An Italian influenced fantasy focusing on a girl whose touch can kill? I'm listening.

I loved the idea of this society, where a pair is chosen to fight an incoming siege of (essentially) bugs. It occasionally gave me vibes of The Selection series, though with a fair bit more of sexual tension. Dante, of course, was my favorite character though I did love many of the fonti. However overall the plot was very predictable and I don't see where it'll be going in the next book. But I think that many people new to the genre will be wowed by it!

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

It's an exciting book that reminded me of Lies of Locke Lamora with a sorcery twist, believe me I was sold. Told in multiple points of view, we delve into the political intrigue of Ossa (and loooooord do I love a political intrigue fantasy novel). Mix in the epic brawls and the warfare and you get a dynamic story. At times I felt like the chapters were a bit lengthy, and some of the twists not properly foreshadowed, but the reveals were definitely shocking.

*Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

With trails of perfect little breadcrumbs scattered about, it's no wonder that this book kept me guessing. And I wondered throughout if there would be any messy loose ends, but it was just NEAT. Ruth Ware does such a good job of leading the audience exactly where she wants them to go (which is usually in the wrong direction). It is a very British sort of mystery, landing somewhere between The Girls are All So Nice Here and In My Dreams I Hold a Knife for me. But overall, it was a definite improvement over One by One in my eyes so I'll be sure to check her next novel out.

*Thank you to Scout Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The hold that Mazey Eddings has on me... I can't not read her books in a day. There's no stopping, pausing, or snack breaks - it is page-flipping good. Lizzie Blake is a gorgeous tornado, just trying to do her best in this crazy world. And when she collides with Rake Thompson... it's immediate chemistry. Steamy burning HOT chemistry. But more than that, this is a story about *love* in all forms. Loving yourself, loving others, and emanating love into the universe. And sure there are some sex scenes and vulva cakes tossed in, but I think that love is what this story is about. And it absolutely nails it. We get tough topics like accidental pregnancy and family toxicity, yet are able to push through it through this lens of compassion. I can't wait to see what Mazey Eddings does next.

*Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

God I love me an Isabella Maldonado book. There's nothing like a fast-paced FBI procedural to get your blood pumping after a series of romance novels. Adding in the Egyptian elements got my 8 year old Egyptologist self excited, and the elements were well done. I didn't feel as though there was *quite* enough foreshadowing for the unsub reveal, but it was still exciting. And the growing sexual tension between Kent and Guerrera? Chef's kiss. I don't know if there'll be a book 4, but I am SO down.

*Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I needed a sweet band geek novel so I'm glad I found this novel. It has SO much LGBTQIA+ rep, especially that of aro/ace (which makes my heart go pitter patter). I kept thinking back to my time in band (as one of those wimpy clarinets, admittedly), and wishing I'd gotten into brass instead! There's seriously so much going on here between the subplots about Catholicism and cyber bullying, but also about finding yourself. I enjoyed the dialogue on being kind rather than competitive and decentering the narrative from yourself. And ultimately? LOW BRASS IS WHERE IT'S AT!

*Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'm just saying... it would be even better if there was murder. (At one point, I'd convinced myself that her dad was a serial killer, but alas...) But that being said, it was still perfectly quirky and steamy. And it definitely nailed the dissertation process, the constant anxiety and pressure to get everything perfect. Phoebe and Sam are perfect together, though I thought the side characters Allison and Conner shone more. There are so many true crime factoids scattered throughout, that it was almost like a history lesson while reading, which I loooooved!

*Thank you to Jove Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Reminiscent of Ace of Shades, this is a fast-paced thriller circling around secret societies at a prestigious university. It's a really fun plot, though a bit predictable at times. I enjoyed Anna and Chris as characters, though Anna's lonerness meant that we didn't see many other side characters. Some of the plot elements were a bit far-fetched in terms of execution and believability, leaving me a bit disappointed. But there's still great discussion about racism and fetishization throughout.

*Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book is drop dead gorgeous, full of fantasy and love - plus some beautiful art of course! It's the kind of book that you sit down to read a bit of, then lose yourself in, and come to an hour later with misty eyes. Getting to watch Morgan find happiness after a rough divorce and come to terms with her sexuality was amazing, let alone following Keltie's story. The art, the color, the story, it's just EVERYTHING.

A mix of The Social Network and Ready Player One with a literary fiction lens... I wasn't completely sold initially, but I absolutely loved this one. It's a fantastic story whether or not you consider yourself a "gamer", though I definitely do! We delve into the lives of Sam, Sadie, and Marx as they navigate the burgeoning videogame industry in the 1990's and deal with the landmark success that is their first game. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows - we talk about difficult topics like grief, loss, depression, and abuse. Each part of this book feels like a game itself, be it how it changes character perspectives or narrative voice, following along with the different videogames being produced. And in all reality, I want to play ALL of these games! I'd recommend this to readers looking for something to hit them in the feels, though I always recommend researching trigger warnings first, or who's looking to feel creative again.

*Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*