This book is a lot and I don't even know how to process it right now.

The longer I think about this book, the more questioning I am with my rating. I felt like with Middlegame, there was a slow burn as we unraveled the mysteries of this world, and this one? It just wasn't. The pace was relatively quick as we follow Harry and Melanie across the country in their search for the labyrinth. But apart from relatively few action scenes, most of it is just 2 teens in a car complaining about how much they love each other. Not sure if I'll be continuing with this series or not.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

Whenever I feel like I'm in a book slump, I just pick up the newest Emma Lord book and all is suddenly right in the universe.

This book is perfect for fall - with all of the back to school vibes (even if it is set in the spring). But with spring comes the feeling of renewal and that's what Andie is focusing on. With a do-it-all attitude, she's taking her first semester at Blue Ridge State by storm. Between vying for membership in secret societies, trying to solve all of her friends' problems, and joining the university's pirate radio station, she has a LOT going on. (Oh and there's the crush on her RA and her terrible boyfriend, but let's be real... this is a story about Andie)

And don't get me STARTED on Bagelopolis... I want to live in a world that has cookie dough cream cheese. (It probably already exists, but I've never eaten it). This is another gorgeous novel from Emma Lord and I can't wait to snag a physical copy.

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

Hold onto your butts y'all because Ashley Winstead has done it again. It's a thriller that I just *devoured* and the only thing I regret is that I'll never be able to read this book for the first time again. It's fabulously culty and focuses on rich men behaving badly - 2 of my favorite thriller subgenres. But more than that, we also get a podcast subplot and flashbacks to Shay's time in college that help us to understand her more deeply. While some of the plot elements were nicely foreshadowed, others flew out of nowhere and I absolutely LOVED it. However this book is full of violence and trauma, so take note of the ample trigger warnings at the beginning.

But HOOOOOOOOOO BOY... It's a doozy.

As someone approaching 30, I'm scared and wracked with fear about it. So I loved reading Jo's blog and seeing how she's coping with the big 3-0. But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the amount of grief present in this book - both from the death of a parent and child and feelings of abandonment as a child. This book hits hard and feels real. But at the same time, it's so cute and sweet and fills my heart with joy. It's funny how things happen like that. I loved how much we got to see of the kids and how they also coped with their respective grief in contrast to Jo. There are so many themes in this book, that of resilience, love, and forgiveness that will leave you feeling melty inside.

Be warned - while this may be marketed as a romance sometimes, there is NO sexy business. It's not closed door - there literally *is* no house. Get ready for some kissing and yearning though! (P.S. The story was so good that I didn't care that there was no boinking)

This book made me so hungry - both for all of the delectable Filipino treats and the next book! These cozy mysteries are the perfect solution to a reading slump (or if you need to work up an appetite). Blackmail and Bibingka reads more similarly to Arsenic and Adobo than Homicide and Halo-Halo, which I'd say was for the best. The mystery wasn't too obvious, though I did guess it before the ending, and has many fun elements that will keep you guessing. We also get to meet her estranged cousin Ronnie and delve into the family dynamics. Alsooooo THE RECIPES - I'll be making those snickerdoodles for sure. I feel like I want some development into Jae and Lila's relationship in the next book, but we do get some delightful tastes in this book.

*Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'm swooning, my heart feels melty, and I think I need a cutie in a Hawaiian shirt to bring me a bagel sandwich. Layla and Caleb are the perfect mix of shy and sweet, with a dating arrangement that will leave you squealing. I've been waiting so long for this book and its simplicity - guy has crush on girl for years, girl finally sees guy in a new light and *FRIENDS TO LOVERS MAGIC*! (I am a sucker for friends to lovers, but it just hits different with B.K. Borison.)

This is definitely the sweetest of hers that I've read, best enjoyed with a cupcake and fresh strawberries. It's the best kind of self-date that a book can offer.

10 out of 10.

This is SO exciting - a new fantasy series filled with action and intrigue *and* is narrated by Natalie Naudus! I'm seriously in love with this world. No prophecy can account for free will, as this book shows. Taishi is my absolute favorite, though this book is full of badass females out for blood. And Natalie's narration for each is amazing - Taishi sounds like a jaded old woman while one of her later characters reminds me so much of Jessie from Pokemon. It seriously improved the book so much! And I really felt like this book was cinematic - I was holding my breath during the fight scenes, shouting in delight at the banter, it really just has it all. I can't wait to see more from Wesley Chu.

*Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an ARC and PRH Audio for an ALC*

Keeeeeee! She was my absolute favorite in the last book and I'm so glad that she and Varro finally got their moment. This one definitely has more steam than the last book, mostly because the humans and Valovians aren't mortal enemies to start. We also get to explore more of the FHP conflict and see everyone's favorite (*sarcasm*) telekinetic bust some heads. Kee and Varro's relationship feels so much different than Tavi and Torren's, as we immediately lose the stoicism and instead have flashes of pure emotion. While I'm sad that we won't get a pure Eli book (because lord knows I want to see how that thruple goes down), we do get Lexi's book next! And after the events of Eclipse the Moon? I can't WAIT!!

*Thank you to Harper Voyager for the gifted copy and to Harper Audio for the ALC*

This is definitely a rare case of the movie being better, if only because we got to actually SEE everything. But it's probably also just because it was written in the 1980's.

It does stand on its own as a book - and has sequels if I feel like reading them! - but I can't help comparing it to the movie.