Watching Wednesday: The Evolution of Our Love

So before then, I’ll try to solve my problem. 

And you try to find someone better than me. 

(translated by Viki volunteers, ep 28)

Evolution of Our Love 

Genres: Romantic Comedy, Chinese Drama

Cast: Zhang Ruo Yun, Zhang Tian Ai

Rated: PG-13

Year Released: 2018

Synopsis from Viki

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Love isn’t always found in the places you expect it.

Ai Ruo Man (Zhang Tian Ai) is a successful career woman. But her strong personality and independent nature chases men away in her personal life.

Lu Fei (Zhang Ruo Yun) is a gentle, easy-going man who loves to cook, clean and tend to his garden. Women appreciate his kind spirit, but not enough to date or marry him.

Ai Ruo Man and Lu Fei have been best friends for the past 15 years. As they both enter their 30s, can they help each other find the mate of their dreams?

“The Evolution of Our Love” is a 2018 Chinese drama series directed by An Zhu Jian.

My first introduction to this story was with the Kdrama version "The Time We Were Not in Love" that was released in 2015. 

Anyway, I came across a review that claimed the Korean make (or remake) was a bastardized version of this Chinese drama. And I did quite enjoy the Kdrama. So, being thoroughly intrigued, I smashed that play button on “The Evolution of Our Love”.

And found that that reviewer was ever so right!

Not only is the story unfolded over 40 episodes, whereas the Kdrama was condensed down to 16 (and even then managed to feel drawn out in the middle), this take goes beyond the relationship. While it spans deeper into the layers of their friendship, this version revolves more so around the lead male and his hang ups while also delving into the long held one sided love the female protagonist endures for her crush. Knowing that pain and being able to mirror it onto her best friend when she finally realizes Lu Fei’s feelings was one of the best expressed details of this version. Episode 24(?) alone had me fighting back the tears. Don’t even get me started on episode 38. 

Highly recommend both versions!

Side note: The original story, from what I gathered, comes from Taiwan in a 2011 drama entitled, "In Time With You". It was remade again in 2019 in Japan with the same name, "In Time With You" but also known as “I Don’t Love You Yet.” A truly beautiful sentiment. I have, as of now, watched and enjoyed all versions of this story. This version from China remains my favorite. 

:: WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS SPOILERS ::

If I Could Stay

Available at Amazon

If I Could Stay
Stephanie Nicole Norris
Kindle Edition, 87 pages
Published September 12th 2018
Read for FREE with Amazon Prime

She would only be there for twenty-four hours…

When Carmen Mitchell left her hometown of Brunswick Georgia, the last thing she wanted was a reunion. Then, her only mission was to attend college, pursue her modeling career, and leave her past hurts behind. But when Carmen receives some startling news, she decides the time to make her final appearance has arrived; however, reemerging could open old wounds and the obstacle of facing the man she left behind presents the biggest challenge of them all.

Dominic Johnson has long since put thoughts of Carmen Mitchell out of sight and out of mind. Circumstances would bring her back to Brunswick, but there was no repartee to be spoken to the woman who’d left him years ago without so much as a goodbye. It isn’t until Dominic gains a first-hand glimpse of Carmen that old memories spark and a detonation of what was, and what could be, set off a myriad of images in his mind. Now Dominic is faced with a battle that’s waging internally, to stay out of her way or to succumb to Carmen Mitchell, again.

This is a free ebook from Amazon Prime advertised as a lunch break read and it is exactly that. It's quick, smutty, and unfortunately (as another reviewer stated) simply unrealistic.

Which is what contemporary romance *should* be. Right?

SPOILERS BELOW

Straight up, did not care for Carmen. This woman shows up after some eight years in her hometown for her grandmother's funeral looking to avoid her ex-boyfriend, Dominic, because she pretty much abandoned him back when she was eighteen. So of course, they cross paths and she immediately goes into apologetic mode. Forgive me. Don't hate me. Blah blah blah.

So what follows? Immediately after this earnest plea for forgiveness, she throws herself at him. Completely objectifies the guy. Box checked on relinquishing the pent up guilt she brought upon herself, Carmen then proceeds to use him to satisfy her own lust.

Okay, okay. It's an erotic novella. It's granted that it revolves around lust. But, c'mon.

This boy loved you. Have a heart. Have some sense. Make some damn sense.

And use some damn birth control!

(A generous) 3 out of 5 stars.

Available at Amazon.com in ebook | paperback

Born of Legend (The League #11)

I have fondness for you.

Available at Amazon.com

Born of Legend

Sherrilyn Kenyon (Author's Website)

The League, book eleven

(Nemesis Rising, book nine)

ebook, 736 pages in print

Published June 21st 2016 by St. Martins Press

ISBN 9781250082749

It is in the darkest hours of a universe’s past that their legends are born and their heroes rise… 

No one knows exactly how much heart they have until their mettle is put to the hazard and they reach the lowest point of hell. There, they have only two choices. Lie down and die. Or find the strength to push themselves to their feet and fight back with everything they have. 

Dagger is the alias that is used by Ushara’s husband, and the father of the twins, who is on the run for his life. This is his story and shows how he became a member of the Tavali and what happens to them after Born of Betrayal ends.

“It’s official Take a Psycho to Work Day. Why else would I be here?”

Hunted. Hated. Betrayed. Dagger Ixur is on the run for his life. As one of the most recognizable members of his royal house, he has a bounty on his head that guarantees him no quarter from any friend or even family. But surrender isn’t in him. He will fight to the bitter end. A resolve that is sorely tested when he narrowly escapes a trap that leaves him severely wounded. With what he believes is his dying breath, he saves a boy born to an extinct race from a group out to enslave the kid for his legendary abilities.

Ushara Altaan has spent her entire life hating those born to nobility. After all, it was a royal house that drove her entire species into virtual extinction. As a rare Andarion Fyreblood, she is sworn to end the existence of any royal she finds. But when Dagger saves her son’s life, she is torn between her people and a debt that can never be repaid.

Yet worse than Dagger’s family that’s still out to end hers, are the League assassins after him who will stop at nothing to claim the lives of her Tavali family. The only hope she has to save them all is to put their future and her faith into the hands of the very enemy whose grandmother personally extinguished Ushara’s legendary lineage. But how can she ever trust Dagger when he is a disinherited outlaw whose very name is synonymous with betrayal?

 

It was in November of 2015 when I last read a League book, and the time lapse only aided in this venture because Jullien was *not* a beloved character of mine. How could he be when the man had served as an antagonist for any and all since the very beginning? But in true Kenyon fashion, nothing is ever what it seems and each and every soul needs only one book to redeem them of all sins, thrusting them into the holy spotlight and into the softest places of the readers' hearts. 

Damn. It *almost* happened again. Almost.

In all honesty, it was Ushara's respectable presence and perception that endears you to the guy who's now a rugged, refined intelligent male that she can't help but fall hard and fast for.

Rugged + Refined + Intelligent? This combo does not exist in our reality.

It certainly wasn't Jullien’s longwinded tangent on how and why he betrayed his brother Nykyrian (for the six hundred forty-eighth time) that made anyone want to cheer him on. And the name change, from Jullien to Dagger, didn't help either. Actually, the entire book refers to him as Jullien. Can't fathom why the blurb insists on 'Dagger'. Maybe because the author knows all too well how successful she was in making us loathe the guy before now known as Jullien.

This book, like most of this series, circles back to tell the background story of Jullien that unfolds somewhat concurrently as the rest of the installments. We get reacquainted with many of the leading characters, such as Darling Cruel (whose story was told in book six, Born of Silence), Jullien's twin brother, Nykyrian (book one, Born of Night) and my personal favorite, Syn Wade (book two, Born of Fire). Trajen is here. Shay. Bastien. Nero. Psycho Bunny. The list goes on and on.

This book spans years.

The last memory I had of Jullien was when Nykyrian and Syn were informed that their families, and many others, had been slain in a large scale attack. Book ten, was it? Born of Betrayal, I believe. It wasn't that long ago book-wise. So while I am truly thankful to now know the steps that led to this vile man saving the day way back when, and having everyone turn around and save him, Jullien remains a least liked character and his book is, sadly, my lowest ranked of the League series. It's a definite read if you are a fan of any of the other books but I cannot recommend it as a standalone experience. 

3 out of 5 stars. 

Available from Amazon.com  in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

Previously in The League (1st Generation): Nemesis Rising


Previously in The League (2nd Generation): Nemesis Legacy

Watching Wednesday: True Beauty

True Beauty 

Genres: Idol Drama, Romantic Comedy, Korean Drama

Cast: Cha Eun Woo, Moon Ga Young, Hwang In Yeop, Park Yoo Na

Rated: PG-13

Year Released: 2020

Synopsis from Viki

Watch HERE with VIKIPASS Standard

Im Joo Kyung (Moon Ga Young) is a high schooler who is upbeat and positive about most things – except for her appearance!

She hates the idea of being seen in public without makeup, but fortunately has become a self-taught makeup expert, with a little help from a plethora of internet video tutorials.

What she has learned online has transformed her life. At school, she is known as one of the prettiest girls in class – although she secretly lives in fear of her schoolmates discovering what she looks like behind the makeup!

In fact, there is only one person from school who has ever seen her minus her “mask” – Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun Woo).

He is a top-grade student with impressive basketball skills. He is also dashingly handsome, and many of his female classmates have a crush on him.

However, Lee Su Ho harbors a few dark secrets from his past, and shuns attention in class.

Slowly, these two individuals become drawn together – and learn more about one another’s secrets!

This drama was based on a long-running web-based cartoon of the same name, penned by Yaongyi.

“True Beauty” is a 2020 South Korean drama series that was directed by Kim Sang Hyub.

This drama is such a beautiful story. It boasts a great message on friendship and self-confidence while unfolding a teenage love story that is equally innocent and endearing. I'm only ten episodes in, and it's too good to rush to the end.

This drama is based on the webtoon found here.

Watching Wednesday: You Complete Me

You Complete Me 

AKA: Rose in the Storm, Little Storm 

Genres: Romance, Drama 

Cast: Qiao Xin, Hu Yi Tian 

Rated: PG-13

Year Released: 2020

Synopsis from Viki

Gao Shan (Hu Yi Tian)’s father once had a promising business that was brought to its knees when his business partner pulled the plug on an investment deal at the eleventh hour – leaving his father high and dry and forced to declare bankruptcy.

Gao Shan vows to bring revenge on the man who wronged his father, but does not count on falling for his father’s business partner’s charming and clever daughter, Lin Wo (Qiao Xin).

When the business partner learns about Gao Shan, the latter is forced to relocate to Hong Kong to reinvent himself as an ingenious business whizz.

In the meantime, Lin Wo has become a top headhunter for the financial sector. When Gao Shan returns to Mainland China, Lin Wo and he are reunited – but what are their true motives, and can true love find a way for this duo?

“You Complete Me” is a 2020 Chinese drama series that was directed by Dai Xiao Zhe.