Category Archives: Uncategorized

ARC — The Girl Who Knew Too Much — Tiffany Brooks, narrated by Stephanie Willing

Genre: Mystery and Thrillers, Young Adult
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses murder and pedophilia.

“The Girl Who Knew Too Much” follows Riley Ozment as she joins 19 other teenagers in a Survivor-style reality show that’s located on a deserted island off the coast of Brasil. Riley’s hoping to redeem her past and succeed in her future by winning on the show but, mostly, by finding the hidden treasure that’s been lost in the island for hundreds of years.

This is a perfect YA novel. And by that, I mean that the plot is entertaining and different, and the main character is an immature teenager that’s just figuring out who she is. Childishness aside, this is a great (fictitious) adventure book.

Thanks to NetGalley, I was able to listen to the audiobook of this novel and I must say I loved Stephanie Willing as a narrator. I will definitely be looking at other audiobooks narrated by her. I rounded up the rating from 3.5 stars to 4 stars in Goodreads just because of this awesome voice actor.

I would recommend this book to young adults (and YA-literature lovers) who enjoy outdoorsy adventures and reality TV. I can’t recommend this book based on any other book I’ve read before, because it’s that unique. But remember: it’s YA. It is far-fetched at times, and it is ridiculous, but that’s also what makes it fun.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: January 1, 2022

The Date Swap — Lydia Westing (Scribd Audiobook)

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

This audiobook follows Lyla and Daniel as they fake their way through two family weddings—they did not have dates and were both heading to adjacent resorts, so might as well, right? Set in Hawaii, this could be a fun listen if you’re going on a tropical vacation.

For what I understand, this seems to be an exclusive audiobook for Scribd, which is kind of cool, but I must say I was a bit disappointed. This audiobook felt like a Wattpad story of sorts. Just make any of the main characters a famous pop star, and there you’d have it. I also wouldn’t call this a romance. It did not bang (truly). But it was fun and short, and entertaining enough to listen.

The audiobook is about 3 hours long (or 1.5 hours long if you listen to it in x2, like I do). I think if it would’ve been any longer, this might’ve been a DNF for me. But if you have Scribd, by all means, give it a listen. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this book to, but it serves as a quick filler or pallet cleanser after any book that’s touched a heavy or dark subject.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

ARC — Paper Girl and the Knives that Made Her — Ari B. Colfer

“i think about how we are both paper
but i was the one who got the cuts.”

Genre: Poetry, New Adult, Self-Help
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: Given by the author (10/10 for that)— Discusses mental health conditions, suicide/suicidal ideation, self-harm, sexual assault, gun violence, and violence against POC. Briefly mentions body dysmorphia and drug/alcohol use, and other tough topics.

First things first, I must say I came into this book a bit biased. I have loved Ari B. Cofer’s poetry (and illustrations) on instagram for years. I have been on her email list/tender poets club for a while now too. I came in knowing I would love this book. I knew it would be great. But yeah, not even my wildest thoughts could’ve predicted how much this book would move me.

This debut poetry collection does not disappoint. It’ll take you through an emotional rollercoaster, for sure, but it’ll also soothe you with doodles and drawings scattered between the words. These drawings are characteristic of Ari B. Colfer’s work, as can be seen on her social media (@ari.b.colfer on instagram, check her out, you won’t regret it), and they add a special touch to this collection. I know doodles and drawings aren’t an innovation when it comes to contemporary poetry books, but hear me when I say that Ari’s drawing hit different. With their bright colors and harsh words, they bring so much to this book.

Not all poems in this collection are perfect—some are more like a broken down sentence pretending to be a poem—yet I seriously couldn’t recommend this poetry book enough.

I would recommend this book to people who’ve hurt before but are halfway through (or fully) mending now. This book could be a tough read for anyone who’s vividly living through a mental health crisis right now or who is still processing a traumatic event. Be careful when you grab this book. Be gentle with it and with yourself. But grab it once you’re feeling up to it, as it’ll be healing in and of itself.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to Central Avenue Publishing for letting me read an early copy of this book. I preordered a physical copy this morning because 1) I love Ari’s poetry, and 2) It’s just that good and I feel a need for a physical copy even though I’ve already read it.

“you will remind yourself it’s not your fault.
you did not choose to be raped,
the rapist chose to be a rapist,
you’ll remind yourself to let go.”

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Second First Impressions — Sally Thorne

“That red string never gets it wrong, and unlikely puzzle pieces always fit together.”

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

This books follows Ruthie Midona, an employee at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa, who’s both reluctant and curious about re-entering the dating scene. So, in comes Teddy Prescott, the son of the new owner of the Retirement Villa, who’s looking to earn some money in order to buy his way into a tattoo studio a few towns over. Between them comes an un expected friendship filled with sexual tension, but if there’s one thing they both agree on is that they wouldn’t be right for each other; Ruthie is looking for something serious and permanent in Providence while Teddy is only passing through town, eager to move on. Set in a retirement villa, this book is quirky, funny, and perpetually entertaining.

If I’m being honest, I’m not too fond of the “preacher’s daughter” trope (and hence I had a hunch I wouldn’t like Ruthie—or this book), but I can say I was pleasantly surprised. Overlooking that Ruthie is a preacher’s daughter and Teddy is a tatted-up bad boy, I still loved this book because the characters were so much more than their stereotypes. Sally Thorne, as per usual, has done an exceptional job on her character and world building. I honestly pictured myself working alongside them, happily helping in turtle rehabilitation.

This book is definitely a romance book and oh, does it bang. The sexual tension was patiently built, having us more than 70% through the book and still not having something as simple as a kiss. The only reason this book didn’t get a higher rating was because I felt like it was childish at times, especially when the main characters fought.

I would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed books by authors like Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, or Sally Thorne herself. This isn’t a mind-blowing romance book, but it is still pretty great and entertaining, and so I would still recommend it.

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“Tidy, messy. Give, take. Adorer, adoree. Together, we can be all these things.”

ARC — The Maid — Nita Prose

“It’s easier than you’d ever think—existing in plain sight while remaining largely invisible. That’s what I’ve learned from being a maid. You can be so important, so crucial to the fabric of things and yet be entirely overlooked.”

Genre: Mystery and Thrillers
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses death, murder, and drugs.

“The Maid” follows Molly Gray, a young woman whose passion is to be an exceptional hotel maid. After she finds one of the hotel’s guests dead in his room, she is thrown into a whirlwind of chaos that ends with her being accused of being the murderer. The summary of the book describes it as a “Clue-like, locked-room mystery” and it really delivers just that.

This book has a very interesting narrative. Molly seems to be neurodivergent in some way and I just loved how her inner voice remained consistent. Oh, she is blunt, but she’ll stay blunt throughout the entire novel, through the chaos and sometimes even comical mystery. It made me furious how some people took advantage of her naïvety, but that just made it into an even more wonderful book.

I would recommend this book to fans of murder mystery parties, escape rooms, and true crime shows and podcasts. This book will have you nervous with anticipation and is exceptionally written. The only reason why I didn’t give this book a full 5-star rating is that I wasn’t as surprised as I thought I would be by the end of the book.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: January 04, 2022

In a Holidaze — Christina Lauren

“The only person whose expectations you have to live up to is yourself.”

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

Have you ever seen a time-loop kind of movie? Like Groundhog Day or Before I Fall? Well, this is just that but in a book, and surrounding the holidays. This book follows Maelyn Jones as she is stuck reliving her Christmas holiday week after wishing for a shot to find happiness. And oh, does she find it.

“In a Holidaze” did not take the path I thought it would. Maelyn does not end up with who I thought she would end up with, but good for her, I guess. I liked it anyways.

This is a light, funny read, set in a cozy cabin in the middle of Utah. It’s literally a perfect holiday read. It’s surrounding Christmas but isn’t solely about the holiday, and it’s short and snappy. I mean, what can I say? The duo Christina Lauren never disappoints.

I would recommend this book to people who’ve read other Christina Lauren books and loved them. I would not necessarily recommend this be your first exposure to the authors, as they have longer, better-constructed books (like “The Unhoneymooners” or “The Soulmate Equation”), but “In a Holidaze” is a good holiday-y read.

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If I Never Met You — Mhairi McFarlane

“She thought there was a lot of truth in the closest friendships being unconsummated romances.”

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: Mentions pedophilia, but isn’t a prominent topic.

This book follows Laurie and Jamie as they embark on a fake relationship that benefits both parties. Laurie is newly single after being in a relationship for more than 15 years and is in a rather uncomfortable position, as her ex is her coworker and said ex has conveniently knocked up his girlfriend of less than a month. Jamie, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in relationships but his boss thinks he should be in a stable one in order to get his dream promotion. Will the fake relationship follow its course and serve its purpose? Or will it evolve into something more?

Holy hell, did I enjoy this book. I already had high expectations because one of my friends (who’s a rather harsh reviewer) gave this book a 5-star rating, and oh did this delivery. Mhairi McFarlane brilliantly illustrated this rather complicated story. There is so much depth in the characters as individuals and the way their unlikely friendship grows. It’s astounding. I want to start this book over again. Right now. Erase my memory so I can relive all the emotions and feel all the heartache and butterflies and nervousness.

I would recommend this book to anyone into romance, especially if you like authors like Emily Henry and Sally Thorne. Well, you know what? Even if you don’t like authors like Emily Henry and Sally Thorne, STILL GIVE THIS BOOK A TRY. You won’t regret it. It’s a fun (and funny) easy-going book, it won’t be life-changing but it won’t be a waste of your time either.

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ARC — This World Does Not Belong to Us — Natalia García Freire, translated by Victor Meadowcroft

“Don’t you think that, after our deaths, after everything, it is they who are the stronger ones? And that, all things considered, perhaps this world does not belong to us, but to those miniscule beings, so numerous that they could bury us completely if they ever came together.”

Genre: Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses death. Also, insects and dead animals are prominent topics, if you have a phobia related to any insect, don’t read this book.

“This World Does Not Belong to Us” follows Lucas as he visits his childhood home after he was sent off and sold into slavery. Since then, his father has died and his mother has been labeled a madwoman—oh, and two strangers they had invited into their home years back are now permanently living it.

This book is deeply troubled and yet somehow beautifully poetic. It feels like it’s Lucas’s way of grieving not only his father’s death but all he lost when he was sent away. Between a series of flashbacks, Lucas relives the days he spent in the home that is no longer his.

I would recommend this book to people who like magical realism. So, people who have enjoyed books by authors like Gabriel García Márquez, Carlos Fuentes, and Isabel Allende. These books are filled with absurd circumstances that are portrayed as if they’re not absurd at all. I can see why this debut novel is so highly acclaimed in its original language, congratulations to Natalia García Freire and thanks to Victor Meadowcroft for this beautiful translation.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: May 03, 2022

ARC — Bet on It — Jodie Slaughter

“To her, it didn’t seem fair that someone could be in your life for such a short amount of time but still upend it completely.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses mental illness, panic attacks, drug abuse, and child endangerment (These were stated at the beginning of the book, 10/10 for that).

This book follows Aja Owens, who just moved to the small town of Greenbelt, and Walker Abbott, who swore he would never come back to his hometown of Greenbelt. Walker is the grandson of Aja’s bingo partner and has moved back to Greenbelt temporarily, as he helps his grandma recover from a fall. As Aja and Walker bond over bingo (and their undeniable chemistry), they unintentionally form a pact: they will have sex if and only if one of them wins in bingo… Because they can’t and won’t fall in love. What would be the point? Walker will be leaving soon and Aja still hasn’t found what she’s looking for in small-town living. “Bet on It” is a story of friendship and understanding, bingo and luck. You will be left hanging from your seats, willing for a bingo as soon as possible.

“Bet on It” has been one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year. If it hadn’t been for other commitments, I would’ve most certainly read it in one sitting. Both Aja and Walker were such related characters for me. They were really well written and I just loved how Jodie Slaughter went out of her way to show how anxiety and panic attacks could look different for different people and how different coping mechanisms are still valid.

I fell in love with the potential Aja and Walker had. They truly complimented each other. It wasn’t just the raw sexual tension between them that tied them together, no. They bonded over their most personal experiences and they tried to be there for each other and be open with each other. Their friendship and relationship was truly amazing to witness.

I would recommend this book to people who like romance books like The Hating Game and who aren’t afraid of some seeeerious sexual tension and restraint. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 12, 2022

Head Over Heels — Hannah Orenstein

Genre: Sports Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses mental health, eating disorders, and verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.

“Head Over Heels” follows retired gymnast Avery Abrams, who almost made it to the Olympics—but didn’t due to an injury just weeks before the world-class event. Seven years later, after dealing with a rough breakup and moving back in with her parents in her hometown, she is offered the opportunity to help train a rising gymnastics star who is set to make it to the Olympics herself. What she could not fathom was that she’d be training this new gymnast alongside one of her childhood crushes. Will she let herself fall in love again and will she ever come to peace with her past? I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.

I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this book, it took quite a few turns I wasn’t expecting. Yes, it’s a romance book, but at the same time it’s so much more than that. There are so many important and relevant topics addressed in this book, like eating disorders and abuse within the sports community, and how Olympic athletes lack the resources to work on their mental and sometimes even physical health.

I would recommend this book to anyone who ever dreamed of going to the Olympics (even if they didn’t practice an Olympic sport) or just anyone who’s up for an interesting romance book that’ll tackle more than just sexual tension and romantic relationships.

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