'The Calculation of You and Me' by Serena Kaylor

5 amazing stars!

Book Blurb:

"A calculus nerd enlists her surly classmate’s help to win back her ex-boyfriend, but when sparks start to fly, she realizes there’s no algorithm for falling in love.

Marlowe Thompson understands a lot of things. She understands that calculus isn’t overwhelmingly beautiful to everyone, and that it typically kills the mood when you try to talk Python coding over beer pong. She understands people were surprised when golden boy Josh asked her out and she went from weird, math-obsessed Marlowe to half of their school’s couple goals. Unfortunately, Marlowe was surprised when Josh dumped her because he’d prefer a girlfriend who was more romantic. One with emotional depth.

But Marlowe has never failed anything in her life, and she isn’t about to start now. When she’s paired with Ashton Hayes for an English project, his black clothing and moody eyeliner cause a bit of a systems overload, and the dissonant sounds of his rock band make her brain itch. But when she discovers Ash's hidden stash of love songs, Marlowe makes a desperate deal to unleash her inner romantic heroine: if Ash will agree to help her write some love letters, she’ll calculate the perfect data analytics formula to make Ash's band go viral.

As the semester heats up with yearning love notes and late nights spent with a boy who escapes any box her brain tries to put him in, Marlowe starts to question if there’s really a set solution to love. Could a girl who has never met a problem she couldn’t solve have gotten the math so massively wrong?"


My Review:

Enjoyed following Marlowe on this journey of finding self-worth while supported by friends and family. Especially loved all the representation! 'The Calculation of You and Me' has a great inclusive cast of neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ characters.

After being dumped by the most popular guy in her school, who tries to blame her for the failure of their two-year relationship ending, Marlowe just wants to understand her supposed short-comings and fix them, so that everything can go back to normal in her world. The most patient and understanding best friends in the universe support her and try to cheer her up, even when they know her ex is wrong, and even if they think her plan isn't the best.

When Marlowe and Ash are assigned to an English project together she gets the idea that surly, emo, song-writing, lead singer Ash can help her write love letters to her ex, in order to win him back. Enter the slow-burn, bickering-to-friends to maybe more... Ash won't write the letters for Marlowe, but he is willing to tutor her in romance, including field trips and recommending romance novels. It is an absolute delight to follow their PG, YA romance unfold, and to watch those who love her support her ever-so-slow realization that maybe Josh never deserved her, and Ash sure does.

Releasing on June 18th - grab a copy here.

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. 

'The Breakup Artists' by Adriana Mather

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Adriana Mather, New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, brings her signature wit, wild imagination, and all the feels to her new YA novel, The Breakup Artists--perfect for fans of Jennifer E. Smith's The Statistical Probabilities of Love at First Sight.

August and Valentine, seventeen-year-old best friends, run a business called Summer Love, Inc. They hire themselves out to unhappy parents whose kids are in bad relationships, adopting fake identities and going undercover to break up these relationships by any means necessary.

Valentine, the brains of the operation, believes that they're making the world a better place by steering people away from a relationship precipice so they can someday find true love. But for August, every case is personal--another chance to prove that true love doesn't exist. He blames his sister's manipulative boyfriend for her death, and--unlike Valentine--he doesn't believe in soul mates. No, he thinks the idea of falling head over heels is ridiculous at any age.

But then August meets Ella, who suddenly turns everything he thought he believed about love upside down. The problem is that she's their new case, which means that everything he's told her about himself is a lie--including his name."


My Review:

Really enjoyed this dual POV YA Contemporary read. Neighbors and besties August and Valentine (Tiny) spend their summers running their business, Summer Love, Inc., and keeping it a secret from their families and friends. Strangers hire them to facilitate breakups, and I'm pleased to say that August and Tiny do their research before taking each case; they confirm that the relationship is bad or harmful before diving in.

I love August and Tiny's friendship; how they know each other so well and take care of each other, and work together seamlessly. I love how this is a summer-time, feel-good book with lots of laughs and also a story filled with friendship, family relationships, and grief. It's all handled very well, author Adriana Mather does a great job with these sensitive topics, and the story flows really well.

Releasing June 4, 2024 - grab a copy here!

#TheBreakupArtists #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

''Once More Upon a Time: An Enchanting Romantic Fairy Tale' by Roshani Chokshi

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Once upon a time, there was a king and queen in a land called Love’s Keep who once loved one another, but alas, no more. Without love, they were doomed to be ousted from their kingdom at the end of a year and a day.

A year and a day passed.

This is where their story starts.

Imelda and Ambrose can’t remember why they got married. A year and a day ago, Ambrose consulted a witch, trading their love to save Imelda’s life – and they’ve been stuck with one another ever since. When that same witch pays them a visit on the day they lose their kingdom, she promises to make their deepest wishes come true in exchange for a simple favor and a short journey. With nothing left to lose, Imelda and Ambrose agree. But, over the course of their enchanted road trip peppered with a delirious cloak, cannibals, and at least one honey badger, something magical happens…little by little, step by step, they regain what they had forgotten.

They remember why they fell in love.

When the end of their journey nears and they confront parting ways forever, a new decision faces them. Will Imelda and Ambrose choose their deepest wishes, or will they choose each other – again?"


My Review:

Really enjoyed this original story within a fairy tale world!  The FMC is one of the sisters form 'The 12 Dancing Princesses' and there are cameos by other fairy tale characters, but the main characters and the plot are unique, and fairy tale-like.  Highly recommended!

Grab a copy here!

'Finally Fitz' by Marisa Kanter

5 seamless stars!

Book Blurb:

"A bisexual teen girl tries to make her ex jealous by faking an Instagram romance that leads to surprisingly real feelings in this hijinks-filled rom-com perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and She Gets the Girl.

Ava “Fitz” Fitzgerald has worked hard to create the picture-perfect life she’s always wanted. She spent her junior year transforming her passion for sustainable fashion and upcycling into a viral online platform, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and spending every free second with her soon-to-graduate girlfriend, Danica. And this summer she plans to take it all to the next level by attending a prestigious summer fashion program in New York City and convincing Dani that they can survive a year of long distance.

But when Dani dumps her before classes even start, accusing Fitz of being more invested in growing her online persona than deepening their relationship, she’s left not only heartbroken, but also creatively blocked.

Fitz will do anything to win Dani back, even if that means taking a break from the platform that she’s worked so hard to build. But just as she decides to go all-in on a hiatus, a chance encounter reunites her with Levi Berkowitz, her childhood best friend that she hasn’t seen since elementary school. Levi is struggling with heartbreak of his own, and this cosmic coincidence sparks a new use for her social media savvy. Fitz offers to help Levi craft a fake relationship online to make his person jealous…if in return he can pretend to be her boyfriend in front of Dani to make her jealous. If all goes according to plan, by the end of the summer they’ll both be reunited with their perfect partners and get to rekindle their friendship in the process.

Sometimes even the most carefully designed plans can come apart at the seams, though. And when real history leads to not-so-fake feelings, Fitz will have to decide if she’s finally willing to let go of what she thought was picture-perfect and choose what might actually be right for her."


My Review:

Really love this coming of age YA Contemporary read.  Fitz has amazing summer shenanigans in NYC, struggles with perfectionism and impostor syndrome while in an exclusive summer program at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology); all while fake-dating her childhood best friend (Levi) in attempt to make her recent ex (and roommate) jealous.  There's so much going on for Fitz and I love every moment of being in her head.  Levi is the perfect book boyfriend; kind, genuine, and a little awkward.  And I like how part of Fitz's journey to 'fit in' was also with her parents and her 3 much-older sisters.

Highly recommended reading!  Releases on April 23, 2024 - pre-order here!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'I Wish You Would' by Eva Des Lauriers

5 swoony stars!

Book Blurb:

"In this drama-filled love story, private confessions are scattered on the beach during a senior class overnight and explosive secrets threaten to tear everyone apart, including best friends (or maybe more?), Natalia and Ethan.

It’s Senior Sunrise, the epic overnight at the beach that kicks off senior year. But for Natalia and Ethan, it’s the first time seeing each other after what happened at junior prom―when they almost crossed the line from best friends to something more and ruined everything. After ghosting each other all summer, Natalia is desperate to pretend she doesn’t care and Ethan is desperate to fix his mistake.

When the senior class carries out their tradition of writing private letters to themselves―what they wish they would do this year if they were braver―Natalia pours her heart out. So does Ethan. So does everyone in their entire class. But in Natalia’s panicked attempt to retrieve her heartfelt confession, the wind scatters seven of the notes across the beach. Now, Ethan and Natalia are forced to work together to find the lost letters before any secrets are revealed―especially their own.

Seven private confessions. Seven time bombs loose for anyone to find. And one last chance before the sun rises for these two to fall in love."


My Review:

Absolutely fantastic YA Contemporary read! 'I Wish You Would' is a tender, heartfelt tale of family, friendship, expectations, and finding yourself. It also has the sweetest love story between two best friends whose chemistry is off the charts. Sparks fly whether they're bickering or kissing.

This is 'Shout From the Rooftops' good and one of my new all-time favorites. I'm excited to re-read it soon! Releases on May 21, 2024 - pre-order here!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Hearts Overboard' by Becky Dean

4 stars

Book Blurb:

"Set sail with this banter-filled rivals-to-lovers romance between a STEM-loving girl and a jock guy that will fill you with wanderlust...and have you rooting for love in the great outdoors!

Love is on the horizon...

After a very public breakup where her ex, Caleb, told her she is both, a.) boring, and b.) stuck in her ways, Savannah Moore decides her mom’s company cruise to Alaska is the perfect opportunity to show people that she can be fun. One new thing a day should be enough to prove to others, and herself, that she isn’t “Moore the Bore.”

Stepping out of her comfort zone isn’t easy, especially since her long-time nemesis, Tanner Woods, is also on the ship. His family and hers are friends, and Tanner knows her—and her true self—better than she’d like to admit.

When he learns of her plan, Tanner offers to help Savannah be adventurous and encourages her to try absolutely everything—zip lining and dogsledding, hiking the bear-infested Alaskan wilderness, late-night karaoke, and a polar plunge. Savannah will win Caleb back by showing him just what he’s missing.

Except after spending so much time with Tanner, soon she’s not sure Caleb is the one she wants anymore…"


My Review:

Enjoyed this fluffy, fun YA Contemporary read. 'Hearts Overboard' is a fun guided tour through parts of Canada, Alaska, and the cruise ship, as much as it is a story about two long-standing rivals finding their way to friendship, and maybe more.

Releasing in July 2024, pre-order your copy here!

#HeartsOverboard #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell' by Tobias Madden

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"There Are No Cheat Codes for Showmance

Seventeen-year-old gaymer Noah Mitchell only has one friend the wonderful, funny, strictly online-only MagePants69. After years playing RPGs together, they know everything about each other, except anything that would give away their real life identities. And Noah is certain that if they could just meet in person, they would be soulmates. Noah would do anything to make this happen―including finally leaving his gaming chair to join a community theater show that he’s only mostly sure MagePants69 is performing in. Noah has never done anything like theater―he can’t sing, he can’t dance, and he’s never willingly watched a musical―but he’ll have to go all in to have a chance at love.

With Noah’s mum performing in the lead role, and former friends waiting in the wings to sabotage his reputation, his plan to make MagePants69 fall in love with him might be a little more difficult than originally anticipated.

And the longer Noah waits to come clean, the more tangled his web of lies becomes. By opening night, he will have to decide if telling the truth is worth closing the curtain on his one shot at true love."

My Review:

Really enjoyed this LGBTQIA+ YA contemporary coming-of-age read.  Highly recommended!  Grab a copy here!

'Single All the Way' by Kate Watson

5 holiday stars!!

Book Blurb:

"When a secret billionaire and his obnoxious(ly pretty) upstairs neighbor get stuck together on an elevator, their sparks could light a Christmas tree.

Juliet

I go through crushes faster than a little kid goes through presents on Christmas morning.

But when I crash into my annoying(ly hot) nemesis and we get stuck on the elevator during a blackout, the last thing I expect is to develop feelings for him. Nate Cruz is opinionated, a stickler for justice, talks with his hands, and is the space heater keeping me safe while we’re stuck on this freezing metal box.

He’s also the first person to ever push past my defense mechanisms and see me as more than “the girl who messes up everything” that my family sees. And when the blackout ends and we’re back in the real world, he’s the first person to ever stand up to my family…for me.

Now that I’ve fallen for Nate, I’m determined not to mess up things with him, and I know exactly how: we’ll fake date to get through the holidays.

Because a fake relationship can’t leave me brokenhearted on Christmas.

Right?


Nate

Juliet Shippe is the loudest, most obnoxious(ly pretty) upstairs neighbor in the world.

But after six hours on an elevator with her, I’m fighting feelings deeper than I’m willing to admit. And after the power is restored and she manages to drag me to my apartment and give me my insulin shot, I’m all in.

When Jules suggests I come to her identical twin’s wedding as her “fake date,” I agree, but only if she comes to my ultra ambitious parents' holiday party as my real one.

Because I know the truth she’s too scared to admit: she isn’t faking. And I’ll do everything I can to help her realize it.

All I want for Christmas is Jules.


Single All the Way is a sweet closed door romantic comedy in the vein of your favorite festive Hallmark movie, but with more swooning and a lot more banter. Happily ever after guaranteed!"

My Review:

Really enjoyed this closed-door holiday romance: the writing style, the witty banter, and especially the chronic illness and neurodivergent rep!  Grab your copy here!!

'The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist' by Sophie Gonzales

4 dreamy stars

Book Blurb:

"A fanfic writer brings her favorite TV character to life in this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers novel full of humor and heart.

Ivy Winslow has the house to herself for a week while her parents are away. She’s planning to use this newfound freedom to binge-watch her favorite fantasy TV show, H-MAD, and hang out with her best friend, Henry. She’ll also have to avoid her former best friend-turned enemy (and neighbor), Mack. But things quickly go awry when Ivy wakes up to find Weston, the gorgeous, very fictional main character of H-MAD in her bedroom, claiming to be her soul mate.

Ivy realizes that her fanfic writing has somehow brought Weston as she’s imagined him to life. But it turns out that the tropes she swoons over in her stories are slightly less romantic in reality, and her not-so-fictional crush is causing some real-world problems. To figure out why Weston is here and what to do with him, Ivy decides to team up with Henry and (against her better judgment) Mack. But with Mack back in her life, Ivy starts to wonder if Weston, her “perfect guy”, is the one who’s truly perfect for her . . . or if that was someone else all along."

My Review:

This sapphic YA romantic comedy is a love letter to fan fiction and its writers and community.  Author Sophie Gonzales has done yet another fantastic job with this YA Contemporary read!

Pre-order before the release date of Marc 26th!

#NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'These Deadly Prophecies' by Andrea Tang

4 deadly stars!

Book Blurb:

"A teenage sorcerer’s apprentice must solve her boss’s murder in order to prove her innocence in this twisty, magic-infused murder mystery perfect for fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.

Being an apprentice for one of the world's most famous sorcerers has its challenges; Tabatha Zeng just didn’t think they would include solving crime. But when her boss, the infamous fortuneteller Sorcerer Solomon, predicts his own brutal death—and worse, it comes true—Tabatha finds herself caught in the crosshairs.

The police have their sights set on her and Callum Solomon, her murdered boss’s youngest son. With suspicion swirling around them, the two decide to team up to find the real killer and clear their own names once and for all.

But solving a murder isn’t as easy as it seems, especially when the suspect list is mostly the rich, connected, and magical members of Sorcerer Solomon’s family. And Tabatha can’t quite escape the nagging voice in her head asking: just how much can she really trust Callum Solomon?

Nothing is as it seems in this quick-witted and fantastical murder mystery."


My Review:

Come for the 'Knives Out' and 'The Inheritance Games' but with magic! Stay for the snarky narration and adorable nerdy jock detective partner!

This was a fun murder mystery in which each member of the family is a suspect, and most of them can do magic. Highly recommended YA reading!  Pre-order here!

#TheseDeadlyProphecies #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.