Hey, bookworms! *waves enthusiastically* On this lovely Monday morning, I do declare that it is review time! I'm so excited about the book I'm reviewing for you today (maybe a bit too excited, tbh): Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon! I don't mean to skyrocket anyone's expectations for this book, but I personally think that this is Nicola Yoon's best book yet. Yes, better than The Sun is Also a Star; better than Everything, Everything. You didn't think it could ever actually happen, but it did. This book is tangible proof. Before starting in on this review, let's just take a moment to gaze in wonder and awe at the masterpiece which is the cover of Instructions for Dancing. Ahhhh it's so amazing I can't stop staring at it and I really think I'm going to have to buy myself a physical copy of this book when it releases to display proudly and beautifully on my shelves. Okay, has everyone fully soaked in the complete and utter glory of this cover? Great. Now let's get into the review! Special thanks to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis/Book Information
My ReviewThis book was absolutely spectacular! I devoured it in under 48 hours because I simply could not put it down. Every time I picked it up, it would suck me in and then spit me back out an hour and a half later. I love Nicola Yoon's writing style; it's so beautiful and heartfelt, lyrical with the occasional adorably witty line. Honestly, the emotions this book evoked in me, too. I very rarely cry while reading, but multiple scenes in Instructions for Dancing had me sniffling and teary-eyed. This book also rendered my heart feeling vaguely broken by the end. I'm still a bit distraught over one element of the story. I generally liked Evie Thomas as a protagonist. There were some times when I felt mildly annoyed with her, but overall I enjoyed living in her head for 304 pages. Sometimes she came off as a little too stubborn in regard to her "love never lasts" belief, but I do understand why she had that opinion. It was interesting to watch her stance on love evolve over the course of the book. This evolution had an impact on every aspect of her life, so we also got to see her relationships with family and friends change, which I found both heartwarming and inspiring. Okay, let's talk about X. X. Ugh, I love him so much. This probably should have been prefaced with a book boyfriend alert!!! because I am absolutely head-over-heels for him. I mean, he's insanely attractive and has an amazing personality, plus he plays the guitar and dances. How can you possibly get any better than that?! His character was deep and genuine, and I adored how adorably quirky he was sometimes, especially with his "always say yes" philosophy. I'm pretty sure he was called or described as sexy 20+ times throughout the book, which, I mean, there are synonyms for "sexy," but it also was an accurate way of describing him and it added a bit of humor, too. Evie and X's relationship was so cute. I loved how they weren't afraid to be truthful and brought out the best in each other. Their dates were fun and creative, and I also liked how X got along so well with Evie's friends--it always makes me happy when the protagonist's friends get along with their romantic interest. It was also enjoyable to watch Evie's relationship with her family change throughout the book; I especially liked seeing her grow closer to her sister. I appreciated how Evie's family was authentically complicated in a way that didn't feel forced. It was enlightening to see Evie come to better understand her parents, their reasoning, and their love. I really liked how, despite the this book's romantic elements, it was truly a journey of growth and development for Evie herself. She had a beautiful character arc and gained many valuable insights throughout this book. Never once did she fail to feel like a genuine, real person, which really enhanced my reading experience. This book was absolutely stunning and I cannot recommend it enough! Fans of Nicola Yoon will not be disappointed by this one. Thanks for reading my review of Instruction for Dancing by Nicola Yoon! I hope you'll grab yourself a copy of this book when it releases June 1--you won't regret it! This was definitely one of my favorite reads of this month, and I gave it 4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨.
Have you read Instructions for Dancing? And if not, are you planning on reading it? Let me know below in the comments! Have a fabulous start to the week, y'all!
0 Comments
Howdy, readers! How are you doing on this charming Thursday? I hope you're all doing fabulously. My day has been lovely--I mean, it involved a trip to the library, so how could it be anything but that? I've also been reading like crazy on my brand-new birthday Kindle Paperwhite! I started my ARC of Instructions for Dancing last night and am already 56% of the way through it; I'm loving it so much, the writing and the characters and the plot and the everything. I'm so excited to finish it and start writing up my review. I know there'll be a lot of gushing and screeching about my favorite parts, so prepare yourselves. I apologize for how review-centric my posts have been lately. I'm pretty sure it's been almost a solid month since I've posted anything but a review, and that's only counting my April Wrap Up from last month. I'll try to remedy that soon enough (what kinds of other posts besides reviews would y'all like to see from me?? Let me know), but for know I'm here with...another book review! I know, what a surprise. But I'm so excited to tell you about The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons. This book was adorable and heartwarming, and I hope you'll pick it up when it hits the shelves on June 1. Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Now let's dive into this review... Synopsis/Book Information
My ReviewThis book was really enjoyable to read! It was a quick read that immediately sucked me in, and I couldn't put it down till I'd finished it. The main character, Spencer, was my favorite part of this book; he was such a delight to read about, heartfelt and humorous and sweet. He had a great character arc and lots of growth. I admired his persistence and determination to do what he loved: play soccer. He was also an amazing older brother to his younger brother Theo, and I applauded his bravery in standing up for his beliefs and opinions. He's a character who's impossible to not love and cheer for all the way. I also loved how inspiring and uplifting this book was. While discussing important topics, especially in regard to discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, this book held a positive tone and placed an emphasis on trans joy rather than suffering. This made for a heartwarming, encouraging read. The author also did a wonderful job of bringing current issues into focus and explaining the problems with them in ways that will help all readers become more understanding and open-minded. The romance in this book was quite adorable. I really enjoyed reading about Spencer and Justice's interactions and was rooting for their romance the whole time. It was also wonderful to watch Spencer make new friends who accepted him exactly how he is. I especially loved his friendship with Riley; they both helped each other become more comfortable and accepting of themselves and were supportive friends all the way. I don't want to say that the ending was too easy, necessarily, because Spencer did risk a lot in the end. But it did go quite a bit smoother than I expected. However, it was a very happy and heartwarming ending, and for that I liked it. Thanks for reading my review of The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons! I enjoyed this book so much and would definitely recommend it to fans of Kacen Callender or Robbie Couch. I gave The Passing Playbook Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Happy Monday, y'all! How's your day going? Mine's been just lovely, seeing as how it's been school-free (yay, summer break!) and has also involved me playing Olivia Rodrigo's new release 'good 4 u' over and over and over again so as to fully allow it to seep into every crevice of my brain. I also started watching The Great British Baking Show last week and I am so obsessed; it's a strange mixture of therapeutic and with a dash of stressful (like omg don't do that to your bread that's such a bad idea!!!) and I'm here for every second of it. Today I'm here with my review of We Are Inevitable by Gayle Forman. I'd like to thank Penguin Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! Now let's get talking about this book! Synopsis/Book Information
My ReviewI started this book with hopeful expectations (I mean, it centers around a bookstore), but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I would've liked to. Don't get me wrong: the bookstore element of this book was fabulous. But...that was kind of the only thing I enjoyed about it. All of the characters (aside from the carpenters, especially Ike, and maybe Chad?) annoyed me a lot; I can't say I liked any of them very much. They all seemed very wrapped up in themselves and couldn't see things from anyone else's perspective. If there had been a bit of empathy thrown around, that would've been nice, but nope. Aaron in particular aggravated me with how judgmental and prejudiced he was of most people. Like, buddy, there's such a thing as second chances. People change. Don't immediately discount them because you think they're trying to screw you over even though they're actually doing nice things for you!
I did really enjoy reading about the bookstore renovation. Ike and his band of carpenters were really amusing characters, and I thought it was so sweet that they wanted to help fix up the bookstore. Ike in particular was actually quite the complex character; it was interesting to learn more about him throughout the book. His funny little sayings were hilarious and definitely one of the best parts of the book. I also liked Chad's character for the most part. I felt like he had some nice character development and was a generally nice guy. He was so invested in the bookstore, and I really liked what happened with him and the bookstore in the end. I honestly felt like Aaron wasn't anywhere near a good enough friend for him; Chad kept trying to do good things for him, and Aaron didn't seem to appreciate it much. Also, whatever the romance was in this book...I didn't like it. I mean, Aaron was so fixated on the fact that he and Hannah were inevitable, and after hearing about their inevitability one too many times I was completely over it. The first time, it seemed rather iconic; the fifth time and counting just my brain feel like melting out. Their romance was just a bit too dramatic for my liking. Too much angst and turmoil and whiny longing. Not my cup of tea. Overall, I think it's a shame that it took 250ish pages for Aaron to be insightful and realize that he's the one messing up his own life and hurting the people around him. It seemed pretty glaringly obvious to me from the start, but alas. I sadly wasn't a fan of this book and gave it Two Stars ⭐️⭐️. Have you read We Are Inevitable? And if so, what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments! Happy Tuesday, bookworms! How's the beginning of the week going for everyone? My week has been off to a great start: I finished my last assignment of the school semester (yay!) and went to Barnes & Noble for the first time in over a year. It was so nice to actually browse through a bookstore again, and I got three books that I can't wait to dive into: Kate in Waiting, A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, and Heartstopper Volume 3. Today, I have for you my ARC review of From Little Tokyo, With Love by Sarah Kuhn! This book actually releases today, so make sure to grab yourself a copy. Special thanks to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review! Synopsis/Book Information
My ReviewFrom Little Tokyo, With Love is one of those books that has so much good stuff packed into it. Humor, important messages, adorable romance, diverse characters, some unexplainable force that makes you feel all warm and tingly inside. People, this book has it all, and I am here to tell you all about it in rambling text for the next several hundred words. One thing that stood out to me the most about this book was the main character, Rika. She's a really complex character who struggles with anger issues and often feels inadequate. She's often discriminated against because she's biracial and doesn't feel like she truly belongs anywhere, causing her to feel resentful and fueling her temper. It was really interesting to read about a character with anger issues because that's not something you see frequently in YA literature. I liked how Rika eventually came to see her temper in a more positive light, realizing that her anger often lashed out at people who were trying to harm the family and friends she cared deeply about, showing her strong love and devotion to those close to her. I also appreciated how there was an emphasis on Rika needing to believe that she deserved her own happy ending instead of continuing to think she wasn't good enough for one. She had a beautiful character arc as she came to see her own good qualities and realize that she was worthy of love. Prime character development! Honestly, all of the characters in this book were so well written. All of the characters, even side characters, were complex and unique and seemed like genuinely real people. Rika's cousins, Belle and Rory, were especially interesting characters who had their own personalities, flaws, insecurities, and opinions. I enjoyed watching Rika's relationship with the evolve throughout the book. I was also really interested in Rika's friend, Eliza, and would have liked to read more about her (may I suggest a book starring Eliza in the future??). I also would have liked to see more of Rika's aunts, Aunt Suzy and Auntie Och. They weren't in a whole lot of the book and I would've enjoyed seeing a bit more character development from them. I absolutely adored Henry, who at first glance seemed to be a stereotypical cute actor guy but actually had some unique, heartwarming qualities. He was swoon-worthy and charming, and I totally fell in love with his character. After initially being introduced to his perfect actor persona, it was interesting getting to know the hidden personal side of him. I felt like the depictions of his anxiety were very realistic, and I appreciated the anxiety representation in this book. One thing I loved about this book was how, despite it being somewhat of a love story, it had such a strong emphasis on self-growth and learning to love oneself. The messages about belonging and self-acceptance were touching and beautiful. One thing I wasn't a huge fan of was Grace Kimura. Like, I know she was the catalyst for everything that happened in this book, but I just didn't like her character very much. Her character seemed a bit underdeveloped and bland, and I just couldn't get very passionate about wanting Rika to find her. I also felt like Grace she wasn't trying hard enough to be a part of Rika's life. Things seemed to get resolved too easily between her and Rika in the end, and I just wasn't very invested in her. While the romance was pretty insta-love, it didn't really bother me for some reason, maybe because it wasn't the main focus. Rika and Henry were adorable together, and I loved how they saw the good in each other. They were so honest and supportive of one another, which was heartwarming to read about. Overall, very cute and swoon-worthy! That's all for my review of From Little Tokyo, With Love! I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Have you read Form Little Tokyo, With Love? And if so, what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments!
Hey, bookworms! How are y'all doing today? I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend and happy Mother's Day! I had a delicious breakfast of waffles (with strawberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup, of course) and now I'm excited to post this blog tour stop for TBR and Beyond Tours' Sunkissed tour! It's almost summertime, and that means it's nearly the season for devouring every summer romance that's ever been published in hopes that it might give the universe a hint that you'd really enjoy a summer romance of your own. Or is that just me? Seriously, though, a summer meet-cute or fake-dating scheme is my dream that has yet to come true. But anyway, Sunkissed by Kasie West is the summer romance you didn't know was missing in your life, and I'm so excited to be helping promote this wonderful book! I'd like to thank TBR and Beyond Tours for choosing me to be a part of this fabulous tour; also thanks to them and Delacorte Press for providing me with an ARC of Sunkissed as part of joining this tour! I can't wait to tell you all about this book, so let's dive in! Keep scrolling to see my review, favorite quotes, and mood board inspired by Sunkissed! Synopsis
My ReviewThis was such a fun, sweet summer read! Packed full of charming characters and inspiring messages, this won't be one to disappoint Kasie West fans, and anyone new to her books will certainly fall in love with this adorable contemporary. The summer vibes in this book were brilliant. If anyone is looking for a cute romance for this summer (or anytime, really), this is it, folks. Sunkissed gave me all the feels. The summer swoon-worthiness of this book is off the charts, and there was a lot of contented sighing and giddy smiling from me while reading. This book was packed full of feel-good moments. It was the perfect blend of romance, adventure, and self-discovery, paired with warm sunshine and sweet guitar music. Next, let's talk about the main character, Avery. From the first page, I easily identified with her: she was the good, obedient daughter who shied away from conflict, didn't rock the boat, and, in general, hadn't changed much over the years. She wasn't very interested in trying new things because she already knew who she was and what she liked...right? Except Avery comes to realize that she really doesn't know who she is, so she sets off on a summer adventure to try new things and discover her true self. Avery's character called to me so strongly because she's so similar to me. While I read about her, I was constantly thinking, "This is me, but as a book character!" It was a really fun experience to read about a character whom I identified so closely with. She also had a very inspirational character arc throughout the course of this book. It was a delight to read about her! I really enjoyed reading about Avery's relationship with her sister, Lauren, and how it evolved throughout the book. It was heartwarming to see them grow to understand and respect each other's perspectives, becoming closer over the course of the summer. It was interesting how Avery and Lauren were so different from each other, and I feel like Lauren's more outgoing nature was really beneficial in helping push Avery out of her comfort zone. I also appreciated seeing Avery's relationship with her parents change throughout this book, especially in regard to her being more assertive and willing to show her parents her true self. The romance in this book was so cute! I absolutely fell in love with the romantic interest, Brooks (and isn't that name both adorable and hot??). The romantic development between him and Avery was beautifully paced. That slow-burn was written so well, sprinkled with so many flirty, adorable moments. There were also some important conversations interspersed that helped solidify their relationship. Plus, their music collaborations and the eye contact and romantic song lyrics and ahhh I can't even, it was too cute. In conclusion, this was definitely my favorite Kasie West romance I've ever read! That's all for my review of Sunkissed by Kasie West! I absolutely adored this book and highly recommend it! It's the ideal summertime read. I gave this book 4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨. Thanks for reading! Favorite QuotesMood BoardAuthor Info
Book LinksGoodreads
|
Book title: All Kinds of Other Author: James Sie Publisher: Quill Tree Books Release date: May 4, 2021 Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Romance TWs: transphobia, homophobia, racism, bullying, deadnaming, misgendering | In this tender, nuanced coming-of-age love story, two boys—one who is cis and one who is trans—have been guarding their hearts to protect themselves, until their feelings for each other give them a reason to stand up to their fears. Two boys are starting at a new school. Jules is just figuring out what it means to be gay and hasn’t totally decided whether he wants to be out at his new school. His parents and friends have all kinds of opinions, but for his part, Jules just wants to make the basketball team and keep his head down. Jack is trying to start over after a best friend break-up. He followed his actor father clear across the country to LA, but he’s also totally ready to leave his past behind. Maybe this new school where no one knows him is exactly what he needs. When the two boys meet, the sparks are undeniable. But then a video surfaces linking Jack to a pair of popular transgender vloggers, and the revelations about Jack’s past thrust both Jack and Jules into the spotlight they’ve been trying to avoid. Suddenly both boys have a choice to make—between lying low where it’s easier or following their hearts |
My Review
I've got lots of jumbled thoughts about this book, and I'm going to try to string them into a halfway comprehensible review, so here goes...
I'll start off by saying that I did really enjoy this book. I especially liked the two main characters, Jack and Jules (and isn't that alliteration there snazzy??). They were written in a deeply authentic manner and seemed like truly realistic people. Like, you could pluck them out of the book and drop them in a grocery store, then have me run into them in said grocery store, and I'd totally believe they were real people. (Please excuse that bizarre example, looking back I see how weird that sounds, but moving on...) They went through a lot of difficult stuff and reacted to it in a genuinely fifteen-year-old manner. James Sie, thank you for including none of that I'm supposed to be fifteen but actually act like I'm twenty-three weirdness--we all know it and we all can't stand it. Jack and Jules acted like normal fifteen-year-olds, which made them much more enjoyable to read about. Despite acting their age, they were both complex, deep characters who grew and learned throughout the book. Jack and Jules' relationship was also very sweet to read about, especially some scenes towards the end. I liked how the romance wasn't the main focus of this book; there was more of a focus on self-growth and self-acceptance in both characters, and their romance was stronger because of it.
I also loved the formatting of this book. It was told mainly in first-person, alternating between Jack and Jules' perspectives, but there were also tumblr posts and vlog transcripts interspersed throughout. Something about this format helped me get in touch with the characters on a very personal level. The tumblr posts and vlog transcripts also gave valuable insight into the past of one character. Additionally, many of the vlog transcripts were actually quite educational, and the tumblr posts were really emotional and packed full of feelings.
One thing about this book that wasn't necessarily bad but is definitely something readers should be aware of is that the transphobia, homophobia, and racism present in this book is very intense. Characters get called transphobic and homophobic slurs and there are several racist comments from side characters. A trans character gets outed at his school, is misgendered multiple times, and is deadnamed (deadname is not mentioned in the text, though). Nonbinary and trans side characters also got attacked verbally and physically. While I feel like this was a truthful representation of these issues, it did hit me really hard at times, so readers should be aware of that before picking up this book.
That's all for my review of All Kinds of Other by James Sie! I found this book enjoyable and eye-opening, and I'd recommend it especially for fans of Felix Ever After or The Sky Blues. It broke my heart in all the best ways and was packed with important messages and information. I gave All Kinds of Other Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
I'll start off by saying that I did really enjoy this book. I especially liked the two main characters, Jack and Jules (and isn't that alliteration there snazzy??). They were written in a deeply authentic manner and seemed like truly realistic people. Like, you could pluck them out of the book and drop them in a grocery store, then have me run into them in said grocery store, and I'd totally believe they were real people. (Please excuse that bizarre example, looking back I see how weird that sounds, but moving on...) They went through a lot of difficult stuff and reacted to it in a genuinely fifteen-year-old manner. James Sie, thank you for including none of that I'm supposed to be fifteen but actually act like I'm twenty-three weirdness--we all know it and we all can't stand it. Jack and Jules acted like normal fifteen-year-olds, which made them much more enjoyable to read about. Despite acting their age, they were both complex, deep characters who grew and learned throughout the book. Jack and Jules' relationship was also very sweet to read about, especially some scenes towards the end. I liked how the romance wasn't the main focus of this book; there was more of a focus on self-growth and self-acceptance in both characters, and their romance was stronger because of it.
I also loved the formatting of this book. It was told mainly in first-person, alternating between Jack and Jules' perspectives, but there were also tumblr posts and vlog transcripts interspersed throughout. Something about this format helped me get in touch with the characters on a very personal level. The tumblr posts and vlog transcripts also gave valuable insight into the past of one character. Additionally, many of the vlog transcripts were actually quite educational, and the tumblr posts were really emotional and packed full of feelings.
One thing about this book that wasn't necessarily bad but is definitely something readers should be aware of is that the transphobia, homophobia, and racism present in this book is very intense. Characters get called transphobic and homophobic slurs and there are several racist comments from side characters. A trans character gets outed at his school, is misgendered multiple times, and is deadnamed (deadname is not mentioned in the text, though). Nonbinary and trans side characters also got attacked verbally and physically. While I feel like this was a truthful representation of these issues, it did hit me really hard at times, so readers should be aware of that before picking up this book.
That's all for my review of All Kinds of Other by James Sie! I found this book enjoyable and eye-opening, and I'd recommend it especially for fans of Felix Ever After or The Sky Blues. It broke my heart in all the best ways and was packed with important messages and information. I gave All Kinds of Other Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Favorite Quotes
Author Info
JAMES SIE is the author of STILL LIFE LAS VEGAS (St. Martin’s Press, 2015), a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Best Gay Fiction, and the YA novel ALL KINDS OF OTHER (Quill Tree Books, 2021). He is an award-winning playwright of literary adaptations, receiving a Joseph Jefferson Citation for his adaptation of ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS, and an After Dark Award for the original work THE ROAD TO GRACELAND. He has contributed essays for The Rumpus, Pen USA, FSG’s Book Keeping and The Advocate. In addition to writing, Sie can currently be heard as a voiceover artist in animation and audiobook narration. |
Buy a copy of All Kinds of Other!
Add All Kinds of Other on Goodreads!
Hey, bookworms! How are you all doing today? My day has been busy with school (ugh essays), but I'm happy to be taking a short break to post my review of 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston! I enjoyed Ashley Elston's first book, 10 Blind Dates, so I jumped at the opportunity to review an ARC of her newest book. Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Synopsis
Book title: 10 Truths and a Dare Author: Ashley Elston Release date: May 4, 2021 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Pages: 304 | It's Senior Week, that magical in-between time after classes have ended but before graduation, chock-full of gimmicky theme parties, last-minute bonding, and family traditions. Olivia couldn't be more ready. Class salutatorian and confident in her future at LSU, she's poised to sail through to the next phase of her life. But when the tiny hiccup of an unsigned off-campus P.E. form puts Olivia in danger of not graduating at all, she has one week to set things straight without tipping off her very big and very nosy extended family. Volunteering to help at a local golf tournament should do it, but since Olivia's mom equipped her phone with a tracking app, there'll be no hiding the fact that she's at the golf course instead of all the graduation parties happening at the same time. Unless, that is, she can convince the Fab Four--her ride-or-die cousins and best friends Sophie, Charlie, and Wes--to trade phones with her as they go through the motions of playing Olivia for the week. Sure, certain members of the golf team are none too pleased with Olivia's sudden "passion" for the game. And sure, a very cute, very off-limits boy keeps popping up in Olivia's orbit. But she is focused! She has a schedule and a plan! Nothing can possibly go wrong...right? |
My Review
When I found out that 10 Blind Dates' Fab Four were making an appearance in a new book--with Olivia as the protagonist, no less--I immediately smashed the "request" button for the ARC on NetGalley. Two days later, 10 Truths and a Dare was happily downloaded onto my Kindle and I was diving headfirst into it.
I think I went into this book expecting a bit more than it delivered, but overall I still enjoyed it. It was lighthearted and funny, full of hilarious moments and cringe-worthy mistakes. The main thing I loved about this book was Olivia's family. Same as in 10 Blind Dates, they're quirky, rambunctious, and a whole lot of fun. Also, Olivia's mom's level of nosiness was truly legendary; her phone tracker stalking of her daughter was low-key creepy, and I seriously pity Olivia. Her mom really needs to learn to mind her own business and find something more exciting in life than literally watching her daughter's every move.
I enjoyed reading about Olivia's relationship with the Fab Four: her cousins, Sophie and Charlie, and friend Wes. I loved how easy and casual they were around each other--it felt very authentic. They had a great dynamic and were fun to read about. I unfortunately can't say I was a huge fan of the romance in this book; I just wasn't very invested in it. It had the potential to be cute, but it fell flat for me.
Some of Olivia's choices were simply awful and made me SO FRUSTRATED. Like...not telling your parents you might not graduate?? I get her point about not wanting the news to become family gossip--but come on, Olivia, you thought nobody was ever going to find out? Seriously? Also, the whole phone switcheroo was just it's own level of chaos and mayhem. How that whole shebang didn't epically crash and burn is beyond me.
Also, the ending was a bit too perfect for me. Like, after all the drama and secrets and general chaos, it all wrapped up so nicely and easily? I think not. It was a tad too unrealistic for my liking. It was a very "happily ever after" ending, and it just didn't sit well with me.
I think I went into this book expecting a bit more than it delivered, but overall I still enjoyed it. It was lighthearted and funny, full of hilarious moments and cringe-worthy mistakes. The main thing I loved about this book was Olivia's family. Same as in 10 Blind Dates, they're quirky, rambunctious, and a whole lot of fun. Also, Olivia's mom's level of nosiness was truly legendary; her phone tracker stalking of her daughter was low-key creepy, and I seriously pity Olivia. Her mom really needs to learn to mind her own business and find something more exciting in life than literally watching her daughter's every move.
I enjoyed reading about Olivia's relationship with the Fab Four: her cousins, Sophie and Charlie, and friend Wes. I loved how easy and casual they were around each other--it felt very authentic. They had a great dynamic and were fun to read about. I unfortunately can't say I was a huge fan of the romance in this book; I just wasn't very invested in it. It had the potential to be cute, but it fell flat for me.
Some of Olivia's choices were simply awful and made me SO FRUSTRATED. Like...not telling your parents you might not graduate?? I get her point about not wanting the news to become family gossip--but come on, Olivia, you thought nobody was ever going to find out? Seriously? Also, the whole phone switcheroo was just it's own level of chaos and mayhem. How that whole shebang didn't epically crash and burn is beyond me.
Also, the ending was a bit too perfect for me. Like, after all the drama and secrets and general chaos, it all wrapped up so nicely and easily? I think not. It was a tad too unrealistic for my liking. It was a very "happily ever after" ending, and it just didn't sit well with me.
That's a wrap on my review of 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston! I enjoyed this book, but not quite as much as I'd hoped to. Even though it was cute and amusing, the plot and writing were a bit lacking. However, I still recommend this to anyone who liked 10 Blind Dates! I gave 10 Truths and a Dare 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your day!
Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your day!
Hey, y'all! How's your weekend going? So far, mine has been relaxing, full of books and Fearless (Taylor's Version) blaring from my speaker. The springtime weather here is wonderful, and I'm loving all the blooming plants and beautiful flowers! My rose plants are growing like crazy and my strawberry plants are actually getting real, honest-to-goodness strawberries, so I declare my gardening escapades to be a success.
Today I have for you my review of The Ivies by Alexa Donne! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to share my thoughts on this book with you, so let's dive right on in!
Today I have for you my review of The Ivies by Alexa Donne! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait to share my thoughts on this book with you, so let's dive right on in!
Synopsis
Everyone knows the Ivies: the most coveted universities in the United States. Far more important are the Ivies. The Ivies at Claflin Academy, that is. Five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly. Alexa Donne delivers a nail-biting and timely thriller about teens who will stop at nothing to get into the college of their dreams. Too bad no one told them murder isn’t an extracurricular. (from Goodreads) |
Book title: The Ivies
Author: Alexa Donne
Release date: May 25, 2021
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 320
Author: Alexa Donne
Release date: May 25, 2021
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 320
My Review
I was hooked on this book from the first page. The Ivies was the cause of much sleep deprivation for me as I huddled in bed flipping ebook pages late into the night, my eyes glued to the screen like some sort of creepy possessed vampire. When I picked this book up, I knew it was a mystery, but a boarding school mystery? I had no clue, and I was delighted when I found out, because boarding school mysteries are most certainly my cup of tea. It was also interesting to read a book that touched heavily on college admissions and Ivy League schools; I hadn't read anything like that before, but it was perfect for a mystery novel. I really enjoyed the narrator, Olivia's, voice; it felt very authentic and realistic. It was interesting to read about her thought processes during the book, especially when discovering hidden secrets and lies.
I have mixed feelings about the mystery itself. I suspected one part of it from the beginning, but I felt like another part came out of nowhere--and not necessarily in a good way, if you get what I mean? I don't want to say too much and give anything away, but the ending just felt unsatisfactory to me for some reason. I thought it was a bit unrealistic, plus the motive was super lacking.
Olivia's friend group was interesting to read about. I honestly can't say I was a fan of any of them aside from Olivia and maybe Avery closer to the end. They were all very cutthroat and ruthless, and Avery was the only one of them who had even the slightest hint of a redemption arc. However, they were made for a mystery novel (literally): they were shady, twisted, and definitely the type of people who just might murder someone to get what they want. I do wish we had gotten to know some of them more; I feel like character development was mainly focused on Avery. However, the book still worked well having them just as side characters.
I have mixed feelings about the mystery itself. I suspected one part of it from the beginning, but I felt like another part came out of nowhere--and not necessarily in a good way, if you get what I mean? I don't want to say too much and give anything away, but the ending just felt unsatisfactory to me for some reason. I thought it was a bit unrealistic, plus the motive was super lacking.
Olivia's friend group was interesting to read about. I honestly can't say I was a fan of any of them aside from Olivia and maybe Avery closer to the end. They were all very cutthroat and ruthless, and Avery was the only one of them who had even the slightest hint of a redemption arc. However, they were made for a mystery novel (literally): they were shady, twisted, and definitely the type of people who just might murder someone to get what they want. I do wish we had gotten to know some of them more; I feel like character development was mainly focused on Avery. However, the book still worked well having them just as side characters.
That's a wrap on my review of The Ivies! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a boarding school mystery with twisted characters, especially if you're a fan of One of Us is Lying or Truly Devious! I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Have you read The Ivies? If so, what did you think of it? And what are some of your favorite boarding school mysteries? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks for reading! Have a fabulous weekend!
Thanks for reading! Have a fabulous weekend!
Hey, bookworms! How are y'all doing on this lovely Thursday? I've been stuck writing an essay (i.e. staring at my computer screen willing words to come) all morning, but I'm hoping to do some reading this afternoon. My copy of Perfect on Paper finally came into the library and I can't wait to start it; April from @bookedtillmidnight as been hyping up this book like crazy, so I'm eager to dive in!
Now I would like to present to you my review of Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan! Huge thanks to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I adored Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan, so I jumped at the chance to review an ARC of Some Girls Do! Now let's dive right in!
Now I would like to present to you my review of Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan! Huge thanks to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. I adored Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan, so I jumped at the chance to review an ARC of Some Girls Do! Now let's dive right in!
Synopsis
In this YA contemporary queer romance from the author of Hot Dog Girl , an openly gay track star falls for a closeted, bisexual teen beauty queen with a penchant for fixing up old cars. Morgan, an elite track athlete, is forced to transfer high schools late in her senior year after it turns out being queer is against her private Catholic school's code of conduct. There, she meets Ruby, who has two hobbies: tinkering with her baby blue 1970 Ford Torino and competing in local beauty pageants, the latter to live out the dreams of her overbearing mother. The two are drawn to each other and can't deny their growing feelings. But while Morgan--out and proud, and determined to have a fresh start--doesn't want to have to keep their budding relationship a secret, Ruby isn't ready to come out yet. With each girl on a different path toward living her truth, can they go the distance together? (from Goodreads) |
Book title: Some Girls Do
Author: Jennifer Dugan
Release date: May 18, 2021
Publisher: Putnam Children's
Pages: 336
Author: Jennifer Dugan
Release date: May 18, 2021
Publisher: Putnam Children's
Pages: 336
My Review
Firstly, I am absolutely, 100% in love with this cover. It's stunning! The colors are gorgeous, especially those sunset shades of pink and orange. There's something so sweet and touching about it. I definitely need to get a physical copy of this book when it releases to display on my bookshelves!
Now let's get talking about the book's actual content. I'm going to admit, at first, I wasn't a huge fan of either protagonist. Morgan was a bit annoying and overbearing, and Ruby seemed so unfriendly and rude. But as I read more about them, I began to realize how complex their characters were and appreciated their faults. Ruby struggled to express her true self; the life she wants for herself doesn't line up with her mother's beauty pageant dreams for her. I felt bad for her being in such a tough position, but I also desperately wanted to reach through the pages and give her a pep talk about following her dreams and doing what makes her happy, even if it doesn't align with her mother's wishes. Morgan, on the other hand, had no problem expressing herself, but I could tell that she had a hard time seeing things from other people's perspectives. She's open and proud about her sexuality and is determined to change the world for the better, but she had trouble understand how some people aren't ready to come out quite yet. This led to some important conversations and realizations about respecting one's wishes and preferences and not pushing someone to do something they're uncomfortable with. It was interesting to see Morgan come to terms with that.
Okay, so I know that for a veeeeeery long time, I've condemned enemies-to-lovers romances as being "unrealistic" or simply unenjoyable, but I'm beginning to think that may have been a mistaken youthful opinion, because this year I've read many fantastically-written enemies-to-lovers romances. Or maybe 2021 is just the year for five-star enemies-to-lovers. Who knows. But the enemies-to-lovers romance in this book was really well done! It didn't feel forced or cringey at all; in fact, it had the perfect level of uncomfortable awkwardness that's necessary for a realistic enemies-to-lovers romance. I did feel like the romance went from a chill 35 mph for most of the book to an oddly fast full-speed-ahead! 90 mph in the last chapter. I wish it had been drawn out a bit more at the end, but otherwise I found it well-written, realistic, and enjoyable!
Overall, I found this book quite enjoyable. Aside from a few moments where I either wanted to scream at the characters or throw the book across the room (which I didn't do only because I was worried about damaging my precious Kindle), I appreciated the characters and romance, along with the important messages this book presented. I recommend this to anyone looking for another cute, touching read from Jennifer Dugan! I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Now let's get talking about the book's actual content. I'm going to admit, at first, I wasn't a huge fan of either protagonist. Morgan was a bit annoying and overbearing, and Ruby seemed so unfriendly and rude. But as I read more about them, I began to realize how complex their characters were and appreciated their faults. Ruby struggled to express her true self; the life she wants for herself doesn't line up with her mother's beauty pageant dreams for her. I felt bad for her being in such a tough position, but I also desperately wanted to reach through the pages and give her a pep talk about following her dreams and doing what makes her happy, even if it doesn't align with her mother's wishes. Morgan, on the other hand, had no problem expressing herself, but I could tell that she had a hard time seeing things from other people's perspectives. She's open and proud about her sexuality and is determined to change the world for the better, but she had trouble understand how some people aren't ready to come out quite yet. This led to some important conversations and realizations about respecting one's wishes and preferences and not pushing someone to do something they're uncomfortable with. It was interesting to see Morgan come to terms with that.
Okay, so I know that for a veeeeeery long time, I've condemned enemies-to-lovers romances as being "unrealistic" or simply unenjoyable, but I'm beginning to think that may have been a mistaken youthful opinion, because this year I've read many fantastically-written enemies-to-lovers romances. Or maybe 2021 is just the year for five-star enemies-to-lovers. Who knows. But the enemies-to-lovers romance in this book was really well done! It didn't feel forced or cringey at all; in fact, it had the perfect level of uncomfortable awkwardness that's necessary for a realistic enemies-to-lovers romance. I did feel like the romance went from a chill 35 mph for most of the book to an oddly fast full-speed-ahead! 90 mph in the last chapter. I wish it had been drawn out a bit more at the end, but otherwise I found it well-written, realistic, and enjoyable!
Overall, I found this book quite enjoyable. Aside from a few moments where I either wanted to scream at the characters or throw the book across the room (which I didn't do only because I was worried about damaging my precious Kindle), I appreciated the characters and romance, along with the important messages this book presented. I recommend this to anyone looking for another cute, touching read from Jennifer Dugan! I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Thanks for reading! Have a great day, everyone!
Hello and welcome to my stop for Turn the Page Tours' blog and bookstagram tour for The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund! This book actually releases today, so I'd like to wish it a very happy book birthday! I'd also like to thank Turn the Page Tours for choosing me to be part of this tour. As part of participating in this tour, I was provided with a copy of The Sky Above Us to review and share my favorite quotes from (keep scrolling to see them!). Make sure to check out the entire tour schedule here and follow along to see many more awesome posts!
HOWEVER! Before you continue on, make sure to enter this exciting giveaway for a chance to win one of two (2) finished copies of The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund! This giveaway is open to US residents only and begins on April 12, 2021, and ends on April 19, 2021. Click here to enter!
HOWEVER! Before you continue on, make sure to enter this exciting giveaway for a chance to win one of two (2) finished copies of The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund! This giveaway is open to US residents only and begins on April 12, 2021, and ends on April 19, 2021. Click here to enter!
Book Title: The Sky Above Us
Author: Natalie Lund
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: April 13, 2021
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller
Author: Natalie Lund
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release Date: April 13, 2021
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis
From the author of We Speak in Storms comes a twisty, psychological thriller about three friends searching for the truth in the aftermath of a plane crash.
The morning after their senior year beach party, Izzy, Cass, and Janie are woken by a thundering overhead. Then they and their classmates watch in shock as a plane crashes into the water. When the passengers are finally recovered, they are identified as Izzy's twin brother, Israel, Cass's ex-boyfriend, Shane, and Janie's best friend, Nate. But Izzy can feel when her brother is in pain, and she knows he's not really dead. So she, Cass, and Janie set out to discover what actually happened that day--and why the boys were on the plane.
Told in alternating timelines and points of view, this powerful and captivating novel follows the three boys in the weeks leading up to that fateful flight, and the girls they left behind as they try to piece together thetruth about the boys they loved and thought they knew. A spellbinding story about the ripple effects of tragedy, the questions we leave unanswered, and the enduring power of friendship.
The morning after their senior year beach party, Izzy, Cass, and Janie are woken by a thundering overhead. Then they and their classmates watch in shock as a plane crashes into the water. When the passengers are finally recovered, they are identified as Izzy's twin brother, Israel, Cass's ex-boyfriend, Shane, and Janie's best friend, Nate. But Izzy can feel when her brother is in pain, and she knows he's not really dead. So she, Cass, and Janie set out to discover what actually happened that day--and why the boys were on the plane.
Told in alternating timelines and points of view, this powerful and captivating novel follows the three boys in the weeks leading up to that fateful flight, and the girls they left behind as they try to piece together thetruth about the boys they loved and thought they knew. A spellbinding story about the ripple effects of tragedy, the questions we leave unanswered, and the enduring power of friendship.
My Review
This book was really interesting! It went in some directions I didn't expect it to, but I still enjoyed it. It's funny because there are two things I don't usually like in books: alternating timelines and many different POVs. But somehow this book incorporated both those things in a way that worked really well! The alternating timelines were an effective way to build tension and mystery while also allowing us to get a glimpse of the boys' lives before that airplane crash. I also feel like the multiple POVs gave me an intimate look at every character, letting me know them in a way that only they knew themselves.
The characters in this book were flawed and dealt with many difficult things, and it made them seem very realistic and human. I was able to easily connect with these characters. My favorite characters were Janie, Cass, and Shane. Izzy was a bit frustrating to me at times--some of her decisions were a bit reckless--but she grew on me throughout the book.
There were some sort of sci-fi elements to this book that I wasn't expecting, and although I found them a little strange at the beginning they did make for a unique story. I feel like things were left a bit open-ended in regards to those aspects of the story, but I liked it that way; it left me with feelings of wonder and intrigue.
This was a touching story of loss, love, and friendship. I recommend The Sky Above Us for especially for fans of We Are the Ants and We Are Okay. I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
The characters in this book were flawed and dealt with many difficult things, and it made them seem very realistic and human. I was able to easily connect with these characters. My favorite characters were Janie, Cass, and Shane. Izzy was a bit frustrating to me at times--some of her decisions were a bit reckless--but she grew on me throughout the book.
There were some sort of sci-fi elements to this book that I wasn't expecting, and although I found them a little strange at the beginning they did make for a unique story. I feel like things were left a bit open-ended in regards to those aspects of the story, but I liked it that way; it left me with feelings of wonder and intrigue.
This was a touching story of loss, love, and friendship. I recommend The Sky Above Us for especially for fans of We Are the Ants and We Are Okay. I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Favorite Quotes
Author Information
Natalie Lund is young adult author and a former middle and high school teacher. She graduated from Purdue University’s MFA program, where she taught introductory composition and creative writing and also served as the fiction editor of The Sycamore Review. Her debut novel, WE SPEAK IN STORMS, is on sale September 3, 2019. Natalie is a member of SCBWI and is represented by Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary Agency. She lives in Chicago with her husband and a very photogenic cat. You can follow her on Twitter or Instagram @nmlund. Website Goodreads |
Purchase The Sky Above Us: Click Here!
Add The Sky Above Us on Goodreads: Click Here!
Hey there, bookworms!
My name is Rose (she/her) and I'm the creator of Books of Magic and Mystery. I love reading YA books, especially fantasy and mystery. When I'm not reading, you can find me baking, studying, or cuddling with my super-furry pets. Visit me on Instagram @booksofmagicandmystery!
Archives
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020