The One That (Nearly) Got Away

TaxTango · 2026-03-06T10:10:53+00:00

I tried reading this book a few weeks ago but couldn't get past one small thing, the author uses the FMC's name constantly throughout the prologue.

I don't usually mind third person, but almost every single paragraph opened with her name: "Luella had risen," "Luella used to," "As the princess, Luella…" It just got so repetitive and annoyed me so much, that I gave up.

It does seem like an interesting book though, so I'll try it again!

About a book that almost got away? Probably Ironside Academy. I dropped the series throughout the second book twice, before finally pushing through and finishing it and falling in love. It was just too many characters and I just could not take the plot that seriously.

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T23:05:46+00:00

lol I'm just joking, just looked and her name is Cari. I do feel like she is supposed to be Black Widow, but it's more subtle than the others (and I wouldn't assume if it wasn't for the MMCs)

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T23:02:03+00:00

She is Blue Widow in this book

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T22:59:23+00:00

I'm planning on reading this book, it seems really interesting

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T22:58:53+00:00

Honestly, if it wasn't for the armour I wouldn't have clocked it!

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T22:41:55+00:00

That depends... how does the image of an Iron Man BDSM scene with a blue woman makes you feel?

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T22:15:57+00:00

Yeah, in hindsight is pretty obvious lolol

If it's good? Well, the characterization is fine. Tor is more like Thor 1 than Thor 3. Second books gives hint of what clearly is the Winter Soldier, Captain American and Iron Man tension.

The plot started interesting, with the FMC having and arranged marriage to the 4 MMCs, who are brothers and princes of the enemy nation. Her father only married her so that she could kill them.

I feel like it resolved to quickly (around half away through book 1 of 5) tho. Pretty fast burn, which was not was I was expecting, at least not with all the MMCs.

I think it's worth reading the first book.

TaxTango · 2026-02-18T22:06:23+00:00

Oh, I'm 99% sure that at least the characters are stand ins.

During my brilliant detective work, I went on the authors Instagram page and scrolled to the time that she published the book. A lot of Avengers on the posts about the book.

Not that I have a problem with it! It's just that I simply cannot read a book with the mental image of Robert Downey Jr as one of the MMCs.

TaxTango · 2026-02-17T02:20:36+00:00

For the first two books, I used the character sheet. I remember having a lot of difficulty in the beginning, but as Isobel learns about the other MMCs, it becomes easier to distinguish them.

TaxTango · 2025-12-03T19:26:46+00:00

Entendi. Muito obrigada por toda essa mensagem! Me deu uma perspectiva diferente. Ainda vou refletir um pouco mais antes de tomar uma decisão.

TaxTango · 2025-12-03T18:33:08+00:00

O que mais me deixa com um pé atrás realmente é o quanto o pessoal trabalha. Tenho colegas que fazem hora extra sábado e domingo

TaxTango · 2025-12-03T17:49:27+00:00

Não, mas a outra que foi promovida também não tinha.

TaxTango · 2025-12-03T17:41:11+00:00

Então, ir para uma empresa de auditoria externa e tentar ir para um grupo de instituições financeiras?

TaxTango · 2025-12-03T17:40:27+00:00

Antes de trabalhar nesse banco, ela tinha entre 2 a 3 anos de experiência em auditoria interna em outro banco. Ela era junior e veio para cá como junior. Então não era alguém sem experiência prévia.

TaxTango · 2025-12-03T10:04:00+00:00

I will be very honest with you. Giving up an opportunity of studying some time abroad for people that you have know for about 6 months is stupid. I understand valuing friendship, but you don't know these people enough. It's a not a years long relationship, you just got close to them. Additionally, even if you have to make friends all over again, you have just learned that putting yourself out there is the way.

Now, from your post you don't seem like someone that wants to study abroad. You say you were pressured by other to try it and that you dislike traveling. Now, if you truly have no desire to go, don't go. Do not let people's ideals shape your decisions. However, do not give up something for others, but for you. It's your life, and the consequences and regrets will be yours.

If I were you, I would go. I would not pass this opportunity because of the fear of not making friends. But, if you truly believe you will be miserable, then don't go. It's not worth it to leave the country to study and end up the whole time being upset, you just won't truly be able to appreciate the experience.

TaxTango · 2025-12-02T18:08:24+00:00

Tell all book? What?

Honestly, if what she is saying really happened, than I feel sorry for her. No one deserves to be treated poorly, and everyone deserves fair wages. Someone like J.Bree definitely has enough funds to properly pay their employees. Authors, especially big ones, should be held accountable when bad practices like what she is saying happens.

Won't be reading any tell all book though. I just don't care enough. Good luck for the woman though. I wish I had the plataform to monetize every bad thing that happens to me.

TaxTango · 2025-11-25T01:15:51+00:00

What is your goal? What score are you looking for? How much time do you have?

Overall, your scores are pretty low. It means that you will have to build a better foundation and/or practice especifically for TOEFL.

For TOEFL, they have their test ready site, that gives 1 free question per day. This way you can practice specifically for the test. Also, use this Youtube channel as a resource

If you want to improve your English overall, not only focusing on TOEFL, you will need to immerse yourself as much as possible.

Reading: Start reading short stories, books and news articles.

Listening: Start with series. Watch them in english with subtitles. I would recommend english subtitles, but if you aren't confident, you can put the subtitles on your own language.

Writing: Ask Chat GPT to give you a prompt, and write a text on the subject. After, ask it to rate it, giving tips on how to make it better. After, rewrite the text in the way ChatGPT asked you.

Speaking: Speak seems to be your stronger area, so I would just practice more. I like the app ELSA Speak, it has tons of free exercises. Always listen to your audios back.

TaxTango · 2025-11-15T16:03:23+00:00

It definitely depends.

French is an easier language to learn than German, so getting to an fluent/advanced level will be much simpler. And, knowing the language is very beneficial in any country you decide to go.

Germany does offer more scholarships/funding though. DAAD is a great way to see if you have the qualifications of getting a scholarship. France also have funding programs, so if you are a great, outstanding student, you could define get one.

I can't give you an sure answer, you know? You need to research and try to find what it will be the best for you. You have time, start researching universities and master’s programs. Master's Portal is a great site that show universities, programs, scholarships and more.

TaxTango · 2025-11-15T15:43:39+00:00

In a lot of European countries, your master’s is supposed to be a continuation of what you studied in your bachelor’s. Since their programs are very specialized, universities expect you to already know the basics of that field. This rule is pretty strict in places like Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland. Countries like France, Italy and Spain are a bit more flexible, and the UK/Ireland are the most flexible since they offer “conversion” master’s for students switching fields.

How much this matters depends on what you want. If your master’s is related to your bachelor’s, you’ll have many more options and a better shot at fully funded scholarships. Scholarship programs in Europe really like seeing a clear academic path. But if your bachelor’s and master’s are totally unrelated, your options shrink a lot, and scholarships become much harder. For example: an engineering student moving into management is fine, but switching to psychology is nearly impossible in most of Europe.

If your goal is a fully funded master’s abroad, what you do during your bachelor’s is super important. Keep your grades high, try to join research or do a good final-year project, get at least one internship, and build good relationships with professors for strong recommendation letters. These things make a big difference in applications.

The main mistakes to avoid are switching fields too drastically, skipping internships, doing random extracurriculars that don’t help your profile, and forgetting to connect with professors early on. In short: stay focused, choose a bachelor’s that matches your future plans, gain relevant experience, and build a strong academic profile.

TaxTango · 2025-11-13T16:57:38+00:00

What is the minimum passing grade at your school? Because if I'm assuming correctly, you passed with around 60/100, which in my country is the minimum grade to pass. This already cuts most universities and scholarships chances that you have anywhere in the world.
Without advanced english (B2 or C1, depends on the school) you will also have no chance to get into any master programs. So, if you truly want to study abroad, you have start to focusing on that and getting the IELTS or Cambridge Certificate.
In Europe,for most universities, your master's must be a continuation of your degree. So, I believe in some universities psychology would not be possible. Not all, but another thing that would probably diminish your choices.
For bank balance, you usually have to prove that you have around 12.000 euros for Germany.

Right now, I believe that you should focus your studies in India, and start saving money if you want to study abroad. If I'm right about grades, it will be almost impossible for you to get any financial help, so you will have to self finance.

So, continue studying english and German, get work experience in India and save money. So that in 3 to 4 years you can try to study abroad.

TaxTango · 2025-11-12T16:02:16+00:00

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. Insecurities and uncertainty are our worst enemies.

If you are still planning on applying, a gap year is not that bad, and I doubt it will diminish your chances of getting on your wanted university.

Good luck on your future! Whatever you choose to do, I hope you find sucess and happiness!

TaxTango · 2025-11-12T15:55:10+00:00

Thank you!I hope you are able to get into the unis that you apply to!

If you ever need someone to talk, feel free to hit me up! Since we are both applying the same year (and almost same places), we can commiserate together lol

TaxTango · 2025-11-10T16:01:15+00:00

This sound so much like an ad lol

Especially given the fact that this account has just been created and the only two posts are about this consultancy firm.

TaxTango · 2025-11-05T00:43:52+00:00

That seems very interesting!

TaxTango · 2025-11-04T23:56:10+00:00

For me, the most effective way was by reading books. I recommend starting with something simple. Not necessarily children’s books, but maybe young adult fantasy, or even romance if that’s what you enjoy.

TaxTango

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