Tag: contemporary fiction

Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon [BOOK REVIEW] Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon [BOOK REVIEW]

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Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 330

Genre: Romance, YA

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★

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Winning is Seyoon Shin’s middle name. Okay, it’s not, but she is a winner—despite what her critical dad says. Dean Parker, on the other hand, isn’t beating anyone to the finish line. His strengths are more brain, less brawn. 

When Evergreen Expedition—a wilderness game show with an eccentric host and a cult following—announces a reboot, they both jump at the chance to win the prize. Seyoon’s competitiveness fuels a fire in Dean he’s never felt before, and his hunger to prove himself rivals hers.
 
To get to the finals, they realize they need each other. Seyoon and Dean form an alliance, which the opportunistic producers are quick to frame as romantic. The rivals-to-lovers angle is good for views and intimidating the competition, but their chemistry is just for show . . . right?
 
As the lines blur between friendship and romance, reality and reality TV, Seyoon and Dean can’t ignore that the finale is fast approaching—and that only one of them can win.

My Thoughts:

“Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted” was such an addictive, fast-paced read. If you’re looking for a story that combines the high stakes of a wilderness survival trek with some slow-burn tension, this one is definitely for you.

I am a huge fan of the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope, and this book delivered. I loved watching the initial cockiness and animosity melt into playful teasing and, eventually vulnerability and both characters developing feelings for each other. 

The reality TV element was also a big highlight! If you grew up watching “Survivor” or “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here”, you will love the challenges and scenes where they were filming on set.

There were a few things, however, that I didn’t enjoy as much, which is a shame. Seyoon is a strong, calculated character, and it felt unusual to see her make “silly” decisions on the spot. When the competition narrowed down to the final three, she made a choice that felt completely out of character. There is no way she didn’t realise the obvious consequences! There is simply no way… When she yelled, trying to help Dean, she knew exactly what that would mean. She should’ve owned up to it afterwards.

I also found the resolution for the story’s villain quite unsatisfying. It would have been nice to see an epilogue a few months down the line to see how the dust settled and some villains get their well deserved punishments. 

Despite the few frustrations I had, “Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted” is a very well-written adventurous romance. I think it’s a very good choice of a book to take with you on your summer holiday.

About the Author:

Seyoon and Dean, Unscripted by Sujin Witherspoon [BOOK REVIEW]

Sujin Witherspoon is a Korean American author, artist, and lover of words she can’t pronounce. She gravitates towards stories that will either plague her nightmares or make her stomach hurt from laughter–no in between. She earned her degree in English from the University of Washington and now spends her time writing, thinking about writing, or exploring Seattle.

Website

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In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW] In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]
Book Review · Books

In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

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In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 384

Genre: Romance, YA, Contemporary

Publisher: Rock The Boat

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★

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Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this blog, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.

Nieve Monroe is devastated after her boyfriend Carter dies saving her from drowning. Even worse she blames herself for his death… and so does his best friend, Max. He was there with them on that fateful day, and he’s never liked Nieve.

Unable to pull herself from her grief and wanting to hide from the accusation in his eyes, Nieve goes to stay with her grandmother, who has always had strange stories to tell of uncanny happenings, of magic and make believe. The next morning, Nieve wakes up on the first day of college, the year before.

This time she plans to make sure Carter never follows her into that river. She’ll do everything in her power to keep him safe, even if it means losing him in other ways. But the more distance she puts between her and Carter, the closer she gets to Max, drawn to him in ways she never expected.

But is she betraying Carter if the only way she can save him is to move on? And can she ever forget her past to embrace her future?

My Thoughts:

“Time is like these colors. It changes and bleeds and blends. Don’t let today’s color seep into tomorrow.”

“In Time With You” by Kristin Dwyer is one of those books that brings you peace whilst reading it, and leaves you with a warm smile after you’ve finished it.

Nieve is devastated after her boyfriend, Carter, dies trying to save her from drowning. Filled with grief, she goes to her grandma’s house and the next morning she wakes up, and it’s the first day of college… again.

She has a chance to make things right this time around, but the more she tries to avoid Carter in order to keep him safe, she realises there is a boy that she has not been paying attention to at all.

I am not usually a fan of the “time loop / Groundhog day” dynamics in a book, but this one managed to execute this very well.

I felt for Nieve and I instantly started rooting for her and Max. Their chemistry was amazing and I loved the passion they both shared for art.

But the most important thing that stuck with me was the story about Nieve herself. Her struggling with grief and PTSD from a moment that is no longer a reality for the rest of the group must have felt so lonely! Her knowing she needs to do something to fix what she knows is about to happen, but every choice backfiring had a toll on her as well. Watching Nieve trying to navigate through all of this, all whilst catching feelings for Max was a very raw and emotional story, but filled with a lot of maturity and without any unnecessary drama.

I really devoured this book and enjoyed the beautiful and emotional journey that Nieve and Max were going through. It is one of those books that will always linger in your mind when you wish you could turn back time in your own life. Definitely recommend!

“Time, my love, takes what it wants. Even when we try to stop it.”

About the Author:

In Time With You by Kristin Dwyer [BOOK REVIEW]

Kristin Dwyer grew up under the California sun and still prays every day for a cloudy sky. When she’s not writing books about people kissing, she and her spouse can be found encouraging their four mischief makers to get into trouble. Kristin is a part-time hair model and wants you to know she is full-time TSA PRECHECK, and one time a credible news outlet asked for her opinion on K-pop (it was the best day of her life). Please do not talk to her about your fandom, she will try to join.

Website

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