I recommend reading some of the other review by BIPOC people (especially @bookstagramrepresents on Instagram) becuase there are some problematic things that have been brought up about this book. There's one conversation about the East India Trading Company that will definitely make you cringe when you read it. I know it did for me.

For the most part, I feel like this book had potential but it just kind of fell flat, outside of the things mentioned in other reviews. There didn't seem to be a lot of romantic chemistry between Taylor and Kat, and it was more told than actually shown in the book. All in all, there are probably better vampire books out there for you to read.

After losing his older sister in a car accident, Kermit is no stranger to grief. It seems that everywhere he looks, there's a reminder of her. A reminder that she's no longer there to give him advice, to support him. When Kermit goes back to school, he finds a mysterious note in his locker inviting him to the Minus-One Club. A club where all of the members have lost someone. A club where everyone gets grief.

One member of the club is Matt, the only out gay kid at school and someone who Kermit might have a crush on. Spending time with Matt seems to be one of the only things that helps Kermit with his grief. But as Kermit spends more time with Matt, he realizes how much pain Matt is actually hiding. And Kermit has to find the strenght to help keep Matt from falling apart.

Thanks to Henry Holt & Co. for an advanced copy of this book to review! Kekla Magoon is such a force in YA and kids literature that I knew I had to read her new book. This book definitely packs a punch; it doesn't flinch away from the difficult sides of grief, of religion, and of mental illness. There may be a lot to unpack in this book, but it doesn't feel overwhelming like it sometimes can.

This book is sort of fomatted like a series of vingettes in a way, as the chapters are very, very short. We get both present day and flashbacks of when Kermit's sister was alive. Throughout, we get to see Kermit struggling with his sexuality, especially because his parents are very religious. Kermit isn't sure how to feel about his feelings for Matt, and as readers, we can see this confusion playing out on the page. It's honestly wonderfully done.

The sections with Matt and Kermit are some of the best but also some of the most heart-wrenching. You can see how much Matt is struggling, with a non-existent support structure at home. Kermit does his best to be there for him, but they're also both teenagers. There's only so much he can actually do.

I also loved the concept of the Minus-One Club, inducting members who experience loss so they can realize that they aren't alone. The group evolves by the end of the book (by necessity), and I wish more high schools were able to have groups like this because it's so important to see that you're not alone when you're going through something traumatic like that.

The only thing I would change about this book is to add a little more resolution at the end. With the major event that happens towards the end of the book, I think the characters needed a little more room to breath. But other than that, this is a powerful book that you should have on your January TBRs!

Oh how I loved this! It is very much a character driven, slice of life kind of graphic novel and I am here for that. The art and the way color was used throughout was beautiful, and I appreciated that there were sections that didn't have any words at all. It just focused on the characters and the various ways that they take care of their hair.

In a way, it reminded me of an adult version of the middle grade graphic novel [book:Frizzy|59251234] that also came out this year (and I also highly recommend!). In addition to being an ode to Black hair, it's also a story about love, friendship, and support. The four main characters are all there for each other, and they show up in multiple ways. It's a wonderful book, and I hope more people read it!

This book feels like a combination of The Hunger Games, a tri-wizard tournament, and The Scorpio Races, but in the way that it doesn't really know what it wants to be? There is a lot going on in this book, and that makes the overall plot a little difficult to follow. It would have benefited from narrowing some of the conflicts and maybe just focusing on the races and the reason that Koral is entering the races. 

The plot itself drags a bit, and it ends like it might have a sequel coming? But it also kind of reads like a standalone, so I'm not sure. A few of the main characters were fleshed out, but most of the characters kind of blended into the background. I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, honestly! It mostly felt like a lot of the YA fantasy you can find out there.

When you're not used to ready (very) steamy adult romance, this is a jolt. Not in a bad way, it's steamier than the cover implies, honestly. Which I should have known probably from the description, but here we are! It was still an enjoyable book nonetheless.

Someone else said that this is like a Hallmark Christmas movie but with way more spiciness and I definitely agree with that assessment. You know what to expect plotwise, and this book definitely delivers. I love the idea of filming on a Hallmark-esque Christmas movie set with actors you might not otherwise expect, which made for a fun story. Both of our MCs describe themselves as disaster bisexuals, and I also loved that.

I enjoyed this rare adult romance read for the holiday season, and I think others will enjoy it too! Especially if you love Hallmark movies for their feel good factor but want a little more spice thrown in.

 After going to her best friend’s Sweet Sixteen party, Mahalia decides that she wants to have a party of her own. Even though it’s too late for her own Sweet Sixteen, inspiration strikes her: what if she had a Coming Out Party? An overall celebration of her identity, allowing her to come out on her own terms.

In order to throw the party of her dreams, Mahalia has to save. It’s just her and her mom, and sometimes they struggle to make ends meet. To top it all off, Mahalia also has a crush on the new girl, secretly hoping that she likes her back. Balancing work, school, and her personal life might just get in the way of her getting to actually throw her Coming Out Party. 
 

Thanks to Knopf Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett to review! After seeing this cover, I knew I immediately had to read this. I am jealous of that rainbow dress! If you’re looking for a feel good, queer romance to start off your 2023 with, I definitely recommend this one.

Mahalia struggles with a variety of things in this book, from helping her mom with the finances to coming out to her potential first relationship to school work. There’s a lot that teens will relate to in this book, especially because it seems like teens are always balancing a million things on a daily basis. Garrett nails Mahalia’s voice, and you’re rooting for her throughout the entire book.

The idea of a Coming Out party is such a fun concept, and while it takes a back seat in the plot at times, the rest of the conflicts make up for it. Especially Mahalia’s burgeoning romance with Siobhan. It’s seriously adorable and I loved it. I think fans of Heartstopper will thoroughly enjoy this book as well.

All in all, from the characters to the plot to the voice, Garrett has a winner on her hands. Keep an eye out for it when it comes out in January! 

This reminded me of How to Train Your Dragon but for older readers and I am here for it. I didn't even realize this was about dragons until I started readin git, but yay! We need more YA dragon books, honestly. They don't get nearly the amount of attention that they deserve.

I basically listened to this book in one sitting because it was so on the edge of your seat. I needed to know what happened next! Ibañez does such a great job with world building, and even if the plot was a little predictable, I found I didn't mind. I was engrossed in what was happening and the chemistry between Zarela and Arturo. So well done.

All in all, if you think you'd like an aged up version of How to Train Your Dragon with Spanish influences, you'll definitely love this book!  

Erica Waters is great at writing spooky vibes, honestly. With heavy true crime vibes, I appreciated the conversations the characters had about people's obsession with true crime. Especially as it pertains to the victims of true crime stories. Waters weaves a twisty mystery in this, with weird things happening on every turn in this park. You never really know what's going on, and I like that there's still a little mystery behind it by the end. Adds a little intrigue to the story.

There is a love triangle in this, which isn't always my favorite. It's also a little easy to see where the plot is going towards the beginning, especially if you're a fan of true crime. But I still enjoyed the vibes, and thought the overall premise of the story was really interesting!

This was...interesting. Honestly, I'm not really sure how to feel about it. The premise is interesting; in this world, when important things turn to junk, they summon creatures called Junkwraiths who basically eat your memories. That's such a cool idea, and honestly, I would have loved to see it fleshed out more. For a good chunck of the beginning of this graphic novel, I was just genuinely confused. I didn't know where it was going, and I wanted more detail in the world.

The characters were pretty fleshed out, at least the main characters. The motivation of the police-officer like character hunting junkwraiths was mostly unclear to me. I didn't understand the purpose of him looking for these characters, and I don't think his storyline was necessary to the plot. It could have just focused on Flo and her journey curing the wraith.

The art style wasn't my favorite, but there were some nice panels throughout. It just gets kind of abstract in places. Really, this was a mixed bag for me. I'd recommend it to people who like the weird sci-fi kind of stuff!

 While back in the hospital being treated for her clinical depression, Whimsy meets a strange boy named Faerry. They find a kinship with each other when they both realize that they have magic in their bones. When she moves back home, Whimsy is surpsied to learn that Faerry and his family have moved to her street.

As they get to know each other, they both realize they have a paralyzing fear of the Marsh Creek Forest. And that maybe their paths have crossed before. But the forest whispers to Whimsy and Faerry, despite the dangers that it holds. After all, It just might hold the answers that they both have been looking for, if they're brave enough to face the truth. 

Thanks to Feiwel and Friends and NetGalley for an advanced copy of We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride to review! Me (Moth) was honestly such a masterpiece, and I don't know why more people don't talk about it. Plus, just look at this cover. It's on par for one of the best covers of 2023, and the year hasn't even started yet.

This is a novel in verse that doesn't shy away from the difficult topics. McBride pulls on her experiences with clinical depression, and she is a master at conveying these emotions in words. There were so many times where I had to pause while reading because this book is so emotional. It's about depression, about working through trauma, with two main characters that find solace in each other. It may be written in verse, but that almost makes it all the more powerful. 

There is a magical realism element to this book as well, which at times made it difficult to figure out what was actually going on. It's one of those books that lends itself to multiple readings because I'm sure that you'd find something different every single time you read it. Not only does it deal with Whimsy and Faerry trying to work through their own mental health, but also how they are perceived as Black teenagers with mental health issues. All of this is so well done, and I think this book will get a lot of buzz when it comes out in January.

All in all, be prepared for an emotional ride, but this should definitely be on your TBR for January.