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popthebutterfly
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Now That I’ve Found You
Author: Kristina Forest
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black main character and Black/POC cast!
Recommended For...: ya contemporary, grandparent relationship, fame
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (depression, slight sexual content)
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Following in the footsteps of her überfamous grandma, eighteen-year-old Evie Jones is poised to be Hollywood’s next big star. That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted . . .
Fortunately, Evie knows just the thing to save her floundering career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi, aka the Evelyn Conaway. The only problem? Gigi is a recluse who’s been out of the limelight for almost twenty years. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears.
With time running out and her comeback on the line, Evie reluctantly enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. As Evie and Milo conduct a wild manhunt across New York City, romance and adventure abound while Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.
Review: I really loved this book! I loved that the book focused on the grandmother/granddaughter relationship (which I don’t see a lot in YA books) and I loved the message about self worth and approval in a viral world. The book also had a great message about happiness and finding your inner strength and generally not giving an eff about what others think. The book was well written, had amazing character development, and awesome pacing. The book is a fast read that will be perfect for summer!
The only issue I had was that I wished that the world building was a bit better, but otherwise this was an amazing book and I can’t recommend it enough!
Verdict: Highly recommend and read it with your grandparents or parents!
Book: Now That I’ve Found You
Author: Kristina Forest
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black main character and Black/POC cast!
Recommended For...: ya contemporary, grandparent relationship, fame
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (depression, slight sexual content)
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Following in the footsteps of her überfamous grandma, eighteen-year-old Evie Jones is poised to be Hollywood’s next big star. That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted . . .
Fortunately, Evie knows just the thing to save her floundering career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi, aka the Evelyn Conaway. The only problem? Gigi is a recluse who’s been out of the limelight for almost twenty years. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears.
With time running out and her comeback on the line, Evie reluctantly enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. As Evie and Milo conduct a wild manhunt across New York City, romance and adventure abound while Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.
Review: I really loved this book! I loved that the book focused on the grandmother/granddaughter relationship (which I don’t see a lot in YA books) and I loved the message about self worth and approval in a viral world. The book also had a great message about happiness and finding your inner strength and generally not giving an eff about what others think. The book was well written, had amazing character development, and awesome pacing. The book is a fast read that will be perfect for summer!
The only issue I had was that I wished that the world building was a bit better, but otherwise this was an amazing book and I can’t recommend it enough!
Verdict: Highly recommend and read it with your grandparents or parents!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Beast Player
Author: Nahoko Uehashi (Cathy Hirano is the translator)
Book Series: The Beast Player (books 1 and 2)
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Japanese based and characters!
Recommended For...: epic fantasy lovers
Publication Date: March 1, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight gore, terrifying monsters)
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Pages: 512
Synopsis: In epic YA fantasy about a girl with a special power to communicate with magical beasts and the warring kingdom only she can save.
Elin's family has an important responsibility: caring for the fearsome water serpents that form the core of their kingdom's army. So when some of the beasts mysteriously die, Elin's mother is sentenced to death as punishment. With her last breath she manages to send her daughter to safety.
Alone, far from home, Elin soon discovers that she can talk to both the terrifying water serpents and the majestic flying beasts that guard her queen. This skill gives her great powers, but it also involves her in deadly plots that could cost her life. Can she save herself and prevent her beloved beasts from being used as tools of war? Or is there no way of escaping the terrible battles to come?
Review: I really loved this book! The book is a translation and I think that it was well done (but I can’t read the original one so I’ll have to defer that opinion to someone who can compare the two). The book had amazing world building and it was a ride from beginning to end! I loved the characters and the writing was so well done.
The only issue I really had with the book is that the pacing is really slow in spots and it can get a bit wonky at times.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Book: The Beast Player
Author: Nahoko Uehashi (Cathy Hirano is the translator)
Book Series: The Beast Player (books 1 and 2)
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Japanese based and characters!
Recommended For...: epic fantasy lovers
Publication Date: March 1, 2018
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, slight gore, terrifying monsters)
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Pages: 512
Synopsis: In epic YA fantasy about a girl with a special power to communicate with magical beasts and the warring kingdom only she can save.
Elin's family has an important responsibility: caring for the fearsome water serpents that form the core of their kingdom's army. So when some of the beasts mysteriously die, Elin's mother is sentenced to death as punishment. With her last breath she manages to send her daughter to safety.
Alone, far from home, Elin soon discovers that she can talk to both the terrifying water serpents and the majestic flying beasts that guard her queen. This skill gives her great powers, but it also involves her in deadly plots that could cost her life. Can she save herself and prevent her beloved beasts from being used as tools of war? Or is there no way of escaping the terrible battles to come?
Review: I really loved this book! The book is a translation and I think that it was well done (but I can’t read the original one so I’ll have to defer that opinion to someone who can compare the two). The book had amazing world building and it was a ride from beginning to end! I loved the characters and the writing was so well done.
The only issue I really had with the book is that the pacing is really slow in spots and it can get a bit wonky at times.
Verdict: Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Soul of the Crow
Author: Jessaca Willis
Book Series: Reapers of Veltuur Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: speech impediment main character and a character with a cleft lip
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, death bringers
Publication Date: August 26, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (animal death, animal violence, childhood trauma, child abuse TW, grief and grief processing, gore, death)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 228
Synopsis: When a mortal wants someone dead, they contract a Reaper of Veltuur, an individual born from the underrealm with fatal magic coursing through their veins.
Sinisa is one of them.
For three years, she’s slain her targets dutifully with the aid of her crow familiar. She only needs one more kill to ascend as a Shade, a coveted status of power. And when the King of Oakfall requests a Reaper to execute his daughter for an unforgivable crime, Sinisa is first to volunteer for the job.
It should be easy.
But when the Prince of Oakfall discovers his sister is in danger, he flees the palace with her. Sinisa is left with only two options: journey through the mortal realm to find and slay her mark, or face the consequences of returning to the underrealm empty-handed. It's no choice at all. She has come too far and is too close to earning her title to let it be taken away from her now.
Besides, no one can outrun a Reaper of Veltuur.
Or can they...
Review: This book was amazing! I loved the unique concept of it and I loved the world building. The book was well written and the two POVs had very distinctive voices and I loved that one of the main characters had a speech impediment like me! I loved the character development as well, especially in Sinisa.
The only issue I had was that the pacing was very fast and the story is very short. I think the author could have fleshed out the story a bit more and maybe even broke the book into two parts, but the book was great how it was and I’m excited to see what happens in the second book!
Verdict: A great fantasy!
Book: Soul of the Crow
Author: Jessaca Willis
Book Series: Reapers of Veltuur Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: speech impediment main character and a character with a cleft lip
Recommended For...: fantasy lovers, death bringers
Publication Date: August 26, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 16+ (animal death, animal violence, childhood trauma, child abuse TW, grief and grief processing, gore, death)
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 228
Synopsis: When a mortal wants someone dead, they contract a Reaper of Veltuur, an individual born from the underrealm with fatal magic coursing through their veins.
Sinisa is one of them.
For three years, she’s slain her targets dutifully with the aid of her crow familiar. She only needs one more kill to ascend as a Shade, a coveted status of power. And when the King of Oakfall requests a Reaper to execute his daughter for an unforgivable crime, Sinisa is first to volunteer for the job.
It should be easy.
But when the Prince of Oakfall discovers his sister is in danger, he flees the palace with her. Sinisa is left with only two options: journey through the mortal realm to find and slay her mark, or face the consequences of returning to the underrealm empty-handed. It's no choice at all. She has come too far and is too close to earning her title to let it be taken away from her now.
Besides, no one can outrun a Reaper of Veltuur.
Or can they...
Review: This book was amazing! I loved the unique concept of it and I loved the world building. The book was well written and the two POVs had very distinctive voices and I loved that one of the main characters had a speech impediment like me! I loved the character development as well, especially in Sinisa.
The only issue I had was that the pacing was very fast and the story is very short. I think the author could have fleshed out the story a bit more and maybe even broke the book into two parts, but the book was great how it was and I’m excited to see what happens in the second book!
Verdict: A great fantasy!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: May Day
Author: Josie Jaffrey
Book Series: Seekers Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: murder mystery, paranormal, vampires
Publication Date: July 9, 2020
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Recommended Age: 17+ (gore, suicide TW, violence, death, drug usage and mention, sexual assault TW, sexual abuse TW, sexism, miscarriage TW)
Publisher: Silver Sun Books
Pages: 312
Synopsis: If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one.
It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake.
When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does.
To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die.
Body bags on standby.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a well done novel. The book was interesting and it involved vampires! I thought the murder case was well written and the characters were well developed. I also thought the author did well with the world building.
However, I did think that the pacing was a bit weird in spots. It was very slow leading into some of the chapters.
Verdict: Really well done!
Book: May Day
Author: Josie Jaffrey
Book Series: Seekers Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Recommended For...: murder mystery, paranormal, vampires
Publication Date: July 9, 2020
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Recommended Age: 17+ (gore, suicide TW, violence, death, drug usage and mention, sexual assault TW, sexual abuse TW, sexism, miscarriage TW)
Publisher: Silver Sun Books
Pages: 312
Synopsis: If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one.
It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake.
When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does.
To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die.
Body bags on standby.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a well done novel. The book was interesting and it involved vampires! I thought the murder case was well written and the characters were well developed. I also thought the author did well with the world building.
However, I did think that the pacing was a bit weird in spots. It was very slow leading into some of the chapters.
Verdict: Really well done!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Three Paws’ New Family
Author: Karen Struck
Book Series: Three Paws Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: children
Publication Date: January 22, 2020
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Recommended Age: 1+
Publisher: Page Publishing
Pages: 36
Synopsis: In the second book of the Three Paws series, Boots is back, meeting new friends and learning new lessons. Three Paw's New Family introduces new characters and new situations and Boots and his friends learn about team work, embracing those different than ourselves, and the true meaning of family, and how it doesn't have to be the one you're born into.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a cute children’s book. The book teaches the importance of looking out for one another and acceptance. The book is filled with gorgeous artwork that I think any kid would love to look at. The book is also set in Alaska and I think this is my first book I’ve read that is set in Alaska.
Verdict: It was cute! Definitely recommend for kids!
Book: Three Paws’ New Family
Author: Karen Struck
Book Series: Three Paws Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: children
Publication Date: January 22, 2020
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Recommended Age: 1+
Publisher: Page Publishing
Pages: 36
Synopsis: In the second book of the Three Paws series, Boots is back, meeting new friends and learning new lessons. Three Paw's New Family introduces new characters and new situations and Boots and his friends learn about team work, embracing those different than ourselves, and the true meaning of family, and how it doesn't have to be the one you're born into.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a cute children’s book. The book teaches the importance of looking out for one another and acceptance. The book is filled with gorgeous artwork that I think any kid would love to look at. The book is also set in Alaska and I think this is my first book I’ve read that is set in Alaska.
Verdict: It was cute! Definitely recommend for kids!
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher and I would love to pass it onto an ownvoice reader. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: His Only Wife
Author: Peace Adzo Medie
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Ghanaian ownvoice characters!
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, women’s fiction, chick lit
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Afi Tekple is a young seamstress whose life is narrowing rapidly. She lives in a small town in Ghana with her widowed mother, spending much of her time in her uncle Pious’s house with his many wives and children. Then one day she is offered a life-changing opportunity—a proposal of marriage from the wealthy family of Elikem Ganyo, a man she doesn’t truly know. She acquiesces, but soon realizes that Elikem is not quite the catch he seemed. He sends a stand-in to his own wedding, and only weeks after Afi is married and installed in a plush apartment in the capital city of Accra does she meet her new husband. It turns out that he is in love with another woman, whom his family disapproves of; Afi is supposed to win him back on their behalf. But it is Accra that eventually wins Afi’s heart and gives her a life of independence that she never could have imagined for herself.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a well done book! I loved the characters and the story was entertaining. I also loved learning about the Ghanaian culture and I think the pacing was also well done as well.
The only issue I really had was that the ending was unexpected and I think a sequel would be great!
Verdict: It’s a great story! Highly recommend!
Book: His Only Wife
Author: Peace Adzo Medie
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Ghanaian ownvoice characters!
Recommended For...: contemporary lovers, women’s fiction, chick lit
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content)
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Afi Tekple is a young seamstress whose life is narrowing rapidly. She lives in a small town in Ghana with her widowed mother, spending much of her time in her uncle Pious’s house with his many wives and children. Then one day she is offered a life-changing opportunity—a proposal of marriage from the wealthy family of Elikem Ganyo, a man she doesn’t truly know. She acquiesces, but soon realizes that Elikem is not quite the catch he seemed. He sends a stand-in to his own wedding, and only weeks after Afi is married and installed in a plush apartment in the capital city of Accra does she meet her new husband. It turns out that he is in love with another woman, whom his family disapproves of; Afi is supposed to win him back on their behalf. But it is Accra that eventually wins Afi’s heart and gives her a life of independence that she never could have imagined for herself.
Review: Overall, I thought this was a well done book! I loved the characters and the story was entertaining. I also loved learning about the Ghanaian culture and I think the pacing was also well done as well.
The only issue I really had was that the ending was unexpected and I think a sequel would be great!
Verdict: It’s a great story! Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Fixed Stars
Author: Molly Wizenberg
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Lesbian side character love interest. MC is exploring their sexual identity.
Recommended For...: sexual exploration, memoirs
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Genre: Autobiography
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, divorce)
Publisher: Abrams Press
Pages: 256
Synopsis: At age 36, while serving on a jury, author Molly Wizenberg found herself drawn to a female attorney she hardly knew. Married to a man for nearly a decade and mother to a toddler, Wizenberg tried to return to her life as she knew it, but something inside her had changed irredeemably. Instead, she would discover that the trajectory of our lives is rarely as smooth or as logical as we’d like to believe.
Like many of us, Wizenberg had long understood sexual orientation as a stable part of ourselves: we’re “born this way.” Suddenly she realized that her story was more complicated. Who was she, she wondered, if something at her very core could change so radically? The Fixed Stars is a taut, electrifying memoir exploring timely and timeless questions about desire, identity, and the limits and possibilities of family. In honest and searing prose, Wizenberg forges a new path: through the murk of separation and divorce, coming out to family and friends, learning to co-parent a young child, and realizing a new vision of love. The result is a frank and moving story about letting go of rigid definitions and ideals that no longer fit, and learning instead who we really are.
Review: I really loved this memoir about the author’s exploration into her own sexuality and her lifestyle. It takes courage to explore after your 20s (I know from experience) and I really admire the author and her journey. The writing is the thing that I think tripped me up in this book. The author lists facts and quotes but doesn’t dig down to explain how they apply to her situation and what she thinks of them. The book comes alive when the author talks about her girlfriend, but other than that the book is a bit weird. It’s intimate, then not. It’s the book embodiment of hot and cold.
Verdict: It’s a great book if you’re the friend who sits and listens to their BFFs rant, but other than that I would like to see it fleshed out more.
Book: The Fixed Stars
Author: Molly Wizenberg
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Lesbian side character love interest. MC is exploring their sexual identity.
Recommended For...: sexual exploration, memoirs
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Genre: Autobiography
Recommended Age: 16+ (sexual content, divorce)
Publisher: Abrams Press
Pages: 256
Synopsis: At age 36, while serving on a jury, author Molly Wizenberg found herself drawn to a female attorney she hardly knew. Married to a man for nearly a decade and mother to a toddler, Wizenberg tried to return to her life as she knew it, but something inside her had changed irredeemably. Instead, she would discover that the trajectory of our lives is rarely as smooth or as logical as we’d like to believe.
Like many of us, Wizenberg had long understood sexual orientation as a stable part of ourselves: we’re “born this way.” Suddenly she realized that her story was more complicated. Who was she, she wondered, if something at her very core could change so radically? The Fixed Stars is a taut, electrifying memoir exploring timely and timeless questions about desire, identity, and the limits and possibilities of family. In honest and searing prose, Wizenberg forges a new path: through the murk of separation and divorce, coming out to family and friends, learning to co-parent a young child, and realizing a new vision of love. The result is a frank and moving story about letting go of rigid definitions and ideals that no longer fit, and learning instead who we really are.
Review: I really loved this memoir about the author’s exploration into her own sexuality and her lifestyle. It takes courage to explore after your 20s (I know from experience) and I really admire the author and her journey. The writing is the thing that I think tripped me up in this book. The author lists facts and quotes but doesn’t dig down to explain how they apply to her situation and what she thinks of them. The book comes alive when the author talks about her girlfriend, but other than that the book is a bit weird. It’s intimate, then not. It’s the book embodiment of hot and cold.
Verdict: It’s a great book if you’re the friend who sits and listens to their BFFs rant, but other than that I would like to see it fleshed out more.
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: When I Was You
Author: Amber Garza
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: mystery lovers, thrill seekers
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (weird friendship, mystery, and letting me know why I should never befriend my neighbors)
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 368
Synopsis: You meets Fatal Attraction in this up-all-night psychological thriller about a lonely empty-nester's growing obsession with a young mother who shares her name.
It all begins on an ordinary fall morning, when Kelly Medina gets a call from her son's pediatrician to confirm her upcoming "well-baby" appointment. It's a cruel mistake; her son left for college a year ago, and Kelly has never felt so alone. The receptionist quickly apologizes: there's another mother in town named Kelly Medina, and she must have gotten their numbers switched.
But Kelly can't stop thinking about the woman who shares her name. Lives in her same town. Has a son she can still hold, and her whole life ahead of her. She can't help looking for her: at the grocery store, at the gym, on social media. When Kelly just happens to bump into the single mother outside that pediatrician's office, it's simple curiosity getting the better of her.
Their unlikely friendship brings Kelly a renewed sense of purpose, taking care of this young woman and her adorable baby boy. But that friendship quickly turns to obsession, and when one Kelly disappears, well, the other one may know why.
Review: Overall, this is an ok book. The book has a great story line and plot. The pacing is well done and the world building is good as well. The book is a very well done mystery in my opinion.
But, my problem is the characters. I couldn’t really figure them out and they didn’t grab me as some usually do. I was annoyed with all of them the majority of the time I read the book and that might have been my mental space at the time (I was hangry when reading this book), but I just couldn’t really care about the characters in this book.
Verdict: It was good, just annoyed me a bit.
Book: When I Was You
Author: Amber Garza
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: mystery lovers, thrill seekers
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Recommended Age: 16+ (weird friendship, mystery, and letting me know why I should never befriend my neighbors)
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 368
Synopsis: You meets Fatal Attraction in this up-all-night psychological thriller about a lonely empty-nester's growing obsession with a young mother who shares her name.
It all begins on an ordinary fall morning, when Kelly Medina gets a call from her son's pediatrician to confirm her upcoming "well-baby" appointment. It's a cruel mistake; her son left for college a year ago, and Kelly has never felt so alone. The receptionist quickly apologizes: there's another mother in town named Kelly Medina, and she must have gotten their numbers switched.
But Kelly can't stop thinking about the woman who shares her name. Lives in her same town. Has a son she can still hold, and her whole life ahead of her. She can't help looking for her: at the grocery store, at the gym, on social media. When Kelly just happens to bump into the single mother outside that pediatrician's office, it's simple curiosity getting the better of her.
Their unlikely friendship brings Kelly a renewed sense of purpose, taking care of this young woman and her adorable baby boy. But that friendship quickly turns to obsession, and when one Kelly disappears, well, the other one may know why.
Review: Overall, this is an ok book. The book has a great story line and plot. The pacing is well done and the world building is good as well. The book is a very well done mystery in my opinion.
But, my problem is the characters. I couldn’t really figure them out and they didn’t grab me as some usually do. I was annoyed with all of them the majority of the time I read the book and that might have been my mental space at the time (I was hangry when reading this book), but I just couldn’t really care about the characters in this book.
Verdict: It was good, just annoyed me a bit.
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors and buy diversely!
Book: You Should See Me In A Crown
Author: Leah Johnson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black lesbian MC, lesbian love interest, sapphic read, anxiety rep in MC, 2 characters with sickle cell
Recommended For...: contemporary, LGBT+, prom reads
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (slight sexual content, racism, homophobia, bullying TW, death)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 328
Synopsis: Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.
But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.
The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?
Review: Oh my goodness this book was absolutely amazing! I loved Liz and I immediately fell in love with her. The book was well written and it talked about the issues children face today, mainly that college is too expensive and that scholarships and grants have become lottery like. The book addresses homophobia that is still in schools, mainly in terms of prom. Most schools do not allow for same sex couples to attend together, disallow female presenting people to wear tuxes and male presenting people to wear dresses, and disallow female presenting people to run for king and male presenting to run for queen. The book also showed racism through the main antagonist and in how people talked about Liz’s natural hair. I also loved that the book talked about sickle cell, had two characters with sickle cell, and had an anxiety rep. The romance between Liz and Mack was so cute and I loved both of them.
The only issue I had with the book is that the main antagonist wasn’t properly punished. It sadly reflects the real world, but I wanted her racist homophobic ass to suffer so much.
Verdict: Highly recommended read!
Book: You Should See Me In A Crown
Author: Leah Johnson
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black lesbian MC, lesbian love interest, sapphic read, anxiety rep in MC, 2 characters with sickle cell
Recommended For...: contemporary, LGBT+, prom reads
Publication Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 14+ (slight sexual content, racism, homophobia, bullying TW, death)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 328
Synopsis: Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.
But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.
The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?
Review: Oh my goodness this book was absolutely amazing! I loved Liz and I immediately fell in love with her. The book was well written and it talked about the issues children face today, mainly that college is too expensive and that scholarships and grants have become lottery like. The book addresses homophobia that is still in schools, mainly in terms of prom. Most schools do not allow for same sex couples to attend together, disallow female presenting people to wear tuxes and male presenting people to wear dresses, and disallow female presenting people to run for king and male presenting to run for queen. The book also showed racism through the main antagonist and in how people talked about Liz’s natural hair. I also loved that the book talked about sickle cell, had two characters with sickle cell, and had an anxiety rep. The romance between Liz and Mack was so cute and I loved both of them.
The only issue I had with the book is that the main antagonist wasn’t properly punished. It sadly reflects the real world, but I wanted her racist homophobic ass to suffer so much.
Verdict: Highly recommended read!
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Entwined
Author: A.J. Rosen
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance lovers, ya fantasy, mythology
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (bullying TW, slight sexual content, cliches and tropes galore)
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Avery Montgomery doesn’t even know if she wants a soul mate.
As a member of the Hellenicus—a race founded in antiquity and descended directly from the Greek gods—Avery’s attending her first Gathering where she’ll gain the ability to entwine her thoughts with her destined soul mate and be tied to them forever.
But all is not as it seems at the Royal Court. There are severe and strange looks from the elders, whisperings from the ancient Dodona tree, and encounters with spirits who seem to know Avery better than she knows herself.
Throughout these whirlwind events at Court, Avery finds herself torn between her feelings for the wise and protective Vladimir and the passionate, fun-loving Adrian. Unwilling to surrender her independence or to betray her heart, Avery must decide once and for all if she’ll give in to her desires and risk the wrath of the Gods.
Because who are you if your destiny lies with another person?
Review: Overall, this was a good read. The book had some good character development and the story was interesting for the most part. The writing was pretty good and I think the pacing was great for this book.
However, the book needs to be polished a bit more. The book is a bit disjointed in spots and it’s hard to follow along in some spots. The book also relies a lot on clichés and tropes, which make it hard to read because it’s a bit of a cheesy read. The book also isn’t as developed in world building as I would have liked it to be.
Verdict: It’s pretty good.
Book: Entwined
Author: A.J. Rosen
Book Series: Standalone for now
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: romance lovers, ya fantasy, mythology
Publication Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: 14+ (bullying TW, slight sexual content, cliches and tropes galore)
Publisher: Wattpad Books
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Avery Montgomery doesn’t even know if she wants a soul mate.
As a member of the Hellenicus—a race founded in antiquity and descended directly from the Greek gods—Avery’s attending her first Gathering where she’ll gain the ability to entwine her thoughts with her destined soul mate and be tied to them forever.
But all is not as it seems at the Royal Court. There are severe and strange looks from the elders, whisperings from the ancient Dodona tree, and encounters with spirits who seem to know Avery better than she knows herself.
Throughout these whirlwind events at Court, Avery finds herself torn between her feelings for the wise and protective Vladimir and the passionate, fun-loving Adrian. Unwilling to surrender her independence or to betray her heart, Avery must decide once and for all if she’ll give in to her desires and risk the wrath of the Gods.
Because who are you if your destiny lies with another person?
Review: Overall, this was a good read. The book had some good character development and the story was interesting for the most part. The writing was pretty good and I think the pacing was great for this book.
However, the book needs to be polished a bit more. The book is a bit disjointed in spots and it’s hard to follow along in some spots. The book also relies a lot on clichés and tropes, which make it hard to read because it’s a bit of a cheesy read. The book also isn’t as developed in world building as I would have liked it to be.
Verdict: It’s pretty good.