A dark and twisted fairy tale with echoes of Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and The Never Ending Story. Albert builds a convincing and super-creepy story that is both familiar and shocking. I have to say I was expecting this to be more classically YA than it turned out to be, so bravo Albert!

Star soccer player Peyton's boyfriend Reed shoves her down concrete stairs after she confronts about the steroids she found in his gym bag. The fall causes a bad injury to Peyton's knee, requiring a trip to the ER, surgery, and a chance she may never play soccer again. No one but Peyton's mother believes her normally loving, protective boyfriend could do such a thing.

Deciding not to press charges after Reed somehow passes a urinalysis test, Peyton's mother sends her to live with her uncle and twin cousins when Reed's scary, stalking behavior continues to increase.

A new school means Peyton can hopefully focus on rehabbing her knee without telling anyone about how it actually happened. Too bad she has the awfully distracting Owen, a super hot MMA fighter and fellow student at her new school, helping with her rehab.

Owen also has a secret, and while they try their best to be "just friends," their irresistible attraction leads to major drama.

I at turns loved this story and got mad at it. I loved Peyton's immediate break up with Reed, her insistence on keeping Reed away from her, and her mother's loyalty. A lot of readers apparently found Peyton whiny and childish, but I found her relatable and even mature beyond her years (for a teen). I was fine with her conflict over desiring Owen's hot body (and come one, his personality) but also of not getting involved with another fighter.

Owen toed the line between being perfect and 'unbelievable,' often crossing more into unbelievable territory. I wish there was a little more exploration of his character and backstory, but. But, hubba hubba, I'd want to be with him too.

My irritation with this story was the CONSTANT fighting throughout the story. Between Peyton's twin football playing, giant cousins, Owen, Reed, and the other testosterone-filled boys, hell even Peyton threatening a female rival, there was at least the rumbling of a fight every chapter. I found Peyton's "annoyance" with the fighting a bit trite, especially for someone who had just been massively injured by a "fight." I appreciated Owen's moral code, which was explained early on, but found his decision at the end a bit maddening.

That said, this is a riveting read and one that does address the domestic violence in an otherwise sensitive way. There is a great author's note at the end detailing Garcia's own experiences and a list of resources for those who need them, or just want to know about their options. You are not in this alone.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC!

After years of torture and abuse, Millie turns her serial killer mother in to the police. As she awaits the trial of the now notorious "Peter Pan Killer" Millie is sent to live with a foster family and to try and live a "normal" life.

But, Millie is worried she will become her mother. She still hears her voice. She still hears the voices of the nine little somebodies her mother killed. Her foster sister is a horrible bully that brings out the worst in Millie.

Will the good wolf or the bad wolf inside of Millie win? Depends on which one she feeds...

Super horrific and compelling premise, but the ending was such a disappointment! The narrator was most excellent, so still worth a listen.

The title really says it all. A decadant romp through Asia's wealthy, elite society, and the characters who get sucked up into the vortex. An excellently narrated audio book that is so over the top it veers into parody, but a fun romp.

Economics professor Rachel Chu had no idea her boyfriend Nicholas Young is from Singaporean family worth billions. Blind-sided by his glittering world, she tries to navigate the perilous world of match-making mamas, private jets, and multi-million dollar weddings.

Nick, obvious to his girlfriend's massive discomfort, believes his family is coming to adore her as much as he does. Nick's mother, Eleanore Young, is determined to end this relationship once and for all especially after she finds out a juicy bit of bad info on Rachel.

Other characters enter the story, including Nick's cousin Astrid, a beautiful socialite worth millions who's concerned her sexy (poor) husband is having an affair.

The ending is a bit abrupt, but definitely will leave you wanting to pick up book 2. I'm also excited to see the movie, because it will translate well to screen. The MASSIVE amounts of descriptions of objects, clothes, and homes will be a delight to the eyes, but was overwhelming while listening. I often felt like fast-forwarding through them.

Charming and gentle book by a lady who's self-admittedly between 80-100 years old, has moved house over eleven times, and after having to "death-clean" for her beloved husband, her mother, her MIL and herself, has lots of great advice and wisdom to share.

Magnusson, through her own stories, shares her beliefs that one shouldn't leave a mess for their loved ones if at all possible and the experience of tidying up can lead to a life that is far less cluttered and in your control.

While ostensibly aimed at those who are aware of their own mortality and/or going through a process of downsizing, as a 30-something who is currently helping with her father's death cleaning, there are many poignant and great take-aways.

Things are not the person. Something that was useful and or beautiful to the person may not be so to anyone else, and that is okay. Realize your children may not want many of your possessions, and start giving them away or selling them now. Have frank conversations with your family members and make your intentions clear.

Would be a great gift book to those who's parents are down-sizing.

Creepy, atmospheric, and trope-defying. Four team members are inserted into Area X as part of a Twelfth Expedition, ostensibly to collect samples and report back their findings.

The main character, an introverted biologist, lost her husband to the Eleventh Expedition. Kind of.

In surreal, dream-like prose VanderMeer slowly (sometimes sluggishly) drags you along on a tale that never feels like it has an answer, but is still fascinating none the less.

I can't even imagine what the movie adaptation will be like!

Rom-Com fans, meet your new favorite series! I've been dying to read A Princess in Theory from the moment I saw that delicious cover (the only thing that could make that dress better is proof of pockets) and wow I was not disappointed!

Graduate student Ledi, who grew up in foster care but is doing just fine, thanks, keeps getting annoying emails claiming she's betrothed to an African prince. Not having anytime for that nonsense, Ledi tries to keep up with her studies and her part-time job all while trying to figure out why her summer fellowship hasn't followed through with her yet.

Well, turns out the Prince is no joke, and his people have finally found Ledi after years of searching.

After travelling to NYC to meet Ledi, Prince Thabiso finds himself mistaken for the new hire at her job. Entranced by Ledi but hoping to get to know her before she realizes he is a Prince, Thabiso keeps up the charade until a disastrous run-in at a charity gala.

Ledi, overwhelmed with the truth of her heritage and Thabiso's lies, still finds herself drawn back to the country of her birth, tasked with helping an expedition discover the root of a terrible disease striking the population.

Funny, brilliantly written, and so sexy, this is a perfect start to a promising new series. I cannot wait for Ledi's BFF Portia's story in A Duke by Default.

Thank you to Avon for the ARC!

Tessa Donovan is immediately attracted to the mysteriously sexy Detective Luke Asher who assigned to investigate the odd break-in at the brewery she owns with her two brothers. Her two very over-protective brothers who also notice the attraction and warn her to stay away from Luke.

Luke, getting over a bad divorce and struggling with rumors that HE is responsible for his partner's pregnancy, definitely doesn't need to add any other complications to his life, including the incredibly hot, smart, and friendly Tessa Donovan. Who's a virgin, or so says her brother when he threatens Luke to stay away from his sister.

Tessa, not having any of that, takes matters into her own hands. She's going to have Luke. He's hot, and he isn't for forever, just for fun. Or is he?

A steamy, slightly mysterious contemporary. A great opener to a series I'll definitely read more of!

Meh, not for me.

A figure skater and a hockey player compete for gold medals and end up falling in love at the "international games." Unfortunately I never bought into the romance nor really found myself swept away by the story.

Amber, a virgin 24 year old is at her last Olympics. She's never won gold and she's determined she'll end her career on the top. A controlling mother, body issues, and her own lack of self make her also determined to have FUN this time around.

Will "Mad Dog" Madigan, another returning Olympic athlete is also on his own hunt for gold, playing hockey for Team USA. He partied a bit too hard last time but can't help but be entranced by the seemingly innocent Amber.

Spoilers ahead.

Agreeing to enjoy each other's company, explore sex, and enjoy the Games, they fall into a routine. A really dumb conflict near the end of the otherwise fairy-tale story (gold for all! Love! Best sex ever!) is quickly resolved in an eye-rolling way.

Also! I was so annoyed by Amber's seeming eating disorder at the beginning that is quickly turned into, oh I just watch what I eat. Will makes comments on it, all the characters are constantly eating all the time, and diet, dieting, being thin, etc. are fixated on. I found this a bit annoying.

What a great little story I didn't even know I needed (or wanted). Told entirely from Opal's perspective, this is a lovely glimpse into her life at The Barns post-The Raven King. The hints of Adam and Ronan's relationship are like delicious crumbs. I can't wait for the entire cookie!