I'll preface this with I really am not a fan of true crime at all. This was selected as my book club's pick though though and, despite my avoidance of the genre, it was one that had been on my radar for a bit. So, I wasn't too upset to have to read it.

That said, it read as I expect most true crime to with the only difference being that there wasn't much that could be said about the Golden State Killer since he wasn't caught until after the book was written and Michelle passed away unexpectedly. And the passion for justice that Michelle wanted consistently shown through the entire book. That didn't take away from the 'info dump' aspect that was apparent in the novel. There were a more than a few sections and chapters where I skipped over blocks of text that didn't seem relevant.

For the last few chapters, I moved over to the Audible version and am glad I did since it made it easier to digest as, again, it was a lot of info dumping from the people tasked with finishing the book for her. It made it easier to digest plus Patton narrated his contribution so that was a nice touch and I got to hear the appendix that was added when the killer was found.

The one thing annoying about the appendix was the constant thread about how Michelle's book didn't help to the capture of him which read very much like your typical patriarchal bullshit. It's easier for them to say that with her not being here but bottom line is she seems she found out more in the couple of years researching than multiple police departments did with a couple of decades. So yeah...that was rude.

Overall a good book for those who like true crime but for me it was just okay. I feel Michelle was a talented writer so I don't feel it got unnecessary praise because she had died like I do with other non-fiction books (I know I know hella shade there) but I'm not the intended audience so it didn't check all the boxes for me.

This was an amazing book. Like, there's no other way to say it. I thoroughly enjoyed it especially how it all come together at the end.

That said, it did take a while for it to find its footing and that is one of the reasons it took me a bit to get through it. When you add that with the numerous microaggressions that Bree had to deal with. Plus, with the being a take on the Knights of the Round Table, there were a lot of characters to keep track of.

I also didn't like Sel at all for like 70% of the book which was likely the point but still; and I didn't appreciate the dangling of a possible love triangle. I hope that they keep it just as a friendship between Bree and Sel, though, since he did grow on me and I think there could be more platonic relationships in YA.

But it kept a steady pace once the action started and the way it all come together threw me for a loop. I really appreciated how Tracy did put off the seeds for how it turned out so that, even if you couldn't see it all coming, when you reflected back on it, it made sense. It did end with a slight cliffhanger but nothing that caused me to throw the book across the room. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys the Arthurian legends but give CW/TW not just for familial deaths and abandonments, but for race and gender issues.

If I could give this book more stars, I would. I loved everything about this book and I'm so happy that it was one that was well worth the hype, because we all know I've been burned by those before. But this one? *chef's kiss*

I thought Julian would be more of an annoying ghost but I found myself very much endeared to him. he was a super sweet boy with a lot of good heart that people just wrote off. Yadriel was accurate when he said that no one deserved Julian Diaz. But Yadriel also needed to not sell himself short because he was a good person too, trying to fit into a world and culture that didn't accept him as he was. The way they both grew in the few days the story takes place was amazing and the ending was believable in that not everything was tied together neatly. But everyone was surely on the right path.

I also really appreciated the accuracy of the fall out that comes with losing a parent, especially the one that is your strongest ally, at such a young age. Yadriel was going through so much already and then to add on the loss of his mother was so sad. But I also appreciated the subtle ways that the author also showed that his dad, Enrique, was also processing a lot. He made mistakes and owned up to them but was always trying to be better.

If you haven't read this book yet go out and do it. This is one of the ones that is worthy of all the praise that it gets.

This was a re-read for me but that didn't diminish the joy I felt when I read it. I fell in love with the characters once again. If I could visit a fictional town, I would certainly go back in time to see Grayson Grove and all the wonderful characters there. Can't wait until Indigo comes out in HC so I can add it to my collection as well.

Robert did a good job of putting her own spin on the Olympus lore and putting it in a modern day setting. It was interesting to see how the personalities she assigned to the various members of the pantheon including the two main ones. I find the spice level to be pretty high but then again I don't know where it is at in comparison to her others. I would want to read more about some of the characters especially her sisters. I even intrigued to hear more of Hermes story.

I feel some of the true motives and b extension redemptive arcs came too late for some of the characters to make me want to give them a chance. To say more would be a spoiler but there were a few that I was left with at the end of story going, I don't hate you as much but I still don't like you.

I feel this was a good place for me to start with this author since while it was still a steamy and dark romance, it wasn't as spicy as she can get. I'm not sure if I would read her spicier stuff because it may be outside my comfort zone but after enjoying this one I'm more inclined to give it a try.

If you're looking for another Hades and Persephone myth remix, this would be a good option.

Since it's a short one don't want to say too much for spoilers. Enjoyed it well enough but not what I expected so that kinda over took everything.

Oh wow. This book was like a shot of adrenaline to my reading life. I did not want to put this book down, even for ones I started before it. This was my first by this author and now I'm mightily tempted to pick her others up after this one.

I felt this story was a wonderful blend of magic and realism. With Evie's power she saw the ending of relationships which left her wondering if the journey was worth it. This is, at best, an HFN. But the journey was so worth it for me. I teared up so many times in this book and this is going to be a comfort read again, even knowing how it ends. Highly recommend.

Like...wow. Just wow.

This was the latest pick for my book club and the friend and member who loaned me her copy of this described it as a warm hug.

And that's pretty spot on.

I adored this book. The kids were delightful and, honestly, acted as kids do. I really can't pick a favorite out of any of them since they were so sweet and adorable in their own way. I loved how fiercely protective that Arthur and Zoe were of them and even Linus. While he kept saying he had to remain objective, hearing him talk to and about the kids, not to mention the previous 'orphanages' that he visited showed that he cared a lot about all these children that the world wanted to forget.

I loved the realization that Linus had of not having to be what people expected him to be. This was done throughout the entire book; from his discussion with the kids, to the way the other more positive characters of the story interacted with him, as well as his own inner through process. And how everyone kept lifting him up even when the kids were initially teasing him. Theodore was the first one to warm up to him and it was just so sweet. Even with all the warnings and reviews I had seen or read beforehand, I was not fully prepared for the feels and I don't think that anyone could be.

There were multiple times I teared up in this book and honestly I'm probably going to buy my own copy at some point. Highly recommend.

Don't be fooled that it took me so long to read this book as a testament that it was anything less than stellar. This book was amazing! I loved it and I savored it like one would a fine stew. There was so much emotion written in every page. Not just the romance between Canon and Neevah. But the history between Verity and Monk that we have to wait to hear. The emotional explosions that started both Canon and Neevah' story at the beginning of the novel. The tireless work and effort that went into bringing the life of the fictional, but very much inspired by real life, Dessi blue to life.

Everything was great with this book. I loved the little snippets of the movie we got. Plus (slight spoiler here) gotta love the bi-representation and how supportive Cal was of Dessi's love before him.

The moments with Neevah and her sister were hard to read because of the reason for their falling apart was brutal and nothing that is easily forgivable. But the journey to that reunion was also nice to read.

Overall, this book is one that is WELL WORTH the HYPE it is getting because it is fabulous. This was my first by the author but I will definitely be checking her other works out and eagerly awaiting the next stories in the series.