thelovelylibrarylady's Reviews (1.1k)

 Truly, Darkly, Deeply is a slow-paced thriller with two timelines: one in the past and one in the present. I greatly preferred the narrative from the past and found myself starting to skim the chapters set in the present day. Overall, this is a title that I would not go out of my way to recommend unless someone was really into crime fiction as the story itself was just okay. 

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Set in the early 2000s before DACA, Jimena discovers she is an undocumented immigrant during her senior year of high school. She is scared and thinks her only option to gain citizenship is to find an American to marry. I am too young to relate to the 2000s nostalgia that so many readers loved, but I can recognize the importance of this story. Jimena’s story highlights why DACA and other immigration policies regarding children are necessary. While this YA novel touches upon important topics, the plot itself was repetitive, and at times I felt like I was forcing myself to continue reading. 

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

After listening to a podcast episode with Zach as the guest, I remembered that I had their book sitting in my neverending NetGalley list. While the title has been out in the world for over a year, I finally sat down and read this collection of essays. The essay about their classmate passing in the Virginia Tech shooting was emotional to read and I thought Zimmerman did a fantastic job honoring their late friend. While you can tell that this title was the author’s debut, I would love for them to continue to hone their writing and put out another book!

(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Tunnel of Bones is the second book in the Cassidy Blake series. This time Cassidy’s family is in Paris to film their show about the most haunted cities. Similar to its predecessor, Cassidy and Jacob (her best friend who also happens to be a ghost), run into trouble with the spirits of Paris. I found this title to be entertaining and a great continuation of the first book. Again, this middle-grade series would be a great addition to younger readers’ shelves. I continue to be impressed by Schwab’s writing at all reading levels. 

I was hesitant to read this title since I loved its predecessor so much, but I am happy to report that The Guncle Abroad was a hit! The relationship between Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) and his not-so-little-anymore niece and nephew was fantastic to revisit. And like The Guncle, their banter made me laugh out loud. Rowley is a talented author whose writing brings readers on a journey that will make them feel all the feels!

(PUB DATE: 05/21/2024)

(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.) 

I highly recommend listening to this title as an audiobook. Britney is the narrator herself and you can hear the emotion in her voice when she recounts her life’s experiences. Britney deserved better than how she was treated by her family, her “friends”, and the media. Also, a big middle finger to JT - what an absolutely horrible person. 

This short story is not a happy one. Compared to others in the collection, Fallen Grace is more somber. Bubbles, the protagonist, is strong and continues to move forward despite the adversity she faces. Johnson’s writing is beautiful and I would love to explore more of her catalog.  

This title reads like a movie with its fast-paced, intense storylines. Following five Chinese and Chinese-American college students while they try to take back looted art through a series of museum heists, Portrait of a Thief captivated me. I have seen criticisms of the voices of each character/point of view being undistinguishable, but I did not personally notice that when reading this title. I would pick up another novel from Li in the future because of how much fun I had reading this one! 

If you enjoyed the first book in the Ex Hex series, you will love this title, as well. The Kiss Curse brings the same witty banter between characters in the cozy setting of Graves Glen. I have never wanted to visit a fictional town more than the one where these books are set. This story would be a great fall read for those looking for something seasonal, but not scary.