Growing up, Mack has always been a hopeless romantic. Probably because of the films he grew up watching. For the longest time, he's had a crush on Karim. When Karim becomes his boyfriend, Mack can't believe his luck. Their connection is so strong, it has to be true love.

However, their relationship is about to get tested when Mack's dad, a famous movie director, gets a job in Scotland. Now, they'll have to try long distance and only see each other on weekends. When Mack meets Finlay on his father's set, they have an instant connection. As their relationship grows, how long should he wait to tell Karim? And what happens when both his lives collide?

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of Only on the Weekends to review! The Black Flamingo is definitely one of my favorite novels in verse, so I was excited to see Dean Atta wrote another book. And I'm happy to say that this one doesn't disappoint!

You might think that a novel in verse can't get quite the same emotional effect and character development as a prose novel. Dean Atta is here to prove you wrong! There was so much emotional nuance in this book, especially as Mack tries to figure out who he is. While at first he doesn't want to go to Scotland, it's in Scotland he kind of feels like he can be himself. But he also doesn't know how to reconcile that with his relationship with Karim. There's so much complexity there told in fewer sentences, and it's actually really beautiful.

Outside of the romance, we also get to see Mack grow in his relationship with his dad. He gets to see him more while they are in Scotland, and they get to work on their relationship. Seeing them work stuff out helped to grow Mack's character as well as his dad's. Incorporating how both of them dealt with the loss of Mack's mother and their miscommunication through it all. Atta is really a master at emotions.

The only reason this isn't getting 5 stars is because the pacing felt a tad off to me. I think the middle act could have been made a bit shorter so we could have seen more in the resolution at the end. I wanted to see how the characters got to breath after everything went down. But other than that, this is absolutely a deep, character-driven story that will hook you from the beginning.
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The relationships in this felt so real and authentic, especially as Mack tries to figure where his feelings actually lie. Stay tuned for a full review later this week!

While we don't yet know 100% what's going on, we do get an expansion of this world and hints at what might be going on. Time travel, potential aliens, and characters you're definitely going to love. I do think that's one of the things that Brian K. Vaughan is best at. Writing a group of characters you know you're going to love, even if they're going to (probably) put you through emotional turmoil. Will definitely be picking up the next one after work today!

If you're looking for something with Stranger Things vibes, I highly recommend this! About a group of girls who suddenly get drawn into this time/space/otherwordly conflict. It feels like a Brian K. Vaughan comic to me, and I don't know why it took me so long to pick it up!

The writing is intriguing and with the way it ends, you'll definitely want to pick up the next volume. I'm also in love with the color palette, as it just works so well for the 80s vibe that this book is giving off. While the main characters are 12, I do think they read a little older than that. More teen than tween, honestly. But that doesn't hold me back as I'm sure I will grow to absolutely love them by the time I am finished!

This volume covers the stress of entrance exams, actually giving us Yatora's process while he's in his first art exam. Like the other volumes, this one also covers some different art styles and processes that readers might not otherwise be familiar with. Still makes me want to get out my paints and do some painting myself!

Honestly, if you're looking for something cute to read after watching Heartstopper, but don't necessarily want to read Heartstopper again, I'd recommend this! It's a cute, friends-to-lovers romance with some mental health rep thrown in. It is absolutely a delight to read, and gives off the perfect summer reading vibes!

While I do think it could have been a bit shorter, I loved the characters in this. I also loved the comics vibes throughout, as Isaac is absolutely obsessed with a comic series throughout this. The characters felt relatable, and the moments between Isaac and Diego were heartfelt and the way their relationship evolved felt natural. Plus, the cover just gives you all the happy vibes as well. Julian Winters is great at writing adorable MLM romance, and this book just proves it!

If you're looking for a fun, ridiculous space adventure, you will have definitely found it in this book. It definitely gave me Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy vibes, if you threw a little musical competition into it. Really enjoyed listening to the audiobook because the different voices that the narrator used were fantastic. Maybe not something I would typically pick up on my own, but definitely something I had a lot of fun reading!

What an ending to this story! We know we'll be getting more from Verania next week, but Sam's destiny arc is over with this book. And seriously, TJ Klune didn't pull any of the punches for this book. I mean, you knew that the ending battle was going to be pretty epic with some good villain monologues, but this ending was not what I was expecting and I was here for it!

My favorite thing about this was most definitely the characters. They're all completely ridiculous, but you can't help but love them right from the beginning. Everyone deserves a friend group like this, honestly. And writing those relationships is TJ Klune's wheelhouse. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

 Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of Café Con Lychee to review! Meet Cute Diary was one of my favorite reads of last year, so I was excited to see what Lee came up with next. Happy to say e didn’t disappoint! While this book has different vibes than Meet Cute Diary, Lee just has a knack for writing teenagers.

Much like in Meet Cute Diary, I loved the characters in this. They felt like fully fleshed out teenagers. Not just Theo and Gabi, but the side characters as well. Of course, we get some friendship drama, which absolutely felt true to life. Gabi’s own struggles with coming out and figuring out how to tell his parents felt natural and will definitely pull at your emotions. Theo is out, but has his own struggles with his family, even if it doesn’t come from his parents. Moving from rivals to friends to something more felt natural and realistic and I loved every moment of it.

And the food! There are some lovely, wonderful descriptions of food in here. You’ll be sucked into Theo and Gabi’s story and definitely feel hungry once you finish it. While you might be able to see the ending coming, you won’t care because you love the characters so much.

All in all, if you’re looking for a fun, food-themed rivals to lovers romance to read this summer, definitely pick this one up! 
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Okay, I think Emery Lee is just great at writing teenage experiences. This book was fun, emotional, with such great characters! Stay tuned for a full review to come soon!

Umm okay. Who gave TJ Klune the right to end this book like that? Definitely wasn't expecting it to get that emotional. There are some great moments between our favorite characters in this book, too. Say what you will about how ridiculous things might get in Verania, but man. TJ Klune really knows how to write a great group of characters that you care about. And he most definitely isn't afraid to devastate your emotions, either.

While there were moments in this book that felt a tad repetitive, I found it didn't bother me becuase I loved reading the interactions between the characters. By then time I got to the last quarter, I couldn't put it down!

Thanks to Macmillan Children's and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Marvellers to review! This middle grade, magical school fantasy should definitely be on your radar of May releases. It is absolutely a delight to read! From beginning to end.

Clayton's skills in world building are on full display here! If you're a fan of magical schools in the slightest, you'll absolutely love this. Arcanum is a magical school in the sky. What isn't to love about that? The way that we're presented with the world and the school quickly pulls you into the story. I promise you'll be hooked from the get go!

And the characters! Not only do we get to see them through interactions, but the bits and pieces between chapters. Throughout, Clayton includes news clippings, messages, etc. to help with building characters and the world. And it works so well! Not only does it help with world building, but we get to see different character personalities as well. Honestly, it just makes you fall in love with this little group of misfits even more.

All in all, if you're looking for a new middle grade fantasy to dive into, definitely pick this one up when it comes out in May!
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Let me tell you, this book is a delight! From the magic school to the friendships made to the overall world. Middle grade fantasy fans will definitely enjoy this! Stay tuned for a full review to come next week.