The Donut Trap.

 

 

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 CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

Jasmine Tran has landed herself behind bars - maple bars that is. With no boyfriend or job prospects, Jasmine returns home to work at her parents’ donut shop. Jasmine quickly loses herself in a cyclical routine of donuts, Netflix, and sleep. She wants to break free from her daily grind, but when a hike in rent threatens the survival of their shop, her parents rely on her more than ever. 

Help comes in the form of an old college crush, Alex Lai. Not only is he successful and easy on the eyes, to her parents’ delight, he’s also Chinese. He’s everything she should wish for, until a disastrous dinner reveals Alex isn’t as perfect as she thinks. Worse, he doesn’t think she’s perfect either. 

With both sets of parents against their relationship, a family legacy about to shut down, and the reappearance of an old high school flame, Jasmine must scheme to find a solution that satisfies her family’s expectations and can get her out of the donut trap once and for all. 

 

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Such a cute book. The Donut Trap was one of the books I came across accidentally. I was surfing through the online catalog for my library when I came across this one. The title caught my attention first, The Donut Trap ; how can you not be curios with a title like that? When I started reading the book, I didn’t know what to expect, and this was the first book I read by Julie Tieu. Now that I have read it, I am curious to see what other books she has written. I couldn’t get enough of the characters, especially Jasmine; I wanted to see when her journey would lead her. I love donuts, and while reading this book a few times, I found myself craving them. I don’t think I would last very long if I worked in the donut shop, not without eating some of them anyways. I found it interesting that Jasmine didn’t speak her language. Jasmine is a likable character; it was almost impossible not to love her. Although I was hoping that she would be able to find something that she liked to do, I knew that she was struggling to work at her parent’s donut shop. 

The Donut Trap reminded me a little of the TV Show Kim’s Convivence that I watched a while back with my parents, but in a different way. The Donut Trap was a light read and easy to follow. I loved the humor that was added to the book on occasion, and I enjoyed the way that Jasmine’s mother joked and teased her on occasion. The humor made the book even more interesting to read. This was the book I had forced myself to put down because I had study, because once I picked it up, I could read it for hours if I didn’t stop myself. Every page had something happening, and something unexpected would happen when you thought you could put it down. The Donut Trap was another book that I wanted to see how it would end, but I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want to say goodbye to any of the characters. Once I reached the end, I wondered what happened to the characters afterward. 

I loved the relationship between Alex and Jasmine. To me, their relationship felt real, it wasn’t rushed, and they didn’t fall in love at the first sight. I was afraid that there would be no going back, not after that disastrous dinner with Alex’s mother. I try to like every character when I am reading the book, but I couldn’t find it in myself to like his mother. I would be embarrassed if she was my mother. I was sure that Jasmine’s parents would be against her dating Alex, but her mom surprised me. At the same time, I understand it, she wants her daughter to be happy, and she probably noticed how happy she was with Alex around. The Donut Trap is another book I thought about long after turning the last page. I would highly recommend it.

Until Leaves Fall In Paris.

 

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 CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

 

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books. 

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore. 

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail? 

 

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Sarah Sundin is the one author who I'm glad that I discovered. I came across the author back in 2019. I have read a few of her books since then and loved them. Until Leaves Fall In Paris was another fantastic book; I couldn't quit flipping the pages and couldn't get enough of the story. Of all of her books, Until Leaves Fall In Paris has been my favorite one so far. I loved this so much about this story, causing me to stay up late into the night. I had always enjoyed historical fiction books that took place during World War II, primarily because most of them were so realistic. Until Leaves Fall In Paris wasn't any different, telling a story of two brave people, and Sundin found a way to make the story come alive for me. I loved that most of this book took place in the bookstore, and I thought how they exchanged messages was unique. However, I was afraid that one of those days, Lucie would get caught, and I didn't want to think about what would happen to her if she did. However, it was brave for Lucie to pass the messages through the books and take precautions simultaneously. 

There was so much chemistry between Lucie and Paul right from the start. I could tell by the way that they acted with each other. I could tell she was disappointed when she heard that Paul was a collaborator. I didn't believe it. I didn't think that Paul was a traitor, but I wondered if he was in the resistance and why he let everyone believe he was a collaborator. I know that the only person he wished he could tell was Lucie. I hoped that Lucie would see it, that she would see that Paul wasn't the enemy. On every page, I was on edge, anxious to see what would happen with Paul and Lucie. I loved Paul's daughter Josie, and she always had me smiling. My heart broke for her, the way that the other kids treated her, because of what their parents thought of their father. I loved Josie's stories, she had so much imagination, and I loved what Lucie did for her. I do believe that Josie brought Paul and Lucie together. Josie loved Lucie as if she were her mother, based on how she acted with her. Like Josie, I was hoping the two of them would find a way to help each other. 

This book is filled with so many emotions. The characters, the descriptions. It felt as if I was there. I even pictured myself in Paris. Until Leaves Fall In Paris is not a story you will forget; it will stay with you long after you turn the last page. There was part of me that wanted to see how it would end, and there was a part of me that didn't want it to come to an end. Even if you haven't read any of Sarah Sundin's books, the title, and the cover will capture your attention enough to make you want to check the book out. I am always looking forward to Sundin's books, and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next.

House Of Sky And Breath(Crescent City,#2)

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds. 

The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri's power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels' plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what's right. And they've never been very good at staying silent. 

 

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There are no words. 

Once again, Sarah J.Maas has me at a loss for words and so many emotions going through me while reading and after finishing the book. By now, I have read most of her books, and nothing should surprise me. But I should know better, especially after an ending like that. An ending that has me craving for the next book in the series, which I know will be a while. I thought about that ending for a bit, long after I turned the book's last page. House of Sky And Breath had a few twists that I did not see coming, but the book's ending surprised me the most. From all her series that I have read, I think that the Crescent City is my favorite one so far. I knew that there was a reason that Sarah J.Maas is one of my favorite fantasy authors, and I am always looking forward to her books. Once you pick up House Of Sky and Breath , it will be impossible to put the book down, I had to force myself to put it down, so I could study. 

How can you not love Bryce and Hunt's relationship? I knew there was something special between the two of them from the moment they met, even if they didn't know it at first. The two of them have the type of relationship that almost everyone wants. I know that sometimes Hunt can be overprotective, but I know that's because he loves her and doesn't want anything to happen to her. I love that the two of them always find time for each other, no matter what happens in their lives. However, I feel that their lives are about to change again in a significant way. I know that they have a lot of challenges that they will have to face on the way. I'm eager to find out what will happen to them next. 

Ruhn. I loved him in the first book, and he became my favorite in House Of Sky And Breath. I loved how he cared about others and offered Ithan to stay at his house after he got kicked out of his pack and accepted him. It seemed as if he was always trying to help others. He's the type of friend that everyone wants. I loved the relationship between him and Daybright, a relationship that Ruhn was missing. I wondered about her identity from the start and knew it was a possibility that it was an enemy. I could tell how much Daybright cared about him, even if she wouldn't admit it at first. When her identity was revealed, Ruhn wasn't the only one shocked. I'm curious to see what's going to happen next. Danika, I knew she had secrets since they kept coming out after her death, and it seemed like more of them kept coming out. I wondered, how many more are out there? What was she hiding? I knew that she kept them from Bryce a secret for a reason, but I can only imagine how Bryce felt, knowing how much Danika kept from her. 

House Of Sky and Breath was action-packed from the start until the last page. I did feel that the first couple of chapters had a slow start. However, once the book picked up, every page had you wondering what would happen next. As I said, I have no words for how I am feeling about this book. I am eager to discover what adventures and challenges await Bryce, Hunt, and their friends next.

Her Hidden Genius.

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 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Rosalind Franklin has always been an outsider―brilliant, but different. Whether working at the laboratory she adored in Paris or toiling at a university in London, she feels closest to the science, those unchanging laws of physics and chemistry that guide her experiments. When she is assigned to work on DNA, she believes she can unearth its secrets. 

Rosalind knows if she just takes one more X-ray picture―one more after thousands―she can unlock the building blocks of life. Never again will she have to listen to her colleagues complain about her, especially Maurice Wilkins who'd rather conspire about genetics with James Watson and Francis Crick than work alongside her. 

Then it finally happens―the double helix structure of DNA reveals itself to her with perfect clarity. But what unfolds next, Rosalind could have never predicted. 

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I love science, and I love historical fiction. I remember learning about DNA and its structure in my biology class in high school and later college. It was confusing to learn about DNA but also fascinating at the same time. I only briefly learned who discovered the structure of DNA, but it never occurred to me that there could been another person. I wasn't aware of Rosalind Franklin until I started reading Her Hidden Genius. I have read books that featured science before, but nothing like this, or that detailed. I loved going on the journey with Rosalind to discover the DNA structure. Her Hidden Genius was heavily detailed on the DNA, and I enjoyed most of it, but there were also parts I had trouble understanding. So there were parts of the book that were harder to follow than others. I couldn't get of this book, and I wanted to see where the discovery would lead her. 

I can see why Rosalind Franklin was such an inspirational woman. To make such a discovery, the amount of research and observation that had to be conducted to reach that discovery. I love Marie Benedict's writing styles, having read a few of her books. I can tell the amount of research she had done for this book, the details on everything, especially about the DNA. I learned more about DNA than before just by reading the book. Marie Benedict had such vivid descriptions, especially the research aspect, making me feel as if I were there, along with Rosalind, discovering with her. It's upsetting that the amount of research she conducted, and instead of being appreciated, her research was getting stolen by other scientists. I hoped that she would find a way to get her research back. There was so much happening, and I couldn't get enough of it. 

There was something off about Maurice Wilkins from the moment that he and Rosalind met. He just couldn't let go that Rosalind oversaw the research. I had a feeling that he had something up his sleeve. Unfortunately, Watson wasn't any better. Of all her books I have read, Her Hidden Genius is one of my favorites. This isn't a book that you will forget. I found myself thinking about it after reaching the last page and even talking about it with my family and friends. I feel it will be a story that I will return to in the future. I even researched Rosalind Franklin once I finished the book, her story had a significant impact on me, and I wanted to know more. I would highly recommend this to any historical fiction and science fans. 

Inspirational.