Thursday, June 27, 2013

DNF: Confessions of Almost girlfriend by Louise Rozett and Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun

Confessions of an Almost-Girlfriend (Confessions, #2)
 Confessions of Almost girlfriend (Confessions #2) by Louise Rozett
Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year—everything is going to be different. This year, she’s going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jamie Forta jerk her around...
...but if she’s not careful, she’s also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the “good girl” who finds herself in mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possibly worst of all...the almost-girlfriend.
When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

”add

Publishes in US: June 18th 2013 by Harlequin
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Harlequin via Netgalley
Series? Yes. Confessions #2. My review here

Buy it:  Amazon  Barnes & Noble
IndieBound  Book Depository

Find Louise online: ~site ~twitter ~facebook
Ink (Paper Gods, #1)
Ink (Paper Gods #1) by Amanda Sun
I looked down at the paper, still touching the tip of my shoe. I reached for it, flipping the page over to look.Scrawls of ink outlined a drawing of a girl lying on a bench.A sick feeling started to twist in my stomach, like motion sickness.And then the girl in the drawing turned her head, and her inky eyes glared straight into mine.On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

I wrote a post awhile back about negative reviews, and how I don't review if I don't finish, and a very wise blogger pointed out that knowing what a blogger doesn't like can be valuable to publishers and authors too. Then another blogger mentioned she did a did not finish post and I thought it was a great idea. That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end. So, here we go:

Confessions
Stopped at: 5%
   I totally would have gotten this reviewed before or on the pub date but I didn't realize the date had been changed. When I look on Netgalley first I write that date on my calendar. :)
   I just couldn't get back into Rose's head. The first bit was all about partying and  people picking on homosexuality and none of the stuff that I remember liking about the first book. I know that Rose didn't agree with what they were doing as far as gays and that she didn't like the hazing, but still, it was there. These are all important topics and I think that the author did a good job showing it wasn't okay from Rose's eyes. 
   Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the topics or for Rose, but I just wasn't immersed into the story. I kept putting it down, and looking for other stuff to do, so maybe a reread at another time. 

Positive reviews from my bloggy buddies:

Ink:
Stopped at 5%
    I think that the cultural references and the use of Japanese turned me off immediately and then I had problems with Tomohiro. He was too big of a jerk for me to even classify it as a bad boy with a soft spot. Because he was obviously hiding a lot, but just the way he was talking to and treating his exgirlfriend it was too much for me to handle. 
   I didn't connect with Katie. She was stalkerish and too impulsive for me to relate to. 
   I loved the concept and the cover, but ultimately it didn't work for me. 

Positive reviews from blogging buddies:

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Have you ever had an "almost" relationship? How did it turn out?
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37 comments:

  1. I kind of understand why you'd stopped immediately at 5% ink Ink. I think it's written for a particular type of audience, which is, those who love watching anime/jdrama and reading manga, more than anyone else. The sprinkling of Japanese words everywhere would definitely make someone not familiar with the culture off, while those like us would go, "HEY! I KNOW THAT WORD!" LOL. But nevertheless, I think you didn't miss anything much because it wasn't that special. I reviewed it here and gave it 2 stars. Sigh. It's really too bad cause it had sooo much potential.

    Faye @ The Social Potato

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    Replies
    1. Aw, sorry it wasn't your favorite either. I was never into the manga

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    2. It was definitely more aimed at those who love anime/jdramas for sure! While reading it, I just kept thinking this is nothing but an over dramatic Jdrama/Kdrama, that's all I could think about.

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  2. I have to say I've never been drawn to the Confessions series. I don't like the idea of the love interest having another girlfriend, something about the way it's described just bugs me. I know Jasprit loves this series but I fear it would annoy the heck out of me.

    Ink is another book I never felt the urge to pick up. Sounds like that was a good decision. Great honest reviews, Brandi. :)

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  3. I plan to read Confessions at some point, b/c I do feel I might like it. I dnf'd Ink at nearly 50%. I didn't hate it, but it was a chore. I didn't like the guy either, or how the girl continually followed him around.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  4. I agree, Tomo was such a jerk. I love Japan as a cultural experience though and that's the reason I suffered through that jerk-iness of his. I still haven't read the Confessions series, but I want to soon. I'm sorry you couldn't connect with the MC this time around :(

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    Replies
    1. I just couldn't warm up to Tomo.
      Me and Rose just didn't click

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  5. I'm really looking forward to Ink. I think/hope it will work better for me, because the Japanese aspect is what I'm interested in most. Too bad it wasn't for you. :-(

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    1. The cultural aspects are neat, but the language bothered me

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  6. Thanks for the honest opinions! I've never really had much interest in either of these books, but Ink's cover is awesome! And I understand about not being in the mood for certain books.

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  7. I was curious about Ink but I finally didn't take it. Sorry it wasn't for you.

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  8. Sorry you didn't like Ink. No book is for everyone. I just love books set in other cultures we aren't used to seeing, so that was a plus for me. I agree with what you said, but it worked out for me as I read more. However, if you don't like it, I can see you stopping. Also, thanks for linking!

    Oh and if I cannot connect at all with characters, that does not bode well for a book for me either. Hopefully your next reads are better!

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    Replies
    1. If I don't connect with a character, that is the end

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  9. I have been reading such great reviews on the Confessions book, perhaps you just need to give it another go. I know Ink is a hit or miss with many.

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  10. The only thing I enjoyed about this book was the idea or the mythology in the book and some of the Japanese-ness in it. But I found it way over dramatic, as in the character's actions did not feel real at all. Also, Tomo was... a pooh head! It was an okay read... Loved your honest review!!

    Magen Corrie
    ~Corrie the Book Crazed Girl

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  11. I enjoyed Ink, though at first the Japanese was kind of annoying and I found myself looking the words up online to see what they meant. And I agree, that Katie's stalkerish ways were also annoying, and this had me considering giving up aswell. But I found Tomohiro intriguing and that's what made me continue on. There's a good reason why he treats his girlfriend the way he does, but it's not revealed until later in the story. I'm glad I stuck with it, but understand why it wasn't for you.

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    Replies
    1. yeah, drawing me out of the book to look stuff up doesn't do well for me

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  12. Oh no, I'm sorry these didn't work for you! I haven't read Confessions, but it's on my TBR pile. I enjoyed Ink, but I totally understand your reservations. Thanks for your honesty, and I hope your next read is better! :-)

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    Replies
    1. I liked the first one but couldn't get into it this time

      Delete
  13. I really enjoyed the cultural aspect of Ink but the characters let it down for me. I haven't been interested in the Confessions series at all, the meh reviews I have read all seem to mention the lack of love for the MC so I'll be skipping this one.

    Thank-you for sharing your honest thoughts! :-)

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  14. I heard some other people talk about the stalking part of Ink, so I'm pretty sure I'll skip that one. I've been a little interested in the Confessions books, but I'm not sure when I'll read them. Great post and reasons why you DNF!

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  15. I do not blame you for DNFing INK at. all. Although I got through it, it sure wasn't that enjoyable. Why waste your time reading something you don't like? Hope your next reads are better!

    Alise @ Readers In Wonderland

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  16. INK was a DNF for me too. I wanted to like it but couldnt. Another DNF is the 5th Wave, I feel bad because I should like it, a lot of other bloggers loved it, I was like "Ugh". I couldnt get into the story. If i am able to look around, watch tv, think about other books, etc. Most likely its a DNF for me,

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    1. Aw, I still haven't read the 5th Wave but hop I will like it

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  17. Sorry these didn't work for you, I haven't tried either and I know reviewers either loved them or didn't.

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  18. I have ink and have been having a very hard time getting in to it my self. I'm glad that you posted these reviews even if you did not like the books. I think that its good for bloggers to post reviews no matter what their views.
    good reviews, very honest

    DaydreamerN
    Http://www.daydreamerN.blogspot.com

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  19. I've heard mixed things about Ink too and it was the reason I held off from requesting it on Netgalley although the cover was pretty =)

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  20. Oh no! My friend DNF'd this one as well. I'm starting it today. *bites nails* lol

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  21. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Ink! I can understand though...I'm really use to all of the Japanese culture and language because I watch, read and listen to Japanese stuff on a semi regular basis. I think it's a love it or leave it kind of book.

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  22. I was upset about the change in Confessions date too! Glad someone else saw a different date originally. Sorry it didn't really work for you-as you saw, I quite liked it but maybe it was just your mood and you'll be able to pick it up again later.

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