anabel_unker's Reviews (1.16k)

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Julie Chan has never reached her full potential. She tells herself this as she works another shift at her local grocery store as a cashier, she whispers it to herself as she swipes another packet of gum from work, she promises she'll do better as she goes home to a crumbling and moldy home gifted to her. And how, you may ask, does this young woman know she's destined for more? Well, you only have to look at her twin sister.

Separated after a car accident killed their parents, Julie was taken in by an abusive and manipulative family member, while Chloe was adopted into the illustrious Van Huusen family. While Julie had her money and childhood stolen, Chloe lived in the lap of luxury-- a brownstone in New York to call home, summers in the Hamptons to work on a base tan, and, not the mention, the fame of being a successful influencer.

Shoved to the side and destined to live in squalor, Julie is unable to resist the opportunity to take over her sister's life. Soon she's thrust into the bizarre and shimmering world of the elite, and her new life as Chloe Van Huusen begins.

If I tried to describe this book it would be this: the aesthetics of White Lotus, the social commentary of Knives Out, with the twists of Midsommar. The first half of this book was intriguing, a more approachable version of Yellowface interwoven with an interesting mystery to unravel with Julie/Chloe. Who was her sister? What were the secrets she was keeping? How long could Julie pretend to be Chloe, and how alone was the woman with over a million subscribers?

The second part of this book had me reeling, slightly confused, but ultimately hooked. There's a good message at its core: a criticism of influencers and the society that has allowed their formation, but oh boy did Zhang take it to a whole new, and weird, level.

I think readers will have to think about the two parts of this book separately, and there will probably be one part you like more than the other. However, as an overall experience, JULIE CHAN IS DEAD is unforgettable.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

As the youngest daughter of the siren queen, Celeste has struggled her entire life to find where she belongs. She's too emotional and stubborn for the taxing scrutiny of public life as a royal, and now that her favorite sister is gone, the young princess finds herself drifting farther and farther away from her family. For a while, she'd hoped a role in the Chorus, the prestigious army that protects the waters of her kingdom from humans, would fill the void in her life, but even after several rigorous cycles of training instilling routine and order, Celeste finds herself unable to quiet the discontent in her heart.

A chance encounter with a boat of humans, ,Celeste discovers she doesn't believe the teachings of the Chorus and her people fully-- the humans she observed didn't seem as one-dimension as she'd been led to believe. They danced and sang, the same as her kind; they cared for each other and bonded with other animals; they seemed... kind.

But an impulsive decision marks Celeste as a traitor to her kingdom, with only a single chance for redemption: to assassinate Prince Raiden Sharpe, the same man she saved from the Chorus and has her questioning the teachings of her kind. Will Celeste be strong enough to kill the charming man who easily envelopes her into his life? Will she find a way to stay true to her own heart, while finding her way back home?

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VOICE OF THE OCEAN was a strong debut by Impicciche, it's a fun and fresh re-imagining of The Little Mermaid with the adventure and romance of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Geared toward younger young adult readers, I think this book will be successful; it's got pirates and romance, found family and an intriguing new fantasy world to explore. As a middle schooler, I would have <I>loved</I> this book.

However, as an adult, I can't help but notice a few glaring issues: the first, and most troublesome for me, was the pacing. As several other reviewers have pointed it-- the first half of this book dragged due to the sheer amount of world building and character development; but then, it felt like the entire climax took place in a few chapters and left the readers on a cliffhanger. I also found myself struggling with Raiden as a character. His personality was very hot-and-cold, and it felt like he had two distinct personalities-- the cold and strict captain, and then the kind and warm love interest; and while this kind of shift in personality can work, it's only believable (to me) if you can see glimmers of each personality in the other.

While VOICE OF THE OCEAN wasn't a slam dunk for me personally, I can tell that Impicciche will only improve as a writer and storyteller, and I look forward to reading her future books.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

The night before her life-altering stem cell transplant wasn't supposed to be anything memorable. Elliot Holland promised her best friend, and more adventurous half, that she would explore the scene of Omaha, NE, but, to be quite honest, Elliot had expected to have a subpar drink at a bar, and then make her way back to the hotel where she would spend her last night of freedom (for a while at least) alone. What she didn't expect was to meet Jamie Sullivan.

They didn't promise each other more than that night, and when Elliot left him sleeping outside, she never expected to see the surprisingly charming and funny man again. But neither forgot the other, and both hoped to find each other again some day.

One year later, and Elliot has officially moved to Omaha; her cancer is in remission, and she is ready to start living her life again. However, after meeting her stem cell donor and integrating herself into her friend group, the last persons she expected to see was Jamie-- this time, as her new friend's boyfriend.

Warm and heartening, IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES is a surprisingly touching story about two people and their second-chance at love. Perfect for readers looking for their next emotional rom-com, especially if you love a hefty dose of pining with your happily ever after.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Queenie B, beloved celebrity chef for her exacting skills in the kitchen and the uncontrolled mess in her personal life, disappeared from the public after a bender that cost her her marriage, her child, and her dignity. While Queenie still lives in infamy through her syndicated tv shows and her fleet of Michelin Star restaurants, Regina Benuzzi (the person behind Queenie B) prefers her day-to-day anonymity and running the day to day operations of her soup kitchen.

When line-cook Gale Carmichael enters her life, first as a patron, then as her assistant at the soup kitchen, Regina sees herself in the young man and his internal battles. She sees his talent and his struggle with addiction, the constant push and pull of fear and hope, which mirrors her own story so closely. When Gale has the opportunity of a lifetime to compete on the cooking show <I>Cut!<I/>, one Queenie B ironically laid the groundwork to create during her time on the network, Regina shocks herself by deciding to help-- despite the risk of losing her quiet existence.

Gale doesn't recognize Regina for who she was, but who she is now-- an amazing, spirited, hard working, and slightly cranky chef; and he jumps at the chance to become her unofficial protege. Haunted by the loss of his best friend to an overdose, and the role he played, and fighting to hold onto his sobriety; Gale needs the opportunity <I>Cut!</> can provide: notoriety, money, and the chance that doors will open if he wins. But he also needs to prove to himself, and those he loves, that he won't waste this second chance at life.

DIDN'T YOU USED TO BE QUEENIE B? was a tender, thoughtful, and surprisingly real story about addiction, heartbreak, forgiveness, fame, and love. DeFino handled sensitive topics of this book with care and sensitivity, and she really amazed me with the characters of Gale and Regina and their intertwining stories. This is my second of DeFino's books, and I have a feeling it won't be my last.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Nura Khan, yes, <I>that</I> Nura Khan, has a pristine record as Atlanta's most successful, and exclusive, matchmaker. Her business, inherited by her beloved aunt, has been modernized for the 21st century and, despite a few critics confusing the idea of a matchmaker and arranged marriages, the business has blossomed under Nura's watchful guidance. Dedicated, hardworking, and more than a little in love with her unavailable best friend, Nora made the decision years ago to devote her life towards her matchmaking passion. However, after a recent article brought more than the usual crowd of haters, Nura begins to suspect her business (and thus, her reputation) are under attack. Weddings are sabotaged, threats are made, and soon it isn't just Nura who fears something is going on behind the scenes.

What a fun book! THE MATCHMAKER is being marketed as a romance/murder mystery, but I would say it falls more firmly in the cozy mystery/thriller category than romance. Sure, I was rooting for a certain couple to get together, but the romance was definitely a sub-plot to finding the perp. There was a twist towards the end that took me by surprise, and I loved the suspense of the story.