This is an amazing Carrie retelling that is *perfect* for spooky season. For awhile I thought that it took place in the 80's until it was just casually dropped in conversation that it was 2014!! And after some Google searches, I found out that these segregated practices still exist in the South. Mind blown.

I loved the podcast angle, as we got to see an outside perspective on the events that went down in Springville. And adding in the multiple PoVs, we get a deeper understanding of the characters who unknowingly contributed to the Springville Massacre. I was honestly cheering when Maddy snapped because they had it coming. After YEARS of bullying and all of the racist behavior she endured, I don't blame her at all. This book made me feel so many things, especially with the ending. Just read it.

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

It's phenomenal - the amount of love and hope that this book gave me. I've never seen a book with a premise like this. Like seriously, a donut shop owned by an alien race, a trans runaway, and a violin teacher who steals her student's souls? Nothing like it.

This is the perfect science fiction book for newbies to the genre, but also for anyone who wants to read an ode to music. The prose is lyrical, the characters are so fleshed out, and the plot spirals in the best way. The way that Katrina's music transcends time and takes you back to your most vulnerable moments, it's just beyond. I'm new to Ryka Aoki, but I'll read her books forever.

I'm so conflicted about this book. Maybe it's because I was listening to a fantasy book on audio, or just that the tail end of the book felt chaotic, but I feel like we lost all of the glorious world-building from the first half. And I wasn't very invested in the ending, despite how much political intrigue and adventure it sets us up for. I did love the setting and lore, especially with how the djinn magic worked. And there was a lush cast of characters, though I didn't get to see as many of them as I'd liked. The focus on storytelling was a fun nod to Scheherazade and I'm left wondering where the series will go next.

Will I follow it? I'm honestly not sure. I think it may be better enjoyed in physical form and may revisit at another time to see if that changes my rating.

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

A tale of 2 restaurants with a Christmas twist - what a fun concept! As usual, Suzanne Park's books should come with snacks. I'm craving that spicy pork and shrimp noodles she described, but wouldn't complain about an almond cookie being thrown in (quite literally). This is a cute and fun YA book with just a taste of the Christmas spirit, being as it's set in a mall with Santa's Village. Peter and Chloe are caught in the middle of a Hatfield and McCoy style feud, but can't deny their chemistry. And when they band together to save the mall? Priceless.

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

Dare I say that this was the perfect ending to this series? Everything was foreshadowed so beautifully yet not immediately obvious. AND we get the resolution to that god damned cliffhanger from The Last Graduate. I really enjoyed the narration as well, as she switches between characters and their respective accents with ease. This book has such a lovely cast of characters and the narration did them justice. I had to remind myself throughout that we're seeing this situation through El's eyes - as jaded as they may be - and she tends to reject assistance and be extremely mistrustful. I'm so glad that this book got turned into a trilogy, as we wouldn't have really felt the HURT in this book without it. Overall I'm a happy camper.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review*

I've always been a bit wary of authors narrating their own books, but this one was fabulous! Upon reflection, she's a prominent actress so it makes sense as to how much emotion she's able to portray through voice alone. I felt Harry's fear, both of being discovered herself and of marrying into the family full of killer secrets. I loved all of the added elements with the tape recording and Krampus. (Not a holiday book per say, just happens around the holidays and hence features Thanksgiving and Christmas). It's definitely more of a British thriller, all slow-paced and psychological with minimal twists, but it's a good one. I'd recommend this to fans of The Turn of the Key and the movie Ready or Not!

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

Did I think this was a YA based on the cover? Yup. But don't worry, you're quickly ensconced in a scene of the sexual nature and it just gets hotter and heavier from there. I love a home renovation rom-com as much as the next person and this didn't disappoint. A cozy nook in my house? Yes please. Plus the chemistry between Cameron and Shelby is essentially that of 2 horny teenagers who refuse to admit they love each other. And don't get me started on Lyle... He's scum even by reality TV producer standards. If he never gets a happy ending, it'll be too soon. I'd love to see Lorelai and Maren get books, as I was intrigued to what shenanigans we could get up to with a country star and a park ranger.

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

The premise of this book is absurd in the best way. Retired assassins on a cruise where things quickly turn deadly - and hilarious. This is Golden Girls meets James Bond, with the little flair of Kingsman. From the get-go, we're reminiscing on jobs past that are full of drama and action. And jet-setting around the globe, I'll add! On audio, you still feel like you're watching these cinematic scenes go down (except maybe a bit better with explosions and stuff) and the flip between the narrators was seamless. It has mystery, humor, female friendship, just everything. While I'm not sure how accurate some of their techniques are, it was certainly interesting to see how resourceful they could be while on the run from The Museum. It's also definitely one that I'll be giving a reread to see how the plot unfolds.

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

Perfect for fans of Schitt's Creek, Timothy Janovsky delivers a humorous christmas romcom that will leave you wanting to watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. (Like seriously, I've never seen it but I REEEEEALLY WANT TO NOW). We follow Matthew Prince, a grinchy rich boy who's exiled to a small town after buying an island on a whim. A literal ISLAND! That's where I knew that this book wasn't going to take itself too seriously and I was in. His foil, Hector, is a gorgeous bisexual man who values hard work and literature - my heart. And throughout we get to see Matthew cope with his Generalized Anxiety Disorder. As a fellow GAD diagnosee, I felt like the ways in which he disassociated and lashed out were accurate to my own experience.

As they say, this town is full of unicorns and I loved every second of it. A queer romcom in which their queerness is never questioned nor are they hated on for it? Yes please. Get ready to plan your own Book Launch Bonanza because YaMOMP is coming out today and it will get you in the party planning mood.

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

What did I just read? Like it was simultaneously a mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction... and yet read like a contemporary. It's a lot. But it's also so readable, especially with the sultry tones of Dion Graham in my ears. I do feel like I missed a lot of details and world-building that will be amazing for the reread. But it's a marvel at what she was able to create in 200 pages. The idea of divinity being a magic source, the lore of fallen angels existing in this virtuous society, and the parallel of passing to the world we live in... It's just full of so many details that you could easily miss on the first read through. And it's only 200 pages so you have no excuse to not read this beauty.

*Thank you to Saga Press, B2Weird, Simon Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted copies in exchange for my honest review*