Tuesday, March 14, 2023

'Tilly in Technicolor' by Mazey Eddings

5 stars!



Book Blurb:

"Tilly in Technicolor is Mazey Eddings's sparkling YA debut about two neurodivergent teens who form a connection over the course of a summer.

Tilly Twomley is desperate for change. White-knuckling her way through high school with flawed executive functioning has left her burnt out and ready to start fresh. Working as an intern for her perfect older sister’s start up isn’t exactly how Tilly wants to spend her summer, but the required travel around Europe promises a much-needed change of scenery as she plans for her future. The problem is, Tilly has no idea what she wants.

Oliver Clark knows exactly what he wants. His autism has often made it hard for him to form relationships with others, but his love of color theory and design allows him to feel deeply connected to the world around him. Plus, he has everything he needs: a best friend that gets him, placement into a prestigious design program, and a summer internship to build his resume. Everything is going as planned. That is, of course, until he suffers through the most disastrous international flight of his life, all turmoil stemming from lively and exasperating Tilly. Oliver is forced to spend the summer with a girl that couldn’t be more his opposite—feeling things for her he can’t quite name—and starts to wonder if maybe he doesn’t have everything figured out after all.

As the duo’s neurodiverse connection grows, they learn that some of the best parts of life can’t be planned, and are forced to figure out what that means as their disastrously wonderful summer comes to an end."


My Review:

This book and its lead characters are neurodivine! I love all of author Mazey Eddings' neurodiverse characters, but Tilly and Ollie are my favorite. Messy, larger-than-life Tilly is vibrant and practically vibrating out of her skin as her mind swirls and runs laps and is never calm. Oliver is quiet, tidy, and meticulous. They are (seemingly) total opposites thrown together for a summer internship involving frequent travel and a shared hotel room.

Their neurodivergence brings them together, via mutual sensory overload in a loud and crowded town center. As they each stim to self-regulate, they see parts of themselves reflected in each other, and their slow-burn romance takes off from there. They are so sweet and caring with each other, it's truly beautiful to watch their relationship bloom.

I hope this wonderful book reaches each and every single neurodiverse reader of YA Contemporary books.

Pre-order here - 'Tilly in Technicolor' releases on August 15, 2023.

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

Thursday, March 9, 2023

'Cursed Crowns' (Twin Crowns #2) by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber

5 stars!


Book Blurb:

"The second book in the swoony and high-stakes fantasy rom-com series that began with Twin Crowns, about twin princesses separated at birth—from bestselling authors Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber.

Twin queens Wren and Rose have claimed their crowns…but not everyone is happy about witches sitting on Eana’s throne.

Coolheaded Rose plans a royal tour to establish goodwill throughout the kingdom. But Wren balks—how can they gallivant around Eana when their grandmother Banba is imprisoned in Gevra?

Impatient Wren steals away on a ship to the icy north, where King Alarik offers a deadly magical bargain in exchange for Banba’s freedom. Desperate, Wren agrees. But her spell has unexpected consequences….

Meanwhile, when Rose's royal tour is interrupted by a mysterious stranger claiming to be from the long-lost Sunkissed Kingdom, the strands of destiny pull her south to the ancient Amarach Towers, where only the Seers of Eana know why the Restless Sands are erupting—and why Shen-Lo himself might hold the key.

But back in Anadawn, rebellion is brewing. And if Eana is to stand a chance at peace, the sisters will need to reunite once more and convince their people to forsake old loyalties for new ones."


Non-spoiler review:

Really enjoyed being back in Wren and Rose's world! Readers get to see how Wren reacts to palace duties and how Rose manages in another adventure out in the world. We learn more about Shen Lo and King Alarik's families and past, and we spend time with Tor and Elske.

Pre-order 'Cursed Crowns' before its release on May 9, 2023!

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