*thank you hccfrenzy for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

I don’t even know where I should start with Act Cool. There are no words for me to describe how many emotions I had reading this, how felt I seen, how I related to August. Im a transgender male just like August, and I felt 100% seen in Act Cool.

Act Cool follows August, a transgender teen from Pennsylvania. August’s parents are unaccepting and still think of him as their daughter, so he runs away to New York City to audition for the School of Performing Arts. He stays with his Aunt while trying to figure out how he can get his parents to accept the fact that he is transgender. He is convinced he can play the part his parents want him to, but what happens when the lights go down? Where will he go when his parts start hitting too close to home?

This book deals with homophobia, transphobia, suicidal thoughts, conversion therapy, and more. Please research this book if you want to read it, it’s a hard hitting contemporary about trans lives.

I related with August so much, I can’t even describe it. We are very similar, (however I’m not an actor) but a difference is that my parents are accepting. I had so many thoughts that my parents would be like August parents. This happens with a lot of trans people; unaccepting parents. And when we have unaccepting parents, where do you think our thoughts lead to? Suicide. It’s as simple as that, and this book deals with it.

Act Cool also talks about the representation of trans people in movies, plays, and TV shows. Can you think of a trans person in media that has a happy ending (other than in books)? I certainly can’t. Doesn’t that say something? Why can’t we have trans people in media have happy endings that DON’T involve suicide/suicidal thoughts? I just want to be seen on screen, not in books.

I have too many emotions from this book to try and put them into words. But I think everyone should read Act Cool. It’s a powerful book about trans people and the representation of trans people in media.

*4.5 actual rating, cmon good reads give me that half star option already*

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

The Perfect Place to Die by Bryce Moore follows 17-year-old Zuretta as she takes a job at the notorious house of horrors after traveling to Chicago to find out what happened to her sister, Ruby. Zuretta takes a job at The Castle, the employment place of Ruby, to try and figure out what happened to her in the last days that she was seen. Women disappear in the middle of the night, she hears crying and yelling from within the walls, whispers follow her at night, and she has recurring nightmares. In the end, she finds herself against one of the most infamous mass murders in American history, and his custom made death-trap.

Okay so if you know anything about me, I am a sucker for thrillers. And this did not disappoint. I did not see any of the twists coming, but that could be because I suck at guessing them.

Each chapter began with a quote from the murderer himself. It gave it the extra mystery factor to me, and I really liked it.

The plot itself was good. I found the beginning a little confusing with the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, but it soon becomes clear it’s from the murderer.

Zuretta is a strong willed young woman, and I love that. She has qualities similar to Audrey Rose from Stalking Jack the Ripper, and it’s great. Both women are set in the 1800s, and they both want to be more than a ‘lady’.

If you are looking for a fast paced short YA thriller, this is for you!

Wow, These Witches Don't Burn left me speechless for the last 50 pages of the ebook! I was not expecting there to be so many twists and turns within the last chunk of the book.

These Witches Don't Burn is about Hannah, an Elemental Witch in Salem, where witches have to hide their power from Reg's, those who are non-witches. Her summer prior to senior year of high school should be a breeze working at Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, spending time with her best friend, and the new girl in town, Morgan, right? Well, her life is turned upside down at the end-of-the-school-year bonfire where a blood ritual happens. Since then, evidence of dark magic has been showing up around Salem, and Hannah must determine if it is a Blood Witch when everyone in her Coven believes it not to be. Hannah must work with her ex-girlfriend, Veronica, to determine what has happened and who is behind everything.

The twists and turns in this book left me speechless, staring off into space for a good minute or 2 before continuing. I didn't think there would be any plot twists, but boy was I wrong. These types of plot twists, one I don't see coming, are ALWAYS my favourite (which to be honest, I don't see many coming).

Let's talk about the relationships; the dynamic between Hannah and her parents is exactly how mine is. Reading about healthy child-parent relationships is always my favourite because I could never imagine parents who don't love their children unconditionally, which I KNOW is a struggle for so many LGBTQ people in the world. My parents have the same love towards me as Hannah's parents do, being part of the LGBTQ community. I also love how Sterling gives us a look into how some children have parents that don't accept them with Gemma, even though she is straight. Bringing in Gem's parents just goes to show the hardships some LGBTQ youth have to go through. Plus the unconditionally loving relationship Hannah and Gem have is phenomenal.

The relationship between Hannah and Morgan is just so cute. I love them so much, and I can't wait to read This Coven Won't Break after my next read.

I love how throughout this book we got to see Hannah heal from her past relationship and blossom into a new one; one that she will be herself in and not feel the need to hide any part of herself.

Now, the reason I have it 4 stars instead of 5 was I found the first quarter of the book to be a little slow. I find that if I don't get interested/invested in a book within the first 30% I usually DNF it. I'm glad I pushed through this one. Other than that, the book was so fun to read.

I highly suggest this book to anyone searching for a sapphic love story, PLUS witches. Who doesn't want to read about sapphic witches?

*Thank you to Nyx Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review*

Wow, I can definitely say I was not expecting that!!

The Bone Way follows Teagan, a witch, who goes to the Shadow Realm to find her wife, Cressidae. Cress left without her, even though they planned to go together. It’s the one place that can save Teagan from the lethal poison that is slowly killing her. It is ruled by a Princess said to grant deals those strong enough to find her. Despite the harm and rocky path ahead of her, Teagan wants more than anything to have her wife back. The Princess, however, does not let mortals roam her territories without opposition. Teagan and Cress must face the horrors of The Shadow Realm as well as their own past.

I loved the retelling aspect of this story. It follows a very loose retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, and I loved it. It’s not what you think for a retelling, but it still holds true to the myth itself.

Now, for characters. This book is the length of a novella, so it’s pretty short. But in that time, Teagan and Cress were well developed. It’s one thing I didn’t expect for how short the book is! And the romance is to die for. Teagan and Cress have the love that you see in real life and wish you had.

I felt that the ending was a little too rushed for my liking so I took a star off, but I really liked this book!! It’s got sapphic witches who are in love, Orpheus and Eurydice retelling, and a fast plot! Highly recommend!