That was W I L D. The first 3/4 of the book is a really well-laid, suspenseful crime thriller, and then the last 1/4 twists and turns into some good ol fashioned horror and I loved the ride. This is definitely a step above the rest of the thrillers/crime fiction out there. There are so many well-done layers and secrets and conflicts and wow, I really hated that suffocating town of Bentley.

I love Lindy, and I love Shrill (both the tv show and the book). I think West is such a strong writer, and her arguments are always well thought-out and clearly presented. We get more of that talent in essays of The Witches Are Coming, but sharper, angrier, and stronger. I appreciated the anger in this book, because it is very aligned with the anger I feel on a daily basis. 

This book was published before the beginning of the pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and the invasion of the US Capitol/widespread prevalence of QAnon. West’s writing still addresses the topics that intersect with recent events, such as white supremacy, climate change, and the wellness industry. There’s nothing wildly groundbreaking or new  in this book, but reading it is very affirming and gives me the wonderful feeling of being less alone. If you have anyone in your life who’s ever said “not all men” first off, I’m sorry, and secondly, I recommend this book (and Shrill) as a gift for them.

Wtf is Beth O’Leary my new favorite romance writer?! This was delightful. 

Phew, my anxiety was through the roof reading this book!! I mean that in a good way, because the story was action-packed and I didn’t want anything bad to happen to Nathan! If you are a fan of Attica Locke and other books in that same vein, I would recommend this one. It was interesting to read a book set on a reservation, and the legal/judiciary failings that are present because of out-dated, racist legislation.

I really enjoyed this lighthearted middle grade book. It addresses racism, inequity, poverty, and challenges faced by many immigrants in the US in a way that is accessible for kids but not watered down. Yang infuses fun with these serious themes, and this book has the lightheartedness I love so much in a good middle grade novel. I will be reading the rest of this series!

Oh my god. This book is such a difficult read, but so worthwhile. I began reading this immediately after I finished Grown. I think I liked Monday's Not Coming even more. I haven't read another YA book quite like this. Jackson does not shy away from addressing real issues that young people face everyday, and I am so glad her work is out there for people to read. This is a story of one girl's search for her missing friend, but it is also a story about how when a young Black girl goes missing, our society and our systems don't seem to notice or care. This story has played out so many times in the real world, and Jackson depicts the small choices, larger systems, and intentional silencing tactics that are in place that make tragedies like this possible. There is also a bit of a twist towards the end, which threw me for a loop. This book is not a light read, so be prepared for discussions of domestic abuse, child abuse, murder, mental illness, bullying, and miscarriage.

This is my first book by Tiffany D. Jackson and...WOW! This book tackles an incredibly difficult but important topic, and Jackson does an excellent job. I read that the inspiration for this book came from the stories of survivors of R. Kelly, and I am glad that this book exists as a YA book so younger readers can learn more about abuse of power and how to identify warning signs of an abusive or inappropriate relationship. Themes such as misogynoir, rape culture, patriarchal enabling, and abuse are discussed head-on in this chronicle of Enchanted's experience with musical superstar Korey Fields. This book treats its target audience with respect because none of these themes are sugar-coated. 

I thought the plot point about Gabriela was a bit of a stretch, but I went with it because I was so wrapped up in the story. In the end I liked where it went. I also liked how Jackson addressed the part of the story about the video; it was interesting and further addressed the effects of emotional and physical abuse in a relationship. This book is excellent and definitely won't be my last read of this author. 

The Fabergé Secret is enjoyable, but not memorable. Overall, it was interesting to learn about Russia in 1903, and the tensions and conflicts that led up to and contributed to the Russian Revolution of 1917 and Tsar Nicholas' ultimate demise. If you enjoy detailed historical fiction that isn't too heavy on the cheesy romance, then I think you will enjoy this book. The relationship between Katya and Dimitri is a main plot point of the book, but it never distracts too heavily from the historical setting and larger story of Russia's state-sanctioned violence against Jews. This book seems well-researched, but there are some parts of the story that seemed unrealistic and done to tie up the story in a neat way.  I think I would have enjoyed it more as a physical book rather than an audiobook due to the historical nature of the story, but overall it was an interesting story.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.