‘Only Mostly Devastated’ by Sophie Gonzales

Five fabulous stars (for the book as a whole, and for Ollie's narration.)

Book Blurb:

“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless, inspired by Grease.

When Ollie meets his dream guy, Will, over summer break, he thinks he’s found his Happily Ever After. But once summer’s ended, Will stops texting him back, and Ollie finds himself one prince short of a fairytale ending. To complicate the fairytale further, a family emergency sees Ollie uprooted and enrolled at a new school across the country—Will’s school—where Ollie finds that the sweet, affectionate and comfortably queer guy he knew from summer isn’t the same one attending Collinswood High. This Will is a class clown, closeted—and, to be honest, a bit of a jerk.

Ollie has no intention of pining after a guy who clearly isn’t ready for a relationship. But as Will starts ‘coincidentally’ popping up in every area of Ollie’s life, from music class to the lunch table, Ollie finds his resolve weakening.

The last time he gave Will his heart, Will handed it back to him trampled and battered. Ollie would have to be an idiot to trust him with it again.

Right?

Right.”

Review:

‘Only Mostly Devastated’ is a realistic and relatable story of teenagers going through what most kids in high school experience; friendships, crushes, dating, jealousy, misunderstandings, spite, and a whole lot of sarcasm.  Added to which is the completely normal part of the crushes and dating process, the possibility of ‘coming out’ as not entirely cisgender or straight. 

Ollie’s tale gave me all the feels and I can’t recommend it highly enough.  Grab your copy on March 3, 2020!

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

'Sick Kids in Love’ by Hannah Moskowitz

Book Blurb:

“Isabel has one rule: no dating.

It's easier—

It's safer—

It's better—

--for the other person.

She's got issues. She's got secrets. She's got rheumatoid arthritis.

But then she meets another sick kid.

He's got a chronic illness Isabel's never heard of, something she can't even pronounce. He understands what it means to be sick. He understands her more than her healthy friends. He understands her more than her own father who's a doctor.

He's gorgeous, fun, and foul-mouthed. And totally into her. Isabel has one rule: no dating.

It's complicated—

It's dangerous—

It's never felt better--

--to consider breaking that rule for him.”

Review:

Love, LOVE, LOOOOOOVE this book!!!!

Author Hannah Moskowitz brings snarky, realistic teenagers to life while accurately representing chronic illness, physical disability, and family interactions in a way that is a joy to read, and kept me wanting to know what happens next.

This tale of sick kids being allowed to be sick, versus having to hide it and pretend things are fine, really resonated with me.  This is something everyone should read and be aware of; everyone who has someone in their life who is chronically ill or disabled to some degree.  The whole idea that well-meaning acquaintances, or even close family members, may affect the way a chronically ill person views themselves and their abilities.  Those around us may wield unknown influence over a person’s way of thinking; disappointment when they can’t do something; often or all the time, or ever, versus it’s okay to not be able to do that thing sometimes, or often, or ever.  These are really important concepts and Moskowitz completely gets it, and portrays it accurately, in a fun way.

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

'Sick Kids in Love' will be available on November 5, 2019 

‘Something Wicked’ (Something Wicked Book 1) by Nicole M. Rubino

4 magical stars

Book Blurb:

“A breakup and a car accident are no way to start your seventeenth birthday.

For Theo Montgomery, that is exactly how it began. Her bad luck turns worse when she returns home from a school dance to find her house on fire--with her parents still inside.

Following their deaths, Theo is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. If a new home and a new school aren’t enough to deal with, Theo discovers her aunt has a secret: she is a witch. And so is Theo.

Theo must learn keep her magic in check, lest the Town’s notorious witch hunters discover that magic has returned to the world after more than three hundred years. But how can she navigate a new school, new magical powers and avoid the witch hunters, when she finds herself enjoying the company of one?

Trystan de Lancre is a dangerous witch hunter, but that doesn’t keep Theo from wanting to discover more about him. Harboring secrets of his own, Trystan isn’t the only perilous force in Salem. Something has returned to the village; something that the witches believed to have been dead and buried long ago.

Salem’s dark past rises to haunt Theo and the present-day witches, unraveling a shocking revelation: the real cause of the Salem Witch Trials.”

Review:

In her debut novel, author Nicole M. Rubino delivers a magical tale of family, friendships, young love, and self-discovery.  The teenagers are relatable and believable and their budding romance is kept clean.  I really enjoyed the dual points of view.  We follow Theo for most of the book, but for a few chapters, we are privy to the private thoughts and conversations of the leading guy, and it helps to flesh out a more complete story.  Definitely forward to continuing this series.

‘Something Wicked’ will be available on November 19, 2019.  This is the perfect Salem-based witchy story to get readers in a spooky mood this Fall, highly recommended.

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

‘Glow of the Fireflies’ by Lindsey Duga

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“Briony never planned to go back to the place she lost everything.

Firefly Valley, nestled deep within the Smoky Mountains, is better kept in her past. After an unexplained fire gave Briony amnesia, her mother disappeared and her dad moved them to Knoxville.

But now her grandmother needs a caretaker and Briony's dad volunteers her to help. The moment she returns, her whole world shifts. She feels a magical connection to this valley, as if it's literally part of her somehow.

And when she meets a hot guy who claims he was her childhood friend but now mysteriously keeps his distance, Briony starts piecing together her missing past... and discovers her mother didn't leave to start a new life somewhere. She's trapped in the hidden world within the valley.

Now, Briony will do whatever it takes to rescue her, even if it means standing up against dangerously powerful nature spirits. Even if it means giving up her first love.”

Review:

Scenic, imaginative writing. This clean, wholesome fantasy novel featuring a strong female lead coming to terms with her emotions and coming home again is best directed towards a a younger YA audience.

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

'Glow of the Fireflies' is available now.