Another incredible romance from one of my favorite authors! Jasmine Guillory sure knows how to write a romance, and WHILE WE WERE DATING might just be my favorite from her!

This Black romance features the always beloved “oh, no, only one bed” trope, with a sprinkle of close proximity (impromptu road trip in the beginning) and a whole heaping of my fave, fake dating. I thoroughly appreciate the robust cast of side characters that make our main protagonists’ have fuller lives of the love story. Ben might just be my favorite guy love interest of all time, and Anna’s definitely the most relatable of all Jasmine Guillory’s protagonists. Also, I would totally take a sitcom with Ben and Theo as the main characters 😂

There’s anxiety rep in Anna and positive therapy rep in Ben! And both protagonists are Black 🥳

WHEN THE STARS RAIN DOWN by Angela Jackson-Brown stole my heart and has yet to give it back. This novel examines the positives in the relationship Black people have with religion and the opportunity to find comfort in a higher power. At the same time, it also explores the precarious relationship Black Americans sometimes have with religion, specifically Christianity. WHEN STARS RAIN DOWN also addresses peak White arrogance and how “allies” can do more harm than good when they talk over the marginalized and think they know better. It also dissects the misconception that the presence of “good white people” automatically assuage racial trauma inflicted.

This novel was realistic to the times but definitely not depressing, and Opal’s voice is so distinct that you’re always able to drop right back into the narrative. I absolutely adored Cedric and Opal’s relationship and the love, care, and tenderness that was present between these two Black people. It’s beautifully and engagingly written, backed with emotion and contemplation. The last quarter of the novel is so damn powerful and gut wrenching. This is an absolute and unexpected favorite.

I was expecting great things from ACE OF SPADES by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and this YA thriller surely did not disappoint. (Swipe for synopsis!) It reels you in casually with high school drama and intense pranks then TURNS THE HEAT ALL THE WAY UP towards the middle of the book. I felt on guard while reading this because there were so many chilling moments. It gave me serious Pretty Little Liars vibes (the earlier seasons that made sense 🥴🤫), and I was here for it. Think of this book like the younger, but just as powerful, sibling of When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole.

Chiamaka and Devon are such different characterd; you never forget whose perspectives you’re reading from. Also, Chiamaka is not the super likable Black girl protagonist you want her to be that folds herself and tames down her power in a sea of whiteness in order to blend in, so if you’re expecting that, DON’T. Chiamaka is calculating, motivated, and knows (or so she thinks) how to play the game she’s in to the best of her ability. Capped off with a dope ending, ACE OF SPACES perfectly captures how even an “invisible” threat like racism can ruin your mental, emotional, and physical health little by little. This YA thriller tackles institutional racism, systemic and structural racism, and the part white women and poor white people play in a white supremacist society.

Wow. What an ending. This series deserves all the hype it receives, and I'm excited to see what R.F. Kuang writes next.

I absolutely love Talyien’s character construction and how Villoso explores Tali working through constantly living in the shadow of her father. I feel like Yeshin is an actual character through how Tali talks about his influence on others and Tali’s memories of him, even though he’s been dead years before the series even begins. In addition to Tali’s super intriguing character is that this book (and series, honestly) is feminist as hell. The Ikessar Falcon delves deeper into the expectations of women in power as opposed to men in power and how constricting these expectations are for the women, but also for the communities they lead.

Villoso pens a beautiful, intriguing, action-packed, and hilarious novel that features more court politics and intrigue than some books that actually take place at court, and it’s masterfully done. I found myself fully invested in Talyien’s struggle the entire time. I appreciate how much of Rayyel we get in this book and how we’re able to see more of the Tali/Rai dynamic play out. There’s so much sexual tension between Tali and Khine; it’s ridiculous but in a good way LOL.

Agos, Khine, and Rai all compliment Talyien in a different way. Khine can match her wit and ideas; Agos matches her ferocity and temper; and Rayyel matches her intellect and understands the deep devotions and burdens of family. Out of all the men, Agos is probably my favorite in this book. He’s hilarious, loyal, and highly off his rocker but also a total badass. If you haven’t started this series yet, I truly don’t know what you’re waiting for.

THE WOLF OF OREN-YARO by K.S. Villoso is such a strong start to a fantasy trilogy. It’s full of political intrigue and non-stop action. It’s fast-paced and kept me engaged. There’s lots of twists and turns that kept me actively questioning what I knew, and it was almost like a mystery trying to decipher who is trustworthy in this book and who is not. Queen Taylien is hilarious, complex, and admirable, and seeing her thinking as both a queen and a mother was fascinating.

This book deals with themes of loneliness and loyalty. It also touches upon the treacherous balance of motherhood, marriage, and duty to your people, as well as the double-standards of women in positions of power in comparison to their male counterparts. I’ve already started the second book, The Ikessar Falcon, which is THICC, and I’m excited to see where Queen Taylien’s journey is heading.