bookish_selkie's Reviews (2.14k)

Canto Contigo is one of my favorite books of 2024! It follows Rafie’s journey, a Mariachi who is devastated after the death of his abuelo. When he is transferred for his senior year, Rafie is desperate to regain his status as the frontman for his school’s Mariachi group. The only problem is Rey. Rey has come up through the group for years and was slated to be the lead. As Rafie and Rey battle for the role, chemistry sparks between them. Rafie will have to decide if anything matters more than winning in this heartfelt story. 

I loved this book! Jonny Garza Villa is now an auto-buy author for me. They always create such vivid and realistic characters. Rafie is a force that is determined to win at all costs. Underneath this drive is a deep sense of mourning and grief for his abuelo. I loved the little skull that Rafie had conversations with. Rey is a more sensitive soul who has fought to find his place in Mariachi despite transphobia and racism. Rey and Rafie have an epic rivals-to-lovers romance that explodes with chemistry and longing. They are truly at eachother's throats to win the lead role and it makes their eventual romance even more sweet. 

There’s a strong sense of family, both found and biological, that knits the story together. I loved how supportive Rafie’s parents were of him and how he took care of his little brothers. As Rafie wrestles with his grief and feelings of loss, his family and friends were always there for him even when he didn’t realize it. Xope, Xolo, and so many more create a beautiful ensemble cast.  I also learned so much about Mexican culture and what it means to be a Mariachi. Villa showcases many great songs and important Mariachi traditions. Canto Contigo is one of my favorite reads of the year and I only wish I could see Todos Colores perform!

Readers who enjoy Anna-Marie McLemore, Gabe Cole Novoa, and Edward Underhill should check out Canto Contigo! I would highly recommend Canto Contigo to anyone. If you seek outstanding LGBTQ+ rep, rivals-to-lovers, and heartfelt storytelling then you need to read this book.

Thank you to Jonny Garza Villa, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

A Sweet Sting of Salt is a queer retelling of The Selkie Wife. Midwife Jean is shocked when she finds an unknown pregnant woman on her doorstep. Muirin can’t communicate, but some things are universal. Jean eventually pieces together that she is married to Tobias, a solitary fisherman. As Muirin and Jean grow closer, Jean’s suspicions about Tobias begin to grow. Yet she can’t understand why Muirin won’t leave Tobias. As Tobias grows more paranoid, can Jean keep Muirin and her baby safe? 

I love queer stories and stories about selkies! A Sweet Sting of Salt is an excellent retelling. The romance between Muirin and Jean is slowburn, yet comes to a simmering heat. I love how in this retelling, Jean is loved for who she is by her found family. While she still faces discrimination from some in the town and from Tobias, Jean manages to find love and acceptance in a time where that was scarce for queer people. The lore about selkies was beautifully done and I only wish that more time could have been devoted to them! A Sweet Sting of Salt is a gripping small-town story with a twist. This is the perfect book to curl up with and become swept away by. I will definitely look forward to what Rose Sutherland writes next! 

Thank you to Rose Sutherland, Dell, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

I absolutely loved The Prospects!! It is for sure one of my favorite books of 2024. Gene is one of the first openly trans players in the minor leagues. When Luis is transferred to his team and steals his spot, Gene is furious. Gene and Luis can’t stand each other and it starts to affect their game. When their coach forces them to connect, chemistry sparks between them. As they get to know each other, they find they have more in common than they thought. Will they be able to keep their connection as the pressures of baseball increase? 

The Prospects is an incredible queer baseball romance! Gene and Luis are a classic rivals-to-lovers and sunshine/grump romance (at least at first)! Luis is a secret cinnamon roll and I loved seeing him come out of his shell and gain confidence in his sexuality. Gene and Luis have excellent chemistry and I loved how they always respected each other's boundaries. Along with outstanding LGBTQ+ rep, there is great anxiety and ADHD rep. K.T. Hoffman beautifully balances the highs and lows of the sport along with their steamy romance. The dialogue is hilarious and I found myself literally laughing out loud. Plus, Dodger is the best therapy dog ever! 

Readers who enjoyed How You Get the Girl (Anita Kelly), Casey McQuiston, and Alexis Hall will devour The Prospects. I can’t wait to read what K.T. Hoffman writes next! 

Thank you to K.T. Hoffman, Dial Press Trade Paperback, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Catchpenny follows Sid, a thief who can slip through mirrors. When he is called to help an old friend, Sid must reckon with all his old enemies and debts. As Sid works to complete an impossible quest, could the fate of the world hang in the balance? 

Catchpenny is a weird and enthralling book. It’s very hard to put down! I found myself reading carefully, trying to get a handle on the magic system in this book. The magic system was really interesting and I liked how it was designed. It was fun to try and predict which items would hold “mojo.”  Sid is a morally gray character who tries his best, but sometimes makes unlikable choices. The conclusion and climatic moment felt rushed to me. I can definitely see the comparison to Jim Butcher, but I’m not sure about the Neil Gaiman comparison.  I think readers who like complicated characters, urban fantasy, and Jim Butcher will enjoy this book. 

Thank you to Charlie Hurston, Vintage, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Cover Story is the slow-burn romance of actress Natalie and her bodyguard Taylor who must fake-date to fool the invasive press. Natalie was stalked years ago and remains traumatized from it. To her horror, the man is being released from prison. Natalie wants more security but does not want to alert the press to her predicament. Enter Taylor, a bodyguard who is ready to pretend to fake date Natalie. As the two grow closer, they will have to decide what to do when their fake relationship starts to feel real. 

Natalie and Taylor have a sweet fake-dating romance. I was immediately drawn in by the cover and sapphic bodyguard premise. I loved the little ways that Natalie and Taylor showed love for each other, from building a wheelchair ramp to creating special code words to get out of stressful situations. Rachel Lacey thoughtfully portrays issues of PTSD and anxiety. Taylor and Natalie clearly respect each other's boundaries, yet also challenge each other to push past old fears. The sense of pacing is excellent throughout, while still maintaining a calm and lighthearted atmosphere. I loved Natalie’s adorable pets! Readers who enjoy Anita Kelly should check out this book. Readers who love fake dating, slow-burn sapphic romance, and the bodyguard trope will love Cover Story. 

Thank you to Rachel Lacey, Montlake, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
 

When Ivy’s parents take a trip, Ivy is left home alone under the watchful eye of her neighbors. One stormy night later, Ivy wakes up to find that her favorite fanfiction character to write about has come to life and is in her house. As Ivy scrambles to uncover what is going on and why Weston is here, she must deal with her ex-best friend Mack with whom she never got closure. Ivy once had feelings for Mack and the situation with Weston brings all those feelings to the surface again. Can Ivy figure out what (and who) she really wants? 

Sophie Gonzales is such a talented author! The premise for this book could have easily become too silly, but Gonzales creates a heartfelt and comedic story. Fanfiction hero Weston is delightfully obtuse and fulfills all the tropes. I really connected with Ivy and the way she used fanfiction to escape. Writing is Ivy’s safe place and a way for her to explore her identity. Ivy has excellent character growth and the pacing makes it difficult to put this down. Mack and Ivy have lots of sapphic tension and history between them. I loved the discussion and revelations about fanfiction. Gonzales crafts a beautiful portrayal of the power of stories and fanfiction. I also loved the hilarious dialogue from side characters like Henry. 

Readers who enjoy Emma Lord, Gabe Cole Novoa, and Casey McQuiston should check out The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist. 

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