One of the most important books I’ve read. I love Chanel’s style of writing, how she invites the reader into her world, and takes us through her story. The writing is characterized with intricate details and beautiful prose. I highlighted SO much in this book. Readers will leave the book having gained a greater understanding of the problems with the legal system in America (which they hopefully already knew about, but specifically in the context of sexual assault). I highly recommend this book. (TW: sexual assault, rape)

One to Watch stars Bea, a plus-size fashion blogger who writes a blistering critique of a romantic reality tv show (similar to the Bachelorette). When the showrunner reaches out and wants to cast her as the lead role, Bea is deeply skeptical. After considering the benefits, Bea agrees to star on Main Squeeze and seek love among twenty-five men. However, the journey is rough as Bea battles cruelty and fatphobia. As Bea confronts stereotypes and learns more about the men competing, the hardest choice Bea has to make is if she will let her guard down.

This book made me laugh so much! Prepare to cringe as well, at some of the men and bullying Bea deals with. This is a very entertaining read, while also discussing serious topics including body positivity, fatphobia, and beauty standards. One to Watch makes fun of and utilizes classic reality tv tropes in equal measure. The result is that you feel like you’re binge-watching a show that you just can’t look away from! A multi-media format is effectively used to communicate a sense of how reality tv shows are dissected and discussed in real life.

Bea is a lovely and very relatable character. As the field of contestants narrowed, I found myself truly conflicted as to who Bea should choose. I was also impressed by how difficult it was to predict who the last man standing would be! The ending truly surprised me and it was very satisfying. I highly recommend One to Watch and I think it is the perfect summer romance read. One to Watch releases July 7, 2020. Thank you to Kate Stayman-London, Random House, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Last Dance is the story of Miriam, a prima ballerina who suffers an injury. When told she will no longer be able to dance, she strikes a deal with a mysterious spirit who promises to help her. As the rehearsals continue, strange things happen to the prima ballerinas who take Miriam’s place. When things escalate, Miriam realizes that the spirit must be confronted once and for all.

I loved the art style! The vibrant colors, use of shadows, and depiction of dance was fantastic. The story is very engaging and I loved the ending resolution with the spirit. I think students who dance will particularly enjoy this, but it is a very accessible book for anyone. The glossary of dance terms is a nice touch. Last Dance releases on November 3, 2020. Thank you to Hanna Schroy, Iron Circus Comics, and Edelweiss for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5- The dark tide demands a sacrifice each year. At the annual festival, the Witch Queen choses a boy to fall in love with and sacrifice to the sea. Lina worries over her brother Finley, but when Thomas Lin is chosen instead she decides to try and save him. Lina has secretly loved Thomas for years and isn’t going to surrender him to the witches without a fight. When Lina meets Eva, the Witch Queen, Lina is forced to confront everything that she assumed about witches, love, and the dark tide.

The atmosphere and descriptions in The Dark Tide were absolutely gorgeous. Eva is a beautifully dark character and Lina is fierce and strong. I loved the premise of this book, though I found it was a bit lacking in terms of character depth. I was fascinated by the witches’ magic and wanted more! I did feel completely transported to Caldella and ensconced in the Witch Palace. I recommend this book if you’re looking for a stunningly descriptive, queer, witchy book to enjoy!

A Curse of Ash and Embers tells the story of Elodie, a young woman sent away from home to work in a mysterious cottage. Elodie’s new mistress is the witch Aleida, who is secretly struggling with a curse. After defeating the previous cottage witch, Aleida has inherited all of the burdens and treasures of Black Oak Cottage. But someone is haunting the cottage and enemies are gathering to challenge Aleida. As Elodie learns more about who haunts Black Oak Cottage, she must decide who to trust and what she ultimately wants to be.

This was a fun read! I enjoyed the plot and the magical world. A Curse of Ash and Embers reminded me of Dealing with Dragons, by: Patricia C. Wrede. Throughout the book, Elodie must learn about magic and decide how far she will go to help Aleida. A Curse of Ash and Embers has powerful witches, morally grey characters, and fearsome villains. I’m looking forward to seeing how Elodie and Aleida’s adventures continue! A Curse of Ash and Embers releases November 3, 2020. Thank you to Jo Spurrier, Voyager- AU, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Now, see this space right here? This is where a reviewer might put a quote to pique your interest or make you chuckle. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do that...since I had to resist the urge to highlight the entire book because I loved every single sentence so much. But if I had to pick only one quote? I would still have to hand you the whole book, because it truly IS that hilarious. Boyfriend Material is very much my sense of humor and incorporates one of my favorite romance tropes (fake dating).

Luc is the son of a washed-up rock star and receives negative press from the paparazzi. He desperately needs a respectable boyfriend to help clean up his image and make sure his work fundraiser to save the dung beetles goes off without a hitch. Enter Oliver, a principled and prickly lawyer, who just so happens to need a date to his parents’ anniversary dinner. I adore both of these characters so much. Sarcasm, bacon sandwiches, and fake dating ensue.

This is one of those love stories for anyone who has struggled to believe that they are enough. Both Luc and Oliver are so relatable, and while Oliver seems to have his life a bit more together than Luc, neither is perfect. Luc’s circle of friends and found family feels lovely and real. Sometimes you just read a book so good that your deepest desire is to get on a plane to England, so you can befriend fictional characters.

Boyfriend Material is hilariously descriptive, each line written with intense care and humor. If you told me I’d be shrieking with laughter as an apartment is described, I would have been skeptical. Boyfriend Material will definitely give you some serious laughs, cringes, and happy tears. As for me, I’ve got to look into saving the dung beetles now. Boyfriend Material releases July 7, 2020. Thank you so much to Alexis Hall, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfamiliar Familiars was very cute and had a great sense of humor. I enjoyed the beautiful illustrations of the familiars and chuckled at the various methods for discovering which familiar is meant for you! Unfamiliar Familiars asks why we always assume a witch’s familiar has to be traditional and provides some fun alternatives. This would be a great gift and I also think it would be a big hit at parties. According to the book, my familiar is an axolotl. Once you’ve determined your familiar, you will learn some imaginative facts about what it means to have this animal as your familiar. (For example, having a swarm of bees is a bit more complex than you might think!) Unfamiliar Familiars was a lighthearted and enjoyable read. Unfamiliar Familiars releases September 1, 2020. Thank you so much to Megan Lynn Kott & Justine DeVine, Chronicle Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5- What a gorgeous cover! Shielded is a fast-paced, enjoyable fantasy adventure. The story follows Jennesara, a princess who is unknowingly betrothed to a prince in the neighboring kingdom. To save her kingdom, she agrees to fulfill her father’s betrothal agreement. On her journey, her group is brutally attacked and Jen is forced to flee into a magical forest, the Wild. Betrayal and conspiracy infect the kingdom and it becomes clear that Jen’s life is in danger. Jen decides to hide as a servant in the neighboring kingdom. While there, she meets her intended betrothed, his family, and a mysterious group of villains.

Jen is a very brave and daring character, she was one of the main reasons that I felt invested in the story. I would have loved to see more development and explanation of the magic system, including the Wild and Jen’s powers. In terms of the plot, there were areas where things seemed a little too convenient or didn’t make logical sense.

Spoiler

My personal pet peeve was that Jen has a white streak in her hair that immediately would identify her as having magic, and the only solution she has is to hide it in a braid. Can she cut it off, can she dye it, etc? The braid almost failed Jen so many times!

Overall, this was a fast-paced and enjoyable adventure. If you like classic YA tropes, fierce princesses, and adventure, then check out Shielded! While marketed for YA, I would say this is on the younger side of YA or upper middle grade. I will definitely be looking forward to the sequel and seeing how Jen’s adventures continue! Shielded releases on July 21, 2020. Thank you to KayLynn Flanders, Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Golden Fury is a dark and enchanting tale about the perils of alchemy and journey to create the Philosopher's Stone. Thea Hope is her mother’s apprentice in alchemy, until one day her mother destroys all of their work. Thea is forced to leave in search of her father, another alchemist. With her mother’s notes and the secret to creating the Philosopher's Stone in her possession, Thea rapidly becomes the target for a number of interested parties- all of whom want her knowledge of the Stone. As tensions rise, Thea must decide who to trust and attempt to complete the Stone on her own terms.

I devoured A Golden Fury. It has fascinating power plays, excellent pacing, and complex relationships. Thea is one of my favorite new characters! Despite a myriad of challenges, Thea is steadfast in her refusal to allow a man to take credit for her work. Thea’s story highlights the struggles women face, especially when working in fields from which they have traditionally been excluded on the basis of gender. A Golden Fury explores the price of success, parental relationships, and the true power of an alchemist. One of my favorite things about this story is that alchemy always requires a price, one which cannot truly be understood until it is done. If you enjoy stories about alchemy, magic coming with a price, and smart women, you should absolutely read A Golden Fury. A Golden Fury releases on October 13, 2020. Thank you to Samantha Cohoe, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was incredibly excited to read Spoiler Alert! From the gorgeous cover to the promise of fanfiction, I was hooked. Spoiler Alert was such a great romance, from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the body positivity, dyslexia representation, and the way fanfiction was expertly incorporated. For those who have ever written or read fanfiction, there will be some serious laughs and knowing smiles. If you’re new to the world of fandom, you will quickly be swept up! I liked that while Spoiler Alert draws on a fanfiction trope (celebrity meets fan), the story is unique. There is discussion of fandom life (both online and off), classic tropes, and toxicity in fandoms (in particular fat shaming).

April is a smart and confident character, from her job as a geologist to the intricacies of writing a canon-compliant fic. Marcus is a brilliant actor on many levels and I enjoyed seeing April break through his facade. While Marcus’ show is sadly fictional, you’re absolutely going to wish it was real! Spoiler Alert is filled with delightful moments of hilarity and sweetness. Both characters had high levels of emotional awareness, which is always fantastic to see. Dade demonstrates a deep understanding and knowledge of the world of fandom and fix-it fanfic.

Spoiler Alert made me laugh, smile, and nod with empathy. It was very well-paced and I was sad to reach the last page, but I’m already looking forward to a future book starring Marcus’ best friend. I highly recommend Spoiler Alert if you want a romance that deals with fanfiction, a confident heroine, body positivity, and an adorable couple. Spoiler Alert releases October 6, 2020. In the meantime, you can check out more of Olivia Wade’s work- I know that I will! Thank you to Olivia Dade, Avon, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.