'The Rules of Royalty: A Novel' by Cale Dietrich

4 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Two princes from neighboring countries fall into a whirlwind royal romance in this sparkling spin on The Princess Diaries by Cale Dietrich.

Jamie Johnson has never been the centre of attention, and he’s perfectly okay with that. His entire world unravels as a hidden truth he's the heir to the throne of Mitanor, a sun-drenched southern European country, and the press is ready to expose this secret to the world. An invitation to spend the summer in his father's palace arrives, giving Jamie a chance to get to know the man he never thought he’d meet.

Meanwhile, in a northern European kingdom known for its cold climate and stoic royals, Erik Von Rosenborg, the spare prince, grapples with the upcoming marriage of his golden-boy elder brother. With the country’s spotlight trained on his family more than ever, Erik feels sidelined and tightly controlled. So when he receives an offer to tutor the newly found American prince in the ways of royalty, he accepts without hesitation.

At a magnificent summer palace, Erik guides Jamie through the intricacies of royal etiquette, politics, and history. What neither prince anticipates is the connection that sparks between them—one that challenges both of their futures. Now each must make a follow their hearts, or the time-honored royal path where crown and country reigns supreme, no matter the personal cost."


My Review:

I enjoyed this light, fluffy LGBT spin on 'The Princess Diaries'. Author Cale Dietrich did a great job of letting readers into the minds of both narrating princes, and I felt fully immersed in their feelings and experiences. Highly recommended!

Out now! Grab a copy!

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

'The Rival' by Emma Lord

4 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again!

At long last, Sadie has vanquished her lifelong academic rival — her irritatingly charming, whip smart next door neighbor, Seb — by getting the coveted, only spot to her dream college. Or at least, so she thinks. When Seb is unexpectedly pulled off the waitlist and admitted, Sadie has to compete with him all over again, this time to get a spot on the school’s famous zine. Now not only is she dealing with the mayhem of the lovable, chaotic family she hid her writing talents from, as well as her own self doubt, but she has to come to terms with some less-than-resentful feelings for Seb that are popping up along the way.

But the longer they compete, the more Sadie and Seb notice flaws in the school’s system that are much bigger than any competition between them. Somehow the two of them have to band together even as they’re trying to crush each other, only to discover they may have met their match in more ways than one."

My Review:

Author Emma Lord knocks it out of the park again with this highly entertaining academic enemies-to-lovers YA rom-com!  Highly recommended for YA rom-com and YA contemporary readers.  Can't go wrong with an Emma Lord YA book!

'The Rival' releases on January 21st, grab a copy!

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

'Playing Flirty' by Shameez Patel

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"A board game designer is forced to work alongside her nemesis in this charming and geeky rivals-to-lovers romcom perfect for fans of Olivia Dade and Jen DeLuca.

 
For Rose Marie Jones, risks are a hard no–except for Game Night. For one precious evening a week, Rose can forget about her demanding boss and her lackluster sex life and focus on beating the pants off her friends. But none of them brings out her hyper-competitive side quite like William Ashdern.

Her best friend’s half-brother, William is the paragon of a sexy nerd. The tall, dorky, and handsome game designer is Rose’s playing nemesis. But when Rose decides to enter a contest with the board game she’s secretly invented, there’s only one person who can help her win.

Now what has always been a game between Rose and William is getting a lot more serious. And after spending her entire life trying not to lose, Rose might finally be ready risk it all–and play to win."


My Review:

Absolutely loved this slow-burn Adult Rom-Com, full of gaming and geek culture and a silent, broody love interest. 'Playing Flirty' is all about found family and shenanigans, while also about discovering who you are, and unlearning some of the bad stuff from childhood. Highly recommended!

'Playing Flirty' releases on January 14th - grab a copy!

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

'While We're Young' by K.L. Walther

4.5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"A whirlwind romance inspired by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off about four friends whose hearts are broken and mended over the course of an epic senior skip day—from the bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules!

Grace, Isa, and Everett used to be an inseparable trio before their love lives became a tangled mess. For starters, Grace is secretly in love with Everett, who used to go out with Isa before breaking her heart in the infamous Freshman Year Fracture. And, oh yeah, no one knows that Isa has been hanging out with James, Grace’s brother—and if Grace finds out, it could ruin their friendship.

With graduation fast approaching, Grace decides an unsanctioned senior skip day in Philadelphia might be just what they need to fix things. All she has to do is convince Isa to help her kidnap Everett and outmaneuver James, who’s certain his sister is up to something.

In an epic day that includes racing up the famous Rocky steps, taste-testing Philly's finest cheesesteaks, and even crashing a wedding, their secrets are bound to collide. But can their hearts withstand the wreckage?"


My Review:

Author K.L. Walther does a great job seamlessly interweaving 4 POVs and some flashbacks. All 4 of our main characters get to narrate, and 'While We're Young' is all the better for it!

Miss Student Body President and everyone-loves-her, Grace, is the mastermind behind an unofficial Senior Skip Day during which she goes joy riding all around Philadelphia with her two best friends, Isa and Everett. Though the trio's friendship did not heal in the aftermath of Everett breaking up with Isa, years ago, Grace has remained close with both. She designed their Philadelphia itinerary with the goal to heal the friendship between them. 

This is simultaneously a light and fluffy, feel-good read while also touching upon heavy topics. The secrets these teens keep from each other are fairly minor, and make for some really good witty banter and heartfelt friendship reconciliation - Grace's crush on Everett kept from Isa because of girl-code, and Isa sharing kisses with Grace's brother, James. The heavier topics involve death of a parent, potentially losing a house they grew up in, and cheating on a spouse.

'While We're Young' releases on March 4th - grab a copy!

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

'The Thirteenth Child' by Erin A. Craig

4 wicked stars

Book Blurb:

"Drawing on the Grimm Brothers’ dark fairytale, “Godfather Death,” this new novel by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows is a sweeping, fantastical saga of actions and consequences.

This is the story of Hazel, a young healer navigating a ruthless court to save the life of the king, grappling with a pantheon of gods with questionable agendas as she fights for agency and true love in her own life as the goddaughter of none other than Death himself.

All gifts come with a price.

Hazel Trépas has always known she wasn’t like the rest of her siblings. A thirteenth child, promised away to one of the gods, she spends her childhood waiting for her godfather—Merrick, the Dreaded End—to arrive.

When he does, he lays out exactly how he’s planned Hazel’s future. She will become a great healer, known throughout the kingdom for her precision and skill. To aid her endeavors, Merrick blesses Hazel with a gift, the ability to instantly deduce the exact cure needed to treat the sick.

But all gifts come with a price. Hazel can see when Death has claimed a patient—when all hope is gone—and is tasked to end their suffering, permanently. Haunted by the ghosts of those she’s killed, Hazel longs to run. But destiny brings her to the royal court, where she meets Leo, a rakish prince with a disdain for everything and everyone. And it’s where Hazel faces her biggest dilemma yet—to save the life of a king marked to die. Hazel knows what she is meant to do and knows what her heart is urging her toward, but what will happen if she goes against the will of Death?

From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for— what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love?"


My Review:

Really enjoyed this Fantasy read! Author Erin A. Craig does another fantastic job creating a gothic atmosphere in this fairy-tale re-telling.

Highly recommended Fall reading, with spooky vibes and great writing! Releases on September 24th

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

'The Lies We Conjure' by Sarah Henning

5 thrilling stars

Book Blurb:

"Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly game of Clue.

Ruby and her sister, Wren, are normal, middle-class Colorado high school students working a summer job at the local Renaissance Fest to supplement their meager college savings.

So when an eccentric old lady asks them to impersonate her long-absent grandchildren at a fancy dinner party at the jaw-dropping rate of two grand―each―for a single night… Wren insists it’s a no-brainer. Make some cash, have some fun, do a good deed.

But less than an hour into the evening at the mysterious Hegemony Manor, Ruby is sure she must have lost her mind to have agreed to this."


My Review:

Really enjoyed this one! And it's very spot-on to say it's 'Clue' x 'The Inheritance Games' x 'Knives Out' - with magic.

Two non-magical teenage sisters pretend to be an old lady's grandchildren, last seen ten years prior, in exchange for some much needed college funds. They marvel at the huge mansion, lush gardens and grounds, set in Colorado's mountains. They do their best to fit in with the other 6 teenagers, and each sister soon finds herself flirting with one of the boys who live at the sprawling estate.

Then comes a murder during dinner. Then comes the magic: a Soul's Truth from the murdered witch and a powerful spell on the property which physically forbids anyone from leaving until the killer is found and 4 magical relics are located. Then comes the rules to the game and clues to find each piece. Then come the attempts at sabotage and misdirection between characters. Then come the additional murders. It is all perfectly 'Clue' x 'The Inheritance Games' x 'Knives Out' - with magic.

Narrated by both Ruby, one of the sisters, and Auden, one of the teenage grandsons who lives at the mansion, 'The Lies We Conjure' has lots of 'YA Contemporary' feels, rather than 'YA Fantasy'. Auden makes for a wonderful book boyfriend, all good manners and knowledgeable about the grounds, magic, and family histories. Auden provides readers with all the background and context that Ruby wonders about and does not yet know.

Highly recommended!  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.

'Love, Life, and the List' series by Kasie West

5 stars to this entire series by Kasie West - 'Love, Life, and the List'. Highly recommended YA Contemporary reading!

'Love, Life, and the List' blurb and link:

"Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings, Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list, she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being.

But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems . . . and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself."

'Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss' blurb and link:

"Lacey Barnes has dreamed of being an actress for as long as she can remember. So when she gets the opportunity to star in a movie alongside one of Hollywood’s hottest actors, she doesn’t hesitate to accept the part.

But Lacey quickly learns that life in the spotlight isn’t as picture perfect as she imagined. She’s having trouble bonding with her costars, her father has hired the definition of a choir boy, Donavan Lake, to tutor her, and somewhere along the way she’s lost her acting mojo. And just when it seems like things couldn’t get any worse, it looks like someone on set is deliberately trying to sabotage her.

As Lacey’s world spins out of control, it feels like the only person she can count on—whether it’s helping her try to unravel the mystery of who is out to get her or snap her out of her acting funk—is Donavan. But what she doesn’t count on is this straight-laced boy becoming another distraction.

With her entire future riding on this movie, Lacey knows she can’t afford to get sidetracked by a crush. But for the first time in her life Lacey wonders if it’s true that the best stories really do happen when you go off script."

'Moment of Truth' blurb and link:

"At sixteen, Hadley Moore knows exactly who she is—a swimmer who will earn a scholarship to college. Totally worth all the hard work, even if her aching shoulders don’t agree. So when a guy dressed as Hollywood’s latest action hero, Heath Hall, crashes her swim meet, she isn’t amused. Instead, she’s determined to make sure he doesn’t bother her again. Only she’s not sure exactly who he is.

The swim meet isn’t the first event the imposter has interrupted, but a little digging turns up a surprising number of people who could be Heath Hall, including Hadley's ex-boyfriend and her best friend’s crush. She soon finds herself getting caught up in the mysterious world of the fake Heath Hall.

As Hadley gets closer to uncovering the masked boy’s identity she also discovers some uncomfortable truths about herself—like she might resent the long shadow her late brother has cast over her family, that she isn’t as happy as she pretends to be with her life choices… and that she is falling for the last guy she ever thought she would like."

'Beastly Beauty' by Jennifer Donnelly

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

"From New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Jennifer Donnelly comes a revolutionary, gender-swapped retelling of Beauty and the Beast that will forever change how you think about beauty, power, and what it really means to follow your heart.

What makes a girl "beastly?" Is it having too much ambition? Being too proud? Taking up too much space? Or is it just wanting something, anything , too badly?

That's the problem Arabella faces when she makes her debut in society. Her parents want her to be sweet and compliant so she can marry well, but try as she might, Arabella can't extinguish the fire burning inside her -- the source of her deepest wishes, her wildest dreams.

When an attempt to suppress her emotions tragically backfires, a mysterious figure punishes Arabella with a curse, dooming her and everyone she cares about, trapping them in the castle.

As the years pass, Arabella abandons hope. The curse is her fault -- after all, there's nothing more "beastly" than a girl who expresses her anger -- and the only way to break it is to find a boy who loves her for her true a cruel task for a girl who's been told she's impossible to love.

When a handsome thief named Beau makes his way into the castle, the captive servants are thrilled, convinced he is the one to break the curse. But Beau -- spooked by the castle's strange and forbidding ladies-in-waiting, and by the malevolent presence that stalks its corridors at night -- only wants to escape. He learned long ago that love is only an illusion.

If Beau and Arabella have any hope of breaking the curse, they must learn to trust their wounded hearts, and realize that the cruelest prisons of all are the ones we build for ourselves."

My Review:

I really enjoyed this gender-swapped 'Beauty and the Beast' re-telling! I've wanted to read one of author Jennifer Donnelly's fairy-tale spins for a while, and was quite happy to find that this one was easy to read while being intriguing and engaging. Highly recommended fairy-tale reading!

Grab a copy or see if your local library has one!

'Prince of the Palisades' by Julian Winters

4.5 Royal Stars!

Book Blurb:

"Young Royals meets Red, White, and Royal Blue in this heart-pumping romance by award-winning author Julian Winters!

When roguish Prince Jadon of Îles de la Rêverie is left in America to clean up his image after a horribly public break-up gone viral, romance is not on the table. Carefully planned photo ops with puppies? Yes. Scheduled appearances with the Santa Monica elite Absolutely. Rendezvous with a pink-haired, film-obsessed hottie from the private school where he’s currently enrolled? Uhhhh . . .

Together with his entourage—a bitingly witty royal guard, Rêverie’s future queen (and Jadon’s brilliant older sister), and a quirky royal liaison—Jadon’s on a mission to turn things around and show his parents, and his country, that he’s more than just a royal screw-up. If he doesn’t prove that he’s the prince Rêverie deserves? Well, he may not be allowed home . . .

But falling for a not-so-royal American boy has Jadon redefining what it means to be a leader. If he can be someone’s Prince Charming just by being himself, maybe that’s all it takes to win over a nation. Or at least a prince can dream . . ."


My Review:

Really enjoyed this coming-of-age story narrated by Prince Jadon as he tries to balance adjusting to a new high school in a new country with showing only the 'perfect prince' that his parents want him to be. It's hard to let his guard down and make new friends, nonetheless have a mutual crush, when you're the Prince of a foreign country and the international media is always hungry for a scoop; always trying to photograph and document less-than-ideal moments. Jadon gets by, with the help of his witty and sarcastic sister and bodyguard, and he even joins the school play!

Highly recommended YA reading, love the LGBTQIAP+ cast!

'Prince of the Palisades' releases on August 20th - grab a copy!

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

'The Bitter End' by Alexa Donne

4 mysterious stars

Book Blurb:

"When a winter storm traps eight teens in a remote ski cabin, they find themselves stranded with a killer—who may be one of their own. From the acclaimed author of The Ivies and Pretty Dead Queens comes a YA thriller that will make your blood run cold.
The trip of a lifetime might be the death of them all.

The students of LA’s elite Warner Prep can’t wait for their Senior Excursion—five days of Instagrammable adventure in one of the world’s most exclusive locations. This is not your average field trip.

Which is why eight students can’t believe their bad luck when they end up on a digital detox in an isolated Colorado ski chalet. Their epic trip is panning out to be an epic bore . . . until their classmates start dropping in a series of disturbing deaths. The message is clear: this trip is no accident.

And when a blizzard strikes, secrets are revealed, betrayals are exposed, and survival is at stake in a race to the bitter end."


My Review:

A teenage, modern 'And Then There Was None' by Agatha Christie x Clue

'The Bitter End' is a fun thriller, full of twists and turns. 8 wealthy, internet-addicted teens begrudgingly go on their school-mandated Senior Excursion, which includes a total digital detox. Instead of partying while their chaperone sleeps, they stumble upon the bodies of their classmates one-by-one, and have to figure out how to survive the weekend and incoming blizzard.

8 teens, 8 POVs, 2 different timelines - author Alexa Donne put a lot into this book, and it's well worth it. Most of the narration is split amongst only 3 of the characters, so it doesn't get confusing. The second timeline is of a party they all attended 3 years prior, so that's also easy to follow. I particularly love the representation, there's a character with OCD, another with anxiety, another with a little-known connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

Highly recommended for fans of thrillers and mysteries! Pre-order a copy here.

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

'Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts' by Adam Sass

5 stars

Book Blurb:

"A swoony contemporary romance from Adam Sass following a boy who is cursed to doom any romantic relationship—and the summer that changes everything.

Grant Rossi is never getting a happily-ever-after.

Ever since he was a kid and made a wish on his family’s iconic Wishing Rose, his romantic relationships have been cursed to end. Following his most recent (and extremely public) dumping, Grant is languishing in a hot Chicago summer, abandoning his beloved design projects to sink back into depression. But when his family suggests spending the summer helping his aunt and uncle refurbish their beautiful but rundown B&B and vineyard—the home of the Wishing Rose that changed everything for him—Grant decides to accept. Maybe he can finally find a way to recover his creative spark...and break his curse.

But things at the vineyard are not what Grant expects. The place is in almost total disrepair, and—even worse—the person his relatives hired to help is his former childhood crush, Ben—the first boy who broke his heart.

As their chemistry sparks and the summer heats up, the wedge between them can’t be ignored. But while they race to restore the B&B in time for the beloved local rose festival, grumpy but lovable Ben starts to break through Grant’s carefully crafted defenses. Can Grant find a way to overcome his curse and open his heart, even when it’s broken?"


My Review:

Really enjoyed this coming-of-age YA Contemporary read! This is my first by author Adam Sass, and now I'm excited to dive into what else he's written.

'Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts' is fully narrated by Grant and the narration was chef's kiss, spot-on: witty one liners, realistic depression rep, and all the emotional heartfelt moments. Especially when dealing with 7 older siblings and when flirting with his former crush, Ben.

Highly recommended LGBTQIA+ reading!

Releases July 16th, Grab a copy here

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

'Heiress Takes All' by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

4 riveting stars!

Book Blurb:

"The Inheritance Games meets Ocean's 11 in this thrilling YA adventure about a teenager determined to pull off the perfect heist in the midst of her father’s wedding.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Owens isn't thrilled that her dad's getting remarried...again. She's especially not thrilled that he cheated on her mom, kicked them out of their Rhode Island home, and cut Olivia out of her rightful inheritance.

But this former heiress has a plan for revenge. While hundreds of guests gather on the grounds of the gorgeous estate where she grew up, everyone will be thinking romance—not robbery. She’ll play the part of dutiful daughter, but in reality she’ll be redistributing millions from her father’s online accounts. She only needs the handwritten pass code he keeps in the estate's safe.

With the help of an eclectic crew of high school students and one former teacher, Olivia has plotted her mid-nuptial heist down to the second. But she didn't plan for an obnoxiously nosy wedding guest, an interfering ex-boyfriend intent on winning her back, greedy European cousins with their own agenda, or a vengeful second wife. When everything seems like it's going wrong, Olivia has to keep her eyes on what really matters: getting rich. And when she’s done, “something borrowed” will be the understatement of the year."


My Review:

Outcast teenage heiress Olivia Owens arrives at the home she grew up in for her father’s third wedding with a crew of teens who barely know each other and a heist planned down to the minute. It doesn’t take long for her careful plans to go comically wrong. Oliva takes the changes in stride. But even all the recalibrating and recalculating in the world could not prepare her for the twists and turns to come.

Heartfelt and emotional, this is a story about family, both found and by blood, and a second chance YA romance.

This was a fun, riveting ride: Teenage ‘Ocean's 11’ with emotions in every chapter.

Releasing June 4th - grab a copy here!

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

'The Break-Up Pact' by Emma Lord

4 stars!

Book Blurb:

"Two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral, in this delightfully fun and deeply emotional new novel from New York Times bestselling author Emma Lord.

June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they've barely spoken in years.

But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they're a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they're in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.

Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?"


My Review:

Emma Lord has taken the YA Contemporary literary world by storm, and this is her first Adult Contemporary novel.

Full of fun summer vibes and second chances, this is a great book to get readers into beach season! Just beware of the family grief. Lord handles grief over Annie very well, but as June's sister and Levi's best friend, the memory of Annie is everywhere and so, too is the grief that the characters must manage. As it should be.

Pre-order a copy before it's August 13, 2024 release!

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

'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!