The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde - UPDATED REVIEW

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde  Genre : Classics Blurb (on back of book) : Oscar Wilde’s only novel is the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. In this celebrated work Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde's most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind. UPDATED REVIEW MY OPINION : ****** I would like to start out this review by stating that this is undoubtedly m...
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Girl Abroad - Elle Kennedy

Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy
Genre: Romance

Blurb (on back of book): New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy brings her signature angst, drama, and humour to a new standalone romance.
When nineteen-year-old Abbey Bly gets the opportunity to study abroad for a year in London, it's the perfect chance to finally slip out from under the thumb of her beloved but overbearing retired rock star father. She's ready to be free, to discover herself - but first off, to meet the girls she's rooming with. That is, until she arrives at her gorgeous new flat to discover those roommates are actually all boys. Charming, funny, insufferably attractive boys. And off-limits, with a rule against fraternizing between housemates after unwanted drama with the previous girl.
Abbey has never considered herself a rulebreaker. But soon, she's lying to her father about her living situation and falling for not one, but two men she can't have: her rugby-player roommate and a broody musician with a girlfriend. Not to mention, her research for school has gotten her tangled in a deeply hidden scandal of a high nobility family, surrounding her in secrets on all sides.
If there's any hope of Abbey finding love, answers, or a future in London, she'll have to decide which rules - and hearts - might be worth breaking . . .

MY OPINION: **

I love Elle Kennedy and her Off Campus and Briar U series but sadly this one did not hit its target with me. I was super excited for it because it’s a romance story about a girl studying abroad and I am also studying abroad. 

So just like I didn’t find the love of my life in Europe, I did not find the love of my bookish world with this one. 

I remember I hated the relationships. There’s a love triangle that was so pointless and I lowkey didn’t even like either man. It was very obvious who she would choose so it really felt like the other guy was useless. Also, the cheating trope was kind of prevalent which I despise and can never condone, fictional or not. 

The main character was also annoying to the point where I wondered how she managed to pull either of the men she did. 

The prose was weak and not at all as gripping and entertaining as Kennedy’s other works. Like yes, it’s a romance book but that doesn’t mean the writing should be this sloppy and boring. It’s rare for me to have to struggle to turn pages in a rom com, which I consider palate cleansers that I can speed through in a day or two. 

I also wish we had talked more about the study abroad experience because by the title alone, that’s what the book is about. Speaking from personal experience, so much can happen when abroad and there were so many untapped avenues Kennedy could have gone down. Funny anecdotes of culture shock and traumatic moments because of language barriers. New friends and experiences. Like???

I think it’s funny because she goes to live with three men or something and so am I. 

I don’t recommend this book even if you like Kennedy’s other work. I’m almost positive there are other study abroad romances out there that are much better and stronger than this one.

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