I love magical realism and urban fantasy. The world as we know it with some magical-fantastical sprinkles. The cover and the merfolk drew me to this story. I also connected with Alex about feeling like your hometown can feel too small. 

Unfortunately, I found the execution too dry and the characters a bit too dull. However, this is a very cozy, lighthearted, and low-stakes read that will definitely appeal to others. 

Major Hallmark vibes + mythical and paranormal creatures around doing the mundane + baking + wedding planning + interior design 

 If You Read This had an excellent narrative voice. This is exactly how I’d think a child would process grief and parental neglect. The voice felt like it truly came from a child, which is not always easy to convey when writing as an adult. I also loved the island setting (Jamaica this time). 

Brie’s 12th birthday is the central part of the story, so her family and friends play a prominent role. Brie’s friends are a bit one-note because we don’t get to see much of them. But I absolutely enjoyed Brie’s father (and mother). I have the double-vision as an adult to empathize with both Brie and her father. 

Now, the story length is both a merit and a downside: the story is very short. You could read this all-in-one satisfying sitting. However, I felt like it could’ve been slightly longer and included another stop on Brie’s journey. There is one climatic point, or at least a point, where the drama ramps up. It concludes itself quickly and tied with a bow, but the story is largely more character-driven than plot driven. 

Overall, the narrative voice won me over though I wished it could’ve been longer or explored more of Brie’s grief and her father’s aloofness. 

3.5 

 Excellent narrative voice. I felt like I was really in Layla’s head. Slightly unrealistic (not the abuse or parental neglect, but some of the other story elements. But I didn’t regret reading this. 

at the end,

  I think the author was hinting that Layla was maybe biracial or at least had kinky or overly curly hair. If she’s so resourceful, surely, she’d know how to find YouTube videos a social worker wouldn’t have to tell her. She was evading CPS like a champ. Come on, she’s smart.

 

Cute. I never read the original book, but I can see the charm. I have to say Chester looks a little uncanny valley with an almost humanlike face; So ugly if I'm being honest. Harold has the same thing, but it goes with his design.

Harold and Chester's blunders with their new family member, Bunnicula is fun. I like Harold's narration as well. 

Very slow moving! Amari faces magician prejudice + worries about brother + miscommunication with Elsie rinse and repeat until ending. 

Also, I’m not entirely against Lara redemption though I can’t get with forcing Amari to be besties with her former bully, but it’s too rushed. If this had seedlings of Lara changing in this book to fully apologizing and forgiveness in book three, then it would’ve been smoother or more realistic. 

Looking forward to book 3. 

A little gimmicky and corny, but it's all lighthearted fun. The mangaka can draw handsome men from the top up, but at the bottom, they all have chicken legs lol