One Last Stop was captivating and delightful; it was everything I hoped it would be. I felt so lucky to receive an ARC! As soon as August met Jane on the subway, I literally couldn’t put the book down and read it in two sittings. I found myself deeply curious about the mystery of why Jane cannot leave the subway, the lives of August’s many roommates, and of course the magical love story at the heart of it all.

I don’t know how McQuiston has managed to pen experiences and emotions that feel so specific yet relatable. The witty banter and references were scarily accurate! They perfectly capture the sense of being young in a big city and finding a chosen family, while reaching for impossible love. The supporting cast creates a fantastic sense of community and acceptance. Readers will find themselves drawn into a wonderful LGBTQ+ family along with August.

One Last Stop is the type of book that will constantly occupy your thoughts when you aren’t reading it. This book steams with the warmth of summer, fragrant sweet pancakes, and hungry kisses in the dark. I highlighted so many quotes! All the truths and jokes combine into a beautiful and compelling prose. Against a sunset-drenched skyline, McQuiston brings the heat and longing of an unlikely love to a scorching crescendo.

August and Jane quickly stole my heart and I can’t emphasize enough how much you won’t want to miss out on this love story! I highly recommend this book to everyone- especially anyone who’s ever wondered about a cute stranger on public transportation. Thank you so much to Casey McQuiston, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For the Wolf is the story of a girl who has been marked for sacrifice since she was born. Red is the second daughter and the second daughter belongs to the Wolf. When the time comes for her to venture into the Wildwood, Red discovers that there is more to the Wolf and the Wildwood than the legends ever knew. As Red gains a deeper understanding of the hungry forest, she is forced to work with unexpected allies in order to save her sister and country.

I absolutely loved this book! The writing is dark, lush, and lyrical. Throughout, Whitten asks the delicate question of what it means to be a monster. I loved how hungry and bloody the forest was. It was impossible to look away as the characters were pushed to their limits. The romance is a delightful slowburn which I’m excited to see develop further! The portrayal of the strengths and flaws of the characters ultimately made this an incredibly compelling read.

I already can’t wait for the sequel, which promises to be spine-chilling and magical. I highly recommend For the Wolf, especially if you like: sibling stories, hungry magic, slow-burn romance, and lovable monsters. Thank you so much to Hannah Whitten, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Nature of Witches is a beautiful and thoughtful debut. Clara is an Everwitch, a witch whose powers change with the seasons. Each season calls to her in a different way, but her grasp on her unique powers is tenuous at best. With wildly shifting weather, it soon becomes imperative that Clara improve. A tutor arrives in the form of Sang, a Spring witch with an interest in botany. As the seasons change, Clara must decide if the deadly cost of her powers is worth it.

This was an enchanting read! I thought the magic system was very well-developed and creative. The atmospheric magical interactions were one of my favorite parts of the story; it made me wish I could harness seasonal powers of my own! The love interest is someone that readers will swoon for, he is very thoughtful and sweet. Watching Clara journey through grief, love, and changing with the seasons was an extraordinary adventure. I can’t wait to see what Rachel Griffin writes next! Thank you so much to Rachel Griffin, Sourcebooks Fire, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Effervescent and transportive, The Chosen and The Beautiful felt like the most vivid dream to me that I never wanted to end. Needless to say, I had to pinch myself when I was approved for an ARC. A queer Great Gatsby retelling with an adopted, Vietnamese Jordan Baker? YES please!! Readers who have read the original Great Gatsby will recognize plot points, but you don’t need to have read it to enjoy The Chosen and the Beautiful. Personally, I enjoyed this magical retelling more than the original!

There is never a dull moment in a world filled with ghosts, demons, and paper magic. Jordan sees clearly through the illusions and enchanted elixirs, but is still swept along for the ride. The magic system was intriguing, yet I would have liked to see Jordan explore it a little more. Jordan has to deal with subtle and overt racism as a Vietnamese woman adopted into a white family. I particularly loved the LGBTQ+ rep!

Vo has a way of delivering a sentence that will stop you in your tracks to marvel at the perfect eloquence of it. The magical atmosphere utterly surrounds and envelops the reader; I never wanted to put this book down. The emotions and dreams of the characters shine brightly throughout. I particularly enjoyed how Gatsby is portrayed with cunning and deception. Read The Chosen and The Beautiful if you want to be completely swept away to a glamorous, decadent, and queer re-imagining of The Great Gatsby. Thank you so much to Nghi Vo, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Neon Gods follows Persephone, a young woman desperate to avoid an hastily arranged marriage with the villainous Zeus. After being chased, she stumbles into Hades’ forbidden terrain across the river where she strikes a bargain. Seeing an opportunity for revenge, Hades agrees to let her stay with him. As political pressure from Zeus intensifies and Hades learns about the real Persephone behind her polite society mask, the budding romance between them can no longer be contained. When spies infiltrate Hades’ territory, Persephone’s sisters become pawns, and Persephone must choose what and who she really wants.

Neon Gods is a fun and romantic take on Hades and Persephone. Katee Robert delivers the dark and steamy romance that she’s known for from her previous books. I will never be tired of reading interpretations of Hades and Persephone's story! Robert creates a passionate and alluring relationship between them. Hades is alternately stern and tender, while Persephone struggles to find her balance in a new world. There is always a strong emphasis on consent and checking in with partners, especially as their encounters drastically increase in heat. I would have liked to see more development with world-building and explanation behind the magical powers. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series! Thank you to Katee Robert, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trouble Girls is a powerful and dark read. Filled with visceral and gritty details, it tells the story of two girls who attempt to go on the run and flee West after a night of violence. With the cops closing in and the heat increasing, sparks fly between the girls as they drive. Trouble Girls examines violence against women, the patriarchy, and the power of women everywhere uniting to protect each other against predators.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is a very important book that many will find reflects aspects of their lives back to them. The romance between Trixie and Lux was heartbreaking and bittersweet. I enjoyed the stolen romantic moments between the girls as they explore what it means to be in love while the ticking clock of their pursuers relentlessly pushes them to drive. The descriptions of violence were sometimes graphic, yet they reflect the reality of what it means to exist as a woman. The prose is unflinching and honest. Trouble Girls pulls no punches, makes no apologies, and holds a mirror up to the world we live in. This was a heartbreaking and wildly burning tale that I will be thinking about for some time. I would recommend reading the trigger warnings for this book, especially regarding sexual assault, abuse, sexism, and violence. Thank you to Julia Lynn Rubin, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.