Come Tumbling Down - by Seanan McGuire

Title: Come Tumbling Down

Author: Seanan McGuire

Published: 7 Jan 2020

Series: Wayward Children #5

Rating: 2 stars

Synopsis:

When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister--whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice--back to their home on the Moors.
But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome.
Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken.
Again.

I listened to this as an audiobook.

While I still love how short and sweet the books in this series are and how slightly twisted they are too, I felt like this one didn't really need to be written -- or at least not added into the series, maybe?

It's good seeing the Moors in a bit of a new light and seeing how they need opposites to keep everything balanced in the world. But did we really need to come back to the Moors? How many other characters in the School for Wayward Children are there that we could have read about? I'd love to see a book about Kade or Cora and what they got up to in their own world's and if they ever get back to them.

This book was still pretty good, don't get me wrong, but I just don't feel like it had the same sort of zing that sucks you right in like some of the others in the series did.

I still don't quite see why Jack and Alexis went back to get some of the other children from the school to help Jack do what she needed to in the Moors as she seemed to do nearly all of the work by herself. The big battle at the end almost didn't need to happen as we didn't hear about it start and then suddenly it's over when we hear about what happened to Jill.

Hopefully in the next book it will be about a new character we haven't heard about before or at least not really seen to add some freshness back into the series.

One moment I did love was when Tsumi said this:

"The world doesn't stop spinning because you're sad, and that's good; if it did, people would go around breaking hearts like they were sheets of maple sugar, just to keep the world exactly where it is. They'd make it out like it was a good thing, a few crying children in exchange for a peace that never falters or fades. We can be sad and we can be hurt and we can even be killed, but the world keeps turning, and the things we're supposed to do keep needing to be done."

__________________________________________________

All books in this series:

    1 | Every Heart a Doorway
    2 | Down Among the Sticks and Bones
    3 | Beneath the Sugar Sky
    4 | In an Absent Dream

4.5 | Juice Like Wounds
    5 | Come Tumbling Down

    6 | Across the Green Grass Fields

    7 | Where the Drowned Girls Go

My Brother's Name is Jessica - by John Boyne

Title: My Brother's Name is Jessica

Author: John Boyne

Published: 18 April 2019

Series: -

Rating: 2 stars

Synopsis:

Sam Waver's life has always been pretty quiet. A bit of a loner, he struggles to make friends, and his busy parents often make him feel invisible.
Luckily for Sam, his older brother, Jason, has always been there for him. Sam idolises Jason, who seems to have life sorted - he's kind, popular, amazing at football, and girls are falling over themselves to date him.
But then one evening Jason calls his family together to tell them that he's been struggling with a secret for a long time. A secret which quickly threatens to tear them all apart. His parents don't want to know and Sam simply doesn't understand.
Because what do you do when your brother says he's not your brother at all? That he's actually your sister?

I listened to this as an audiobook.

Unfortunately, I hadn't read any of the reviews of this book before I bought myself a paperback copy -- the main reason I'd purchased it being that it sounded like I might like it and I liked the rainbow-type colours on the front.

I was wrong, however.

While I didn't hate this book, it also wasn't for me. After also having read some other reviews I've noticed that they're thinking along the same sort of lines that I am.

I didn't mind that the point of view was written by Jessica's younger brother, but it was definitely annoying when Same referred to his sibling as "my big brother, Jason" every single time he went to talk about Jason.

The story also isn't as much about Jessica, and more along the lines of Sam dealing with the information he's been given suddenly. Also really didn't like how their parents almost ignored them their entire lives up until the point where Jessica being hot news in the papers ruins their mother's chance at being P.M. -- that's when the parents finally wake up and realise that they've just handed their children off to a million other people besides themselves and now they're teenagers.

I do understand that Sam didn't necessarily understand what was going on as he had been brought up to essentially think that there was no such thing as transgender. However, whether you believe those that say they're transgender or think it's a bunch of bologna -- they exist and they are human beings just like you!

One part I really liked was when the coach of the school football team showed up and wanted to know whether Jason would be leaving the football team thanks to the rumours throughout the school about their family. The coach didn't see a male or a female on the team -- he saw a human being who was a damn good player who he didn't want to lose.

2020 O.W.Ls - Magical Readathon

The Magical Readthon O.W.Ls are usually done in April and the Magical Readathon N.E.W.Ts are in August. But it's ultimately up to you if/when you do them as everyone's different and everyone has different things happening I their life.

If anyone else would like to, then feel free to join in with me!


UPDATE:

While I didn't have any specific career in mind when I started my O.W.Ls and just wanted to see how much I could read following the prompts, I managed to finish O.W.Ls for three magical careers -- Astronomer, Graphic Designer, and Trader of Magical Tomes.

For my N.E.W.Ts in August I'll choose one of those three magical careers and try and finish the magical reading exams for them and see how I go. I'm proud of myself for reading as much as I did though and audiobooks were definitely my friend this month!



How It Works:

This month-long magical readathon was started by G from Book Roast (go check out her YouTube and Instagram if you haven't already! She's such an amazing human being!) This readathon is based on the exams that the Hogwarts students take in the Harry Potter books and movies - their O.W.Ls (Ordinay Wizarding Levels) and their N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).

All the extra documents, like the invitation letter (which includes reading prompts) and the careers guidebook are linked in the description section of the announcement video on G's YouTube channel and are also available on the website too. They are absolutely free to download and check out!

After you select a career (although you don't have to if you don't want to), you can check out the prompt list which details the type of book you need to read to "pass" the subject. If you want to know more just check out G's YouTube channel!



Important FAQs:

I copied these from one of the extra documents from G's website (magicalreadathon.com) just in case anyone else wanted to join in! I still recommend going and watching her YouTube video though where it's all explained much better than I could ever explain it, plus there's other FAQs on the website you can read if you want too!

Are the prompts the same each time?
No! The prompts change each year to give us some variety.

Are rereads allowed?
Absolutely! Especially of the Harry Potter books ;)

Can I carry on reading a book I've already started?
Unless specified as one of our special prompts all reads must be started and finished within the readathon time frame.

Can I read one book for multiple prompts?
Unfortunately not, it's one exam per book.



Magical Careers:

There are many different magical careers you could choose from and G has even included some new ones which were suggested by subscribers in her YouTube comments!

The different careers (old and new) are:

- Alchemist
- Astronomer
- Aurologist
- Auror
- Broom Maker
- Care of Magical Children
- Culinary Sorcerer
- Curse Breaker
- Graphic Designer
- Healer
- Herbology
- Hogwarts Professor
- Journalist/Writer
- Librarian
- Mage of Visual Arts
- Magizoologist
- Metal Charmer
- Mind Medic
- Ministry Worker
- Potioneer
- Quidditch Referee
- Seer
- Spellmaker
- Trader of Magical Tomes
- Wandmaker



Courses, Seminars and Training:

This is a new little section which is basically adding on to your TBR for your chosen career. If you want to do a little something extra but don't want to pick a second career or if you want to follow the rules (I'm looking at you, Slytherins!) then why not check out the prompts for these (hopefully I've summed these up correctly, but check out G's website or YouTube channel to read them in full):

- Animagus Training
          (Arithmany, Potions & Transfiguration)

- Dragon Tamer Training
          (Become a Magizoologist & then read a book with dragons)

- Learn to Operate Locomotive Trains
          (Defence Against the Dark Arts & Muggle Studies)

- Magical Shop Management
          (Arithmancy)

- Merpeople Linguistics
          (Herbology)

- Legal Defence of Fantastic Beats Seminar
          (Care of Magical Creatures & History of Magic)



The Subjects:

Ancient Runes ------- Heart Rune: Heart on the cover or in the title

Arithmancy ------- Magical qualities of number 2: Read something outside your favourite genre

Astronomy ------- Night classes: Read majority of this book when it's dark outside

Care of Magical Creatures ------- Hippogriffs: Creature with a beak on the cover

Charms ------- Lumos Maxima: White cover

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Grindylows: Book set at the sea/coast

Divination ------- Third eye: Assign numbers to your TBR and use a generator to pick your read

Herbology ------- Mimbulus Mimbletonia: Title starts with an "M"

History of Magic ------- Witch hunts: Book featuring witches/wizards

Muggle Studies ------- Book from a perspective of a muggle (contemporary)

Potions ------- Shrinking Solution: Book under 150 pages

Transfiguration ------- Animagus Lecture: Book/series that includes shapeshifting



My Finished Exams:

Ancient Runes ------- On the Other Side - by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Arithmancy ------- You Need a Budget - by Jesse Mecham

Astronomy ------- Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 5 - by Sui Ishida

Care of Magical Creatures ------- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - by J.K. Rowling

Charms ------- To All the Boys I've Loved Before - by Jenny Han

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- N/A

Divination ------- N/A

Herbology ------- N/A

History of Magic ------- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - by J.K. Rowling

Muggle Studies ------- N/A

Potions ------- Winter's Snow - by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Transfiguration ------- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - by J.K. Rowling



Finished Exam Total: 8/12

Finished Seminar Total: 0/6

2020 Reading Challenge - Monthly Key Words

I wanted to do another year long reading challenge so after some Googling, I found this particular one on GIRLXOXO. It seems pretty interesting and I've never tried one like this before so I thought I'd give it a shot!

There's even a hashtag they created for if you share any social media photos about it -- #MonthlyKeyWordGXO

You can also link back to them in the posts if you'd like to -- Kim is chapter_adventure on Instagram. Kim and Tanya also share an Instagram for their blog which is awesomerxoxo on Instagram.

I'll edit this as I finish corresponding books to help me keep track and to keep you up to date!



How It Works:

This reading challenge runs for the entire year of 2020, and each month has six "key words" (hence the "Monthly Key Word" title of the challenge -- it's a fairly self-explanatory title).

The title can be a variation on the key word, so instead of 'water' you could read a book with the word 'waterfall' in the title. Eg, using 'water' as a prefix.

You're also allowed to tweak the key words to help you out! so instead of using the key word 'forest', you could read a book with the word 'tree' or 'woods' in the title. Eg, synonyms for 'forest'. 



The Key Words:

JANUARY: Water, This, Hello, Sun, New, Six

FEBRUARY: Girl, Any, Love, Red, Note, Throne

MARCH: Dream, Day, In, House, Luck, Friend

APRIL: Lost, Below, City, Jewel, Night, My

MAY: Sky, Name, Blue, Book, Enchant, Is

JUNE: And, Beach, Number, Wish, Down, Word

JULY: Boy, Last, Day, Into, Dear, Summer

AUGUST: Kiss, Flower, When, Happy, North, Right

SEPTEMBER: Star, Cry, She, Window, Forever, Eye

OCTOBER: Haunt, Around, Shadow, Grave, Murder, Deep

NOVEMBER: Look, Forest, Out, Colour, Lock, Now

DECEMBER: Sword, Magic, Fly, Of, Silver, Crown



Key Words Completed:

I haven't managed to read something for every single month, so I'll leave out the months where I didn't read anything that corresponds to the keywords for that month.

JANUARY:
Water: Rules of Rain - by Leah Scheier
This:
Hello:
Sun:
New:
Six:

APRIL: 
Lost:
Below:
City: Tokyo Ghoul, Vol. 5 - by Sui Ishida
Jewel: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - by J.K. Rowling
Night:
My:

MAY: 
Sky: 
Name: My Brother's Name is Jessica - by John Boyne
Blue:
Book:
Enchant: Enchantée - by Gita Trelease
Is:

AUGUST: 
Kiss:
Flower: The Thorn Princess - by Bekah Harris
When:
Happy:
North:
Right:

SEPTEMBER: 
Star:

Cry:
She:
Window: The Boy Who Steals Houses - by C.G. Drews
Forever:
Eye:

OCTOBER: 
Haunt:
Around:
Shadow:
Grave:
Murder:
Deep:

NOVEMBER: 
Look:
Forest:
Out:
Colour:
Lock:
Now:

DECEMBER: 
Sword:
Magic:
Fly:
Of:
Silver:
Crown:



Completed Key Word Total:
January - 1/6
February - 0/6
March - 0/6
April - 2/6
May - 2/6
June - 0/6
July - 0/6
August - 1/6
September - 1/6
October - 0/6
November - 0/6
December - 0/6

2019 N.E.W.Ts - Magical Readathon

Normally the Magical Readthon O.W.Ls would be done in April and the Magical Readathon N.E.W.Ts done in August. But I'm behind, like usual, and I really want to do them this year instead of waiting for April 2020. I want to stick to the rules as much as possible - so I've decided I'd do my O.W.Ls in August and my N.E.W.Ts in September!

As we have finally hit September, so it begins!

If anyone else is in the same boat as me then feel free to join in with me!

Advanced warning: this post is going to be quite long as I'm not going with any specific career this year so I'm mainly just seeing what I do and don't complete therefore everything will be listed below.

Get comfy...



How It Works:

This month-long magical readathon was started by G from Book Roast (go check out her YouTube and Instagram if you haven't already!) This readathon is based on the exams that the Hogwarts students take in the Harry Potter books and movies - their O.W.Ls (Ordinay Wizarding Levels) and their N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).

All the extra documents, like the invitation letter (which includes reading prompts) and the careers guidebook are linked in the description section of the announcement video on G's YouTube channel too. They are absolutely free to download and check out!

After you select a career (although you don't have to if you don't want to), you can check out the prompt list which details the type of book you need to read to "pass" the subject. If you want to know more just check out G's YouTube channel!

In the O.W.Ls you only need to finish one book per subject, however in the N.E.W.Ts you may be required to read multiple books per subject to prove your skill.

Each subject in the N.E.W.Ts will contain three prompts -- each for a specified grade. If you check your career guide, under the N.E.W.Ts section of your chosen profession you will find your required subjects and also a required grade. Check the N.E.W.Ts study guide and find your required subject. Next to the subject it will have three prompts, one for each grade.

To get an Outstanding you have to complete the two prompts before it. This means you have to read three books, completing the prompt for Acceptable, Exceeded Expectations and Outstanding.

Important FAQs:

I copied these from one of the extra documents from the description in G's YouTube video just in case anyone else wanted to join in! I still recommend going and watching her YouTube video though where it's all explained much better than I could ever explain it, plus there's other FAQs you can read if you want too!

Are the prompts the same each time?
No! The prompts change each year to give us some variety.

Are rereads allowed?
Absolutely! Especially of the Harry Potter books ;)

Can I carry on reading a book I've already started?
Unless specified as one of our special prompts all reads must be started and finished within the readathon time frame.

Can I read one book for multiple prompts?
Unfortunately not, it's one exam per book.



Magical Careers:

I listed the 18 different magical careers you could choose from in my O.W.Ls post too, but here they are in case you missed it:

- Alchemist
- Astronomer
- Aurologist
- Auror
- Broom Maker
- Curse Breaker
- Healer
- Herbology
- Hogwarts Professor
- Journalist/Writer
- Librarian
- Magizoologist
- Metal Charmer
- Mind Witch/Wizard
- Ministry Worker
- Potioneer
- Seer
- Wandmaker



The Subjects:

ANCIENT RUNES
A: Ehwaz (partnership) - Read a book recommended by a friend
E: Book written in past tense
O: Book that has been on your TBR for ages

ARITHMANCY
A: Book that ends on an even page number
E: Read a standalone
O: Book that's longer than 350 pages

ASTRONOMY
A: Moon on the cover or anywhere in the title
E: Word "night" in the book title or series name
O: Read a sci-fi book (or book with stars on the cover)

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES
A: Follow the spiders! Why couldn't it be follow the butterflies! - Book title that starts with the letter A for Aragog!
E: Book under 300 pages
O: Grab onto Fawkes' tail - Read a book with a bird on the cover

CHARMS
A: Read a book that you think has a gorgeous cover
E: Read a comic/graphic novel/manga (or read a book under 150 pages)
O: Spongify (softening charm) - Read a paperback book

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: Book that's black under the dust jacket
E: Gilderoy's memory charm (grab a pen!) - First book that you remembered just now from your TBR
O: Cornish pixie! - Swat it away with a book written by an English author or set in England

DIVINATION
A: Read a white book
E: Read a short story or collection of short stories
O: Read the last book you bought/took from the library

HERBOLOGY
A: Mandrake! Quick, put on your headphones! - Listen to an audiobook (if not, green cover)
E: Read a book between 350 - 390 pages
O: Read a book with a flower on the cover

HISTORY OF MAGIC
A: Read a fantasy
E: Read a book that includes a map
O: Tom Riddle's diary: fond memory - Reread a favourite (or a classic)

MUGGLE STUDIES
A: Cover that includes an actual photo element (person, item, place, etc.)
E: Book set in our real world
O: Book written by a person of colour

POTIONS
A: Polyjuice potion - Read your friend's favourite book
E: House ingredient - Book with a cover in your Hogwarts house colour
O: Book that starts with a prologue

TRANSFIGURATION
A: Read a book with LGBTA+ representation
E: Read a book that's not a first in the series
O: Mcgonagall does not mess around!- Read a book over 500 pages


My TBR:

ANCIENT RUNES
A: Cinder
E: Eleanor and Park
O: The Alpha Drive

ARITHMANCY
A: A Thousand Perfect Notes
E: Small Spaces
O: Emergency Contact

ASTRONOMY
A: Darkdawn
E: The Night Circus
O: Finding Wonders: Three Girls Who Changed Science

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES
A: An Abundance of Katherines
E: Super Lexi
O: The Last Falcon

CHARMS
A: Strange the Dreamer
E: Winter's Snow
O: Muse of Nightmares

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: Four Dead Queens
E: Red Queen
O: When the Curtain Falls

DIVINATION
A: I Was Here
E: The Past and Other Lies
O: Fawkes

HERBOLOGY
A: A Court of Frost and Stralight
E: Off the Page
O: Frostblood

HISTORY OF MAGIC
A: A Court of Thorns and Roses
E: A Court of Mist and Fury
O: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

MUGGLE STUDIES
A: The Notebook
E: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
O: The Hate U Give

POTIONS
A: Daisy Jones and the Six
E: Glass Sword
O: Initiate

TRANSFIGURATION
A: They Both Die At The End
E: A Court of Wings and Ruin
O: The Priory of the Orange Tree



My Finished Exams:

ANCIENT RUNES
A: -
E: -
O: -

ARITHMANCY
A: The Quintland Sisters
E: Dare to Dream
O: The Little Paris Bookshop

ASTRONOMY
A: -
E: -
O: -

CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES
A: Animal Farm
E: Super Lexi
O: -

CHARMS
A: Strange the Dreamer
E: Winter's Snow
O: Muse of Nightmares

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS
A: -
E: -
O: -

DIVINATION
A: The Near Witch
E: -
O: -

HERBOLOGY
A: A Court of Frost and Starlight
E: -
O: -

HISTORY OF MAGIC
A: A Court of Thorns and Roses
E: A Court of Mist and Fury
O: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

MUGGLE STUDIES
A: -
E: -
O: -

POTIONS
A: -
E: -
O: -

TRANSFIGURATION
A: They Both Die at the End
E: A Court of Wings and Ruin
O: -



Finished Exam Total:
A: 7/12
E: 5/12
O: 3/12

2019 O.W.Ls - Magical Readathon

I feel like I'm normally one of the last to find things out - this readathon being no exception. Unfortunately as I was already participating in two readathons in July I was already up to my eyeballs in my TBR pile!

Normally the Magical Readthon O.W.Ls would be done in April and the Magical Readathon N.E.W.Ts done in August. But as I'm behind, I really want to do them this year instead of waiting for April 2020 and I want to stick to the rules as much as possible - so I've decided to do my O.W.Ls in August and my N.E.W.Ts in September!

If anyone else is in the same boat as me then feel free to join in with me!



How It Works:

This month-long magical readathon was started by G from Book Roast (go check out her YouTube and Instagram if you haven't already!) This readathon is based on the exams that the Hogwarts students take in the Harry Potter books and movies - their O.W.Ls (Ordinay Wizarding Levels) and their N.E.W.Ts (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests).

All the extra documents, like the invitation letter (which includes reading prompts) and the careers guidebook are linked in the description section of the announcement video on G's YouTube channel too. They are absolutely free to download and check out!

After you select a career (although you don't have to if you don't want to), you can check out the prompt list which details the type of book you need to read to "pass" the subject. If you want to know more just check out G's YouTube channel!

If you don't wish to select any career, the following are the grades:

A: Acceptable = 2 exams complete
E: Exceeded Expectations = 6 exams complete
O: Outstanding = 9 exams complete




Important FAQs:

I copied these from one of the extra documents from the description in G's YouTube video just in case anyone else wanted to join in! I still recommend going and watching her YouTube video though where it's all explained much better than I could ever explain it, plus there's other FAQs you can read if you want too!

Are the prompts the same each time?
No! The prompts change each year to give us some variety.

Are rereads allowed?
Absolutely! Especially of the Harry Potter books ;)

Can I carry on reading a book I've already started?
Unless specified as one of our special prompts all reads must be started and finished within the readathon time frame.

Can I read one book for multiple prompts?
Unfortunately not, it's one exam per book.



Magical Careers:

I'm not sure what career I want to choose yet, so I thought up a TBR just in case and I figured I'd read what takes my fancy next and see how I go from there!

However the 18 different magical careers you could choose from are:

- Alchemist
- Astronomer
- Aurologist
- Auror
- Broom Maker
- Curse Breaker
- Healer
- Herbology
- Hogwarts Professor
- Journalist/Writer
- Librarian
- Magizoologist
- Metal Charmer
- Mind Witch/Wizard
- Ministry Worker
- Potioneer
- Seer
- Wandmaker



The Subjects:

Ancient Runes ------- Retelling

Arithmancy ------- Book written by more than one author

Astronomy ------- "Star" in the title

Care of Magical Creatures ------- Land animal on the cover

Charms ------- Age-line: Read an adult work

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Reducto: Title starts with an "R"

Divination ------- Set in the future

Herbology ------- Plant on the cover

History of Magic ------- Published at least 10 years ago

Muggle Studies ------- Contemporary

Potions ------- Next ingredient: Sequel

Transfiguration ------- Sprayed edges or red cover



My TBR:

Ancient Runes ------- The Looking Glass House - by Vanessa Tait

Arithmancy ------- Memento - by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Astronomy ------- The Fault in Our Stars - by John Green

Care of Magical Creatures ------- The Alpha Drive - by Kristen Martin

Charms ------- Godsgrave - by Jay Kristoff

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Red Queen - by Victoria Aveyard

Divination ------- Dev1at3 - by Jay Kristoff

Herbology ------- Frostblood - by Elly Blake

History of Magic ------- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - by J.K. Rowling

Muggle Studies ------- A Thousand Perfect Notes - by C.G. Drews

Potions ------- Heartstopper Vol. 2 - by Alice Oseman

Transfiguration ------- The Smoke Thieves - by Sally Green



My Finished Exams:

I swapped books for a few of the subjects so this list doesn't quite match my TBR above. But plans can easily be changed - nothing's set in stone.

Ancient Runes ------- N/A

Arithmancy ------- Memento - by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Astronomy ------- N/A

Care of Magical Creatures ------- It's Not What It Looks Like - by Molly Burke

Charms ------- Godsgrave - by Jay Kristoff

Defense Against the Dark Arts ------- Reign the Earth - by A.C. Gaughen

Divination ------- N/A

Herbology ------- In an Absent Dream - by Seanan McGuire

History of Magic ------- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - by J.K. Rowling

Muggle Studies ------- N/A

Potions ------- Heartstopper, Vol. 2 - by Alice Oseman

Transfiguration ------- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - by J.K. Rowling



Finished Exam Total: 8/12

The Flatshare - by Beth O'Leary

Title: The Flatshare

Author: Beth O'Leary

Published: 23 April 2019

Series: -

Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis:

Tiffy and Leon share a flat
Tiffy and Leon share a bed
Tiffy and Leon have never met…
Tiffy Moore needs a cheap flat, and fast. Leon Twomey works nights and needs cash. Their friends think they’re crazy, but it’s the perfect solution: Leon occupies the one-bed flat while Tiffy’s at work in the day, and she has the run of the place the rest of the time. 
But with obsessive ex-boyfriends, demanding clients at work, wrongly imprisoned brothers and, of course, the fact that they still haven’t met yet, they’re about to discover that if you want the perfect home you need to throw the rulebook out the window…

Trigger Warning: emotional abuse

I listened to this as an audiobook. These two narrators did a fantastic job reading this! I loved this book.

It did take me a bit to get into the swing of the story with Leon's chapters as I did wonder why he was speaking that way. It did make a little more sense after it was explained he tried to use the least amount of words possible.

I was definitely hoping Tiffy and Leon would get together though! The way that Tiffy knew things about Leon without ever having met him was great too - things like the way that he liked his coffee and how she knew when he had overslept his alarm by where he placed his coffee cup in the apartment.

Richie was also a great brother in my opinion as even thought it was difficult to see him and talk to him because of reasons (read the book to find out what I'm talking about!), Richie still tried to protect and take care of Leon. I'm also glad that Leon never stopped fighting for Richie!

One of my favourite parts would have to be all the Post-Its. Part of me was hoping that they would write all the little notes in a notebook or something so there'd be no having to clean up Post-Its and also so they'd be able to keep all the notes for later.

Another of my favourite parts would definitely have to be how they met! It was fun, cute and awkward all in one but well worth the wait to see them meet!

I did feel bad for Tiffy, but I'm glad that she was able to overcome all the obstacles in her way - I'm especially glad that her friends and the people she cares about were able to help her overcome them. The way that Beth O'Leary talked about the topic of Tiffy's emotional abuse was fantastic though.

Those final lines were my undoing! I'm not crying, you're crying!

Also it's cool that there's a bit of an interview between Carrie and Beth at the end of the audiobook after the final chapter.

I would definitely recommend this book to people who love a cutesy story!