Review: Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

Release date: May 25, 2023

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Fake-dates, mooncakes and rich people problems, But love wasn't meant to be on the menu...

Meet Dylan Tang: he juggles school and delivery runs for his aunt's struggling Chinese takeout in Brooklyn. Winning a mooncake competition could bring the publicity they needed to stay afloat.

Enter Theo Somers: a charming, wealthy customer who convinces Dylan to be his fake date to a family wedding full of crazy rich drama. Their romance is supposed to be just for show...but soon Dylan's falling for Theo. For real.

With the mooncake contest looming, Dylan can't risk being distracted by rich-people problems. Can he save his family's business and follow his heart - or will he fail to do both?

This was my first queer read EVER! All I can say is why haven't I read more books like this before. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

Trope: Fake Dating

This book is about two boys from very different backgrounds going through their own family drama. There is the classic rich protagonist who needs a fake date to bring along to accompany him in the family feud so he isn't enduring it by himself. In comes Dylan who comes from a poorer family background and tries to make ends meet by helping his aunt out in their takeout, whilst also struggling to find what he wants to pursue in the future. 

All while they help each other out with their problems. An undeniable love starts to form between the two. One falls first, but the other falls harder.

Books like this you expect to be cheesy, however, you do not have to dread that here! It held so much tension whilst Dylan held a lot of self-conscious thoughts about his own actions. You can expect the one bed scene though. wink. There is a ridiculously sweet romance, it had me yelling at the book multiple times. The romance in this book was executed so well.

One of my favourite characters from the book was Dylan's cousin Megan, who was Dylan's wingwomen throughout the book. Constantly being there for him and making sure he showed only his true self to Theo. Her interests were similar to mine. Dylan can share right? Megan is now my friend too. I loved seeing the effect Megan had on Dylan and Theo, truly think nothing would have progressed without her.

Another aspect of the book I loved was how it included a character who was Indian. I don't usually see many representations of Hinduism or Indian characters so it was a pleasant surprise to read. Even if it was short, it was appreciated. It really made the book feel more immersive. 

The characters in the book weren't the only ones learning how diverse Dylan's cultural background is. The symbolism of the many sayings have stuck with me, and will forever be ingrained in my head. 

The character development I enjoyed the most was Malcom, aka Theo's dad, someone I disliked strongly for most of the book. Up until the end, where everything fell into place. Still I am not fully content with liking him, but I know I don't hate him anymore.

Fake Dates and Mooncakes is now my current favourite read of all time. If you want a cross between Fake-Dating, Kpop, the one bed scene, awkward situations, asian culture then you NEED this book. I will not stop talking about this book till all my bookish friends have read it.

Thank you Macmillan for providing a digital Netgalley ARC

I am definitely going to buy a physical copy!

Twisted Lies by Ana Huang

Release date: June 30, 2022

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Discover the addictive world of the Twisted series...

Charming, deadly and smart enough to hide it, CHRISTIAN HARPER is a monster dressed in the perfectly tailored suits of a gentleman. 

He has little use for morals and even less use for love, but he can't deny the strange pull he feels towards the woman living just one floor below him. 

She's the object of his darkest desires, the only puzzle he can't solve. And when the opportunity to get closer to her arises, he breaks his own rules to offer a deal she can't refuse.

Every monster has their weakness. She's his. His obsession. His addiction. His only exception. 

***

Sweet, shy and introverted, despite her social media frame, STELLA ALONSO is a romantic who keeps her heart in a cage.

Between her two jobs, she has little time or desire for a relationship. But when a threat from her past drives her into the arms -  and house - of the most dangerous man she's ever met, she's tempted to let herself feel something for the first time in a long time.

Because despite Christian's cold nature, he makes her feel everything when she's with him.

Passionate. Protected. Truly wanted.

Theirs is a love twisted with secrets and tainted by lies... and when the truths are finally revealed, they could shatter everything.

The final book of the twisted series. It was heartbreaking to see this much anticipated series come to an end. But alas, all good things must come to an end.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/ out of 5 stars

Trope: Steamy Fake-Dating

The slow-burn was killing me in this book. It had me yelling at the characters.

Stella was one of my favourite characters out of the whole series. She has this relatable personality. Her instincts would be what my first thoughts would have been in the same situation. I adored her character growth throughout the series. 

There is no reason to talk about Christian. At this point I have fallen for every single male in the series. (Josh will always be my favourite though)

Some of the spice seasons have be on my knees. 18+ definitely needed for not only this book but for the series. 

The epilogue was my favourite bit. It was definitely needed and the perfect way to end of an amazing seres.

A few of my favourite quotes to end the review:

"You'll always be my first, last and only love."

"Despite what I'd said about love being a drug, Stella was my greatest high."

"Butterfly?" "Beautiful. Elusive. Hard to catch."

TW's: possessive violence/ explicit sexual context/ profanity.

Recommended: 18+

Twisted Hate by Ana Huang

Release date: Jan 27, 2022

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Discover the addictive world of the Twisted series...

Gorgeous, cocky, and fast on his way to becoming a hotshot doctor, JOSH CHEN has never met a women he couldn't charm -  except Jules Ambrose.

The beautiful redhead has been a thorn in his side since they met, but she also consumes his thoughts in a way no women ever has.

When their animosity explodes into one unforgettable night, he proposes a solution that'll get her out of his system once and for all; an enemies with benefits arrangement with simple rules. No jealousy. No strings attached. And absolutely no falling in love. 

***

Outgoing and ambitious, JULES AMBROSE is a former party girl who's focused on one thing: passing the bar exam. 

The last thing she needs is to get involved with a doctor who puts the suffer in insufferable... no matter how good-looking he is. 

But the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes there's more than meets the eye to the man she's hated for so long. Her best friend's brother. Her nemesis. And her only salvation. 

Book three of the Twisted Series. It's no surprise this was my favourite out of the series so far especially when a character like Josh Chen pops up out of nowhere and gets his own love story.

Trope: Enemies-to-Lovers

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

Josh and Jules are known in the previous two books for their continuous rivalry. One coincidence leads to another and it seems they need away to set aside their differences. Maybe, an agreement might work? Acting like strangers was hard for the pair, but hiding their true feelings from Ava and Alex was harder.

Jules is this character with fiery intentions. She won't stop until she achieves her end goal, to be a lawyer. Josh is not going to step in her way. In order for that Josh, the obnoxiously flirty character, makes an agreement with her. They are both too busy with their careers to be hating each other.

I enjoyed Ana Huang's writing style. It was very easy to follow and understand when she switched POV's throughout the book. Thank you Ana Huang for feeding my spice addiction. It was erotic. It held sexual tension. Definitely gives a lot of couples ideas. 

There were a few spoilers in the book obviously hinting to book four, aka the final book in the series. 

The ending had me squealing. 

"Still hate me"

"Always"

I thought I had a major crush on Rhys Larsen and Alex Volkov? Oh no, I'm all for Josh Chen now. 

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

Release date: July 22, 2021

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Discover the addictive world of the Twisted series...

Stoic, broody and arrogant, elite bodyguard RHYS LARSEN has two rules: protect his clients at all costs and do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules... until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. Day by day, she breaks down his defences. He swore on oath to protect her but it's not enough. She must be his. His princess. His forbidden fruit. His every depraved fantasy. 

***

Regal, strong-willed and bound by the chains of duty, PRINCESS BRIDGET dreams of freedom to live and love as she chooses. 

But when her brother abdicates, she's faces with the prospect of a loveless, political marriage and a throne she never wanted.

As she navigates the intricacies-and treacheries- of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have. Her bodyguard. Her protector. Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom... and doom them both.

Book two of the Twisted Series. It is also Booktok's favourite book from the Series. If you like Princess Diaries then this book is for you!

Trope: BodyguardxPrincess

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

Bridget is a simple girl who thought she would live a peaceful life but now that her brother has abdicated from the throne. She is next in line. With no training, and zero knowledge of how to be a great queen for her people. She strives and exceeds her own expectations of herself. With the help of Rhys who has saved her life countless times, gives up his career for love. 

"It's not that I didn't believe in love before. It's that I was saving it all for you."

Two people who did not believe in love, or I thought didn't. Found love. Rhys really became booktok's standard in men.

Again, there were a few lines in this book which made me cringe a little. Had to take a few breaks from the book. However, the plot was very addictive. This book SERVED.

I sat down thinking I will only read a few chapters, but two hours later...I've read double. 

"Crawl to me."

Crying. Screaming. Throwing up. 

The scenes had me dead. I was squealing and giggling throughout this whole book. Then I binged Princess Diaries after. 

I'll end this review with my favourite quote.

"You and me against the world, princess." 

SQUEALING.

TW's: possessive alpha hero/ explicit sexual context/ profanity.

Recommended: 18+

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

Release date: April 22, 2021

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 Discover the addictive world of the Twisted Series...

ALEX VOLKOV is a devil blessed with the face of an angel and cursed with a past he can't escape.

Driven by a tragedy that has haunted him for most of his life, his ruthless pursuits for success and vengeance leave little room for the matters of the heart. 

But when he's forced to look after his best friend's sister, he starts to feel something in his chest: A crack. A melt. A fire that could end his world as he knew it.

***

AVA CHEN is a free spirit trapped by nightmares of a childhood she can't remember. 

But despite her broken past, she's never stopped seeing the beauty in the world... including the heart beneath the icy exterior of a man she shouldn't want. 

Her brother's best friend. Her neighbour. Her saviour and her downfall.

Theirs a love that was never supposed to happen - but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both... and everything they hold dear.

This was my first time reading a book from Ana Huang and all I can say is that her writing style is so addictive. She really had me drawn into this book. My head was clouded with Alex for so long. 

Trope: Best friend's brother

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars 

THIS WAS ALL OVER BOOKTOK. All I can say is I am NOT disappointed. This is a booktok series that is 100% worth the read.

Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but I would always recommend reading the series.

Alex Volkov is truly an unpredictable character. He gives me mafia boss vibes, but he isn't. He is a business man raking in billions with a B and has a lot and I mean A LOT of business connections. 

"I'd never seen him like that. Pissed, yes. Annoyed, definitely. BUT NOT LIKE THAT. Like he wanted to burn the world down at seeing me hurt."

He truly did show his love for Ava even after betraying her. This is when Alex Volkov raised our standards in men. 

If this man wasn't godly enough. He travelled to see Ava and gave up his job for her even though he was already set for life financially he still gave up his life back home to travel to London. 

Ava is this bubbly character that I absolutely fell in love with straight from the beginning, however Alex held no emotion. I didn't like him too much in the beginning but seeing emotion slowly come into his character made him much more desirable. 

I thought her friendship group were perfect. Who has a princess, social media influence, lawyer all in one friendship group. Seems like a dream. 

Plot wise, this stuck very much to the plot. They were complete opposites but it was amazing to see polar opposites get together. Some of the thoughts in Alex's head had me putting down the book. 

"And your pussy is mine. Every inch of you belongs to me, and if you ever let another man touch you- he'll end up in pieces, and you'll end up tied to my bed and fucked in every hole until my name is the only one you remember. Do you understand?"

The spice scenes were something else. 

I was obsessed by the end of this book. Dropped it so quick to pick up Twisted Games.

TW's: parental deaths/ violence/ child abuse.

Recommended: 18+

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

Release date: November 19, 2019

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His voice is soft, and I make the mistake if looking into his black eyes, at his wicked, curving mouth. 

'But your beauty with fade,' he continues, just as softly, speaking like a lover. 'And all you have and all you are will rot away to nothing. You will be nothing. You are nothing.'

As the exiled mortal Queen of Faerie, Jude is reeling from Cardan's betrayal and is determined to reclaim everything he took from her. Opportunity arrives in the form of her deceptive twin sister, Taryn, whose life is in peril. Jude must return to the treacherous Faerie Court and confront her lingering feelings for Cardan.

But Elfhame is not as she left it. War is brewing, and she becomes ensnared in the conflict't bloody politics. When a terrible curse is unleashed, panic spreads throughout the land, forcing Jude to choose between her ambition and her humanity...

Last book from the trilogy. This was a constant emotional rollercoaster. Went into the book hating Cardan, but finished the book completely in love with him.

Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

"Locke is dead." 

I cried. Not because I was sad. No. It was because I was happy. He gave me so much pain during the trilogy I was so glad he was gone. If you don't know what i'm on about then i'd recommend reading the previous two books from the trilogy. 

The best bit about this whole trilogy is how the family were so split in the first book, everyone was in conflict. They had no understanding of each other and their abilities fully. To see everyone getting along and even Heather made a return. I was beyond happy. 

I love spice, and this book served. Even if it was not anything like Twisted Hate level spice. I still got my love story. 

"Jude, you can't really think I don't know it's you. I knew you from the moment you walked into the brugh."  

I felt shivers. My love for Cardan only grew. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between twins, but someone who I thought hated Jude. Exiled her. Knew the difference between her and Taryn. That was my breaking point, that was when I realised he truly loved her. 

To even think Cardan was the bad guy in the other two books makes me look so naive. Nicasia spat straight facts about Cardan. She was an unexpected character for me to like in the end considering I hated her as much as Locke. 

Overall, this book made me feel so many things. The last few chapters were very unexpected, considering I have heard quite a few spoilers about this book. I still found the ending entertaining to read. 

This really makes me want to read Oak's POV and how his life was throughout all of this. 

The Wicked King by Holly Black

Release date: January 8, 2019

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I have heard that for mortals, the feeling of falling in love is very like the feeling of fear.

Jude has tricked Cardan onto  the throne, binding him to her for a year and a day. But the new High King does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her. 

Meanwhile, a traitor is scheming against her, Jude must fight for her life and also battle her own complicated feelings for Cardan. Now a year and day seems like no time at all... 

Second Book from The Folk of the Air series. I love my spice, so if you had expectations for spice then you will sadly be disappointed for this book. There is a few scenes which hold the tension between Cardan and Jude and one slightly intimate scene. Other than that, it is more plot driven. 

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars 

It is still very much Cutthroat/Enemies to Lovers, however in this book they seem more like they are on the same side instead of on opposite ends of the pole.

The series I read before this was The Twisted Series by Ana Huang so when I read Cardan say "Crawl to me" my mind went straight to that one very spicy scene we all know from Twisted Games. 

Jude's character developed so much from The Cruel Prince. We could see this stronger, more mature version of Jude who has now become so self-aware and learnt that being a mortal has its advantages. 

Taryn, she was a character I did not expect to see much of a change too, but I was wrong. Her betrayal was a surprise but then again she is out for better in life than Jude, even if she needs to fit in to get it. Her jealousy only feeds her power. 

Cardan was full of surprise in this book. He really said ✨independent✨, instead of being the puppet he wanted to do it himself. Ofcourse Jude was worried about this but what is there to worry about when the High King has offered her a promotion. 

"Marry me," he says. "Become the Queen of Elfhame." 

crying 1. Cardan is not on the market and 2. WHAT! All it took was to get to the end of the book 2 in the trilogy for their feelings to be crystal clear. 

As quickly as this excitement came was as quickly as it left. The ending has already got me dropping The Wicked King to pick up the Queen of Nothing.

TW's: Lot's of gory and blood.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Release date: January 2, 2018

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Of Course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe. 

One terrible morning, Jude and her sisters see their parents murdered in front of them. The fearsome assassin abducts all three girls and brings them to the world of Faerie. Mocked and tormented for being merely mortal, Jude soon realises that to survive in the treacherous, dangerous world of the royal court, she needs to be as cunning and deceitful as the Fey themselves. 

But the stair way to power is fraught with shadows and betrayal. And looming over all is the arrogant and charismatic Prince Cardan. 

Booktok recommended series. Had no expectations for the book, but yes! This was so good. This the first book from The Folk of the Air series. 

Rating :⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars 

It is still the first book of the series, but I love my spice content. This book was definitely more of the tension building up into the second book of the series "The Wicked King".

The troupe is: Enemies to Lovers.

We definitely see some sort of connection form between the two by the end of this book. It gave bullying turns into friendship...turning into love? Potentially. 

This book was all from Jude's POV. I would have loved to see Cardan's POV.

It was overall an easy book to follow when using the map in the beginning of the book to help direct where the characters has gone. I do not normally go for books with little to no intimacy but I can definitely say this book is worth the read. Even with little intimacy, the tension throughout the book was held. There was a clear plot to the story aside from the love aspect. 

I don't want to spoil anything to do with the book, as it is an experience you should find out about yourselves. The second half of the book I read in one sitting. I was too intrigued to drop the book and miss out on anything.

Enjoy Chapter 20! Check TW's. Lots of gory and blood.