My kindergartner picks out 3-5 books to read to me a week as part of his advanced reading program. Most of them just kind of blur together, but this one stood out with whimsical writing that a child can still read, simplistic yet beautiful illustrations, and a really sweet, timeless message. It was totally a joy to hear him read this one, and I’d definitely recommend!
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Wow. This book totally blew me away. The emotional journey Rayne goes through hooked me from the start, and I was totally entranced as I followed along with her journey of loss and acceptance. I also incredibly appreciated the insight from the author’s note on her own story, and the choices made to bring Rayne’s experience to the reader. The audiobook narration was amazing, and after being in a reading slump for most of the year, I devoured this one in two days. A fantastic middle-grade for all ages that I highly recommend.
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What I liked:
– Adam & Juliette have a super cute relationship
– I like how the mystery of Juliette & the world in general kind of unfolded
– The writing style and format had a intensely emotional/lyrical feel
What I didn’t like:
– In many ways, this plot is super simple
– While I thought it started out unique, the ending I found to be very much… not.
– This book doesn’t really stand on its own – I think it requires the sequel to flesh things out
– I’m pretty sure a pair of good gloves could’ve solved most of Juliette’s problems.
Overall, recommend for anyone looking for an engaging YA dystopian with a heavy side of romance and a distinctly X-men flavor.
⭐⭐⭐¾
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So this one was a quick-paced crime novel with an element of mystery. From the blurb and the title, I was honestly expecting more of a thriller centered around discovering the Nagy’s son’s fate, but it actually took a different path from the first chapter.
This book really encompasses two intertwining stories unfolding in parallel – one of the events leading up to the fire and one of the events that unfold after as the characters involved piece together the story from different angles. It’s interesting because we almost get a spiral effect as we drill down from a big picture of the events to a more personal level with the myriad of characters involved. The writing and story were both easy to follow and held my attention, and I was definitely invested in the characters throughout.
Recommended for those looking for a broad-scoped crime novel with likable characters and a satisfying conclusion. Thanks to the author for the advance copy! What Happened to the Boy? is out today (🎉 And yes, I’m also really proud that I posted this review on time. 🎉) and you can grab it here!
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So I picked up this this book on the recommendation of a friend and it is *exactly* what it says it is. If you can’t stomach darky-dark scenes, unhinged main characters, stomach-turning gore, or intense spice, turn back here. This book is like a super R-rated Dexter meets a RomCom and it states its trigger warnings up front.
All that said, I surprisingly enjoyed the read. I thought the concept of two serial killers of serial killers meeting up with romantic sparks, banter, and deranged creepy little competition. This book did *not* shy away from the darkness of the main characters, but at the same time balanced those super intense moments with super sweet ones and intense passion. The narration was fantastic, and interesting in that the male narrator reads all the male dialogue in both POVs, and the female narrator reads all the female dialogue in both POVs.
I’m a “could take it or leave it” spice person, but while, um… intense, the frequency didn’t overwhelm the plot, and I liked the tension leading up to it. So all that said, I recommend this book (especially the audiobook) for those looking for a super dark (but also kind of weirdly light?) quick romcom read. And though this book is satisfying on its own, I think I’ll be picking up the sequel too.
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**Note, I picked up the sequel and had to DNF. It just didn’t work for me. It also didn’t work for weird friend #1, so it wasn’t just me.*
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I loved A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking as well as SwordHeart, so I think this officially marks me as a T. Kingfisher fan, and I’m pretty sure I have another three or four of her books downloaded at this moment.
What I liked:
– Quirky characters with a fun voice
– Interesting magic/horror elements
– Quick read
– The writing style is both fun and interesting, (and at times, revolting in a horror-y way) keeping me engaged from the first page
What I didn’t like:
– This was a short book, but I feel like I would’ve like a little more from all of the support characters (but mostly the handyman)
Totally recommend for anyone looking for a quick, fun read with a fun main character and little pops of horror and magic. And I’m looking forward to my next read from Kingfisher.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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In many ways, this was a very classic high fantasy adventure with a reluctant hero, dragons, a prince, and Princess, a wizard and kings. But I enjoyed the quirky, whimsical voice. While I originally thought this would be more of a silly, light fantasy, it definitely evolved into something more epic, even if a little self-aware. Overall I enjoyed this audiobook, and would recommend for any fantasy reader looking for a fun read with a classic feel and maybe a bit of How to Train Your Dragon energy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐½
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Things I liked:
– From a historical perspective, I really thought this story hit the injustice and brutality of the period
– The main characters are likable
– The mystery kept me guessing
Things I didn’t like:
– Slow pace
– I didn’t feel like there was enough chemistry between the main characters
– I found the ending unsatisfying in more than one way
– The audiobook narration was not my favorite
Recommended for those looking for a historical court room drama that takes its time and has some open ends.
⭐⭐⭐½
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Apparently, I’m very hot or cold on Emily Henry books, so I definitely approached this one with trepidation. My current EH Tally looks like:
Absolutely Loved: Book Lovers, Beach Read
Absolutely Not for me: People We Meet On Vacation, Happy Place
However, I definitely enjoyed this heartwarming romance, and I flew through it. The characters were likable, their chemistry and tension felt real, and I loved the premise. The ending felt a little rushed for me, so it wasn’t quite as satisfying as I was hoping, but I would still put it in the “highly recommend” category (behind Book Lovers and Beach Read.) Also, the narration was fabulous, so definitely try the audiobook!
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A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem (Ladies Most Scandalous, #1): 4.5⭐
What I liked:
– Fun Characters
– Quick Pace
– Downton Abbey Vibes
– Cozy Mystery with Romance
– Could be a stand-alone
– Solid audiobook narration
What I didn’t like:
– I felt like quite a few elements weren’t as fleshed out as I’d like. Both the romance and the ending developed very quickly.
Overall, a quick, fun read with romance and mystery that gives Downton Abbey vibes. Will be reading the sequel!
An Heiress’s Guide to Deception and Desire (Ladies Most Scandalous, #2): 4⭐
While it can be read as a stand-alone, this book is similar to book one with light second-chance enemies to lovers dynamic, Bridgerton vibes, and a mystery to solve. I found though that I didn’t quite like the main characters as much as I did in book one, and there was quite a lot of mentions of the uneven power dynamic between men and women in the time period. While I enjoyed the read, I don’t know if I would read another book in this series.
Overall series rating:
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Hayley Reese Chow 