lylesgirl2020's Reviews (350)

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this early. I feel incredibly lucky to have been invited into this world before the rest of the world gets to fall in love with it too. Release date is June 17, 2025.

The Grove takes us back to 1960, where we meet 15-year-old Penelope "Pip" Bean—sharp, observant, and full of quiet curiosity. She lives on her family's orange grove, working alongside her parents and older sister, Sissy. The girls spend their days handing out fresh-squeezed orange juice and souvenirs to passersby from their roadside stand. But the real thrill? The annual winter carnival. It’s the event they look forward to all year. Only this time, the carnival brings more than excitement—it brings change. And not the easy kind. What unfolds sets off a series of events that mark Pip and Sissy in ways they’ll never forget.

This story is stunning. Truly. The writing feels like slipping into a sun-drenched memory—warm, rich, and full of feeling. Even when the narrative shifts into heavier territory, like racism and inherited prejudice, it handles it with grace and honesty. Phillips doesn’t shy away from hard truths, but she delivers them with the kind of care that stays with you. She makes it clear: hatred is learned, not born—and that message comes through loud and clear.

Pip’s voice? Unforgettable. There’s something so special about seeing the world through her eyes—raw, curious, and still learning. Watching her grow, stumble, and slowly learn how to stand taller in her own skin was beautiful. Her journey isn’t just about the people around her—it’s about learning how to be loyal to herself. I especially loved watching her let go of the need to be "enough" for others, and instead realize she already is.

This book was such a gift. From beginning to end, it wrapped me up and pulled me in. I’ll be thinking about these characters, and especially Pip, for a long time.

This was my first book by Brooks Whitney Phillips and my third historical fiction of 2025—and listen, Historical fiction girlie unlocked.

Huge gratitude to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy. I’m so thankful I got the chance to read this early—because it’s not just a novel, it’s a necessary conversation, a quiet revolution, and a beautiful coming-of-age all rolled into one. Coming June 17th, 2025.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s Georgia, we meet Doris Steele—a 17-year-old Black girl growing up in a deeply religious, working-class community. When she finds herself pregnant and certain she’s not ready to raise a child, she turns to the only adult she feels safe confiding in: her teacher, Mrs. Lucas. With limited choices in her small town, Doris asks for help, and Mrs. Lucas agrees to take her to Atlanta for an abortion. What begins as a quiet weekend away unfolds into a life-altering experience.

Over the course of just a few days, Doris steps into a world she never imagined existed. She’s exposed to privilege, to queerness, to radical ideas, to people living boldly in their truths—and to the energy of the Civil Rights Movement as it pulses through the city. For a girl taught to stay small and obedient, it’s the first time she begins to truly question what she wants, what she believes, and what kind of life she might actually build for herself.

Mia McKenzie’s writing is electric. From the first few lines, I felt like I was right there beside Doris. Her voice is sharp, smart, funny, and honest—filled with just enough attitude to make you love her instantly. Every person Doris meets feels vivid and real, each encounter gently peeling back another layer of her world. While the themes explored—racism, bodily autonomy, sexuality, faith, and more—are weighty, they’re handled with thoughtfulness and compassion. Nothing felt heavy-handed or overwhelming—just honest and deeply human.

The story moves with purpose but never rushes. Watching Doris grow, question, and shift felt so natural—it didn’t feel like reading a book, it felt like witnessing someone find their voice. And honestly? I think this might be added to my favorite reads 2025 list. Given everything happening in today’s political and cultural climate, this book feels both deeply personal and incredibly relevant.

This was my first time reading Mia McKenzie’s work—and only my second historical fiction of 2025—but it left an undeniable mark on me. Bold, moving, and deeply human, this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book had all the ingredients for something special—queer joy, a theater backdrop, a swoony romance, and conversations that matter. It promised so much heart… but unfortunately, it left me wanting more.

So many scenes started strong, building tension or emotion—and then just stopped. Time and time again, just when something big was about to hit, the moment would fade out or skip ahead. It felt like we were brushing past the story’s most meaningful beats instead of sinking into them.

The romance between Ari and Taylor, while full of potential, didn’t quite land. We're told they’re each other’s “dream girls,” completely head-over-heels—but it was hard to feel that spark on the page. There weren’t enough of those grounding, intimate moments that show why they connected. I wanted to root for them, but I didn’t fully understand what brought them together beyond surface-level attraction.

The theater aspect, which could’ve added so much texture, felt more like a background setting than a living, breathing part of the story. The actual process of putting on a production—the teamwork, the messiness, the passion—was mostly missing. It was mentioned, but not really felt.

There were powerful themes at play—transphobia, homophobia, and the complexity of allyship—and I appreciated the effort to include them. But these moments often stayed on the surface. The story leaned heavily into Ya’s journey of becoming a better ally, which sometimes seemed to overshadow the voices and experiences of the queer characters themselves.

At just 249 pages, the book felt a little rushed. It had big things to say, but not enough room to fully say them. Still, the foundation is there. The heart is there. With more space to breathe and more time spent developing its core relationships and themes, this could’ve been something really memorable.

There’s promise in this author’s voice, and I’m definitely curious to see what they do next.

Big love to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—this one was sitting real high on my June radar, and let me just say: it brought the heat. Legal thriller fans, this one hits hard. And yep—it officially rereleased June 3rd, so clear your schedule.

We kick things off with a straight-up what is going on?! moment—two sisters, one dead father, and two 911 calls made at the same exact time from the same house. I was already squinting like, “Nah, y’all plotted something.” No way that’s a coincidence… right?

But plot twist: these sisters don’t even rock with each other like that. Haven’t spoken in years, and the tension? Thick. As we get deeper into their story, the truth starts to slip out—and let me tell you, it’s not cute. The dynamic between them and their father? Weird. Off. Low-key disturbing. I kept thinking I had one of them figured out, then boom—everything flips. I was wrong. A lot. And I loved that.

Now the legal side? Fire. Eddie Flynn is cool, calculated, and always ten steps ahead. Kate? She’s a beast—sharp, relentless, and grinding her way through a toxic workplace just to get her shot. Both of their perspectives gave the story weight and made it impossible to pick a side. One minute I was rooting for one team, next minute I was flipping.

But let’s talk about the real curveball—“She.”
That POV? Creepy. Smooth. Vicious. It slid in and completely shifted the energy. Didn’t give too much, but just enough to make me second-guess everything. Was holding my head because.. Wtf!!

By the time we hit the trial, I was glued to the pages. The courtroom scenes were tense, smart, and straight-up cinematic. The twists kept coming, the pace never slowed, and the writing stayed tight all the way to the end.

This was a 5-star experience for me. Clever, gritty, and full of heart. If you like thrillers that keep you on your toes and characters with real depth? You need this on your shelf.
And yeah—I’ll never listen to “She” by Elvis Costello without catching a chill again. Facts.

“Dear Amelia” by Asia Monique was my very first book by her, and I’m so glad I picked it up—I really, really enjoyed it.

The story follows Amelia and Israel, childhood friends who’ve grown even closer over the past two years after Amelia’s mom passed away. Her mother wasn’t just a huge part of Amelia’s life—she also helped raise Israel, so the loss hit them both deeply. They’ve leaned on each other ever since. What starts off as a strong friendship quickly turns into something more, and I loved watching that shift unfold.

This is book one in the Love in Seattle series, and it totally hooked me. Amelia works as an advice columnist and shares glimpses of her relationship on her blog, which made things feel super personal. Israel works with his dad and brothers running their real estate company—and wow, I adored him.

Let’s be honest: Israel had me from the jump. The moment he rolled up his sleeves and showed off those tattoos? Yep, I was gone. Completely smitten. And when he told Amelia he’d follow her anywhere, even into the dark, and give her all the love and softness he had? Ugh, my heart. That man was everything. Truly swoonworthy.

This was a beautiful, sweet, and romantic read that made me feeling the feelings, especially the Dear Amelia emais from the Holloway brothers! I’ll definitely be reading more from Asia Monique!

This was my first M. Monique read, and all I can say is—why did no one put me on sooner?! I love it here.

Adir Bell. Yes sir! That man is something serious. Former street dude turned healer, protector, and father to four beautiful boys with names like Peace, Bragg, Kalm, and Humble. He’s a walking contradiction in the best way—tough when he needs to be, gentle where it counts, and completely rooted in love and loyalty. Adir doesn’t just show love—he protects it, nurtures it, and defends it with everything he’s got. And when his peace is threatened, he reminds folks exactly who he is. No loud talking needed.


Then there’s Coco. Strong, real, loyal to her core. She’s doing what she has to do to protect her brother, even if it means marrying a complete stranger. What she didn’t expect? To find a man who sees her heart from day one. When Adir gives her the name Pretty Bell, you feel the shift. He moves like she's the only thing that matters—because she kinda is. The way she embraces the boys and vice versa... Chef's kiss! I love a fire bonus parent.

The connection between Adir & Pretty? It’s instant, but it’s not rushed. It’s deep, safe, and earned. You feel the care in every look, every word, every moment.

What really got me, though, was the family dynamic. Adir with his sons? Had me smiling one second and holding back tears the next. And that little peek at Quilo and Saar? I ate that up!

Top-tier storytelling. Adir Bell? Unforgettable.
And me? I’m already looking for my next M. Monique read.

Okay, let’s talk about this one. First off—Lion wakes up from a YEAR-long coma like it’s nothing. Just opens his eyes and boom—back in the game. But while he was out, the whole world around him went sideways. Tragedy hit, lies piled up, and now he’s out here trying to figure out what the hell happened while he was laid up.

Meanwhile, Soule is trying to keep it together—dealing with her husband, her niece, and just trying to survive the mess life threw her into. And then? She comes home to find her husband dead. Like… dead dead. That’s when the snakes start slithering out. Real quick, Soule starts realizing her “family”? Yeah, they’re not it. They’re shady, selfish, and straight-up foul.

Lion’s back and trying to put the puzzle pieces together, London’s looking for her father’s killer, and Soule’s stuck in the middle of all this chaos. And listen—I don’t blame her for folding for Lion. Not even a little. The man came out of a coma and STILL had main character energy. His presence? Heavy. His vibe? Commanding. He was THAT guy.

Now, here’s the real: the book had potential, and parts of it delivered, but I wasn’t totally sold. You could see the snakes from a mile away, which killed the suspense a bit. And London? Babygirl… how were you not connecting the dots? Some of it was giving “everybody sees it but you,” and that pulled me out at times.

That said, it still kept me turning pages. I liked the drama, the secrets, the tension—but I wanted more bite. More twist. More “did that really just happen?!”

3.5 stars. Good read with bold characters, messy drama, and a strong start—just needed a little more surprise to hit harder.

Thank you so much Mary C. KIM for the ARC!

OMG y’all… this book was GOODT!! I had the best time reading it! Zaysh and Ayoka? Whew—those two had no idea how perfect they were for each other, but once it clicked? BABYYY, it clicked. Their energy was so good, I couldn’t stop smiling (and fanning myself)!

It was cute, it was hilarious, it was spicyyyyyy, and it gave grown & sexy from start to finish. The vibes? Immaculate.

Now let’s talk about Zaysh real quick—because HELLO?! BDE all day. He had the charm, the confidence, the softness too? Yeah… book bae behavior confirmed.

And listen... I need to know what went down in that garden between you-know-who. Because whew, the way that scene was loaded with wthelly and mystery? Don’t leave me hanging like that!!

Also, Ayoka’s mom, sister and brother? Hilarious. Total scene-stealers. I was laughing out loud every time they showed up. 

The slow burn was EVERYTHING. The translations wonderful touch. The overall tension between Zaysh and Ayoka had me hanging on every scene—and just when I thought I was catching my breath... BOOM. That cliffhanger snatched it right back!

Such a fun, fiery, can't-put-it-down read—I devoured it, and I already can’t wait for book 2! But until the enjoy this one! Release date 06/16/2025

I Was Not Ready… and I Felt Every Bit of It!

Y’all… this was my first Jai Bree’nae read, and the way it wrecked me? Whew. I can already say with my whole chest—this won’t be my last… once I gather my emotions off the floor!

I read 3:AM with a friend, and thank God she’s three hours ahead of me. That gap gave me just enough space to sit with the story, cry a little, breathe a lot, and text her like, “Sis… what just happened to us?!”

From the moment I cracked this book open, it felt like I was dangling off the edge of something deep—raw and unsteady. Every chapter peeled something back in me. The way the characters carried their emotions—or held them in so tightly it hurt—left my chest tight more times than I can count.

I won’t spoil anything, but please know… this story is everything. Every character had purpose. Every scene mattered. Not once did I feel the need to flip ahead or take a break—I was in it, feeling it all.

The connection between Symphony, Harmony, and Gia? My heart. Their sisterhood felt sacred—unfiltered, loyal, and layered with real-life love and hurt. Then when Zoey stepped in later? My whole heart expanded. That kind of friendship is rare, and seeing it written so beautifully hit something tender in me.

Now Kenyatta… listen. That man’s whole aura? That smooth, throwback ’90s flavor I live for. But underneath the swag, there was so much pain, and I saw it. I felt it. Him and Symphony together? It was like watching two broken pieces trying to become whole—and it tore me up. Symphony carries so much weight, so much unsaid grief, and her need to release it all? Whew. That hit too close.

That saying, “hurt people hurt people”? It echoed through every interaction, and not in a cliché way—but in a raw, real, gut-wrenching truth kind of way.

This book doesn’t sugarcoat a thing. Jai Bree’nae lays it all bare—the trauma, the love, the loss, the need for healing. Her writing is bold, intentional, and so necessary. The language? Striking. The emotion? Unapologetic.

I’m kicking myself for letting this one collect dust on my TBR. 3:AM isn’t just a book—it’s an experience. And that cliffhanger?! I’m counting down the days till June 6th because Book 2 can’t come fast enough.