Tracy will FOREVER be my favorite author hands down. She was a phenomenal writer and knew how to get you invested in the characters she creates. Just like her other books Brooklyn is top tier it gives the urban street vibes we all look for money, drugs, sex, drama all that. She took us on a wild ride with Brooklyn cause this girl was a PROBLEM CHILD‼️ I hate to say it but them preacher kids be wild’n.

I found myself sympathizing with Brooklyn a lot in the beginning then after a while she had me like now girl why the hell would you go and do that. She brought a lot of things on herself but life was really life-ing for Brooklyn it ate her ass up and spit her back out. This book was fast-paced, intense, emotional, and filled with so many memorable characters. That damn Sabrina is all I can say

From the very beginning we’re thrown into a world-wind of chaos. This book was wild!!! It follows three MC’s Nathan, a volunteer fireman who uncovers a secret stash of money in a burning building and takes it; Callie, a nurse whose tender patient may not have long to live, despite the girl’s fundamentalist parents’ ardent beliefs; and Andy, a recovering heroin addict who undertakes a nightmare mission to hunt down and stop a serial predator.

It’s hard to say whose situation was the craziest. Andy’s failed suicide attempt and hunt to kill this priest or Callie risking her life and livelihood for a patient. I thought the trailer park incident would be the end for her. When Nathan found out the truth about the money he stole I laughed. He had high hopes for a new start even committed murder in the process only to end up not being able to do anything with the money.

Overall, the book was decent we see each character deal with personal struggles and while none of them are really connected all of the events unfolding around them really added to the plot. Some of the chapters are very short so this was a really quick read. The POV flips back and forth a lot so things seemed all over the place but the action, secrets, and drama kept me hooked. Special thanks to the author & @henryholtbooks for my gifted copy!!!

Loved this book!!! I was immediately pulled in after our MC stated, “I was pregnant with a baby that didn’t belong to my husband, Jasper.” I was like so that’s how we about to pop this off? That alone had me anxious to see what direction the book was headed. With an opening chapter like that I knew I was in store for something good.

After finding out she was pregnant Rose ran home to her parents. Jasper was even willing to care for the child as his own after knowing the truth. Soon Rose realized no matter where you go your problems will always follow. Everything that happened after she returned to Georgia sent her through a downward spiral of unfortunate events. But in the end Rose found herself, made history, and gave love another chance.

It was set during the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement so there’s a lot of history involved that added depth to the novel. The pacing was rather up and down but I loved all the characters especially Rose’s mother so it made up for it. She comforted Rose during her healing process but as a mother she still let her know that what got her in this situation was her fault. “If you old enough to make grown-up decisions, you old enough to deal with the aftermath.”

Overall, the writing was excellent and really kept me engaged. If you’re a fan of historical fiction this is definitely worth adding to your TBR. Special thanks to the author & @harpermusebooks for my gifted copy!!!

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

Got 36% in and still couldn’t get into it so I DNF’d this one just wasn’t for me!!!!

“There are places you go and places you leave. You don’t always know which is going to be which.”

This was an interesting collection of speculative fiction short stories filled with magical realism, loss, regret, death, friendships, and so much more. One thing I can say is everything ain’t for everybody after reading this.

Just by looking at the cover I thought this was going to be a historical fiction novel. But turns out it’s a YA novel filled with rumors, secrets that will puncture your reputation, blatant racism, fake friends, a little romance, and a dash of mystery. It was the perfect combination for a world-wind of drama and choas while also posing the question “How much are you willing to give at the cost of fitting in?”

It all starts when photos taken by Iyanu are stolen and sent out to everyone around school with juicy messages on the back. Some secrets revealed were true and the others were lies. Either way the whole school thinks Iyanu is behind it making her even more of an outcast than she was before. To make matters worse her cousin Kitan isn’t on her side and believes she did it too. While everyone is so desperate to uncover the truth behind the stolen photos they don’t realize exposing the truth might change their friendships forever.

This book will definitely give off a Mean Girls vibe cause Kitan’s bestfriend Heather was definitely Regina George and the things she did were completely unacceptable. Let’s just say she let finding out she had 0.0007% of black in her blood go straight to her head.

It took me awhile to do this review because I really had to sit with my thoughts after reading this. I don’t know where to begin but I can say the author picked the perfect title for the book because I was definitely left unsettled and confused.

The novel is told in three alternating perspectives between Ava, Dutchess, and Toussaint taking us deeper into each of their lives. Through each viewpoint we see them experience hardship, heartbreak, loss, failure, grief, and pain. It was unsettling to see how things continued to get worse for these characters before anything got better. By the end of the book I found myself only sympathizing with Toussaint. Nobody knows the true pain one has experienced until their story is told.

Mathis explores the consequences of irrational decisions, the depths of poor parenting passed from generation to generation, the dangers of co-dependency, and how our actions can have an everlasting impact on our life and those around us.

The authors vivid details really helped paint a clear picture of what was happening throughout the book. I did feel some things were out of place and didn’t really make sense. But nothing about the book was predictable I could really feel the authenticity and realism throughout. The emotions and dialogue was depicted in a way that made this all seem too real. Which I think added a lot of richness and depth to the characters.

I didn’t agree with half the things Ava did and felt she was doing to Toussiant exactly what her mother had done to her. Basically creating this never ending cycle of trauma. Can’t say which situation was worse for Ava living in the shelter or dealing with Cass and the mass amount of BS that came with him.

Overall, this was an okay book but I think the structure makes it hard to get through. I was also left with a lot of unanswered questions and felt the book ended so abruptly. Special thanks to the author and @aaknopf for my gifted copy‼️

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

Knoll’s takes us on an interesting journey with her character-driven partially fictionalized interpretation of the notorious Ted Bundy, his crimes against a college sorority, and two women on opposite sides of the track seeking justice. While this was a fictional true crime novel there were real events and facts mixed throughout.

I solely chose the book based off the cover and title one of my many bad habits I know. But I think I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected because I never knew it was based on real events. I like surprises obviously and didn’t read the synopsis lol. Plus the author never mentioned who the killer was which kind of kept me on my toes. But now I understand why she never said his name.

This could’ve been a 5⭐️ read but I really felt it dragged a lot for a thriller and I kept feeling as though something was missing. It’s like the author said a lot but didn’t really give enough. The dual POVs and multiple timelines really overshadowed and slowed down the pacing.

The authors writing style was very unique and might’ve been overly descriptive at times but I loved her approach with the book. She gave us a chance to see things unfold from the victims perspective but again I didn’t feel that was enough. Pamela’s timelines were more in depth and interesting than Ruth’s. I get Ruth was a victim but her timeline didn’t really mesh well with Pamela’s. So, that causes you to pose the question what was the point of Ruth’s inclusion since Pamela basically carried the story.

Overall, this was an okay novel the beginning had a great build up but could’ve had a better ending. There are also a lot of criminal elements and trigger warnings surrounding murder, rape, and the serial killer’s heinous crimes. I liked the book so I do recommend however I wouldn't call Bright Young Women a thriller novel, because it only gave off a few intensely suspenseful moments. Special thanks to the author & @simonandachuster @bookclubfavorites for my gifted copy‼️

This was rich in detail and history but the pacing really didn’t work for me. I was drawn in from the beginning but once I hit the halfway mark I found myself losing interest.

I don’t think historical fiction should only revolve around struggle or survival but this didn’t hit like I wanted. The first few chapters were complex and intense with Sarah who at the time was Princess Aina watching the decapitation of her family, becoming enslaved, and searching for her brother who she knew survived the invasion. But once Sarah was given to Queen Victoria we see her conform with her new surroundings which is where my interest began to decline.

The narrative explores Sarah’s personal and emotional struggles as she battles racism and systematic oppression, attempts to preserve the memory of her family, and find where she belongs in society. I did enjoy Sarah’s character she was very smart and brave even from a young age. Her brilliance and various talents is what provided her the royal privilege she’d become accustomed to.

Overall, the book was okay minus the pacing. I think the writing was decent and the author did well capturing the characters life and the era in which events occurred. So, if you’re into historical fiction you might enjoy this. Special thanks to the author and @williammorrowbooks for the gifted copy‼️

Rating: 3.75/5⭐️

This book was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and the perfect read to end my year‼️ If you have a copy read it EXPEDITIOUSLY. If you don’t run out NEOW buy it then go home and read it. Don’t be like me and just add it to your shelf as a decoration lol. This book was a total gem Safiya literally had me wrapped up in her life from the first page we’re practically sister-cousins at this point.