'A Little Fairy Dust' by Mell Eight

 

4 stars

Blurb:

"Nine tales of magic, love, and a little fairy dust: A military posting at the Rapunzel Tower to avoid war in The Tower; a Brownie that just wants to do something right in Cleanly Wrong; a dream of love unfulfilled in A Heart’s Dream; saving the victims of an evil witch in The Red Apple Witch; a boy who just wants to go to the ball in Cinder-Elle; a cursed kingdom and search for lost love in The Curse; a thief and his fairy godparent with different ideas about love in Happily Ever After; a lightning strike, a lost egg, an ancient battle, and love at first spark in Thunderbird; and a prince trapped, knowing his true love will never save him in The Beast."

Review:

This collection of 9 short stories feature fairy tale re-tellings with LGBTQIA+ representation.  There are 3 Cinderella re-tellings, a Rapunzel re-imagining, and some other tales for which I was not familiar with the source material.  

'A Heart's Dream,' 'The Red Apple Witch' and 'Cinder-Elle' were my absolute favorites in this collection.  Three other stories were set in the same universe and some of the characters in the first story appear in the other two, which was nice to see.

'A Heart's Dream' - Shape-shifting includes gender shifting and a gender-fluid MC.

'The Red Apple Witch' - The plot is genius, back story is so creative.  I wish this was a full-length novel, to explore the three main characters further.

'Cinder-Elle' - This story was very carefully thought out, especially its plot twists.  This made me feel sorrow, as usual for Cinderella tales, but this was very well-done.

'A Little Fairy Dust' is available now.

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

'You Have a Match' by Emma Lord

5 stars!


Book Blurb:

"From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a YA novel of family, friendship, romance and sisterhood…

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones."


Review:

Another excellent YA contemporary book from Emma Lord. I had so much fun following Abby as she navigates changing dynamics with friends and family, and growing up a little along the way. Sleepover summer camp plus discovering a long-lost sister gives very-welcome 'Parent Trap' vibes, but there is so much more to Emma Lord's story. Highly recommended!

'You Have a Match' is available January 12th.

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

‘Perfect on Paper’ by Sophie Gonzales

 

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

“In Sophie Gonzales' Perfect on Paper, Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before: a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates is hired by the hot guy to help him get his ex back.

Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off.

Darcy Phillips:

• Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes―for a fee.

• Uses her power for good. Most of the time.

• Really cannot stand Alexander Brougham.

• Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke…who is in love with someone else.

• Does not appreciate being blackmailed.

However, when Brougham catches her in the act of collecting letters from locker 89―out of which she’s been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service―that’s exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach―at a generous hourly rate, at least. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back.

Darcy has a good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she’s behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there’s a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again. 

Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who’s already fallen for him once? What could go wrong?”

Review: 

I'm in love with this author's writing style and will gladly read anything and everything she ever writes.  Following Darcy was a blast from start to finish and I wish we could keep following these witty, funny, and relatable characters.  Looking forward to re-reading it soon.

Highly recommended LGBTQIA YA Contemporary read.

'Perfect on Paper’ will be available on March 9, 2021 – run, don’t walk!

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

‘Yesterday Is History’ by Kosoko Jackson

 4.5 stars

Book Blurb:

“Weeks ago, Andre Cobb received a much-needed liver transplant.

He's ready for his life to finally begin, until one night, when he passes out and wakes up somewhere totally unexpected...in 1969, where he connects with a magnetic boy named Michael.

And then, just as suddenly as he arrived, he slips back to present-day Boston, where the family of his donor is waiting to explain that his new liver came with a side effect—the ability to time travel. And they've tasked their youngest son, Blake, with teaching Andre how to use his unexpected new gift.

Andre splits his time bouncing between the past and future. Between Michael and Blake. Michael is everything Andre wishes he could be, and Blake, still reeling from the death of his brother, Andre's donor, keeps him at arm's length despite their obvious attraction to each other.

Torn between two boys, one in the past and one in the present, Andre has to figure out where he belongs—and more importantly who he wants to be—before the consequences of jumping in time catch up to him and change his future for good.”

Review:

I highly recommend this fun timey-wimey LGBTQIA YA Contemporary read. Author Kosoko Jackson achieves what he set out to do; share an enjoyable, lighthearted story about a queer black teenager who is a desirable love interest and has an adventure. The time-travel is straightforward and easy to follow and the characters are realistic and relatable.

‘Yesterday Is History’ will be available on February 2, 2021.

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

‘Malice’ by Heather Walter

 

5 stars

Book Blurb:

“A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” true love is more than a simple fairy tale.

Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.

You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either. 

Until I met her.

Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.

But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world. 

Nonsense again.

Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I— 

I am the villain.”

Review:

Narrated entirely by ‘the villain’ in the same lovely and flowing manner in which the book blurb was written, ‘Malice’ is a creative and original sapphic re-imagining of ‘Sleeping Beauty.’

Though Alyce resembles Maleficent quite a bit, she is not actually intended to be *the* dark fairy we’re all familiar with.  This re-telling includes other minor alterations as well as major plot changes and a richly developed world full of Fae, Vila, Demons, Shifters, Imps, and more. 

I appreciated that many elements of the classic tale were included, such as true love’s kiss, magic activating with the prick of a finger, and court-approved magic involving beauty, healing, and music.  Like Maleficent, Alyce often remains uninvited to palace events and parties, and is feared and hated for her different blood and magic abilities.

Highly recommended for fans of all fairy-tale retellings and F/F pairings.  ‘Malice’ will also likely appeal to readers who enjoy vivid descriptions of palaces, court wardrobes, makeup, and food, such as in ‘The Selection’ series.

‘Malice’ will be available on April 13, 2021.

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

'Of Wicked Blood' by Olivia Wildenstein and Katie Hayoz

5 magical stars!

"NO REST FOR THE WICKED . . . OR THE CURSED.

SLATE
I didn’t mean to steal the Bloodstone from the De Morel’s crypt.
Scratch that, I did mean to steal it.
Until I realized it was a curse-magnet that only comes off if I, along with a jolly trio, successfully defeat four curses.
If any of us fail, I’m dead.
I’ve never been a glass half-empty sort of person, but my glass looks in dire need of a refill right about now.
The only highlight of this wicked treasure hunt: feisty, entitled Cadence de Morel.


CADENCE
I was raised on tales of magic, in a small town reputed to be the birthplace of French witchcraft.
Did I believe all the stories I heard? Absolutely not. I mean, if magic existed, Maman wouldn’t have died, and Papa wouldn’t be stuck in a wheelchair, right?
Wrong.
The night Slate Ardoin waltzes into my life, wearing a ring he stole from my mother’s grave, I call him a monster.
But then I meet real ones, and Slate, well . . . he becomes something else to me.
Something frustrating to live with but impossible to live without.
Something I will fight for, no matter the cost.


*Warning: profuse cursing (and not just the magical kind)."


Review:

This book knocked my socks off! Slate and Cadence's narrating was top-notch and hilarious at times, really enjoyed the alternating points of view and being inside both of their heads.

"THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES meets THE SECRET CIRCLE" is a perfect description. This tale of lost artifacts and hidden family histories is set in a spooky town full of mist and mysteries. Cannot recommend highly enough!

'Of Wicked Blood' will be available on February 2, 2021.

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

‘The Afterlife of the Party’ by Marlene Perez

5 stars

Book Blurb:
 
“When my best friend Skyler told me about this party in the Hollywood Hills, I was less than enthused. As it turned out, my feelings were more than justified. That party ruined my life. 
 
Tansy didn’t even want to go to the party. It’s hard enough living in one of your best friend’s shadows and secretly in love with your other best friend. 
 
And now she’s leaving it a vampire.
 
Now her best friend Skyler is stuck on the road trip from hell, on tour as a groupie with a literal band of vamps. Tansy sets out with Vaughn, her other BFF turned maybe more, to save Skylar’s life and take down the band. But when they find themselves in the middle of a vampire war, will Tansy be able to make the ultimate sacrifice to save her friends?”

 
Review:

This was the fun and lighthearted paranormal read I needed right now.  It's easy to root for Tansy's adventure to save her BFF and the slow-burn romance brewing between her and Vaughn is entirely swoon-worthy.  Looking forward to the next book in this series! 

‘The Afterlife of the Party’ will be available on February 2, 2021.

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

'Midnight Sun' (The Twilight Saga #5) by Stephenie Meyer

5 stars!

Book Blurb:

“When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella's side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward's version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward's eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting Bella is both the most unnerving and intriguing event he has experienced in all his years as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward's past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he justify following his heart if it means leading Bella into danger?”

Review:

Really enjoyed Edward's narrating and learning new details of this familiar story! It had been years since I'd last read the series, so I re-read 'Twilight' about a week before 'Midnight Sun' was released. I think having the story fresh in my mind from Bella's point of view made this an even more enjoyable read for me; his thoughts on their relationship and learning more about him and the Cullens as he remembered their history at certain points.

Grab your copy today!

‘The Love Study’ by Kris Ripper

Five stars

Book Blurb:

“What happens when the search for the perfect date goes perfectly wrong? 

Don’t miss this charming romantic comedy from critically acclaimed author Kris Ripper.

Declan has commitment issues. He’s been an office temp for literally years now, and his friends delight in telling people that he left his last boyfriend at the altar.

And that’s all true. But he’s starting to think it’s time to start working on his issues. Maybe.

When Declan meets Sidney—a popular nonbinary YouTuber with an advice show—an opportunity presents itself: as part of The Love Study, Declan will go on a series of dates arranged by Sidney and report back on how the date went in the next episode.

The dates are…sort of blah. It’s not Sidney’s fault; the folks participating are (mostly) great people, but there’s no chemistry there. Maybe Declan’s just broken.

Or maybe the problem is that the only person he’s feeling chemistry with is Sidney.”

Review:

‘The Love Study’ centers around our narrator, Declan, and his awesome queer found family.  Readers are privy to his every thought, which makes this tale realistic and highly relatable; both for readers within the queer community and for anyone who has ever been slightly awkward or felt anxiety.

The cast of characters are all in their mid- to upper-twenties and use adult language accordingly.  Though the actual romance is fade-to-black, the characters are sex-positive and openly discuss various aspects of queer life, both in and out of the bedroom.

I really enjoyed that the plot was centered around Declan’s fear, insecurities, and awkwardness, and also hopefulness about dating and his friends helping him get through it, rather than on the queer identities of the cast.  The effects of homophobia and transphobia on their lives is mentioned, but it is not the through-line of the story.  There is an actual plot here.

Grab ‘The Love Study’ on September 29, 2020!

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

‘The P.A.N.’ by Jenny Hickman

4.5 stars and straight on till morning

Book Blurb:

“Since her parents were killed, Vivienne has always felt ungrounded, shuffled through the foster care system. Just when liberation finally seems possible—days before her eighteenth birthday—Vivienne is hospitalized with symptoms no one can explain.

The doctors may be puzzled, but Deacon, her mysterious new friend, claims she has an active Nevergene. His far-fetched diagnosis comes with a warning: she is about to become an involuntary test subject for Humanitarian Organization for Order and Knowledge—or H.O.O.K.

Vivienne can either escape to Neverland’s Kensington Academy and learn to fly (Did he really just say fly?) or risk sticking around to become a human lab rat.

But accepting a place among The P.A.N. means Vivienne must abandon her life and foster family to safeguard their secrets and hide in Neverland’s shadows… forever.”

Review:

‘The P.A.N.’ is a cleverly written blend of contemporary YA and fairy-tale re-imagining which blends and continues the ‘Peter Pan’ story we all know and love.  This tale is somewhat self-aware; it explains the existence of JM Barrie’s book, ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ and provides background for different elements associated with it; Peter Pan, Tink, fairy dust, flying, second star to the right, lost boys and girls, never growing up, Hook, and the crocodile.

We follow Vivienne as her Nevergene activates around her eighteenth birthday and the charming and handsome Deacon shows up to help her through the change and bring her to Neverland, one of the P.A.N. headquarters.

I really liked Vivienne’s optimism.  She is a believable character with just enough skepticism to keep things realistic in the fanciful new world of secrets she finds herself in.  Author Jenny Hickman chose to keep the tone relatively light; though Vivienne’s life in foster care was mediocre and she misses her birth parents and siblings, she doesn’t spend much time being upset about these things, which helps the story move forward in a lighter way.

Vivienne meets some really good people at Neverland; her roommate, classmates, and Deacon’s friends are all caring, and lots of fun when they start breaking the rules.  Deacon is a great love interest for her; their interactions consist of witty banter at times and shy, hesitant conversations at others.  He was raised in the Neverland environment and knows the answers to nearly all her questions, even though he doesn’t always share them.

The characters alone are enough for me to want to continue reading this series, but there are a few unanswered questions, especially one regarding H.O.O.K. that has me hooked on the P.A.N. and their world.

Fly away with ‘The P.A.N.’ on October 14, 2020!

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