I think I first started noticing it with Warcross by Marie Lu. The relationship between the two main characters felt so cliché and by-the-book, and I felt pretty much nothing for the two as a couple. Same thing happened to me with Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo, From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon, and again with my latest read, Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody. When I'm more or less invested in the plot but couldn't care less about the romance - which is usually a high selling point for me - it's obvious that there's a problem.

Now I don't have an issue with the predictability of which two characters will get together. That has always been obvious, and I love how powerful I feel when I'm like I saw that relationship coming from a mile away. No, the issue is when what happens between two characters romantically feels mechanical. Dictated. Expected. Boring. Sometimes I wonder if it's my age that has me bored to Hell and back with these bland romances, but nope, I just read Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West the other day and I can assure you I seriously swooned over that relationship. I know that romance in YA has always been something that is almost a must for the genre, but I guess the chemistry part of attraction isn't a necessity anymore. I'm seen characters eye each other with interest as soon as they meet, awkwardly shiver away from the other's touch, but it's hard for the reader to feel much when the characters themselves feel like they're not on board with this relationship the authors are telling them to take part in. Long story short: these romances aren't doing it for me. I mean, authors, characters, WHERE IS THE ANGST?

Take Ace of Shades as an example. Levi is pretty much interested in Enne as soon as he sees her, for no apparent reason. He's the leader of the Irons and doesn't trust anyone, but for no reason at all, he immediately trusts Enne and promises to help her no matter what. Because she's the first pretty girl he's seen? Similarly, as soon as they meet, Enne has an inner commentary on how handsome Levi is, but of course she doesn't want to admit that to herself. Naturally, Levi's eye's flit to and away from Enne, trying not to reveal his interest in her. Come on. Stop with the annoying, non-romantic antics, please.

There's a bunch more fake, stale romance throughout the rest of the book - though possibly not a single kiss, if I'm remembering correctly - but then there's a prophetic (read: it's all in the head) sex scene between the two toward the end of the novel that I laughed my way through because, again, what chemistry? It was funny how all the characters were remarking on how they liked each other and I was just siting there smirking at the falseness of it all. Just like in From Twinkle, With Love, however, Levi and Enne's relationship got more believable and had more substance towards the end of the book. But like I said in my review of Menon's book as well, it's hard to care much about a couple who had an unrealistic and boring start to their relationship. It certainly doesn't make me eager to pick up the next book.

Nice Witch is my favorite drama of the year so far, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed my favorite by the end of the year as well. It's unlike any other drama I've ever seen - it's very reminiscent of Indian soap operas, and possibly Spanish telenovelas - and I unabashedly admit to adoring every second of it. It's one of those rare dramas (possibly the only drama) that kept my attention from the beginning to the end of the season. It's about a super nice twin who's been constantly pushed aside by her crazy mean younger twin. However, when the mean twin gets in trouble and ends up in a coma (I TOLD YOU), she asks her sister to take her place as an air hostess until she gets better. Of course, it wouldn't be much of a soap opera if there wasn't a conspiracy within the airlines, as well as a hot pilot who doesn't date, but finds himself oddly frustrated by a certain air hostess. I highly highly recommend this drama for all the cheese and swoons.

MYSTERY QUEEN 2

If you saw some of my posts on Mystery Queen, then you already know how fond I am of the series. As much as I loved the first season, I was super surprised when the second season actually managed to outdo it: a rare feat. I thought I'd be put off with the additional (read: new) cast members they brought it - I don't readily accept change - and the hole in my heart that came about when I realized that Lee Won-keun wouldn't be in it anymore, but nope, the second season was definitely a win. Obviously you want to watch the first season before starting this one, but this is a series that will nevertheless make you smile giddily if you are a mystery fan.

So first of all, you should know that I've had a thing for Daniel Choi since I saw him in School 2013, and I've had a thing for Baek Jin-hee since I encountered her in Pride & Prejudice. Since both of them are the leads in this romantic drama, it's only logical that it made this list. In Jugglers, Jin-hee plays a secretary who is fired by her sucky boss, only to be hired by the company to assist...the one dude who doesn't want a secretary (Choi). The two are adorable, yes, but I also really appreciated how stupid but often lovable tropes were averted. Unlike most romantic couples, these two communicated and trusted each other. I know, it sounds boring, but try it out - their relationship works for both them and the audience.

WOK OF LOVE

Also called Greasy Melo. This drama features Lee Jun-ho (you might recognize him from Just Between Lovers), Jang Hyuk (Fated to Love You, Voice), and Jung Ryeo-won (Witch's Court). It's probably one of the quirkiest dramas I've seen to date, but it's super cute, super feel-good, puts a smile on your face, and mmm the food. Make sure you always have something to eat while you're watching this or you'll feel like a starving man without an oasis in sight. The romance, the bromance, and the plot are all adorable. The character relationships are very unique, and to be honest I feel like I need to emphasize the cuteness of this drama more.

I had a hard time choosing between this and Handsome Guy and Jung Eum, but About Time is too unique and well done to pass on. Lee Sung-kyung is the lead in this drama, and she plays an aspiring musical actress - who can sing, baby! - who also happens to be able to see how many years, months, days, minutes, and seconds a person has left before they die. She unfortunately can also see how long see herself has, and it's only a couple of months. She tries to make the most of each day, but one day, she runs into a man who stops her clock i.e. keeps her that much farther away from death. The drama from there on out is splendid in terms of melodrama, actressing, and romance, and yeah, the leads have great chemistry.

The main character Kate is obsessed with the lake, and she knows that when she grows up she wants to work there like her parents. So when her friend Alana convinces her to take a podcasting elective with her, she's not exactly happy. She knows what she wants to do with her life, so why must she go through the fresh hell that is doing something you're not comfortable with? Additionally, Alana has made Kate her wing girl to help her gain Diego's affections - also not fun when Kate might actually be starting to like him. This is your classic romantic tale of sisters before misters - kidding, it's nothing like that. But seriously, the main couple is absolutely adorable, and Kate and Alana's friendship is, well, friendship goals. 

If you're looking for a beach read or just happen to find yourself at the library this summer, make sure you pick up a copy of Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West because it beats even ice cream on a sweltering day.

I recently finished watching Mystery Queen 2 - the second season of Mystery Queen - and I it left me with such a warm, bubbly feeling at the end, as well as an intense need for a third season that'll give viewers some more of the banter between the lead characters as well as some answers to questions that the writers purposefully kept gaping open. You can read my quick review of the season here.

With the end of the season, I figured it might not be a bad idea to compile a short list of some of the more amazing mystery dramas I've watched in my days. These dramas are sure to satisfy anyone's Sherlockian, inquisitive mind.

Black was my favorite Korean drama of 2017, and I don't think I'll stop raving about it anytime soon. It's about a foolish grim reaper - that saying will tear your heart out once you watch the drama - and it's quite dark and atmospheric. I know some people aren't huge fans of the actress, Go Ara, but this was my first drama of hers and I have come to absolutely adore her. The plot is wicked brilliant, and the fantasy element just makes it that much more exciting and differentiates it from the other detective/mystery storylines out there. If you're in the United States, it's also available to watch on Netflix.

This drama features another of my favorite actors, Choi Jin-hyuk. Tunnel is a story about Korean cops dealing with a serial killer who strangles women with stockings. Serial killing was new at the time, so it was impossible to catch the villain. However, the main character ends up traveling to the future through, you guessed it, a tunnel, and he'll meet people that aren't quite so new to him as he thinks that'll help him find the murderer. There's a great cast, again a great atmosphere, and the romance is cute but sits to the side of the actual plot.

This one is more romance than mystery, although the crime is actually a big part of the romance. Uncontrollably Fond just so happens to be my favorite kdrama of all time, so it wouldn't be a mistake to say I highly recommend it along with a side of tissues and chocolates. Kim Woo-bin and Suzy are the main leads, and boy do they deliver the emotions. I still tear up whenever I listen to the soundtrack on my commutes to university.

Before you ask, no, this isn't a drama based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name. There is a romantic relationship that stems from hatred, but from there the story diverges. The first episode is by far one of the most amazing things I've seen, and the two leads are great. This is a law drama, but the main mystery is about what happened to the female lead's brother, and it turns out that quite a few people are entangled in that mess. This is another drama where the romance is still there, but on a back burner. It's quite good.

And how could I leave out the wonderful drama that inspired this post? Whereas dramas like Black, Tunnel, and Pride & Prejudice are dark and serious with moments of adorable, Mystery Queen is the Korean equivalent of Sherlock, I would say. It's a combination of fun and serious, and it's so well written. There are individual mysteries throughout the episodes as well as a larger mystery that encompasses the seasons. The characters are a delight and make the show, but the plot, dialogue, and mysteries are right up there in terms of excellence.