2.75 ⭐️ Interesting story with likeable characters, but way longer than necessary. It could have been at least 100-200 pages shorter. The fact that it2.75 ⭐️ Interesting story with likeable characters, but way longer than necessary. It could have been at least 100-200 pages shorter. The fact that it was so drawn out and slow moving basically ruined it for me. Once I hit about 60% I was just waiting for it to be over. I did like the romance and the more sinister theme, but I felt so bored a lot of the time. ...more
4.75 ⭐️ The best romance I’ve read this year! I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s clever, upbeat, witty, and engaging. The romance is4.75 ⭐️ The best romance I’ve read this year! I can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s clever, upbeat, witty, and engaging. The romance is sweet but not cringey or overdone. In fact, the book focuses more on the characters and events and surrounding the romance than the romance itself which I actually loved. The concept of “passing notes” in a hidden room with a mystery editor while writing a book is so fun and unique and it made for a truly unforgettable story. The characters themselves are extremely like-able and relatable, especially the female main character. Overall, this was the perfect, lighthearted rom-com and exactly what I’ve been longing for in my reading endeavors. Huge plus is that there is no spice. I will definitely be reading more of Melissa’s books! ...more
I don’t give out 5 stars that readily, but this was easily a 5 or even 6 star read. I highly recommended the audio version, as it’s read by the authorI don’t give out 5 stars that readily, but this was easily a 5 or even 6 star read. I highly recommended the audio version, as it’s read by the author and she did an incredible job with voicing the senior demon. If you aren’t familiar with Sincerely, Stoneheart it’s basically a modern version of The Screwtape Letters, specifically written for women. The senior demon, Stoneheart, is writing letters instructing her protégé, Belfagora, how to bring their female human subject to the darkness and ultimately to hell. The letters unveil Satan’s clever and subtle tactics to sabotage our happiness, satisfaction, faith, and relationships. Stoneheart teaches Belfagora how to utilize our phones as a constant stream of distractions and noise so that the subject is unable to hear God’s voice, becomes wrapped up in what other people have and are doing, and is insecure about her appearance, life, and her own relationship with God. She teaches her to plant little thoughts of worry, fear, or anxiety after the subject has been vulnerable with someone and emphasizes the importance of not allowing her to have close friendships with other women because that can ultimately lead her closer to God. She urges her protege to make her subject compare her husband and marriage to others so that she will become dissatisfied and ungrateful. These are just snippets of an incredibly in depth and detailed description of the enemy’s plot to destroy and capture the souls of women for Hell. This book spoke to me in so many ways. I felt that parts of it were written just for me and I was surprised multiple times at how the author was able to verbalize so articulately things I have been dealing with. If you are a Christian woman, I urge you to read or listen to this. It will change you. It will convict you. It will prepare you to defend yourself against Satan and his army of demons, something we should be doing at all times. Satan is ALWAYS plotting, always planting seeds of doubt, hatred, comparison, envy, insecurity, and distraction in our lives. If we just had the eyes and awareness to see it, we would be so much better able to overcome it. ...more
A beautiful way to experience the power and joy of Marian consecration! I really enjoyed this book and how it was written. Gaitley makes the thoughts A beautiful way to experience the power and joy of Marian consecration! I really enjoyed this book and how it was written. Gaitley makes the thoughts of Louis de Montfort, Mother Teresa, Maximilian Kolbe, and JPII easily digestible and incredibly engaging. I finished it today on the Solemnity of the Assumption and made my consecration after mass. I’ve never felt more spiritually invigorated and excited to be challenged in my faith. I did the Marian consecration years ago but I didn’t take it very seriously and recommitting feels amazing. This book made me actually care and it prepared me very well. I think the 33 day preparation is absolutely essential for anyone wanting to do the consecration. If you’re looking for something to prepare you, look no further. ...more
2.75 ⭐️ Did I have a good time? Yes. Did it live up to the hype? No, not in my opinion. This was absolutely a cute and very summery read. I felt very 2.75 ⭐️ Did I have a good time? Yes. Did it live up to the hype? No, not in my opinion. This was absolutely a cute and very summery read. I felt very immersed in the setting and loved all the descriptions of the beach, Martha’s Vineyard, the cute shops, etc. I also liked how it was centered around a massive game of Assasin. It was a really fun and unique element.
As far as the actual plot, I felt like it fell a little flat. FYI, the following critiques are coming from a devout Catholic.
The romance was definitely sweet and heartwarming but I really disliked how casually the author spoke about them having sex and sleeping over. To be clear, this is a closed door book. There is nothing explicit except mentions of them removing clothing. That being said, I felt like this book was almost more inappropriate than some of the more open door romances I’ve read because of how their sexual encounters were portrayed. It felt meaningless, cold and very contrary to the rest of their very meaningful relationship. Additionally, I didn’t feel like there was anything too extraordinary about these characters or their relationship as a whole. They were likeable, sure, but they weren’t that memorable. There were also way too many characters introduced. I understand that this book takes place during a family wedding, but I feel like there were multiple characters and encounters with these characters that were unnecessary and distracted from the plot. There were also several homosexual characters, one of whom was clearly just written in for the agenda. He added very little to the actual plot and it felt forced and random. Basically there was an undertone of wokeness and lack of morals, especially for a book that is written about two kids just barely out of high school. This is, of course, not unusual for this day and age, but if you’re looking for a sweet, innocent, young adult summer read, this isn’t really going to fit that bill.
All in all, I did enjoy the book but I don’t think it’s one I’ll be recommending to my friends. ...more
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