thelovelylibrarylady's Reviews (1.1k)

Sous Chef was a really creative novel written in the second person. The entire story, which takes place over just a 24-hour time span, makes the reader a chef in a fancy restaurant. However, fancy is not how I would describe the action happening in the kitchen. I really enjoyed the novel and as someone who has worked in a restaurant - although I was in the front of the house - many experiences were incredibly realistic. I highly recommend checking out this book, especially if you have ever worked in the food industry.

I am a cat person. I adore my cats and will talk about them to anyone who will listen so when I found this book, I knew that I had to read it. The Lion In The Living Room is a must-read for cat owners who are curious about their pet of choice. While Tucker, the author, is a cat owner herself, she does not shy away from the darker sides of the domesticated cat species. In fact, I learned that house cats are the number one invasive killer of species around the world. I did not know that disturbing fact before reading this title, but upon reflection, it does make sense. This book is filled with all the information you could want about domesticated house cats, the good, the bad, and everything in between. 

This novel is more than just a Romeo and Juliet retelling. Beyond the inevitable romance between the two main characters, the author explores the themes of cultural identity, strong community, and Latinx traditions. A wide variety of readers will enjoy this title and I am grateful to have gotten to read it early. This is one new release that you will not want to miss!
(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.)

This Is Not The Jess Show is a really unique book. If you are a fan of dystopian fiction or the show Black Mirror, you will probably really enjoy this title! It kept my interest with its fast-paced plot, but the ending felt rushed. I also felt like some key characters were pretty flat. Overall, I had a handful of issues with this novel which is why I only rated it 3/5 stars. 
(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.)

Hannah B's season of The Bachelorette is the season that just keeps giving. After reading Tyler's (Hannah's runner-up) memoir last year, I knew that I had to pick up her book as well. I did like her memoir better and I think it had more secrets about the Bachelor franchise and what happened after her season aired. The first half of the book is all about herself and the challenges she dealt with as a child and then the second half of the book is all about her experiences on The Bachelor. Personally, I think this divide made the book feel disjointed, but if you are a member of Bachelor Nation you might as well pick up this title. However, if you're not, you can skip this one. 

Wow. This book is an early contender for one of my favorite books of 2022. I recommend that everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, or age, read this title. However, I do think that those who are mothers and daughters will connect with this memoir in a unique way. There is not enough space on this platform to write about the outstanding story that is Crying In H Mart. Just go out, get the book, and read it.

After reading (and enjoying!) The Hate U Give and Concrete Rose last month, I knew that I had to pick up another title from Thomas as soon as I could. However, for some reason, On The Come Up just didn't compare. While the story is set in the same neighborhood as her other books, I don't think Thomas put as much effort into creating Bri, the protagonist of this one, as she did with her other main characters. I think maybe younger readers will be able to relate to and like this character more than I did. Overall, it isn't a bad story. It just wasn't for me.