I’m a huge Jonny Sun fan and when I saw this was coming out, I was so excited! I read this cover to cover in 20 minutes!

It’s inspired by Miranda’s tweets he’s done. There’s a lot of inspirational and good feel encouragement. Sometimes they are just simple and funny but I really loved the addition of Sun’s illustrations. Sometimes his illustrations stole the show on some pages.

“Good Morning.
Keep going.
They will move the goalposts.
They will upend the board when they’re in check.
Life WILL be unfair.
YOU keep going.
Good Night.
Keep going.
They will change the rules on you.
There will be chutes lurking after ladders.
Life’s not fair.
YOU keep going.”

There’s so many more but I really liked this one. I really enjoyed this and I just felt so much lighter after reading it. It’s such a fast read. You could always do it by reading one a day or something too.

I really can’t wait to see what Jonny Sun does next! I don’t really have much else to say. If you want a pick me up, check this one out!


You can see my reviews here: Books Are The New Black

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. I was really excited when I got approved for an e-ARC on Edelweiss! So thank you, Edelweiss & HarperCollins!

I was not intending to finish this book in one day. It's what happened though. It did start off a little slow. It took me longer to get hooked than I thought it would. Although, once I got sucked into the story (~30%), I couldn't stop reading . This one revolves around Felicity and her adventures. I was glad to see that Monty and Percy did make some appearances but they do not take the spotlight. Although, I love them and wouldn't have minded some more of them!

I loved her in the first book and I love her even more now. She is so strong and courageous, really. She wants to be a doctor and she will stop at nothing to do it. I love her drive and how she makes hard decisions, all to be true to herself. She does have some moments though, where she has to be put in her place. She grows so much by the end of this book. I really loved all her phrases to herself throughout this book too!

Speaking of Felicity being put in her place, Johanna is my favorite character in this book! She is so complex. She loves makeup and pretty things but she's smart and strong. She will do what it takes to get a hold of her life. Honestly, she's the perfect example of how women should not box themselves in gender roles.

I really enjoyed all the themes and friendships between the women in this book. It was a fun adventure and I really enjoyed it. I really hope that Mackenzi Lee isn't finished with this trio of women!

Okay, I only read this because my best friend bought and she told me to read it. She hadn’t read it yet but I was seeing her again in two weeks and she knew I could get through it, in that time.

There’s a lot of interesting things about this book…

I liked that she talked about her journey with adoption. I think it’s really important for more people to talk about that. I also really enjoyed the information about Foster Care and her problems with it. I know someone who is going through the same thing and it’s crazy that the system is so bad ALL around the U.S. Something needs to be done!
I did like that the theme of this book was about you really needing to just be more positive with yourself.
I liked her information about how she started her business.
I’m not a mom but I felt that some of the things she talks about are pretty legit. Besides judging another mom, for giving her kid candy on a plane. I get that she goes back on that BUT that’s pretty insanely stupid thing to judge a parent by. Just saying.
The things I didn’t like about this book…

I hated the fact that she tries to give out diet advice.. she’s not a dietitian and it’s not just as easy as, “drinking more water” or saying “I will not be fat.” Sometimes it has to do with genetics and medical issues that can’t just be overcome by shear will.
I really hope that her kids NEVER read this book. Her relationship before she was married was completely awful. I do not buy that things are completely “great” now. It’s hard to believe that a guy who treated you like dirt, hit on other girls in front of you and who used you, suddenly changed over night.
I was really annoyed with the fact that she mentions, several times throughout the book, how she started her company from nothing. I’m sorry but when you marry rich… that’s really not nothing. I get that it was a lot of hard work, but the fact that she has a presence and knows people, is not from nothing.
She was a bit too preachy at times when I think she was trying to be motivational? It just rubbed me the wrong way.
I know that this book has been pretty popular on the social media scene. I didn’t know who she was and didn’t know she had such a huge following. Trust me, I know how many followers she has now because she constantly brings it up throughout the book. Anyways, I have seen a lot of people say that they would have liked it better if they didn’t listen to the audio book. I read it but I couldn’t imagine listening to this book. If you have to read this, I suggest picking up an actual copy from the library than the audio book!

You can see my reviews here: Books Are The New Black

I really enjoy Greek Mythology!! I always tell my husband that I wish there were more books around this topic. I think it's why I love Wonder Woman so much. Guys, I even named my fish Zeus! Haha. I was really excited to read this one because I had so many people recommending it to me.

This book is beautifully written! Miller's writing style was something that I really loved about this book. There's a lot of detail and a lot of description but I never felt lost or like it was information overload. I loved all the little appearances of different gods that you know and love/hate.

Circe's story is just amazing. She has grown up bullied by her own family and wants to do anything to impress her father. She then comes across a boy, who has given her some attention. She wants to do anything to turn him into a god because she's in love with him. Her power comes about and some not so great things happen. They fear her and send her to an island, to be banished for life. She really learns how to use her magic. Her character grows so much throughout this book.  I love her story and all the heartache and pain. The whole time, I can't stop rooting for her!

You really don't have to know much about Greek mythology to enjoy this book. If the writing doesn't draw you in, the story itself will. I have not read her previous novel, Song of Achilles. I'm hoping to get to it at some point though. I really enjoyed this one!

2.5 stars

I won't lie. I totally read this because I needed to finish my AtoZ challenge and this was the "Z" I had the quickest access to. I have heard a lot of mixed reviews on this. 

I really liked Zac. He was definitely a character that I really loved from the beginning. He's the type of boy that you just really connect to and really love from the get go. 

Mia on the other hand, I didn't really care for, at first. Her story arc was really good though. Once I got to know more of her, I felt for her. She's still not my favorite but I understood why she acted the way she did. 

I think this book is supposed to be a friendship story. These to youngsters are dealing with cancer and base a friendship off that. They help each other get out of the dark parts but then it becomes a romance? I'm not sure, it's quite unclear. This was one of my issues with the book. I loved the friendship and I would have enjoyed this more, if it would have stayed that way. Just because it's boy and a girl, doesn't mean she had to push them together.  Although, it's not quite clear. 

I did love the family supporting characters. Especially, on Zac's side. I love how she showcased both mothers and how they were so different.  Both kids had issues with their mothers, one was there too much and the other not there enough. Just goes to show, you just can't win with kids. Haha. Just kidding! :) 

I felt like there was no plot to this book! It was like a long introduction of these characters and how they felt about their diagnosis. There was a lot about how they became friends but there was a lot lacking plot wise. 

I got through the book rather quickly. It never really felt boring but just like I was left unsatisfied. The ending was kind of left open and that's not really my thing. There were a lot of things she just didn't really wrap up and it just left me wishing for more. 

You can see my review here: Books Are The New Black

You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black

Okay, I'm a huge Moriarty fan but I'm starting to wonder if it's going down hill from here. I did enjoy this book but about 150 pages in, it's where I got a little lost and felt like it just fell flat for me.

As a psychologist major, I was really intrigued by the concept of this book! There are nine strangers, who want to change their lives in some way. What way can they do that? Well book a health resort for 10 days. It's the perfect way to drop some weight, fix your marriage, change the way you see your life and just be happy. Right?

I really did get immersed in all these characters and their stories. Some of them were a bit more interesting than others but you will have that. Moriarty takes her time giving you their backgrounds and what is really going on underneath the surface. I don't want to ruin any of that because it's not apparent at first.

I was thinking that this book would be about some of these characters finding deeper meaning and really getting along with each other. Forming some kind of bond that helps them realize things about their lives that they couldn't seen on their own. That's what we are being sold but then it takes on a sinister spin. I was really just not buying it. The head of this health resort gets really out there with her methods. I just felt the ending was so blah. All this stuff happens but it's all tied up neatly? There's really no negative outcomes from what happens? I mean... some people figure things out but I'm talking about having some serious mental issues with what happens to them.

I just found it to be way too out there. This is not like any of her previous books at all. I'm not sure if that's what part of the problem was for me. It just took a spin that I was not expecting and I did not like it. I did enjoy most of the book, about 3/4's of it.

I think, if you go into this one with a REALLY open mind, and don't expect it to be like anything she's ever written before, you might enjoy it more than I did.

You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black

This is a novella that happens before the first book in this series. There are two different stories in this novella.

The first is about the triplets before the first book. You get the real story of their birth and what was decided there. I can’t tell you that because it’s a big spoiler! You also get to see them interact before they are taken. It jumps a few years at a time, showing you what really happened, at events that are mentioned in the books. I thought this was a bit of a slower read. I found myself not as interested as I was with the second story.

The second story takes places 500 years ago. It’s the story of the oracle queen, Elsabet. What a story it is!!! She’s referenced a lot in the books as the mad queen. Since she went mad, they drown all babies that are born with the gift if sight. This is the beginning of that story and what really happened for her to end up “mad.” I really wish that I could have had a whole book about this novella! It was so interesting an so full of twists and deceit. You can never really trust what people say!

Overall, this was a pretty good novella. I think that it’s quite important to the actual story going on with the series. I would not read this one before the first book, that’s for sure! Lots of spoilers in it!

You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black

This cover is just so awesome! I have been anticipating this book for a while. I finally received my copy from the library and dove in.

I liked it. I think this was a great coming of age story. This book is beyond predictable but I didn’t mind it. I loved the fact that two girls who hate each other, are forced to work together and then find a friendship. Not a new concept, at all. I loved the food truck! I really want to find a food truck now. haha.

My favorite character was by far, Adrian, Clara’s dad. He was a pretty awesome dad and I think he kind found himself in this book too. His parenting is pushed to his boundaries and he learns that he needs to be more of a parent than friend. I liked that because I feel like it’s something a lot of parents can relate to. Especially, if you are a single parent.

Clara was something else. She lived a life in the grey area. She was snarky, rude at times but you learn what’s behind the facade. Right away, you know that she’s hiding behind it. I don’t want to give anything away but the parts with her mom are just heartbreaking. I totally understand where she’s coming from. I loved her journey and story arc.

One of my favorite things about this book are all the relationships and the growth. Clara is a different person by the end of this book. She’s found herself and opened up. I loved seeing her relationship with Rose grow. There’s also Hamlet, which I just adored! I really loved Clara and Adrian’s dynamic and banter. You already know that I love Adrian but I loved his relationship with Clara. It’s so sweet and there’s so much love there. Like most teens, it takes a little bit for her to realize how amazing he really is. He’s just so amazing.

Oh, one more thing… this book is the second YA this year that has shined a light on trypophobia!! I have this and so many people thought I was crazy. It’s coming out guys. I have to text people screenshots when I see it in books. haha.

I thought this was a feel good contemporary and I really enjoyed myself. It’s a great summer book!

You can see all my reviews here: Books Are The New Black

3.5 stars

It’s so hard to get my heard around this book. It was really good but I have such mixed feelings about it. It’s such a tragic story and I felt so depressed and sad at the end. This is a great book for book clubs. There’s a lot of discussion that can happen because this is a very thought provoking read. Warning- This review is going to be a hot mess.

Roy and Celestial are newlyweds, who are at the wrong place at the wrong time. They are a young couple who are living the American Dream in Atlanta. They are only married 18 months, when Roy is accused of rape and thrown into jail for 12 years. He’s innocent but it doesn’t matter. Celestial finds it really hard to deal with the prison life, so to speak. She is becoming really successful and hiding her husband from the public eye. She soon starts to take comfort in Roy’s best man and her childhood friend, Andre. After five years, Roy’s sentence is overturned and he’s free to go. He wants to resume their life together but Celestial has already moved on.

This book is character driven and is narrated in multiple POV. There’s also a good chunk of pages that are just told by letters to each other. The letters were so heart wrenching, the longer he’s been in jail.I just knew what was going to happen and I didn’t want to face it, neither did Roy. You can just feel the anguish.

Even though, this book takes a look at race and the injustice of it, it’s not the main focus of this book. It’s the marriage between Celestial and Roy and how far does loyalty reach. How unfortunate circumstances have thrown their life array. Prison starts to drive a wedge between the couple and we don’t know if it’s so big that there’s no chance for recovery.

I was not a fan of the ending. I think I was more confused than anything. Why would she decide that? Did she think that’s what he wanted? Of course not! Actually, I don’t really think I was a fan of Celestial, now that I think about it. I really disliked her, so it was hard for me to connect to her and understand why she did what she did. My favorite character was definitely Big Roy, Roy’s father. I also really disliked Andre too. I’m sorry but married is married. I don’t care what the circumstances are.

So, I thought this book was good but not as great as everyone says it is. Maybe it’s because it just left me feeling depressed, I don’t know. I liked it but it wasn’t great.