bookish_selkie's Reviews (2.14k)

Director’s Cut is the latest sapphic romance from Carlyn Greenwald. What a gorgeous cover! I loved her debut, The Sizzle Reel, so I was excited to read this. Director’s Cut follows Val, an actress and director in Hollywood who also happens to have a PhD. When Val gets an opportunity to teach students at USC, she leaps at it. Val isn’t sure what she’ll do if her film doesn’t succeed and is eager to explore other options. Her co-teacher is the unimpressed Maeve, who believes Val hasn’t really earned the position. Yet as Val proves she deserves to be there, Maeve and Val grow closer. What happens when Hollywood intrudes on their classroom? 

Val and Maeve have a lot of sizzling tension between them, which I loved. I enjoyed how it took Val some time to prove to Maeve that she was truly invested in the class and not just as a gimmick for her career. There is fantastic LGBTQ+ rep throughout, including side characters. I loved Charlie and his friendship with Val. Val has some mental health challenges to work through before she is ready to be in a true relationship, especially relating to anxiety. The lack of communication at the end frustrated me, yet I understood why Val did it. Greenwald’s writing is witty and relatable. I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next! Readers looking for sapphic romance, a celebrity MC, mental health rep, and sizzling tension should check this book out. 
 
Thank you to Carlyn Greenwald, Vintage, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” 

 The Stars Too Fondly is a queer, cozy sci-fi adventure. It follows Cleo and her group of loyal friends who investigate the remains of a spaceship that never took off and whose crew mysteriously vanished. When they are launched into space, they must solve the mystery of what happened to the crew before them. Along the way, Cleo befriends the ship’s AI and the crew must rally together if they ever want to return home. 

The Stars Too Fondly has such a lovable and engaging crew. It feels like a more adult, queer, and  cozy version of The Aurora Cycle. Cleo is such a strong and curious character, who is unstoppable once she sets her mind to it. Cleo’s relationship with Billie is very sweet and the ending was satisfying. While it has a cozy feel to it, the discussion of space and physics is fascinating and will inspire readers to wonder. The Stars Too Fondly is an excellent sci-fi adventure, with compelling queer characters, and I’d recommend it to anyone. Looking forward to seeing what Emily Hamilton writes next! 

Thank you to Emily Hamilton, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Rom-Commers is the titular tale of two screenwriters who write completely opposite things. Emma has always loved romance and rom-coms, which keep her going as she cares for her father. After a tragic accident, she has felt unable to leave his complicated medical care to anyone else. When her agent lures her out to LA, she meets her screenwriter hero- Charlie. Only Charlie isn’t anything like she thought he would be and is completely disinterested in working with her. Yet when they are forced to work together, will romance spark off the page? 

I loved The Rom-Commers so much! Every time I read a new Katherine Center book, it becomes my new favorite and The Rom-Commers is no exception. Center writes outstanding dialogue and lovable characters. There is always an undertone that pulls at your heart and Emma’s devotion to her dad in the wake of his accident feels so realistic. While she loves her dad dearly, it is hard to serve as both a daughter and a caregiver. Charlie is a fascinating character who has achieved milestones in his career, yet remains unsatisfied. Emma is such a strong and determined heroine who refuses to put up with Charlie’s dismissive attitude toward romance. I loved the diving board scene so much!  Charlie and Emma have excellent banter and tension-filled scenes as they each strive toward their goals.

Readers who enjoy opposites-attract romance, hilarious dialogue, and lovable characters will enjoy The Rom-Commers. 

Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Looking for Smoke is the gripping tale of what happens when a girl goes missing in plain sight. The story follows four students who were the last to see her alive. Eli, Mara, Loren, and Brody are all brought into the spotlight when their classmate Samantha is found murdered. They all have connections, some more binding than others. As clues unravel, another death is linked to Samantha’s murder. Can the four of them figure out who the real killer is? 

I was blown away by Looking for Smoke and couldn’t put it down! This book does an important job of raising awareness for missing and murdered indigenous women. Important questions are raised, such as why these disappearances are not reported on the news. The story flips to different POVs and I really enjoyed Mara and Loren. Mara feels an attraction to Eli, despite him not being kind to her at school. I loved the moments of connection they had amidst all the danger. Mara also struggles with feeling Blackfeet “enough,” since she was raised off the reservation. Meanwhile, Loren’s sister is missing and presumed dead. This fills her with uncontrollable rage and anguish, which I thought was very realistically portrayed.  

Looking for Smoke is a heartfelt and emotional book that deals with important real-life topics. The characters feel vivid and realistic. They all have their own secrets and battles to fight, which makes the story very compelling. The mystery of who the real killer was kept me guessing to the end! Readers who enjoy Angeline Boulley, enthralling characters, and complex mysteries will love this book. I can’t wait to see what K.A. Cobell writes next! 

Thank you to K.A. Cobell, Heartdrum, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Triple Sec is the compelling new romance from TJ Alexander. When bartender Mel sees a beautiful woman at the bar, Mel has a hard time believing that she is interested. Bebe is very interested, yet she’s also married. But Bebe and Kade have an open marriage and they’re willing to let Mel into their world. Before long, life is far better than Mel ever dreamed it would be. Bebe and Kade show Mel that the definition of love is bigger than she ever imagined. 

I devoured Triple Sec! I loved the cover and immediately felt drawn in by Mel. Mel has had a rough divorce and feels guarded about love. Bebe is such a sunshine character, determined to use her lawyer abilities for good and intrigued by Mel. Kade takes a little longer to connect with Mel, which only makes it all the sweeter when they do. There is outstanding LGBTQ+ rep throughout, including many side characters. TJ Alexander includes such important conversations about boundaries and consent. I loved the ending and hope to see more stories from characters in this world! I can’t wait to see what TJ Alexander writes next! Readers looking for poly romance, lovable characters, and excellent spicy scenes will love Triple Sec. 

Thank you to TJ Alexander, Atria/Emily Bestler Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

What a smart and funny retelling! I loved the connections Alexene Farol Follmuth drew to the original Twelfth Night, while creating a new and improved version. The banter and tension between Jack and Viola was incredible! Follmuth’s writing is hilarious and filled with wit. I loved the depictions of fandom, Renaissance faire, and gaming. It was great how Jack and Vi found unexpected camaraderie in these spaces together. 

Vi is a courageous character who puts up with a lot from her classmates based on how they perceive her. I enjoyed watching Jack realize just how much Vi does behind the scenes to help the school succeed. Their slow-burn romance is delightfully filled with tension and angst. Bash and Vi have an amazing sibling relationship and I loved the twist on the mistaken identity. I also appreciated Olivia’s journey and her character growth. There is lots of excellent LGBTQ+ rep throughout.

Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, grump/sunshine, hilarious dialogue, and Shakespeare with a modern twist will love this unputdownable book. I would highly recommend it to anyone! 
 
Thank you to Alexene Farol Follmuth, Tor Teen, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

The Quince Project is the story of Castillo Torres, a girl who is determined to make magic happen. Cas is a party planner who understands the need for happy endings after losing her mom. When Cas gets the chance to work with a popular Disney influencer, it could be what she needs to finally get her dream job. She soon realizes that there’s more to the quinceañera than meets the eye. Can Cas pull off an epic celebration and create a happy ending for everyone, including herself? 

The Quince Project is a sweet and joyful adventure. I loved the bond between Cas and her sister Po. They were always there for each other and helped pull off magical celebrations. Jessica Parra also includes themes of grief and loss, without losing the lighthearted joy. Cas, Po, and their dad are all dealing with their loss in different ways and I enjoyed how they finally managed to reconnect. Cas loves happy endings and learns to balance that with her grief. The romance between Cas and Javi is very cute and filled with lots of great moments. I loved the Disney references! Readers who enjoy fun adventures, strong family bonds, and heartfelt emotions will love this book. 

Thank you to Jessica Parra, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

Dead Tired is the hilarious sequel to The Expectant Detectives. Alice and her crew of friends, now all with at least one baby or dog in tow, are making the most of their maternity leave when they stumble into a murder. Leila was an activist campaigning against a wind farm being built in a peaceful meadow. Who would want to kill her? As they struggle through a heatwave and the adventures of being new moms, Alice and her friends are determined to crack the latest mystery. 

I loved Dead Tired! It was such a funny and lighthearted mystery, while realistically portraying what it’s like to be a new mom. It was great to see how the relationships among the women had grown and changed in the year since having their babies. They clearly love their children so much, yet understandably are intrigued at the chance to solve a mystery. The mystery itself is full of twists and red herrings which kept me guessing until the end. Jack and the other babies are a lovable and comedic addition to the crew of detective. Helen remains the best dog and also most likely to eat something bad for her. I love Kat Ailes’ sense of humor and found myself literally laughing out loud. Readers who are fans of Finlay Donovan need to check this series out. I hope there are more mysteries to come in The Expectant Detectives series!  

Thank you to Kat Ailes, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Georgie Rowe isn’t your average governess. When she takes a job looking after Harry’s mischievous nieces and nephew it is clear she has her work cut out for her. Georgie accidentally makes a terrible first impression on Harry and must work to regain his respect. Meanwhile, Harry must try and balance his familial duties with the demands of being in the navy. As they care for the children, Georgie and Harry find themselves more and more attracted to each other. Will they keep their connection when the job ends? 

All’s Fair in Love and War is a slow-burn regency romance. Readers who love stories about a governess coming in and sweeping a household off its feet will love this book. Georgie is a breath of fresh air to the household. While they initially seem to have completely opposing ideologies, Georgie and Harry slowly grow on each other. I would have liked to see a little more romance, but this is perfect for readers who love slow-burn. There were lots of good details about taking care of the children and Harry’s work with the navy. It’s clear the author researched many details about the building of ships. Readers who like tropes such as opposites attract, governess and employer, and slow-burn romance should check this book out. 

Thank you to Virginia Heath, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.  

Senior Sunrise is the legendary event before senior year where the entire class gathers on the beach. There they will write their Lion Letters, confessing their deepest secrets and what they would do if they were braver. Ethan and Natalia have been best friends from the beginning, but lately their relationship has been strained. When some of the letters go missing and are later revealed, the entire Senior Sunrise is in jeopardy. Can Senior Sunrise help Natalie and Ethan find their way back to each other? 

Ethan and Natalia were such a sweet couple both as best friends and something more. They  are always there for each other, no matter what else they’re going through. Both of them have been dealing with big events in their lives that come to a head at Senior Sunrise. I enjoyed the ensemble cast of characters that help and inspire Ethan and Natalia. Natalia is obsessed with perfection, only to realize that not everything can be perfect and some things are better that way. Meanwhile, Ethan realizes that sometimes he needs to take the leap even when he’s uncertain. 

I Wish You Would is such a delightful YA romance. This book has so many good tropes and excellent pacing. I Wish You Would is perfect for readers looking for Taylor Swift vibes, best friends to lovers, and sweet romance. Readers who enjoy Kristin Dwyer will absolutely adore this book. I loved Eva Des Lauriers’ debut and I look forward to seeing what she writes next! 

Thank you to Eva Des Lauriers, Henry Holt and Co., and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.