Tag Archives: YA

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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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.

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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.

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

Publication Date: October 31, 2023

If Only They Knew — Megan Foster

“I may be safe from the paparazzi but I’m far from safe, if there’s anything worse than tabloid news it’s high school gossip.”

Genre: Young Adult
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Touches on subjects like alcoholism and stalking. Mentions cheating, divorce, and parental abandonment. Contains some romantic content.

“If Only They Knew” follows Lorri Johnson, an aspiring artist, and her group of friends as they become acquaintances to the newest American teenage heartthrob, Jackson Peters, during his UK concert leg. After a very public confrontation, paparazzi take the story for a ride and link Lorri and Jackson in a way that couldn’t be further from the truth. Shining a light on what it’s like to become famous at a young age but also what it is to be a teenager trying to find yourself, this debut novel is as sweet as they come.

Don’t let yourself be bamboozled by a simple cover, because yes, this was a cute, superstar romance, but it also touched on some heavy subjects, like underage drinking, alcoholism, and feeling like you can’t be yourself. I loved how Lorri and Jackson connected, I would give anything to peak more into their story and how the long distance, busy schedules, and fame in general treated these gentle souls.

Are you looking for a short and clean superstar romance read that’s readily available through Kindle Unlimited? Then “If Only They Knew” is for you.

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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.

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

Publication Date: October 24, 2023

ARC — Woke Up Like This — Amy Lea

“Mom once described high school as a “trip”—a passage of time that feels tediously slow, but also lightning fast. After chasing perfect grades, (…) the next school event, it’s hard to believe all those mini goalposts have culminated in four whole years.”

Genre: General Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Mentions death of a young sibling and death of a parent. Contains some romantic content (kissing).

I had never smashed the 5-star button for a book so fast. “Woke Up Like This” follows Charlotte (Char) Wu and J. T. Renner, two high school frenemies, as, after a petty accident, they’re both catapulted to an alternate reality—a reality 13 years away, where they’re 30 years old and a week away from getting married. They’ll do anything to go back to 17, but what if they can’t? And most of all, if they do, will (reverse?) hindsight affect their future? Or are these two polar opposites really meant to be.

This book was really “13 Going on 30” core, and I was here for it. And perhaps “Woke Up Like This” wouldn’t be as relatable if you’re in your late teens, fresh off of high school, but gosh did I love this read. It really did make me reminisce my school days and how I, too, wanted nothing but to grow up—and now want nothing but to go back to the days when my biggest worries were what homework was due or if I was going to be able to nap or not.

I fell in love with Renner and Char and their whole dynamic, but I was specifically drawn to Char and her need to micromanage the present and the future—mostly because I, too, was this way until recently, until I finally understood that I wasn’t living nor enjoying the present, all because I was looking out for my future. Spoiler alert, it’s not worth it in the long run, the present will always be just a little bit sweeter.

“Woke Up Like This” really did take me through a rollercoaster of emotions. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a sweet, clean romance with some cute high school rivals to lovers vibe.

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Mindy’s Book Studio in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: October 1, 2023

“(…) Real life doesn’t feel real without you.”

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.

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

Publication Date: August 15, 2023

ARC — How (Not) to Date a Pop Star — Jada Trainor

Genre: Young Adult
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Mentions violence. Contains some sexual content.

“How (Not) to Date a Pop Star” follows Tyler Moore, an extremely famous pop star, and his childhood best friend, Aaliyah Preston, to whom dancing and the arts is more than a pastime, as they reconnect after fame and busy schedules got in the way.

Look, if you’re grabbing a book titled “How (Not) to Date a Pop Star”, you absolutely know what’s coming. Not only is it being published by Wattpad, but it reads 100% like a Wattpad story, and that’s what I loved about it.

If you’re coming in to find an insightful, deep romance, don’t. Do not grab this book, you’ll be disappointed. Now, you’re looking for a silly book that’ll go right over you and just give you the good vibes of a friends-to-lovers quirky story involving a mega pop star? Then go ahead and grab this.

This one is for the fanfic readers and StarStruck (2010 Disney TV movie) lovers. I don’t regret grabbing this advanced reader copy because it was exactly what I needed to get out of this reading slump I’ve been in.

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

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

Publication Date: July 11, 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.

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

Publication Date: June 13, 2023

ARC — The Dos and Donuts of Love — Adiba Jaigirdar

Author: Adiba Jaigirdar
Narrator: Priya Ayyar

Genre: Young Adult, LGBTQIA, Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 1 fire emoji
Content Warnings: Discusses fatphobia, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia. Displays toxic relationships, toxic friendships, and gaslighting.

“The Dos and Donuts of Love” follows Shireen Malik, a Bangladeshi-Irish girl, as she competes in the very first Junior Irish Baking Show and is paired up against no other than her recent ex girlfriend, Chris. Facing both racist and fatphobic criticism, Shireen will try to succeed and thrive against every single contestant and come out more confident of her skill than ever.

I got to listen to an audiobook of this novel, and I was completely mesmerized and caught from the very beginning. I was right at the start of a reading slump but Priya Ayyar and her narration immediately swep me off it.

I’m not gonna lie, this book is not as predictable as you might think. Starting off, I could’ve sworn I was going to know every single twist and turn, but I am happy to say that I was thoroughly surprised more than once by this story Adiba Jaigirdar has constructed. Her characters were so well thought out and her pace quick enough that you wouldn’t get bored but also slow enough that we were left with some sneaky cliffhangers for a bit.

I would highly recommend this read for someone who’s looking for a young adult book with queer and diverse characters and who doesn’t want it to be too spicy (or spicy at all). Obviously it’s a plus if you like cooking and baking shows, but I personally don’t most of the time and I still thoroughly enjoyed “The Dos and Donuts of Love.”

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ARC provided by NetGalley and Dreamscape Media in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: June 6, 2023