Jane Grady gained notoriety as a baby when she was found on the subway in a Gucci bag at just a year old. Considered one of the first viral internet sensations, she’s now in her senior year of high school. And her best friend, Algie, just gave her a piece of information about her biological family. Now, she has to decide if it’s something she wants to pursue.

While trying to make that decision, she’s also dealing with a crush on Algie’s cousin, Gwen. In order to set herself on the right path, Jane has to be honest with herself, her friends, and her family. But that’s all easier said than done. Especially if she wants her life to be truly epic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for an advanced copy of Epically Earnest to review! Even though I know very little about the Oscar Wilde play it’s based on, there was still a lot to enjoy about this story. It’s about family, about finding yourself, and making your own epic story.

What this book has going for it is its characters. There are great family and friend relationships, and they are just hilarious. There were so many moments humor, making this an overall lighthearted read. Out of all the characters, I think Algie was my favorite. He put things just over the top, and made every situation all the more humorous.

While you don’t need to know The Importance of Being Earnest to understand what’s going on in the book, I think knowing a bit about would help with some of the references. Lookign at other reviews, I know there were a lot of nods to the source material, and I would have enjoyed that. Maybe someday I’ll get to The Importance of Being Earnest and come back to this book!

All in all, if you’re looking for a lighthearted book to read this summer, definitely check this one out!
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For the most part, I enjoyed this. There was just something about the voice that felt a little off. Stay tuned for a full review to come this week!

I appreciate this for what it represents in American Literature because it really was ahead of its time. There's a lot in here that moves feminist literature forward because a lot of the literature at the time didn't depict women in this way. Is the ending unfortunate? Yes, but it is expected, again because of the time it was written. But it will definitely make for interesting discussion at book club!

This was a quick read, and it was a fine story. The strongest aspect of the story was definitely the emotions throughout. You could feel the conflicting emotions between Tycho and Oliver and the way they evolved within their story. It wasn't my favorite thing I've read thus far, but it was still an overall engaging story.

Loved this, probably will eventually purchase my own copy because A) it's purple and B) I loved the characters and the story! I was instantly pulled in by Delilah's voice, and Claire's voice was just as strong. I loved the way their relationship evolved throughout the book, even with all of the history they had from their childhood. It was just so well done! I'd happily read this again, and I can't wait for the next book to come out this fall.

Based on the author's experience when Tom Holland went undercover at her high school, so obviously I had to read it. And I definitely wasn't disappointed! If you're paying attention, you will notice little nods to Tom Holland throughout the book, which I thought was a fun addition to the story.

The romance in here was a bit enemies to lovers, as Emmitt and Mina don't get off on the right foot. But I loved the way their relationship evolved, and a lot of their characterization felt authentically teenager. They also get to support each other and help each other realize their true dreams and passions. And that epilogue? *chef's kiss* Adorable.

I also appreciated how in her head Mina was, not really realizing that she wasn't paying attention to her friends or her family. Her relationship with her sister was really strong, and honestly, I would have loved to see a little more of that on the page. They both have a complicated family relationship, and getting to explore that will be so affirming for some teens.

All in all, if you're looking for a romance to add to your summer TBR, definitely pick this one up!

Since the age of seven, Jess has moved from foster home to foster home. So, she knows better than to put down roots anywhere. Almost immediately, she’s an outcast at her new Michigan high school. No one notices her except Oscar, the nerdy kid. He wants to recruit her for his cosplay group because of her fashion, makeup, and sewing skills.

When Jess starts getting messages from someone in New York claiming to be her biomom, Oscar and his cosplay might be Jess’s ticket to get there. Things start to get complicated when Jess finds she enjoys cosplay–and the company of her new friends and foster mom.

Thanks to NetGalley and Flux for an advanced copy of this to review! I always enjoy reviewing books set in Michigan, and I love the cover on this book. It’s such a fun cover! Plus, the story of foster kids isn’t told a lot in YA, and I was glad to see that in this book.

The main thing this book has going for it is the voice. Zrull absolutely nails Jess’s voice right from the beginning. You can tell she’s felt pain in her life, and she’s guarded with all the people she meets. But! We get to see her evolve throughout the book. Seeing her make new friends and relationships was such a treasure. And I absolutely adored her foster mom, who was doing everything in her power to make Jess comfortable. It was adorable.

There is really just a great cast of characters overall in this book. Jess’s little cosplay group embraces their nerdiness, and they make some excellent costumes in the book! At least, from what I can picture. It kind of made me want to get into cosplay!

My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit too abrupt. There was a lot of build up to the climax and it all got resolved rather quickly. I just would have liked a little more resolution there at the end.

All in all, this is a great debut, and I can’t wait for other people to get to read it!
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I thoroughly enjoyed the voice in this, and it's an overall strong read! Stay tuned for a full review to come next week.

Honestly, the main reason this book is so heartbreaking is because 1) it's based on a true story, and 2) it's something you could see happening today. In fact, it's something you see happen in news a lot. Ahmed's writing is lyrical, descriptive, and emotional. It lends itself to this story, and Safiya's and Jawad's voices just make it all the more haunting.

I think the additional of the facts, lies, and alternative facts at the beginning of each chapter added that journalism element to the story and emphasized the main themes. This is definitely a heavy book, so know that going in. It's not something you read to escape, but something you read to help make these voices heard.

The only reason this isn't getting 5 stars is because I do think the big reveal was easy to spot about halfway through the story. I'm not sure if that was intended or not, and there are definitely some readers who might not see it coming. All in all, if you're looking for a dark thriller about getting justice for those without voices, I'd definitely recommend this one!

Right before leaving for her summer art camp, Jade’s friend Phoebe attempts suicide. Despite not wanting to go, her mom insists it will be good for her to get away. Jade isn’t so sure. How can she focus on herself when her friend is going through such a rough time?

However, once she gets to the Art Farm, Jade realizes she has the opportunity to really focus on her art. As she gets to know her classmates, she also starts to fall for Mary, a fellow artistic. Working on her art for the summer, Jade channels her anger, frustration, and stress into her ceramic monsters. However, it’s her art that might force her to confront her real fear.

Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for an advanced copy of this to review! If you follow me on Instagram, you know that graphic novels are my jam. I was excited to receive a copy of this, especially since it’s about art! Made me want to get out supplies and paint.

Right from the beginning, I was drawn in by the art style. It’s mostly in black and white, but there are pops of a reddish/pink color when emotions get high. It’s effective for the story that’s being told, and really helps to focus on the characters and the emotions in the story. It also helped in emphasize the sort of magical realism elements of the story.

While it doesn’t necessarily feel like a heavy book, McCoola deals with some heavy emotional things. Throughout the story, Jade is struggling with the fact that her best friend attempts suicide and she doesn’t know how to help. She’s conflicted about doing well at the art farm because it feels like she’s leaving Phoebe behind. All of these emotions felt realistic and I appreciated the way the art and the writing dealt with the topic of suicide.

The only thing that didn’t really work for me was the magical realism aspects. At times, it was a little unclear what exactly was happening. And if anyone else at the art farm noticed what was happening? I think just a little more clarification regarding that would have made this book even more stellar for me.

But, there’s queer rep and great discussions about art, so of course I’m going to love it. If you’re looking for a new graphic novel to pick up this summer, I’d recommend this one!

Emmett's dream is to become country's biggest gay superstar. Which is difficult when you're a teenager living in Illinois. So when a summer opportunity came up to perform at Wanda World in Tennessee, Emmett jumps at the chance. After all, Wanda Jean Stubbs is one of country music's biggest stars and Emmett's idol. It's the perfect opportunity to get discovered.

Oppositely, Luke hates country music. Given his family's history with country music, Luke knows how much pain the fame can bring. But as his mom's medical bills continue to build up, he takes a job at Wanda World for the summer. It's there he meets Emmett, and there are sparks. And maybe something more?

Thanks to NetGalley and HaperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! From the description, I thought this seemed like a great summer romance, and I was correct! If you're looking for a book to add to your Pride Month TBR, this one definitely fits the bill.

Luke and Emmett live very different lives, but I loved the dynamic together. Neither of them were really looking for a summer romance. However, it unfolds naturally between them. Right from their first meeting, you're rooting for them. Even if it wasn't necessarily the meet cute that you were expecting. It was awkward and teenager-like and I found it so endearing.

There's also a bit of mystery and intrigue with Luke's family history, and it added another element to the romance. Plus, Wanda was just a great character, and if you're a fan of Dolly Parton at all, you're sure to love her. Honestly, if you like country music in any capacity, you'll find a lot to love here. And if you don't like country music, the characters are sure to still pull you in.

All in all, if you're looking for a fun romance to add to your TBR this summer, definitely pick this one up!

This is only Goffney's second book, but I think she's already cemented her place as a pro at writing teen romance. From beginning to end, I was impressed with the way she handles difficult topics with a great set of characters you're going to love from the beginning. Well, maybe with the exception of one. If you've read it, you probably know exactly who I'm talking about.

At its core, this is a book about accepting yourself and advocating for yourself. Monique especially realizes her worth and I love the relationships she makes throughout the story, both romantic and otherwise. And the characters! They were so well rounded and each had their own motives and purpose. 

My only complaint is that it felt a little on the long side. Mostly because I think maybe the climax came a little too early? But everything else was perfect, and I will definitely keep reading Goffney when she publishes new books.