ARC Review: Never A Hero ~ Vanessa Len

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(image on the left is the US edition, image on the right is UK edition)
 
 
Format I Used: Combination Audiobook/Ebook/Physical Book
Pages: 528
Running Time: 15h:23m
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: August 29, 2023

 

I think I need to re-read book one and maybe re-evaluate what my rating was for it. I rated the first book 3.5 because at the time it felt like that feeling that you get when you really need to sneeze, but then don't... And I really stand by that. HOWEVER. I think about that book far too much for it to just stay at a mid rating... Like, a LOT a lot.  

Never A Hero was probably one of my MOST anticipated books of 2023, And I screeched like a velociraptor when I saw that I had been approved for a copy. I dropped every single other book I had been reading in order to dive into this one. And I was up until almost 2 am because I needed  answers more than I needed a proper amount of sleep. My watch even told me that my quality of sleep was "poor" but it's 

F I N E

Don't ask me to have a conversation about time travel, because it still confuses the heck out of me and it also makes my head hurt. 

I very much enjoyed this volume, and I will be rambling, and since I'm also using this as a recapof sorts for my future reference, there WILL be spoilers, so please do not read any further if you don't want anything spoiled.

In similar fashion to book one, this book started with something rather traumatic happening not very far into the story, and then it progressed at a steady slowish pace until about the 50% point. Except this time, we have Joan paired with Nick instead of Aaron. 

SIGH. I was really hoping to get more page time for Aaron. Whatever though.

We get to learn more about Nick, which is what I wanted in the first book, and I actually quite liked that. It was interesting to see Nick when he wasn't a bad guy trying to kill Joan.

There's a lot of trauma between Nick and Joan. The Nick Now is so so so sweet and kind and amazing, and even though he's different and doesn't remember his time as The Hero, there are still moments where he'll move or do something that shows just how ingrained all that "training" was. It's still there buried deep inside even if he doesn't remember. And Joan is rightly terrified. She's always on edge and about ready to jump out of her skin. He also starts gaining back some of his "powers" as the story goes on, and is able to break through the "mind control" (which is why I don't think that they should be the endgame couple, regardless of them being together in the "true timeline". Even though they were, at one point, soulmates, there is so much trauma and distrust there now, that I don't know if they'll ever be able to work through it all) But that's just my delulu brain hoping that Joan will end up with Aaron, and there probably WILL be some kind of way for them to work through everything.

SPEAKING OF AARON! He's my favorite character. (which should NOT be news to anyone.) Of course he was a bad guy in this book, just like he told Joan he would be. For a while. But things happen, and then he's not a bad guy, and then things happen and  they end up forming a tentative alliance. And all the curious glances and looks he gives her, and the way she keeps forgetting that she's the only one who remembers the bond that they have, and the way she keeps turning to him when things happen... MY HEART. I sobbed SEVERAL times, and I stayed up WAY TOO LATE in order to consume as many words as possible, even though I worked an early morning shift the next day.

TL;DR

This was an amazing book with some pretty interesting twists that kept tugging on my heartstrings AND sitting on the edge of my seat (or maybe that was just waiting for Aaron to show back up?). The characters and the growth they go through is SO good, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley UK and Hodder & Stoughton for giving me a chance to read an ARC of one of my most anticipated 2023 books.

ARC Review: Hello Stranger ~ Katherine Center

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Format I Used: E-ARC
Pages: 336
Running Time: 10h:39m
My Rating: 5 stars
Publication Date: July 11, 2023

 

I was actually so impressed with this book. I was a little worried at first (hence the reason I put off finishing it for so long) but I shouldn't have worried.

The whole concept of the story was interesting to me. It's not the first time I've read or watched something that dealt with prosopagnosia (Bone Gap, Holding Up The Universe, My Unicorn Girl) but I thought the way they described it was good? (possibly? Someone with Prosopagnosia please let me know if the description was accurate)

I was a little frustrated with the whole non-communication, because a whole lot of hurt could have been avoided. But that would also have cut the book entirely in half. I did see the whole plot twist coming pretty early on, especially when certain things were mentioned several times.

I really really disliked Sadie's dad, step mom...but the biggest villain of them all was PARKER. Don't get me STARTED on Parker. I dislike her almost as much as I dislike Mahito from JJK. But it was interesting to see different familial relationships and feelings explored.

The Kim family was absolutely amazing, and they deserve all the love in the whole wide world. So was Joe for that matter. He was so kind and patient, and just the sweetest. Sadie was a little annoying at first, but I enjoyed watching her grow and learn more about herself.

I sobbed several times while reading this, so that means it gets even more bonus points.

Katherine Center has yet again created a story filled with imperfect yet endearing and relatable characters, and a story line that kept me interested once I finally got over myself and started reading.

Thank you to to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-arc!

Did It Make Me Cry? Yes