Take the Lead is the story of Gina and Stone- one a professional dancer by trade and one an Alaskan survivalist. They couldn’t be more different- at least on the surface. When both are cast in a celebrity dance competition, they must team up to make it to the finals. While Stone wants the money for his family medical bills, Gina’s career and professional reputation is on the line. As they grow closer, they find it harder to stay apart. But the competition is cutthroat and they must decide how far they will go to make it to the finals. 

I loved Take the Lead!! This is my new favorite from Alexis Daria. This book combined a steamy, emotional romance with the energy of a dance competition where you can’t look away. I loved both Stone and Gina, who are incredible characters with strong convictions. I really appreciated how Gina was so determined to have a career and stellar reputation that she was proud of. Meanwhile, Stone has a strong dedication to his family and also must learn when a sacrifice is too much. They had some amazing chemistry, which flourished when combined with vivid dance scenes. I felt like the tension was always well-maintained and it was difficult to put this book down. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series! Looking forward to whatever Alexis Daria writes next. 

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

Barrow of Winter is the third book in the Hall of Smoke series. It follows Thray, a priestess who is plagued by the question of if she is immortal or not. When her half-sister arrives on her shores and promises answers, Thray is intrigued and sets out on an epic journey to discover the truth about her immortality. In Barrow of Winter, Thray meets siblings she never knew she had, tests the strength of her current relationships, and discovers hidden strengths. But how far will she go for her blood family when they set their sights on her homeland? 

I loved Barrow of Winter!! H.M. Long paints a vivid picture of an unforgiving & eternal winter. This is a world filled with dangers that feel tangible. Thray is a fascinating character to watch  on her challenging journey to find answers. All the senses are engaged from the sting of cold ice to the cloying smoke of a fire. Thray is determined that she will never stop fighting for her homeland, bound by blood or not.

H.M. Long writes thoughtfully about both blood and found family, as well as what it means to find people who understand you. My favorite side characters were Thray’s brothers who look out for her as she encounters siblings who are less welcoming. The conclusion felt a bit rushed to me, but I also just wanted to spend more time in the world.

If you love Viking-inspired fantasy, secrets laced with betrayal, and epic quests then you need to read Barrow of Winter! Barrow of Winter could be read as a standalone, but you will have much more context if you have read the first two books in the series. I would recommend this for readers of Adrienne Young, Shea Ernshaw, and Meg Long. I look forward to reading what H.M. Long writes next!!

 

Thank you to H.M. Long and Titan Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where Darkness Blooms is a powerful and chilling story. The women in the town of Bishop have never been safe. They have always gone missing and there is always an excuse ready. When four girls all lose their mothers at the same time, they are the only ones in the town who seem concerned. Sisters Jude and Whitney have a complex relationship with each other and their mother. Delilah examines the clues her mother left behind, while struggling to be with her boyfriend. Bo wants answers, no matter the danger. All four girls must work together to uncover the secrets of the bloodthirsty town and find out what really happened to their mothers. 

What a gripping and compelling read; I couldn’t put this down! All of the girls are complicated and flawed characters, making for intense scenes as they uncover what happened to the women who were never supposed to leave them. I loved the little details that the author included as clues for what was really going on. Where Darkness Blooms tackles sisterhood, motherhood, and neglect. It is powerful and at times difficult to read. Andrea Hannah depicts the sinister way people may react when a woman goes missing, from fear to denial to excuses. The book is woven through with contemporary magic that was horrific and fascinating to read about.  I would recommend this for readers of Elizabeth Kilcoyne (Wake the Bones), Shea Ernshaw (A History of Wild Places) and Erin Craig (Small Favors). 

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

 Always the Almost is the story of Miles, a trans boy living in Wisconsin. Miles is a pianist, who dreams of winning at regionals and defeating his competition nemesis. He also wants to win back his ex, football player Shane, who broke up with him after Miles came out as trans. When Miles meets new student Eric, he doesn’t have time for a new friend. But as Eric and Miles get to know each other, Miles starts to question what he truly wants and whether he can have it all. 

 

This is a book that will resonate with LGBTQ+ people of any age, but especially teens. Always the Almost has it all: queer angst, queer joy, trans joy, identity affirmation, identity questioning etc. Underhill’s writing is witty and emotional. The search for identity, belonging, and not feeling like you are enough is so well-written and relatable. I literally teared up at one of the ending scenes- which is rare! 

 

Miles, Eric, and Miles’ best friends Rachel and Paige form a realistic queer found family. They are hilarious, empathetic, and at times selfish (like most teenagers). I loved that all of these characters are messy, none of them are perfect or idealized. Underhill gives them space to make mistakes, apologize, and grow/move forward. Eric is an incredible love interest and character. I loved learning more about his background, especially his close relationship to his sister Nina, who has Down Syndrome. Eric is on his own queer journey as well, including processing trauma from his previous school. 

 

Fans of Casey McQuiston, Sophie Gonzales, and Adam Sass would love this book. If I could compare this book to anime, I would recommend it for fans of Yuri on Ice and Your Lie in April. Always the Almost is one of my favorite books of 2023 and I would highly recommend it to anyone! 

 

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