Eh, I think there's just something about B.K. Borison's writing that doesn't jive with me and this book was no different. Seems like a personal problem, however. And Now, Back to You was is a bit of a mixed experience, but still an overall enjoyable read. The writing has a light, cozy feel with plenty of charm, especially in the second half where the story really finds its footing. I absolutely love the backdrop and Borison shines with writing vibes and settings. The opposites-attract dynamic between Jackson and Delilah is fun on paper, and their shared love of weather adds a unique, slightly nerdy touch to the romance. I love the science behind weather too, so really enjoyed those bits. That said, the early pacing and character interactions can feel a bit forced, with some awkward dialogue making it harder to fully invest at first. I did like Jackson way more than Aiden though and will probably still read the third book!

I think this is the point where I realize this series probably isn't for me. The writing is still fast-paced and easy to read, and Kate remains a capable, entertaining protagonist, but I'm not feeling very invested in the central romance. As the relationship took up more space on the page, I found myself caring less about what was happening rather than more.

I think a lot of it comes down to personal taste. The shapeshifter-heavy aspects of the series just don't do much for me, and by this point I'm not particularly attached to the relationship dynamics. It's just kind of giving me the ick now. I still very much enjoy the wider cast and there's still plenty of action and the world remains interesting, but I found myself reading out of habit rather than excitement. That said, this hasn't put me off Ilona Andrews as authors, I can absolutely see why these books have such a dedicated fanbase, and I'd still be interested in trying one of their other series in the future.

Ninth House was a bit of a mixed experience for me. I’ll be honest, I spent a good chunk of the book feeling confused, like I was playing catch-up with the world-building and all the secret society details and I can't be sure I understand yet. There’s a lot packed into the story, and at times I wasn’t sure if I was missing something or if things just weren’t explained yet. That said, in the moments it did click for me, I really loved it.

The atmosphere is fantastic. It's dark, moody, and exactly what you’d want from a secret-societies-at-Yale type of story. Bardugo’s writing style also has something about it that really works so well for the tone, and I liked how she wove in both the supernatural elements and the heavier, real-world themes. The mystery aspect kept me hooked, even if I didn’t always feel totally grounded in what was happening.

So, overall, parts of it left me scratching my head, but the moments that worked for me really worked. It’s one of those books that’s rewarding if you’re willing to sit with the confusion for a while.