As you know, reading is a real passion for me. So, this year, I decided to share with you my favorites per month. Here are my favorites of the readings that I read in January.
Check & Mate - Ali Hazelwood
Summary:
Mallory Greenleaf is done with chess. These days, every shot counts; After the sport led to the destruction of her family four years earlier, Mallory focuses on her mother, her sisters, and the dead-end job that keeps the lights on. Until she reluctantly agrees to participate in one last charity tournament and inadvertently faces the famous "Kingkiller" Nolan Sawyer: reigning world champion and Bad Boy of chess.
Nolan's defeat against an unknown debutante shocks everyone. But what's more confusing? His desire to cross the pawns again. What kind of game is Nolan playing? The best thing to do would be to walk away. Resign. The game is over. But Mallory's victory opens the door to cash rewards that she sorely lacks and, despite everything, she can't help but feel drawn to the enigmatic strategist...
As she rises through the ranks, Mallory strives to keep her family away from the game that destroyed her in the first place. And as her love for the sport she so desperately wanted to hate begins to rekindle, Mallory quickly realizes that the games aren't just on the board, that the spotlight is brighter than she imagined and that the Competition can be fierce (-attractive. And intelligent... and infuriating...).
Review:
So, wow! This book is just perfect. This is clearly the biggest crush I've ever had on a novel. Ali Hazelwood is just pure genius.
Already, it’s happening in the thrilling world of chess. I find this world so fascinating and it causes a tension in the book that I can only embrace. It reminds me so much of The Queen's Gambit series. In addition, we address the subject of women in the world of competitive chess, particularly because they get a lot of comments because they are women.
Then, the characters! They are perfect. First of all we have Mallory, who I loved. I was touched by the fact that she takes care of her family, by the story with her father, by her relationship with Defne, Oz and especially Nolan. And, we have Nolan. The perfect guy! But really perfect. He is touching, sensitive, so endearing. We can only love him.
Then, we have a perfect combo between romance, games, and humor (thanks to Sabrina and Darcy who made me die of laughter, and thanks to chapter 10, which is THE best chapter in the world).
Special mention (which I loved) to the sexual orientation of the two protagonists.
The only thing missing was that I wanted to read more about Mal and Nolan. I could have continued reading over and over again. And clearly, I know, I will reread this sublime story several times.
A winter to resist you (Un hiver pour te résister) - Morgane Moncomble
Summary:
Rising star of figure skating, Lily has only one goal: to win the gold medal at the World Championship. When she meets her new partner, she is over the moon.
His lifelong role model is him: Orion Williams.
The man she finds herself despising from their first meeting...
Cursed champion, Orion dreams of only one thing: to stop figure skating. When his coach imposes one last partner on him, he fears that she will end up like all the others, injured or worse.
Her biggest fan is her: Lily Pham.
The woman he has to live with for the next four months.
Despite their rocky beginnings, it is through tragedy that Lily and Orion become closer, hoping to win first place.
But at what cost...
Review:
Once again, it was a huge favorite, even more so than the first volume of this saga. I found this story so touching and not easy to read at times.
Already, we quickly become attached to the characters but what's more, what happens to them is atrocious, which makes us think and makes us love these characters even more. Morgane Moncomble has a real gift for transmitting emotions and transcribing them into a magnificent story.
The one that touched me the most was Orion. I totally understood why he acted the way he did. He is a character who moved me enormously.
As for Lily, I really liked her character too, her relationship with her family and especially her brother and Jasmine. I also loved that she was strong in character, strong in short. It's inspiring.
And I was also touched by Jane, by her relationship with Lily, the bond that unites them, and her prankster side.
So I highly recommend you read this novel, but be prepared to shed tears. And I can’t wait to read the rest and discover the story of Nolia and Camille.
Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi
Summary Book 1 :
I AM CURSED
I HAVE A GIFT
I AM A MONSTER
I AM STRONGER THAN A MAN
MY TOUCH IS DEADLY
MY TOUCH IS POWER
I WANT HIM TO TOUCH ME
HE MUST NOT APPROACH ME
I AM THEIR WEAPON
I WILL AVENGE MYSELF
Juliette has been locked up in a fortress for 264 days for a crime. An accident. 264 days without speaking. Nor touch anyone. So why does Adam, the one she has secretly loved since childhood, come to share her cell? And why does he seem to have no idea who she is?
The all-powerful organism that governs Juliette's world does not hesitate to kill to enslave the people. But what Warner, the son of his leader, wants above all is Juliette. The curse that weighs on the young girl is an invaluable weapon for him.
But Juliette has no intention of letting this happen. After a life as an outcast, she finds for the first time the courage to fight and to dream of a future with the one she thought she had lost forever...
Review (of the 3 books)
Book 1
As I have heard a lot about it, I wanted to try my luck and discover this story. And I must say that I really liked it.
This first volume is quite introductory. It lays the foundations but with a hint of mystery that makes me really want to discover what happens next. Especially because there are certain characters who intrigue me a lot (including Warner in particular).
I also really enjoyed Juliette. She definitely didn't have an easy life and I loved how sometimes her thoughts were anarchic. It is easy to understand and I must say that it touched me a lot.
In short, I can't wait to read the rest and find out more about this dystopian story.
Book 2
Okay, wow, I just finished reading this and I'm totally overwhelmed. In any case, I like this saga more and more.
First of all, I found the beginning a little slow and flat. Once again, the author lays the foundations, before all the action happens and things come together and there, it's just a pure delight. I really went through all the possible emotions in this volume (especially in chapters 57, 58 and 62).
I still love Juliette as much, quite simply because she understands more and more that everything is not either white or black. I also really liked Kenji, who brings a humorous side to the novel. On the other hand, Adam got me drunk. I found him selfish and for me he behaves like a victim. Then, of course, I loved Aaron, who became my favorite character. I love seeing the whole psychology behind this character.
In short, I can't wait to read more!
Book 3
I like this saga more and more. This story is so addictive that I couldn't put the book down.
First of all, I still adore Juliette so much. We can see in this volume that she has grown and evolved, that she is gaining more and more confidence in herself and it is very beautiful to see.
I also love the characters of Kenji, who has an incredible relationship with Juliette, James, who is just too cute, and of course, my favorite character remains and will remain Aaron. On the other hand, Adam in this volume is detestable as possible. He's so selfish.
The only thing I moderately liked in this volume was the ending. I found it too fast and I expected to finally see a face to face between certain people from the same family.
But otherwise, I can't wait to read the second trilogy.
From Lukov with love - Mariana Zapata
Summary:
If someone asked Jasmine Santos to describe the last years of her life in one word, it would definitely be a four-letter word.
After seventeen years - and countless broken bones and broken promises - she knows her chance to compete in figure skating is coming to an end.
But when the offer of a lifetime is made to her by an arrogant idiot she's spent the last decade dreaming of pushing into the path of a moving bus, Jasmine may have to reconsider everything.
Including Ivan Lukov.
Review:
I just completely loved this novel. The romance is a mix between a rivals-to-lovers and a slow-burn so well done that it seems natural.
I also really liked the fact that the main characters are between 26 and 29 years old, and that they were quite mature for their age. Concerning Jasmine, I really liked her character, especially because we can immerse ourselves in her thoughts and emotions which are sometimes so strong that it is hard to read.
As for Yvan, at the beginning he is quite mysterious, but in the end he completely won me over with his gestures and his words. He is just perfect.
The only thing that bothered me a little was that it started slowly. But the author writes so well that I quickly got caught up in the story. And it notably addresses subjects such as family and social pressure, language problems, and harassment.
So, I highly recommend this very adult and poignant romance, because I find that it differs from the overly clichéd romances that we usually read.
My Happy Mariage Book 4 - Akumi Agitogi & Tsukiho Tsukioka
Summary:
Miyo Saimori comes from a long line of nobles with supernatural powers that she herself did not inherit. She is sent to the Kudô family to marry their leader Kiyoka, known to be cruel and heartless. But upon realizing that Miyo is not a young noblewoman raised in opulence, Kiyoka is intrigued and takes a liking to her. Our young couple is now engaged.
Having received no education worthy of the name, Miyo fears not being a wife worthy of her husband. She then begins her apprenticeship again with Hazuki, Kiyoka's big sister. While our two lovers are both enduring trying days, a mysterious man named Arata Tsuruki appears...
Miyo and Kiyoka will learn the happiness of loving and being loved, but also the suffering that accompanies this happiness...
Review:
How I love this manga and these characters. Especially in this volume because we can see that they are facing difficulties that they do not know how to resolve. Miyo and Kiyoka are so cute together. I really want to know what happens next.
Solo Leveling Book 12 - Chugong, N-Goon, Dubu (Redice Studio)
Summary:
When strange portals appeared in the four corners of the world, humanity had to find a solution to avoid ending up massacred by the claws of the monsters that emerge from them. At the same time, some people have developed abilities to hunt them. These intrepid fighters do not hesitate to rush into the heart of the dungeons to fight the creatures they shelter.
Review:
This webtoon is still amazing. I love following the adventures of Jinwoo, who remains humble despite what happens to him. In this volume, we learn a little more about the monarchs and a person close to Jinwoo. But I still have so many questions so I can't wait to find out what happens next.
Photo Credits : Amelie Marmonier
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