prettylittlewriter

 Synopsis
‘In Ancient Greece, a skilled marble sculptor has been blessed by a goddess who has given his masterpiece – the most beautiful woman the town has ever seen – the gift of life. Now his wife, Galatea is expected to be obedience and humility personified, but it is not long before she learns to use her beauty as a form of manipulation. In a desperate bid by her obsessive husband to keep her under control, she is locked away under the constant supervision of doctors and nurses. But with a daughter to rescue, she is determined to break free, whatever the cost...’

When I first ordered this book when Waterstones released their gorgeous edition, I was expecting it to be SLIGHTLY bigger than it was (smaller than my hand was a surprise!). And with it only being 49 tiny pages long, I managed to read it within 15 minutes.

It's a story about a woman that has been carved from stone and brought to life, and in the eyes of her creator initially, she is perfect. Until years go by and she is no longer her creators favourite thing, and he is constantly trying to create new work that is better, and more perfect.

He still uses Galatea as his puppet, she cannot go out, she is forced to look her best and do as he tells her.

But this is not a story for you to feel sorry for Galatea, as she is made of stone in more ways than one. She is strong, and she is determined. And she is not afraid to make a sacrifice to save both herself and her daughter, Paphos.

Madeline's writing style was quite surprising to me (I've yet to read Circe/SOA), as there was the use of profanities and some sexual references, which I was not expecting! But it definitely made the story feel less complicated (as greek mythology can be) and more relatable.

I didn't warm to Galatea as much as I'd have hoped, but I think it was purely down to the fact that it's such a short story. If it was made into a full blown novel I think I'd have definitely felt closer to her.

Overall a great story, and I did enjoy it, but I would have preferred not to have paid £8.99 for 44 pages of writing. I feel it would have been better to release as an addition into one of her next full novels, or as a free new story to read online. It just felt like a quick cash grab (I didn't realize the story had been written years ago either!).

3.5/5 stars

Synopsis

‘When Daphne Bridgerton enters society to find herself a husband, no one seems to fit her mould. They’re either too old, too ugly or too persistent. Until she meets her Eldest brother’s best friend, The Duke of Hastings.

Simon has never wanted to marry, and most certainly never wants to have children. His past with his evil Father has solidified that. But when he meets Daphne Bridgerton, with a plan for a fake betrothal in action, marriage doesn’t seem to be that terrible of an idea. But when his beliefs have been so strong since a young boy, can Daphne really change that?’

Okay so I’m obsessed with the Netflix adaptation of Bridgerton, and my obsession borderlines unhealthy (I’ve bought special edition books/bookmarks/candles etc and I really need to stop!). So of course, I had to start reading the series, to see just how different the novels are from the TV show.

There were some great scenes within the book that would have been lovely in the show, including my favourite interaction between Hyacinth & Simon at the promenade, where he teases her and gallantly offers to place his shirt on the ground so she doesn’t have to walk through puddles (adorable).

The sex scenes were also brilliant, and although we got a lot of it in the show, it was definitely more graphic within the novel.

Simon is a brilliant character, he certain knows how to give Daphne what she desires (even when she doesn't known it!) and I enjoyed delving into his past a lot more than what the TV show does (his Father really was an arsehole).

Daphne on the other hand, I found to be petulant and very childish at points, and I felt like Simon should definitely have left her to it! (Daphne in the TV show, I adore).

There was also a rather questionable scene, that was definitely changed slightly for the better in the TV show, but it is still NOT acceptable under any circumstances, no matter whether it is a male or female doing it. I have seen a lot of people that really have hated this book due to this scene, but I’ve personally skipped over it and haven’t rated it as low as others because I still enjoyed the rest of the novel.

I do think this novel is slightly more dumbed down (speech-wise between the characters especially) than other regency era novels I’ve read, and I found myself skimming through some parts of the novel to get to the most interesting bits.

Overall, I did enjoy the read and I will continue to read the series, but I definitely enjoy the TV show more, so I’m very happy with what Shondaland has created!

3.5/5 stars

 Synopsis
‘A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.’

This is a reread as I previously read We Were Liars around three years ago, and even upon a second read it has managed to shock and impress me! 

E Lockhart has managed to create a wonderful and jaw-dropping novel which kept me reading until the early hours of the morning to finish it!

Cadence was a great character, and I was constantly rooting for her and Gat to be together, they seemed to be made for each other!

Lockhart also personified a lot of Cadence’s emotions, which was just incredible; the descriptions of how powerful the headaches were was just brilliant.

I also loved the short chapters surrounding the fairy-tale stories, and how they intertwine with Cadence’s real life.

The Aunties, including Cadence’s mum, were absolutely awful characters, very entitled and very manipulative. I think the only characters I really liked were the Liars themselves.

Lockhart’s short snappy sentences throughout helped me blitz through the novel as it kept the chapters short which I always love (however it does always mean I end up reading way more than I planned and staying up late to do so!) The moment when all was revealed was perfectly done due to these short lines and even though I’ve previously read the book, I’d actually completely forgotten and was left with my mouth agape when it happened once again!

I would recommend going into this book blind, but if you are reading this review, and you love an intriguing mystery surrounding a group of friends that have a huge secret between them, then I highly recommend you read it!

5/5 stars

Synopsis 
'STEVEN HARDING IS A HANDSOME, WELL-RESPECTED PROFESSOR.
ELLIE MASTERSON IS A WIDE-EYED YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENT.
Together, they are driving south from New York, for their first holiday together: three days in an isolated cabin, far from the city.
Ahead of them, the promise of long, dark nights - and the chance to explore one another's bodies, away from prying eyes.
It should be a perfect, romantic trip for two.
EXCEPT THAT HE'S NOT WHO HE SAYS HE IS.
BUT THEN AGAIN, NEITHER IS SHE . . .'
Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin Michael Joseph for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this book.

I went into this novel knowing nothing about it, except for the fact that the advertising said ‘get ready to meet 2022’s most fucked up couple!’. So I had high hopes for a lot of drama and insane twists.

What I found was that there was indeed, a lot of drama and some twists to the novel, however, it all fell a little flat for me. Quite early on we find out that Steven is the worst kind of man, one that likes to get his own way with everything, and everyone. Without spoiling it, it is quite a difficult read, and I feel there should be a trigger warning with it, but I think that would probably also spoil the main big plotline.

Ellie is a great character, with some brilliant lines throughout and she has a huge plan for their weekend away, which doesn’t end the way either of them expected.

Laure is also brilliant at creating a very tense atmosphere, with some incredibly detailed descriptions of the landscape and the home they are staying in.

However, the main reason this novel fell flat for me with it’s potential for greatness, is that everything seemed to be repetitive. Ellie would say something, Steven would say something back, and it kept going in circles until finally, the ending happened.

I think the book could have been a lot shorter, had the characters actually acted on what was going on WAY before they did. The intrigue of finding out what happened kept me reading, but only just. It would probably make a great movie, as they could fit everything into an hour and a half film, but I spent around 3-4 hours reading this, and it felt way too long.

Overall, it was enjoyable to a point, but it wasn’t my favourite locked-room thriller, and although the storyline is a very important subject, this book just didn’t do it justice for me.

2.5/5 stars