I enjoyed a lot about Island Affair, but at the same time it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I enjoyed the atmosphere and dialogue, it felt like a vacation! The heavy emphasis on family and familial support was very well done. If fake boyfriend tropes are your favorite, Island Affair will likely be your cup of tea. The romance took place very quickly and I wasn't a huge fan of how it progressed. While I enjoyed seeing the character growth, I felt that while Sara was forced to learn and grow, Luis did not necessarily have to undergo the same process. Overall, if you're a fan of short and sweet romances, check out Island Affair! Take a look at the trigger warnings for this one, in regards to eating disorders.

The Dragon of Ynys is a charming and hopeful fairytale with an inclusive cast of characters. Sir Violet has been retrieving stolen items from the local dragon’s hoard for years. But when a villager goes missing, he is forced to take action. Upon confronting the dragon, his assumptions and beliefs are challenged. A quest ensues and friendship forms between knight and dragon as they search for the missing villager.

Examining what it means to be a hero and villain, the assumptions we make, and classic adventuring, this book is sweet and meaningful. The Dragon of Ynys is written in the style of Patricia C. Wrede in Dealing with Dragons, where assumptions about dragons do not prove true. In many ways, this is a story about a knight and a dragon on a quest, with classic scenarios that readers will recognize. However, this story also expertly incorporates ace, aromantic, and trans representation. This positive representation is needed now more than ever, particularly in children’s literature.

One of my favorite things about this story is how accessible is is for young children, middle grade, and adults. The Dragon of Ynys is a valuable addition to any library, especially for those seeking inclusivity, dragons, and fairytales with representation. I recommend this ownvoices story for anyone, regardless of age. I’m reading a version of this story that was written after the author had the opportunity to revise and reflect on feedback received from readers, which is addressed by the author in the afterword. The Dragon of Ynys releases on September 15, 2020. Thank you to Minerva Cerridwen, Atthis Arts, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fangs is the adorable love story of a vampire and werewolf who begin dating. As Elsie (vampire) and Jimmy (werewolf) learn about their partner’s quirks and preferences, there is always a strong sense of underlying humor. I thought the art style fit the story tone well and honors the characters’ personalities nicely. I found Fangs to be very clever and relatable. Anyone with a penchant for vampires, werewolves, or simply a sweet love story will enjoy this funny compilation from the author of Sarah’s Scribbles. Fangs releases on September 1, 2020. Thank you to Sarah Andersen, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

These Vengeful Hearts is the story of Ember, a loyal sister obsessed with getting revenge for her older sister. April was injured in a tragic accident and the culprit is a shadowy organization at school called The Red Court. The Red Court will help you with whatever you need, though everything comes with a price. Ember decides that she must go undercover and take down The Red Court from the inside. But once there, Ember starts to like the feeling of power and control that she’s gained. She will have to decide what matters most to her when her friends come into The Red Court’s crosshairs. And no one leaves The Red Court...

This was a fast-paced book that was hard to pause! I listened to the audiobook version and the time flew by. The narrator does an excellent job of voicing all the characters and it was pleasant to listen to. I found the most compelling part of this story was Ember grappling with her desire for power and control. Watching Ember navigate between trip wires as she ruthlessly worked toward her goals was very satisfying. I did not feel overly invested in the love interest, who felt somewhat dull.

I really liked the concept of The Red Court, a sinister and shadowy organization that is both legendary and feared. The secrecy, rules, and Ember attempting to learn the identity of the mysterious Red Queen was captivating to watch. To me, the story stumbled slightly in the conclusion, but I still found it enjoyable. If you are a fan of Gossip Girl or Riverdale, I think you will love These Vengeful Hearts. I can’t help wondering if there will be a sequel after that ending! These Vengeful Hearts is available now. Thank you to Katherine Laurin, RB Media, Inkyard Press, and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Esme’s Gift is the sequel to Esme’s Wish, a delightful middle-grade fantasy series. Esme has been reunited with her mother at last, but her adventures in Esperance are far from over. Not only does she have to convince her father that Esperance exists and attend magic school, Esme must also go on a dangerous quest to help her mother wake up. This story has a little bit of everything, from magic school, friendship, to dragons!

Esme, Lillian, and Daniel come into their gifts and work together as they collect spell ingredients to save Esme’s mother. Sinister villains, beautiful descriptions, and lovable characters made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. Esme’s Gift is imaginative and action-packed. The magic system is a continuous delight and the world-building is expertly expanded upon. I really loved spending time in Esme’s world and I’m so glad that this is a trilogy! If you loved Esme’s Wish then you should absolutely pick up Esme’s Gift. Esme’s Gift is available now! Thank you to Elizabeth Foster, BooksGoSocial, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Esme’s Wish is a fantastic middle-grade fantasy. Since the day her mother was presumed lost at sea, Esme has never given up hope that her mother is alive. On a visit to the island where her mother was last seen, Esme accidentally swims through a portal. A magical world called Esperance awaits her. As Esme explores, she makes friends and retraces her mother’s steps. When an ominous danger threatens, Esme realizes that her search for her mother may be linked to saving Esperance.

The story begins with Esme objecting to a wedding and I knew that it was going to be a fun time. I was genuinely delighted with the world-building, which feels similar to a Miyazaki film: imaginative creatures, creepy monsters, and beautiful art. Esme’s Wish is a lovely read filled with the spirit of adventure, portal travel, and true friendship. Written in a gentle and pleasant style, the story flew by. I quickly finished Esme’s Wish and was eager to start the sequel! Esme’s Wish is available now! Thank you to Elizabeth Foster, BooksGoSocial, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never finished an audiobook so fast in my life! When a murder occurs in a sleepy town, characters reunite to discover that while they may have tried to forget the past, the past has not forgotten them. With an intriguing cast of characters, it soon becomes clear that all have secrets, motive, and are deeply in danger. This is a story where one doesn’t want to say too much about the synopsis, I would prefer to just hand you a copy!

There is nothing I enjoy more than when a thriller keeps me guessing until the very end. That is exactly what happened with His & Hers! When I had to pause my audiobook, I was always thinking about the plot and clues in the back of my mind. As flashbacks occurred and secrets were revealed, I would constantly update my guess of who the killer was. Feeney does a fantastic job of sprinkling in clues and red herrings, which all have equal potential and are coated with intrigue. I really enjoyed her style of writing, this is the type of thriller that makes you think and frequently reassess what information has been revealed. His & Hers will have you double-checking if your doors are locked!

His & Hers is currently my favorite audiobook that I’ve listened to thus far in 2020. The audiobook performance was very high quality. I thought both narrators excelled at creating a spellbinding and creepy atmosphere. In particular, the performance for the voice of the killer was bone-chilling. I actually found the audiobook performance to be more compelling and gripping than simply reading the book! His & Hers releases July 28, 2020. Thank you to Alice Feeney, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review.