Back of Book: 

Katherine V thought boys were gross

Katherine X just wanted to be friends

Katherine XVIII dumped him in an e-mail

K-19 broke his heart 

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact.

On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun—but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl.

Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Rashad is absent again today.

That’s the sidewalk graffiti that started it all…

Well, no, actually, a lady tripping over Rashad at the store, making him drop a bag of chips, was what started it all. Because it didn’t matter what Rashad said next—that it was an accident, that he wasn’t stealing—the cop just kept pounding him. Over and over, pummeling him into the pavement. So then Rashad, an ROTC kid with mad art skills, was absent again... and again... stuck in a hospital room. Why? Because it looked like he was stealing. And he was a black kid in baggy clothes. So he must have been stealing.

And that’s how it started.

And that’s what Quinn, a white kid, saw. He saw his best friend’s older brother beating the daylights out of a classmate. At first Quinn doesn’t tell a soul. . . He’s not even sure he understands it. And does it matter? The whole thing was caught on camera, anyway. But when the school—and nation—start to divide on what happens, blame spreads like wildfire fed by ugly words like “racism” and “police brutality.” Quinn realizes he’s got to understand it, because, bystander or not, he’s a part of history. He just has to figure out what side of history that will be.

Rashad and Quinn—one black, one white, both American—face the unspeakable truth that racism and prejudice didn’t die after the civil rights movement. There’s a future at stake, a future where no one else will have to be absent because of police brutality. They just have to risk everything to change the world.

Cuz that’s how it can end.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

"All American Boys" is one of those books that I wish I could have loved more. Unfortunately, I kept mixing up the characters all throughout the story and was having a hard time remembering details that kept popping up later. Despite this, this is an important read.

Long story short, this book is about a black teenager named Rashad who is beaten by a cop for a crime he isn't guilty of. The other half of the novel is told in Quinn's point-of-view as he grapples with whether to side with his friend, the brother of the cop that beat Rashad, or Rashad and all others who have been abused at the hands of the justice system. I personally, didn't really like either of the narrators of this one, which might be part of the reason I had a hard time recollecting things. Despite this, I liked listening to Quinn's mentality as he wrestled with a difficult process. The books ending is also a very powerful scene when the two boys final come together, which was masterfully written and screamed Jason Reynolds.

Overall, I appreciate "All American Boys" regardless of its flaws, but its shortcomings were too much for me to overlook to truly dive into this story.

Back of Book: 

Lahore, Pakistan. Then.

Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Cloud’s Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start.

Juniper, California. Now.

Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding.

Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him—and Juniper—forever.

When Sal’s attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth—and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst.

From one of today’s most cherished and bestselling young adult authors comes a breathtaking novel of young love, old regrets, and forgiveness—one that’s both tragic and poignant in its tender ferocity.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Historical 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It’s a group home next—unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.

When she first arrives, Ana can’t tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

In this sweet sapphic romance about two foodies in love, Vivi meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam and they spend the semester unraveling their families' histories—and eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.

In Sài Gòn, Lan is always trying to be the perfect daughter, dependable and willing to care for her widowed mother and their bánh mì stall. Her secret passion, however, is A Bánh Mì for Two, the food blog she started with her father but has stopped updating since his passing.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese American Vivi Huynh, has never been to Việt Nam. Her parents rarely talk about the homeland that clearly haunts them. So Vivi secretly goes to Vietnam for a study abroad program her freshman year of college. She’s determined to figure out why her parents left, and to try everything she’s seen on her favorite food blog, A Bánh Mì for Two.

When Vivi and Lan meet in Sài Gòn, they strike a deal. Lan will show Vivi around the city, helping her piece together her mother’s story through crumbling photographs and old memories. Vivi will help Lan start writing again so she can enter a food blogging contest. And slowly, as they explore the city and their pasts, Vivi and Lan fall in love.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A fluffy romance featuring food, found family, and the chance to chase ones dreams set against the beautiful backdrop of Việt Nam. 

Lan is a perfect Vietnamese daughter. After her father's death nearly four years ago, she is the only one that can support her mother and keep the family's bánh mì stall running. But that doesn't stop her from pursuing her passion: writing about her home of Sài Gòn and the wonderful food that the city harbors on her blog, A Bánh Mì for Two. Meanwhile, Vietnamese American Vivi Huynh is getting to see Sài Gòn, her mother's childhood home, for the very first time. Here, she yearns to discover the ghost's of her parents' past and reconnect with any family that might still live there. Vivi wasn't expecting to run into the person behind her favorite blog on the same day she arrived in Việt Nam, but sometimes fate has other things in mind. Lan and Vivi soon strike a deal in which they can both help each other achieve their goals. The thing is, they didn't expect to fall for each other along the way. . .

For some reason, I didn't expect this book to be set in Việt Nam, so that came as a welcome surprise to me when I first started reading this book. I loved every moment of being buried in Vietnamese culture; it was especially fun to see how much they value their food and the deeper meaning behind it as a whole. I love how this book didn't shy away from Vietnamese terms and how the author didn't feel as though they had to translate every single word from Vietnamese to English. It was refreshing to just see the language written out and not have the story bogged down by unnecessary translations. I may not have understood every single word, but it feels so much more organic than books that try to over explain cultural knowledge and terms in other languages. 

Lan and Vivi are both cool characters with real life issues. Lan struggles with supporting her family, suppressing her dreams, coping with the loss of her father, and feeling stuck in the city that she used to love. Vivi on the other hand, walks the border between being Vietnamese and American, often feeling like she doesn't belong anywhere. She also can't help but be curious about her parent's youth and the secrets that her mother has concealed from her throughout her entire life. I also like how much passion Lan has for food, writing, and anything that her father loved. It gives her a bit more depth than Vivi, in my opinion, but I still found it fun to get to know both of the girls. 

I moreso appreciated this book for it's look into Vietnamese culture and the complicated issues that were brought up such as grief, weighty expectations, and messy familial circumstances. However, the romance was pretty cute. I mean, who wouldn't fall head over heels for their favorite blogger if they met them in real life? This was such a cute premise, and I've never came across anything like it before. It was nice to see that Vivi's expectations of Lan didn't exactly hold up after meeting her in person. I think it is important to recognize that you can't truly know a person by what they post on the internet alone. It was imperative that Vivi put her initial thoughts and perceptions aside and acknowledged Lan for who she actually is, not just by how she portrays herself online. The fact that Vivi helps Lan rediscover her love for Sài Gòn as well as her passion for writing is also very sweet. 

Overall, "A Bánh Mì for Two" is a cute, easy read that does a great job of showcasing Việt Nam and some Vietnamese values and lifestyles. I love that this story took place in a country that is foreign to me; I feel it led to me having many experiences to learn from. Lan and Vivi are fun characters, and it was fun to see them grow closer to one another. If you are a fan of Asian literature, fluffy queer romances, or are down for a good time, feel free to give this one a read! It truly is short and sweet in the best ways possible

Back of Book: 

Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.

A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks…

A first meeting. 

Long-time friends. 

Bitter exes. 

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight.

Beloved authors—Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon—celebrate the beauty of six couples and the unforgettable magic that can be found on a sweltering starry night in the city.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Short Stories | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A fun collection of intertwining stories set during a blackout in New York City by some of today's best female black authors.

One wouldn't think that a summertime blackout in New York City would lead to love. But "Blackout" would prove them wrong. This book is in actuality a collection of short stories that all take place simultaneously as a bunch of couples try to make their way to a block party during a time when the Big Apple has gone completely dark. As a whole, I think that this is a cute collection of stories featuring black love in many forms, but I'll go over each story individually below.

"The Long Walk" by Tiffany D. Jackson: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This story is broken up into five parts, which kept me grounded throughout the entirety of the book and really reminded me that all of the stories are connected. Jackson's story follows Tammi and Kareem, bitter exes who both happen to apply for the same job. When the blackout strikes they are stuck together, with Tammi having no money and Kareem's phone being dead. This forces them to walk to the other side of the city together. I disliked both of their characters off the bat, but came to like them as I got to spend more time with them. A cute story that shows how sometimes things fall apart and it just takes a little work to put them back together. This one would be a five star if Tammi's attitude didn't bother me so much; she is such a complainer!

"Mask Off" by Nic Stone: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This one is a M/M romance following Jacorey (JJ) and Tremaine. In this one, they get stuck in train together. The actually events on the train aren't that exciting, but I loved the flashback of the masquerade party that they attended and their time together in middle school. The flashbacks in this one carried the story forward and made for a very cute story. I also liked how this story focused a bunch on gender identity and trying to come to terms with ones sexuality. Also, jock and nerd is such a fun trope. :)

"Made to Fit" by Ashley Woodfolk: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Woodfolk's story is a F/F romance featuring two girls by the names of Nella and Joss. My favorite part of this one is how it takes place in a shared living place for the elderly. It was fun to see the old folk cheer the girls on and the fact that Grandpop Ike was shipping them so hard made me giggle. The family ties in this one were great, as well as the way that the girls supported one another.

"All the Great Love Stories. . . and Dust" by Dhonielle Clayton: 🌟🌟

This was my least favorite story of the bunch. The premise of this story is that Lana is trying to confess her love for her flirtatious best friend, Tristán. Honestly, I still think that these two are good for each other, I just thought it was annoying to be in Lana's head. I thought the use of footnotes in this story was unnecessary and often took me out of the story. The author's writing style took me a while to truly come to terms with, and when I finally did, the story was practically over. This was the only story in the collection that drug on for me. I really liked Lana as a supporting character in Nicola Yoon's story, though!

"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by Angie Thomas: 🌟🌟🌟

This story is centered around Kayla who is in a bit of a sticky situation. She has a crush on Micah, but she is currently dating Tre'Shawn and has been for as long as anyone can remember. The double crush situation always makes me feel awkward, so I didn't love the premise of this one. Despite this, I really appreciate that Thomas' story focuses more so on loving oneself rather than on romance. And besides, the bus driver was hilarious.

"Seymour and Grace" by Nicola Yoon: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Nicola Yoon is the only author in this collection that I have read before (which is absolutely pathetic, I mean, did you see the names of these authors?). I have really come to enjoy her writing and "Seymour and Grace" is no exception. One of my favorite parts about this one is how it alternated between the two main character's perspectives, which allowed the romance to feel less sudden (even though the two of them literally just met each other). Seymour is Grace's ride to the block party, but when his car runs out of gas, the two find themselves walking. I think that the chemistry between these two was so organic, even though they'd never spoken before this story. The situation could have been super creepy, but Yoon pulled it off very well and sold me on Seymour x Grace. <3

Overall, each story was fun to read, but it was even more enjoyable trying to pick up on all the Easter eggs that appeared across stories; some of them were really obvious, whereas others you have to dig a little harder. I think the block party scene could have highlighted the rest of the characters a little more, but I'm glad that everyone was at least mentioned. This way, the reader was informed that they all made it to the party safely and that the romance was still going strong. I will admit though I didn't love every story, I still had a fun time reading this collection. I'm excited to dive into "Whiteout" by the same dream team of authors!

Back of Book: 

Tweet Cute meets the movie The Holiday in this funny holiday rom-com where two very different girls swap lives for a Christmas adventure.

Elle is a social medial star with the #DreamLife... or so it seems. Determined to shake up her content and gain new followers, she's on a mission: can she find a British fan to swap with for Christmas?

Holly loves everything about Christmas. But after a mortifying mistletoe disaster with her ex, her perfect plans unravel like a bad Christmas sweater. Can Holly save the holidays when she switches places with favorite social media influencer?

Elle gets more than she bargained for when she meets the cute boy from across the street. And Holly wasn't expecting Elle to have a handsome twin brother. This holiday is full of surprises. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A fast-paced YA holiday romance featuring an influencer and a gal obsessed with Christmas. 

Elle is a social media influencer who is in desperate need of new followers. In an attempt to gain them quickly, she plans a trip to the United Kingdom and swaps lives with a girl named Holly, who just happens to be the queen of Christmas. Can Holly help Elle get in the proper holiday spirit when there is an ocean between them and Elle only seems to care about the likes? 

This was a super easy, fast holiday rom com that was decently cute and had elements that I really enjoyed. However, it was pretty shallow and the romance arcs kind of came out of nowhere and didn't add much to the story. The one wasn't too horrible, but the other one had hardly any buildup and it had me confused why the author felt they needed to push two separate romance plots when neither one had that much depth. 

I think my favorite thing about this one was how holiday-ish it actually seemed. I've been trying to read books to put me in the Christmas spirit, and they've all completely failed until this one. Holly is obsessed with Christmas, and her infectious spirit did a great job of drawing me in to her charm and it made me a tad envious for those who love the holidays so naturally. The fact that Holly still had to discover the true meaning of Christmas in this book was a tad sad, but I'm glad that she eventually put together that Christmas isn't all about the stuff and the things that people do, but rather the people that you do these things with. 

Elle had several deeper things that she had to work through. Her struggles with being a teen influencer was interesting to read about, and I'm glad that she came to the conclusion that her account should be for her rather than for her followers. This is a much healthier approach to social media, and I'm glad that this was addressed thoroughly. Her family also had some things to work through because they keep moving and her parents worry that their kids are having a hard time fitting in. 

Elle's brother, Nick, was by far my favorite character. Holly first thinks that he is a bit of a Grinch, but I love the quiet way he celebrates the holidays with the people he cares about most. The fact that he is in a band is also cool. My favorite part about him though is how out of his way he is willing to go to do small acts of kindness for various people. He is such a sweet boy, and he honestly deserves better than Holly, but I didn't hate their romantic arc. 

Also, is there a reason that authors feel they have to name characters in Christmas stories super cheesy names? In this story, the main two are named Holly and Elle (Noelle), which I found to be quite cringe. And when I met Nicholas (Nick), I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the naming scheme in this story. 

Overall, "Blame It on the Mistletoe" was a lighthearted, holiday read that had great Christmasy vibes and banter but lacked in depth and personality. This book is definitely one of the better holiday books I've read, but I still didn't love it all that much. Hopefully, I'll read a banger of a holiday romance one of these years. 

Back of Book: 

A debut novel about a genderqueer teen who finds the courage to stand up and speak out for equality when they are discriminated against by their high school administration.

Carey Parker dreams of being a diva, and bringing the house down with song. But despite their talent, emotional scars from an incident with a homophobic classmate and their grandmother's spiraling dementia make it harder and harder for Carey to find their voice.

Then Carey meets Cris, a singer/guitarist who makes Carey feel seen for the first time in their life. With the rush of a promising new romantic relationship, Carey finds the confidence to audition for the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the school musical, setting off a chain reaction of prejudice by Carey's tormentor and others in the school. It's up to Carey, Cris, and their friends to defend their rights--and they refuse to be silenced.

Told in alternating chapters with identifying pronouns, debut author Steven Salvatore's Can't Take That Away is both a romance, and an affirmation of self-identity.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

An emotional rollercoaster of a read featuring the courage of a group of students to stand up for the rights of all students, especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Carey Parker dreams of being a diva like their idol Mariah Carey. They have the vocal talent to back up their dream, but unfortunately, their confidence has slipped over the years. Having to constantly fight to be identified in the way that they want to be identified is no easy battle, and some homophobic encounters with certain classmates has only worsened Carey's performance anxiety. When Carey meets Cris, they finally feel seen and as though they can act one hundred percent themselves. With this newfound romance comes an unexpected wave of confidence and Carey decides to audition for Elphaba in their school's production of "Wicked." Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about this iconic female role being played by a genderqueer person who appears masculine. This sets off a chain of events that Carey could never have seen coming. And it seems as though they are somehow the revolutionary face of these events.

"Can't Take That Away" features so many things that I absolutely love seeing in books. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community, gay romance, music, theatre, awesome role models, diverse characters, an amazing found family, and awkward young love. This book has so many elements that I adore it came as no surprise that I absolutely consumed Carey's story in one day.

First and foremost, I feel as though I must touch on the diverse range of characters in this book. Our main character is a genderfluid music loving diva, and I absolutely love their personality and attitude. Cris, the love interest, is a bisexual Filipino. Carey's therapist, Dr. Potter, is a lesbian as are a couple of the other side characters. The theatre director, Mr. Kelly, is gay and honestly, one of the coolest role models I've seen in a book. He stands up for his students no matter what, and I love his take on the literature he discusses with his students. There was also significant representation of black, Latinx, and other such cultures, so really, Salvatore did a fantastic job of including diverse characters without seeming as though they were trying to include every sexuality, ethnicity, etc, under the sun.

Another highlight is the found family. I genuinely enjoyed all six of the characters that make up Carey's friend group, especially his two best friends, Joey and Monroe. These twin girls are as different as night and day, and yet I really loved both of them. Cris occasionally rubbed me the wrong way, but most of my problems with him involved the fact that he is a poor communicator, which is entirely realistic and honestly, relatable. Words are hard, but I wish Cris would have been more open to sharing. Luckily, Carey was also a poor communicator, so that was a burden they were both forced to deal with when it came to their relationship. But enough of that side tangent. I love when there is a solid group of friends that are there for each other through thick and thin. I must admit, there were few platonic relationships in this friend group, but hey, humans can't choose their feelings for one another.

Carey goes through so much throughout this story. Between the sexist comments and homophobic slander from Max and Mr. Jackson, the fact that their grandma has Alzheimer's, and the messy strands they have created between their best friends and their boyfriend, I really felt for everything this kid was going through. They had to shoulder so much during the course of this tale, and I respect that they were willing to speak up against all the injustices that were happening in their community and round up people from across the country who were willing to hear their voice and their side of the story (with the help of their squad, of course).

And finally, I just want to touch on the use of music. I love when an author heavily weaves songs and lyrics into their tale and Salvatore did a flawless job with this one. Carey's obsession with their namesake was very wholesome and I found it neat that this is true in the author's own life. The fact that Carey uses music to bond with both their boyfriend and their grandmother shows one the power that music can harness and the bonds that it can help forge. When words fail, Carey turns to music, and I find that very magical. The fact that "Wicked" is highlighted in this tale and that Carey gets to play Elphaba is also rad. I love the themes of friendship and acceptance in "Wicked," and I feel that it very nicely coincides with the messages present withing "Can't Take That Away."

Overall, I love "Can't Take That Away" and all the difficult topics that it conquers. Between standing up for minorities, finding one's identity, fighting for what one believes in, and demanding justice, I think everyone will be able to find a part of this story immensely relatable. I love the characters, the musicality, the theatre aspect, and the diverse representation. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Adam Silvera or who is interested in learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole. But I would recommend this story to just about anyone, because it's a great example of how we are all different but are all human. :)

Back of Book: 

Holland Delviss wants to be known for her talent as a hockey player, not as a hockey player who happens to be a girl. So, to keep her spot on the boys' varsity team, she has rules: 

1.) Practice harder than anyone else, even if that means 5 A.M. training sessions. 

2.) Keep a low profile, even if that means ignoring trolls calling her a distraction, a gimmick, or worse. 

But when her team is selected for HockeyFest, a televised statewide event, Holland becomes the lead story. (Goodbye rule #2!) Not everyone is thrilled with Holland's new fame, but there's one person who fiercely supports her, and it's the last person she expects: her bossy team co-captain, Wes. 

And Wes keeps surprising her. He shares her passion for '80s glam metal, and his touch feels strangely electric. With the cameras set to roll, Holland is dangerously close to breaking yet another rule: No dating teammates, ever. 

Cold Days in the Sun is a deeply romantic and empowering novel about shutting out the noise from the crowd, so you can listen to your own heart. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Sports

Review:  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A sweet hockey romance set in the-middle-of-nowhere Minnesota that highlights the world's cruelty and a girl's willpower to do whatever it takes to prove that she is a great hockey player.

Holland Delviss has grown up in a family of male hockey legends, but this has never stopped her from shining herself. She has always just been "one of the boys" to her teammates that she plays with on the men's hockey team at her local high school. Unfortunately, not everyone else sees her this way. This causes Holland to spend much of her time striving to prove that she is a talented hockey player. Period. Not that she is a great hockey player, for a girl. She also been plagued by haters who say that she will only be a distraction to her fellow players. When Holland starts to fall for her moody captain of the team, Wes (AKA "Hot Sauce"), she knows that she is walking on thin ice.

The first thing that I want to say about this one is that it caught me completely off guard. I thought it was going to be a completely fluffy romance featuring my home state of Minnesota and a local classic: hockey. To my surprise, this book had some wonderful feminist elements and focused immensely on how Holland is living in a man's world. This causes her to feel immense pressure, get verbally harassed by opposing teams (and grouchy old men), and feel self-conscious about herself and the emotions she feels. This is such an important topic to address and I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with such a heavy topic in "Cold Day in the Sun." Seeing Holland live through and become stronger after such disgusting displays of sexism really added a layer of depth and reality to this book that I am grateful for.

I also want to comment on the romance, since it is obviously a major part of this book. Wes is such a charming young man, though it takes a little bit of time to see this side of him (he is quite brutal on the ice). He is such a gentleman to Holland, and I just gobbled up all their interactions. I love the fact that they were both into hockey, the same types of music, and the bonds they possess with their families. I was a bit hesitant of them as a couple at first because I thought that Holland developed a crush on Wes out of nowhere, but I came to love them together quite quickly.

A super random thing I have to scream about is the relevance of "The Princess Bride" in this book. If you know me at all, you know that I adore "The Princess Bride," so the fact that it was a key element in the romance of this one had me squealing with delight. Every time "As you wish" was said, I felt some serious emotions and Biren did such an amazing job at invoking different feelings with the same phrase. Truly beautiful and one of the highlights of this book for me! Pair that with the fact that it was a cozy Minnesota romance? Oh, I was so sold on this one!

Overall, "Cold Day in the Sun" is an uplifting romance that shows an uglier side to the beloved sport that is hockey. I adored both Holland and Wes and both of their families, which made it easy to read. The small town vibe was so cozy and the fact that it took place in Minnesota during the winter just increases that vibe tenfold. I didn't think I was going to love this one as much as I did, but I ate up every piece of it. I will most definitely be checking out more of Biren's books in the future. I would totally recommend if you are into cozy sports romances that touch on relevant issues in today's society!

Back of Book: 

Eighteen-year-old Rory Quinn-Morelli doesn’t want to die; she wants refuge from reality for even a minute: the reality where she survived the car crash eight months ago, and her best friend, Liv, didn’t. Yet her exasperating mother won’t believe the Xanax incident was an accident, and her therapist is making it increasingly hard to maintain the detached, impenetrable “cold girl” façade she adopted from Liv. After she unintentionally reconnects with Liv’s parents, Rory must decide: will she keep Liv’s and her secrets inside, or will she finally allow herself to break? And if she breaks, what will she unearth amid the pieces?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Cold Girls" is truly an emotional roller coaster. When I first saw the cover, I just assumed it was a lesbian romance, but it's much more than that. It's a story of love, loss, and new beginnings. My sister asked me how the book was and I described it to her as a mix of "Looking for Alaska," "You've Reached Sam," and "We Are the Ants." If you've read any or all of those books, you know what kind of a read "Cold Girls" is.

"Cold Girls" follows our protagonist Rory after her and her best friend, Liv, get in a terrible car crash. Rory was the only one who walked away alive. "Cold Girls" is told in alternating time periods of the adventurous times "Before" and the broken remains of the time "After" the accident. The two interweave together beautifully, until at the very end, the reader gets a full picture of Rory and Liv.

I found this book especially interesting because I could relate to both Rory and Liv as people, even though the entirety of the book follows them doing things that I could never even imagine doing myself. Rory is a homebody that loves to read, listen to movie soundtracks, and spend time with her Italian grandparents that live with her. Liv on the other hand loves to go out on the town, attend parties, and get a little drunk in the process. But beneath her wild side, she hides deep insecurities. Despite their differences, these two become fast friends after being assigned the only two female tenors in their school's choir. Their friendship felt organic and you gradually learn more and more about how their chemistry develops as the story progresses.

I love how much rep this book has. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community were front and center, which is always a win in my book. It also delves into the deep depths of mental health, which is also something that we need more of in the book industry. I really love how diverse Rory's friend group is and how realistic their falling outs and coming back together are.

Overall, this is a book that hits you in the feels when you least expect it to. One moment it's making you laugh, the next moment you're trying to catch your breath, and before you know it, there are tears in your eyes. I loved "Cold Girls" and I feel like it will be a book that I'll recommend to specific types of people for a long while. Please go check out "Cold Girls" if it at all interests you!

Back of Book: 

Ten years ago, God gave Braden a sign, a promise that his family wouldn't fall apart the way he feared.

But Braden got it wrong: his older brother, Trey, has been estranged from the family for almost as long, and his father, the only parent Braden has ever known, has been accused of murder. The arrest of Braden's father, a well-known Christian radio host has sparked national media attention. His fate lies in his son's hands; Braden is the key witness in his father's upcoming trial.

Braden has always measured himself through baseball. He is the star pitcher in his small town of Ornette, and his ninety-four mile per hour pitch already has minor league scouts buzzing in his junior year. Now the rules of the sport that has always been Braden's saving grace are blurred in ways he never realized, and the prospect of playing against Alex Reyes, the nephew of the police officer his father is accused of killing, is haunting his every pitch.

Braden faces an impossible choice, one that will define him for the rest of his life, in this brutally honest debut novel about family, faith, and the ultimate test of conviction.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Christian 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Lara's had eyes for exactly one person throughout her three years of high school: Chase Harding. He's tall, strong, sweet, a football star, and frankly, stupid hot. Oh, and he's talking to her now. On purpose and everything. Maybe... flirting, even? No, wait, he's definitely flirting, which is pretty much the sum of everything Lara's wanted out of life.

Except she’s haunted by a memory. A memory of a confusing, romantic, strangely perfect summer spent with a girl named Jasmine. A memory that becomes a confusing, disorienting present when Jasmine herself walks through the front doors of the school to see Lara and Chase chatting it up in front of the lockers.

Lara has everything she ever wanted: a tight-knit group of friends, a job that borders on cool, and Chase, the boy of her literal dreams. But if she's finally got the guy, why can't she stop thinking about the girl?

Cool for the Summer is a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A quick read featuring a young woman who stands at the biggest crossroads of her life. 

Lara has always dreamed about dating Chase, the star football player and one of the hottest boys in her class. Then she meets Jasmine over the summer and everything changes. Forced to decide to pursue the man of her dreams or the girl in her heart, Lara is forced to make the hardest decision she's ever had to make. 

This is my first Dahlia Adler book, and there are many things I quite enjoy about it that give me hope for really enjoying some of her other novels. I greatly appreciate her writing style, the depth of her characters, and her love of literature. Unfortunately, I think this book was a little too short for me to truly adore and the stakes felt super low the entire time, since it was pretty clear from the get-go who Lara was going to end up with. 

The exploration of Lara's sexuality was done very well, and I'm glad to see how much positive rep of the LGBTQIA+ community this book includes. It would be super hard to ignore a crush that you've had for years, even if you think you might possibly have developed a newer, stronger crush over the summer. An interesting way to explore being bisexual that made for a fine novel. 

However, there are several things about this story that severely frustrated me. The biggest one being that Lara and Jasmine refused to have an open convo with each other the entire book. This was so annoying, and I hate it when characters refuse to talk to one another for petty reasons. 

I also found that the "Then" chapters were so much more interesting than the "Now" segments. Personally, I think I would have been more engaged with this story if it had been told in chronological order. 

Overall, I may not have been the most engaged with "Cool For the Summer," but it is still a very solid story about accepting yourself, coming to terms with your reality, and adapting to life when things don't go as planned. I'm excited to dive into the stand alone sequel, "Going Bicoastal" in the next couple of days.

Back of Book: 

In this fiercely moving YA romance novel, Leti Rivera's love of street racing is put to the test when tragedy strikes her family and threatens to tear her apart from the boy she's falling for.

Seventeen-year-old Leti Rivera dreams of becoming a famous female street racer. Her brother taught her how to drive so fast that nothing can catch her.

But when Jacob Fleckenstein crashes into her life, Leti starts to think that running isn’t always the answer. Together, inside her car, they both feel like they’re flying, and Jacob’s gentleness and honesty threaten Leti’s vow to keep her heart tight in her fist and her grief locked away.

Yet after tragedy strikes following a race, Leti blames herself and swears an oath, a juramento, to give up driving. But will she be able to keep her promise when racing could be the very thing that saves Jacob... and herself? Perfect for fans of Netflix's Atypical and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Sports 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A teen girl's love for street racing helps her through all the hard times in this touching romance novel.

Leti Rivera wants nothing more than to become a famous street racer. This may be a bit of an obstacle for a girl to do, but she is up for the challenge. Speeding through life, nothing can slow Leti down. That is, until she meets Jacob Fleckenstein, an odd boy who dreams of being an astronaut and seems to avoids everyone else but her. She swore to never give her heart away like her Papi did in the fear that her heart would be broken like his. When it seems that nothing is going Leti's way, it will take everything that Leti has to keep afloat as her greatest passions begin to consume her alive. 

For some reason, I went into this one with super low expectations. This meant that I was greatly blown away by the quality of this story! It is such a heartfelt book with the sweetest romance and some stellar themes. I feel that since this book involved street racing, I just assumed I wouldn't be into it, but that certainly wasn't the case! 

Leti's love for street racing is a really cool part of this book for many reasons. First, Leti is determined to defy the narrative and become a famous street racer despite it being a career that few women have broken into. Second, the confidence that Leti showcases behind the wheel is pretty kickbutt, which makes for a fun reading experience. And third, the bonds that racing allows her to have with her fellow crew members is so sweet. I adore the found family dynamic of their group, and it makes me so darn happy to see them all tease each other while supporting one another unconditionally all at the same time. 

The family element in this one is another powerful piece. Leti's mother died in childbirth, so she often feels guilty for her mother's death. Her Papi has always been distant, which left her older brother, Santos, to raise her almost on his own. The way that Leti adores her brother is sweet, and the lengths Santos will go to protect her have no end. As the story progresses, Rivera family secrets begin to unravel, which adds quite a bit of drama to this story, all while deepening the familial bonds that this novel focuses on. 

I guess I should probably talk about the romance sooner rather than later, especially because it was one of my favorite parts. Leti is a pretty hotheaded and fiery person whereas Jacob is a chill, down to earth sort of a guy that the entire school thinks is an utter oddball. It was pretty obvious to me that Jacob has autism pretty much from the moment I was introduced to his character, but it takes Leti quite a while longer to figure this out. His calm definitely balances out her fire, and I found it so cute experiencing their bumbling romance as it began to blossom. 

Another thing this book really dives into is consent and healthy relationships. Leti's first foray into dating wasn't all that successful, because the guy she was with was a total jerk. The moment he was ready for sex, he tried to force her into the act despite her unwillingness and then started verbally harassing her after they inevitably broke up. This causes Leti to be very hesitant about future relationships, even though it is clear that Jacob is an absolute saint and would never do anything to hurt her. Due to Jacob's autism, the physical portion of their relationship is greatly decelerrated. Like many others with autism, Jacob is very sensitive when it comes to touching and making eye contact, so there was certainly a bit of a learning curve for these two. I am happy to report that Leti is very understanding with everything, which makes this a pretty wholesome romance. 

There are other great messages such as those about feminism, body image, disabilities, and grief littered all throughout this book. There are so many small moments that were such big learning lessons, which I think that it's pretty awesome when a book can do this casually. 

Overall, "Crashing Into You" is a great book that explores many interesting topics in unique ways. A neurodivergent romance featuring a girl who loves street racing is certainly a first for me, but I'm so glad that I took a chance on this one. The messages about grief, consent, disabilities, guilt, and family are amazing. I would love to check out more of Callen's work some day; I was pleasantly surprised by this one! 

Audiobook Note: The narrator of this book, Stacy Gonzalez, did a fantastic job. She captured Leti perfectly, especially her fire and her hotheadedness. Her Spanish accent is also gorgeous, which I felt added immensely to the overall aesthetic of this book. I would definitely recommend this one on audio! 

Back of Book: 

Winnie Friedman has been waiting for the world to catch on to what she already knows: she's hilarious.

It might be a long wait, though. After bombing a stand-up set at her own bat mitzvah, Winnie has kept her jokes to herself. Well, to herself and her dad, a former comedian and her inspiration.

Then, on the second day of tenth grade, the funniest guy in school actually laughs at a comment she makes in the lunch line and asks her to join the improv troupe. Maybe he's even... flirting?

Just when Winnie's ready to say yes to comedy again, her father reveals that he's been diagnosed with ALS. That is... not funny. Her dad's still making jokes, though, which feels like a good thing. And Winnie's prepared to be his straight man if that's what he wants. But is it what he needs?

Caught up in a spiral of epically bad dates, bad news, and bad performances, Winnie's struggling to see the humor in it all. But finding a way to laugh is exactly what will see her through. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

A young comedian learns to embrace the positive when she joins her school's improv troupe despite her lack of experience and fear of being in the spotlight.  

Winnie Friedman has always viewed herself as the funniest person alive. Unfortunately, hardly anyone recognizes her true potential. Sure, her parents and best friends laugh at her jokes, but that's not saying a lot. Everything is about to change though after one fateful day at lunch when the funniest kid in her grade, Evan Miller, laughs at a joke she makes. When he invites her to the school's improv troupe, Winnie knows this is her moment to prove to the world that she is truly hilarious. Feeling ready to embrace comedy again for the first time in a while, Winnie is hit with a shocking twist: her father has been diagnosed with ALS. Now, Winnie must try to focus on the positive despite everything that is happening at home. 

This book was leagues better than I thought it was going to be. I seriously blame the cover for my lackluster expectations of this book, but I'm glad that it panned out to being a pretty solid read. I found myself laughing aloud constantly (which I guess shouldn't be too unexpected from a book called "Crying Laughing," but I was a bit surprised nonetheless). And this book has a ton of depth, which is something I really wasn't expecting. 

Going into this book, I had no idea that it was centered around the wonderful art of improv. In college, I took an acting class in which we spent a ton of time practicing improv, so I definitely could relate to all the feelings that Winnie had towards this complicated art. There were times I was super nostalgic over some of the improv pieces that I had the chance to participate in and view. But I definitely felt the dread that can come after a not so successful round of improvisation. Improv comes naturally to some, but it is truly a learned artform. I really enjoyed reminiscing in my own experiences as I watched Winnie grow into a more confident performer, despite her obvious shortcomings.

The other half of this book focuses on Winnie's father's ALS diagnosis. ALS is a truly awful condition and every time I read about it, my heart goes out to everyone who has ever had to deal with this condition. Winnie learns a ton about her parent's past and struggles to cope with what her future might entail now that her father may only have a few more years to live. Books featuring chronic conditions always pull on my heartstrings and this book was no different. 

Something that I found great about this book was the fact that it mentioned Amy Poehler/Leslie Knope nine times. The author of this book is definitely a fan of Amy Poehler and "Parks and Recreation," as am I, so it was really fun to read all the references that he decided to include. I wasn't aware of the depth of Poehler's career in improv though, so I'm even more excited to read her memoir "Yes Please" to learn more about this part of her life. 

My least favorite part of this book was Evan. He wasn't terrible as an acquaintance of Winnie's, but I hated him as soon as he started playing the romantic interest. He was controlling, never consulted her for literally anything, and moved way too fast for my comfort. I'm glad that he convinced Winnie to join the improv group, but I'm so relieved that she picked up on his red flags almost instantly. 

The diversity rep in this book is also great. Winnie's best friends are Muslim, her dad has ALS, and there are several characters that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. This story briefly touches on issues such as racism, Islamophobia, and the like, which I greatly appreciated even though it was more about learning to live with change and overcoming the hurdles that life throws at you. 

Overall, "Crying Laughing" was a funny read that also has a ton of depth and heart. I've never read a book that focused on the art of improv, so that was super refreshing. I think improv is fascinating and I've partaken in it a time or two, so I really enjoyed how important improv is to this story. Seeing Winnie's family learning to deal with her father's ALS diagnosis was the most impactful part of the story in my opinion, but I enjoyed Winnie's exploits into dating, learning to prioritize her friends, and growing confidence in herself as well. This book was way better than I thought it would be which certainly reminded me that one can't accurately judge a book by its cover. 

Back of Book: 

Dear Evan Hansen,

Today's going to be an amazing day and here's why. . . 

When a letter that was never meant to be seen by anyone draws high school senior Evan Hansen into a family's grief over the loss of their son, he is given the chance of a lifetime: to belong. He just has to stick to a lie he never meant to tell, that the notoriously troubled Connor Murphy was his secret best friend.

Suddenly, Evan isn't invisible anymore—even to the girl of his dreams. And Connor Murphy's parents, with their beautiful home on the other side of town, have taken him in like he was their own, desperate to know more about their enigmatic son from his closest friend. As Evan gets pulled deeper into their swirl of anger, regret, and confusion, he knows that what he's doing can't be right, but if he's helping people, how wrong can it be?

No longer tangled in his once-incapacitating anxiety, this new Evan has a purpose. And a website. He's confident. He's a viral phenomenon. Every day is amazing. Until everything is in danger of unraveling and he comes face to face with his greatest obstacle: himself.

A simple lie leads to complicated truths in this big-hearted coming-of-age story of grief, authenticity and the struggle to belong in an age of instant connectivity and profound isolation. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea—at least, that's what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you're a boy with a boat.

But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.

As her college decision looms, Rosa collides—literally—with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved "Don't Date Rosa Santos" probably a little too much. But at the same time, I related to Rosa a lot (due to her overachiever attitude, list-making tendencies, and overall work-orientated mindset), totally fell for the love interest, Alex Aquino, and was enthralled by all the Latinx culture contained within!

I enjoyed how this book had such a clickbait romance title, but in reality was more about dealing with family drama, overcoming grief, and making your own decisions in life. It was really fun to see how Rosa navigated through the many situations she found herself thrust into. I really enjoyed reading about Rosa and her family due to how realistic and not stereotypical the Santos family was.

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good romance, wants to see authentic Latinx representation, or just wants a cozy summer read with a serious side to it.

Back of Book: 

A pun-filled YA contemporary romance, The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar finds a teenage girl competing in a televised baking competition, with contestants including her ex-girlfriend and a potential new crush―perfect for fans of The Great British Bake Off and She Drives Me Crazy!

“Welcome to the first ever Junior Irish Baking Show!”

Shireen Malik is still reeling from the breakup with her ex-girlfriend, Chris, when she receives news that she’s been accepted as a contestant on a new televised baking competition show. This is Shireen’s dream come true! Because winning will not only mean prize money, but it will also bring some much-needed attention to You Drive Me Glazy, her parents’ beloved donut shop.

Things get complicated, though, because Chris is also a contestant on the show. Then there’s the very outgoing Niamh, a fellow contestant who is becoming fast friends with Shireen. Things are heating up between them, and not just in the kitchen.

As the competition intensifies, Shireen will have to ignore all these factors and more―including potential sabotage―if she wants a sweet victory! 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟

Falling in love is sweet especially if you are doing it on the set of a baking show. . . or is it? 

Shireen Malik's summer has been pretty awful. Not only did she breakup with her girlfriend, Chris, her best friend, Fatima, is also spending the summer with her family in Bangladesh. Not even her favorite reality show can cheer her up. In the midst of her sadness, Shireen receives an email saying that she has been selected to compete on a new televised baking show for teens. After arriving on set, things get complicated when she learns Chris is a fellow competitor. With her ex hovering over her shoulder, the pressure increases for Shireen. Not only does she have to deal with Chris, but she also starts catching feelings for Niamh, the cute redhead who catches Shireen's attention almost immediately. As the competition ramps up, so do Shireen's feelings for both Chris and Niamh. Who knew baking could be so complicated? 

It saddens me greatly to admit that I didn't like this one. I was really anticipating reading this book. The cover is just so cute, and I figured a book centered around a baking show would be so wholesome and cute. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This book is full of petty arguments, constant bickering, and a love triangle that I found to be pure cringe. Reading a romance with a love triangle element and not liking any of the three makes for a very uncomfortable experience, which was the case I had in this book. If this book wouldn't have been so petty in all of its conflicts, there is a chance that I could have gotten more into the story, but the lack of liking the characters is what really made this one a miss for me. 

Despite all the things I despised about this book, there is also much that I can admire. It is not often that one sees a Bangladeshi girl who is also fat and a lesbian who is trying to live her life unapologetically as herself in literature. This is really refreshing, and definitely one of my favorite parts about this book. I'm not saying that Shireen doesn't face any challenges (she is constantly made fun of for her race and body type as well as commonly referred to as Indian), but she thrives as herself despite them. 

Shireen is also a very anxious individual who experiences extreme panic attacks. This is something that resonates strongly with me as a person, and I can really empathize with her. Unfortunately, I still didn't find myself forming a strong connection with her. 

Overall, "The Dos and Donuts of Love" was a very disappointing read. I was really looking forward to reading this one and it ended up not even coming close to my standards. I appreciate the marginalized MC, her enthusiastic nature, and the important themes, but this wasn't enough to have me liking this book. I'm saddened that this one didn't hit for me, but I will definitely check out more of Jaigirdar's work in the future. I'm optimistic that I could like her other books due to her writing style and witty nature. It stinks that this one was a miss, but hopefully the next one will be a hit! 

Back of Book: 

A charming, poignant YA rom-com about an academics-obsessed teen who learns big truths about love, family, and herself when a scheduling snafu lands her in a culinary arts class, perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Rachel Lynn Solomon. 

Ingredients:

· 1 try-hard salutatorian

· 1 annoying and (annoyingly) cute boy

· A handful of Korean recipes (measure with your heart)

· The spice of competition, to taste

Eliza Park’s senior year will be perfect: She’s going to be salutatorian, give a tear-jerking graduation speech in front of her parents, and enjoy her last year with her equally ambitious best friends. But when a scheduling mishap enrolls her in Culinary Arts, Eliza is suddenly the most clueless person in the class. Her typical title of star student belongs to the aggravatingly arrogant Wesley Ruengsomboon, a charming Thai American boy whose talent in the kitchen leaves Eliza both awed and annoyed.

With her rank on the line, Eliza’s only hope is to snatch the midterm cooking contest win from Wesley, however improbable that may be. Add in the flavor of her grandmother’s Korean recipes, the heat of being class partners with Wesley, and the sweetness of unexpected feelings—and Eliza must now rebuild everything she knew about success, love, and what it means to be herself, from scratch. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

When an academic obsessed girl ends up in a culinary arts class that she absolutely sucks at, she must turn to an unlikely ally in order to keep her GPA from crashing drastically. 

Eliza Park is ready to have the perfect senior year with her two best friends and her superior grades. That is, until she learns that she is put into Culinary Arts instead of AP Chemistry. Finding herself stuck in a "regular" class, Eliza soon realizes that she is horrible at anything that involves a kitchen. Desperate to maintain her prestigious GPA, Eliza teams up with Wesley Ruengsomboom, the class's culinary expert. As Eliza learns to cook in order to pass the class, she also gleans more about her family than she ever could have imagined and discovers there is so much more to Wesley than meets the eye. 

This one is such a sweet romance with so many great messages about discovering yourself, chasing your dreams, and the connections that bind families together. I often have a hard time connecting with cooking books, but Lee did such an amazing job at portraying what food means to the Park family that I found myself completely absorbed by this concept. 

I relate a bit to Eliza's addiction to honors classes and getting good grades. By no means was I as intense as she is about academics as she is, but school was pretty much my entire life when I was in high school, too. There were many times that I felt Eliza was crossing a line with the lengths she was willing to do just to score good marks, but some of the quotes resonated with me so deeply that it brought tears to my eyes (especially when it talked about not feeling like she was good at anything besides school and her not knowing what to write about for the personal segment of her college application). 

Wesley was such a great love interest. His passion for cooking is contagious and all his worries are so valid. I totally feel his fears when it comes to pursuing his love for cooking even though it's not the most sustainable career. I love really niche art forms, and I hope to make a career out of them too, so I found Wesley's narrative to be super applicable to my life. His love for Pixar movies is also super adorable, and I love the way that he shared his passion for them with Eliza while he helped her learn to cook. 

This book starts with Eliza and Wesley as academic rivals (even though they are in quite different leagues), but the two grow pretty close rather quickly. The banter between these two is comical and witty; I always enjoyed listening to these two go back and forth while in the kitchen. The fact that Wesley helps Eliza with her culinary skills and Eliza helps Wesley with his math is also super cute. I must admit that the third act conflict between these two was slightly frustrating, but sadly very realistic. They got through it quick enough though, so I wasn't too bothered by it. 

The way that Eliza learns to connect with her mother through her grandmother's recipes is such a touching part of this story. Eliza has grown up in a pretty traditional Korean household with her mother speaking Korean and making classic cuisine, but that doesn't mean that Eliza always feels like she belongs. She barely feels any connection to her deceased grandmother, and I absolutely adore the way that cooking with her mother allowed Eliza to learn more about her mother's childhood as well as form a deeper connection with her grandmother that she never got the chance to bond with herself.

Overall, "Eliza, from Scratch" is a very sweet rom com featuring one school obsessed girl who learns to widen her worldview through culinary arts. I relate immensely to both Eliza and Wesley, which made this a bit of an emotional read. The academic setting is great, the themes are powerful, and the characters are riddled with realistic issues. This is a strong debut, and I look forward to seeing what else Lee pens in the future! 

Back of Book: 

Fans of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson will be swept away by this big-hearted novel about one girl navigating first loss and first love during her summer on Cape Cod.

Saving the whales has been Coriander Cabot and her best friend Ella’s dream since elementary school. But when tragedy strikes, Cor is left to complete the list of things they wanted to accomplish before college alone, including a marine biology internship on Cape Cod.

Cor's summer of healing and new beginnings turns complicated when she meets Mannix, a local lifeguard who completely takes her breath away. But she knows whatever she has with Mannix might not last, and that her focus should be on rescuing the humpback whales from entanglement. As the tide changes, Cor finds herself distracted and struggling with her priorities.

Can she follow her heart and keep her promise to the whales and her best friend?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A summer romance that dives deep into the intricacies of grief, love, and the struggles to make a difference. 

Coriander "Cor" Cabot spends every summer in Cape Cod, but this one is bound to be different from the rest. This summer, Cor will be there without her best friend, Ella. This is due to the fact that Ella passed away in an unfortunate drowning accident last year. Now, Cor will do anything to finish the bucket list that they made together. This includes interning at the Marine Research and Conservation Alliance without her best friend by her side. Before her intern even starts, Cor runs into an attractive lifeguard by the name of Mannix who might just be the distraction she needs. But can Cor truly accomplish everything she needs to if she is sidetracked by this handsome boy for the entire summer? 

I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did. But despite the fluffy, summery vibes, this book dives into much deeper content than I expected it to. The conservation of marine wildlife is a prime focus of this book, which is a message that I can always get behind. Any time that whales were mentioned, you can just feel the author's love for them bleed forth from the page. I'm glad to see people pass along their passion in the hopes that other's will want to make a difference, too. 

Even though it is a romance and Mannix seems to be the perfect guy, both he and Cor have their fair share of issues, which made this book more realistic. Cor suffers from the grief of losing her best friend, and she also has to push to find the way back to her true self. Cor was such a jerk to Ella and often came off as very self-absorbed and rude throughout the duration of the book. Cor does have a huge growth arc during this book, however, she still has a long ways to go before I would want to be her friend. Mannix, on the other hand, wrestles with finding his place in the world. He has many hobbies and passions, yet struggles to follow the path he truly desires due to the expectations of his family and friends. The third act conflict between Cor and Mannix felt a bit forced, but I think it was important that Cor learns to stand up for herself and that Mannix faced some unwelcome truths. 

I also really liked the supporting cast in this one. Kyle (they/them) and Mia (she/her) were great allies for Cor to meet during her internship. These two were really great to her, even when she wasn't the greatest friends to her. Cor's uncle, Jack, and his "not boyfriend" Chad, also added quite a bit of color to this summery story. I love that Jack sticks it to Cor where it hurts when she makes stupid decisions; she truly does deserve it after a couple of the dumb things she does. Mannix's crew (minus Jacob) are also pretty cool, though they are much less memorable than Kyle and Mia. Noah seems like a really nice guy though. 

Something that stuck out to me about this romance, was the way it was written. Yes, I think that several elements of it were rushed, but they were many times that I whipped out my phone to take a picture of the way that the act of being in love was described. Also, Mannix was really tolerant with this girl. She is truly awful at communicating and goes behind his back multiple times for pretty much no reason. The things she did were never nefarious, but looking back on the things she did make Cor feel just a tad bit sus. I appreciate when there is some back and forth minor problems between the characters rather than just one huge explosion at the end. 

Overall, "The Edge of Summer" isn't just a light and fluffy summer romance to read to make you feel good. It covers realistic issues such as grief, heartbreak, family expectations, and discovering oneself. It certainly isn't a perfect romance and certain scenes were a little crunchy, but for the most part, I found it very enjoyable. A perfect read if you want to hold on to that summery feeling for just a little longer while also delving into some heavier topics. 

Back of Book: 

A swoony rivals-to-lovers romance...

Family secrets that can't stay buried...

A globe-spanning treasure hunt with puzzles to solve...

This latest YA novel by acclaimed writer Gloria Chao takes readers on a soaring adventure through love, loss, and the lively streets of Taiwan.

For Gemma's whole life, it has always been her and her mom against the world. As far as she knew, all her grandparents—and thus her ties to Taiwanese culture—were dead. Until one day when a mysterious man shows up at her door with two shocking the news that her grandfather has just recently passed, and the first clue to a treasure hunt that Gemma hopes will lead to her inheritance.

There's just one major to complete the hunt, she has to go to her grandfather's home in Taiwan. And the only way she can get there is by asking her ex and biggest high-school rival, Xander, for help. But after swallowing her pride, Gemma finds herself halfway across the world, ready to unearth her life-changing prize. Soon Gemma discovers that the treasure hunt is about much more than money—it's about finally learning about her family, her cultural roots, and maybe even finding true love.

Filled with ingenious puzzles, a vibrant Taipei setting, and a delicious romance, Ex Marks the Spot is an exciting adventure by award-winning writer Gloria Chao, perfect for fans of Loveboat Taipei, The Inheritance Games, and Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Mystery 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A second chance romance featuring a treasure hunt that may just lead to the inheritance of a lifetime.

Gemma has always been able to rely on her mother for everything and would never have once considered that she was hiding secrets from her. That is, until a strange man comes to her house telling her that her grandfather died several weeks ago. This wouldn't be shocking, except that her mother told Gemma her grandfather died long before she was born. And what's more, Gemma's grandfather has left her a series of riddles that may lead to his inheritance, which could solve many of Gemma's financial struggles. Unfortunately, in order to pursue this treasure hunt, Gemma has to find a way to make it to Taiwan, the country in which her grandfather lived his entire life. With no other option, Gemma has to beg her ex-boyfriend Xander for help and the two set off on the adventure of their wildest dreams. Gemma is reluctant to work with him, but she quickly begins to remember all the reasons that she used to like Xander so much.

This is second chance romance like it is meant to be! I don't think I've read many YA second chance romances, and I thought that this was a really refreshing take. I mean, when you date as fourteen-year-olds, so much changes in the four short years that is high school. I thought it was fun to see Xander try to charm Gemma as she tried to keep her grudge alive (I must say, this didn't work out very well for her *laughs*).

Any story that acknowledges subjects such as connecting to one's ancestors, culture, and feeling like one is living on the border between two worlds are stories for me. I love diving into cultures that are different than mine, so traveling across the world to Taiwan was super fun and enlightening. Seeing Gemma struggle with speaking Mandarin and not being familiar with the food and the traditions due to her mother assimilating to American society was a tad disappointing to see, but it was nice seeing her reconnect with her culture and other young people that grew up in similar boats to her. Gemma connecting with her deceased grandfather was also really sweet, and I honestly didn't see how Xander's family tied into it all, which had me pleasantly surprise.

The mystery aspect of this book was probably the weakest link for me, but it was still fun to see Gemma and Xander solve puzzles and riddles in a matter of moments. Some people are truly built for these things, and it was great seeing them light up as they worked on cracking the code and learning more about the secrets that connect their two families.

My favorite part of this book is Xander. He is super smart, charismatic, and a bit impulsive, but I could tell from the get-go that he was a super sweet boy and that once we got to see the softer side of him, I would fall in love with him as a character. His sense of humor clicked with me, so I found his interactions with Gemma to be real amusing. I was practically begging Gemma to just give in already and stop holding on to the grudge she held for him. And I practically squealed when Gemma was forced to bring him into her treasure hunting. I was so ready for it, and I was not disappointed by the many scenes that they shared afterwards.

Overall, "Ex Marks the Spot" is a super cute second chance romance that features a treasure hunt that takes the reader all across Taiwan. I really enjoyed Gemma and Xander; they are super smart, witty, and their banter is top notch. The themes covered in this book include connecting with one's family, walking the border between two cultures, and prioritizing what's important in life. I'm glad that I was able to get my hands on this one; I really love how the second chance romance was approached, and I truly had a blast reading it. I will definitely be recommending this one!

Back of Book: 

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Ánte’s life has been steeped in Sami tradition. It is indisputable to him that he, an only child, will keep working with the reindeer. But there is something else too, something tugging at him. His feelings for his best friend Erik have changed, grown into something bigger. What would people say if they knew? And how does Erik feel? And Erik’s voice just the push of a button away. Ánte couldn’t answer, could he? But how could he ignore it? Fire From the Sky is a sharp and intelligent story about heritage, family ties and age-old commitments to the past. But also about expectations, compassion, feelings that course through your body like electricity.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟

A queer coming-of-age story featuring a young reindeer herder in the icy north of Sweden.

Ánte’s life is coated in the ancient traditions of his Sámi family. He knows that his destiny is to take care of his family's reindeer, but he is confused due to the fact he doesn't neatly fit into his family's general expectations. The Sámi people aren't the most open to new ideas, so what will they think of Ánte when they learn he is gay?

This book wasn't horrible, but it had two major malfunctions. One, it was just too short. Most of the chapters were only a couple pages long, which made it a very short read, but also made it feel a bit choppy. And two, the entire things was too toxic for my liking. Between Ánte’s negative thoughts, his abuse of Hanna, and the lack of general communication. I found the fact that no one could seem to talk to each other or have an honest conversation about anything extremely frustrating.

The best parts of this book were most definitely those that involved Sweden and the Sámi culture. I've never read any Swedish literature before, so that was by far the highlight of this reading experience. And besides, herding reindeer is pretty cool as far as jobs go.

Overall, "Fire from the Sky" was a disappointing read that had a promising, comical start and then proceeded to fall on its face. It wasn't my cup of tea, but if you're willing to give a short, diverse coming-of-age story a chance, then maybe it'll be more enjoyable for you.

Back of Book: 

Katherine and Michael meet at a New Year's Eve party. They're attracted to each other, they grow to love each other. And once they've decided their love is forever, they make love.

It's the beginning of an intense and exclusive relationship, with a future all planned. Until Katherine's parents insist that she and Michael put their love to the test with a summer apart...

Forever is written for an older age group than Judy Blume's other novels for children. It caused a storm of controversy when it was first published because of its explicit sexual content.

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance

Review: 🌟🌟

This was not my cup of tea. The characters are bland, the romance is suspicious, and the narration made me twitchy. 

This isn't my first ride with Judy Blume, so I know that her books tackle some topics that make many people uncomfortable. "Forever" grapples with the complications of teen sexuality and the difference between first love and true love. I appreciate the messages that Blume portrays with this book and the fact that she was willing to make the world uncomfortable by writing this in the seventies, but that doesn't change my opinion of the story itself. 

I thought that the characters in this book were for the most part unlikable. Kath is whiny, doesn't want to commit, and isn't the most supportive friend. Her decision at the end of the book actually made me want to tear my hair out (though in the long run, I hope she decides that she needs to grow up a little before she can determine what love truly means to her). The only character I even kinda felt attached to is Michael, and he honestly scares me a bit. I think that the gestures that he makes towards Kath are really romantic and thoughtful, but I feel that he's a bit too lustful for my approval. The relationship between these two seems like a plot device due to the fact that we don't see much of the bond between them form because the book focuses more on the sexual uncertainties and experimentation rather than the actual chemistry and relationship. 

I also found the writing to be a bit drab and choppy in this one. I often found it jumping from one scene to another without much description or detail. This works in some books, but in this one, I found myself wishing for the moments that would have developed these characters more and tried to hook me on the actual story rather than just the themes. 

Overall, I still think that "Forever" is an important book that has helped many people through their own uncertainties. However, that does not mean that I personally took anything away from it. I pretty much only read this one for a book challenge because it takes place in Vermont for a short time period, but I also knew that it was something I should probably read eventually. It wasn't horrible, but for me, it's just another classic Judy Blume book. 

Back of Book: 

In a community that isn't always understanding, an HIV-positive teen must navigate fear, disclosure, and radical self-acceptance when she falls in love—and lust—for the first time. Powerful and uplifting, Full Disclosure will speak to fans of Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon.

Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She's making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time... well, last time things got ugly.

Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for reals—kisses escalating into much more—she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him—that she's positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she's terrified of how he'll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.

Simone's first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on... 

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A touching high school drama that doesn't shy away from the complexities of living with HIV. 

Simone Garcia-Hampton had to transfer schools after the incidents that went down at her previous one. Now, she has a chance to start over with no one knowing that she is HIV-positive. She's finally getting the chance to make real friends, meet a cute boy, and even direct her school's production of "Rent." However, keeping her condition under wraps is harder than she first imagined when she starts receiving threatening notes from an anonymous sender who seems to know her secret. Desperate to keep her cards close to her chest, Simone decides not to tell anyone about the messages. However, as the school year progresses, she starts to wonder if the only way to stop the haters is by confronting them in the open. 

This was such an informative read. I've never read a book that featured a character who was HIV-positive. The fact that Simone is also a queer, black woman with HIV made this book even more impactful. Simone goes through so much just being who she is, but it's great to see her just being a typical teenager who hangs out with her friends, makes out with boys, and indulges in classic musicals. 

I must say, I knew next to nothing about HIV going into this book, so everything that Garrett shared with me taught me something new. There are so many assumptions and a ton of negative stigma surrounding HIV, so it is great to read a book such as this that battles these stereotypes. This book talks about how meds are used to treat HIV, how healthy sex can be practiced, and even how children can be safely conceived with parents that have HIV. Just for the exploration of these topics alone, this book would make a great readalong or book club pick. 

This book is also incredibly sex positive. Simone and her friends often discuss their sexual relations with one another, which is quite healthy, honestly. I feel that many people have to bottle up all their insecurities about sex and romantic relationships, so seeing friends that are so open with each other about all the things is very refreshing. Also, the fact that Simone has a ton of adult role models in her life that are open to discussing sex with her is also awesome (even if this often makes her life more awkward).

One of my favorite parts about this book is the theatre aspect. Simone has a literal addiction to musicals, and she doesn't reign in this love for anybody. She is always more than happy to share even the most obscure musicals with those she loves, and it's pretty sweet that her boyfriend, Miles, is willing to listen to her ramble on about them. She is also working as the student director of her school's musical, which is performing "Rent" this year. It was fun to see some behind the scenes elements of her work on the production.

Overall, I was impressed by "Full Disclosure." I've never read a book that is centered around a character who is HIV-positive. It was really interesting to learn about Simone's life and some of the obstacles she had to face. The parts involving theatre were really fun, too. This was a really powerful debut novel from Camryn Garrett; I'd be interested to see what type of subject she will tackle next. 

Back of Book: 

Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The broken glass washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.

Every new scar hardens Charlie’s heart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

A queer Sliding Doors YA rom-com in which a girl must choose between summer in NYC with her dad (and the girl she's always wanted) or LA with her estranged mom (and the guy she never saw coming). In Dahlia Adler’s Going Bicoastal, there’s more than one path to happily ever after.Natalya Fox has twenty-four hours to make the biggest choice of her stay home in NYC for the summer with her dad (and finally screw up the courage to talk to the girl she's been crushing on), or spend it with her basically estranged mom in LA (knowing this is the best chance she has to fix their relationship, if she even wants to.) (Does she want to?)

How's a girl supposed to choose? She can't, and so both summers play out in alternating timelines - one in which Natalya explores the city, tries to repair things with her mom, works on figuring out her future, and goes for the girl she's always wanted. And one in which Natalya explores the city, tries to repair things with her mom, works on figuring out her future, and goes for the guy she never saw coming.

Book Number: Stand Alone (Note: Characters from Cool For the Summer appear in this book, so if you are interested in reading that book, take note that Going Bicoastal contains spoilers.) 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

One girl, a single summer, multiple timelines, and more than one happily ever after all come together to make an intriguing summer romance unlike any I've ever encountered before. 

Natalya Fox has always loved her life with her father in New York City, but when she is presented the chance to spend the last summer before she graduates highschool with her mother in Los Angeles, Natalya has an important choice to make that will affect the rest of her life as she knows it. But what if she doesn't have to choose between the life she loves and the one that she yearns for? In alternating timelines, Natalya is given the chance to explore Los Angeles and the boy that she never knew she needed as well as stay in the comfort of her home city and pursue the girl she has crushed on for years. 

"Going Bicoastal" is such a fascinating read. In a way, this book is kinda set up like a choose your own adventure story in which the reader gets to choose which life they think Natalya should have pursued. Many incidents overlap in the two timelines, but Adler did a great job of always keeping the story engaging so it didn't seem repetitive. Both versions of Natalya's summer have their merit, and both of them are life changing. This really had me thinking how quickly life can change and the importance of the decisions that we make. Long story short, the concept of this book is so unique and was a really neat way to also explore bisexuality in a way that didn't involve a love triangle, but rather, alternate universes. Both endings were so bittersweet when each version of Natalya encountered Elly and Adam in the opposite timeline, and really showcases how circumstantial life can be. 

Natalya is really uncertain about her future. She's not sure if she wants to go to college, if she can maintain a long term relationship as a highschooler, or what the relationship with her mother holds. I think it is very relatable to have so many unknowns in one's life, which had me connecting to Natalya (and Adam). Everyone has doubts about things and this novel does a wonderful job of highlighting that there are multiple great paths that one can forge to find their own future. Both of Natalya's lives have many similarities, just with some major variables changed. This novel did a good job of inspiring hope in me that somehow, things always seem to work out in the end. 

Natalya is Jewish, which I thought was really neat. For some reason, literary Jews are few and far between, especially in contemporary stories, so it was fun to learn more about how her family practices Judaism. I especially love the discussion that Natalya has with Adam about being Jewish and bisexual and how these two identities are interconnected. LGBTQIA+ pride is an important aspect of this story, and I thought it was neat to see how Natalya approached this aspect of herself in relation to her religion. 

I appreciated all of the character's passions for their art forms. Natalya is a digital artist and designer, Adam is a chef, Elly is a writer and musician, and many of the other side characters have other pursuits that they love. This gave all the characters more depth and made them easier to get to know. 

It was neat that Jasmine and Lara from "Cool For the Summer" are present in NYC Natalya's timeline. Having them enter this story was neat, despite the fact that I didn't adore their story in Adler's previous novel. Despite this, it still felt nice seeing familiar faces, especially because it shows how happy they still are after the conclusion of the previous novel. 

I do have a few minor gripes about this book though. The alternation between timelines gave some serious whiplash at the beginning of this novel, but I got used to it pretty quickly. It didn't feel as though Natalya was cheating on anyone throughout this book because it distinctly read as two different Natalya's. However, it saddened me that LA Natalya didn't give a second thought to "Red Haired Girl;" she totally just abandoned her after crushing on her for so long. This book also jumped over events that I thought would have been interesting to see play out, but I get it because this book is mostly focused on the romance aspects, not on Natalya spending time with her parents or babysitting children. Adler's characters are still a tad bit too horny for my taste and the romance escalates quite fast. I think the concept of this book overshadowed all of my complaints, leaving me with mostly good vibes. 

Overall, "Going Bicoastal" was such a unique and intriguing read. I may not have loved every aspect of it, but it had me thinking quite in depth about the importance of decisions and how so many aspects of our lives are circumstantial. Sometimes it can be hard to forge your path, but it was really inspiring to see how Natalya navigated through two different versions of her life (especially because they both ended up rather wonderfully in the end). This book really takes "what if" to another level, and I would love to consume more books that explore concepts like this in unique and interesting ways.  

Back of Book: 

The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever is so bad, it could wake the dead...

After producing three horror films that went mostly ignored on YouTube, Justin and his filmmaking buddies decide it's time to make something epic. In fact, they're going to make The Greatest Zombie Movie Ever. They may not have money or a script, but they have passion. And, after a rash text message, they also have the beautiful Alicia Howtz as the lead.

Hemmed in by a one-month timeline and a cast of uncooperative extras, but aching to fulfill Alicia's dreams, Justin must face the sad, sad truth: he may, in actuality, be producing The Worst Zombie Movie Ever.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

"I'm trying to get back to the person that I was but it's harder than I'm willing to admit. . ." - "I'm Trying" (The Have Not, Track One) 

Cam Donovan was getting along just fine living as a normal teenager with her father in Arizona, far from her D-list celebrity mother Jackie Jenson and whatever reality show or perfume line she was involved with at the moment. But when Cam's father dies, she finds herself uprooted to Los Angeles and thrust into the spotlight she has never wanted. Between navigating her rocky relationship with her mother, trying to control a new feeling of anger that constantly threatens to bubble over, and struggling to ignore her feelings for the attractive (but not single) waiter at her new favorite diner, Cam refuses to acknowledge that she is on the brink of an inevitable breakdown. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A story of overcoming grief, avoiding fame, and learning to cope with a new type of normal set against an exotic Los Angeles backdrop.

Cam Donovan has always done a good job staying out of the spotlight. That is, until her father dies from a chronic illness and is forced to move to Los Angeles with her mother. Now, in the midst of learning to cope with an immense amount of grief, she is also forced to learn how to deal with being highlighted across social media and gossip columns that discuss every piece of what she views as her not so interesting life. Cam also can't help but develop a crush on the cute boy, Milo, who works at her favorite diner. However, Milo isn't exactly single, which adds another layer of anger to Cam's already fragile existence. Can anything go her way? Or is it inevitable that all the stress is going to lead to a breakdown unlike any that she has experienced before?

I have been waiting so long for this book, so I am stoked to say that Beth Crowley has finally published her debut novel! I first came across Beth's work as a songwriter who writes songs based on the popular books that she reads. Beth's lyrics are always amazing, so I knew that her writing would be no different. And she even wrote a soundtrack to go with "The Have Not." The songs are just as wonderful as the book, and it was so much fun listening to the tracks as I read the book. These songs will also be a constant reminder of her book as I listen to music from now on, which means this book will stick with me in a way that most books don't have the opportunity to. Seriously, go check out her work!

One of the things that really sticks out in this one is the humor. Cam is such a sarcastic character who tends to resort to dark humor when things hit a little too close to home. As alluded to earlier, Cam goes through a whole bunch of unfortunate circumstances throughout the book, so her sharp tongue often gets her in trouble. I love the banter between her and her half-brother, Charlie, as well as with Milo, the boy that she is crushing on. The yams joke is truly hilarious and I couldn't help but laugh at the "go get 'em, bro" bit every time it graced the page. Cam's humor might be a bit niche, but I found it to be absolutely hysterical.

The aspects of change and grief are so realistic and raw in this novel. Everything that Cam goes through with losing her father, having to move to LA, and being thrust into the spotlight is overwhelming in every possible way imaginable. It broke my heart to watch Cam fall apart more and more as the story progresses, but the messages that this book portrays makes it totally worth it. The scenes towards the end of the book when Cam reconciles with her mother are truly heartwarming, and they filled me with so much hope for the future.

The romantic elements of this book didn't hook me as much as the familial elements or the trajectory towards self-discovery, but I still enjoyed them immensely. Milo is a sweet boy, even if his taste in women is slightly sketchy. The banter between him and Cam is funny and I will always remember the yams bit that the two of them share. The fact that there is a bit of a love triangle in this book is also fun; I also thought it was hilarious that Cam says that love triangles are her least favorite book tropes. Honestly, understandable.

The importance of the arts in this story is awesome. Cam is an aspiring artist, her best friend, Mei, is a stage actress, and Milo is in a band (go Discount Curses!). Pairing these artistic elements with the backdrop of Los Angeles and the aspects of being related to a celebrity, made the atmosphere of this book really interesting in a bunch of different ways.

Overall, I'm so glad that "The Have Not" is finally in my hands. I have been waiting a long time for this moment, and it did not disappoint. I love the cast of characters, the heartfelt messages, and the accompanying soundtrack is top-tier. Beth Crowley's work is truly stunning and I hope that she gets around to writing another novel at some point. I will treasure this book forever, and I can't wait to recommend this one for all eternity.

Check out Beth Crowley's music!: https://www.youtube.com/c/bethjcrowley

Back of Book: 

When Griffin's first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he's been imagining for himself has gone far off course.

To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin's downward spiral continues. He's losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he's been keeping are tearing him apart.

If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

In his emotional rollercoaster of a read that is as devastating as it is uplifting, Adam Silvera masterfully strings together an unforgettable tale of first love, loss, and the excruciating painful task of trying to put your life back together again. 

"History Is All You Left Me" follows Griffin right after he looses his first crush, ex-boyfriend, and best friend Theo in a tragic drowning accident. Griffin may have been across the country when it happened, but that doesn't mean Griffin wasn't expecting Theo to come back. Now, Griffin is consumed by grief, giving into his destructive streak and obsessive behaviors like never before. His situation is only made worse due to the one person who knows exactly what he's going through: Theo's current boyfriend, Jackson. In order to get past this immense wave of grief, Griffin must first look to his and Theo's complicated history in order to claim the future that he doesn't feel he deserves. 

I've read "They Both Die at the End," so I was prepared for the emotional damage that Silvera delivered in this novel. This one didn't have me sobbing by the end, but I was still an emotional mess and there was countless times in this book that I gasped, put my hand to my mouth, and even found it physically hard to swallow. I have to once again say, no one packs a punch like Adam Silvera does. 

In the beginning of this one, I loved reading about Theo and Griffin first falling in love and dating. It felt so organic and I really enjoyed getting to know these two dorks and their weird quirks. I'm always down for a nerd moment surrounding Harry Potter, and this book had plenty of those. The hopeful start to their relationship really had me rooting for them, despite the fact that I already knew it wouldn't work out for them in the end. 

The way that Silvera arranged this book is pure genius. The "Today" chapters line up splendidly with the "History" chapters, which both packed an emotional punch and elaborately worked together to move the narrative forward in a brilliant way. I could tell their was much thought put into the arrangement of these chapters, and I appreciate when as a reader, I can feel the time put into a story. Also, the fact that all of the "Today" chapters are told with Griffin talking directly to Theo is another amazing choice that really made me connect to the complicated relationship that these two had with one another.  

Griffin is such a messy character, which made him feel so real! His relationships were a bit of a disaster, his compulsions were real, and the things that he said were so vulnerable. The fact that he also had OCD (which I wasn't aware Silvera had until I read this book), was a bonus in my opinion, and really added layers to Griffin as a character as well as his relationships with Theo and Jackson. My heart really goes out to Griffin, and I can't compliment Silvera enough for how he wrote his character. 

Despite being gifted this book quite some time ago, I experienced this story at the perfect time in my life. I am a young college student who is currently wrestling with many of the emotions that are explored in the first couple of "History" sections in this book. I too am part of a trio of besties in which I fear third-wheeling the final member. This is such a legit issues that I'm surprised hasn't come up more frequently in the books I've read. I felt my current predicament and mindset often reflected in Griffin's thoughts and felt oddly seen; it's been a while since I've related so heavily to what a character was thinking and feeling. Hopefully, for all our sakes, the situation with my group ends much less painfully than what happened with Griffin's crew. 

"History Is All You Left Me" is such a beautiful book that deals with really complicated subjects such as first love, growing up, moving on from grief, mental health, and trying to find happiness when your entire world seems to shatter. I'm pretty sure that every single one of Silvera's books will destroy me in one way or another, so I'll of course be happy to read every last one of them. If you like emotional stories or need a book that will probably make you cry, I can't recommend this one enough!

Back of Book: 

Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way:

* She's landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog.

* Her crush, the dreamy Diving Pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the Princess of the park. But Lou's never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after.

* Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, who's always been up for anything, suddenly isn't when it comes to Lou's quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou's scheme to get close to Nick.

* And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland—ever—unless she can find a way to stop it from closing.

Jennifer Dugan's sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love—and themselves—in unexpected people and unforgettable places. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

A summer romance featuring F/F fake dating, a carnival, and a girl in a hot dog suit.

Lou's a schemer and her goal this year is to have the best summer ever. For a while, things look great. After all, she's scored a job at the local carnival in which the boy that she's crushing on, Nick, also works there as a diving pirate. But then she's hit with a few curveballs: she has to be the hot dog (again), Nick is leaving for college in the fall, and apparently Magic Castle Playland is shutting down after summer ends. Of course, Lou can't let any of these thing's stand, so she devises schemes to forcefully bring around the best summer ever.

Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I wanted to love it. The concept sounded great, the cover made me think it would be hilarious, and the characters seemed interesting. I think my biggest problem with this book is Lou herself. She's manipulative, thinks she's much cooler than she actually is, and ignores all signs that her schemes are a horrible idea. The longer she plots to get Nick to fall in love with her and to save the carnival, the story just drug on more and more. This was one of those books that I was just sitting there, waiting for everything to blow up in Lou's face, because she totally deserved it. I admit, this is a coming of age novel and she did learn the errors of her way in the end, but she is still annoying and I can't believe that everyone still wanted to be friends with her after the summer she put them through. Also, another thing I found odd was how minor a thing it was that she was the Hot Dog Girl. It really didn't even seems all that relevant to the plot, besides that it made for some cute romance elements near the end and added to Lou's lack of self-worth.

Anyways, let's move on from the major downfall of this book and talk about something a little more positive. I did really like the mentor characters in this book. Both Lou's father and the owner of Magic Castle Playland, Mr. P., were great influences on Lou. Her father is very accepting of her and always tries to be present for her ever since Lou's mother left the family. I found him to be so sweet, and it was refreshing every time that she went home. Mr. P. is such a nice boss to all of the kids, not just Lou. He lets them borrow his car when theirs breaks down, gives them free ride/game passes when they are going through a hard time, and tries to provide them with all their favorite foods. I love how much he cares for all the children, and it frustrated me to no end that Lou thought he had no rational reason to sell the carnival land.

Overall, "Hot Dog Girl" isn't a horrible book, but I found it incredibly frustrating at times. I wish that Lou wouldn't have been so self-centered; it would have made the book so much more enjoyable. Despite all this, I could see some people thinking that this book is super funny and cute. If you are in the mood for a summer romance and aren't afraid to face the brutality of the fake dating trope to make someone else jealous, then you might want to give "Hot Dog Girl" a try.

Back of Book: 

Here is what happens when your mother dies.

It’s the brightest day of summer and it’s dark outside. It’s dark in your house, dark in your room, and dark in your heart. You feel like the darkness is going to split you apart.

That’s how it feels for Tiger. It’s always been Tiger and her mother against the world. Then, on a day like any other, Tiger’s mother dies. And now it’s Tiger, alone.

Here is how you learn to make friends with the dark.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

For Quinn McAvoy, losing her hair the summer before eighth grade was the beginning of the end. Suddenly she was Pluto: a has-been planet, too dwarf-like and unimportant to hang with the other celestial bodies.

But Quinn gets a second chance when her family moves across the country a week before her freshman year. No one in Gull’s Head, Massachusetts, knows that Quinn has alopecia, the autoimmune disorder that took the hair she never really thought about—until it was gone. No one knows the wig she’s wearing isn’t her real hair.

All Quinn wants is to blend in with the crowd. When the popular girls mistake her as one of their own, Quinn plays along, until a boy in a wheelchair, who’s been hurt even more than she has, turns Quinn’s carefully constructed world on its head.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A story about two ninth graders who have been through a bunch of changes in their life that form an unlikely friendship that features an overwhelming amount of diversity.

This book follows a young girl name Quinn who has a autoimmune disorder called alopecia, which causes the hair on her scalp to fall out. Ever since she developed this disorder, she's felt like an outsider. Now, she has a new chance to start over when her family moves to Gull's Head, Massachusetts. There, she meets a young boy named Nick who has lost both of his legs in a terrible snowmobiling accident. Against the odds, these two begin to develop a unique friendship filled with a deep understanding of each other's life events.

The best parts of this book has to be the friendship between Quinn and Nick, and then the amount of diversity. Quinn and Nick come to understand each other as the novel progresses and I found reading their banter very enjoyable. They had a very positive relationship and I the romance element was hinted at, not delved into, which I think is perfect for a book about high school freshmen.

Quinn and Nick's relationship seemed so much healthier than Quinn and her friend's relationship. I thought that her friend group was kind of a bad influence on her, so I was skeptical of them. Luckily, they never backstabbed her or anything, but I still have my doubts about them.

"How We Roll" features characters in wheelchairs, those with autism, down syndrome, alcoholics and amputees. This book tries to cover an immense amount of topics in such as short amount of time. Therefore, I feel that all of these are skimmed over rather than truly explored minus alopecia. I also found the representation of autism and those who use wheelchairs to be a bit interesting. I'm not sure how much exposure Friend has with these things, but I just felt that the characters were a bit. . . off. I thought a bad example was being made when people constantly touch Nick's wheelchair without asking and that Julius' autistic behaviors seemed rather extreme. I know that some people that rank high on the autistic spectrum do exhibit extreme behaviors, but I feel like his obsessions borderline on something else.

Overall, this book was mostly a sweet read about two kids trying to rediscover themselves after some tumultuous changes in their lives. I liked Quinn and Nick as characters, but I pretty much didn't care about anyone else, which made the story a bit lackluster to me. I appreciate the attempt to make a very diverse cast, but I feel that some issues arose due to this. "How We Roll" isn't terrible, but I took it with a grain of salt.

Back of Book: 

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise—all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Fish Creek, Wisconsin—Beautiful. Quiet. Isolated. Anonymous. It’s all that nineteen-year-old Elisabeth needs, and everything she wants. Cloistered in her tiny cabin, Elisabeth is determined to be alone, hiding from her memories and making sure that no one can ever hurt her again.

But when a massive snowstorm strikes, plunging the town into darkness, Elisabeth finally allows herself to accept help from her neighbor, Noah, the town’s young sheriff. Forced to show him more vulnerability than she ever intended, Elisabeth realizes she can no longer outrun the scars of her childhood, and facing the darkness might be exactly what she needs to let the light in.

In a searing own-voices story accented by poignant childhood flashbacks and stunning poetry, Allison Sweet Grant’s young adult debut is a quietly powerful portrait of a young woman’s journey to confront the medical trauma inflicted to “fix” her—and heal her heart in the process. An emotional coming-of-age story about a young woman running away from herself, yet grasping to find a way back. Deeply moving, authentically raw, and humming with the possibility of a new love. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

An emotional coming-of-age novel that showcases the difficulties of accepting oneself and learning to be vulnerable in the process.

Elisabeth is starting a new life in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Here, no one knows about her traumatic past or the circumstances that led to the estrangement from her family. Now that she's alone, she can start working towards becoming the person that she's always wanted to be. When a huge snowstorm engulfs the town, Elisabeth finds herself accepting help from her neighbor and the small town's sheriff, Noah. Forced into close quarters with nowhere to hide, Elisabeth is forced to learn how to show vulnerability and maybe even find a way to start healing her heart along the way.

I thought that "I Am the Cage" was going to take me a while to get through due to the content matter, but it was actually a really quick read. Elisabeth's story is told in quick snippets that alternate between her current state in life and her past self's existence as she was experiencing the traumatic events of her youth. Wonderful pieces of poetry were also scattered throughout this book which made the pages turn even faster. These poems were the highlight of the book for me due to their poignancy and rawness; the final one in the book was my favorite as I love the discussion of how the human mind and body work with and against each other.

All things considered, this book is a deceptively simple story. The traumatic medical and emotional abuse that Elisabeth experiences in her youth is quite complex, but most of the story focuses on Elisabeth's quiet existence in her small cabin in a quaint little town during a blizzard. Seeing Elisabeth learn to let others into her life was a heartwarming experience, especially when it comes to Noah. He is certainly a sweet lad with her best interests at heart, but sadly, their relationship didn't get super deep within the timeframe of this book. Honestly, most of the relationships in this book weren't really explored in depth, but one of the points of this book is Elisabeth opening herself up to trusting people and being vulnerable with herself and others, so I think I can let that slide a little bit.

The writing in this book is by far my favorite part. The way that things are described have a poetic feel to them, and the descriptions depict thoughts of self-harm, depression, loneliness, self-doubt, and trauma with such poise and accuracy. I think if the writing in this book wouldn't have been as strong as it is I wouldn't have enjoyed reading it as much as I did, but it is truly artful the way that the sentences are penned in this novel.

Overall, "I Am the Cage" is a quick read that showcases many complex experiences in a short amount of time. The way this book explores things such as isolation, accepting oneself despite their shortcomings, and opening up to those around them are quite artful. The writing style in this book is a major plus, and I love the poems that are interwoven into the story. Elisabeth's voice is captured so beautifully throughout every part of this book, which is something that I couldn't help but appreciate. I think many people can relate to many of Elisabeth's thoughts and feelings, even without having lived through such traumatic events in their lives. I wish that some relationships and specific story moments would have been explored a tad more, but in the end, this is still a very solid debut novel packed with many emotions that will touch many readers. 

Back of Book: 

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from.

Icarus Gallagher is a thief.

He steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s impeccable forgeries. For years, one man—the wealthy Mr. Black—has been their target, revenge for his role in the death of Icarus’s mother. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules to keep people, and feelings, at bay: Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught.

Until one night, he does. Not by Mr. Black, but by his mysterious son, Helios, now living under house arrest in the Black mansion. Instead of turning Icarus in, Helios bargains for something even more dangerous—a friendship that breaks every single one of Icarus’s rules.

As reluctance and distrust become closeness and something more, they uncover the bars of the gilded cage that has trapped both of their families for years. One Icarus is determined to escape. But his father’s thirst for revenge shows no sign of fading, and soon it may force Icarus to choose: the escape he’s dreamed of, or the boy he’s come to love. Reaching for both could be his greatest triumph—or it could be his downfall. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A thrilling, heartachingly beautiful queer romance novel that is loosely based on the Greek myth of Icarus that completely stole my heart and took my breath away. 

Icarus Gallagher is many things, but he mostly sees himself as an art thief. It is his job to steal priceless artifacts from Mr. Black—his father's worst enemy who was involved in the death of Icarus' mother—and replace them with nearly perfect replicas that his father crafts. Icarus is good at what he does, not just the thievery, but also not letting others get close enough to him to discover his family's secrets. That is, until he meets Mr. Black's secret son, Helios. Icarus quickly finds himself drawn to this mysterious boy whose father hides him away in the deepest depths of the household. Not wanting Helios to turn him in, Icarus reluctantly agrees to spend time with the lonely boy. As they spend more time together, Icarus begins to forget his rigorous rules and finds himself enjoying the boy's company. As the two learn more about each other, they both begin to realize that they might just be the solution to each other's unfortunate circumstances. 

I'm pretty sure I won't be able to capture the true beauty of this book, but I'll certainly try my best. I expected this book to be good (it has been one of my most anticipated reads for over a year now), but it somehow managed to exceed my expectations. It's full of suspense, hilarious dialogue, and heartbreaking instances that look into some of the darker parts of humanity, such as domestic abuse. Also, I've came to realize that thrillers that deal with victims of domestic abuse escaping from their abusers hit me really hard and keep me flipping the pages faster than I often think possible. 

"Icarus" deals with many complex family relations. Icarus definitely has a strained relationship with his father and their "family business." This creates a ton of tension and a poor home life for Icarus. Helios and his father's relationship on the other hand is downright evil. Both boys have reasons for wanting to escape the lives they are trapped in, which not only creates a super suspenseful atmosphere in this book but also allows for great learning opportunities for the audience.  

Mental and physical abuse can be hard to spot from the outside, but this book does a great job of pointing out that most of the time, close friends are the ones to realize what is truly going on. Icarus obtains quite the support group by the end of this tale, and this novel truly paints a wonderful picture on how important a sense of community can truly be. 

The representation in this book is also super important. I think this is the first work of fiction that I've read in which one of the main characters is intersex; I hope this becomes more common in literature eventually. I love how the reveal is done in this book; it is handled with such finesse. Icarus also has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which is the first time that I've seen this syndrome addressed in a book. I love seeing both of these communities represented in YA literature, which is just another reason that I fell in love with this book. The fact that Icarus and Helios both have differences that make them unsure about themselves was very inspiring to see. They both do a great job of realizing that these things are a part of them and that they need to embrace all parts of each other to truly find love. 

All the allusions to the Greek mythos in this story were awesome. I must say, I was waiting this entire book for Icarus to take his iconic fall, which really added to the suspense for me. I didn't know that the love interest in this book is named Helios going into it, so I pretty much squealed out loud when I saw this fact. The reason that these two are named Icarus and Helios is also really solid, though super petty on their parent's part. Honestly, this kind of just added to the charm of Icarus and Helios' relationship. 

A super niche part of this book that I found quite interesting is the fact that Icarus was raised a devout Catholic. Seeing him grapple with his religious beliefs and his queerness was something that I wasn't quite expecting in this book. I feel that it added another layer of depth to this book that I greatly appreciated. 

Overall, "Icarus" is an absolute banger of a book. It's full of suspense, heartfelt moments of community, diverse elements, and swoon worthy romance. I am happy to report that this book is better than I thought it would be, and my expectations were pretty high going into it. It's a relatively quick read, but one that will impact me forever. I am adding this to all my LGBTQIA+, intersex, EDS, and disability rec lists immediately. I can't wait to share this one with all the peoples! 

Back of Book: 

Imogen Scott may be hopelessly heterosexual, but she’s got the World’s Greatest Ally title locked down. 

She's never missed a Pride Alliance meeting. She knows more about queer media discourse than her very queer little sister. She even has two queer best friends. There's Gretchen, a fellow high school senior, who helps keep Imogen's biases in check. And then there's Lili—newly out and newly thriving with a cool new squad of queer college friends.

Imogen's thrilled for Lili. Any ally would be. And now that she's finally visiting Lili on campus, she's bringing her ally A game. Any support Lili needs, Imogen's all in. Even if that means bending the truth, just a little. Like when Lili drops a tiny queer she's told all her college friends that Imogen and Lili used to date. And none of them know that Imogen is a raging hetero—not even Lili’s best friend, Tessa. 

Of course, the more time Imogen spends with chaotic, freckle-faced Tessa, the more she starts to wonder if her truth was ever all that straight to begin with...

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A vulnerable, heartfelt novel exploring sexuality, personal identity, and the communities that we find ourselves a part of throughout our lives. 

Imogen Scott prides herself on being the World's Greatest Ally. So much so, that it is a forefront part of her identity. She spends a bunch of her time going to Pride meetings, keeping up on the discourse surrounding queer media, and showering her queer friends and family members with love. Her two best friends, Gretchen and Lili, are queer queens and they help keep her biases in check. Lili has found her people at college and Imogen couldn't be more happy for her. When Imogen goes to meet Lili's friends in person, things don't go exactly as Imogen expects: Lili informs her that she told the group that Imogen is not just her best friend, but also her ex-girlfriend. Imogen, being a people pleaser, goes along with the ruse. But how can Imogen pretend to be bisexual when everyone around her has always said how obvious it is that she's the straightest girl out there? 

My favorite thing about this book is by far its themes. The deep dive into the LGBTQIA+ community was one of my favorite parts, because it highlights the wonderful camaraderie as well as the toxic stereotypes present. Some of the characters in this story (*cough cough* Gretchen) have very niche boxes of what it means to be queer, bi, pan, etc., and are very harsh to those who don't fit tidily into their little boxes. I think it is often overlooked that members of the LGBTQIA+ community can be just as brutal to their fellow communities members and that they can also thrust unjust expectations upon them. I think it is important to highlight that any term used to describe an identity doesn't mean that every person who identifies as that term has lived through the same exact things. Every person is their own individual, and if someone is unwilling to believe this, it is probably not worth being friends with that person. 

Discovering/redefining ones sexuality is also another huge part of this book. Imogen has always believed that she is one thing, especially because the majority of the people that she knows constantly tease her or congratulate her for being such a great ally for those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. It was really enlightening to see Imogen discover things about herself as an eighteen year old girl who was perfectly content with where she was in the world. I found many parts of her journey to be extremely relatable, even though I am a cishet myself. It can be so hard to define who you are with terms surrounding sexuality until you first start crushing on people or fall in love, and it is so understandable that Imogen also struggles with such an important thing. The fact that she is such a toxic overthinker is also relatable. So. . . Go Imogen for being a relatable protagonist with realistic issues! 

I really did enjoy the characters in this one. Most of them didn't standout to me as individuals, but Edith, Kayla, Declan, and Mika were all such great supporting characters. I relate heavily to Imogen, and it was nice to see her have so many people in her corner. Tessa and Lili are such great friends, and I especially loved reading Imogen's text conversations with these two. Her banter with Lili often reminded me of my chats with my best friends and her convos with Tessa felt very similar to the ones I have with my boyfriend (especially early on). I love the transparency of all these relationships, and I personally found the flavor of these relationships to be very similar to my own. 

This is the first one of Albertalli's books that I have read, but I really enjoyed her writing style. One of the biggest things that assailed me was how much pop culture references she decided to include. At times, I found them to be a tad overwhelming, because there are so many of them that I didn't get. I do mostly forgive this though, because she included quite a few references to "The Princess Bride," which always makes me happy. And yes, if "The Princess Bride" is mentioned in a book, I have to mention it in the review. And oh my goodness, she also mentioned "Check, Please!" Two of my favorite books in one? I'm a happy camper indeed. 

Overall, "Imogen, Obviously" is a great coming of age story that shows that identity is an ever changing things and that finding a community of one's own can lead to true acceptance. I love the themes, the journey that this book takes one on, and Imogen herself. I can't wait to check out more of Albertalli's books in the future and add more queer books to my catalog in the process. 

Back of Book: 

Everyone has secrets—until they go viral.

Sammy Wallach has epic plans for the end of junior year: Sneak out to the city to see her favorite band. Get crush-worthy Jamie Moss to ask her to prom. Rock all exams (APs and driver’s).

With a few white lies, some killer flirting, and tons of practice, Sammy’s got things covered. That is, until the international bank her dad works for is attacked by hacktivists who manage to steal everything in the Wallach family’s private cloud, including Sammy’s entire digital life. Literally the whole world has access to her emails, texts, photos, and, worst of all, journal.

Life. Is. Over.

Now Sammy’s best friends are furious about things she wrote, Jamie thinks she’s desperate, and she can barely show her face at school. Plus, her parents know all the rules she broke. But Sammy’s not the only one with secrets—her family has a few of its own that could change everything. And while the truth might set you free, no one said it was going to be painless. Or in Sammy’s case, private. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

In this romantic page-turner from the author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star, Evie has the power to see other people's romantic fates— what will happen when she finally sees her own?

Evie Thomas doesn't believe in love anymore. Especially after the strangest thing occurs one otherwise ordinary afternoon: She witnesses a couple kiss and is overcome with a vision of how their romance began... and how it will end. After all, even the greatest love stories end with a broken heart, eventually.

As Evie tries to understand why this is happening, she finds herself at La Brea Dance Studio, learning to waltz, fox-trot, and tango with a boy named X. X is everything that Evie is not: adventurous, passionate, daring. His philosophy is to say yes to everything—including entering a ballroom dance competition with a girl he's only just met.

Falling for X is definitely not what Evie had in mind. If her visions of heartbreak have taught her anything, it's that no one escapes love unscathed. But as she and X dance around and toward each other, Evie is forced to question all she thought she knew about life and love. In the end, is love worth the risk? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A fast-paced romance that tackles the uncertainties of love through romance novels, the art of dance, and magical realism that gives the ability to see the highlight reel of a kissing couple with just a glance. 

Evie Thomas used to spend her hours reading romance novels and dreaming about what her future could hold. After her parents' divorce, she no longer believes in true love. When she is given the ability to see the most important parts of a couple's relationship by watching them kiss, Evie is greeted with a ton of unhappy endings. Knowing that love never lasts, Evie is desperate to get rid of this strange power that is plaguing her existence. Her quest soon brings her to La Brea's dance studio where she finds herself paired with X, a charismatic young rock singer who makes Evie feel things she's never experienced before. Can Evie find true love when all relationships seem to end in broken hearts and gallons of tears? 

The ending to this book brought tears to my eyes. Once again, Nicola Yoon plays with my heart strings and has me thinking about the lengths that humanity goes for love. I couldn't imagine being put in the position that Evie faces at the end of this book, but I know that I would have made the same choice that she did in the end. It would be so hard, but I know it would be worth it for the happiness in the now. 

Going into this book, I wasn't aware that it is a story that contains magical realism. Evie's ability was really neat, but I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. It would be horrible seeing so many people deeply in love only to see how they are separated in the end. It would be very depressing, but it would also be a great reminder that our time on this planet is finite and it is really important that we use it wisely. 

This element of Evie trying to break her curse and get rid of her ability really felt like a bit of an "Ella Enchanted" moment, especially with the events that go down at the dance competition and the restraints that Evie is faced with when it comes to loving X and their future together. I wonder if Yoon was at all inspired by the story of "Ella Enchanted" when writing this book?  

Books involving dance always pique my interest and this one was no different. The scenes that show Evie and X in the dance studio are some of my favorites. I love seeing their chemistry both in their romantic relationship and as dance partners. Spending so much time together learning dance routines can certainly lay down a solid foundation, and I loved watching the two of them grow closer together. The way that these two encourage each other to pursue their dreams and overcome their challenges is inspirational, and it also gives hope that some love can last forever. On a side note, their dance teacher is a crazily fierce woman with a strong accent, and I equally feared and adored her. 

This book reads like a sped-up version of events, but that didn't take much away from this book for me. Honestly, this book could have ended up being rather repetitive if it would have gone into too much depth on many events. I must say, this may have led to me caring less about the side characters, but I ate up this book due to all the questions it raises about love and the finiteness of life and everything in this world. It really had me reflecting on my own life, so I'm glad it wasn't bogged down by too many distracting details. 

Overall, "Instructions for Dancing" was a quick romantic read that had me deeply thinking about love while also tugging hard on my emotions. I really enjoyed Evie and X's conversations and I found many aspects of their circumstances to be quite amusing. The elements of magical realism brought interesting questions to the table and had me considering what I would do if I knew how the romantic relationships in my life would end. This book had me laughing, pondering life, and indeed, crying my eyes out. This is honestly a perfectly balanced romance that is both swoonworthy and heartbreaking; I know that I will be thinking about the ending for quite some time. If you are a fan of bittersweet or happy for now romances, this would be a great one to check out!

Back of Book: 

A sweet and nerdy contemporary YA novel set in the world of marching band perfect for fans of Late to the Party and Kate in Waiting.

Yasmín Treviño didn’t have much of a freshman year thanks to Hurricane Humphrey, but she’s ready to take sophomore year by storm. That means mastering the marching side of marching band—fast!—so she can outshine her BFF Sofia as top of the flute section, earn first chair, and impress both her future college admission boards and her comfortably unattainable drum major crush Gilberto Reyes.

But Yasmín steps off on the wrong foot when she reports an anonymous gossip Instagram account harassing new band members and accidentally gets the entire low brass section suspended from extracurriculars. With no low brass section, the band is doomed, so Yasmín decides to take things into her own hands, learn to play the tuba, and lead a gaggle of rowdy freshman boys who are just as green to marching and playing as she is. She’ll happily wrestle an ancient school tuba if it means fixing the mess she might have caused.

But when the secret gossip Instagram escalates their campaign of harassment and the end-of-semester band competition grows near, things at school might be too hard to bear. Luckily, the support of Yasmín’s new section—especially new section leader Bloom, a sweet and shy ace boy who might be a better match for her than Gilberto—might just turn things around. 

Book Number: Stand Alone (Note: This is How We Fly takes place in the same world)

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A Latine marching band book that features a young girl exploring her sexuality while also trying to survive high school drama. 

Yasmín Treviño is entering her sophomore year, and she's stoked to finally have the opportunity to become the flute section leader after the band season was cancelled last year due to Hurricane Humphrey. Not only will being first chair and section leader look great on college applications and appease her controlling mother, but it will also let her finally beat her best friend/rival, Sofia. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned for Yasmín after she reports an anonymous gossip social media account that showcases the low brass section throwing a party and serving alcohol to underage students. This results in the entire section being expelled from the band program and ruining the school's marching season. Forced to rectify her errors, Yasmín finds herself switching to the sousaphone and joining the brave souls who are willing to switch instruments for the betterment of the band. What Yasmín never could have guessed is that she feels more at home with the brass players than she ever could have with the woodwinds. 

My thoughts are pretty mixed on this one, but I have plenty of positive notes, so I can still say that I enjoyed reading it somewhat, even if some aspects of it made me lose my mind at times. 

Let's start with some positives. The best element of this book is definitely Yasmín finding solidarity among the low brass section. Bloom, Jonathan, Elias, Milo, Lee, Neeraj, Caleb, and Yasmín end up forming an unlikely found family, which was the thing I enjoyed most about this book. They are all learning to play a new instrument together, so that unites them from the start, but they eventually start finding other common ground. Also, the flute section is just awful to Yasmín, so it is nice to see her find a new band family to take her in. 

Another thing I really dig is the exploration of sexuality in this one. In the low brass section alone, quite a few queer identities are present. Bloom, the section leader, is grey aroace and the viewpoints he has to share with Yasmín and the rest of the group are very astute. I wasn't expecting ace rep in this one, so I was pleasantly surprised to see Yasmín exploring her own sexual identity amidst all of the schoolgirl drama that was going down. Not only does Bloom help Yasmín with her sexuality, he also helps her become more understanding towards people with different learning styles than her. I feel that people rarely give the light of day to the fact that every individual learns differently, so I enjoyed the discussion that this book opens up on this front. 

The way that this book addressed harassment and cyberbullying is also very prevalent in the world we live in. Young adults can truly be awful to one another, especially in the freshmen/sophomore age range that most of the characters in this book dwell in. Yasmín is constantly made fun of for her good girl attitudes, suck-up mannerisms, and overall goody-two-shoes-ness. She definitely isn't the most likable person ever, but that is no reason to harass her both in person and over social media. The way that the bullying situation is handled isn't great, but it poses a stellar example of just how bad bullying can get when left to its own devices. 

Now let's move onto the less great things. Yasmín is honestly such an annoying main character. She makes poor decisions, constantly bad mouths people, and is a notorious people pleaser. She frankly also thinks she's better than everyone else, which is troubling. Her friends are all so toxic at the beginning of this book which makes for an unpleasant reading experience. The way that she treats Sofia is honestly so cruel, it makes me wonder how their friendship hadn't imploded prior to the start of this book. 

Another thing that bothered me was the writing style. For some reason, Meriano is addicted to parentheses, which is one of my biggest pet peeves ever. The narrator doesn't have to pull the reader aside every few paragraphs. They are personally telling the story, so they don't have to pull the reader aside to deliver information; they can just tell us! Beyond this, the writing is pretty plain, which makes for a rather dull reading experience at times. 

Despite knowing that the drama is imperative to the bullying plot that this book encompasses, I was a little fed up with the overtness of the drama in this one. Kids constantly do things just to give a negative reaction out of others, which made me want to roll my eyes quite a few times. 

Yasmín's older sister, Ellen, isn't a super important part of this book, but it turns out that the author actually wrote her story first in another book called "This is How We Fly." This one has Ellen playing on a real life Quidditch team, which I find intriguing. But I'm also sort of turned off from reading it due to Rowling being the way that she is. Maybe I'll get to reading it someday. We'll see. 

Overall, "It Sounds Like This" certainly has its fair share of ups and downs. I haven't read a marching band book before this, so that was a ton of fun, but I wish I would have enjoyed the plot and the characters more. Also, I wouldn't consider this a romance, so that was a bit misleading, too. The exploration of sexuality and bullying were definitely the best parts of this book, but I've seen both of these topics explored in ways I liked more. This one wasn't a bad read, but it took me longer to get through than I would have preferred. 

Back of Book: 

There's one thing Jay Collier knows for sure—he's a statistical anomaly as the only out gay kid in his small rural Washington town. While all this friends can't stop talking about their heterosexual hookups and relationships, Jay can only dream of his own firsts, compiling a romance to-do list of all the things he hopes to one day experience—his Gay Agenda.

Then, against all odds, Jay's family moves to Seattle and he starts his senior year at a new high school with a thriving LGBTQIA+ community. For the first time ever, Jay feels like he's found where he truly belongs, where he can flirt with Very Sexy Boys and search for love. But as Jay begins crossing items off his list, he'll soon be torn between his heart and his hormones, his old friends and his new ones...because after all, life and love don't always go according to plan.

From debut novelist Jason June comes a moving and hilarious sex-positive story about the complexities of first loves, first hookups, and first heartbreaks—and how to stay true to yourself while embracing what you never saw coming. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟

A messy romcom in which the main character must own up to all the mistakes that he makes or risk losing all the relationships that he values most. 

Jay Collier grew up in a small town as the only queer guy. Now, he has the chance to move to Seattle and live his best gay life. Jay finally has the chance to start exploring his many sexual fantasies and pursue those relationship goals that he feels are long overdue. Upon his move, he finds an extremely accepting LGBTQIA+ community and a Very Sexy Boy that he can't keep his eyes off of. Unfortunately, Jay finds himself stuck between the feelings in his heart and the horniness in his crouch, which leaves him stuck in the middle of some tough situations. Now, Jay must do everything he can to patch things up or risk losing the friendships that he values more than anything else. 

It saddens me to say that this book made me very uncomfortable while I was reading it. I can't say that it was even a bad book, it just isn't one that I can say I liked. Jay is indeed a flawed main character, which is usually a good thing. Unfortunately, Jay was just too flawed for my liking, and I found myself hating literally every decision that he made throughout the course of this book. 

I want to preface the majority of my thoughts by saying that I didn't just dislike this book due to the cheating element. I can acknolwelge the fact that Jay and Albert never had a discussion about dating one another or being exclusive, which means that it wasn't exactly wrong for Jay to be seeking out other guys. However, it still made me incredibly uncomfortable, which made it hard for me to like Jay or enjoy the overall story that was going on. (Especially because Tony was always a tad creepy, but that's just my opinion.) 

Another thing that sorta bothered me was the way that Jay talked. He is definitely a walking gay stereotype in many ways, but I like how June uses this to discuss that many people have similar intersts in certain communites and expands on the fact that not all queer people are the same simaltaneously. However, some of Jay's mannerism and slang he uses straight up confused me and had me having to reread passages to figure out just what in the world this kid meant. This is probably more of a me problem than the book's fault, though.

The humor in this book was also not it for me. It reminded me of watching the musical "Grease," and all the raunchy humor that is present throughout that story. The drama, the cheating, and the sexual innuendos are also pretty similar, so there's that too, I guess. 

The characters Albert and Max were definitely the redeeming factors in this one. Albert is a really sweet kid who spends his time playing video games. Now that I think about it though, I don't actually know much more about Albert besides that he's queer and is into gaming. Weird. Max, on the other hand, is such a unique genderqueer individual who often stumbles despite their best intentions. It is so sweet watching them try to help others, even though most of their attempts blew up in their face. 

The other thing that I can really appreciate is the messages that this book explores. Yes, I may not have loved how it handles all of these themes, but I really do appreciate what it set out to do. Kids who grow up in rural communities with few queer members of the community are often forced to fall behind in the ways of romance and sexual exploration. This leads to many teens feeling excluded or abnormal compared to their classmates, as Jay does, so I think it's important to bring this factor to light. Also, I love how sex positive this book is, though I wish Jay would have been more open and honest to ALL of his friends about what exactly he was getting up to.

Overall, I didn't have the best time with "Jay's Gay Agenda," which is a bummer. I thought this one sounded really cute and funny, but unfortunately, Jay was just too stupid and horny for my liking. There were elements of this book, such as the sex positive messages and side characters that I enjoyed. In the long run though, this one wasn't for me. However, I am still excited to check out more of June's books in the future such as "Out of the Blue" and "Flopping in a Winter Wonderland." 

Back of Book: 

A smart, sexy YA novel about a boy band star, his first breakup, his first rebound, and what it means to be queer in the public eye, from award-winning author Adib Khorram

Hunter never expected to be a boy band star, but, well, here he is. He and his band Kiss & Tell are on their first major tour of North America, playing arenas all over the United States and Canada (and getting covered by the gossipy press all over North America as well). Hunter is the only gay member of the band, and he just had a very painful breakup with his first boyfriend--leaked sexts, public heartbreak, and all--and now everyone expects him to play the perfect queer role model for teens.

But Hunter isn't really sure what being the perfect queer kid even means. Does it mean dressing up in whatever The Label tells him to wear for photo shoots and pretending never to have sex? (Unfortunately, yes.) Does it mean finding community among the queer kids at the meet-and-greets after K&T's shows? (Fortunately, yes.) Does it include a new relationship with Kaivan, the drummer for the band opening for K&T on tour? (He hopes so.) But when The Label finds out about Hunter and Kaivan, it spells trouble--for their relationship, for the perfect gay boy Hunter plays for the cameras, and, most importantly, for Hunter himself. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A romantic romp featuring a Canadian boy band at its heart that takes a deep dive into how the media forces expectations on people whether they want them or not. 

Hunter figured that his life would end up being far from normal. As a gifted hockey player, he imagined that he'd someday go pro. After a tragic accident ends his sports career, he finds himself taking a different path to stardom: that of being part of an elite boy band by the name of Kiss & Tell. On his first American tour with his four best friends, life couldn't possibly be better. Except that he just had a public breakup with his former best friend and boyfriend, Adrian. As the only gay member of Kiss & Tell, Hunter feels as though he must act as the perfect queer icon, even if it means burying his true self. Adrian makes it hard though when he leaks a series of incriminating messages that showcase the boys' intimate relationship with the world. Now forced to reconcile with the consequences, Hunter finds himself becoming someone he no longer recognizes. Is it worth losing himself to be the queer icon that the Label wants him to be? 

I love how this book tackles so many different topics head on and in a very authentic way. One of my favorites is how this book showcases how anyone who lives in the public eye feels an overwhelming amount of expectation to be perfect, fit the mold that society wants them to fill, and cut out all the pieces of themselves that aren't jiving with their fanbase. I feel that anyone who is presenting themself in any way online or in the media feels these burdens and I think this book did a great job of exhibiting this. The news articles, social media posts, blog articles, and other excerpts between chapters truly brought to life the face of the media and how easily things get distorted despite people's best efforts. 

Another thing I love about this book is how it embraces queer sex positivity. Teen sex viewed in a positive light is something that can often be hard to find in literature in general, so it is even less common to find books that showcase sex between members of the LGBTQIA+ community in a glowing manner. Yes, this book deals with the media stereotyping and criticizing Hunter on every decision that he makes romantically and sexually, but the author puts up a great fight to show that teenagers indeed have healthy, consenting sex, even queer ones. I think many people in this day in age are still very put off when it comes to homosexuality, so I think facing these concerns head on can do great things for those who are questioning humanities differences and validate many others simultaneously. This book also does a great job of addressing imposter syndrome, racism, stereotyping people, and homophobia in general. So yeah, many great lessons to dive into in this novel. 

Unfortunately, despite all the positive messages that I adore, there were many things about this book that were pretty mediocre for me. Firstly, I had a hard time connecting to most of the characters, which made it very hard for me to distinguish the characters from one another. The only people that I really felt like I knew anything about was Hunter, the twins Adrian and Ashton, and Ethan (the jokester of the group). This made it a tad difficult to be truly moved by much of this story, but I'm sure many readers felt more connected. Secondly, I found Kaivan to be a rather icky character. Being the love interest, it made it hard for me to feel connected to the main romance that was going on in this book. I just never found myself trusting the guy and I knew that he was going to treat Hunter awfully in the end. I wasn't looking forward to reading that train wreck, so I got very little good vibes from this guy. 

Some scenes in this book were so hard to read, because some people can just be so awful, especially when they can hide behind a username and a profile pic of a cat. My heart goes out to anyone who is bullied, shown prejudice, harassed, and treated as lesser for just trying to be their authentic selves. People need to get over themselves and realize that the world doesn't revolve around them. 

Overall, "Kiss & Tell" was a book that overflows with positive messages about being authentic, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community (and other diverse groups), and sex positivity. I didn't love the romantic elements and I didn't find myself attached to many of the characters, but I still find myself appreciating all that this book set out to do. 

Back of Book: 

There's death all around us.

We just don't pay attention.

Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone—a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

It's Christmas Eve and the worst blizzard for fifty years has blanketed Gracetown. But as well as snowflakes, love is in the air—and appearing in the most unexpected ways...

Who'd have thought a freezing hike from a stranded train would end with a delicious kiss from a charming stranger? Or that a trip to the Waffle House through four feet of snow could lead to romance with an old friend? Or that the path to true love begins with a painfully early morning shift at Starbucks?

Touching, hilarious and filled with festive cheer, the magic of the holiday season shines on these three interconnected tales of love, romance and breathtaking kisses. The perfect book for a cold winter's night for any fan of The Fault in Their Stars, The Sun is Also a Star and Eleanor and Park.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Stories

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Let It Snow" is a novel told in three short stories written by Maureen Johnson, John Green, and Lauren Myracle that is perfect for the winter holidays. 

I found "Let It Snow" to be a fun festive read starring weird circumstances, interesting characters, and a cozy dosage of holiday kisses. I picked this one up because I am a huge fan of John Green and I thought that there is no better time to read a book like this than the days leading up to Christmas. Like every book written by multiple authors, some sections were better then others; I'll go over them each individually below. 

"The Jubilee Express" by Maureen Johnson: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

This is my first experience with Johnson's work and I found myself satisfied with what I was presented with. With the opening lines, I understood how her work could easily be paired with John Green's. Jubilee is a strong willed girl who isn't afraid to take charge when disaster strikes. After her parents get into a bit of trouble, she is sent down to stay with her grandparents in Florida. But things don't go exactly as planned when the train she is on gets stuck. Rather then stay on board the train with a bunch of noisy cheerleaders, she wanders to the Waffle House across the street. Upon her arrival, she meets a man named Stuart. Eager to find warmth and escape the cheerleaders who seem to be following her, she agrees to follow Stuart home. 

I really enjoyed the forced proximity/snowed in tropes in this story. The chemistry between Jubilee and Stuart feels natural, but I did question the fact that she got over her boyfriend Noah so quickly. He is a jerk, so I get it, but I just find it interesting when people move from one significant other to the next with practically no turnaround time. Despite this, I really enjoyed reading about Stuart's family and how they are willing to take Jubilee in as one of their own for a short period of time. I'm curious to see if their relationship will last though, because these two don't live in the same town. 

"A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle" by John Green: 🌟🌟🌟🌟  

I read literally two pages of this one and I remembered why I love John Green's writing so much. He writes stupidity so well and really captures the essence of teenagers who just can't seem to make intelligent decisions. I am most definitely not one of such teenagers, but he writes it with such sincerity that I believe it despite the nonsense that his characters often get themselves into. In this case, Tobin, Angie, and JP try to fight their way to the winter storm to make their way to the Waffle House. They each have different motives: JP's ready to hook up with some sexy cheerleaders. Angie is desperate for some of their hash browns. And Tobin? He's not one to turn down hot girls either, but he mostly just doesn't want to let his friends down. Thus begins a roller coaster of an adventure as the three friends race to the Waffle House in the wee hours of the morning. 

Tobin's the classic nerd of the group, Angie is the tough girl, and JP is the f-boy. All things considered, this is a pretty typical John Green trio. It was fun to see him write a blistery adventure featuring a crazy winter car ride. This was by far my favorite story of the three, but I am a big fan of John Green's work, so I feel I'm a little biased (but book reviews consist entirely of my opinions so take it as you will). 

"The Patron Saint of Pigs" by Lauren Myracle: 🌟🌟🌟

I've read the "Internet Girls" series by Myracle in the past and they were some of my least favorite books I've read, so I was a bit wary going into this one. It wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. It follows Addie who has just made one of the worst mistakes of her life (and I'm not referring to dying her hair neon pink). After a hastily written email giving Jeb, her boyfriend (ex-boyfriend?) an ultimatum that doesn't end well, Addie feels heartbroken and alone. Despite this, she wants to prove to her friends that she is still there for them. She agrees to picking a teacup pig for her friend Tegan. But when she forgets to do even that, she begins to wonder if her friends were right when they said she is too self-absorbed to be in a serious relationship. 

My biggest problem with this one was how, wait for it, self-absorbed Addie is. I'm only cutting her slack in this one because the entire point of the story is her realizing how selfish she is and her trying to overcome it. Honestly, I felt bad that Jeb had to deal with her, but I guess if he loves her that's his deal, not mine. The thing that I really liked about this one, is how it tied the rest of the stories together. There is a big reunion scene where the couples from all three stories rendezvous with one another, which I really appreciated because many coauthored books often struggle at connecting their stories back to one another. I wan't too absorbed into the story of this one and I really dislike Addie, so it was hard for me to enjoy this one. Also, the angel thing got to be a little weird and creepy, but that's besides the point.

Overall, "Let It Snow" is a fun winter read that I'm glad I finally got around to. The three stories were actually more interwoven in more ways than just being set in the same town. At least one character from every story appears in the other stories and a couple characters are in all three. The fact that all three stories tackled different stages of relationships was also refreshing rather than making the book super repetitive. I enjoyed this one and could see this one being one I frequently read around the holidays. A fun collection of sweet stories surrounding the winter holidays, I'd totally recommend this one. 

Back of Book: 

From Emmy Award winner Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye and #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy comes a bighearted story about friendship, love—and discovering the secrets and beauty of your own hometown. 

Sully is ready to get out of Hearst, Pennsylvania. With a fashion internship secured, the gender-nonconforming eighteen-year-old is trading in their stifling small town for the big city. Sully even sells their beloved car, to Bread—er, Brad—the most boring (and maybe only other) gay kid in town.

When Sully’s internship goes up in smoke, they’re trapped in Hearst with no cash—and no car. Desperate, they go to the thrift store, their personal sanctuary. There, they discover a vintage bag—like "put this baby in an airtight case at the MET" vintage. If Sully can authenticate it, the resale value would be enough for a new life in the city.

But when they begin to investigate, Sully finds themself haunted. Literally. With the ghost of Rufus, a drag performer from the fifties with no memory of how he died standing—no, floating—in their bedroom, Sully’s summer has a new 1) help this ghostly honey unlock his past and move on and 2) make bank—after all, the Real Real doesn’t take poltergeist purses.

With Rufus in tow, and Brad—who’s looking pretty scrumptious these days—playing chauffeur, Sully delves into the history of the town they’re so desperate to escape. Only to discover that there might be more to Hearst than they ever knew. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mystery | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

Sully has been waiting for their life to change after they graduate from high school—finding a vintage bag haunted by a drag performer is a change, right? 

Sully is beyond ready to escape their small town of Hearst, Pennsylvania. For a nonconforming teen like them, being one of the only queer people in their town has been a living hell. With an influencer internship secured, they are ready to head to New York City and live the life they've always imagined for themself. That is, until their position gets nixed and they are stuck right back where they started. Desperate to get their job back, Sully goes to Yesterday's Tomorrow, their favorite thrift store which they used to work at. Unfortunately, they can't acquire their old position, but they do come across a vintage Butler handbag that can sell for thousands of dollars. The catch? The purse is haunted by a drag performer by the name of Rufus who also happens to suffer from memory loss. Not knowing what else to do with all the time on their hands, Sully sets off to discover just what happened to Rufus.

When I was offered the chance to be on a tour for this book, I had to jump on it. A queer read that's centered around a nonbinary teen and the ghost of a drag performer trying to solve a mystery? Sounds like a great read! Also, this cover had me immediately interested. Kudos to whoever designed this cover; it is truly hard to ignore. 

Unfortunately, I didn't love this book as much as I was hoping I would. It was still a great read that focuses on the often-silenced stories of queer people throughout the ages. It has great themes, it is written with such wit, and praises queer joy the whole way through. However, I didn't love any of the characters, so it made it hard for me to follow this slice of life story with a hint of mystery. 

Learning about Rufus' past really hit me in the feels though. It is so difficult to read about people being suppressed by others, and every time I read about the mistreatment of queer people, my heart breaks. They were treated so horrendously in the past, and we still have a long way to go before all members of the LGBTQIA+ community can feel safe in their own skins. Rufus' love story is one filled with heartbreak and pain, but it is also tinged with hope and resilience. I hope that this book allows many queer teens to feel less alone and shows them that there is a light amidst all the crazy stuff that is happening in this dark day and age. 

I also liked the message of finding beauty in one's hometown. It is so easy to think that your hometown is boring, outdated, and just waiting for you to move on to better. Learning to recognize the beauty in what has always surrounded you is a great lesson, and this book is an amazing reminder to slow down and appreciate what you have now in your life. Sully is so desperate to escape that they often forget about the people that love them and the places that made them who they are now. 

I must say, this book has such a unique and intriguing premise. Hopefully that brings many people flocking to this diverse book that showcases queer history and begs us to love each other for our authentic, diverse selves. And if people don't accept you for who you are? Then let them stare. 

Overall, "Let Them Stare" is an interesting slice of life mystery that begs the reader to consider the joy that surrounds them right where they are and to love themselves for exactly who they are. The deep dive into queer history is fascinating, and it breaks my heart to recall that queerness used to be (and still is by some) viewed as an illness that needs to be cured. Rufus' and Sully's stories are both moving, and I'm sure that many teens with relate to both of their experiences. I truly hope that this story makes its way into the hands of people who need it most. 

Back of Book: 

A queer YA coming-of-age set during the rigged Honduran presidential election, about a young poet discovering the courage it takes to speak her truth about the people and country she loves.

As the contentious 2017 presidential election looms and protests rage across every corner of the city, life in Tegucigalpa, Honduras churns louder and faster. For her part, high school senior Libertad (Libi) Morazán takes heart in writing political poetry for her anonymous Instagram account and a budding romance someone new. But things come to a head when Mami sees texts on her phone mentioning a kiss with a girl and Libi discovers her beloved older brother, Maynor, playing a major role in the protests. As Libertad faces the political and social corruption around her, stifling homophobia at home and school, and ramped up threats to her poetry online, she begins dreaming of a future in which she doesn’t have to hide who she is or worry about someone she loves losing their life just for speaking up. Then the ultimate tragedy strikes, and leaving her family and friends—plus the only home she’s ever known—might be her only option.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Historical | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Libertad" is a queer coming-of-age story set amongst the political turmoil that sweeps across Honduras in the early 2000s.

It's 2017 and a weighty political election looms over Libertad's and the rest of Honduras' heads. Luckily, Libertad has her poetry to bring her some relief in these tumultuous times. She never would have expected her poems to gain so much traction on Instagram, but then again, she wasn't expecting to kiss her best friend, Cami, in a grungy night club bathroom either. Or that her older brother Maynor would become an active part of the country's political protests. Libertad's world has become a whirlwind of complicated feelings and scenarios and she begins to think that the only way out is to flee the country in search of a better life where she can truly be herself.

This book is a bit of a beast in length and topic matter, but it is an important one. It is also a little more political than my average read, but once again, it's necessary, so I didn't mind it all that much. "Libertad" introduces the reader to a bunch of things that are happening in Honduras, including a rigged political election, an unconstitutional presidential stay, and charged protests, both on the streets and anonymously online. I know very little about other countries, especially their politics, so this was a great intro into Honduras and the things that it's citizens are going through.

One thing I really love about this book is how it didn't shy away from Spanish. I feel many books fear that the audience won't understand the secondary language used throughout, so they try to include it as little as possible or include direct translations directly afterward, making for a bit of a clunky read. This book on the other hand, didn't do either of these things and it made the story flow beautifully and feel much more authentic. This was especially true when Libertad wrote poetry in Spanish; it was gorgeous to experience it in it's originally language. I thank Zaldívar for sharing her language without a filter.

Another thing I can say without fail, is that the author got me attached to all the characters. I loved meeting Libertad's family and seeing how close she is to Abuela, her mother, and both of her brothers, Maynor and Alberto. It is nice to read about families that are super close, yet still have disagreements and fights. Libertad's friends are also great, though Cami is obviously the most important to the story plot and Libertad's self-discovery journey. Even Alicia, an important side character, grabbed on to my heart and wouldn't let go. All of Zaldívar's characters are dynamic, diverse, and all go through some serious stuff that changes their lives in various ways. My heart really goes out to all of her characters.

Overall, "Libertad" is a beautiful story filled with heartfelt characters and gestures. It is a bit of a tough read at times, but it is important to read about the less than optimal parts of life and experience the grief, love, and passion that oppressed people often go through. If you have interest in reading Libertad's queer, coming-of-age tale while also learning about the beautiful country of Honduras, I can't recommend this one enough.

Back of Book: 

Prettiest. Ugliest. 

It happens every year before homecoming—the list is posted all over the school. Two girls are picked from each grade. One is named the prettiest, one the ugliest. The girls who aren't picked are quickly forgotten. The girls who are become the center of attention, and each reacts differently to the experience. 

Abby's joy at being named prettiest is clouded by her sister's resentment. 

Danielle worries about how her boyfriend will take the news. 

Lauren is a homeschooled girl blindsided by her instant popularity. 

Candance isn't ugly, not even close, so it must be a mistake. 

Bridget knows her summer transformation isn't something to celebrate. 

Sarah has always rebelled against traditional standards of beauty, and she decides to take her mutiny to the next level. 

And Margo and Jennifer, ex-best friends who haven't spoken in years, are forced to confront why their relationship ended. 

With The List, Siobhan Vivian deftly takes you into the lives of eight very different girls struggling with the issues of identity, self-esteem, and the judgments of their peers. Prettiest or ugliest, once your on the list, you'll never be the same. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Before. Miles “Pudge” Halter is done with his safe life at home. His whole life has been one big non-event, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave “the Great Perhaps” even more (Francois Rabelais, poet). He heads off to the sometimes crazy and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young. She is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart. Then...

After. Nothing is ever the same.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Fight for love. Fight for family. Fight for yourself. 

Seventeen-year-old Rukhsana Ali tries her hardest to live up to her conservative Muslim parents’ expectations, but lately she’s finding that harder and harder to do. She rolls her eyes instead of screaming when they blatantly favor her brother and she dresses conservatively at home, saving her crop tops and makeup for parties her parents don’t know about. Luckily, only a few more months stand between her carefully monitored life in Seattle and her new life at Caltech, where she can pursue her dream of becoming an engineer.

But when her parents catch her kissing her girlfriend Ariana, all of Rukhsana’s plans fall apart. Her parents are devastated; being gay may as well be a death sentence in the Bengali community. They immediately whisk Rukhsana off to Bangladesh, where she is thrown headfirst into a world of arranged marriages and tradition. Only through reading her grandmother’s old diary is Rukhsana able to gain some much needed perspective.

Rukhsana realizes she must find the courage to fight for her love, but can she do so without losing everyone and everything in her life?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

"The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali" gives the reader a heartfelt window into the world of a lesbian girl who carries the burdens of her conservative Muslim parents with her wherever she goes. This story showcases how the world's viewpoints are changing, but not without a fight from our younger generations.

The story unfolds with seventeen-year-old Rukhsana sneaking out of her house to go to a party with her girlfriend, Ariana. I was intrigued to see how a Bengali-American who is lesbian dealt with her parent's overbearing control. Unsurprisingly, she decided to keep her sexual identity hidden and to keep many secrets from her parents. But her secrets fall apart when her mom catches Rukhsana and Ariana together in her room. Rukhsana's parents whisk her away to Bangladesh on a family vacation (without her brother because his schooling is "too important"), where she is faced with arranged marriages left and right. Upon realizing her mother's plan, she tries to escape, but things don't turn out quite how she expects them. Stuck in Bangladesh until she marries a worthy suitor, she is forced to find unlikely allies and live an elaborate ruse to make it back home in time for graduation.

As I was reading this book, I was thrilled to learn more about Rukhsana's life and struggles in the first part of the book. After she went to Bangladesh, the story got rather predictable and followed almost the exact same plot line as another book I have previously read in the past ("Written in the Stars" by Aisha Saeed), which was an odd feeling. I wasn't a huge fan of that book, so I hoped that Khan's novel wouldn't turn into a repeat of Saeed's. I had my doubts if the story would pick up again, but it truly did when she got more involved with a charming man named Sohail. The ending was quite unexpected and I really appreciated how it dove into how rampant homophobia is, especially in countries such as Bangladesh, and how even the strictest people can change their mentalities under the right conditions.

One of the things that put this book apart from some other young adult Muslim romances I've read before is the characters. I found Rukhsana self-centered at times, but given her circumstances, I feel she was warranted her moments of selfishness. I also love her how younger brother who was doted upon by her parents while Rukhsana was forced to do the chores, only leave the house when strictly necessary, and follow her parents ever command, was actually one of her strongest allies. He was always there for her and thought that the way that their parents treated her was unfair and cruel. This isn't often the case for the men in traditional Muslim families, so I was grateful for Aamir as a character. Sohail though has to be my favorite. I love how he stands up for members of the LGBTQ+ community in any way he can, even though it often puts him in danger. He is such a sweet boy, and I am glad that he was so willing to help Rukhsana out of her complicated situation.

I also really appreciate all of the minor side stories that were interwoven into this one, such as her grandma's diary. It showcased how awful that arranged marriages can sometimes be, and I am glad that Khan gave women who have suffered at the hands of their husband a strong voice through these entries.

This book covers many heavy topics (there were several times I felt as though someone stabbed me in the chest), but I am glad that Khan went ahead and wrote it. I feel that it is a great learning opportunity for anyone who reads it, but the story also holds its own ground. Stories like these also help validate those whose voices are often silenced. For that, I will always be grateful for authors who are willing to tackle hard topics.

Overall, I had some doubts while reading "The Love & Lies of Rukhsana Ali," but I ended up learning so much from it and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. This is a book that would be perfect for a YA book club, because there are so many things that are worth discussing on these pages. It's not a perfect book, but I still feel like everyone has something to learn from the story contained within.

Back of Book: 

Astrid is a teen who has lost everything: her girlfriend to a guy and her social status when her parents lose their jobs. Determined to make her way into university, she joins a robotics club hoping to make contacts and win a scholarship but also finds the love of her life. The Love Code tells the story of a relatable teen navigating the contemporary world of women working in STEM careers within a changing economy. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟

A queer love story of a girl who is trying to redefine herself after losing her girlfriend, her social status, and her college savings. 

Astrid is just trying to survive her job serving frozen yogurt to jerks so that she has something saved up for university next year. It's been a long time since she's truly enjoyed anything for herself, so she joins a local robotics team to put herself out there. What she didn't expect is that the robotics captain is a cute nerdy girl that steals her heart. 

This book felt like eating cardboard. I can't say that the plot entirely sucked, but the writing was so bland that I couldn't bring myself to care about much of anything. The characters are so flat and have little personality; people aren't supposed to be robots despite what the author may believe. 

A sapphic robotics romance has the potential to be really cute, but this bland book certainly didn't do this concept justice. I understand that this book is penned for reluctant teen readers to fly through, but I feel that there still could have been any sort of creative writing throughout. 

The biphobia and anti-queer themes this book addresses are good, but I've seen this done time and time again in more elaborate ways than a bully making fun of a queer girl and treating his bisexual girlfriend like trash. 

Overall, "The Love Code" was an incredibly dry book that made me feel very little while reading it. I admit that it has positive messages about standing up to queerphobia and girls in STEM, but it's lacking in much else. I wish the writing would have had any personality whatsoever, then maybe this book would have gone somewhere. As it is, I found it too bland to find any enjoyment out of reading this quick queer romance. 

Back of Book: 

Alex, a Latino transgender teen living in Hamilton, Ontario, struggles to reconcile his feelings with a real-life crush on a boy in his class from the relationship he has with a boy he knows online. Without overly graphic content, important issues youth face surrounding online messaging, social media and sexting are brought to light in a refreshing take on an LGBTQ+ relationship.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Review: 

A short and sweet novel about a trans kid trying to find love online told in the format of instant messages, texts, and occasional passages in the "real world."

This book tells the story of a transgender teen named Alex who chats to a stranger on the internet one day. They hit it off instantly, but Alex is still not quite ready to reveal his true name, so he tells this stranger his name is Tristan. "Tristan" finds himself enjoying his time with "Dorian" more than he enjoys his time at school. The two grow closer and become more intimate, but when Alex starts crushing on a boy named Jake in the real world, he feels conflicted... 

This book was a pretty straightforward novel that was both cliche and predictable. Despite this, it is a short read and it deals with many issues involving homophobia, transphobia, gender identity, sexuality, and much more. I'm glad that books like this are becoming more mainstream in this day and age. I mean, when I went to the library the other day, every other book I picked up was a LGBTQIA+ romance, which makes me very happy.

Overall, this book wasn't anything to write home about but it wasn't bad either. If you are looking for a short read for a challenge or just want a little more LGBTQIA+ romance in your life, you'd probably get something out of this one.

Back of Book: 

Marcelo Sandoval hears music no one else can hear—part of the autism-like impairment no doctor has been able to identify—and he's always attended a special school where his differences have been protected. But the summer after his junior year, his father demands that Marcelo work in his law firm's mailroom in order to experience "the real world." There Marcelo meets Jasmine, his beautiful and surprising coworker, and Wendell, the son of another partner in the firm.

He learns about competition and jealousy, anger and desire. But it's a picture he finds in a file— a picture of a girl with half a face—that truly connects him with the real world: its suffering, its injustice, and what he can do to fight. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg's mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary  

Review: 🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Felix Ever After meets Becky Albertalli in this swoon-worthy, heartfelt rom-com about how a transgender teen’s first love challenges his ideas about perfect relationships.

Noah Ramirez thinks he’s an expert on romance. He has to be for his popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily ever afters. There’s just one problem—all the stories are fake. What started as the fantasies of a trans boy afraid to step out of the closet has grown into a beacon of hope for trans readers across the globe.

When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah’s world unravels. The only way to save the Diary is to convince everyone that the stories are true, but he doesn’t have any proof. Then Drew walks into Noah’s life, and the pieces fall into place: Drew is willing to fake-date Noah to save the Diary. But when Noah’s feelings grow beyond their staged romance, he realizes that dating in real life isn’t quite the same as finding love on the page.

In this charming novel by Emery Lee, Noah will have to choose between following his own rules for love or discovering that the most romantic endings are the ones that go off script. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A slow burn queer romance with a complicated love triangle featuring an online blog about trans people finding their happily ever afters. 

Noah Ramirez's life revolves around love and the formula of romance. As a sixteen year old teen, he has plenty of time to pour into his blog, Meet Cute Diary, which is filled to the brim with fictional accounts of trans teens falling in love. He also believes that romance happens in a twelve step equation that is showcased in pretty much every form of media ever. The problem with all of this is: it's not real. Things start not looking great for Noah when people online start to realize this. When a troll starts their own blog presenting cold facts on why Noah's stories can't be true, Noah is desperate to find a solution that will save face. The answer practically runs into him when he stumbles upon Drew, a hot guy that works at a local bookstore who just happens to be a super fan of the blog. Noah and Drew soon devise a scheme to fake date one another and share their relationship with readers in the hopes of restoring faith in the power of meet cutes and love itself. As Noah and Drew's relationship deepens, Noah is shocked to find that romance is much harder in real life than it is in romance novels. 

The first third of this book was practically unbearable to read. Noah is such a brat, and spending so much time with him was really raining on my parade. Not only does he live in the clouds ninety-nine percent of the time, but he is also incredibly selfish and blinded by his never-ending pursuit for the chance to fall head over heels in love at first sight. BOO! All of these traits are incredibly annoying and make for a truly unlikeable main character. I'm going to get a bit specific here about a couple of things, so feel free to skip the next paragraph if that bothers you at all. 

One of the things that really teed me off was how selfish Noah's financial decisions are. His parents gave him a credit card to feed himself when his brother was away from home and he literally used it to buy anything he could think of. He spent over four hundred dollars in a matter of days on pointless things like buying ice cream, books, and coffee all in the hopes that he would stumble into a cute guy that he could swoon over. He also decided that he needed to hire a rideshare to get to all of these places rather than walk a couple of blocks, so he was spending money like there was no tomorrow. And then he was shocked when his mom froze the card! The gall of this kid is truly astounding (he's sixteen, by the way), and this made the beginning third of the book when he was moping around by himself so excruciatingly painful. 

Also, all of Noah's logic surrounding his blog is so skewed. Did it really matter if the stories were fictional? People find relief and satisfaction in Hallmark movies all the time, but that doesn't make them anywhere close to true. Fictional stories can move people just as much as real ones if done well, therefore it doesn't even make sense that Noah felt so obligated to convince everyone that his stories were real. And the fact that he didn't open his blog up for people to submit their stories from page one of this book actually had me groaning because the solution was so obvious. 

Things started to get a bit better when Noah met Drew, but honestly, he gave me pretty shady vibes from the get-go. Part of me was hoping that they would fall for each other for real because they both seem like such awful people who deserve one another. I'm never a fan of fake dating; it is too dishonest for me to enjoy much. Since this book was drowning in lies, I found it hard to like pretty much any element of it. 

Then enters Devin and my thoughts on this book changed quite a bit. Devin goes by many pronouns throughout this book so for the sake of clarity, I going to refer to em using the e/eir pronouns. Devin is the type of character that I eat up in every way. E is truly a darling who loves comic books, Starbucks coffee, and spending time with the kids that e gets to watch during summer camp. E is also a nervous bean who is often afflicted by panic attacks and extreme amounts of anxiety (which I can't help but relate to). Panic attacks are no fun, so I can totally see why Devin felt e needed to apologize for them every time that they happened to em in public. If this sweet nonbinary finey did not grace the pages of this book, it definitely would have been a two star read and I would have hated pretty much every second of it. Devin is definitely too good for Noah, but e is pretty much the perfect love interest to read about. 

I like how this book also handled the topics of gender identity. Noah starts this book as an out trans boy who is ready to live his life, but Devin is much more confused about eir identity. Literally, this human goes through all the pronouns in this book, which e has every right to if that's what it takes to feel comfortable in eir skin. Noah's family does still forget about Noah's transition from time to time, but they are very gracious about their slipups. And luckily, this is like the only thing that Noah isn't super selfish about; he actually makes jokes about his family's slips of the tongue. 

I haven't much more to say about this book besides the fact that it would have been nice if it was a tad shorter. I could see about fifty percent of readers DNFing this book before it actually gets good due to Noah's personality alone. If there would have been less wallowing in the beginning, I'm sure more readers would make it to the end and actually get to experience some of Noah's growth. Granted it may make the pay off at the end a tad less gratifying, but what's the point of gratification if most people abandon the book before they get to that part?

Overall, "Meet Cute Diary" was definitely not the super cute, fluffy romance that I wanted it to be. I found Noah to be so grating on my nerves and Drew was a possessive creep that I just couldn't get behind. The fact that I didn't like most of the main characters took away the appeal of this book, but at least Devin swooped in and saved the day with eir awkwardness and anxious vibes; I don't know if I would have made it through this book without em. I'll probably give this author's books another try, but I will be cautiously optimistic about the odds of me enjoying them.  

Back of Book: 

My Fair Lady meets the classic teen film She's All That in this charming and swoony new rom-com from Brian D. Kennedy, author of A Little Bit Country. Perfect for fans of What If It's Us and She Gets the Girl.

Wade Westmore is used to being in the spotlight. So when he’s passed over for the lead in the spring musical, it comes as a major blow—especially when the role goes to his ex-boyfriend, Reese, who dumped him for being too self-involved.

Shy sophomore Elijah Brady is used to being overlooked. Forget not knowing his name—most of his classmates don’t even know he exists. So when he joins the stage crew for the musical, he seems destined to blend into the scenery.

When the two have a disastrous backstage run-in, Elijah proposes an arrangement that could solve both boys’ problems: If Wade teaches Elijah how to be popular, Wade can prove that he cares about more than just himself. Seeing a chance to win Reese back, Wade dives headfirst into helping Elijah become the new and improved “Brady.”

Soon their plan puts Brady center stage—and he’s a surprising smash hit. So why is Wade suddenly less worried about winning over his ex and more worried about losing Elijah? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A cute theatre romance in which a messy showmance love triangle ends with two boys discovering who they truly are deep down. 

Wade Westmore is the definition of a theatre kid. He craves attention, is addicted to musicals, and pouts around when he isn't given the lead role during his final production as a high schooler. Not to be dramatic but losing a dream role to an ex-boyfriend is quite painful. Now, Wade is stuck with Reese rehearsal after rehearsal. Elijah Brady, on the other hand, has never been noticed before in his life. It's not like he isn't trying to make friends, but nobody is interested in a shy gay boy like him. Joining the stage crew of the musical seems like the perfect way to blend in while also branching out. When the two run into each other (literally), Wade and Elijah strike up a deal. Elijah wants to learn how to be more confident while Wade wants to prove to Reese that he cares for other people more than he cares about himself. As Wade works to help out the new and improved "Brady," the two boys may learn more about themselves than they bargained for. 

As a lover of all things theatre and musicals, I was so excited to read this one. I'm not super familiar with "My Fair Lady," but that never once lessened my joy of reading this story. This has got to be the most theatre-filled theatre romance I've ever read, so it is no surprise that I ended up loving this book, despite all of the teen drama that ensues. 

Wade and Elijah's relationship starts out pretty akin to Galinda and Elphaba's in the musical "Wicked." Wade is a popular kid who wants to win the attention of Reese (who I suppose is the Fiyero in this situation). Elijah, just wants to learn how to fit in. Wade takes on Elijah as a pity project in order to gain Reese's attention, but Reese ends up catching the hots for Elijah. Let's just say, there are a ton of complex teen emotions flying high in this book. I think this is also the first love triangle romance I've read where all three of them have feelings for each other. 

This book had me feeling so nostalgic for my time I spend doing theatre productions in college. The way that it talks about being on stage, seeing the cast list posted, and all of the emotions that happen on closing night really hit me in the feels. I can say with certainty that I teared up by the end of this book just on the vibe of closing night alone. Following all the different theatre kids, both the actors and the techies, was truly a joy as a person who has been on both sides of the stage. 

I relate a ton to Elijah as a person. He is anxious about pretty much everything, from having conversations, to ordering at restaurants, to learning to drive. I am an introvert who pretty much shuts down in all social settings, so I really relate to Elijah on a personal level. Just remember, everyone ISN'T always watching. 

The romance in this book wasn't overly suffocating. This book is more a journey of two teens learning who they really want to be in this world. Yes, Wade wants to woo his ex and Elijah is looking to experience stereotypical high school things, but the romance elements of this book are rather subtle compared to many romances. Wade and Elijah's relationship is quite the bromance, and I loved seeing the two of them pulling each other out of their comfort zones in various ways.

The camping scenes in this book also brought back many nostalgic memories of camping with my best friends. There is a part of me that hates camping, but I always think back on it so fondly. I don't think you could convince me to go camping in Minnesota during March. As a Minnesota girl, that sounds like torture, even if one has a heater and a cabin. The scenes that go down between Wade and Elijah while they are camping are so wholesome, and I love the wonder filled side of Wade we get to see while the boys are out in the middle of the woods. 

This book also very briefly brings up some societal issues. One of the characters is transgender and talks about her experiences. Another thing that this book examines in great detail is the toxicity of popularity. There is a huge difference between being confident and being popular. There is also a huge difference between the good type of popular and the bad type of popular (which Elijah definitely learns about firsthand). Prom is another huge part of this book, and unfortunately, this book doesn't rain on its parade as much as I would have liked. Luckily, the school seems more queer normative than many places, which was nice to see. It did make me sad that Elijah didn't fight harder to avoid all the prom "rites of passages" that society seems to press onto teenagers (such as getting a hotel room). 

Overall, I loved reading every part of "My Fair Brady." This book was truly a deep dive into nostalgia for me. From the theatre elements to the camping trip to the Galinda and Elphaba coded nature of Wade and Elijah's relationship, it all brought back so many happy memories for me. I love how much of this book is directly centered around theatre; it is truly a love letter to theatre kids new and old. I would definitely recommend.

Back of Book: 

In seventeen-year-old Hannah Dresher’s world, every dollar counts. When Hannah comes home to find that her alcoholic mom is wasted, she’s not surprised. But when she discovers that her younger brother, Seth, has disappeared with the overdue rent money, she worries they’ll be evicted or taken away by social services. Hannah knows she can’t rely on anyone but herself, so she has no choice but to chase down her brother. During her search she meets charming Eli, who offers to help her. But can Hannah set aside her pride and learn to trust him? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A hi-lo book featuring a young teen who is desperate to protect her trouble-making younger brother. 

Most seventeen-year-old girls spend their summers going to the beach and hanging out with their friends. Not Hannah Dresher. Hannah spends her summer vacation working long shifts, playing parent to her alcoholic mother, and trying to keep her younger brother, Seth, from making stupid decisions. One day when Hannah gets home from work, she realizes that Seth has disappeared with the rent money. Desperate to find him, Hannah sets out into the city on her own and meets a mysterious boy who is willing to help her hunt down her brother before it is too late. 

For a hi-lo book, this one was actually pretty solid. I will be the first to admit that I only picked up this book because it uses the exact same stock photo as another hi-lo book that I read recently, and I found this fact to be absolutely hysterical. This one was worlds better than that one though, so I am grateful for that. 

This book had three main things going for it: the dialogue was funny, the tension in the plot was solid, and there were only a few characters. These three things are really important because it made it feel like I was actually reading a decently penned story rather than sludging through a swamp (which is how most of my experiences with hi-lo books have been in the past). 

The themes that this book explores are also heavy hitters. Between Hannah's alcoholic mother, the Dresher family's poor living conditions, and her brother who finds himself in a heap of trouble, this book is teeming with issues that many people face on a day to day basis. There are several parts of Hannah's life that I can relate to personally, but I am so grateful for everything that I had growing up; my heart goes out to those who have to deal with these things every day. 

Overall, "Normal Kids" was a decent hi-lo book brimming with tension and witty dialogue. I can't say that it was the greatest book ever, but my expectations were greatly exceeded for what I thought the book was going to be. It also explores many adverse topics, even if it doesn't explore all of them in great detail. 

Back of Book: 

If you asked seventeen-year-old Cass Williams to describe herself, she’d happily tell you she’s fat, queer, and obsessed with the Tide Wars books. What she won’t tell you—or anyone in her life—is that she’s part of an online Tide Wars roleplay community. Sure, it’s nerdy as hell, but when she’s behind the screen writing scenes as Captain Aresha, she doesn’t have to think about her mother who walked out or how unexpectedly stressful it is dating resident cool girl Taylor Cooper.

But secretly retreating to her online life is starting to catch up with Cass. For one, no one in her real life knows her secret roleplay addiction is the reason her grades have taken a big hit. Also? Cass has started catching feelings for Rowan Davies, her internet bestie… and Taylor might be catching on.

As Cass’s lies continue to build, so does her anxiety. Roleplaying used to be the one place she could escape to, but this double life and offline-online love triangle have only made things worse. Cass must decide what to do—be honest and risk losing her safe space or keep it a secret and put everything else on the line.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A queer romance in which hidden secrets are bound to implode in which a high school senior must untangle the mess that is her life if she is to ever find what she truly desires in the end. 

Cass Williams is a fat, queer nerd who is absolutely obsessed with her favorite book series "Tide Wars." Though she is beyond willing to tell most everyone she knows that she is a diehard fan of the duology, she is not ready to admit that she spends much of her free time roleplaying on Discord with fellow nerds across the world. When she writes as Captain Aresha, it allows Cass to forget about her parent's divorce, her not-so-unrequited crush, and the schoolwork that she struggles to remember to do. But keeping her online life a secret is starting to have its complications. How is she supposed to keep her stress reliever a secret when it is starting to consume so much of her life? 

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. From the nerdy fangirling over a book series, the Minnesota setting, the online roleplaying, the messy queer love triangle, Cass dealing with her parent's divorce, and all the other elements at play in this book, I just ate up every piece of it. If I ever met Cass in real life, we definitely would be friends (though hopefully she wouldn't keep as many secrets from me as she did to all the characters in this book). 

Hmm, where to start? I think I'll go with the roleplaying realm. I love the little groupie that made up of Cass, Rowan, Autumn, Holly, and Carina. The dynamic between all of these girls felt so familial and  I adored how the shared so much of their real lives with each other, even though they initially only started as an online roleplay group. Nerdy communities are truly the best (I can't get enough of geeking out about my favorite games, books, etc with my friends and family), so it was so fun to read through all their group chats. Also, I love that Miller decided to include segments of the actual roleplay in the novel. They always did a great job of reflecting what was going on in the main story and added an extra level of depth to this book. 

Now let's chat about the Minnesota vibes. As a Minnesota girl myself, I loved all of the references to Minnesota life, including the weather, the touristy things to do in the state, and the "Minnesota Nice" condition. Much of this story felt even more personal just because it was set in my home state, which was awesome to experience. I haven't read too many book that take place in MN, so this was refreshing. Also, shoutout to totdish (tater tot HOTDISH is truly a Minnesotan staple *chefs kiss*). 

Cass goes through so much throughout this book. From her parent's divorce, to her newly requited crush with Taylor, worrying about keeping her grades up so she can get into her dream college, and trying to balance her roleplay time with the her "real" life, Cass really can't catch a break. I found so many of her experiences to be relatable, and I felt so seen when it came to Cass' toxic overthinker mode. She would overthink practically every situation, which only added to her stress level, which made me feel so darn understood. Fellow overthinker for the win! 

I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this book. Cass' nerd group is totally awesome, especially Rowan, who plays Cass' love interest online and is one of the members of the real world love triangle situation that this book has going on. The way that Cass and Rowan interact is so pure, and I love all their inside jokes. Cass' dad, who she calls "Cool Dad" was one of my favorite characters. He is caring and stern, yet also such a goof. I wish that everyone would be blessed with at least on parent like him. Some of the side characters were absolute hoots such as Tate and Greg. They could be so weird sometimes, but mostly in a good way. 

Taylor wasn't my favorite character, but I understand the character growth that Cass went through needed her to be as she was. Taylor tried to move her and Cass' relationship along rather quickly, which made me uncomfortable. For once though, Cass felt the same way I did! It's been a while since  I've read a character that was willing to address the fact that she didn't want a super fast, physically charged relationship. She legitimately wanted to love the person for who they were before diving into everything else that a relationship entailed, which I feel is so rarely done in romance books. So thanks for that! Literally almost every aspect of this book made me feel super seen as a person. 

There are so many things that I could talk about with this book, but I don't think that I should drag this on for too long. 

Overall, I love "Out of Character" and was presently surprised that this one hit me so hard. I adore the characters, the real-world problems, the nerdy community, the Minnesotan location, the humorous banter, the intermingling of the digital elements, and the writing style. This is one that I will definitely be recommending, especially when it comes to books featuring queer, lesbian, and plus sized main characters. If you love a nerdy romance, I can't recommend checking this one out enough! 

Back of Book: 

When Marcus moves to a new town in the dead of summer, he doesn't know a soul. While practicing football for impending tryouts, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with an older man. Charlie is a charismatic prankster—and the best football player Marcus has ever seen. He can't believe his good luck when he finds out that Charlie is actually Charlie Popovich, or "the King of Pop," as he had been nicknamed during his career as an NFL linebacker. But that's not all. There is a secret about Charlie that his family is desperate to hide. 

When Marcus begins school, he meets the starting quarterback on the team: Troy Popovich. Right from the beginning, Marcus and Troy disagree—about football, about Troy's ex-girlfriend, Alyssa, but most of all about what's good for Charlie. Marcus is betting that he knows what's best for the King of Pop. And he is willing to risk everything to help his friend. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Sports 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Korman pens a story about a junior football player named Marcus and his unlikely friendship with a retired NFL player.

Marcus has just moved to a new town and he's finding it difficult to make friends over the summer. That is, until he meets Charlie, an eccentric middle-age man with an enthusiasm for tackling and hearing the "pop." Unbeknownst to Marcus, Charlie has some secrets and these secrets end up getting Marcus in a bit of trouble. When Marcus learns Charlie's secret, Marcus is willing to go to great lengths to give Charlie the recognition that he deserves.

I was a bit hesitant about this one. Yes, I have loved most of Korman's books in the past, but this one is centered around sports, so I wary. Despite this, I found great enjoyment from the entire story. Charlie is a character filled to the brim with quirky Korman character vibes, and I just adored him despite his oddness. The fact that he loves pranks, football, and running around town as a fifty something year old is such a joy. Marcus was a likable protagonist from the get-go and I the fact that he rode around on a Vespa made me laugh. Some of his decisions were questionable, but I could always tell that his heart was in the right place.

This book is really hard to discuss without giving away most of the plot. I will say though, that this book tackles some great topics such as mental illness, standing up for what you believe is right, the idea of legacy, and the dangers of sports. The lengths that Marcus goes to help Charlie out is so precious and wholesome; it filled me with so much joy to read about their relationship.

The ending of this book made me feel so many emotions. Once again, I don't want to say too much, but the ending really came out of nowhere and yanked at my heartstrings. I thought this was going to be one of my least favorites of Korman's books, but I ended up really adoring the characters (except for Alyssa; she was creepy) and the messages presented in this one were so good.

Overall, I really enjoyed "Pop" for its eccentric characters, important messages, and rapid pace. This is the first of Korman's teen books that I've read and I think it's the oldest one that I've read thus far, but it still has a feel very similar to his more recent books. I would most definitely recommend checking this one out, especially if you are a sports fan. I'm not and I still loved it, so there is that.

Back of Book: 

Always be ready for the worst day of your life.

This is the mantra that Becca Aldaine has grown up with. Her family is part of a community of doomsday preppers, a neighborhood that prioritizes survivalist training over class trips or senior prom. They’re even arranging Becca’s marriage with Roy Kang, the only eligible boy in their community. Roy is a nice guy, but he’s so enthusiastic about prepping that Becca doesn’t have the heart to tell him she’s planning to leave as soon as she can earn a full ride to a college far, far away.

Then a devastating accident rocks Becca’s family and pushes the entire community, including Becca’s usually cynical little sister, deeper into the doomsday ideology. With her getaway plans thrown into jeopardy, the only person Becca can turn to is Roy, who reveals that he’s not nearly as clueless as he’s been pretending to be.

When Roy proposes they run away together, Becca will have to risk everything—including her heart—for a chance to hope for the best instead of planning for the worst. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A romance featuring two teens raised in a doomsday community that will do anything to escape from the cult that they have grown up in. 

Becca Aldaine and her family are a part of a community of doomsday preppers. Rather than getting to prioritize senior prom and her last science fair, Becca is forced to float in freezing cold duck ponds to test her survival skills. Her parents control every aspect of her life in the hopes that she'll be prepared for the end of the world. They've even arranged for her to marry Roy Kang, which in her parent's eyes is a steal, because he's Korean and his gene pool is allegedly quite different than hers. Desperate to escape her crazy life, Becca is willing to risk everything for a chance at freedom and a normal life. 

The premise of this one is a tad bizarre, but that only had me more intrigued to read it. People tend to have an odd obsession towards the occult, and a romance featuring two kids raised in a survivalist doomsday cult definitely piqued my interest. And it ended up being such a cute read! 

I have no idea if Mangle has any personal experience with cult-like behavior, but I feel that this book was a pretty solid depiction of life in one. Becca is forced to do a whole bunch of things that most humans would never consider, all for the betterment of the community. Her parents rule the community with an iron fist, and no one dare questions their judgement, no matter what gibberish they are spewing. The way that Becca's younger sister, Katie, is being brainwashed by the elders is crazy, and a peak example of cultish hive mindset. The survival activities that the community forces upon their youth are quite extreme, such as mock car accidents and hostage situations. I shudder to think how damaging such activities would be for anyone who has to live through so much trauma repetitively. 

Becca is willing to do anything to escape from her less-than-ideal circumstances. That is, except for abandon her little sister, Katie, alone in the dangerous and traumatic situations that the community puts their youth through on a daily basis. Becca is so desperate for a chance to start over, but she is unwilling to bend unless she knows that her sister will be safe and cared for. This type of devotion is so rare, but I'm glad that Becca refused to abandon her little sister. I know this is something that many cult survivors had to grapple with, and many aren't lucky enough to have an opportunity to help the youngsters that still remain within the cult. The guilt of being a survivor of a cult can be just as devastating as being in the cult if one has to leave loved ones behind in the process. 

Roy was such a positive part of this book's experience for me. Not only is he super loyal and protective of Becca, but he is also sly and resourceful. This not only makes him a great love interest, but also a perfect partner in crime. I don't want to go into any details of how Becca and Roy plan to escape the cult but take my word for it that it is quite the journey that these two go on. I respect anyone who has to make the hard choices that these two have to grapple with, along with those who are willing to leave so much up to chance in the fight for a better tomorrow. 

I think that the best part of this book is that it showcases that even in the darkest of situations, there are always people who will rise to care for you. Becca has been neglected her entire life by her parents and community members, but she comes to find allies in the most unlikely places. In a boy that she has hated for years. In an eccentric science teacher who is willing to go the extra mile to support her. In the girl that she accidently gave a bruised eye socket to after a morning gone awry. Hope is a fickle thing, but when you have others to help nourish it, the future tends to look a little less bleak. 

Overall, "Prepped" is a sweet romance that showcases the resilience it takes to survive a cult and the length that a few teens are willing to go to find hope and love in a world that they were taught is lacking in both. My heart really goes out to Becca and Roy and the devastating circumstances that they had to live through. I'm so glad that these two were there for one another through thick and thin. I hope that other readers can learn more about the lives of cult survivors through this thrill ride of a book that is also sure to tug at one's heartstrings. 

Back of Book: 

Drummer Phoebe Byrd prides herself on being one of the guys, and she's ready to prove it by kicking all their butts in the snare solo competition at the Indoor Percussion Association Convention.

Writer Vanessa Montoya-O'Callaghan has been looking forward to the WTFcon for months. Not just because of the panels and fanfiction readings but because WTFcon is where she'll finally meet Soleil, her internet girlfriend, for the first time.

Taxidermy assistant Callie Buchannan might be good at scooping brains out of deer skulls, but that doesn't mean it's her passion. Since her parents' divorce, her taxidermist father only cares about his work, and assisting him at the World Taxidermy and Fish-Carving Championships is the only way Callie knows to connect with him.

When a crazy mix-up in the hotel lobby brings the three girls together, they form an unlikely friendship against a chaotic background of cosplay, competition, and carcasses! 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

Three nerds of varying types go to the convention of their dreams, only to find their hopes shattered and their hearts hurting due to unfortunate circumstances they never could have seen coming. 

Phoebe Byrd is a percussionist and she's ready to slay during her solo and ensemble events. Vanessa Montoya-O'Callaghan is a fanfic writer who finally gets to meet her online co-author and girlfriend Soleil for the very first time. Callie Buchannan isn't the most passionate about her gig as an amateur taxidermist, but she's ready to spend some quality time with her dad. The three girls are prepared to have the week of their lives celebrating the things that they love most. That is, until all three of them find themselves in sticky situations that have them wishing that they were anywhere but stuck in a massive convention center for days on end. That is, until Phoebe, Vanessa, and Callie all run into one another and craft the perfect plan to help all of them before the con is done. 

Upon seeing the cover of this book, it was hard to think that this book was going to be anything but a cheesy mess that highlights nerd culture at its finest. I must say, this book wad filled to the brim with the nerdiest things such as hardcore musicianship, podcasts, Harry Potter, and fanfics written about other fanfics. I loved seeing all of these nerdy activities coexisting at the same time; I love how humanity holds such strong passions about the strangest things (even stuffed dead animals). 

Unfortunately, his book was a little too filled with teenage drama for me to truly find much enjoyment. All three girls found themselves in some pretty messy situations created by their own accords, and I couldn't help but keep thinking that they kept digging themselves deeper into their messes rather than trying to do anything to fix any of their personal problems. It didn't help that all three of the girls had similar problems when it came down to the essence of them (making rash decisions and refusing to communicate with people). This had me a tad frustrated, especially throughout the beginning portion of this novel. 

I did really like the final third of this book in which the three girls come together to assemble a special project and help each other reconcile their problems in the process. It is great that the three of them could compile their talents to come up with a great stellar project (even if it couldn't beat gay Harry Potter fanworks). Seeing these three girls talk out their issues with their friends, crushes, and family members was pretty rewarding, even if many of the choices that got them to that point were rather foolish. 

Each character was written by a different author, and I must say, their style blend very well with one another. It is cool that they collaborated with one another on this book so that each segment and passion was more authentic than if one author would have done research on their own. For a book that was written by three different authors, it flows quite splendidly and has a really cohesive message. 

There were several things I was completely thrown off by (like the inclusion of the toddler beauty pageant), but for the most part, this book was a fun look into the lives of different people and the passions they all cherish. As a self-certified nerd, it was fun seeing likeminded people contained within the pages of this book. 

Overall, "The Pros of Cons" was a book filled with charming nerdiness that really embraces the spirit of creativity. The book was filled with a tad too much teenage drama for me to fall in love with it, but I did really like essence that this book captures. I haven't read too many books that surround topics as nerdy as cons and fanfic, so I still enjoyed my time with this one despite its weaknesses. I applaud how well the co-writing in this book is done and how effortlessly it is strung together. This is definitely a book that celebrates those who call themselves part of a fandom and for those whose hobbies often consume their lives in more ways than one. 

Back of Book: 

What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has always been a study machine with one goal: elite university. Nothing will stand in her way. Not friends, not a guilty secret—not even the person she is on the inside.

But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favorite podcast, she discovers a new freedom. He unlocks the door to Real Frances and for the first time she experiences true friendship, unafraid to be herself. Then the podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken.

Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances’s dreams come crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her past…

She has to confess why Carys disappeared…

Meanwhile at university, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets.

It’s only by facing up to your fears that you can overcome them. And it’s only by being your true self that you can find happiness.

Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

A coming-of-age read that tackles issues of identity, the pressure to succeed, diversity, and freedom to choose, Radio Silence is a tour de force by the most exciting writer of her generation.

Book Number: Stand Alone (Note: This is technically number nine in the Osemanverse. Learn more here: In What Order Should I Read Your Books? | Alice Oseman)

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A heartwarming story about a group of teens learning to defy society's narrative, discover their true selves, and escape from the lives they've been previously trapped in. 

Almost the entirety of Francis' life revolves around school. Everything she does is just another part of her plan to get into Cambridge, whether it's relentless studying or ruling the school as Head Girl. That is, everything except Universe City. This podcast hosted by the mysterious Radio Silence consumes almost all of her time outside of school. When Radio Silence reaches out to Francis about working together on Universe City, Francis' priorities begin to change. As she grows closer to the enigmatic Creator of the show, Francis starts to wonder if she really even wants to attend a university, or if that's just the path that the world expects her to take. 

The themes in this one hit me so hard! I relate quite a bit to both Francis and Aled, so it's no surprise that I absolutely adore this book. And it doesn't hurt that some of my favorite characters from the Osemanverse (shoutout to Charlie, Tori, and Nick!) make an appearance. Learning more about Aled (Charlie's quiet friend who sporadically showed up throughout "Heartstopper") was such a joy, and it honestly checks out that his is just as traumatized by as many things as Charlie is. 

One of the things I truly love about this story is the messages. Even reading the author's note at the beginning and learning that this story features students who think they have to go to university because school is all they are good at hit me in the feels. I must say, my entire high school career wasn't dictated by wanting to get into an Ivy League, but my entire teenage years were indeed consumed by school. Almost every waking moment of my time was spent studying, writing extravagent papers, and going above and beyond on projects. Up until my junior/senior years of high school, no one knew any part of the real me, much like the situation that Francis faces. I related to so heavily to her ambitions and I always figured I would go to college and study English literature to become a high school teacher myself. In the last few years, I realized that I just wanted to be happy and pursue things that brought me joy, such as reading and acting. Getting to explore my passions after high school made me feel that I was good at more than just being an academic. Let's just say, I related heavily to Francis' whole situation. 

And Aled? My goodness do I relate to him, too. Aled also feels the burden of getting good grades, but he feels this weight due to his controlling mother. Luckily, my parents had the philosophy that as long as I was doing my best, they were proud of me. Unfortunately, that is not the case with Aled's mother. Nothing is ever good enough for her, which is why he keeps the one thing he truly cares about a secret. If his mother knew about his passion for the arts, she would blow a fuse, so I totally get why he suppresses his true, unapologetically queer and artistic self while he is at home. My family situation hasn't always been the best either, so I get it. Alright, I'll stop rambling about how much I relate to Francis and Aled now. 

Something else that is truly amazing about this tale is that it is not a romance. It is truly a platonic tale of two besties facing the cruelty of the world together. You don't see this very often in YA books, so this was certainly refreshing. And Aled and Francis seriously go through so much together. People are constantly harassing them both about Universe City, which is sadly how most fandoms tend to act in this day and age. Rather than celebrating the creators of their favorite podcast, they are desperate to discover all their darkest secrets and expose them on the internet. Gods, I hate people sometimes (especially the people that send hate mail and death threats to public creators). Seriously, get a life. And like, be a decent human, please. 

The deep dive into learning to express one's sexuality is an Oseman staple. Both Francis and Aled are queer, and they are definitely still learning the ropes of how to tell others and express themselves authentically. I always appreciate asexual and demisexual representation in books, so this just makes me love this one even more. 

I must admit, applying and preparing for university in the United Kingdom sounds like a horrific experience. The extent that these students have to prepare years in advance scares me immensely, and the interview process to apply to universities sounds like the most stressful thing in the world. I'm feeling a tad grateful that I didn't have to go through all that as a young teenager trying to navigate life after (and through) high school. 

The way that art is praised in this book warms my heart. Francis and Aled both hide the fact that they live for their nerdy hobbies, due to the fact that they want to appear "smart" and "studious" to their peers. However, as the story progresses, they both learn to embrace their secret hobbies and face society's disapproval, no matter how harsh it can be. 

Overall, "Radio Silence" is another masterful novel penned by the lovely Alice Oseman. Her work is always so poignant and speaks about real world issues, and this one is certainly no exception. It was so great to be back in the Osemanverse and learning more about Aled's character was truly a treat. The themes in this book are immense, and I appreciate how much Oseman tackled with this book including defying society's expectations, exploring one's sexuality, the importance of platonic friendships, praising the arts, and so much more. The characters are so relatable, and I truly can't wait until I get to return to the Osemanverse once more! 

Back of Book: 

Every Friday night, best friends Delia and Josie become Rayne Ravenscroft and Delilah Darkwood, hosts of the campy creature feature show Midnite Matinee on the local cable station TV Six.

But with the end of senior year quickly approaching, the girls face tough decisions about their futures. Josie has been dreading graduation, as she tries to decide whether to leave for a big university and chase her dream career in mainstream TV. And Lawson, one of the show's guest performers, a talented MMA fighter with weaknesses for pancakes, fantasy novels, and Josie, is making her tough decision even harder.

Scary movies are the last connection Delia has to her dad, who abandoned the family years ago. If Midnite Matinee becomes a hit, maybe he'll see it and want to be a part of her life again. And maybe Josie will stay with the show instead of leaving her behind, too.

As the tug-of-war between growing up and growing apart tests the bonds of their friendship, Josie and Delia start to realize that an uncertain future can be both monstrous... and momentous.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Ros will do whatever it takes to get the guy. At least… she thinks she will.

Sixteen-year-old Ros is a go-getter. When she wants something, she makes sure she gets it.

But a lingering rumor (and maybe some ambivalence about her half-Turkish heritage) has kept Ros from achieving the kind of reputation she deserves. So, after years of plotting her big comeback, she just needs one thing: a hot, adoring guy on her arm at junior year homecoming. And when she meets charming new classmate Aydın at the Pine Bay resort over the summer, she thinks she’s found The One.

It doesn't work, though. And things get messy when Ros’s plan ends up hurting the only friend she has left... poor, sweet, forgiving Eleanor. This has happened before—things tend to get messy with Ros around—and it's getting harder for her to ignore the pattern of hurt feelings. Plus, it seems like Ros and Aydın aren’t really meant to be. What kind of a plan results in everyone ending up unhappy? Not a very good one.

A not-quite rom com starring a bold, outspoken antiheroine, this Turkish-American Romeo and Juliet remix is refreshingly snarky. Witty, whip-smart dialogue plays with the complexities of multicultural identity and female friendships, from Ros’s very first screw-up to her unconventional happy ending. Perfect for fans of Crystal Maldonado and Michelle Quach. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Rosaline Demir wants to find love in this Turkish-American "Romeo & Juliet" remix, but she's not meant to be the main character in this story. 

Ros Demir is looking to accomplish two things her junior year of high school: find the man of her dreams and be crowned homecoming princess. For now, she is ready to have the summer of a lifetime with her best friend, Eleanor. While on vacation, Ros meets Aydın, a charming new classmate who may just be the man she is looking for. Unfortunately, in her efforts to pursue Aydın she ends up upsetting Eleanor, which puts a bit of a wrench in her summer. But does it really matter as long as she gets the guy? In a pursuit to find her own happily ever after, she seems to be messing up everyone else's along the way. How much is Ros willing to sacrifice for her own happiness?

This one was definitely a mixed bag for me, but I'd say I liked it way more than I disliked it. The summery vibes, the references to Shakespeare, the segments that focused on acting, and the cultural discussions were all highlights for me. However, Ros couldn't make an intelligent decision the entire time and I found her to be so frustrating! More on that later. 

I know that many people didn't really get the "Romeo & Juliet" vibes of this story, but I loved all the small things that alluded to Shakespeare's classic. From Ros being Rosaline, Romeo's scorned lover, to Aydın and Chloe being the Romeo and Juliet, and the masquerade scene where they all mingle with one another, I found these things to be so comical. Also, Ros tries to fight for Aydın's attention, but in the end, we all know that Romeo is destined for his Juliet. I found this to be so endearing that Ros eventually learns to accept this.  

I also love how this presents Ros as a side character in Aydın and Chloe's romance. I thought that this was a really neat prospect to explore. After all, even Rosaline, Romeo's scorned lover, has her own story to tell. Getting to ride along with a side character and seeing her get her MC moments is quite entertaining and this really appeals to me as someone who often feels like an NPC in someone else's story. 

Ros is half-Turkish and Aydın is full Turkish, so this book dives into many aspects of Turkish culture. Along with the cultural elements, also came the prejudice. There was this one kid named Franklin who is a bit of a racist jerk. I'm glad that Ros didn't let his racially charged remarks stand, but she really could have handled it in a better way. Ros also deals with living on the border of her two cultures, and trying to hide the pieces of herself that make her different, which many people can certainly relate to. 

Once school starts up, we get to see Ros in one of her acting classes, which was something I enjoyed immensely. As a theatre girl myself, I love seeing scenes in which characters are learning about the art of theatre and experiencing the rush of channeling one's emotions to bring characters to life. 

Now let's talk characters. Ros is hot-headed, arrogant, rash, narcassistic, and unwilling to back down about literally anything. She is invasive of people's privacy, never thinks about other's feelings, and wrecks all of her personal relationships by doing dumb stuff. Every decision that she made had me rolling my eyes and smacking my forehead. Luckily, she does have a bit of a redemption arc in the end, but if this book wouldn't have been such a quick read, I would have been immensely angered by Ros as a person. 

The supporting characters on the other hand? They are all awesome. Aydın is so charming and kind, yet he's also extremely nervous and holds his secrets close to his chest. Eleanor is a little bit of a nerd and just wants to have fun in her own, not-Ros ways. Chloe is definitely cooler than Juliet because she loves art, cares deeply about her family, and adores her Korean culture. Lydia may be Ros' ex-best friend, but she seems like a pretty cool gal. Yeah, she is a bit self-centered too, but she loves theatre and tries hard to make up for her past grievances. These four are people I could get behind and I could see myself being friends with all of them. 

Also, before I finish this, I just have to throw out there that Ros is a bit of a film buff and she watched "The Princess Bride" with Aydın, so. . . I give her a W for that one, at least. 

Overall, "Ros Demir is Not the One" is a funny, not-quite-rom-com that has a great crew of characters, awesome summer vibes, and even a dash of Shakespeare thrown in. I didn't love Ros as a main character, but I can truly appreciate all of the growth that she goes through. I found myself flying through these pages to see how Ros would get herself out of the mess that she made for herself. If one wants a funny, lighthearted read that explores the value of friendship, what it means to live on the border that also pushes how far one will go to find their happily ever after, I would recommend you none other than Ros Demir! 

Back of Book: 

Winter Park and Bobby Bae are Korean American high school juniors whose families have been friends since the kids were making crayon art. They, however, are repulsed by each other.

Winter is MIT-bound, comfortable keeping people at arm’s length, and known by others as responsible, though she has a desire to let loose. This probably comes from her rebel grandmother, who is constantly pushing boundaries and encouraging Winter to do so as well. Winter’s best friend is moving abroad and won’t be attending college at all, and Winter’s wrestling with what it means to be left behind. Bobby is as Type-A, anxious, and risk-averse as you can get. He’s also been recently dumped, which has him feeling disoriented and untethered.

That’s why, when Winter’s and Bobby’s parents insist that they go on a northeast college campus tour together, both teens find reasons to accept even though the thought of being stuck in a car together for 700 miles sounds unbearable. What awaits them is a journey of self-discovery where the only rule on their road trip is to break all the rules. At first, this happens in hilariously calculated ways (using lists and reason and logic!), but they soon abandon that, challenging each other to dares in Virginia, getting high and wandering around Philly for food—and battling the subsequent digestive distress—and crashing a party in Cambridge. And, of course, realizing that they’re perfect together. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

An academic rivals to lovers road trip romance in which two goodie two-shoes learn that sometimes it's better to write their own rules and take the less traveled path. 

Winter Park and Bobby Bae have known each other for ages, but that's only because their families have been long time friends. If they had their way, they would never speak to one another outside of the many academic activities they find themselves in together. Unfortunately, they will be seeing a lot more of each other over the summer since their parents have agreed that it would be a great idea for the two of them to go on a road trip to explore potential colleges. Now, the two rivals find themselves stuck in a car together for over 700 miles. Forced to spend time with one another, Winter and Bobby learn that they may have more in common than they originally assumed. . . 

This was such a cute, relatable romance! Both Winter and Bobby are overachievers who have spent most of their lives thus far excelling in school and trying their hardest to prep for their collegebound lives after high school. School was pretty much my entire life too, so I totally can get behind this. The road trip element added the forced proximity trope that this rivals to lovers romance needed, and I was hooked as soon as their rule breaking adventure began! 

The thing that made this romance click for me was how relatable both of the main characters are. I see a ton of myself in Bobby. From his high anxiety that often leads to panic attacks, his need to extensively plan ahead, and his overly sensitive nature, I see a ton of myself in him. Winter is a tad more rambunctious and filled with more fire, but I definitely see myself in many of the little parts of her. I can certainly relate to her unease with driving and the fact that mosquitoes just can't get enough of her. 

These two have the cutest banter. At the start of this novel, I worried that the rivalry would stand a bit in the way of the sweetness of this book, but that wasn't the case. The way these two feed off one another and respond with witty remarks makes for a really fun and goofy ride. 

The concept of these two having a list of rules that they cannot break unless they call a truce was a great idea. Not only was it a super fun way to have Bobby and Winter grow together, but it was a really smart way to format the book. Each chapter is named after a specific rule that gets broken before the chapter is through. Learning to go with the flow can often be a hard lesson to learn, but sometimes letting one's guard down can lead to the most magical of moments. Seeing Winter and Bobby embrace spontaneity was really fun, and a great reminder that some of life's greatest treasures happen when you least expect them to. I was a tad disappointed that many of these things involved super cliché things such as vaping, going to parties, and drinking, but at least these two seemed to learn their lessons in the long run. 

This book deals quite a bit with pursuing one's own happiness rather than doing what others thinks is best for them. It can be really hard to break free from familial expectations, so it was nice seeing Winter help Bobby through many of his insecurities. This didn't just come into play involving choosing a college and career path, but it also came up with past familial traumas and disagreements. Every family has history, but it is important to remind oneself that you are more than your family's past endeavors. 

Both Winter and Bobby's families are Korean, but they have both lived through very different life experiences. Winter's family embraces their culture, speaks the language, and continues to keep the culture alive, whereas Bobby's family tries to assimilate to all things American. This has caused Bobby to feel alienated through many of life's circumstances. Seeing him work through some of his doubts with his family was another great part of this novel. 

Kai was another highlight of this book for me. Kai is Bobby's unapologetically queer, black, outspoken friend who is also a huge nerd. He lives in the world of comic books and design, which I found added a ton to his already awesome character. His one-liners were so hilarious, and Kai did a great job of adding another layer of humor and authenticity to this already great book. 

Overall, "Rules for Rule Breaking" is a fun, academic rivals to lovers romance that does a great job of showcasing that life doesn't always go as planned and that some of the best memories come from putting aside your fears and living in the moment. I adore Bobby (he's such a relatable worrywart of a boy; I just want to give him a hug!) and Winter as main characters. They are both so relatable and had such realistic, pressing problems in their lives. The banter, the summery road trip vibes, and the Korean culture were all top tier in this book. It may not be my favorite book, but I certainly had a fun time with this one. I am excited to check out more of Tucker's work in the future! 

Back of Book: 

A story of love, music, addiction, and self-discovery from the author of A Song For The Road.

Eighteen-year-old Shelby Rey has a secret she can hear people’s deepest emotions and truths, in song form, just by touching them. But in a world where everyone guards their secrets, her gift feels more like a curse.

Life has been hard since she lost her dad, but it reaches a new low when she gets kicked out by her drug-addicted mom. Shelby’s life hits a turning point, however, when she meets Zac Wyatt, a chart-topping rock star with a hidden side only she can hear. Swept into his world of fame and music, Shelby forms an electrifying connection with Zac that she can’t resist.

But darkness lurks beneath the spotlight. Zac’s jealousy of his bandmate Stanford, a troubled musical genius, threatens to destroy everything—and when Shelby uncovers Stanford’s devastating truth, she faces an impossible choice that could shatter their world.

In a whirlwind of love, betrayal, heartbreak, and injustice, Shelby must find the courage to listen to her own inner song. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Magical Realism

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

An ode to music that brings learning to love oneself and the struggles of dealing with addiction center stage.

Shelby Rey has always been able to hear the secret songs that people hide deep within themselves. With a single touch, she can know a stranger's deepest secrets and their darkest fears. Her life has been a living nightmare after her father committed suicide, which led her mother to rely on alcohol and pills to numb the pain. Shelby's only escape is in music. When she meets Zac Wyatt, a moody rockstar with a charming side that only Shelby can hear, her life begins to change drastically. Feeling seen for the first time in her life, Shelby gets caught up in the world of fortune and fame. Shelby begins to discover that the brightest lights often hide the darkest secrets. Now, she must learn to walk to the beat of her own drum or be lost within the confines of everyone else's issues forever. 

Whenever a book is centered around a musical element, my interest is piqued. Shelby's musical gift that allows her to hear other people's life stories is an interesting piece of magical realism. Stories that showcase the music industry and boy bands are also usually pretty fun, so I signed up for this one immediately. However, this book wasn't exactly the fun ride I was hoping it would be. 

This book dives into many hard topics that many people experience. Addiction, suicide, domestic abuse, and mental disorders are all front and center in this novel. Shelby comes from a horrendous home situation where she has to sleep on the couch, share her mother's clothes, and deal with her mother's constant toxic behavior and badgering. My heart really goes out to Shelby, but she also doesn't make very many intelligent decisions throughout the course of this novel. She refuses therapy, hooks up with a sus guy she just met, and allows herself to be wrapped up in a whirlwind of toxic masculinity and abusive situations all over again. I know that she's the victim here, but I wish she would have advocated for herself a little better. I'm glad to report that by the end of this book she does stand up for herself and starts to pave a decent life for herself, which is certainly inspiring. 

I have read several books that feature boy bands, K-pop groups, and other communities that thrive in the spotlight. This book was similar to them in many ways, which had me zoning out at moments. This isn't the book's fault, per se, but it is worth mentioning that it's pretty typical celebrity drama. There is a ton of drug abuse, toxic relationships, false reports in the media, and lots of people backstabbing each other to get ahead in the industry. If you love gossip and drama, this is a positive, but I found it a tad tedious at times. 

The thing that I disliked the most about this one is Shelby and Zac's romantic relationship. I know that it is supposed to be toxic and Zac taking advantage of her is an important life lesson for Shelby to learn, but that didn't make it any less icky. The sexual tension between these two is quite. . . intense, and they certainly act upon their inclinations as soon as they possible can. The way that Zac forces Shelby to dress as well as the way he tries to take credit for her work is also gross; it all makes Zac a truly unlikable character. 

I think the think I like most of about this book is the way that it speaks about music. A well written song can invoke so many feelings in a person and let them feel seen in a way that few other things can; Lacko captures this feeling so eloquently. Being able to connect with a songwriter's life even though I've never met them is a truly magical experience. Music brings people together so effortlessly and a song that one relates to dearly can feel as though someone is looking directly into one's soul. Shelby's gift is a physical manifestation of this, which I found to be pretty neat. 

Overall, "The Secret Song of Shelby Rey" is a moving story about overcoming life's challenges and forging the path that makes you feel good about yourself. The way that this book talks about music and how humanity connects to it is truly magical, and the way this book tackles topics such as substance abuse is mature and impactful. Unfortunately, this book is filled with such toxic relations and circumstances that I found myself often not loving my time with it. Especially when it came to Shelby and Zac's instant attraction to one another. The characters certainly grow, and many lessons are learned through all the tragic situations the characters find themselves in, but it made it hard for me to truly dig this story. 

Back of Book: 

Shampoo Unicorn: (noun) 

1. A shower hairdo in which one styles one's lathered hair into the fluffiest soapy unicorn horn possible. 

2. A podcast by two mysterious hosts exploring rural queer life—the isolation, the microaggressions, the boredom, and occasionally, the sky-shattering joy.

In the small town of Canon, West Virginia, most people care about three things: God, country, and football.

Brian is more into Drag Race, Dolly Parton, and his gig as one of the mystery hosts of his podcast, Shampoo Unicorn.

Greg's life should be perfect as the town's super-masc football star, but his secret is he's just as gay as Brian.

Leslie is a trans girl living in nearby Pennsylvania, searching for reasons to get out of bed every day. Her solace is listening to her favorite podcast. . . .

When a terrible accident occurs, it's Shampoo Unicorn that brings the three teens' lives together. And what begins as a search for answers becomes a story of finding connection.

Sawyer Lovett's powerful and ultimately joyful debut novel is about three teens, one podcast, and carving out a rainbow pocket in an otherwise red state.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

A moving YA debut that showcases a community of queer teens and the lengths that they have to go just to be themselves. 

Brian and Riley host a podcast called Shampoo Unicorn that dives deep into what it is like being queer in a small town in West Virginia (which lies inside of the "Bible Belt" of the US). Their hometown of Canon may only care about things such as country living, the word of God, and football, but that doesn't stop Brian from being his authentic gay self (even if this leads to him being relentlessly picked on). Unbeknownst to Brian and Riley, their podcast is helping Leslie, a trans girl who lives in Pennsylvania, grapple with her own identity. And Greg appears to be living the life as a star football player on his team, but his teammates don't know one giant thing about him: he's secretly gay. When a shocking hate crime shakes Canon, Brian and Riley are willing to do anything in their power to figure out exactly what happens. Shampoo Unicorn brings a group of queer exiles together as they fight for the justice that they deserve. 

As soon as I saw "Shampoo Unicorn," I knew I just had to read it. And boy, I was not disappointed. This book reminded me of "Two Boys Kissing" and "All American Boys" for various reasons. This is definitely a lofty compliment, because those books are fairly huge in the book world and the reason they are is because they speak out against injustices that need to be addressed. "Shampoo Unicorn" certainly does the same. 

The way this book is told is so smart. It is told in three points of view: Brian, Leslie, and Greg's. Brian's PoV is told in first person, a reflection that he is sure of who he is. His perspective reads the most casually, as though you are just reading any other story. Leslie's PoV is told in third person, really bringing out her pronouns, which is a huge deal due to the fact that she is a closeted trans woman. The usage of third person also makes her sections read as very reflective, especially due to the fact that Lovett chose a singular topic for each chapter (things such as action, fear, and technology), which really brought out the message of each chapter. Greg's PoV was told in second person, which is an artform that is utilized pretty rarely. It worked perfectly for this book, because Greg is still rather unsure of himself and his identity. It also makes it super easy as the reader to place yourself in his shoes (it is hard not to do so when it literally reads "you" do everything). Greg goes through so many painful events, and his perspectives being written in second person really had my empathy card going wild. Long story short, the use of tenses and styles in this book was super poignant and I give the author many kudos. 

The fact that Brian and Riley utilize a podcast to share their voices with the world even when the authorities wouldn't listen to them is nifty. In this day and age, podcasts are huge, so it was a great tie into pop culture as well as an effective way to spread the messages to the other characters in this story. 

Speaking of characters, I truly adore all of them. Brian exudes swagger and coolness, but it was easy for me to tell how sensitive and unsure of himself he often is from the start of the novel. Riley is fierce and won't back down from any challenge. These two have great banter, and it is extremely fun to read the dialogue that makes up the episodes of their podcasts. Greg seems like a bit of a jerk at the beginning, but he really is just doing his best to survive as a secret queer kid in his own way. I can't say that all his decisions were right or good, but I see where he is coming from. I wasn't as attached to Leslie, but I could tell that Leslie's character showcased many of the author's personal experiences as a trans man (which I greatly appreciated). Beth and Derek stand out in their own ways too, even though they aren't as important of characters to the plot. The crew in this book is truly quite awesome, and it makes me sad that I have to part with them so soon. 

One of my favorite parts about this book is that it delves into the complicated nature of devout Christians and the opinions that they often hold towards the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in general. Canon is a remote small town with quite a religious population, so it is only natural that many outdated mindsets are still present in this town. "Shampoo Unicorn" does a fantastic job of showcasing the dangers of rural isolation and how it is a breeding ground for hatred and unjust prejudices. This book definitely better helped me understand how these mindsets are created in people, though it will always be hard for me to palate how people maintain these attitudes towards their fellow humans and still claim that they have Christian beliefs. This book handles these complex religious topics with such finesse, which is something that many would not dare to emulate. 

Overall, "Shampoo Unicorn" is truly a work of art. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book, no matter one's knowledge or lack of knowledge on the queer community. I adore the characters and the quirky bonds that they have for one another. The slight romantic undertones present in this book are super mild, which made me super happy, but didn't distract from the main messages. This book tackles some tough topic matter, but it is all done with such skill. I especially love the moments that tackle rural isolation of communities and how it breeds outdated mindsets and prejudices. The use of perspective in this book is masterful, and I ate up every written word in this book. This book is shooting to the top of many of my rec lists, and I can't wait until this book ends up in the hands of more people. This story would also be a great one to discuss during a book club or with friends due to all the topics it tackles. Anyone who loves LGBTQIA+ literature must make this one a priority and anyone who wants to become more empathetic should totally check this one out as soon as possible. Seriously, I don't think I'll be able to recommend this one enough! 

Back of Book: 

My Sorority Rush Checklist:

1. Create the perfect social resume. Check!

2. Register early for recruitment. Check!

3. Collect REC letters from Alumnae. Check!

4. Find a sorority that eases social loneliness. Ummm…

After a gap year in Europe, Destiny Lowry arrives at university with dreams of academic success and the freedom to do whatever she pleases. Her best friend, however, decides to attend a different university, leaving Destiny alone for the first time ever. What better reason to join a sorority?

Little does she know her life is about to be transformed by the ups and downs of rushing. She plans to become a Qousa woman, but when a relative pops up, she questions whether she truly fits in with her dream sorority. With other sororities vying for her attention, Destiny must find her voice and choose the path that works for her. Who knew rushing would have her questioning her perspective on life?

This captivating, collegiate coming-of-age novel is a relatable tale of self-discovery, friendship, and sisterhood set against the challenges of misogynoir.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟

I was so disappointed that I didn't enjoy reading this one. I was excited to follow Destiny on her college journey. Unfortunately, there were too many aspects of this book that didn't work for me or that I didn't enjoy.

First off, I have to admit that it took me months to finish this book. I picked it up back in March, thinking it would be fun to read a college romance while I was living through my own college romance. The "insta-love" that Destiny experienced with Marcel honestly made me want to puke. I know that some people jump into relationships like this, but while I was amidst my own budding romance, their entire meeting made my stomach turn. I pretty much postponed this book for months until I finally had enough of it staring at me day after day.

The thing I found the most problematic about this book is how many issues it tries to address in such a short amount of pages. It talks about racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, capitalism, veganism and so much more. I feel it tried to cram too many hot-topic issues into one book, causing any time any of these issues were brought up to feel rushed, unfinished, and honestly, quite problematic. There was one page in which her parents were sexist, homophobic, and racist all on one page and it made me mourn the book I was reading. I wish that some of these issues would have been addressed more thoroughly in order to cut back on the problematicness of this novel.

A few other reasons I can't even bring myself to give this book a higher rating is the lackluster writing, the pettiness of sororities, and the overall toxic atmosphere of the book. Every relationship was vile, especially the ones with Marcel and Trixie, and it just made the entire book extremely unpleasant. I know this was kinda the point, but I just couldn't enjoy anything about this book.

Overall, I was very disappointed with "The Shape of New Beginnings." I'm not going to spend too much time dwelling on this book, but I am parting it feeling sad that I couldn't like any aspect of this novel.

Back of Book: 

Six Muslim teens are falsely accused of a deadly attack in this timely and harrowing examination of America’s justice system, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Samira Ahmed.

As fireworks pop off at a rowdy Fourth of July bonfire party, an explosion off the California coast levels an oil rig—resulting in chaos and worse, murder.

At the center are six Muslim teens—six patriots, six strangers, and six suspects.  

An old soul caught in the wrong place. An aspiring doctor. An influencer with a reputation to protect. A perfect daughter with secrets to hide. A soccer star headed for Stanford. An immigrant in love. Each with something to hide and everything to lose.

Faced with accusations of terrorism, The Six are caught in a political game that will pit them against each other in exchange for exoneration. They must frame each other to guarantee their own independence or expose their secrets to earn back freedom for them all.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary 

Review: 🌟🌟 

A deep dive into the prejudice and injustices that bog down the United States legal system through the eyes of six Muslim teens accused of terrorist activities. 

When I won this book from a giveaway, I was super excited to give it a read. I plowed through the first half and was intrigued by the plot, but I found myself neutral about most everything that was happening. There are six main characters and I felt zero attachment to any of them. This book is also targeted as a mystery thriller and I felt no sense of urgency in this book and also didn't see the mystery elements; I felt it was pretty obvious what was happening from the get-go and that the main focus of the book was solely the inequalities and flaws of the United States justice system. 

The only thing that I found really successful in this one was how Shukairy wrote the omniscient chapters (such as the prologue and the epilogues) and how cruel the lawyers were. I couldn't believe the ruthless things that they would do to get what they wanted but at the same time wasn't at all surprised because that's how these things tend to go. 

Overall, I just didn't connect to anything in this book. I am empathetic towards the entire situation, but I wish the book felt a bit more urgent. I hope this book will be very enlightening to many people and allows others to feel seen, but personally, I just found it boring and too slow for me to truly enjoy. 

Back of Book: 

Adrift after her sister Bailey's sudden death, Lennie finds herself torn between quiet, seductive Tony—Bailey's boyfriend who shares her grief—and Joe, the new boy in town who bursts with life and musical genius. Each offers Lennie something she desperately needs... though she knows if the two of them collide her whole world will explode. 

Join Lennie on this heartbreaking and hilarious journey of profound sorrow and mad love, as she makes colossal mistakes and colossal discoveries, as she traipses through band rooms and forest bedrooms and ultimately right into your heart. 

As much a celebration of love as a poignant picture of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often uproarious, and absolutely unforgettable. 

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Mental Health

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

A contemporary teen romance novel featuring a Palestinian-Canadian girl trying to hide her autism diagnosis while navigating her first year of high school, for fans of Jenny Han and Samira Ahmed.

Fifteen-year-old Jessie, a quirky loner obsessed with the nineties, is diagnosed as autistic just weeks before starting high school. Determined to make a fresh start and keep her diagnosis a secret, Jessie creates a list of goals that range from acquiring two distinct eyebrows to getting a magical first kiss and landing a spot in the school play. Within the halls of Holy Trinity High, she finds a world where things are no longer black and white and quickly learns that living in color is much more fun. But Jessie gets more than she bargained for when two very different boys steal her heart, forcing her to go off-script. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

A love triangle romance featuring an autistic girl who wants nothing more than to fit in, a nerdy theatre geek, and a notorious bad boy.

Jessie has always been a little different than her peers. Moments before she's to start ninth grade, Jessie is diagnosed with autism. Determined to keep her diagnosis a secret, Jessie sets goals of things that she wants to accomplish that will also bring her closer to being a "normal" kid. Upon entering Holy Trinity High, Jessie meets two boys. Firstly, there's Levi, her science partner who is more likely to skip class than to perform the scientific method accurately. Secondly, there's Griffin, a nerdy theatre kid whose portrait she is forced to draw for her first art assignment. Despite the fact that she is finally making friends, Jessie learns that ninth grade is more complicated than she could have ever imagined it being.

This novel doesn't have a true plot point that keeps the story going. Rather it is a slice of life of Jessie's experiences as she navigates her freshmen year of high school. I really enjoyed just shadowing Jessie's life and seeing how different people experience the same events.

Jessie is an autistic Canadian girl who also is of Palestinian decent. These are three things that make me different from Jessie, but I still found her to be a highly relatable protagonist. Not only did I relate to her, I also learned a ton from just following her day-to-day existence. Seeing Jessie deal with strict Arab parents, racial bullying, confusion at people not saying what they mean, and learning to mask less as she learns to trust people were all very insightful things that had me expanding my empathetic abilities.

The characters in this book are very realistic and I found myself getting to know them all well (even the ones that I didn't like). Jessie's friend group is especially a little suspicious, but they mostly treat her okay despite their toxic vibes. Cat is an actual demon who doesn't do anything nice throughout the entirety of this book. Odelia and Mel both seem alright, despite the dumb decisions that they make constantly. Mel gets bonus points for her interest in theatre tech, but I still wouldn't want to be friends with her myself. Also, I remember almost all of the main cast's names without having to reference them an entire day after finishing the book, which is quite a feat for me. I am notoriously bad at name recall, and the fact I remember so much of the supporting cast's names is a testament to the author's character building.

This has got to be one of the most successful love triangle books that I have read. Not only did I see why both boys appealed to Jessie, it played out in a way that didn't have me upset at pretty much any point. Yes, Levi paid her attention from the get-go, but that doesn't mean I wasn't shipping her with Griffin by their second interaction. Also, the fact that she met them both on the same day put them on equal playing fields from day one. If there's a childhood bestie involved, you know on jumping on their team.

Speaking of Griffin, I would totally be besties with him in real life. Not only is he an awesome theatre kid who would be a blast to perform alongside, he is also a sweet boy that overthinks everything. I love the way him and Jessie casually bond from the very beginning of the book; it's truly no surprise that I was on team Griffin from early on.

I wasn't expecting this book to include theatre elements, so I was pleasantly surprised when Jessie had an interest in the art form. Holy Trinity High ends up putting on a pretty awesome musical in the latter half of the book, which I entirely ate up.

Overall, I had a very pleasant evening reading "Something More." The characters were really strong, the diversity was widespread, and the romance was cute. The love triangle wasn't overbearing and I actually saw why Jessie liked both guys (I'm totally team Griffin, though!). The theatre elements were icing on an already amazing cake for me. I'm so happy that this one was such a solid read; now I can add it to a ton of different recommendation lists!

Back of Book: 

"Speak up for yourself—we want to know what you have to say."

From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless, outcast, because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her. As time passes, she becomes increasingly isolated and practically stops talking altogether. Only her art class offers any solace, and it is through her work on an art project that she is finally able to face what really happened at that terrible party: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her. Her healing process has just begun when she has another violent encounter with him. But this time Melinda fights back, refuses to be silent, and thereby achieves a measure of vindication.

In Laurie Halse Anderson's powerful novel, an utterly believable heroine with a bitterly ironic voice delivers a blow to the hypocritical world of high school. She speaks for many a disenfranchised teenager while demonstrating the importance of speaking up for oneself.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Mental Health 

Review: 🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

The story of a girl, a boy, and the universe. 

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Seventeen-year-old River doesn’t know what to do with himself when Penny, the girl he adores, breaks up with him. He lives in LA, where nobody walks anywhere, and Penny was his ride; he never bothered getting a license. He’s stuck. He’s desperate. Okay... he’s got to learn to drive.

But first, he does the unthinkable—he starts walking. He stumbles upon a support group for teens with various addictions. He fakes his way into the meetings, and begins to connect with the other kids, especially an amazing girl. River wants to tell the truth, but he can’t stop lying, and his tangle of deception may unravel before he learns how to handle the most potent drug of all: true love.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

A magic-tinged contemporary YA about grief and hope from the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of the Graceling Realm novels.

Wilhelmina Hart is part of the infamous class of 2020. Her high school years began with the election of Donald Trump and they ended with COVID. Now Wilhelmina, like so many of her peers, is in limbo, having deferred college because of the pandemic. Compounding the national trauma of 2016 to 2020, Wilhelmina has wrestled with the devastating loss of one of her three beloved aunts shortly after the 2016 election. This is a loss she felt so keenly that she’s spent the last years deep in her personal depression, only obscured by the seemingly endless waves of national trauma. Now on the cusp on the most consequential election in living memory, Wilhelmina may have found a door in her darkness and perhaps the courage to pass through it, if she can decipher the bizarre messages that keep appearing in her life.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Magical Realism 

Review: 🌟🌟

A COVID story featuring grief, unlikely friendships, and a touch of magical realism involving birds. 

Wilhelmina Hart has grown up in times of extreme political unrest. She is greatly appalled by the policies of Donald Trump and wishes for nothing more than for Joe Biden to win the upcoming election. On top of politics and the COVID pandemic, Wilhelmina has also lost one of her cherished aunts. Now, forced to be the head of the family and live apart from her two best friends, Wilhelmina finds herself encompassed by grief. The only person that seems to truly knows what she is going through is the mysterious James Fang. Will he be enough to break Wilhelmina's walls or will her downward spiral only get progressively worse from here? 

My biggest downfall with this book was how political it was. The entire Hart family was obsessed with the election; it wasn't just a subplot, but a major part of the story. I think the thing that bothered me the most was how Trump's name was not mentioned once throughout this book. No, it instead referred to him as the "orange president," "the Monster," or other such offensive terms. I understand having strong opinions about politics, but I really didn't need to be preached at throughout the entirety of this book. 

Another thing that got to me with this one, was the back and forth between the past and the present. It took me up until like 95% of the way through the book to truly feel like this formatting even came close to working. The only thing I really took away from it in the end was that Wilhelmina and James were really destined to meet each other and that Wilhelmina had a really close relationship with her deceased aunt Frankie. 

This is the first book that I have ever read that has been set one-hundred percent during the pandemic. I thought that the Hart's experiences probably reflected many people's situation during this time and that many people went through similar hardships. I must admit, this book did get me thinking about how COVID would affect me now, due to the fact that I am older and have way more friends than I used to. If I had to quarantine away from my two best friends and they got to remain together, I would have been just as jealous as Wilhelmina was, even though I felt her actions were often uncalled for. 

I think the only other thing that really jumps out at me about this one is James. When I first started this book, I was so excited when his character showed up for the first time. I wanted to know what was up with the birds, why he and Wilhelmina are connected, and potentially see him shine as a love interest. Unfortunately, the entire situation just seemed to fizzle, and none of the mysterious elements of this books were ever truly explained, though the magical realism aspects of the book give you some possibilities of what could be happening, I suppose. 

Overall, I was excited to read "There Is a Door in this Darkness" when I first got it and I was pleased by the beginning. Unfortunately, the book turned too political, too slow, and a tad bit petty, making this read a rather unenjoyable one in the long run. I could see if one didn't mind all the politics, suffered some great losses during COVID, and was about the same age as Wilhelmina, this being a good book for them. I do not fit these stipulations however, and I didn't find this book much to my liking. 

Back of Book: 

Tilly Twomley is desperate for change. White-knuckling her way through high school with flawed executive functioning has left her burnt out and ready to start fresh. Working as an intern for her perfect older sister’s start up isn’t exactly how Tilly wants to spend her summer, but the required travel around Europe promises a much-needed change of scenery as she plans for her future. The problem is, Tilly has no idea what she wants.

Oliver Clark knows exactly what he wants. His autism has often made it hard for him to form relationships with others, but his love of color theory and design allows him to feel deeply connected to the world around him. Plus, he has everything he needs: a best friend that gets him, placement into a prestigious design program, and a summer internship to build his resume. Everything is going as planned. That is, of course, until he suffers through the most disastrous international flight of his life, all turmoil stemming from lively and exasperating Tilly. Oliver is forced to spend the summer with a girl that couldn’t be more his opposite—feeling things for her he can’t quite name—and starts to wonder if maybe he doesn’t have everything figured out after all.

As the duo’s neurodiverse connection grows, they learn that some of the best parts of life can’t be planned, and are forced to figure out what that means as their disastrously wonderful summer comes to an end.

Tilly in Technicolor is Mazey Eddings's sparkling YA debut about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection over the course of a summer.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A romantic comedy featuring two neurodivergent young adults as they navigate the world of travel, love, and growing up. 

Tilly Twomley has been told her entire life that she is different. Her mom has all these plans for her (most of them involving college she doesn't want to attend), but Tilly knows that she wants something else. When she is given the opportunity to intern for her sister's independent business in Europe, Tilly leaps at the chance to escape her mom and hopefully forge a path of her own. Though Tilly had little to no plans when she first arrived in London, she didn't expect that her sister's other intern, Oliver Clark, would not only be the hottest lad that she had ever met, but also would understand her ADHD and every other part of her more than she ever thought possible.

I'm a bit mixed on this one. Let's start with the things that I really like about it. I love the fact that this romance features two neurodivergent (ND) new adults, one with ADHD (Tilly), the other with autism (Oliver). This is the first ND romance I've ever read, so it was quite enlightening and helped give me a view of what it could be like living as a neurodivergent person. I also love all the LGBTQIA+ representation that is sprinkled throughout this novel. Oliver has two mums, Tilly's sister, Mona, is a lesbian, and Oliver's roommates, Micah and Marcus, are gay. The amount of diversity in this one is refreshing, and I love seeing it all done so casually. 

One thing I overly related to, is Tilly's search for her purpose. She is so worried about being a failure in her career, in her relationships, in her adult life, and other aspects of life. I am a chronic worrier myself, and am also entering the new adult phase of my life, which can be quite freaky. All of her inner monologues surrounding these topics feel very authentic and easy to connect with. I also hope to enter a creative field like Tilly does, so those elements really hit home. 

The final thing I really like is the writing style and the way that romance is talked about in this book. I love how Eddings makes consent super sexy, how Tilly and Oliver really just get each other in a way that they have never felt before, and how open these two are about what things they like and the things they don't like when it comes to physical intimacy. The importance of communication in relationships is really important, and I appreciate how this story talks about how everyone communicates differently, but communication is imperative nonetheless for healthy relationships. 

Unfortunately, there are many things I didn't love about this one. I was completely turned off by the beginning of this novel, mostly due to the overt lusting on Tilly's part and the overall aggressiveness of Tilly's point of view. There were several paragraphs that literally had me rolling my eyes and questioning if people actual have thoughts like this. Instalove is really not my thing, and it always makes me extremely uncomfortable when people lust for strangers. However, I did like Oliver a bunch, so I figured that the book had potential to turn out pretty well, despite not loving the way that Tilly is written. 

This story did feel a tad bit jerky to me, with large moments of time randomly passing without me really noticing. On the one hand, this book covers and entire summer as the group travels through many European countries, which makes it obvious that time is passing. On the other hand, it still feels that Tilly and Oliver fall for each other in a couple of days and have a very forced "enemies to lovers" vibe. These two kinda had a weird start to their relationship, but I still feel as though their enemy arc felt rather forced and was sped through quite quickly. I also didn't love how quickly her relationship with her mother turned around. This also felt a little suspicious and confusing. I'm glad that her and Tilly are getting along now, but it still felt a bit forced just to give the book a very happy ending. 

Most everything else in this book felt rather mid to me. I didn't fall in love with many of the characters, the book often felt a bit meandering, and I didn't eat up the romance like I do in other rom coms. I can't say that there is much actively wrong with this book, it just isn't my cup of tea. 

Overall, I'm landing rather in the middle with "Tilly in Technicolor." There are many things I really like about it, other things I rather despise, and an overwhelming amount of things I found very meh. I would be quite curious to read more of Eddings work though, because many of her sentences were beautiful and had me thinking deep thoughts. The neurodivergent rep is also awesome, and I would love to check out other type of ND love stories she has penned to see if I end up liking them more than this one. I wouldn't not recommend this one, but it won't be my go-to rec either. 

Back of Book: 

It started with an appearance, not a disappearance. 

Gloria is tired of her ordinary life. She barely recognizes the free-spirited girl she used to be in the unadventurous teenager she has become. So when a mysterious boy bent on breaking the rules strolls into her classroom, Gloria is ready to fall under his spell. 

Uman is funny, confident and smart. He does whatever he likes and doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. The only people for him are the mad ones, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing but burn, burn, burn. 

He is everything Gloria wishes to be. He can whisk her away from the life she loathes and show her a more daring, more exciting one, in which the only limits are the boundaries of her own boldness. 

But Uman in not all he seems and by the time she learns the truth about him, she is a long way from home and everyone wants to know:  Where's Gloria? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Thriller 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

The two boys kissing are Craig and Harry. They're hoping to set the world's record for longest kiss. They're not a couple, but they used to be. 

Peter and Neil are a couple. Their kisses are different. 

Avery and Ryan have only just met and are trying to figure out what happens next. Both of them worry that something will go wrong. 

Cooper is alone. It's getting to the point where he doesn't really feel things anymore. 

These boys, along with their friends and families, form a tapestry that will reveal love of all kinds: open and eager, tentative and cautious, pained and scared. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | LGBTQIA+ 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Two Boys Kissing" is a heartfelt love letter to all the gay boys out there affirming that "you are enough just the way you are" and "you are loved." 

Seven gay boys lives collide in two action packed days full of a world record breaking kiss, young love, first dates, and quite possibly, one of the worst way to come out to ones parents in the history of ever. Interwoven by omniscient voices of those who didn't survive the AIDs epidemic of the 1980s, "Two Boys Kissing" is a lyrical ode to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community that need to hear that they are indeed worthy the way they are. 

I must say, I wanted to read this one due to the massive amount of banned book lists it has ended up on. I did not expect this one to hit me so hard in the feels. By the end, I literally had tears in my eyes and my throat was closing up. I am most definitely not the target audience of this book being a straight cisgender girl, but it still hit me hard. There are so many people who need to hear things like this to help them feel validated and so many others that need to read books like this in order to better understand those who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

I love how poetic this book is. There were so many moments that made me pause and consider every word that was written in a sentence. The way that all of the perspectives flowed together really felt magical; it really felt like all of these boy's lives were interconnected and meant to be told as one. 

Every boy in this story is going through different life events and stages in their queer identity and relationships, so it covers all the bases quite thoroughly. I also love that one of the guys is transgender; it really added another layer of depth to the story. Some of these boys are one hundred percent accepted by their families, some still felt shackled up in the closet, and another's parents acted quite hostile when they found out that their son was gay. This variety makes the book all the more valuable in my opinion. 

I don't think that there is much else I can touch on without spoiling the glory of this short little novel of only 196 pages. This book packs a huge emotional punch in such a short amount of time and covers many different bases. I am truly astonished by how many characters the book follows and it still not feeling overwhelming or confusing. I mean, I could actually keep all seven of the boys straight with minimal effort! It is truly no small feat to juggle that many narratives at once, so I give Levithan kudos for that. 

Overall, "Two Boys Kissing" may be at the top of many banned book lists, but that only pushes me to want to recommend it more. It is truly a heartfelt book with amazing messages that people from many different walks of life need to be exposed to for various reasons. It is hard to showcase the full beauty of this book, so I guess that just gives you another reason to read it. I am so excited to browse the rest of Levithan's catalog since this is the first novel of his that I have read!

Back of Book: 

We Are Okay meets Wandavision in this novel about loss, and learning to let go.

After the death of his best friend, Eric Ly creates imaginary scenarios in his head to deal with his grief. Until one of them becomes real when a boy he met last summer in Japan finds his way back into his life. When he least expects it, Haru Tanaka walks into the coffee shop and sits down next to him. The only thing is, nobody else can see him.

In a magical turn of events, Eric suddenly has someone to connect with, making him feel less alone in the world. But as they spend more and more time together, he begins to question what is real. When he starts losing control of the very thing that is holding him together, Eric must finally confront his reality. Even if it means losing Haru forever.

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | LGBTQIA+ | Magical Realism 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thao's sophomore novel brings more themes of grief, finding love amongst loss, and the chance to do it over again. 

Eric Ly's life has come to a bit of a standstill after the unforeseen loss of his best friend and secret crush, Daniel. Drifting through life, Eric imagines what life could be like if Daniel was still around. Among his delusions, he unexpectedly encounters a boy by the name of Haru Tanaka, who he met on a trip to Japan his senior year. Unaware of how Haru got here, Eric begins to wonder if Haru isn't real either. Whether Haru is real or not matters little to Eric, for now he has someone he can confide in in this trying era of his life where his vision is clouded with grief. 

"When Haru Was Here" has many similarities to "You've Reached Sam," so past fans of Thao's work shouldn't be disappointed. The book opens with a brief look into the before of Eric's life, in which Daniel is still alive and he meets Haru in Japan. Then, chapter one jumps forward fourteen months to a time almost a year after Daniel's death. The rest of the book jumps back and forth between now and before much like "Sam" did. The themes of losing a loved one are also very similar and the question "what would you do with one more chance?" is as prevalent as ever. This time though, it's not a final chance to say goodbye, but a chance to relive a chance encounter with a person that you met briefly yet still think about constantly. 

Eric gets himself in some pretty toxic situations due to the fact that he is desperate for someone who will love him and not abandon him. This leads him into the depths of high society with some toxic men named Christian and Nick. It is interesting to dive into high society's culture, but it was hard to read at times, because I knew that nothing good would come from it for Eric. Not all rich people are snobs, but these men most certainly are. It hurts every time that they use Eric and every time he gets his hopes up only to have them dashed once again. Honestly, even his relationship with Daniel was semi-toxic, so it was nice to see Haru treat him like an actual person (even if he wasn't actual real. . .). 

I think my favorite part of this book has to be Eric's relationship with his sister, Jasmine, and her boyfriend, Kevin. These three are such a nice trio and pretty much the only characters in the entire story who weren't overly toxic. Jasmine and Eric's relationship is most definitely a bit tense after the death of Daniel, but this is understandable as more details are revealed. I must say, the big reveal didn't have the biggest impact due to the fact that I saw it coming, but it still hurts when you have such a strong relationship with a sibling and something like that ends up happening. 

Eric's love for film, Jasmine's passion for music, and Kevin's interest in architecture brought three niche groups of expertise into the story. I know that Thao himself has studied film and it is nice to once again see this element brought back into the story. The movie that Eric showcases in the final chapter was truly quite touching, and was by far my favorite part of the book; it was truly heartbreaking and cathartic. 

The epilogue has extreme "Your Name" vibes between Eric and Haru. It was nice to finally see this scene fold out for real, and see Eric stand on his own two feet. I know "Sam" was partially inspired by "Your Name," but this one screamed "Your Name" vibes due to the way they both ended. 

Overall, I really enjoyed "When Haru Was Here." It wasn't nearly as sad as I thought it would be, but it does still touch on emotional topics such as grief, learning to cope, and second chances. I really enjoyed watching Eric dig himself out of the hole of despair that he was in and learn to cope with the losses that are present in his life. If you are looking for a story depicting realistic scenarios of love and loss with a hint of magical realism, "When Haru Was Here" is a great choice of a book. 

Back of Book: 

Atlanta is blanketed with snow just before Christmas, but the warmth of young love just might melt the ice in this novel of interwoven narratives, Black joy, and cozy, sparkling romance—by the same unbeatable team of authors who wrote the New York Times bestseller Blackout!

As the city grinds to a halt, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. But will they be able to make it happen, in spite of the storm?

No one is prepared for this whiteout. But then, we can’t always prepare for the magical moments that change everything.

From the bestselling, award-winning, all-star authors who brought us Blackout—Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon—comes another novel of Black teen love, each relationship within as unique and sparkling as Southern snowflakes.

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Young Adult | Contemporary | Romance | Short Stories | LGBTQIA+

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Review: 

I read "Blackout" a couple days ago, so it's only natural that I picked up "Whiteout" soon after. Rather than a blackout in New York City, "Whiteout" takes place during an unexpected snowstorm in Atlanta. This novel is more tightly woven together than "Blackout" is, so it reads as more of one coherent story rather than a selection of short stories. The main premise of the book is that Stevie messes up badly in her relationship with their girlfriend, Sola, and needs the help of her friends to repair their relationship to what it once was. Unfortunately, I really don't like Stevie, so them being the center point of the novel is kind of a major letdown. Each character perspective is written by a different author and focuses on a different couples individual relationship, so I'll do an individual breakdown in a second. The only other thing I want to mention in this intro is the fact that many of these stories feature people who were once together, but now have dirt between them. This caused "Whiteout" to feel a bit repetitive, because most of the couples were trying to smooth out the problems that they have with one another in slightly different ways. Anyways, this doesn't make the stories bad, just a bit repetitive at times.

Now onto the individual stories! I included my guess for the author's of each story, but I'm not sure if I am one hundred percent right. (Though I feel pretty confident about my guesses, I have only read a full novel by Nicola Yoon, so there is that.)

Stevie & Sola by Dhonielle Clayton?: 🌟🌟

Personally, I didn't click well with Stevie nor Sola. Stevie is a science geek and Sola is a true romantic at heart. This makes them an interesting pair, but I didn't get hooked on either of their characters so I felt pretty meh about them as a whole. The circumstances of how they broke up were a bit strange, and most of their perspectives were made out of memories due to the fact that they were no longer together. I think this made me feel as though they were trying to tell me why their relationship is valid rather than showing me why, which makes for a slightly more boring reading experience.

Kaz & Porsha by Tiffany D. Jackson?: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

This second chapter was a great pick me up after reading the first one. I love the fact that Kaz is a Muslim and that his family is celebrating their makeup Eid around Christmastime. Porsha is super into Christmas which is a bit much for me, but I thought it was an interesting thing to play with since Kaz is her best friend/love interest who doesn't celebrate the holiday. My favorite part about the story was most definitely the mall Santa; he just couldn't stay out of anyone's business!

E.R. & Van by Nic Stone: 🌟🌟🌟

This story made me a tad bit uncomfortable. It always confuses me when a character has an adoring partner that they are totally into and yet they ponder, "What if I get with this other person." I find it confusing and it saddens me. Don't lose what you already had! Despite this, I really enjoyed Eric and all that he did to support his friends.

Jordyn & Omari by Angie Thomas: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I loved the stuck in a confined place trope in this one. Jordyn and Omari have a bit of a complicated history. And they are forced to address it when they get snowed in on the interstate. I found it fun to read of these two's history, but there wasn't anything too original in this story. I was surprised when the grumpy parking lot guys from Kaz's story came back though.

Jimi & Téo (Lil Kinsey) by Ashley Woodfolk?: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This was my favorite story by far. I love how these two bond through poetry and music. The fact that she is an aspiring artist and he is a successful rapper (which is where the Lil Kinsey comes in) makes for such an interesting dynamic between the two. I found their relationship so genuine, their history to be quite sad, and the romantic gestures in this story to be so on point. Of all the characters, they were my favorite and I would love to hear more of their relationship. I would totally read an entire book about these two. Also, the Edward Cullen reference was golden. ;)

Ava & Mason by Nicola Yoon: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I also really enjoyed this story. Ava and Mason both volunteer at their local aquarium and are total nerds about the animals that reside there. I found their romance to be the most fleshed out in all the stories, mostly because they have been dating for quite some time and I actually understood the reason why they broke up (unlike with E.R./Van or Stevie/Sola). I love how they dealt with the uncertainties of the future and worked through their worries like adults in this story. I would also read an entire novel featuring these two.

Overall, "Whiteout" was still a fun hodgepodge of romances starring black characters. It was a fun read covering some realistic issues that one may have during a relationship. I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as I did "Blackout," even though I feel "Whiteout" was structured better. The characters in this one weren't nearly as strong and the problems often felt rather repetitive. "Whiteout" is a fast and cozy read perfect for the winter holidays if you don't want to read full on holiday book but want something to put you in the holiday spirit.