Thank you! I finally read ACOTAR bc a friend begged me to and promised me that if I would “just hang in there” I would love it. I did not love it. I’ve been debating whether I want to try book #2. You just put into words exactly how I felt abt acotar but couldn’t describe. I agree wholeheartedly with you!
The series gets better after book 1! That's what people usually mean by "just hang in there" 😊 The first book is very slow and a lot of world building, but not much else, but the rest of the series is known for being better than the first book! Most people seem to like book 4 and 5 the most, but all of them after book 1 are definitely more enjoyable!
Lol I haven't given in yet mainly because of this! Who wants to read a while ass book before it gets interesting? Not me lol This happened with 50 shades for me as well. I think i made it 1/4 through the 1st book and was like this is terrible writing, I'm not finishing haha. These reviews are entertaining though.
Honestly, having finished the series, I am not a fan. It does get a little better after book one, but ultimately I really wished I hadn't wasted my time. I'm just not a fan of SJM writing style. It reads middle grade with adult content.
The very last one is the best one, and works as a stand alone book in my opinion. Definitely worth a shot. It’s told from a completely different perspective, and focuses mainly on character development.
THANK YOU!! The ACOTAR lovers are so loud and I am so happy to have you speak my thoughts and feelings on these books! 😅 I love this video series so much and get so excited to sit down and listen to your honest reviews, thanks again!
I’ve mentioned this before, have you ever considered listening to audiobooks? You knit shit while hearing a book! Or do you feel listening to a book doesn’t equate to reading one? Are we audio listeners just lazy? Or blind?🤪
0:00 Intro 0:38 Rating System 2:00 Lovelight Farm Series by B.K. Borison 3:50 “Lovelight Farms” 6:26 “In the Weeds” 6:52 “Mixed Signals” 6:58 “Business Casual” 7:36 “Wild Eyes” by Elsie Silver 11:34 “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas 16:22 “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas 19:24 “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld 22:20 “A Knight In Shining Armor” by Jude Deveraux 27:00 The Morning 27:50 “Funny You Should Ask” by Elissa Sussman 33:43 “The Holly Jolly Ever After” by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone 39:47 “The Graham Effect” by Elle Kennedy 40:02 “Loathe to Love You” by Ali Hazelwood 42:30 Short Stores, Non-Fiction, Mystery, etc. 42:18 “A Comedy of Nobodies” by Baron Ryan 46:56 “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie 47:03 “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie 48:26 “Five Little Pigs” by Agatha Christie 48:33 “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie 48:48 Favorites books of this review Love you Elyse. Go read “Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman. It is a book I wish I could read all over again for the first time.
I so appreciate that you shared your true feelings about ACOTAR. It can be very hard for me to share my true feelings about super popular books too, so I am inspired and encouraged by your honesty!
If you're not a fantasy reader, you're not going to enjoy a fantasy book. ACOTAR isn't going to solve that for you. However! If you've never read a fantasy book, you know, give it a go! It's gotten so many people into fantasy that had no idea they enjoyed the genre, which is why (I believe) people are so enthusiastic about it. It unlocked a whole new world of reading for some.
That’s what it was for me! My whole life I claimed I hated ANYTHING fantasy (never enjoyed fantasy movies either) but ACOTAR completely changed my mind. I now mainly read fantasy books 😂 it is my preferred genre
Can I please recommend you Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey? Are you specifically in it for the smut, or do you care about writing and worldbuilding and character dynamics? Its not a booktok darling, I think because it's long and more of a traditional fantasy that just happens to have lots of sex. Its actually well written and miles above acotar. But it's long so if your attention span is small you may have an issue with it. It's so good though. The story takes place in fantasy france (called Terre d'Ange, land of angels) because in the past a band of angels who accompanied "god" eventually settled in France and all it's people are descendants of these angels. One of the angels was Naamah and she had sex with men to pay their way through the world. As such, sex work in Terre d'Ange is holy. The story follows Phedre, a young girl of the night court who is adopted by a lord and trained and raised to be a spy and a courtesan. He adopted her because she has a red speck in her eye which makes her special. It means she's a scion of Kushiel, the angel of pain and justice, and is "cursed"(? Idk you decide) to experience pain as pleasure. And as such she quite literally has a god given BDSM kink that she uses along with her wits to save the country not once, not twice, but thrice. Also she has a bodyguard who's is in the Casseline brotherhood dedicated to one of the other angels and he's taken vows of celibacy. But there's something between them and its kinda enemies to lovers. Also as a bodyguard, if she's ever in danger of being captured and tortured, these Casselines have a move called the terminus where they unsheath both daggers, toss one into the air, catch it by the tip, and throw the blade into their clients heart, while simultaneously taking the other blade and slitting their own throat at the same time. And I think thats romantic as fuck lmao. The books are incredible and incredibly written. Im not the target demo for booktok books in general (28yo man who reads scifi and fantasy, thats why i stick to booktube) much less booktok smut, because I find most smut cringe and cheesy, but this is some of the only smut I've liked and it's actually extremely plot relevant a lot of the time. The books are wonderful and Phedre is one of my fav "strong female characters" because so many authors make the mistake of making women strong by making them masculine. But not so with Phedre. She's extremely strong but super feminine and its refreshing. The books are incredible. Highly recommend 😊
That's exactly it for me. I wasn't hugely into fantasy and was never a big reader either. ACOTAR helped me get more into fantasy and reading in general. It was also my first time trying a book with any spice.
I was the older reader that recommended A Knight in Shining Armor. The funny thing is .. i read that book as a 23 year old back in the early 90s. I also cried. Only one other book ever made me cry. 🤷🏻♀️ I’m so glad you loved it so much! I haven’t read many romances since then actually .. but I still remembered it. Maybe I will pick up that Romantic Comedy one you talked about. 😊❤
I’m so glad you like them!!! I’m still a little self conscious when I post them but I’m trying my best to be honest and say something meaningful around each book and hope that’s enough!
Your ACOTAR review is important and I would say more helpful than others, so thank you for posting despite roast concerns! Based on the people I know IRL who liked it, I was pretty sure I would not enjoy it and your honest feedback reaffirms that for me. Also, "just get through it"?! Reading is supposed to be a fun lil hobby, why would I force myself to "endure" something I don't like?! We have enough of that, thank you!
I feel like the moment you explained why you’re not a huge fantasy fan, it all made sense. I think you REALLY gotta be into fantasy and escaping the world in order to really enjoy the world building. I’m just happy you read it!!!
Yes! I was just coming to say that. How she was saying that she wants things to be closer to reality, I was thinking I want the exact opposite. As soon as anything gets too normal, my brain turns off 😂 glad to know we’re opposites, Elyse.
Elyse I ate this up and then immediately rewatched it. I will never get tired of your book reviews; It's clear how much work and heart you put in to them. Thanks for being so authentic and hilarious!
Honestly as a HUGE fantasy fan and long time fantasy reader I completely agree with you about ACOTAR. I did really enjoy the second book but I don't think just that book made the whole series worth it for me. There are definitely great aspects of that series, but as a whole it's definitely not my favorite. I can't imagine as a non-fantasy reader how you even got through it haha
I was looking through the comments to find a fantasy reader! Do you have good book suggestions?! ACOTAR was okay for me but I love fantasy and now can’t get myself to commit to picking up another fantasy book because I’m too nervous now 😂😂
@@meganrichardson2959 if you’re looking for cozy I’d say The House in the Cerulean Sea (wonderfully hilarious) or Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. A nice dip into Romantasy? I’d go with Divine Rivals. A little further into the Romantasy pool? The Serpent and the Wings of Night. I know a lot of people liked One Dark Window, meh. Oh I did really enjoy Ninth House (fantasy/paranormal/dark academia). If you really wanna go fantasy, dive into Tolkien’s world! (Also side note, all these books are either part of a duology or series) OH another good one is The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (sci-fi)
@@meganrichardson2959 I love fantasy but didn’t love acotar. I recommend fourth wing. I read that before acotar and I was sorely disappointed that acotar was nowhere near as good as fourth wing.
Yall, the Throne of Glass series (also Sarah J Maas) it’s genuinely the best fantasy adult series I’ve ever read. It’s all the good stuff from ACOTAR but with WAY better pacing and likeable female protagonists. I also liked Fourth Wing a lot but genuinely TOG is even better. Reading TOG feels the same way reading Harry Potter felt in childhood
You have genuinely helped me fall back in love with reading and realizing IT IS OKAY NOT TO LOVE EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU’D LIKE. I went from reading like maybe one book a year to reading 8 last year. Thank youuu ❤❤❤❤
I am *SO* glad to hear someone echo my feelings on ACOTAR! I feel like I personally offend others when I say I hated the first book so much that I refuse to read the rest of the series. I feel validated - thank you!
LOVE the book reviews and when I got the notification you posted, I immediately put my toddler down to rest and sat down to watch. I share a lot of your feelings on the ACOTAR series and I finished it just last week. I ended up enjoying the last book the most because it felt the most connected and beautifully written, which was confirmed by reading the author’s acknowledgments. Definitely not saying you have to continue on - you do you, girl - BUT I loved it.
I love that you are so honest in your reviews! I am always telling my kids “everyone gets to like what they like.” It’s so nice to see someone honestly say they like and don’t. I have read a few really popular books that just did not resonate with me, and it’s hard to speak up about that sometimes. Thanks for modeling that! I❤
I'm an older romance reader. I read Knight in Shining Armor many years ago and I also cried my heart out. Literally blubbered after I read that book! Can't remember crying so hard since then. As for reading a book quickly, I think that's the highest compliment. When I've read a book fast, it's because the plot is compelling, I care about the characters, and the writing is effortless as to be a dream. Why a writer would be insulted by this is a puzzlement.
The desire to have created something I’ve seen is often SOOO STRONG in me. I’ve never heard anyone else describe, or talk about having, that feeling. ❤
"that's a poorly written series!" -- damn right. I have no idea why ACOTAR is so popular. I hope that you'll eventually get something out of your read that can redeem it for you though! It's a big time and emotional energy investment.
Elyse. Even if I love a book. I love the honesty of your reviews. The ACOTAR series pulled me out of a reading slump and I think that is true for many people. I appreciate your criticism and having read more I think it's a very good breakdown of the issues in the book. I'll always have a place in my heart for this series but I really never recommend it unless someone is into fantasy or wants to get into romantasy. We need to hear and appreciate not only reviews of books you love but books you do not like. If anyone sends you hate I'll throw hands!!
Perhaps off topic, but i love seeing you fold your books while you talk about them. Makes them look extra well loved. The length of this video was more than worth the wait. 💚💚
I will take your ACOTAR review and keep it in mind for people who can be sensitive to violence and gore. For me, ACOMF was a unique story that I have never read before. And I was on a dopamine high for about a year (I’m not kidding). But I realize that not everyone is going to feel that way. I also felt the second half of ACOTAR moved very fast and was entertaining. It was the first half that I felt people had to “get through.” Thanks for your honesty
I'm with you on the acotar series. First, my experience with the first book vs the rest of the series is that it didn't feel connected at all. Even Tamlin seemed like a totally different person in book 1 than he did in book 2. I don't regret reading the series, but it's not one that I'll reread later.
As someone who also thinks the ACOTAR series is just okay, I really appreciate listening to your opinion. It's nice to hear other contrasting thoughts.
Love your reviews. It was a great surprise to hear you talk about A Knight in Shining Armor. It’s been my favourite book for like 30 years. Love that you loved it!
Highly recommend Kristen Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series, the first being The Gamble. She is such a unique writer in that all of her books are romances but they *always* focus so heavily on the beauty of female friendship. I think you’d like her storytelling, the characters, the spice, the small town-y feel.
I love the ACOTAR series, but I understand why it wasn't your cup of tea. You mentioned how much gore and sadness there were in the first two, and I would recommend ending it after the third book. The first three are Feyre's arc, and it will still feel like a complete story with just those three. The fourth is bitter sweet and shows how multiple multiple characters are rebuilding (or not) after the third book. The fifth follows her sister Nesta and is arguably darker. Nesta is also very polarizing, and unlike Feyre she processes her grief through anger/self-hate.
Oh a fantasy book i really really loved that isn’t too heavy on world building and has a very enemies to lovers dynamic with the main characters is “forest of dreams and whispers” the banter is just so witty and fun i have never highlighted a book that much before.
I’m crocheting and needed something to listen to but I finished my audiobook yesterday so I thought I’d pop on UA-cam instead and this was the first thing on my subscription page so now I get something to listen to for *almost* an hour AND I get to find something to else to listen to for the next few days!
I love the honesty in your reviews. I've read majority of the books your review already so its really fun to get different perspectives from another reader. I also admire your ability to articulate your thoughts on why a book or series didn't/did work for you, even if I completely disagree. I always feel like I understand more about what I value in books and reading from the reviews of yours I agree with and disagree with ❤ thanks for always keeping your joy, enthusiasm, and honesty elyse also I IGHLY suggest Daydream (the third book in the maple hill interconnected standalone)-- you don't even really need to read the first two although the second is pretty good because the characters reminded me so much of Love Theoretically
We could never hate you for being yourself Elyse!! I’m a loud ACOTAR lover and I’m glad you gave your review! If you are not a fantasy girlie then I would expect this type of review. I think you handled it with grace and respect to all people of differing opinions. There is still a huge difference between Romantasy and Contemporary Romance. The camps are very different. The fantasy element is a beast to devour. It’s absolutely not for everyone and that’s okay!! Us romantasy lovers like and want to work for it. Some Contemporary Romance lovers don’t! Neither is right or wrong. I still appreciate you taking the time to discover for yourself and chatting with us about your honest feelings! One of my favorite content creators just giving a book I love a chance is more than enough for me.
My opinion, hang with me. Acotar is the Harry Potter of ramantasy. It seems the people who are most passionate about it read it as a “gateway” into reading, or into the specific genre. So they look at it with fondness because of the nostalgia of getting into reading. Then you go and read more epic fantasy or more spicy books, and if you go back and read acotar, it wasn’t the 10/10 you remember. Part of the excitement also lies in the fandom. The fan theories, the discussion, the camaraderie, … that’s even better than the actual text. Does that make sense? It makes sense in my mind.
“the world is rich but the text is not” you have perfectly and concisely explained why i can’t get into so many of the popular Romantasy novels. thats exactly the problem! ETA: just want to clarify that i am a fan of fantasy and i dont mind world building but it needs good prose to go with it.
Dear Elyse, THANK YOU FOR BEING SO REAL!!! ❤ I read Throne of Glass by SJM (her first series, I can't remember if you've read it) and was absolutely appalled by how she wrote ACOTAR. I was so annoyed and angry reading the whole series. Everyone told me "the last book makes the series" and I kept saying "so that means the series is BAD." Anyway, thank you for sharing pretty much all of the same feelings I had about those books. Love ToG. It will always be my favorite series. HATE ACOTAR. 😅
I’m currently on the 3rd book of lovelight farms and I also started with the 4th book!!!! And I love how both the men and women have baggage rather than it just being the girls and the boys being their hero’s. I also love how quick they get together rather than it dragging
I love the clarification of "quick read!" I feel the same b/c I'm a slow reader but if I find a book I can't put down I consider it a quick read. Love these reviews!
Elyse, I love your book reviews so much! I just love how you speak about the books you read and i kept having ideas and book recs based on what you were saying. Then you asked to know if we had any so as a librarian who loves reading romance, here are mine! 1. For neurodivergence and mental health (anxiety/depression) rep, Daydream by Hannah Grace. I know you didn't enjoy Icebreaker, but this one is sooo different. It's not nearly as spicy or as hockey focused. It's so much deeper. Both MCs are AuDHD adjacent (and there's a very interesting prologue by the author on why it's not clearly mentionned) and their struggles made me feel so seen. It really has a special place in my heart. 2. For more neurodivergence and mental health (anxiety/depression/ocd) rep (plus it's queer!), The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun. It's one of my favorites. Such a cute romance, has humor but also cuts deep and i really liked how the mental health aspects were handled in this one. 3. For disability (and eventually neurodivergence rep), the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert. These are just so much fun while also handling more serious subjects beautifully. I'd say they're spicier than the others but it's been a while since i read them so maybe i remember wrong. The third one (Act Your Age Eve Brown) has the female MC go through discovering she might not be as neurotypical as she thought, so it's my favorite and i think you'd enjoy it too. Thats all i have for now! Oh and i have to say thank you for making me discover Elsie Silver!!! I picked up Wild Love after you raved about it and she's now one of my favorite authors!
Holly Jolly Ever After IS a series! It’s #2 in the series. The first book is called “A Merry Little Meet Cute” and the third book is called “A Jingle Bell Mingle” I just finished the third book! They are SO cute! There are also two novellas that are #1.5 and #2.5.
Ahh Ive been waiting for this! I'm not a fantasy reader but the peer pressure has been telling me to read ACOTAR and this was my sign to not do it. My brain is wired like yours, the more the story could be true the more I love it! I can't wait to read your recommendations! I've just gotten back into reading after not having read but a few times since my kids were born and being the biggest reader and writer when I was in school and my early 20s. My husband bought me a kindle for Christmas and it has made me feel like myself again 😅 I also use your scales when I'm rating my reads and have a notion page for tracking my TBR and what I've finished and I keep all my notes in there, so satisfying to write about my reads when I have no one to talk to about them ❤
Yay Elyse! These book reviews make me so happy thank youuuuu! For recommendations- I always get the Wild Love series and Done and Dusted series mixed up in my brain (similar tropes / storylines / setting / spice) and I think I prefer the Done and Dusted series more! Just finished the 3rd book and was obsessed. Book 4 is coming out this year. I recommend if you’re enjoying Wild Love! Also Katherine Center writes light romcom books (enjoyable!) But! I was reading her backlog and some of her earlier books are more emotional and I loved them!! “Things you save in a fire” and “Happiness for beginners” were some of my top books this year 💕
You should try the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. I think that's the best series to get used to his writing style and then move into his other books.
I love your book reviews so much and always look forward to them ❤️ I also wanted to say, as a fantasy and ACOTAR lover, your opinions are absolutely valid! It's not the first time I've heard similar sentiments and that is okay! I hope you don't feel pressured to continue the series if you aren't enjoying it. Although I loved all of the books, there are a lot of dark themes in A Court of Wings and Ruin & A Court of Silver Flames. A lot of violence in both books as well. If you find them depressing and hard to get through, it's okay to DNF despite what "backlash" you may get from the internet. I'm sure you know this but just thought it didn't hurt to mention it ❤
I have been rewatching your other book reviews while waiting for the new one. Absolutely love them. I also have picked couple books from your recommendations 😊
Literally watched this twice in a row, once for comfort background video as I cleaned and the second to lock in and get some new book recommendations. I couldn’t get into book 1 of ACOTAR 🤷🏻♀️. I LOVED Yours Truly and Part of Your World and read them bc of your review (and my first fiction book in a long time) Also the male lead voice actor for those books really made the audiobook! As for Romantic Comedy, it was a DNF for me 😬 it was all over the place & felt forced? And agree it’s cool if ppl don’t like the same thing. However I think most ppl here can agree that we SUPER LOVED the long format. Felt like listening to a friend while doing random house things 😆🫶🏽
So funny how different peoples brains are. I love fantasy because sometimes if its too "real" it completely stresses me out. I don't try so hard to follow absolutely everything and am just along for the ride. Love the reviews, so fun to get ideas/recommendations!
Even though our book tastes are so different, I love the respect you give the books you love- and the ones you don’t! Genuinely love your book reviews and will always tune in 🫶🏼
I'm SOOO curious to hear your updates as you go through ACOTAR. Because I completely agree with you that the first book is not the one - but you have hints of saying "I understand why it needed to happen now that I read the second one" and you feel that way throughout the entire rest of the series. It makes it ALLLL make sense and gives it importance. and you will LOVE the increase in spice as it goes. I def agree that if you don't like fantasy you just don't like fantasy! But it really does get so much better and it makes me appreciate the first one even more
And I feel like people say "you gotta get through it" not necessarily because its bad but because it evolves so much so you NEED to get through the foundations if that makes sense?
It was part of the books that sparked my love of reading back up. But I absolutely have never recommended it to a single person I know😂 My favorite of her series is throne of glass, but if you're like Elyse and need real world and romance - that isn't the book for you either. It's very fantasy (high fantasy) and that series has less spice overall. But it is such a fantastic world with really developed characters, who grow over time, and every time you think you know the world/characters there's a little bit of a wrench thrown into the works. Personally love a book that can surprise me. So I appreciate that lol But again, if you don't like fantasy then just stay away from sjm completely - because all of her books have a solid degree of fantasy ahah
Your entire ACOTAR explanation is giving the sound bit circulating rn that's like "ARE YOU KIDDING!? ARE YOU KIDDING!? SHE DID ALL-- I need to calm down..." 🤣😅 that's all my brain could think every time you tried to calm down lol But on a more serious note THANK YOU FOR being honest about how you felt!!!! I have sooo many ppl telling me how baaadly I need to read this series and I feel a lot of pressure to sometimes but like... I don't know how much I'd enjoy it, so your review actually helped take a LOT of that self-imposed negativity off of me lol
As an ACOTAR lover, I totally understand your experience with it. ACOMAF is one of my favorite books of all time because of the character relationships, but if you're not a fantasy fan, its definitely not for you 😅 I am a fantasy only reader, totally opposite of you, and I'm not interested in realistic fiction at all. So, no hate on you for disliking it. Not in your typical wheelhouse, and that's okay 😊 (And yes, the first book is really rough, which is very frustrating. I almost DNFd the series after it, too)
Hey Elsie, I usually don't comment on any channels and I know this is very random but I just have to tell you that you make such a positive impact on the world. I was on the verge of tears, stressed out of my mind, and when I saw you posted a video, it was such a huge relief because when I watch your videos, it feels like I'm talking to an old friend and all of my fear and stress just melts away for a while. You have helped me through some terrible times and I'm so grateful for all that you do, thank you so much. 🫶🫶🫶
Elyse, I love your book reviews so much! If I had to recommend a book series for u, I'd say The Outlander series is one that I think u will love. Even if u have seen the show, the books contain more detail and are a wonderful world to get lost in. Also, the author Diana Gabaldon keeps them pretty historically accurate so u learn a lot about American, English, and Scottish history in a fun and exciting way while also being fully immersed in this epic love story full of adventure as well. Highly recommend!
coming here to say this!! The reasons you loved A Knight in Shining Armor made me immediately think of Outlander. The books are long but they are so good (especially the first in my opinion!) Just be sure to read the trigger warnings ahead of time.
It’s okay to have different opinions on books. Not all books are for everyone. I really love ACOTAR because it helped me through depression. I still enjoyed your review on all books. 😊
I loved this whole review video!! I have so many new books on my list now. I’m really happy about there was a review on the ACOTAR series. So many people raved about it so I read the back of the books and they absolutely didn’t seem like something I’d be in to.. I held off and I’m glad I did! I would not have been able to follow along and it would have been a waste of money for me. Lol.
So I did like ACOTAR (wasn’t my favorite but I did enjoy it)…. I love the honest review! Not everyone is going to like all the same books. But I love the book reviews as a whole. I’m going to have a less then great afternoon and I’m watching this video now to add some extra joy to my day.😊
Hey Elyse! I've been following you for awhile and just realized that we're neighbors! (Kind of, I live in Lincoln but my best friend lives in Omaha) I also have a son, he turned 2 yesterday. You inspire me a lot, I'm glad to have people like you in this world.
Your reviews are the highlight of my month!! 😂 I completely agree with Wild Eyes!! The first book was my favorite!! I thought Skylar was so shallow!! I didn’t like her but West was so wonderful!! ❤
I really can’t wait for you to get to silver flames 😂😂😂 I appreciate the honesty because I felt the same about the first book and got ROASTED by my friends when I said I didn’t much like ACOTAR except for the last half.
This comment^^ silver flames is where her ‘there is no spice in this series’ comment was inaccurate. I skipped half of the book because it was soooooo 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I love Agatha Christie. She is truly the Queen of Mystery. If you love Hercule Poirot, then you MUST look up the movies where Kenneth Branagh plays Poirot. They're really well done.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Acotar, you put into words how I felt about it. It's reassuring to hear you honestly say you don't like it and wouldn't recommend it. I've had a few friends racing about it and only one who shares my thoughts. I only read book 1 and some of 2 and gave up. I always love your book review videos, I always find new books to add to my list because of them. Specifically the romantic comedy style ones. Thank you 😊 ❤
I'm so excited that you read A Knight in Shining Armor! Literally one of the first historical/fantasy romance novels I EVER read and I fell in LOVE with it. It made me fall in love with historical fiction and time travel and Jude Deveroux in general- such fun books to read- they always make me happy!! And I LOVE your ACOTAR review.
So excited to see a Jude Deveraux book! My mother in law recommended one of her books to me and I was nervous to start because it did not feel like something I would like, but man was I wrong. Nice to see her talked about!
Your book reviews are best!!! I had been hoping for another. I read King of Wrath because of your review and now I’m into the series. We have similar tastes! I need to check out Lovelight Farms. Keep them coming!
Thank you for loving and reviewing Agatha Christie ❤ just FYI poirot is actually Belgian, just from apart that speaks French. Which of course still makes him very french lol
Your assessment of Funny You Should Ask is totally valid. I really struggled with the timeline jumping too. It was confusing at points and I had to rewind the audiobook a lot. It was an awesome book though! I’m definitely going to check out Romantic Comedy since you said it’s very similar! I love, love, LOVE the Christmas Notch series by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. I really loved A Holly Jolly Christmas. I felt for Winnie and Callum so much. I know exactly what part you were referring to when you mentioned the pacing. 😂 I was annoyed with it too. The spice made me blush a first then I was like “oh, hell yeah!” 😂 The first one A Merry Little Meet Cute was good too! I think it’s my favorite one so far. I haven’t read the newest one about Isaac yet, so tbd! As for mysteries, I don’t like intense, anxiety inducing scary things. So I prefer cozy mysteries. The ones I’ve been obsessed with lately is Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson and I just finished his second book Everyone on This Train is a Suspect. I finished both audiobooks in a day and a half, I could not put them down! They’re a little different because of the narrating style, he talks to the audience and breaks the fourth wall. It’s fun and different, I really enjoy them! 💙
I’ve been waiting for your review on Romantic Comedy!! I loved this book so much and I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews about it but I was so hoping that you would love it! I’m a huge SNL girl and I love a love story about people who are a little older and have lived some life prior to meeting. Ugh, this book is so wonderful. I’m glad you loved it too!
I appreciate how you “gentle parent” yourself through your own emotions. That’s refreshing.
Thank you! I finally read ACOTAR bc a friend begged me to and promised me that if I would “just hang in there” I would love it. I did not love it. I’ve been debating whether I want to try book #2. You just put into words exactly how I felt abt acotar but couldn’t describe. I agree wholeheartedly with you!
The series gets better after book 1! That's what people usually mean by "just hang in there" 😊
The first book is very slow and a lot of world building, but not much else, but the rest of the series is known for being better than the first book! Most people seem to like book 4 and 5 the most, but all of them after book 1 are definitely more enjoyable!
Lol I haven't given in yet mainly because of this! Who wants to read a while ass book before it gets interesting? Not me lol This happened with 50 shades for me as well. I think i made it 1/4 through the 1st book and was like this is terrible writing, I'm not finishing haha. These reviews are entertaining though.
Honestly, having finished the series, I am not a fan. It does get a little better after book one, but ultimately I really wished I hadn't wasted my time. I'm just not a fan of SJM writing style. It reads middle grade with adult content.
The very last one is the best one, and works as a stand alone book in my opinion. Definitely worth a shot. It’s told from a completely different perspective, and focuses mainly on character development.
@allypeterson414 i think it may be offered on Spotify premium so I might give that a shot. Thanks for the info!
THANK YOU!! The ACOTAR lovers are so loud and I am so happy to have you speak my thoughts and feelings on these books! 😅 I love this video series so much and get so excited to sit down and listen to your honest reviews, thanks again!
I’ve mentioned this before, have you ever considered listening to audiobooks? You knit shit while hearing a book! Or do you feel listening to a book doesn’t equate to reading one? Are we audio listeners just lazy? Or blind?🤪
Yeah acotar sucks. I can't stand Sarah J Maas. Acomaf is ok but not good
@iamu11 ME TOO Elyse spoke my thoughts exactly!! And I love these videos!!
0:00 Intro
0:38 Rating System
2:00 Lovelight Farm Series by B.K. Borison
3:50 “Lovelight Farms”
6:26 “In the Weeds”
6:52 “Mixed Signals”
6:58 “Business Casual”
7:36 “Wild Eyes” by Elsie Silver
11:34 “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas
16:22 “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas
19:24 “Romantic Comedy” by Curtis Sittenfeld
22:20 “A Knight In Shining Armor” by Jude Deveraux
27:00 The Morning
27:50 “Funny You Should Ask” by Elissa Sussman
33:43 “The Holly Jolly Ever After” by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone
39:47 “The Graham Effect” by Elle Kennedy
40:02 “Loathe to Love You” by Ali Hazelwood
42:30 Short Stores, Non-Fiction, Mystery, etc.
42:18 “A Comedy of Nobodies” by Baron Ryan
46:56 “Murder on the Orient Express” by Agatha Christie
47:03 “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie
48:26 “Five Little Pigs” by Agatha Christie
48:33 “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie
48:48 Favorites books of this review
Love you Elyse. Go read “Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman. It is a book I wish I could read all over again for the first time.
Thank you for doing this!
Fredrik Backman is suuuuch a good writer!!
Thank you!!!
Elyse, the way you describe Baron being so authentically himself that it gives you permission to be yourself… that is what YOU do for so many people ❤
SECONDED !
This is very true❤️
💯💯💯
I so appreciate that you shared your true feelings about ACOTAR. It can be very hard for me to share my true feelings about super popular books too, so I am inspired and encouraged by your honesty!
If you're not a fantasy reader, you're not going to enjoy a fantasy book. ACOTAR isn't going to solve that for you. However! If you've never read a fantasy book, you know, give it a go! It's gotten so many people into fantasy that had no idea they enjoyed the genre, which is why (I believe) people are so enthusiastic about it. It unlocked a whole new world of reading for some.
That’s what it was for me! My whole life I claimed I hated ANYTHING fantasy (never enjoyed fantasy movies either) but ACOTAR completely changed my mind. I now mainly read fantasy books 😂 it is my preferred genre
Can I please recommend you Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey?
Are you specifically in it for the smut, or do you care about writing and worldbuilding and character dynamics?
Its not a booktok darling, I think because it's long and more of a traditional fantasy that just happens to have lots of sex. Its actually well written and miles above acotar. But it's long so if your attention span is small you may have an issue with it. It's so good though.
The story takes place in fantasy france (called Terre d'Ange, land of angels) because in the past a band of angels who accompanied "god" eventually settled in France and all it's people are descendants of these angels. One of the angels was Naamah and she had sex with men to pay their way through the world. As such, sex work in Terre d'Ange is holy. The story follows Phedre, a young girl of the night court who is adopted by a lord and trained and raised to be a spy and a courtesan. He adopted her because she has a red speck in her eye which makes her special. It means she's a scion of Kushiel, the angel of pain and justice, and is "cursed"(? Idk you decide) to experience pain as pleasure. And as such she quite literally has a god given BDSM kink that she uses along with her wits to save the country not once, not twice, but thrice.
Also she has a bodyguard who's is in the Casseline brotherhood dedicated to one of the other angels and he's taken vows of celibacy. But there's something between them and its kinda enemies to lovers.
Also as a bodyguard, if she's ever in danger of being captured and tortured, these Casselines have a move called the terminus where they unsheath both daggers, toss one into the air, catch it by the tip, and throw the blade into their clients heart, while simultaneously taking the other blade and slitting their own throat at the same time. And I think thats romantic as fuck lmao.
The books are incredible and incredibly written.
Im not the target demo for booktok books in general (28yo man who reads scifi and fantasy, thats why i stick to booktube) much less booktok smut, because I find most smut cringe and cheesy, but this is some of the only smut I've liked and it's actually extremely plot relevant a lot of the time.
The books are wonderful and Phedre is one of my fav "strong female characters" because so many authors make the mistake of making women strong by making them masculine. But not so with Phedre. She's extremely strong but super feminine and its refreshing. The books are incredible. Highly recommend 😊
That's exactly it for me. I wasn't hugely into fantasy and was never a big reader either. ACOTAR helped me get more into fantasy and reading in general. It was also my first time trying a book with any spice.
I was the older reader that recommended A Knight in Shining Armor. The funny thing is .. i read that book as a 23 year old back in the early 90s. I also cried. Only one other book ever made me cry. 🤷🏻♀️
I’m so glad you loved it so much! I haven’t read many romances since then actually .. but I still remembered it. Maybe I will pick up that Romantic Comedy one you talked about. 😊❤
Omg I’ve been waitingggg for another book review from you. I lovee your book reviews!! They are so honest and entertaining.
I’m so glad you like them!!! I’m still a little self conscious when I post them but I’m trying my best to be honest and say something meaningful around each book and hope that’s enough!
No keep doing what you are doing I love them!! I have rewatched them a couple times even😂 Love you Elyse🫶
Merry Little Meet Cute was great too!
@elyse_myers I love them too and have a list of books to read because of you, so thanks!
Your ACOTAR review is important and I would say more helpful than others, so thank you for posting despite roast concerns! Based on the people I know IRL who liked it, I was pretty sure I would not enjoy it and your honest feedback reaffirms that for me. Also, "just get through it"?! Reading is supposed to be a fun lil hobby, why would I force myself to "endure" something I don't like?! We have enough of that, thank you!
so much this. life is too short to read books that are so meh to 'get to the good part'
Yessss! I’ve been dying for another book update for you, I love them!
I’m so glad!!!
I feel like the moment you explained why you’re not a huge fantasy fan, it all made sense. I think you REALLY gotta be into fantasy and escaping the world in order to really enjoy the world building. I’m just happy you read it!!!
Yes! I was just coming to say that. How she was saying that she wants things to be closer to reality, I was thinking I want the exact opposite. As soon as anything gets too normal, my brain turns off 😂 glad to know we’re opposites, Elyse.
Yes!
Elyse I ate this up and then immediately rewatched it. I will never get tired of your book reviews; It's clear how much work and heart you put in to them. Thanks for being so authentic and hilarious!
Any Elyse book review video is a good time. I love how in depth you are able to get with your ratings and explanations
Honestly as a HUGE fantasy fan and long time fantasy reader I completely agree with you about ACOTAR. I did really enjoy the second book but I don't think just that book made the whole series worth it for me. There are definitely great aspects of that series, but as a whole it's definitely not my favorite. I can't imagine as a non-fantasy reader how you even got through it haha
I was looking through the comments to find a fantasy reader! Do you have good book suggestions?! ACOTAR was okay for me but I love fantasy and now can’t get myself to commit to picking up another fantasy book because I’m too nervous now 😂😂
@@meganrichardson2959 if you’re looking for cozy I’d say The House in the Cerulean Sea (wonderfully hilarious) or Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries. A nice dip into Romantasy? I’d go with Divine Rivals. A little further into the Romantasy pool? The Serpent and the Wings of Night. I know a lot of people liked One Dark Window, meh. Oh I did really enjoy Ninth House (fantasy/paranormal/dark academia). If you really wanna go fantasy, dive into Tolkien’s world! (Also side note, all these books are either part of a duology or series) OH another good one is The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (sci-fi)
@@meganrichardson2959
Naomi novik has two standalone fantasy novels that are romantic: spinning silver and uprooted
@@meganrichardson2959 I love fantasy but didn’t love acotar. I recommend fourth wing. I read that before acotar and I was sorely disappointed that acotar was nowhere near as good as fourth wing.
Yall, the Throne of Glass series (also Sarah J Maas) it’s genuinely the best fantasy adult series I’ve ever read. It’s all the good stuff from ACOTAR but with WAY better pacing and likeable female protagonists. I also liked Fourth Wing a lot but genuinely TOG is even better.
Reading TOG feels the same way reading Harry Potter felt in childhood
You have genuinely helped me fall back in love with reading and realizing IT IS OKAY NOT TO LOVE EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU’D LIKE.
I went from reading like maybe one book a year to reading 8 last year. Thank youuu ❤❤❤❤
I was SO EXCITED to see that I get to enjoy 49 minutes of Elyse ❤
OH YAY!!!
Same!
I am *SO* glad to hear someone echo my feelings on ACOTAR! I feel like I personally offend others when I say I hated the first book so much that I refuse to read the rest of the series. I feel validated - thank you!
PS - I think you'd really like Rainbow Rowell's books, especially "Eleanor and Park" and "Slow Dance"
LOVE the book reviews and when I got the notification you posted, I immediately put my toddler down to rest and sat down to watch. I share a lot of your feelings on the ACOTAR series and I finished it just last week. I ended up enjoying the last book the most because it felt the most connected and beautifully written, which was confirmed by reading the author’s acknowledgments. Definitely not saying you have to continue on - you do you, girl - BUT I loved it.
I love that you are so honest in your reviews! I am always telling my kids “everyone gets to like what they like.” It’s so nice to see someone honestly say they like and don’t. I have read a few really popular books that just did not resonate with me, and it’s hard to speak up about that sometimes. Thanks for modeling that! I❤
I'm an older romance reader. I read Knight in Shining Armor many years ago and I also cried my heart out. Literally blubbered after I read that book! Can't remember crying so hard since then.
As for reading a book quickly, I think that's the highest compliment. When I've read a book fast, it's because the plot is compelling, I care about the characters, and the writing is effortless as to be a dream. Why a writer would be insulted by this is a puzzlement.
The desire to have created something I’ve seen is often SOOO STRONG in me. I’ve never heard anyone else describe, or talk about having, that feeling. ❤
"that's a poorly written series!" -- damn right. I have no idea why ACOTAR is so popular. I hope that you'll eventually get something out of your read that can redeem it for you though! It's a big time and emotional energy investment.
Elyse. Even if I love a book. I love the honesty of your reviews. The ACOTAR series pulled me out of a reading slump and I think that is true for many people. I appreciate your criticism and having read more I think it's a very good breakdown of the issues in the book. I'll always have a place in my heart for this series but I really never recommend it unless someone is into fantasy or wants to get into romantasy. We need to hear and appreciate not only reviews of books you love but books you do not like. If anyone sends you hate I'll throw hands!!
Perhaps off topic, but i love seeing you fold your books while you talk about them. Makes them look extra well loved.
The length of this video was more than worth the wait. 💚💚
I could literally listen to you talk for hours, I love the way you lay out your thoughts. For some reason it’s so compelling to listen to
Your book reviews are my most favorite videos in the history of you tube videos! So so so so wonderfully entertaining!!
I will take your ACOTAR review and keep it in mind for people who can be sensitive to violence and gore. For me, ACOMF was a unique story that I have never read before. And I was on a dopamine high for about a year (I’m not kidding). But I realize that not everyone is going to feel that way. I also felt the second half of ACOTAR moved very fast and was entertaining. It was the first half that I felt people had to “get through.” Thanks for your honesty
I'm with you on the acotar series. First, my experience with the first book vs the rest of the series is that it didn't feel connected at all. Even Tamlin seemed like a totally different person in book 1 than he did in book 2. I don't regret reading the series, but it's not one that I'll reread later.
As someone who also thinks the ACOTAR series is just okay, I really appreciate listening to your opinion. It's nice to hear other contrasting thoughts.
Love your reviews. It was a great surprise to hear you talk about A Knight in Shining Armor. It’s been my favourite book for like 30 years. Love that you loved it!
THANK YOU!! Your honesty about ACOTAR is refreshing. I love the series for bringing so many people back to reading. That's all.
Highly recommend Kristen Ashley’s Colorado Mountain series, the first being The Gamble. She is such a unique writer in that all of her books are romances but they *always* focus so heavily on the beauty of female friendship. I think you’d like her storytelling, the characters, the spice, the small town-y feel.
I love the ACOTAR series, but I understand why it wasn't your cup of tea. You mentioned how much gore and sadness there were in the first two, and I would recommend ending it after the third book. The first three are Feyre's arc, and it will still feel like a complete story with just those three. The fourth is bitter sweet and shows how multiple multiple characters are rebuilding (or not) after the third book. The fifth follows her sister Nesta and is arguably darker. Nesta is also very polarizing, and unlike Feyre she processes her grief through anger/self-hate.
Thank you for this!!! THANK YOU so much!!!!! You are saving me from a lot of bad dreams thank you!!! 😭
Oh a fantasy book i really really loved that isn’t too heavy on world building and has a very enemies to lovers dynamic with the main characters is “forest of dreams and whispers” the banter is just so witty and fun i have never highlighted a book that much before.
I’m crocheting and needed something to listen to but I finished my audiobook yesterday so I thought I’d pop on UA-cam instead and this was the first thing on my subscription page so now I get something to listen to for *almost* an hour AND I get to find something to else to listen to for the next few days!
I feel so validated on ACOTAR! You so perfectly verbalized what I keep trying to say about it.
I love the honesty in your reviews. I've read majority of the books your review already so its really fun to get different perspectives from another reader. I also admire your ability to articulate your thoughts on why a book or series didn't/did work for you, even if I completely disagree. I always feel like I understand more about what I value in books and reading from the reviews of yours I agree with and disagree with ❤ thanks for always keeping your joy, enthusiasm, and honesty elyse
also I IGHLY suggest Daydream (the third book in the maple hill interconnected standalone)-- you don't even really need to read the first two although the second is pretty good because the characters reminded me so much of Love Theoretically
We could never hate you for being yourself Elyse!! I’m a loud ACOTAR lover and I’m glad you gave your review! If you are not a fantasy girlie then I would expect this type of review. I think you handled it with grace and respect to all people of differing opinions. There is still a huge difference between Romantasy and Contemporary Romance. The camps are very different. The fantasy element is a beast to devour. It’s absolutely not for everyone and that’s okay!! Us romantasy lovers like and want to work for it. Some Contemporary Romance lovers don’t! Neither is right or wrong. I still appreciate you taking the time to discover for yourself and chatting with us about your honest feelings! One of my favorite content creators just giving a book I love a chance is more than enough for me.
My opinion, hang with me. Acotar is the Harry Potter of ramantasy. It seems the people who are most passionate about it read it as a “gateway” into reading, or into the specific genre. So they look at it with fondness because of the nostalgia of getting into reading. Then you go and read more epic fantasy or more spicy books, and if you go back and read acotar, it wasn’t the 10/10 you remember. Part of the excitement also lies in the fandom. The fan theories, the discussion, the camaraderie, … that’s even better than the actual text. Does that make sense? It makes sense in my mind.
Oooo, wait, i think you might be on to something 👀
I love your book videos and your longer videos in general. It’s just so nice spending time with you ❤
“the world is rich but the text is not” you have perfectly and concisely explained why i can’t get into so many of the popular Romantasy novels. thats exactly the problem!
ETA: just want to clarify that i am a fan of fantasy and i dont mind world building but it needs good prose to go with it.
Dear Elyse, THANK YOU FOR BEING SO REAL!!! ❤ I read Throne of Glass by SJM (her first series, I can't remember if you've read it) and was absolutely appalled by how she wrote ACOTAR. I was so annoyed and angry reading the whole series. Everyone told me "the last book makes the series" and I kept saying "so that means the series is BAD." Anyway, thank you for sharing pretty much all of the same feelings I had about those books. Love ToG. It will always be my favorite series. HATE ACOTAR. 😅
Love how detailed your book reviews are
I’m currently on the 3rd book of lovelight farms and I also started with the 4th book!!!! And I love how both the men and women have baggage rather than it just being the girls and the boys being their hero’s. I also love how quick they get together rather than it dragging
literally SO excited to watch this review as I cook breakfast and enjoy a slow morning! This is gonna motivate my reading goal this year!
I love the clarification of "quick read!" I feel the same b/c I'm a slow reader but if I find a book I can't put down I consider it a quick read. Love these reviews!
Elyse, I love your book reviews so much! I just love how you speak about the books you read and i kept having ideas and book recs based on what you were saying. Then you asked to know if we had any so as a librarian who loves reading romance, here are mine!
1. For neurodivergence and mental health (anxiety/depression) rep, Daydream by Hannah Grace. I know you didn't enjoy Icebreaker, but this one is sooo different. It's not nearly as spicy or as hockey focused. It's so much deeper. Both MCs are AuDHD adjacent (and there's a very interesting prologue by the author on why it's not clearly mentionned) and their struggles made me feel so seen. It really has a special place in my heart.
2. For more neurodivergence and mental health (anxiety/depression/ocd) rep (plus it's queer!), The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun. It's one of my favorites. Such a cute romance, has humor but also cuts deep and i really liked how the mental health aspects were handled in this one.
3. For disability (and eventually neurodivergence rep), the Brown Sisters trilogy by Talia Hibbert. These are just so much fun while also handling more serious subjects beautifully. I'd say they're spicier than the others but it's been a while since i read them so maybe i remember wrong. The third one (Act Your Age Eve Brown) has the female MC go through discovering she might not be as neurotypical as she thought, so it's my favorite and i think you'd enjoy it too.
Thats all i have for now! Oh and i have to say thank you for making me discover Elsie Silver!!! I picked up Wild Love after you raved about it and she's now one of my favorite authors!
Yesss I absolutely love your book videos, they are so real and authentic!! I'm so happy that there is another one to start the year off with! ❤
Holly Jolly Ever After IS a series! It’s #2 in the series. The first book is called “A Merry Little Meet Cute” and the third book is called “A Jingle Bell Mingle” I just finished the third book! They are SO cute! There are also two novellas that are #1.5 and #2.5.
Ahh Ive been waiting for this!
I'm not a fantasy reader but the peer pressure has been telling me to read ACOTAR and this was my sign to not do it. My brain is wired like yours, the more the story could be true the more I love it! I can't wait to read your recommendations! I've just gotten back into reading after not having read but a few times since my kids were born and being the biggest reader and writer when I was in school and my early 20s. My husband bought me a kindle for Christmas and it has made me feel like myself again 😅
I also use your scales when I'm rating my reads and have a notion page for tracking my TBR and what I've finished and I keep all my notes in there, so satisfying to write about my reads when I have no one to talk to about them ❤
Yay Elyse! These book reviews make me so happy thank youuuuu!
For recommendations- I always get the Wild Love series and Done and Dusted series mixed up in my brain (similar tropes / storylines / setting / spice) and I think I prefer the Done and Dusted series more! Just finished the 3rd book and was obsessed. Book 4 is coming out this year. I recommend if you’re enjoying Wild Love!
Also Katherine Center writes light romcom books (enjoyable!) But! I was reading her backlog and some of her earlier books are more emotional and I loved them!! “Things you save in a fire” and “Happiness for beginners” were some of my top books this year 💕
You should try the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. I think that's the best series to get used to his writing style and then move into his other books.
I loooved Mistborn! One of my favourite series
These book reviews are amazing!! Your rating system is top tier. Thank you for putting time and thought into these videos it really makes me day. 😊
I need a new book review from you daily. Truly my favorite book tuber😍
YASSSS. We have another Elyse book review! I love these videos so much, they bring me such comfort and joy ❤
I love your book reviews so much and always look forward to them ❤️
I also wanted to say, as a fantasy and ACOTAR lover, your opinions are absolutely valid! It's not the first time I've heard similar sentiments and that is okay!
I hope you don't feel pressured to continue the series if you aren't enjoying it. Although I loved all of the books, there are a lot of dark themes in A Court of Wings and Ruin & A Court of Silver Flames. A lot of violence in both books as well. If you find them depressing and hard to get through, it's okay to DNF despite what "backlash" you may get from the internet.
I'm sure you know this but just thought it didn't hurt to mention it ❤
Although I loved acotar, your take on it makes complete sense! Don't feel scared to post your opinions! That's the beauty of individuality 🥰
Just LOVE THESE Elyse !! Your passion & take on every one is just such enjoyable content!! Love all your personal scales & rankings 💛💛💛
I have been rewatching your other book reviews while waiting for the new one. Absolutely love them. I also have picked couple books from your recommendations 😊
Literally watched this twice in a row, once for comfort background video as I cleaned and the second to lock in and get some new book recommendations. I couldn’t get into book 1 of ACOTAR 🤷🏻♀️.
I LOVED Yours Truly and Part of Your World and read them bc of your review (and my first fiction book in a long time) Also the male lead voice actor for those books really made the audiobook! As for Romantic Comedy, it was a DNF for me 😬 it was all over the place & felt forced? And agree it’s cool if ppl don’t like the same thing. However I think most ppl here can agree that we SUPER LOVED the long format. Felt like listening to a friend while doing random house things 😆🫶🏽
Not me checking your channel all weekend waiting for this! I love all of your content, but your book reviews especially.
So funny how different peoples brains are. I love fantasy because sometimes if its too "real" it completely stresses me out. I don't try so hard to follow absolutely everything and am just along for the ride. Love the reviews, so fun to get ideas/recommendations!
I need these book reviews more often pleaseee 😭😭😭 you are my favorite
Even though our book tastes are so different, I love the respect you give the books you love- and the ones you don’t! Genuinely love your book reviews and will always tune in 🫶🏼
I'm SOOO curious to hear your updates as you go through ACOTAR. Because I completely agree with you that the first book is not the one - but you have hints of saying "I understand why it needed to happen now that I read the second one" and you feel that way throughout the entire rest of the series. It makes it ALLLL make sense and gives it importance. and you will LOVE the increase in spice as it goes. I def agree that if you don't like fantasy you just don't like fantasy! But it really does get so much better and it makes me appreciate the first one even more
And I feel like people say "you gotta get through it" not necessarily because its bad but because it evolves so much so you NEED to get through the foundations if that makes sense?
Thank you for taking the time to do this! I was thinking about reading this series! But it seems like so much to take on. Ahhhhhh
I audiobooked them so I could multitask while I listened. I have mixed feelings about it, but something to consider if you decide to read them!
It was part of the books that sparked my love of reading back up. But I absolutely have never recommended it to a single person I know😂
My favorite of her series is throne of glass, but if you're like Elyse and need real world and romance - that isn't the book for you either. It's very fantasy (high fantasy) and that series has less spice overall. But it is such a fantastic world with really developed characters, who grow over time, and every time you think you know the world/characters there's a little bit of a wrench thrown into the works. Personally love a book that can surprise me. So I appreciate that lol
But again, if you don't like fantasy then just stay away from sjm completely - because all of her books have a solid degree of fantasy ahah
I have been catching up on all of your videos while I knit a crown for my 5 year old son and this one just popped up! I’m so excited!!
Your entire ACOTAR explanation is giving the sound bit circulating rn that's like "ARE YOU KIDDING!? ARE YOU KIDDING!? SHE DID ALL-- I need to calm down..." 🤣😅 that's all my brain could think every time you tried to calm down lol
But on a more serious note THANK YOU FOR being honest about how you felt!!!! I have sooo many ppl telling me how baaadly I need to read this series and I feel a lot of pressure to sometimes but like... I don't know how much I'd enjoy it, so your review actually helped take a LOT of that self-imposed negativity off of me lol
As an ACOTAR lover, I totally understand your experience with it. ACOMAF is one of my favorite books of all time because of the character relationships, but if you're not a fantasy fan, its definitely not for you 😅 I am a fantasy only reader, totally opposite of you, and I'm not interested in realistic fiction at all. So, no hate on you for disliking it. Not in your typical wheelhouse, and that's okay 😊
(And yes, the first book is really rough, which is very frustrating. I almost DNFd the series after it, too)
Your ACOTAR review is SPOT ON.
I’m so glad I have found someone who has the same energy for Lovelight Farms as I do. I will never get over the phone tree, ever.
11:48 - I am here for Lovelight Farms and I am staying because I now love you
One I love you thank you 🥹
YAY! So glad Book Reviews are back! Thank you!
Hey Elsie, I usually don't comment on any channels and I know this is very random but I just have to tell you that you make such a positive impact on the world. I was on the verge of tears, stressed out of my mind, and when I saw you posted a video, it was such a huge relief because when I watch your videos, it feels like I'm talking to an old friend and all of my fear and stress just melts away for a while. You have helped me through some terrible times and I'm so grateful for all that you do, thank you so much. 🫶🫶🫶
The way you just got so enthusiastic talking about Romantic Comedy, I need to read it yesterday ❤
Elyse, I love your book reviews so much! If I had to recommend a book series for u, I'd say The Outlander series is one that I think u will love. Even if u have seen the show, the books contain more detail and are a wonderful world to get lost in. Also, the author Diana Gabaldon keeps them pretty historically accurate so u learn a lot about American, English, and Scottish history in a fun and exciting way while also being fully immersed in this epic love story full of adventure as well. Highly recommend!
coming here to say this!! The reasons you loved A Knight in Shining Armor made me immediately think of Outlander. The books are long but they are so good (especially the first in my opinion!) Just be sure to read the trigger warnings ahead of time.
It’s okay to have different opinions on books. Not all books are for everyone. I really love ACOTAR because it helped me through depression. I still enjoyed your review on all books. 😊
I loved this whole review video!! I have so many new books on my list now. I’m really happy about there was a review on the ACOTAR series. So many people raved about it so I read the back of the books and they absolutely didn’t seem like something I’d be in to.. I held off and I’m glad I did! I would not have been able to follow along and it would have been a waste of money for me. Lol.
So I did like ACOTAR (wasn’t my favorite but I did enjoy it)…. I love the honest review! Not everyone is going to like all the same books.
But I love the book reviews as a whole. I’m going to have a less then great afternoon and I’m watching this video now to add some extra joy to my day.😊
Hey Elyse! I've been following you for awhile and just realized that we're neighbors! (Kind of, I live in Lincoln but my best friend lives in Omaha) I also have a son, he turned 2 yesterday. You inspire me a lot, I'm glad to have people like you in this world.
Your reviews are the highlight of my month!! 😂 I completely agree with Wild Eyes!! The first book was my favorite!! I thought Skylar was so shallow!! I didn’t like her but West was so wonderful!! ❤
Lovelight Farms series has my whole heart ❤ I’m glad you loved them too!
I’ve only read the first 2 Lovelight Farms books so far and now I’m so excited for the next 2!
Yay I love your book reviews! I put so many books on hold at my library from your last review
I am living for your book reviews please never stop ❤️
YAY IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS! lovelovelove your book reviews
I really can’t wait for you to get to silver flames 😂😂😂 I appreciate the honesty because I felt the same about the first book and got ROASTED by my friends when I said I didn’t much like ACOTAR except for the last half.
This comment^^ silver flames is where her ‘there is no spice in this series’ comment was inaccurate. I skipped half of the book because it was soooooo 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I love Agatha Christie. She is truly the Queen of Mystery. If you love Hercule Poirot, then you MUST look up the movies where Kenneth Branagh plays Poirot. They're really well done.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Acotar, you put into words how I felt about it. It's reassuring to hear you honestly say you don't like it and wouldn't recommend it. I've had a few friends racing about it and only one who shares my thoughts. I only read book 1 and some of 2 and gave up.
I always love your book review videos, I always find new books to add to my list because of them. Specifically the romantic comedy style ones. Thank you 😊 ❤
I'm so excited that you read A Knight in Shining Armor! Literally one of the first historical/fantasy romance novels I EVER read and I fell in LOVE with it. It made me fall in love with historical fiction and time travel and Jude Deveroux in general- such fun books to read- they always make me happy!!
And I LOVE your ACOTAR review.
So excited to see a Jude Deveraux book! My mother in law recommended one of her books to me and I was nervous to start because it did not feel like something I would like, but man was I wrong. Nice to see her talked about!
Your book reviews are best!!! I had been hoping for another. I read King of Wrath because of your review and now I’m into the series. We have similar tastes! I need to check out Lovelight Farms. Keep them coming!
Thank you for loving and reviewing Agatha Christie ❤ just FYI poirot is actually Belgian, just from apart that speaks French. Which of course still makes him very french lol
Your assessment of Funny You Should Ask is totally valid. I really struggled with the timeline jumping too. It was confusing at points and I had to rewind the audiobook a lot. It was an awesome book though! I’m definitely going to check out Romantic Comedy since you said it’s very similar!
I love, love, LOVE the Christmas Notch series by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone. I really loved A Holly Jolly Christmas. I felt for Winnie and Callum so much. I know exactly what part you were referring to when you mentioned the pacing. 😂 I was annoyed with it too. The spice made me blush a first then I was like “oh, hell yeah!” 😂 The first one A Merry Little Meet Cute was good too! I think it’s my favorite one so far. I haven’t read the newest one about Isaac yet, so tbd!
As for mysteries, I don’t like intense, anxiety inducing scary things. So I prefer cozy mysteries. The ones I’ve been obsessed with lately is Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson and I just finished his second book Everyone on This Train is a Suspect. I finished both audiobooks in a day and a half, I could not put them down! They’re a little different because of the narrating style, he talks to the audience and breaks the fourth wall. It’s fun and different, I really enjoy them! 💙
ELYSE SO GOOD TO SEE YOU BABE ❤ I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO THRIVE!! HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉
I’ve been waiting for your review on Romantic Comedy!! I loved this book so much and I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews about it but I was so hoping that you would love it! I’m a huge SNL girl and I love a love story about people who are a little older and have lived some life prior to meeting. Ugh, this book is so wonderful. I’m glad you loved it too!
AHhhh! I *LOVE* your PRX shirt!!! So happy you came here. 😁🩵
I love listening to you talking about books!!!❤
One of my favorite things about this series is there’s a book at the end of each chapter which is great because I have adhd and it kept me locked in.
This was so helpful. Thank you!!I’ve added several books to my already incredibly looooong list of books to read thanks to your insights. 😊🤓📚