DNF @ 40%. I’m so bored

DNF @ 28%

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC!

While the plot points of this fantasy debut are very good, the follow through fell flat and could have used more editing. There was a huge focus on character building instead of world building, which was the ultimate downfall… events started occurring and with discombobulated knowledge of the world, it was chaotic. Some information would be thrown in during the events, but not enough detail to fully explain what we needed. Also, if Will said “Aya, love” one more time, I was going to throw my Kindle.

I think that with time and practice and a little more editing, Kate will hone her skill and I’d love to try a future book by her. She really does have great ideas - just needs some better execution.

4.5 stars

Thanks to Let's Talk Books Promo and Berkley for the copy of this book!

"It's never a matter of time, but a matter of timing."

If you love a little bit of magical realism and romance, this is the perfect book. Clementine and Iwan have the sweetest romance - which involves some time travel on her part. I loved the inclusion of the publishing and food industry, the side characters who really added to the story, and the narrative on the "perfect timing" for a love story.

Read if you:
- like a little time travel
- are a foodie or are in publishing
- enjoy a good balance of sad moments and swoony romance

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for the ARC!

Josie is one of my very very favorite authors, and since I live in New York, I was over-the-moon excited to read this book!

After losing her mom and leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, Iris ends up in NYC with her suitcase and her gelato maker. Iris’s story is one of found friendship, new romance later in life, honoring her mother’s memory, and learning how to trust again.

It did take me a little longer than usual to get into this story because it was very heavy on gelato-recipe talk at the beginning and I was getting frustrated at Iris for hiding secrets for so long, but the second half really made up for it. EAT GLASS, ADAM.

Read if you;
- like gelato or foodie stories
- have a big Italian family
- love stories set in NYC
- like self-discovery storylines with your romance

DNF

DNF @ 30%

4.5 stars

Thanks to Flatiron for the copy of this book!!

Yume Kitasei coming in hot with an incredible debut!

The mission is straightforward: 80 recruits head to deep space in The Phoenix as humanity's last hope when the Earth is on the edge of environmental collapse. The recruits also have childbearing potentail to start a new generation. But it goes off course when a bomb kills multiple members of the crew. Asuka, our main character, is the only survivor of the explosion and the obvious suspect.

While the mission is simple, the charaters are complex. The narratives on mother/daughter relationships, estrangement, pregnancy and childbearing potential, belonging to multiple ethnicities, and friendship are all so well-developed in this dual timeline, locked-room mystery.

This is perfect for fans of:
- books with a diverse cast
- locked-room mysteries
- Project Hail Mary
- the movie Sunshine

3.5 ⭐️

3.5 ⭐️

The first half was veeeeeery slow, but the second half was fantastic. Glad I had a friend tell me not to DNF - looking forward to the second in the series!