Top 5 Wednesday | Worst Love Interests (male or female) (Feb 24 ’16)

I forgot to post this yesterday. Anyways…let’s get on with it. Top 5 Wednesday was created by Lainey on Goodreads. This week’s topic is Worst Love Interests (male or female).

In no particular order:

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Aspen from The Selection by Kiera Cass

I hate it when men/guys/boyfriends try to decide for the girl. And all because of manly ego, because he can’t provide for the girl better. I know that can be a real issue in real life/ reality, but still, asdfghjklasdfghjkl America knows what she’s getting into when they started going out. And the nerve! Trying to get back with America when she’s starting to like the prince.

America from the Selection by Kiera Cass

And ugh, America. I do like her, a bit, but did she really have to string to guys along? Aspen and Mason didn’t deserve that, and I don’t even like Aspen much.

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Max from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

He’s too jealous. I can’t stand it when the guy is too jealous.

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Gideon from Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde

He’s older, and he’s a judge, for goodness sake. Some rules are not meant to be broken, even if you say you’re not biased.

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James from Lucy in the Sky by Paige Toon

He cheats. And he knows how to sweet talk someone enough to convince them that they’re telling the truth. I dislike that type.


Sooo…this is kind of like 5 worst interests I recently read about instead of my top 5 because I really can’t think of them. But anyways, thank you for reading.

What are your worst love interests?

January 2016 Wrap Up

So, 2016 started with me reading tons of books. I practically read 1.5 books in a day. And because of some last minute changes, during my last week of vacation, I stayed with my aunt in PJ instead of the one in Putrajaya, and get to raid my cousins’ bookshelf. Read three books from my cousin’s bookshelf when I finished the three books I brought during my trip.

2016 reading goals: 200 books/ 365 days

January ’16 reads: 22 books/ 200 books

Total reads: 22 books/ 200 books

Continue reading “January 2016 Wrap Up”

Book Review: The Selection (Book 1 of the Selection Series)

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Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Pages: 327

Rating: 3.5/5

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. (Goodreads) 

Warning: SPOILER 

I have heard both good and bad things about this series. I was kind of reluctant to buy this at first, because when I watched a book review on this, that person said this book really made her frustrated. But then, the boxset for this series was available (with a poster), and I had a 10% discount, so I bought it.

My initial thought when I read the first few pages (page 20) was, “Don’t they have condoms?” Because we were following America’s train of thoughts, and she said that only the rich could control how many kids they have, or something like that. I know condoms are not 100% full-proof, but still?

At first, I was really rooting for America and Aspen, because their love was passionate, and Aspen was kind of hot. Their love also made my heart ache. All the “feels” from the beginning of the book was because of America and Aspen.

So, because of that, I thought, “Hey, America’s not so bad. I wonder why people were so frustrated.”  My answer came when I got to page 45.

Maxon was stiff and quiet. It was hard imagining anyone being happy with such a wimp. — America Singer

This really changed how I felt about America. She’s judging Maxon without even knowing him, and I hate when people do that.

Despite this, I was still rooting for America and Aspen. Yes, Aspen’s an idiot for breaking up with America, but I thought maybe they’d get back together or something. Then, page 73 happened.

Aspen was standing there with Brenna Butler in front of him, casually holding her around the waist and smiling.

So, Aspen is an idiot. If America was right, and he really was just using her, then he’s also a douche. But if not, then he’s just an idiot.

As usual, when I started to like one pairing, I tend to not like the competition (in this case, Prince Maxon). But Maxon is such a sweetheart, I can’t help but like him, even though I know it would be painful to read, because of the potential love triangle. I really dislike love triangle. Maxon’s personality—his patience, understanding, cuteness (because he’s so blur about some things sometimes)—it just won me over. If I was there, I probably can’t help falling in love a bit with him.

I felt relieved when America told him the truth, an offered to be his friend, and help him narrow down his candidates, and he took her offer (even though I had a feeling that Maxon probably already has some kind of feeling for America, but he just took whatever America gave him as long as he has America). I started warming up to America again as her opinion on Maxon changed.

When I thought all was going well (because America is finally going to give Maxon a chance), everything went south. Kind of. Aspen was posted as a guard at the palace. From here onwards, I started getting annoyed with America again. I was so irritated at how easily she went into Aspen’s arms again. I have never been in love, so I guess I don’t understand what it’s like but still… She’s stringing two men along, and to be frank, Maxon didn’t deserve that.

But in the end, when America told Aspen she’s going to stop secretly making out with him because of the selection, and maybe sort out her feelings, saying that she’s neither choosing Aspen or Maxon, I was happy again… for now.

America can figure out her feelings while I cheer for Maxon on the sideline.

In conclusion, if I didn’t know about other people’s thoughts on this series, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up the moment I read the book’s summary. The setting and the concept was interesting, the plot was too—it is definitely something that I like reading about. My only dissatisfaction with this book was America’s indecisiveness. If I ignore that, and the fact that she’s giving Maxon hope that she’ll return his feeling, but secretly went off to make out with Aspen, I definitely enjoyed the book.