Tag Archives: Wednesday Books

ARC — Even If It Breaks Your Heart — Erin Hahn

Genre: Young Adult
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on tough topics like grief, family loss, family abandonment, and chronic illness. Contains some romantic content.

“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” follows nineteen-year-old Case Michaels, grieving the loss of his best friend Walker, as he clings to a list Walker left him, determined to complete it despite struggling to return to the rodeo circuit. Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Winnie Sutton works tirelessly to support her family on the Michaels’ ranch, sneaking moments to ride horses and dream of something more. Part of Walker’s lists sends Case to befriend Winnie Sutton, but this suggestion turned into something more when Case sees Winnie’s talent for riding. He convinces her to compete for the ranch, sparking an unexpected REAL friendship—and maybe more—that inspires both to chase dreams they never thought possible.

Oh, wow, I’ve read Erin Hahn before but “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” just hit different. With its bittersweet tones but hopeful ending, this book has brought comfort to my heart. With a set of complex characters with even deeper backstories, this book will have you hooked from the start.

If you’re looking for a cozy, cowboy YA read, look no further—“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” is exactly what you seek.

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Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press through Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: February 06, 2024

ARC — Artifacts of an Ex — Jennifer Chen

Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Mentions dementia. Contains some romantic content, but no explicit sexual content.

“Artifacts of an Ex” follows Chloe Chang, a budding art curator, as she channels the pain of a breakup into “Heartifacts,” an art exhibit showcasing mementos of past relationships (both hers and others). And in comes Damoel Kwak, to shake things up. He crushed on Chloe and Chloe claims to be over her ex, but he’s sure she’s not—and he’s not willing to become just another rebound, not when it comes to her. With a clever mix of humor, emotional depth, and cultural nuances, the book explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

So, I’m not the only one with an “Ex Box” apparently. “Artifacts of an Ex” strikes the perfect balance between comedy and deeply emotional times, making it a memorable read. Fans of Jenny Han and Emily Henry will appreciate the mix of romance and personal evolution—I know I did.

With its themes of artistic expression and rediscovering love, “Artifacts of an Ex” is an ode to the transformative power of creativity. It’s a perfect read for anyone who’s ever held on to a keepsake from the past, wondering what it still means.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: November 14, 2023

ARC — What the River Knows — Isabel Ibañez — The Secrets of the Nile #1

Genre: Young Adult, General Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses death of parent, kidnapping, murder, colonization, cultural appropriation, and violence in general. Contains some romantic content.

What do you get when you mix a murder mystery of sorts with Egyptology? Well, you get “What the River Knows.” This historial fantasy book is set in the 1800s and it follows Inez Olivera, a Bolivian-Argentinian that sails to Egypt in search for answers after getting word that her parents had died a tragic death in that side of the world.

I am officially a goner for Isabel Ibañez’s storytelling. I loved her novel “Together We Burn” and I thought it would be hard to top, but Ibañez has done just that with “What the River Knows”. I love how she incorporates latin-ness into her novels without it feeling forced or just a diversity token, she engrains this characters with true purpose and identity.

Left with a cliffhanger, I’m a bit anxious about what this duology will bring—like, really, why did that Epilogue have to come along a tear my heart out? Either way this was a very entertaining and captivating read that I would particularly recommend if you’re a fan of Agatha Christie books and Egyptian lore.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 31, 2023

ARC — The Search for Us — Susan Azim Boyer

“Thank you.” (…)
“What did I do?” (…)
“You’re the one who jumped in my truck and said, ‘Drive.’” (…)
“You’re the one who drove.” (…)
“We make a great team,”

Genre: Young Adult, General Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like parental abandonment and alcoholism leading to DUIs and casualties.

This is a story of what means to be a family—is it blood or is it something more abstract? “The Search for Us” follows Samira Murphy and Henry Owen, two half siblings that knew nothing about each other’s existence. They both, separately, take DNA tests in an attempt to find their father, but end up finding each other instead.

Told through two points of view, this book was both sweet and infuriating. I even thought about DNFing at one point because I was so mad at Samira. So so mad. She is the picture perfect representation of codependence—she is willing to put her future in jeopardy in order to save others. That’s how moving Susan Azim Boyer’s writing was, really. I wanted to drop everything because I was so infuriated.

If you’re looking for a general fiction YA novel that touches deeply on heavy subjects like adoption, parental abandonment, and alcoholism, written by someone who not only did their research but actually know people in similar situations (and consulted them), then “The Search for Us” is exactly what you need.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 24, 2023

ARC — Tilly in Technicolor — Mazey Eddings

“I just want to write something that makes people feel seen.”

Genre: Romance, Young Adult
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Displays gaslighting, miscommunications, and explosive fights.

“Tilly in Technicolor” follows Tilly Twomley and Oliver Clark, two neurodivergent teens that are summer interns at Ruhe, a new eco-friendly nail polish company. They are off to the summer of their lifetimes, traveling through Europe and learning more about themselves—and each other.

I think I had never liked a clean, YA novel as much as I loved this one. Both Tilly and Ollie and every single side character won my heart over. Tilly’s coming of age is moving and the way she stands up for her dreams despite her fears and her parent’s disapproval really moved me.

I cannot recommend this read enough. Grab “Tilly in Technicolor” if you’re looking for a sweet, clean romance with neurodivergent characters. Also, anyone up for a trip around Europe? Because that’s what this book is serving, it is most literally the perfect summer read.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: August 15, 2023

ARC — Going Bicoastal — Dahlia Adler

Genre: YA, Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like scars and self-harm. Describes the aftermath of the divorce of parents.

“Going Bicoastal” is pretty much about what its title implies—a bisexual teenager having to choose between spending the summer on the East or the West Coast of the United States, both options bringing on their own adventures and challenges. Yes, you’ve heard that right. Natalya Fox is a 17-year-old that could either stay home in NYC for the summer with her dad and pursue the girl she’s been crushing on or spend the summer with her estranged mother in LA. Finding it hard to decide, both summers play out in alternating timelines, with LA bringing an unexpected boy into the picture.

I am absolutely on my knees for this book. It is not often I find books that portray bisexuality the way I’ve felt it and lived it and I was so happy to find Dahlia Adler’s portrayal of bisexuality through Natalya really spoke to me. told through alternating timelines, this book is perfect to read in one sitting (trust me, you’ll want to). I mean, you’re getting two romance stories for the price of one, literally nothing could go wrong.

I would highly recommend “Going Bicoastal”, especially if you’re not afraid of reading about young women who aren’t scared or ashamed of their sexuality and religious beliefs. These were some beautiful coming-of-age stories, and how I would love to read it all again for the first time.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: June 13, 2023

ARC — Girls Like Girls — Hayley Kiyoko

“And one day you learn: it’s not that you’re not like other girls.
It’s just that you’ve never met a girl like you.
And then, you do. You meet her.
And suddenly the songs make sense.”

Genre: Young Adult
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses parental death, suicide, and hate crimes. Describes homophobia, and emotional and physical abuse.

Girls like girls like boys do, nothing new, right? Well, this was something new for some. “Girls Like Girls” follows Coley after she is forced to move to rural Oregon after her mother’s death. Things are as bad as they can get when she meets Sonya and everything immediately clicks into place. But being together wouldn’t be wise, so repressing it will be the way to go… Until it isn’t.

In all honesty, this YA novel would’ve been exactly what I needed in high school, and I think that’s what hurt the most. This story was healing in a way that only people who somewhat struggled with their sexuality will probably get, but I am so so thankful this story is being told.

This book, based on the viral song by this very own debut author, was both heartwarming and heartwreching. Hayley Kiyoko’s writing voice is wise but at the same time childish; exactly what you’re looking for in novels with teen-aged main characters.

I would definitely recommend this read. If you’re looking for a short, coming-of-age queer book, then look no more—“Girls Like Girls” is exactly what you’re searching for.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: May 30, 2023

Carry On — Rainbow Rowell — Simon Snow #1

“You have to pretend you get an endgame. You have to carry on like you will; otherwise, you can’t carry on at all.”

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQIA+
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 2 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Magical violence, death of parent, animal death, murder and murder attempts. Discusses suicide and suicide attempts, emotional abuse, and bullying. Describes fire injuries.

“Carry On” follows Simon Snow, the Chosen One, and his friends, ex girlfriend, and his archnemesis, Baz, as they try to survive through their last year at the Watford School of Magicks.

“Carry On” was one of the books that, last year, in the middle of the pandemic, pulled me back into the world of reading. I was a big reader when I was younger, all through middle school and high school, but as I delved into university it kind of became hard to take the time to do what I loved doing instead of what I needed to do.

Basically, “Carry On” is a ode to childish academic magic, and a gift to all Harry Potter lovers looking for a queer, non-homophobic alternative to the series we once loved.

Looking back to my review of this book, posted in Goodreads on June 2021, the only salvageable comment is how I do not like how many POVs this novel had, it got exhausting and confusing to keep up with. Now, I can just say that it’s a fun, not-so-short read that’ll bring you into a world of magic and chaos. I ultimately loved it.

I mean, I guess I already gave all my recommendations but, basically, if you like books about magic and Harry Potter, and don’t shy away from some queer romance, then you’re gonna love “Carry On”.

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“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you. I’d wake up every morning and think, ‘This will end in flames.’ ”

Tweet Cute — Emma Lord

“It’s weird, how you have no idea how far you’ve come until suddenly you can’t find the way back.”

Genre: Young Adult, Romance
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spicy Meter: N/A, it’s clean
Content Warnings: Deals with teenagers under a lot of pressure, grandparent sickness, and high school bullying.

“Tweet Cute” follows Pepper and Jack, two high school seniors that are under waaay too much pressure. Pepper is the captain of the swim team and the social media manager for her family’s massive food chain business. Jack lives under his twin’s shadow, who’s the captain of the dive team, but the one thing he has that his brother doesn’t is the authority to manage his family’s small restaurant’s Twitter account. When the two Twitter accounts go into full-on feud mode over a grilled cheese sandwich recipe, Jack and Pepper aren’t aware that they’re actually fighting against themselves. Until they are. And things get messy.

This book felt exactly how it felt like to be a teenager: everything was the end of the world and people-pleasing tendencies were at their all-time high. But I loved it. It’s clean, so no spicy content there, but it’s sweet, with its own happy ending and all.

The amount of plot twists we get is almost troublesome, but since the book is written in two points of view—Pepper’s and Jack’s—we also know things that the other doesn’t, making it all a bit more exciting. It’s like you’re in on a secret that you know will come out, you’re just not sure when.

And can we talk about how this was Emma Lord’s debut novel? That’s crazy. It’s so so good, I can’t wait to get my hands on the 2 other books she’s published since (and the 4th book that’ll be published by early 2023).

I would highly recommend “Tweet Cute” as a gift for a young reader. It’s fast-paced but will keep you on your toes. It’s a love story but it also touches deep and relevant subjects for their age, like finding yourself and what you love, standing up to your parents—in a respectful way—to let them know maybe the path they’ve chosen for you isn’t the one you’d like to chose for yourself. I would highly recommend this YA read.

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

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

“A stolen day. The kind of day that ends too fast but stays with you much longer.”