This is marketed as a thriller, which I really don't think it is. Yes, there's sort of a mystery at it's core, but it doesn't read like a thriller. It reads more like general fiction than anything else. It definitely focuses more on the mental health aspects of both of our narrators. 

The mental health rep is probably the best aspect of this book. There aren't a lot of YA books that deal with schizophrenia, so that representation is a bonus (I think it's done well, but I might refer to someone who is more knowledgeable on the subject). You can feel the anxiety building in Alberto's chapters, and it fits the pace of the novel well.

What I didn't believe was the sort of romance angle. There's a bit of insta love, and for the most part, it just didn't feel believable to me. Believable that maybe Grace felt a connection to Alberto, but leaving the romance angle out would have made it an overall better story (in my opinion).

All in all, this is a quick read, even it wasn't exactly what I was expecting.

I picked this one up because Adrienne Tooley is honestly a pro at writing sapphic standalone YA fantasy, and then I find out this one isn't standalone. So yes, it ends with a cliffhanger! I don't know if it needed to be more than one book, but I will reserve that judgement for when I read the second one. Which I will probably do.

But! The slow burn romance in this one is great, with a morally gray protagonist as one of the narrators. The world Tooley created was really interesting, peppered with a fantastic cast of characters. I don't think this is my favorite of her books, but I did enjoy it while I was reading it! I didn't want to put it down last night until I finished it. And now I need the second book.

It’s common knowledge that Jordan Plazas and Cindy Ortiz hate each other. They’ve gone viral many times with their shouting matches between their families’ food trucks. The food truck rivalry between their two families has been well-established the entire time they’ve been in high school.

However, what everyone doesn’t know is that it’s all a front: Jordan and Cindy are actually dating. When they get approached by a TV studio to do a reality show, they have to pretend that they aren’t. Otherwise, everything their families have built could come tumbling down around them. 
 

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyward Press for an advanced copy of With or Without You by Eric Smith to review! Eric Smith is always a good time for a rom-com, and making it food truck themed just upped the fun. And it might make you hungry!

We don’t often get YA romances where the relationship is already established from page 1; it’s kind of fun to get to see the relationship play out without all of the (kind of awkward) beginning stuff. Jordan and Cindy have chemistry from the beginning, and the way they play up the rivalry between their families has a fun spin to it. 

This book does read like reality TV, with little scenes sprinkled throughout that are confessionals for the characters. These add a fun element to the story, and really put you in the reality TV zone. While this works for the story, I’m not a huge fan of reality TV; I think that’s part of the reason this didn’t resonate with me like Smith’s other books.

However, if you like food themed romances, this is definitely the book for you! 

Alas, we have finally gotten to the point where I haven't read these before. Don't ask me why I got to book 4 in this series and never finished it. The only answer I have for you is I think I was in grad school when this book first came out. But I digress!

Despite their length, Riordan books are quick reads for me because of the way they are paced. I can see why kids of all kinds come into the library and say they've flown through these books because it is easy to do! Not only are all of the characters fun, but there's action and humor and it's just an all around good time, despite the impending doom.

Also, Nico! I can see why people say he's one of their favorite characters because I just want to wrap him in a big hug. I'm glad we finally get to see from his point of view. And his interaction with Percy at the end? Gold.

While this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger, you can kind of tell that Riordan is setting up for another series. It's an overall good conclusion to this story arc, but there's an opening there at the end for another series. 

The best thing about this book was the characters, hands down. Not only do we have great queer representation, but also disability rep too. Of course, it's Anna-Marie McLemore, so that's kind of expected at this point. I appreciated all of the details and emotions that when behind our two main characters, Val and Cade. They had fabulous chemistry, and they felt like they could just be with each other. I absolutely loved every moment of that.

It's the world building that brought the story down for me. While usually I don't mind just beind dropped into the middle of the action, in this story, it didn't feel like there were enough details for me to fully grasp what was going on. There's a war between kingdoms and some sort of curse, but we switched points of view so much I felt like I never really got the full story. Adding a few more details definitely would have helped in this aspect.

Despite that, please keep bringing this kind of diversity to YA fantasy! It's great for all kinds of readers to see themselves in these magical worlds.

You got me with the bookseller who just wants to connect people with books, honestly. That angle was absolutely my favorite part of this one, as Viv gets into all of the books that she's recommended. It's honestly quite adorable!

This book has the same cozy vibes as [book:Legends & Lattes|61242426], with the epilogue bringing the two full circle. I would definitely continue to read stories set in this world because it's just so cozy and fun and a delight to read. Loving the fact that cozy fantasy is making the mark that it is.

Also, Travis Baldree reads the audio and does a fabulous job, honestly. Sometimes it's hit or miss with authors reading their own books, but he has a great narration voice. I would listen to more books with him as the narrator!

Wren Martin has officially become student council president, which means he’s finally going to fix the school. His first order of business: abolish the Valentine’s Day Dance. Not just because he’s asexual, but because it drains the school of resources it actually needs.

Enter Leo, the new vice president and advocate for the dance. When he suggests getting the popular friendship app, Buddy, to sponsor the dance, it technically solves all of the budget problems. Curious, Wren downloads the app. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for his match. After all, dating wasn’t in his plans. Now, Wren has to balance the dance, his new feelings, and his realization that he might not hate Leo after all. 
 

Thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Teen for an advanced copy of Wren Martin Ruins It All by Amanda DeWitt to review! This queer rom-com is definitely a book that you’ll want on your TBR this fall. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire time I read it.

Let me start by saying that DeWitt absolutely nails the voice in this. Wren is a bit chaotic, a bit stuck in his ways, but his panic about possibly developing a romantic crush? Adorable. Perfect. A teenager in every way. Especially as he realizes that he maybe has feelings for his rival, Leo, as well. If you love that sort of “I hated this guy forever, but maybe that’s because I actually had feelings for him” kind of story, this hits it to the tee. With some great secondary characters to boot.

I am so glad that YA books like this exist now, but man, I wish they had existed when I was a teenager. They maybe would have saved some stress when I was in my late 20s. Wren’s doubts and fears about dating as someone who identifies as asexual are just so spot on. And his developing relationship with Leo works well with the plot of the story, moving at just the right pace.

While a lot of the story is rom-com hijinks, there is also a deeper emotional core to Wren, and to Leo. Wren is dealing with losing his mother to cancer, and how that’s maybe changed his ideas for the future. When Wren realizes that Leo struggles with similar problems, the connection they form? It just works so well. I can’t say that enough about this book: the relationship progression just works so well.

Is the plot a tad predictable? Yes, but I did not care. I was so invested in Wren, rooting for him the entire way. It’s honestly the kind of rom-com I needed after being in a sort of movie/TV hangover with Red, White, & Royal Blue and Heartstopper. If you’re into those things too, you’ll love this when it comes out in November. 

Honestly, this was so interesting. As someone who knows a lot about YA literature in general, I hadn't known most of the story behind this iconic book. A book I haven't actually read (but have been generally aware of it because it is quite an important piece of the history of YA lit in general). I think part of the reason I bascially devoured this book is due in part to the writing style. It was written in a way that was really easy to get into, and leaves off on sort of cliffhangers that make you want to keep reading.

It's interesting how these books fit culturally into the context of US histroy, especially the War on Drugs and the Satanic Panic. In fact, a lot of this book looks at history and how it effected teenagers, especially in relation to books like Go Ask Alice. It's all interesting to me, and even though this is nonfiction, I read it faster than I do for most nonfiction.

Admittedly, I haven't read all of the Remixed Classics series (of which there are a lot now!), but the ones I have read have been great! This one is no exception! It captures the essence of the original play while putting a new spin on it. Honestly, making Romeo gay works so well for the story, and I loved the way this changed his relationship with Juliet. 

The romance, of course, is fantastic, even though it includes insta-love (which is not my favorite). But you kind of have to include it if you're staying true to the original story. Of course, there's tragedy, but not quite the tragedy we get in the original play. There's more hope in this one! All in all, I just really enjoyed this gay spin on the classic Romeo and Juliet.

First of all, I love the concept of this. I wish more short story anthologies were more collaborative stories like this because I feel like I'm more invested. I also think teens would be more drawn to them than the regular short story anthologies that are being published (of which there are too many in my opinion, but I digress!).

My main issue is I think there are a tad too many characters in this one. There's a lot to remember between the stories, and widdling it down to fewer authors (which means maybe they get to write more parts?) would help with the overall clarity. And maybe a character map if you're going to have this many characters.

The mystery intertwined with the fantasy though, I enjoyed that! I loved the magic school setting, too. Such a fun concept that just needs a little bit of tweaking to really put it over the edge.