilis pa sa alas cuatro makadiga) but we already know Tate has the hots for the boy. Initially, it was more difficult to discern things from the boy's point of view since he's not revealing much, puro from six years ago yung nasa POV niya ng story. Well, from the POV six years ago, we knew that he still hasn't moved on from Rachel and thinks he's not capable of loving another but due to their undeniable attraction to each other hence the no-strings-attached chukchakan relationship.

What I liked in this book is, of course, the will-they-or-won't-they plot. We know Tate already likes Miles for real but given rule# 2 which is Don't expect a future, she's just getting what she can from their setup. Well, we also know Miles also likes Tate in that way because sometimes he slips up but when he catches himself, he clams up right away. So there's another reason why I was easily breezed through the book- I wanted to find out what ever happened to Rachel and why that huge of an impact on Miles's life.

Ugly Love is more like Wallbanger which I also liked. I'd rather have those gorgeous, abs-rocking, polite (well, mas polite kaysa sa mga Rock Chick boys) than those Rock Chick boys cos seriously with those boys, it's practically rape. Diba nga no means no? And sorry cos I think I'm biased since Dog the Bounty Hunter comes to mind when I think of Rock Chick and who wants a piece of that?? Aside from Beth anyway.

I totally get where Tate is coming from haha... I mean, choosy pa ba siya?

So three stars because I enjoyed it and it made me stay up until three in the morning so I could finish reading it. Initially gave it four stars but after comparing with my other four-star-books, I reckon it only deserves three. I liked it but I wasn't gushing about it afterwards. I was like, what to read next nuninuninu... I'm still three books behind schedule. Anyway, looks like I'm picking up another title by the author but maybe not this month.

Next on this list; Emery Lord's The Start of Me and You

2015 Reading Challenge: Transcendence

What made me read this book in the first place was its blurb which can be read here. I thought it was interesting how love between a modern day human being and a primitive caveman would develop, or if it's even possible.

Actually, I think I was misled by the book cover which made me think that caveman could look like that- way better-looking than most fully-evolved men living in the 21st century. The author included a note which I'm glad I read (because I tend to not read those and jump right into the story) because it was where the author specifically said that Ehd, our story's caveman, would never, ever learn how to speak. Just reviews the author's note and she qualified Ehd's pagka-caveman. Turns out he's just like any other modern-day human male, intelligent  and capable of learning except how to speak and associate sounds with words, objects or actions (so sign language is out). Pero still I think he'll never be able to look like that man on the cover of the book.

So at first I was actually excited and hopeful of the 'promise of kilig' this story will bring into my kilig-obsessed system. I was okay with the first few chapters with Ehd and Beh (Elizabeth) slowly learning how to exist with one another. Of course I understand why Beh would be terrified of Ehd, being that he is a caveman (and will never look like that man on the cover, kung si Tarzan nga modern-day male hindi naman guapo, si Ehd pa kaya?). However, as they were the only Homo-sapien-somethings wherever they were, things were bound to happen and by 'thing,' I think you know to what I'm referring to. Which is actually to Ehd's benefit as he was must-put-a-baby-in-her at first sight with Beh. And when that was all what I was reading again and again, I started to get bored. Which made me skip a looooot of pages (and chapters).

I know how you feel, Alice

And also this is one of those books which I feel should've been told from two POVs. Para at least hindi paulit-ulit and will also give the readers better understanding how Beh finally decided to give Ehd a chance- like did she really fall in love with him or was it just plain tawag ng laman? In the end, light was shed into the situation but I find that out cos I'm the type who finishes her books, no matter how what.What if I'm the type who gives up when things are going WTF-proportions? Also what I can't understand was why Elizabeth chose to stay in the BC era when she could bring Ehd with her to the future instead? Siguro mas masaya sa kweba ☺ Hahaha!

Two stars.

2015 Reading Challenge: Never Too Far

I take it all back. I mentioned here- Fallen Too Far post- na hindi masyado ma-issue si Blaire, but now I am taking it back. Sus etong babaeng ito ay isang example ng isang taong madaling kausap.

Anyway, I think everything happened TOO SOON. Personally, I feel they should've explored further her relationship with Cain before she went back to Rosemary Beach again. And I also think that she's not really serious about shutting Rush out of her life cos if she is, why on earth would she go back to where he is? Ang lola mo simpleng malandi din. But seriously, I really wish they prolonged the chase a little bit. I guess, patience is not one of today's kids's virtues. Sige na Blaire, ikaw na ang fertile.

Also one of my reactions while listening to the book- PUEDE BA YUN?!?!?!? As in. Naloka ako. Sa palagay ko hindi pa puedeng maging parents ang dalawang 'to.

Dear Blaire,

I am very disappointed in you.

And Rush. A lot are swooning over Rush Finlay and I don't know why. You see, I am not immune to bad-boy-charms as evidenced by my infatuation over Marcus Flutie but at least Marcus doesn't start every sentence with an expletive.

So umm... it was okay but I think I won't be picking up Book Three anytime soon.

2015 Reading Challenge: Fallen Too Far

via Goodreads

Thanks to audio books, I am now 1 book ahead of schedule. "Read" Fallen Too Far before I went to sleep last Sunday and I was done by lunchtime Monday. But it's just not the same. It's different when you really read a book and not just listen to it. Mas feel ang kilig ba. Haha.

Well, I kinda like it that Blaire isn't as angst-y like her contemporaries even if she has the life experiences to back it up. Her dad left her and her mom then her mom got sick and died. Kung issues lang, maraming baon si Blaire. But she was still optimistic about things, relatively-speaking. She didn't self-destruct. She didn't try to kill herself. And I think getting attracted to Rush was reasonable. Kahit na minsan parang it's weird and awkward cos they're stepbrother and stepsister but in times like these, I just think Clueless. If it's okay in Clueless, then it is acceptable.

Alam naman nating lahat where Blaire and Rush's relationship was headed for. I may like Blaire but with Rush, I am not emotionally-invested yet. Woods is still a viable candidate. I liked how Woods didn't put up a fight when he realized that Blaire and Rush were already an item. I mean, he technically has dating dibs over the girl since he asked her out first, but he let them be. And Cain, the best friend. May chance pero minus pogi points pa rin when he chose to break up with her just so he could hook up with other girls who would put out for him.

Seriously, these kids have way too much freedom. Although Rush isn't a kid anymore but still to my 32-year-old-manang-eyes, he is still a baby.

So anyway, post- Rush Blaire leaves Rosemary Beach an angsty teenager and for understandable reasons. I just hope she doesn't wallow in it so we could start Never Too Far on a not-so-sulky air.

2/5 hindi kasi masyado kinilig.

2014 Book Challenge: Fifty Shades Freed

Wow at last I finished the book (and at last I have gotten myself to write this review of sorts) after so many attempts. The first book, Fifty Shades of Grey, I did enjoy mainly because of the "chase" and of course, the kilig. However, during the second book I think I already got tired of their game and tired of Anastasia's inconsistencies and her inner goddess. I was thisclose to putting the book on DNF status when A said that there was a chapter told from Christian Grey's point-of-view.

If I remember correctly, the book begins with Christian and Anastasia on their honeymoon and helluva plenty of sexy times. I don't know why but it's always the girl characters who annoy me. In Twilight, I hated Bella with a passion which was growing with every book which made me stop at book 3, New Moon. And now, Anastasia. She says she doesn't want Christian "lifestyle" but then again she wants to make him happy so sometimes, she does give him what he wants. Eh diba nga sabi dapat consistent ka, ate? Ika nga ni Yoda, "Do or do not. There is no try." So ya, that's what's been eating me about this book since Book 1.

Fifty Shades trilogy was born out of a reader's frustration with the lack of sexy times in the Twilight series. So she made a story very similar to it but with sexy time in every chapter, but if she's really horny, two. Haha. Fifty Shades and Twilight are very, very similar- the story line, the characters, the premise. And at that last chapter which was told from Christian's POV, eerily similar to when Edward was contemplating on why she liked Bella so much- why the interest on this plain-looking girl? Yung kay Edward gets ko pa kasi delicious ang amoy ng blood ni Bella. Pero si Christian? Kadiri naman kung naaamoy niya rin yung dugo ni Anastasia. Gaaahd, gross! Ang gross ko. Haha! But then again, they explained that Ana does look like all of Christian's ex-subs which explain the initial attraction.

Another show I feel is somewhat similar to Fifty Shades is Dexter. Both Christian and Dexter were adopted. They both came from abusive backgrounds and both watched as their mothers died (hmm.. now I'm not so sure if Christian also saw his mother die). Both had "secrets." And both had brother/foster brother who wanted to get back at them for getting adopted into the better life.

Fifty Shades of Grey is actually a mash-up of Twilight and Dexter.

And oh, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Jack was able to breach all Grey securities.

And to end this post, here's the official trailer~

Sad to say, he is not my Christian Grey. However, I a giving him a chance. Naks, as if my opinion matters, no? But seriously, when Twilight's trailer was first shown, didn't we all have the same disapproval of Robert Pattinson? So I will be reserving my impression about this guy being Christian Grey after watching the movie. But still I feel Charlie Hunnam would have made a better Mr. Grey. But alas, that wasn't for me to decide. 

Ayan, may closure na ako. Pero gusto mo pa rin hampasin ang inner goddess ni Anastasia ng chaise lounge na hinihigaan niya.

2014 Book Challenge: Wait For You

{via Goodreads}

I'm only two books behind schedule, huzzah! Anyway, this book, Wait For You, falls under the New Adult (NA) genre and not YA. Which I do not get, actually. What does New Adult exactly mean? With the proliferation of sexed-up YA books they have finally come up with a genre for it? Haha. I feel it that's it though. Goodreads defines New Adult as:

"New Adult fiction bridges the gap between Young Adult and Adult genres. It typically features protagonists between the ages of 18 and 26."

Oh okay. But what is Adult genre, actually? Initially, I thought it's those type of books a lá Fifty Shades of Grey, but Pride & Prejudice and To Kill a Mockingbird also fall under the category. Whatever.

Seriously, why are these book protagonists always good-looking and sexy, male and female alike? Take for example, Cameron. He's tall, handsome and has an amazing body. Almost all guys in these books are like that. But real life is a different story. I don't see tall, handsome, well-built guys around here. But then again, this is fiction. Haha. And Avery. She's equally as hot as Cam is and she's totally oblivious to it. Every YA and in this case, NA, book has protagonists like that. It gets old, sometimes. But you know what doesn't, the kilig moments.

Cam is definitely swoon-worthy. Every girl's ideal guy, I suppose- good-looking, nice, a reformed bad boy. Don't we all want that guy? And what actually makes him more attractive is his loyalty to Avery. If girls are practically throwing themselves at him and he shrugs them off for you, the guy is a keeper.

 

(Maybe reading these books is bad as it taints my view of reality. Ha.) But when it comes to fictional boyfriends, Cam maybe there in the list of the best but he's not the best. The best fictional boyfriends are, in my opinion, Marcus Flutie (Jessica Darling series), Park (Eleanor & Park) and Nick (This is a Love Story). Hmm.. this gives me an idea- to add another category in my Goodreads page: Swoon-worthy Book Boyfriends.

The book's title is Wait For You. Okay, I give props to Avery for holding off until she has sorted her issues out and also props to Cam for waiting until Avery has sorted her issues. And in Fiction/YA Land where teenage girls lose their virginity at a drop of a hat, six months is a long time. But what I find funny is these two have done EVERYTHING except that. So technically, there wasn't much waiting that happened. But then again, this is your Lola Prude talking.