very nice story
Amazing story love this
Good amazing ......
Scarlette is my favorite character so I wish she had more screen time. Brie too.
Simple and meaningful. We need more n more of such stuff. Keep it up the budding author!!
I have no regrets reading this captivating book. It is well written. However, it would be nice if it had whose POV was given because sometimes the switch between Byron’s and Isla’s POV wasn’t clear. Glad that the ending wasn’t rushed.
Rather than a QT novel, and aside from the skills that carry over to each arc, it's better to view this as a series of individual stories featuring a somewhat stoic main character (MC) who adheres to a set of ethics to guide her decisions at the start of each story. The underlying message seems to be about staying true to oneself and not letting extreme emotions, particularly love, cloud one’s judgment. Treat others as you would like to be treated. We often see the original female lead (FL) falling into a downward spiral, striving to be the best but ultimately failing and leading a miserable life.
Each arc introduces a male lead (ML) who plays a significant role in the MC's journey. In the early arcs, which were my favorites, she didn’t necessarily love these characters, but they chose to remain by her side regardless. The cultivation arc, where the ML accompanied her on her travels, was the most wholesome and enjoyable. I continued to enjoy the story up until the mother arc, but began feeling uncomfortable during the apocalypse arc and eventually dropped it midway through the gold-digger girlfriend arc.
Initially, I appreciated the relatively low romance, the smart yet hardworking MC, and the subtle subversion of tropes. However, by the time I stopped reading, Lin Dan had become an extremely Mary Sue—a female character who excels in every traditional woman’s art and can cure any illness without a logical backstory. Most arcs are left open-ended, and they follow a repetitive formula where characters trash talk the original Lin Dan and then face consequences after the new Lin Dan reveals her superior abilities. One of the reasons I initially liked the story was that the MC developed the original Lin Dan’s skills to an extraordinary level but didn’t make it overly obvious that the original had been replaced or couldn’t achieve the same without Lin Dan’s influence (e.g., spending ten years developing chef skills in the first arc, but showing god-tier sewing, medicine, and cooking skills within two months of entering the world).
The story also consistently denigrates Western medicine while excessively promoting Chinese medicine, which felt out of place in multiple arcs. Her medical skills are my least favorite aspect of her abilities, often resolving critical situations with unrealistic ease: "She’s about to die—Lin Dan, can we do anything?" "Yes, use golden needles/take this medicine." The patient recovers in a matter of hours or days and becomes a devoted fan of Lin Dan.
Reading the story was a mixed experience, with noticeable differences in translation quality. The latest arc is well-translated, but earlier chapters had issues with inconsistent names and pronouns, and even used informal language like "ya'll" in formal settings, which was jarring. The machine translation (MTL) difficulty is around a 3/5, with some parts being more challenging than others.
, the beginning of the story is great, though some sections can be tedious and are skippable. I feel that you could read a few arcs and then skip to the end, as nothing other than skills carries over to the next arc. The final chapter was acceptable, aligning with expectations based on reviews about the ending. If you were hoping for a true romance ending, you might be disappointed. However, I believe the white lotus antagonist received a fitting conclusion.
THIS IS TOO CUTE!! IMPORTANT THINGS NEED TO BE SAID TWICE! THIS IS TOO CUTE!!! The story is quite brief, not too many chapters, which makes it well-written and concise. The main character (MC) is an ordinary person without many ambitions and has a clear understanding of herself. The male lead (ML) is very powerful and primarily driven by a sense of justice and righteousness, but he also shows a rather playful side toward the MC. However, how else can one transfer yang energy if not in that way? Huehuehue. I won't spoil their true identities, but the reveal is incredibly cute. Their relationship develops quickly, but it’s not unexpected. Since the MC lacks the ability to protect herself, she strikes a deal with the ML. The ML, curious about intimacy and immediately drawn to the MC, agrees. It begins with kisses and evolves into more physical contact as kisses alone aren't sufficient to save the MC. While I usually prefer MCs who are strong and capable of defending themselves, this type of MC isn’t bad either. The story has plenty of steamy moments, but they’re balanced with a lot of sweetness. The ending isn’t rushed either. After resolving the main plot, the author dedicates several chapters to developing the emotional connection between the MC and ML, leading to a very satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this story and hope the translator finishes it soon, as it’s not very long and is a very sweet read.
In my opinion, this novel lacks depth. The main character's younger sister appears superfluous to the plot; her presence feels forced as a comedic relief, but it didn't land for me. Then, unexpectedly, her brother joins in as another source of humor, which also falls flat. The story doesn't offer any meaningful risks or consequences for either the MC or the ML. The supporting characters are disappointingly one-dimensional. Perhaps the upcoming arcs will bring improvements, but at this point, I've decided to discontinue reading.
This novel was an absolute delight; the author captured the essence of high school life so vividly and engagingly. As the characters graduated, I found myself deeply moved by the emotions portrayed. The main couple's relationship was simply adorable, and their ease with one another was heartwarming. Both Xie Yu and He Zhao were captivating individuals, and their journey from friends to lovers was both endearing and hilarious, thanks to the charming and lovable supporting classmates.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book for those who enjoy lighthearted, character-driven coming-of-age stories within the m/m romance genre. It's a perfect read for anyone seeking a feel-good, relatable experience.
This isn't your typical feel-good romance novel; it leans more towards a melancholic exploration. It's important to note that not everyone may enjoy this style, but critiquing based on personal preference isn't a fair assessment of its quality. As I read, I felt compelled to share my thoughts.
The title indeed captures the essence, painting a picture of a "depressing illusion." I appreciate the author's handling of the age difference – the main character's youth (20) contrasting with the male lead's (28) – as it addresses a common issue, though some may argue 20 isn't necessarily a kid. The portrayal of sexuality isn't overly romanticized or sexualized, which is a refreshing change from other works.
Many themes resonate, such as the harsh realities of transmigration on mental health and the "yandere" trope in the original character. While I expect a satisfying conclusion with the intended couple, the novel's overall tone serves as a poignant reminder of the unhealthiness of these dynamics in real life. That's where the author's maturity and message truly shine.
This book doesn't bring happiness, but its honest portrayal of these issues makes me appreciate the depth and intention behind it.
let's see what this is about?