The complex evolution of Harley Quinn has always been fascinating to me. When I saw that this book dealt with her origin story, I was very excited to read it. With many writers, she feels misunderstood and not necessarily taken seriously. Her relationships with the Joker and Poison Ivy are often debated. (Personally, I love Poison Ivy and Harley!) However, Rachael Allen makes it clear from the first page that she deeply understands Harley, her bisexuality, her intelligence, and how conflicted between good/evil she is. 

In Harley Quinn: Reckoning, Harley must decide whether she is a hero or villain, or someone in between. Allen does an incredible job of including real-world issues such as sexism, sexual abuse, and misuse of power- all with a focus on STEM. The play of power dynamics that takes place in the books is all too real, forcing Harley and her friends to make difficult choices about who to trust. While much of the book deals with serious topics, there is also plenty of witty banter and funny, heartfelt moments.

I loved how Harley and her friends ended up forming a vigilante group and working together to discover who is hunting the girls on campus. The writing is witty and razor-sharp, seamlessly chilling as the plot comes together and the villain is revealed. I also appreciated the cameos from later parts of Harley’s life. I hope Allen can write more of Harley’s story! I really enjoyed Allen’s take on Harley’s origin story and found it very creative and nuanced. I can’t wait to see what Allen writes next! 

Harley Quinn: Reckoning is available now. Thank you so much to Rachael Allen, Random House Children’s, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Funny You Should Ask is an irresistible second-chance romance following journalist Chani and movie star Gabe as they reunite ten years after a fateful interview. Interweaving chapters from the past and chapters from the now, Chani and Gabe have incredible chemistry between them. As they unravel how things played out between them and what went wrong, it is impossible to look away. I particularly enjoyed Oliver’s story and his journey in Hollywood. The friendship that Gabe and Oliver had was wonderful to see. Of course, Teddy the puppy stole the show!

Elissa Sussman’s writing is hilarious- witty and self-deprecating in a very relatable way. I would recommend this for fans of the movie A Star Is Born and the author Taylor Jenkins Reid. I can’t wait to see what Elissa Sussman writes next! Thank you so much to Elissa Sussman, Random House Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Reputation is the story of Georgiana, sent to live with her aunt and uncle when her parents relocate to the seaside. Georgiana is simply bored out of her mind, at least until she is welcomed into the wild world of Frances. Frances is very wealthy and relishes in breaking rules. As Georgiana struggles to maintain appearances with the group, she will need to decide how far she is willing to go and who she wants to be.

Reputation was laugh-out-loud hilarious. This is my favorite type of writing, with witty banter tucked into every line. This is a multicultural regency world with LGBTQ+ rep, with nods to Jane Austen and Emma. My favorite part of the story was when Georgiana was able to decide for herself who she wanted to be. I also loved getting to know Thomas and Betty! I can absolutely see Reputation being compared to Mean Girls, especially in regards to Frances. This was a fast-paced and hilarious regency rom-com. Reputation is available now. Thank you so much to Lex Croucher, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hotel Magnifique is the story of a magical hotel, a devoted pair of sisters, and a mysterious bellhop. Jani dreams of a better life with her sister Zosa. When Zosa receives an invitation to sing at the Hotel Magnifique, it seems like a dream come true. However, Jani cannot accompany her sister unless she also gains employment at the hotel. Against all odds and with the help of Bel, a hotel employee, Jani is allowed to stay. As she learns more about the magic behind the hotel and what it means to have magic, it soon becomes clear that all is not as it seems. There is a dark and dangerous side to Hotel Magnifique, which will consume the sisters unless Jani can find a way to set themselves free.

Hotel Magnifique was such a delightful read! Taylor writes with beautiful sensory details, creating an enchanting atmosphere. I really enjoyed the sibling relationship between Jani and Zosa, their sisterhood is inspiring and ironclad. Bel is another great character- enigmatic and hiding deep secrets. The romance was lovely, deliciously sweet. The world-building felt fully fleshed out and real. I didn’t want to reach the last page! I hope one day Emily J. Taylor returns to the world or perhaps follows up with any of the intriguing side characters. I would highly recommend this for fans of Caraval and Where Dreams Descend. Hotel Magnifique is available now. Thank you to Emily J. Taylor, Penguin Teen, and Bookish First for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love from Scratch is the story of Reese and Benny, dueling interns on a popular cooking show. Reese and Benny are equally determined to land the fall internship. When Reese and Benny are unexpectedly required to perform on the show, sparks fly. Fans of the show love their chemistry and begin to request more of them. The fans speculate wildly on whether there is romance between them and online bullying becomes an issue. Reese must decide whether she truly wants a romance and figure out how she will deal with the bullies. 

This was a sweet and straightforward romance. I enjoyed that Reese is very aware of the sexism and double standards that she faces. She does a great job explaining it to Benny and ultimately reaching out to get help from her coworkers. Benny and Reese have an adorable romance, with lots of banter and longing looks. This was a light-hearted and enjoyable read. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys cooking shows, forced proximity, and a healthy dose of competition. Thank you so much to Kaitlyn Hill, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.