I'm torn. One one hand, it's a super interesting concept - a company founded to verify users of matchmaking services stumbles into a murder investigation. On the other... it lacked a lot of tension. It tends towards the cozier side of mysteries, but lacked much of the humor we tend to find in that genre. I enjoyed the plot itself, but it needs more oomph to get us to care. It often felt like we were just being shunted from scene to scene and yelled at with exposition. It's quirky and has promise, just... this ain't it.

This book is so dang cute and just what I needed after a stint of dark reads. We follow Caro as she tries to find purpose in her life after a career-ending back injury that rips away her gymnastics dreams. And when Alex offers to help her find a new sport, we already know that love is in the air. (But you know, the heart kind not the tennis kind). The narrator did a great job portraying the youth and innocence of the two characters, and even the enjoyment of Into the Woods and gymnastics videos! This is a perfect summery read full of sports, laughter, and friendship, suited for younger readers or anyone who needs a palate cleanser.

*Thank you to Hachette Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

This is a damn good queer thriller. And while it won't leave you guessing, you still won't be able to put it down. It has 2 of my favorite topics for a thriller - rich people behaving badly and cultlike locations - but seen through a myopic lens of a teenager who wants nothing more than to feel wanted. This girl is abused, assaulted, and never thinks once that she doesn't deserve it. Courtney Summers masterfully writes Georgia's story through all of this pain and it left me feeling numb. This book hits harder than most. Trigger warnings for assault, rape, pedophilia, and the like...

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

I struggled a lot with this book. On one hand, I loved seeing Allison go through graduate school and befriend her cohort. Additionally, I loved the banter between her and Colin. However I honestly found her so angry as a protagonist. She seemed to take everything personally and react so stubbornly. We also never got to see her work on her teaching style, rather just lie about it to Colin and then feel bitter about it. But I thought the medieval lit angle redeemed it somewhat and it was nice to have a Fat protagonist where the story wasn't about weight loss or self-hatred.

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

This book hits close to home for me as someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I really identified with Paris as he spiraled and talked down on himself, without realizing that there was anything wrong with his behavior. The accuracy of it all really hurt (in a good way, I promise). It can be frustrating watching someone with such potential just flail about, and I often found myself frustrated with the book. However it's realistic to my (and many others') experiences. And for me, baking shows tend to be my anti-anxiety happy place of television so it was fitting that we see Paris thrive in such a place.

This book is definitely more of a contemporary than a romance, though I did enjoy the flashes of it that we do see. I recommend this for people who love baking shows and enjoy reading about mental health in books.

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

This is a book that I really want to reread. I think portions of it were lost on me as I tried to navigate the various narratives, but seeing them again would help them make sense to me. We get the magic that is New Orleans, tied with paranormal elements from the beyond. I loved the sense of wonder that the reader gets as we traverse this enchanting landscape. Using music and art as methods for conjuring ghosts is an amazing idea and the narrator really gave those summonings power. In the audiobook, you also get a lovely score throughout which adds to the experience. I honestly can't wait to reread it!

*Thank you to Hachette Audio for an ALC and Red Hook for the gifted copy*

I love a tidy conclusion as much as the next person, especially when it's a duology. We delve further into the magic of this world and even get chapters from Kang's perspective. Understanding what's going on in his head amidst a coup strongly contrasted Ning's from the previous book. We also get to explore The Shift more, the beautifully deadly limbo space. And not to mention, we actually can see the world that Judy I Lin created! We spend so much time in the palatial grounds in the first book, but here we see so much more. It's fast-paced and unputdownable, and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

*Thank you to B2Weird, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for the gifted ARC and finished copy*

I love me a dual timeline, what can I say? And on audio, this one SLAPPED. Both of the narrators had such distinct voices for their characters that there was never any confusion for me as to which timeline I was in. Plus it's a mystery that toes the line of thriller, mixing cold cases, missing persons, and serial killers. You get paranormal elements as well, which left me questioning at times if people we were interacting with were actually ghosts! While I do still have some burning questions, I loved the writing style, the pace, pretty much everything. Wow wow wow!

This series has my entire heart and I'll be recommending it for kids and adults alike until the end of time. While this book takes a darker turn, it's compelling and apt for the times we live in. Elements of propaganda are presented and we begin to see the darker side to the supernatural world. Imani Parks' narration is stellar, bringing such feeling into Amari's quest to win the Great Game and save the world. As the book was winding down, I was left saying "There's no way this can be the end." and it both was and wasn't. I am SO excited to read the next book when it comes out because THAT ENDING. Just devastating.

*Thank you to Harper Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

Hooooooooo boy, this was worth the wait for my library hold. A New Adult fantasy, full of magic and mystery that really lets you get inside of the characters' heads. Some will say that nothing really happened in the book, but I disagree! This book is about the build-up, what initiation truly entails and what the underlying motives of this Society are. It's character-driven, letting you get in everyone's heads and navigate their priorities and traumas. I'm honestly struggling to pick a favorite character because they all bring something interesting and new to the table. I think that we'll see more action in The Atlas Paradox and begin to unwind all of these twisted threads.

Believe me, it's booktok famous for a reason.