The Stars Between Us is the story of Vika, a barmaid who has always had a difficult life. A mysterious benefactor names her in a will and her life has the potential to change forever. On one condition…she must marry. However, a tragic accident occurs before she can meet her groom-to-be. Vika finds herself swept up in with the elites as the Gardeners, the next in line to inherit, take her into their circle. Vika must navigate high society while attempting to find out whether the accident was truly an accident…

The Stars Between Us had so much potential! In execution though, things felt a little uneven. Vika is a difficult character to like, particularly because of how she initially changes for the worse after being elevated to the elite. At the same time, she is a very stubborn and aggressive character because that is how the world has taught her to be. The romance felt flat and I didn’t have a good sense of his personality, due to Vika being very snobby around him and always reminding him of his “place.” I think most readers will begin to put together the clues surrounding the mystery before the characters, which can feel a little frustrating. I think this could be a great entry point into YA sci-fi for readers who do not have much experience with it.

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

Iris Gray has one pet peeve about working at her mother’s wildlife sanctuary. His name is Pike, the annoying intern. Luckily for her, Iris is a witch with a unique gift for animal magic. When she engages in a magical ritual meant to help her put her anger at Pike to rest, things go terribly wrong. An innocent owl is put into danger and it’s up to Iris and Pike to rescue him before a deadly curse is released. 

Wild is the Witch is an atmospheric and lyrical read. I feel like I just took an adventure to the Pacific Northwest, complete with drizzling rain and the warmth of a campfire. Rachel Griffin does such an outstanding job with details that really help ground you in the setting. I loved the slow-burn romance between Iris and Pike!! They are so cute and I LOVED “there’s only one tent.” Iris and Pike initially annoy each other a lot, but slowly come to get to know each other. 

I loved the focus on protection of animals and the real-life importance of wildlife rehabilitation and the sanctity of forests. The contemporary magic system was fascinating and I really enjoyed spending time in this world. Rachel Griffin is an auto-buy author for me and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! I would recommend this for fans of Adrienne Young, readers who enjoy contemporary fantasy, and readers who love a good adventure. I already can’t wait to reread and get my hard copy! 

Thank you so much to Rachel Griffin, Sourcebooks Fire, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Boys I Know is a heartfelt and searing debut. High-schooler June is trying to find the places and people that she fits with. With strict parents who are laser-focused on college, June finds herself wanting to explore relationships and her life outside the violin. Throughout her senior year of college, June experiences several very different relationships and friendships. Along the way she is forced to grapple with questions of cultural identity, family expectations, and must define her goals for the future. 

I read Boys I Know in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down- June is such a great character. She felt very real, like someone I knew in high school and I didn’t want to end my time with her. I loved that June is a messy and flawed human, who is also seeking love and validation. June learns something new about herself and the world as she experiences slices of life with each of the boys. Watching her grow and seeing the final choices she makes was so relatable. I think there is so much about June that readers will connect with- from complicated parent relationships, sex positivity, conflicting expectations, nuanced cultural identity issues, and feeling like you don’t fit in. I recommend this book for fans of Kristin Dwyer- it’s going to rip your heart out, make you cry, wish you could go into the book and yell at the boys, and then want to reread and do it all over again. I can’t wait to get my hard copy for my shelves! 

Thank you so much to Anna Gracia, Peachtree Teen, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Accomplished is the story of Georgiana Darcy, also known as Fitz Darcy’s little sister. After her last school year at Pemberley Academy, she is now a social outcast and misunderstood by most of the student body. Wickham Foster was beloved at the academy and most people blame her for his absence. Fitz Darcy is clear that this is her last chance to prove that she has what it takes to be a member of the illustrious Darcy family. With the help of band leader Avery, can Georgie find a way to earn back all that she’s lost?

I will read any and all Pride & Prejudice retellings without question, but it’s a particular joy to find retellings that focus on seldom represented characters. Georgie goes on quite the adventure to work her way out of the precarious situation she finds herself in after the disaster that is Wickham. It is a truth universally acknowledged that I will always hate Wickham in any retelling! I enjoyed the inclusion of Bingley (hilarious that he was a frat bro), Jane Bennet, and Lizzie Bennet. However, my favorite character was probably Avery because he is a sweet cinnamon roll who can do no wrong.

Accomplished explores expectations, manipulation, and privilege. Along the way, Georgie and Fitz must face the grief they share over the death of their parents and the complicated emotions they have over Fitz stepping into a guardian role for Georgie. This is a story for anyone who has ever had the best of intentions and experienced terrible consequences. I would recommend it for fans of Samantha Markum and Pride & Prejudice. I really enjoyed Accomplished and look forward to seeing what Amanda Quain writes next!

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

Booked On A Feeling is a friends-to-lovers romance following childhood friends Jack and Lizzy. I felt drawn in from the cover and title alone! After experiencing a panic attack in court, Lizzy decides to visit her best friend for some time to de-stress. Jack is ecstatic to see Lizzy, but struggles to keep his secret-he has a crush on her. Both Lizzy and Jack must decide what this means for a potential relationship between them and whether their friendship can survive.

Booked On A Feeling is the latest installment into the series "A Sweet Mess." It can be read as a standalone, though readers who have read the other books will appreciate the cameos. I really enjoy Jayci Lee’s work and Booked On A Feeling might be my favorite book from her yet! Lizzy had great mental health rep, as she struggles with anxiety related to family expectations and work stress. Watching her find the confidence to choose for herself what she truly wanted to do was amazing! Jack was a gentlemanly and swoon worthy MC. He similarly dealt with internal and external pressure about his purpose and goals.

I loved how Lizzy and Jack always brought the focus back to their close friendship and were always there for each other. Booked On A Feeling is a sweet read, perfect for readers who love romance, indie bookstores, and friends-to-lovers. Thank you to Jayci Lee, St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beatrice has one goal this summer- convince her parents that she’s socially ready to attend her dream college program at Oxford. They will support her, but first she must attend theater camp and complete tasks to prove she’s participating. Also known as her worst nightmare. Beatrice soon realizes that theater camp is unlike anything she’s known before and tries to rush through her list of tasks. When the camp puts on a production of Romeo & Juliet, Beatrice is forced to open her mind, try new things, and make friends outside her comfort zone. 

This was such a fun book! The theater camp is friendly, inclusive, and filled with excellent secondary characters. I loved the emphasis on the unconditional friendship that Beatrice finds in Nolan and Mia- they immediately accept and love Beatrice for who she is. I enjoyed watching Bea learn to trust her friends as they help complete her list. Long Story Short has theater kids, pranks, camp traditions, new friends, enemies, and as much Shakespeare as one could want.  Beatrice is full of sharp wit and honesty. Some of her retorts to Nik, a boy she has complicated feelings about, really made me laugh. 

Long Story Short is filled with the joyful chaos of theater camp, stage fright, and getting outside of your comfort zone. Beatrice is coded as neurodivergent, without using a specific label, and I loved this choice. To me it helps question the idea of “normal” (normal really doesn’t exist) and invites readers to feel more comfortable with themselves. I think many readers will find aspects of themselves in Bea and the choices she makes. I look forward to seeing more of this type of representation, especially in contemporary books!  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys neurodivergent heroines, theater kid mischief, and Shakespeare duels. I’m looking forward to whatever Serena Kaylor writes next! 

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