Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin (arc)

About the book:

Hannah Capin’s Foul is Fair is a bloody, thrilling revenge fantasy for the girls who have had enough. Golden boys beware: something wicked this way comes.

Jade and her friends Jenny, Mads, and Summer rule their glittering LA circle. Untouchable, they have the kind of power other girls only dream of. Every party is theirs and the world is at their feet. Until the night of Jade’s sweet sixteen, when they crash a St. Andrew’s Prep party. The night the golden boys choose Jade as their next target.

They picked the wrong girl.

Sworn to vengeance, Jade transfers to St. Andrew’s Prep. She plots to destroy each boy, one by one. She’ll take their power, their lives, and their control of the prep school’s hierarchy. And she and her coven have the perfect way in: a boy named Mack, whose ambition could turn deadly.

About the author:
Hannah Capin is the author of Foul is Fair and The Dead Queens Club, a feminist retelling of the wives of Henry VIII. When she isn’t writing, she can be found singing, sailing, or pulling marathon gossip sessions with her girl squad. She lives in Tidewater, Virginia.

Blurbs:
“Fierce, vicious, and electric. If books had teeth, Foul Is Fair would have fangs. Capin’s language glitters dark and her writing cuts deep. Revenge is a dish best served by this deliciously unapologetic coven.” – Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of Firsts and Last Girl Lied To

“Capin’s writing will seduce you with its beauty and then, when you least suspect it, slice you to the bone—just like Foul is Fair’s captivating, vicious, entirely unforgettable heroine, Jade.” – Layne Fargo, author of Temper and co-host of Unlikeable Female Characters Podcast

“Vicious and beautifully brutal, Foul is Fair gives a sword to every girl who has ever been a victim and makes them a warrior. This book is pulls no punches and will make anyone think twice before uttering the phrase ‘just a girl’. An unapologetic feminist battle-cry that leaves you breathless and thirsting for vengeance.” – Sonia Hartl, author of Have a Little Faith in Me

“Foul is Fair delivers the story of a girl who snatches control back from a world that stole it away, through whatever means necessary. Hannah Capin deftly combines stunningly lyrical prose with the raw power of engulfing fury, sending a message written in blood. In a world where too many are forced into silence, this book roars back.” – S. Gonzales, author of The Law of Inertia and Only Mostly Devastated

Author’s Twitter/Instagram: @tldaaollf
FOUL IS FAIR buy link: https://wednesdaybooks.com/the-real-deal/foul-is-fair/

Review:

The plot of the story was interesting and the writing okay, but I couldn’t connect with the characters at all. I was hoping for some redeeming qualities in the flashbacks when you get glimpses of who the main protagonist and her friends were before the ill fated night that started the whole storyline, but those showcased four spoiled, bored and manipulative girls instead.

I read around 30% until I allowed myself to put it down and “dnf” it (did not finish). I sincerely hope there is a redeeming story arc in this story though. It would give it a depth that I think a story like this needs.

No matter what I think though, there will be lots of people who read this and who will enjoy it for it’s vengeance storyline that feels like watching a mix of Gossip Girl and Mean girls with a darker approach. Maybe you’ll like it more than me!

A huge thank you to the publisher Wednesday Books who kindly sent me this advanced reading copy! I’m always grateful for the opportunity to experience new stories!

Rating: 2 stars

Trigger warning:

The primary thematic material of Foul is Fair centers on sex- ual assault (not depicted), rape culture, and violence. Addi- tionally, the book includes an abusive relationship, a suicide attempt, and a brief scene with transphobic bullying. For a more detailed description of sensitive content, please visit hannahcapin.com/foulisfair.

Doctor Dearest by R.S. Grey (arc)

I love this story and, as usual when reading anything by R.S. Grey, I had a hard time letting it go once I started reading! This book revolves around doctors (two in particular of course, it IS a romance after all) and we get to experience tropes like forced proximity, brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister and a slight age gap. Three very good tropes when well done and R.S. Grey knows how to spin them into something GOOD.

As a whole I loved both the cast of characters and their dynamics, even though the protagonists were a bit off sometimes, but luckily it mostly read like human flaws and didn’t detract from the story.

I was eagerly anticipating some heartwarming moments when I realized that the protagonists work with children as their main patients and, to my delight, there were a chapter or two where I nearly melted when a certain little toddler entered the scene. I was hoping that they would adopt her, but alas so much cuteness probably WOULD have melted me into a puddle for real. 

For the rom com loving reader, you can’t go wrong with an R.S. Grey book and Doctor Dearest is a great book to start with!

Synopsis:

Natalie

Dr. Easton is part man, part myth.
He’s a formidable surgeon. Highly respected in his field.
He also happens to be an ex-collegiate quarterback with a classically handsome face.
Are you catching on yet?
He’s horrible.
Beautiful.
A walking Ralph Lauren ad.
He’s also so off limits he should come with a warning label: This way lies heartache.

Not only is he an attending at the hospital where I’m training, he’s also my brother’s best friend. If you’ve lost count, that’s two reasons why I plan on putting this ridiculous crush behind me. Besides, it’s definitely not mutual.

Dr. Easton has never once paid me special attention. No tempting smirks. Not even one subtle innuendo. To him, I’m just another resident—all but invisible.

Connor

For the last five years, I’ve mentored Natalie in the OR, stayed in line, and kept my hands to myself, but it’s been agonizing.

Natalie is trouble in scrubs. A walking temptation I’ve been forced to ignore.

For so long, I’ve wanted her in silence. By the time fate finally gets around to throwing me a bone, my patience has run out.

Natalie’s brother is leaving town, and he wants me to watch over her while he’s gone.

He has no idea how I feel about her.
Neither does she.
But she will.

Haven’t you heard good things come to those who wait, Natalie?
Well…I’ve done my waiting.

About R.S. Grey:

R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. She lives in Texas with her husband and daughter, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga! Visit her at rsgrey.com

Website | Facebook | R.S. Grey’s Little Reds Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram

Release date: 2020-02-06

Rating: 4,5 stars