bookish_selkie's Reviews (2.14k)

The Floating World is an action-packed and unputdownable new fantasy from Axie Oh. After a tragedy occurs, Ren embarks on a desperate mission to save her family. Ren soon crosses paths with a mysterious traveler who she saves. As Sunho and Ren grow closer, they must work together to survive dangers that cross between worlds. 

I loved the world-building of The Floating World! Axie Oh creates an imaginative and vivid world. The romance is slow-burn, which makes sense as they fight their way towards safety. The writing is cinematic and it is easy to picture the action-packed battles and adventures. I’m curious about the side characters and Ren’s mysterious powers. 

The Floating World is a fantastic younger YA that would be perfect for readers seeking fantasy adventure and a touch of romance. I’m excited to see how the story continues! 

Thank you to Axie Oh, Feiwel & Friends, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When The Tides Held the Moon is a 1910s historical romance that melds beautifully with the mythology of merfolk. Benny is a Puerto Rican blacksmith in New York City tasked with creating a tank that can hold a mystical creature from the seas. To his shock, a merman is actually stolen from the sea and slated to perform in a sideshow. As Benny connects with the merman, he must face the truth about both the merman and himself. 

I absolutely loved When the Tides Held the Moon!! Benny is such a strong character who it is impossible to not want the best for. I loved his friendship and relationship with Río, as well as the other show members like Matthias. The portrayal of what it was like to be LGBTQ+ during this time was excellent and I loved how they found family and safety in the sideshow. The worldbuilding behind what it might be like to be a merfolk was beautiful. Venessa Vida Kelley creates characters that are so lovable and vivid. I was also impressed with the historical research and accuracy that clearly took place. 

When the Tides Held the Moon is perfect for readers who seek historical LGBTQ+ romance, merfolk, and found family. I would highly recommend it to anyone! 

Thank you to Venessa Vida Kelley, Erewhon Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon has a fantastic premise. When Elsie breaks up with her fiance, he insists that she still take the all-expense paid honeymoon. With no one to invite except her best friend, Elsie and Ginny embark on an adventure. As the beautiful beaches work their magic, Elsie and Ginny begin to connect like never before. But when the honeymoon comes to an end, will there still be a connection between them?

My Best Friend’s Honeymoon is a spicy, lighthearted romance. I loved the connection between Ginny and Elsie! This friends-to-lovers pairing is excellent. I wanted a little more depth between the two of them, especially when they returned home, but overall still really enjoyed. Meryl Wilsner writes fantastic steamy scenes and this is one of my new favorite romances from them. Readers seeking outstanding LGBTQ+ rep, spicy romance, and a delightful premise will enjoy this book.

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

The Thrashers is one of my new favorites! I was thrilled to receive an ARC and could not put it down. Jodi has been Zach’s best friend since second grade and has always been a part of his infamous friend group. They’re unofficially known as The Thrashers and getting thrashed means being socially eviscerated. When a girl in their high school takes her own life, it soon becomes clear that there is more to the story. Did Jodi or her friends somehow cause this? 

The dynamics between the friends felt so realistic and intriguing. I enjoyed learning about the relationships between the friends and uncovering what really happened to Emily. The touch of the paranormal was delightfully creepy. Jodi’s relationships with the other friends, especially Julian, were compelling and complicated. I love that the characters are morally gray, yet also lovable. The ending was very satisfying and gave me chills. I hope there is either another book in the series or Soto revisits these characters at some point! 

Julie Soto’s debut YA is triumphant and unputdownable. Readers who enjoy complex friendship dynamics, Riverdale, and a touch of the paranormal will devour The Thrashers. 

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

The Hemlock Queen continues the adventures that began in The Foxglove King. After the death of the king, Lore notices strange changes in Bastian. As the court chaos increases, Bastian claims the throne and Lore struggles to navigate her relationships with both Bastian and Gabe. With the voice of a goddess in her mind, can Lore save the throne and her friends?

I loved the character growth and development in The Hemlock Queen. Hannah Whitten’s dialogue is witty and filled with sensory details. Lore increases her bond with Bastian and learns more about the goddess haunting her thoughts. I hope there is more development of the relationship between Gabe, Lore, and Bastian. The Hemlock Queen is a fast-paced adventure that promises many more exciting twists in the third book. I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you to Hannah Whitten, Orbit Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.