Hi y'all! Welcome to my stop for TBR and Beyond Tour's The Year I Stopped Trying tour! I'm so excited to share with you my post and thoughts on this book. Also, make sure to follow along with this tour by checking the tour schedule here! Special thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for choosing me to be part of this tour and providing me with an eARC of The Year I Stopped Trying by Katie Heaney! Synopsis and Book Information
Top 5 Reasons to Read The Year I Stopped Trying15 Reactions While Reading The Year I Stopped TryingAuthor Information
That's a wrap on my post! Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous day!
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Hey bookworms! Welcome to my tour stop for Turn the Page Tours' Himawari House tour! Special thanks to Turn the Page Tours for choosing me to be part of this tour and providing me with a finished copy of Himawari House by Harmony Becker. Make sure to follow along with this tour by checking by tour schedule here! I really enjoyed Himawari House by Harmony Becker and I'm so excited to share my review and favorite things about this book with y'all! Synopsis and Book Information
My ReviewI absolutely adored this graphic novel! The story was beautiful and the illustrations were stunning. I loved all the little details and how the illustrations captured so many emotions. The feelings in this book ranged from joyful to confused to sad and the illustrations did an amazing job of depicting that. It was a delight to follow Nao, Tina, and Hyejung in this story; it was very eye-opening to read about their experience in Japan, both the enjoyable and difficult aspects. I also liked how the author included many different languages and accents in this book. It was also really interesting to learn about the different cultural traditions Nao, Tina, and Hyejung shared with one another. By the end of this book, I felt really connected to each character and was so sad to leave them! This book was really so good and beautiful. I highly recommend it! Favorite Things About Himawari HouseAuthor InformationThanks for coming by my tour stop for Himawari House by Harmony Becker! I hope you enjoyed, and have a great day!
Good morning, bookworms! Welcome to my stop for Turn the Page Tours' The Falling Girls tour! I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of this tour. Make sure to check out the full tour schedule here to follow along! Also, there's a giveaway!! One lucky reader can win a copy of The Falling Girls by Hayley Krischer! This giveaway is open to USA only. It began on October 5 and ends on October 12, 2021, at 12 A.M. CDT. Click here to enter! Special thanks to Turn the Page Tours for choosing me to be a part of this tour and for providing me with a finished copy of The Falling Girls! Synopsis and Book Information
My ReviewThis book was such a wild ride! I didn't expect it to be nearly so dark, but it actually had some mystery vibes and could almost be considered a thriller. It dove deep into exploring adolescent friendships between girls and the darker, all-consuming side of these relationships. This book dealt heavily with toxic and codependent friendships, which was a little hard for me to read about at times; it is a very important topic, though, which I haven't seen much in YA literature, so I'm glad that this book tackled these issues head-on. I also found the cheerleading aspect of this story really interesting! This book gave an insider's look into the world of high school cheerleading, exploring both the positive and problematic aspects of it. The characters were very interesting, although I unfortunately can't say that I liked any of them (except for sweet Zoey!). I felt like our protagonist, Shade, was slightly boring and frustrating sometimes. However, this book did do a good job of portraying her experience with the difficulty of navigating unhealthy relationships. The three Chloes were the most interesting characters to read about, mainly because they were so audacious. At first they seemed very similar, almost the same person, but over the course of the first half of the book their differences were revealed and I began to view them as three separate people. The author did a good job of making them different enough from one another that they could be told apart, despite having the same first name. This book had lots of surprises and tackled many important issues. There were many moments when I was suspicious of nearly all the characters! Some things that happened were genuinely shocking. Additionally, I enjoyed the author's notes in the acknowledgements about her inspiration behind many elements of this story. Favorite Things About The Falling GirlsAuthor InformationHayley Krischer has been an award-winning journalist for over 20+ years. She is a contributing writer for the New York Times, where she has covered feminist roller skaters, Instagram obsessed moms, profiled Gabrielle Union, Tatum O’Neal, and S.E. Hinton. She has also written for many publications about women and teenage girls including Marie Claire, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Lenny Letter, and the Hairpin. Her YA debut, SOMETHING HAPPENED TO ALI GREENLEAF will be released in fall 2020 from Razorbill. Hayley received her MFA in creative writing from Lesley University. Her first newspaper job was as an editorial assistant at the Boston Globe. She reads tarot cards Thanks for coming by my tour stop! I hope you enjoyed and will pick up The Falling Girls by Hayley Krischer ASAP!
Have a fabulous rest of your day! Happy Tuesday, bookworms, and welcome to my tour stop for TBR and Beyond Tours' As Good As Dead tour! Huge thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours for choosing me to be a part of this tour and providing with an ARC of As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson, the final book in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series. Make sure to click here to view all the other stops for this tour so you can follow along and see many more awesome posts! Today I'm thrilled to share with you my 15 Reactions While Reading As Good As Dead and my mood board inspired by the book! I rated As Good As Dead 3.5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨. I have a ton of thoughts on the book, and I still haven't quite decided exactly how much I liked it (because let me tell you, some weird stuff happened in there). Some parts made me really angry and upset, and I occasionally wanted to scream at the characters. However, it was great returning to the world of Pip and Ravi and watching them investigate one final mystery! Synopsis and Book Information
15 Reactions While ReadingMood BoardAuthor Information
That's all for my stop for TBR and Beyond Tours' As Good As Dead tour! I hope you enjoyed! Now go grab yourself a copy of As Good As Dead because it hits the shelves today!
Hey, bookworms! Happy Sunday! To be honest, I kind of wish it were Monday (isn't that a first!) so that I could make some snazzy comment about it being 'Mystery Monday' and channel the power of that glorious alliteration. Alas, we're stuck with Mystery Sunday, which really doesn't have the same pizazz as Mystery Monday, but I suppose it'll do. Well! On Mystery Sunday (and Father's Day, for that matter--Happy Father's Day, everyone!), I'm here with my tour stop for Turn the Page Tours' The Box in the Woods Tour! For those of you who don't know, The Box in the Woods is the fourth book in Maureen Johnson's Truly Devious series. However, it's also a standalone, which is awesome because it means you can read it whether or not you've already read the Truly Devious series! (Although if you haven't read the Truly Devious series, I do highly recommend picking it up--it's a fantastic series!) A huge thank you to Turn the Page Tours for choosing me to be part of this amazing tour, and also thank you to them and HarperCollins for providing me with a finished copy of The Box in the Woods as part of joining this tour! So it's time to pull out our magnifying glasses, don our deerstalkers (did you know that's what those detective hats are called? Because I sure didn't before my lovely friend Paige over at @pagebypaigebooks told me), and join Stevie and her friends for a new murder mystery! But first, make sure to enter this giveaway for a chance to win a finished copy of The Box in the Woods (open to US only). There will be one winner, and this tour began on June 15 and ends on June 22, 2021. And also, check out The Box in the Woods tour schedule here to follow along! Now keep on scrolling to check out my review of and favorite quotes from The Box in the Woods! Synopsis/Book Information
My ReviewIt's such a delight to be back in the world of teen-detective Stevie Bell and her friends! I missed these characters so much after finishing the Truly Devious trilogy, so I was thrilled to get another book about them. This mystery was just as twisty as the Truly Devious case and it was so fun to watch Stevie become her best detective self to solve a new case. Firstly, I'd like to say that Maureen Johnson's writing is simply fabulous. She has this way of weaving wit and dry humor into every sentence, making you snicker and grin at the most mundane remarks. I absolutely adore her writing style! I know Stevie was reckless in the original Truly Devious trilogy, but was she really this reckless? I can't remember for sure, but I do know that she made some slightly questionable decisions in this book. However, I'm not one to judge, because, after all, she's Stevie Bell. She knows what she's doing...I think? Either way, that just adds to the charm of her character. Stevie would probably give me her worst glare for referring to her as charming, but she just does have some irresistible teen detective charm that makes her so great to read about. If she asked me to solve a mystery with her, I'd say yes in a heartbeat, despite the danger that always follows her around like a shadow. Her friends, Nate and Janelle, are also such fantastic characters, so full of personality and quirks. I unfortunately can't say I was that huge of a fan of David in this book (I think I liked him more in the original trilogy? But now I'm questioning my character preferences), and I definitely wasn't thrilled with his and Stevie's relationship. There weren't enough scenes of them together doing relationship-y stuff for it to feel like an actual relationship--more like they were just acquaintances who met up every once in a while to make out in the woods and drive around town. But some of their interactions were pretty amusing, so I won't totally discount their relationship. As for new characters, Carson was simply hilarious and provided the perfect amount of comic relief. All of his weird eccentricities were too amusing to read about--but if we're being honest, Box Box does seem like the sort of odd thing people would be into in real life. Like with the original trilogy, I enjoyed how the chapters include some scenes from the past. This adds to the mysteriousness and drama of the case, and it allows the reader to get an intimate look at the victims, suspects, and surrounding people from that time. One thing I felt was a bit off was how quickly this book wrapped up; it felt like it went from extreme drama and tension to suddenly the case being resolved. Plus, it didn't feel like Stevie had much concrete evidence for her accusation--it was a bit too much guessing for my liking. However, it still was a relatively satisfactory conclusion to the mystery. Overall, I really enjoyed The Box in the Woods! It was an intriguing, twisty mystery that kept me guessing. It was wonderful to be back in the world of Stevie Bell, investigating a new murder case. This book will no doubt please both longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike! I gave this book Four Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Favorite QuotesAuthor Information
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Book title: Sunkissed Author: Kasie West Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Publishing date: May 4, 2021 | A lighthearted and swoony contemporary YA romance by fan-favorite author Kasie West about a girl who finds that a summer spent at a family resort isn’t as bad as she imagined...and that falling in love is filled with heartache, laughter, and surprises! After being betrayed by her best friend, Avery is hoping for a picture-perfect summer. Too bad her parents have dragged her and her sister to a remote family camp for the entire summer. And that’s not even the worst part. Avery also has to deal with no internet, a cute but off-limits staff member, and an always-in-her-face sister. But what starts as a disaster turns into a whirlwind summer romance as Avery embarks on an unexpected journey to figure out what she truly wants and who she wants to be. |
My Review
This 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!
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 Quotes
Mood Board
Author Info
Kasie West is the author of many YA novels, including The Fill-in Boyfriend, P.S. I Like You, Lucky in Love, and Listen to Your Heart. Her books have been named ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, JLG selections, and ALA-YALSA Best Books for Young Adults. When she’s not writing, she’s binge-watching television, devouring books, or burying her toes in the sand of the Central Coast. Kasie lives in Fresno, California, with her family. |
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Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository
Indigo
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Hey there, bookworms! Welcome to my blog tour stop for Turn the Page tours' All Kinds of Other tour! All Kinds of Other by James Sie released just a few days ago on May 4, so make sure to go grab yourself a copy after reading my post! I'd like to thank Turn the Page Tours and Quill Tree Books for sending me a finished copy of this book for being a part of this tour. Make sure to check out the tour schedule here to follow along!
Also, this tour has a giveaway! Click here to enter for a chance to win one finished copy of All Kinds of Other by James Sie. This giveaway is open to USA only and runs from May 4 to May 11, 2021.
Also, this tour has a giveaway! Click here to enter for a chance to win one finished copy of All Kinds of Other by James Sie. This giveaway is open to USA only and runs from May 4 to May 11, 2021.
Synopsis
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. |
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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 |
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Hey there, bookworms! Welcome to my tour stop for The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch! I'd like to thank Turn the Page Tours for choosing me to be part of this blog and bookstagram tour. Make sure to check out the tour schedule here and follow along--there are plenty more fantastic stops on this tour!
Also, there is a giveaway! Up for grabs we have ONE (1) physical copy and ONE (1) digital copy of The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch! This giveaway will be open from April 5th to April 12th at 11:59 PM CST. The digital copy will be available to INTL only, and the physical copy will be available to US only. To enter, click here.
Also, there is a giveaway! Up for grabs we have ONE (1) physical copy and ONE (1) digital copy of The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch! This giveaway will be open from April 5th to April 12th at 11:59 PM CST. The digital copy will be available to INTL only, and the physical copy will be available to US only. To enter, click here.
TITLE: The Sky Blues
AUTHOR: Robbie Couch
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
RELEASE DATE: April 6th, 2021
GENRES: YOUNG ADULT FICTION--Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQIA+
BUY LINK: https://bookshop.org/a/11727/9781534477858
AUTHOR: Robbie Couch
PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
RELEASE DATE: April 6th, 2021
GENRES: YOUNG ADULT FICTION--Contemporary, Romance, LGBTQIA+
BUY LINK: https://bookshop.org/a/11727/9781534477858
Synopsis
Sky’s small town turns absolutely claustrophobic when his secret promposal plans get leaked to the entire school in this witty, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful debut novel for fans of What if it’s Us? and I Wish You All the Best.
Sky Baker may be openly gay, but in his small, insular town, making sure he was invisible has always been easier than being himself. Determined not to let anything ruin his senior year, Sky decides to make a splash at his high school’s annual beach bum party by asking his crush, Ali, to prom—and he has thirty days to do it
What better way to start living loud and proud than by pulling off the gayest promposal Rock Ledge, Michigan, has ever seen?
Then, Sky’s plans are leaked by an anonymous hacker in a deeply homophobic e-blast that quickly goes viral. He’s fully prepared to drop out and skip town altogether—until his classmates give him a reason to fight back by turning his thirty-day promposal countdown into a school-wide hunt to expose the e-blast perpetrator.
But what happens at the end of the thirty days? Will Sky get to keep his hard-won visibility? Or will his small-town blues stop him from being his true self?
Sky Baker may be openly gay, but in his small, insular town, making sure he was invisible has always been easier than being himself. Determined not to let anything ruin his senior year, Sky decides to make a splash at his high school’s annual beach bum party by asking his crush, Ali, to prom—and he has thirty days to do it
What better way to start living loud and proud than by pulling off the gayest promposal Rock Ledge, Michigan, has ever seen?
Then, Sky’s plans are leaked by an anonymous hacker in a deeply homophobic e-blast that quickly goes viral. He’s fully prepared to drop out and skip town altogether—until his classmates give him a reason to fight back by turning his thirty-day promposal countdown into a school-wide hunt to expose the e-blast perpetrator.
But what happens at the end of the thirty days? Will Sky get to keep his hard-won visibility? Or will his small-town blues stop him from being his true self?
My Review
Okay, so let me just start my review my saying this: the book is amazing. No, not just amazing--it's a remarkable, hilarious, brilliant gem of a novel. There's so much to love about it, so prepare to hear me gush about it for the next several paragraphs.
First, let's talk about Sky Baker himself. It was an absolute joy to spend 336 pages in his head. His witty thoughts are the best thing since the invention of chocolate chip cookies, and he's just the right combination of awkward and nerdy. He's also super passionate about the things and people he cares about. He's a bit insecure and doesn't have the best self-esteem, but this allows readers (or at least me) to empathize with him. It was inspiring to see him grow and become more confident throughout this book. Also, I can't even express how much I love that he covered an entire wall with promposal ideas for the guy he likes. That's the kind of nerdiness I crave in a character, and Sky Baker did not disappoint.
Next up: the friendship. AAAAHHHHH THE FRIENDSHIP! If a genie popped out of a bottle right this moment and offered me three wishes, one of them would hands-down be to magically become part of Sky's friend group. They have such a good dynamic and their personalities compliment each other perfectly. I loved how Bree and Marshall were so supportive of Sky. I liked how even though their friend group expanded to include other people, like Teddy and Ali, the three of them still stayed super close. Their friendship also felt really natural, and even though there were some tumultuous moments, they always made up and became even closer because of it.
I'm not going to go very in-depth with talking about the romance because spoilers must be avoided at all costs, but it suffices to say that the romance is insanely cute and heart-fluttery *insert a million heart-eyed emojis* Plus it felt like a really natural romantic development (thank goodness for no insta-love!). Aaaaaand I'm just going to leave it at that because if I say anything more spoilers are going to come out and I'm a personal believer that spoilers must be avoided like vampires avoid garlic and sunlight *hiss*
Also, the representation in this book! I loved how inclusive this book was. Sky's friend Marshall is Black, and his crush, Ali Rashid, is Iraqi-American; there were some important discussions about race and racial stereotypes. There was also some great LGBTQ+ representation, with Sky being gay and another character eventually revealing that he's transgender. This book also presented some meaningful discussions about not making assumptions about people and not realizing what others experience because of their race or sexuality.
I also enjoyed the inspirational adult characters in this book. In a lot of YA books, adult characters are bland or annoying, but in this book many were portrayed as kind, accepting, encouraging. One of Sky's teachers, Winter, was especially inspiring and always had plenty of good advice to offer. Bree's parents were also really kind and loving, and it was heartwarming to see them accept Sky readily into their lives. I also loved Charlie and Brian; they were so kind to Sky, and it was sweet to see him gain confidence from them.
One last spectacular thing about this book: the nerdy references! Sky's love of To All the Boys I've Loved Before is golden. Watching him and Teddy nerd out over that To All the Boys Instagram fan account was absolutely priceless. Plus there was an adorable Love, Simon reference too! There were a few Harry Potter references that I wasn't a huge fan of, so readers should be aware of that before diving into this book. However, the other nerdy references were spot-on and I adored them.
Well, that's a wrap on my review of The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch! I highly recommend this book, especially for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I've already read this book twice and I plan to read it many more times in my life. Hands-down, 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Keep scrolling to read some of my favorite quotes from this book!
First, let's talk about Sky Baker himself. It was an absolute joy to spend 336 pages in his head. His witty thoughts are the best thing since the invention of chocolate chip cookies, and he's just the right combination of awkward and nerdy. He's also super passionate about the things and people he cares about. He's a bit insecure and doesn't have the best self-esteem, but this allows readers (or at least me) to empathize with him. It was inspiring to see him grow and become more confident throughout this book. Also, I can't even express how much I love that he covered an entire wall with promposal ideas for the guy he likes. That's the kind of nerdiness I crave in a character, and Sky Baker did not disappoint.
Next up: the friendship. AAAAHHHHH THE FRIENDSHIP! If a genie popped out of a bottle right this moment and offered me three wishes, one of them would hands-down be to magically become part of Sky's friend group. They have such a good dynamic and their personalities compliment each other perfectly. I loved how Bree and Marshall were so supportive of Sky. I liked how even though their friend group expanded to include other people, like Teddy and Ali, the three of them still stayed super close. Their friendship also felt really natural, and even though there were some tumultuous moments, they always made up and became even closer because of it.
I'm not going to go very in-depth with talking about the romance because spoilers must be avoided at all costs, but it suffices to say that the romance is insanely cute and heart-fluttery *insert a million heart-eyed emojis* Plus it felt like a really natural romantic development (thank goodness for no insta-love!). Aaaaaand I'm just going to leave it at that because if I say anything more spoilers are going to come out and I'm a personal believer that spoilers must be avoided like vampires avoid garlic and sunlight *hiss*
Also, the representation in this book! I loved how inclusive this book was. Sky's friend Marshall is Black, and his crush, Ali Rashid, is Iraqi-American; there were some important discussions about race and racial stereotypes. There was also some great LGBTQ+ representation, with Sky being gay and another character eventually revealing that he's transgender. This book also presented some meaningful discussions about not making assumptions about people and not realizing what others experience because of their race or sexuality.
I also enjoyed the inspirational adult characters in this book. In a lot of YA books, adult characters are bland or annoying, but in this book many were portrayed as kind, accepting, encouraging. One of Sky's teachers, Winter, was especially inspiring and always had plenty of good advice to offer. Bree's parents were also really kind and loving, and it was heartwarming to see them accept Sky readily into their lives. I also loved Charlie and Brian; they were so kind to Sky, and it was sweet to see him gain confidence from them.
One last spectacular thing about this book: the nerdy references! Sky's love of To All the Boys I've Loved Before is golden. Watching him and Teddy nerd out over that To All the Boys Instagram fan account was absolutely priceless. Plus there was an adorable Love, Simon reference too! There were a few Harry Potter references that I wasn't a huge fan of, so readers should be aware of that before diving into this book. However, the other nerdy references were spot-on and I adored them.
Well, that's a wrap on my review of The Sky Blues by Robbie Couch! I highly recommend this book, especially for fans of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. I've already read this book twice and I plan to read it many more times in my life. Hands-down, 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Keep scrolling to read some of my favorite quotes from this book!
My Favorite Quotes
Author Information
Robbie Couch is the author of the young adult romantic-comedy novel, The Sky Blues. His work has been published in HuffPost, Upworthy, and O, The Oprah Magazine, among other outlets. Originally from small-town Michigan, Robbie now lives in Los Angeles, where he remains in constant fear of aggressive birds and on the prowl for his next bowl of noodles. |
Hello, bookworms! Welcome to my stop for TBR and Beyond Tours' tour for Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price! I'd like to thank TBR and Beyond Tours for choosing me to be part of this tour and providing me with a copy of the book. Make sure to follow the tour and check out other stops on the tour schedule here!
Also, click here to enter a US giveaway for a chance to win a signed finished copy of Pride and Premeditation! This giveaway starts on April 5 and ends on April 12, 2021.
Now let's dive in! I'm so excited to tell you about Pride and Premeditation, a fantastic murder mystery retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Keep scrolling for the book's synopsis along with my 15 Reactions While Reading and a mood board inspired by Pride and Premeditation!
Also, click here to enter a US giveaway for a chance to win a signed finished copy of Pride and Premeditation! This giveaway starts on April 5 and ends on April 12, 2021.
Now let's dive in! I'm so excited to tell you about Pride and Premeditation, a fantastic murder mystery retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Keep scrolling for the book's synopsis along with my 15 Reactions While Reading and a mood board inspired by Pride and Premeditation!
Title: Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1)
Author: Tirzah Price
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction Mystery
Publishing Date: April 6, 2021
Author: Tirzah Price
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction Mystery
Publishing Date: April 6, 2021
Synopsis
Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit. When a scandalous murder shocks London high society, seventeen-year-old aspiring lawyer Lizzie Bennet seizes the opportunity to prove herself, despite the interference of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious firm Pemberley Associates. Convinced the authorities have imprisoned the wrong person, Lizzie vows to solve the murder on her own. But as the case—and her feelings for Darcy—become more complicated, Lizzie discovers that her dream job could make her happy, but it might also get her killed.
15 Reactions While Reading Pride and Premeditation
Mood Board
Author Information
Tirzah Pricegrew up on a farm in Michigan, where she read every book she could get her hands on and never outgrew her love for YA fiction. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is a former bookseller and librarian. Now, she’s a contributing editor at Book Riot, where she can be found recommending books onthe site, newsletters, podcasts, and social media accounts. When she’s not writing, reading, or thinking about YA books, she splits her time between experimenting in the kitchen and knitting enough socks to last the fierce Michigan winters.
Tirzah is pronounced TEER-zuh. Pronouns are she/her.
Website l Twitter l Instagram l Goodreads
Tirzah is pronounced TEER-zuh. Pronouns are she/her.
Website l Twitter l Instagram l Goodreads
Purchase Pride and Premeditation!
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!
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