I want a kiss in the morning: THE ROMANTIC TRAGEDIES OF A DRAMA KING.

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a rather precious book with a very dramatic protagonist, but Patrick "Patch" does a pretty good job of winning you over.

He's over-the-top and melodramatic, but that's just his way. Patch is a teen, learning to be a gay teen, a better friend, and a good person. And--most importantly to him--he's on a quest to get his first boyfriend. With the help of his best friend, Jean, he's looking at two options from his Drama Club: quiet and shy Sam and Sam's American friend, Patrick.

As Patrick and the club work on putting together a production of Sweeney Todd, Patch and Jean rankle at the fact that their friend turned nemesis, Tessa, is back in the club too--and catching Patrick's eye. Patch's way of approaching the world is filled with confidence and drama, with the writing almost coming across as satire at times. It makes you laugh though and shines with humor and realism.

It's great to read a YA book filled with queer teens (and allies, as Jean would be quick to point out). It's a sweet story, with plenty of teen theatrics--both literal and emotional. There's a full cast of side characters, including Patch's aggrieved English teacher who must listen to his rants, and Jean deserves her own book. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Wednesday Books in return for an unbiased review.

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I was walking with a ghost: THE LAST SESSION.

The Last Session by Julia Bartz
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

At first, THE LAST SESSION felt like a familiar premise—a retreat that turns out to be a cult—but then it took a sharp turn into outright absurdity.

Marketed as a "locked room" thriller, the story only begins to touch on that aspect about a quarter of the way through the book, and even then, it's a stretch. Thea, our unreliable narrator, finds herself trapped at a New Mexico retreat for a few days, but the real sense of entrapment comes from being stuck with her disjointed narrative and a cast of bizarre, unlikable characters.

The plot follows Thea, a therapist, who becomes overly involved with her patient Catherine. This connection leads her to the retreat, which may or may not be a front for a cult. Supposedly mysterious events unfold, but they're hard to take seriously. The story is riddled with references to past lives and leans heavily on Stargirl—a strange, fictional movie Catherine starred in as a teen—which becomes a central, if perplexing, thread in the plot.

The characters’ decisions are baffling and often defy logic, even when the book provides shaky backstories to justify them. The narrative is a series of odd twists, many revolving around Stargirl, but none of them felt grounded or satisfying. As a reader, I found myself cringing at the implausibility of the characters’ actions and the awkward execution of the story.

Ultimately, I kept reading in the hope that things would improve, but they didn’t. THE LAST SESSION left me more frustrated than thrilled, with its over-the-top plot and lack of coherence.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books in return for an unbiased review. It releases in April 2025!

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While your eyes are burning holes in me: LET'S CALL A TRUCE.

Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute and timely read though not strong enough that it will stick with me.

Juliana's husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her to raise their two daughters; she returns to work in a Human Resources role and meets Ben, who crushes her dreams on the first day by insulting the fact that she's a working mom and implying that she's an inexperienced liability. The two never hash it out, but instead hate each other for a solid two years, sparring in the office. This despite the fact that they weirdly share a best friend, Asia, who is another colleague at their firm.

Eventually Ben and Juliana, of course, must work together on an inclusion initiative at their firm (hence the timely part - DEI haters, go away). If they want to succeed in their careers, they are going to have to suck it up and get along. Juliana has always found Ben attractive (what's more sexy than a man who insults you?), so she suddenly can't focus on her work.

What I liked: I always enjoy books set in a corporate setting; I work in one, so it's nice to see my own life in a book sometimes. Juliana has a wonderful support system in her boss, which is lovely to see. The parts about inclusion were great too. The story did a good job of exploring Juliana's grief, her struggles with single motherhood and trying to support her family after her husband's death, and her attempts to move on, both as a parent and romantically. And, the kids! I am a sucker for books with cute kids.

What I didn't like: Not much happens? The book focuses so much on Ben and Juliana hating each other to the detriment of forward progress in other areas. We get it. They both despised one another while secret sparks existed. Please move forward. And while this anger fermented, instead of driving up the chemistry, it didn't draw me to them as a couple. Their reasons to stay apart felt forced; she avoided him for TWO years due to one outburst, and Ben, oh Ben, he needed to toughen up in his own life and make some freaking decisions.

The second half of this book was definitely better than the first, so it ends on a high note. It's a cute and fun read albeit frustrating at times. 3.25 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review.

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This longing's gonna make us strong: IF I DIG YOU.

If I Dig You by Colby Wilkens
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book lured me in with promises of National Treasure meets Count Your Lucky Stars, but alas, those were lofty dreams and promises, and it did not deliver.

The story of archaeologists Louise and Isi is marred by repetition and a lack of communication, under delivering on any adventure or excitement. Louise has recently returned home: she once promised to always be there for her best friend Isi, but then ran away after a bad romance, hurting Isi despite her love for her. She's now scared of hurting her again, and being hurt. Isi, meanwhile, has lost her mom, a famous archaeologist. She too can't tell Louise how she feels, and is instead a bit neglected and lost.

Isi discovers a journal tied to her mother's research of Cherokee treasure, but the two are kidnapped by a wealthy woman and her goons who want them to decipher the clues and find the treasure for them, not the Cherokee people. Louise and Isi wander the woods like idiots and lust after each other, but, despite ample time to talk, DO NOT. Don't worry, though, there are about eight million descriptions--all nearly exactly the same--of them ogling each other, as well as the them rehashing their same thoughts and feelings on the situation, OVER. And OVER. And then again.

There's plenty of archaeological talk and very little actual adventure. Oh and did I mention the rehashing of feelings and the same thoughts over and over. (Couldn't resist.) The story gets a tiny bit better at the end with more focus on the actual treasure hunting, but overall, this was just strange. There's a magical element, but even that is repetitive. And how do Isi and Louise cause a lot of damage in their said adventure without any consequences?

Lots of promise here, but it winds up a jumbled, overdone mess.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review. It releases in March 2025.

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I’m drinking coffee and arguing with ghosts: TWENTY-SEVEN MINUTES.

Twenty-Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this one hard to put down, even though it leans more toward a character-driven drama than a traditional thriller.

Interestingly, I had a hunch about the plot twist early on, but that didn’t make the story any less compelling. It’s the kind of book that pulls you in, making you want to devour it in one sitting. The novel revolves around Phoebe, the golden girl of her small town, who dies in a car crash. Her older brother, Gabe, was behind the wheel, with fellow high schooler Becca in the back seat. The controversy explodes when it's revealed that Gabe waited twenty-seven minutes before calling for help—long enough for Phoebe to die. The fallout is devastating: their mother blames Gabe, his injuries end his football dreams, and Becca is left feeling invisible, overshadowed by the town’s obsession with the tragedy of Phoebe and Gabe.

Tate masterfully blurs the lines between reality and memory, weaving the story through multiple perspectives—Gabe, Becca, and June, whose brother Wyatt disappeared around the same time as the crash. Now, a decade later, with the anniversary just days away, the town is preparing for a "celebration" (or is it a memorial?), dredging up long-buried emotions. The novel skillfully shifts between past and present, heightening the suspense as we inch closer to the moment of the accident.

The small-town drama is incredibly well-executed, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere of secrets and lies. Some characters, like teenage Phoebe and Gabe, long to escape, while others, like Becca, just want to be seen. Tate’s writing is sharp and immersive, packed with intricate details that make the narrative all the more gripping.

A haunting, emotionally charged read—definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon.

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Oh, we are lit within: MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was in the mood for a cute romance between a "normal" person and a famous actor, and Marlowe Banks, Redesigned absolutely delivered.

Marlowe relocates across the country to take a job as a costume production assistant, fleeing the sting of bad reviews that tanked a show she worked on in NYC. Instead of designing, she’s stuck running errands and sorting receipts for her demanding boss, Babs. But when she unexpectedly steps in as a background actor, she shares a smoldering look with Angus Gordon, one of the show's leads—and the moment goes viral. Suddenly, Marlowe finds herself not just on-screen but also entangled in Angus' world.

Dating a celebrity (or appearing on a hit show) isn’t exactly ideal for someone with a deep fear of failure and public scrutiny. And Angus has his own struggles, too. If these two want a real shot, they’ll have to navigate their insecurities together.

This is a slow burn—Marlowe takes forever to realize Angus might actually like her—but it works. Their dynamic is sweet, funny, and refreshingly built on friendship rather than the typical insta-love found in Hollywood romances.

The behind-the-scenes TV set moments are a delight, and the supporting cast shines—especially Cherry, Marlowe’s hilarious and empowering best friend (yes, she’s the classic queer bestie, but she’s fantastic), and Babs, who may be a bit of a tyrant but plays the role of grumpy boss to perfection.

Beyond the romance, the book also offers thoughtful commentary on celebrity culture and the unrealistic images the media projects. Marlowe’s past relationships add emotional depth, highlighting themes of self-worth and breaking free from harmful conditioning.

Watching Marlowe and Angus come into their own—and into each other’s arms—is a truly satisfying journey. They’re an adorable couple, and their love story is one worth rooting for. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

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The weight of the world, it disappears in your eyes: I THINK THEY LOVE YOU.

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters


Fake dating with cute, queer BIPOC main characters? Sign me up.

This was a great, easy read that still covered some difficult topics. Denzel and Braylon fell in love at the University of Georgia, but broke up at graduation due to job commitments and a lack of communication. They reunite unexpectedly and wind up fake dating to impress Denzel's wealthy and famous family as he attempts to take over for his father as CEO and so that Braylon can earn a promotion at the non-profit where he works.

Shockingly, fake dating reignites old feelings and past sparks.

These two are a freaking adorable couple. Denzel has the weight of the world on his shoulders thanks to family pressure, with 24 Carter Gold, the family event planning business, catering to the rich and famous. Braylon is just a sweetie, working at a non-profit for queer teens and recovering from the loss of his father. Both of these young men need to talk more to one another, but oh my, there's still plenty of spice and fun as well.

The story also does an excellent job of showing how much harder BIPOC, especially queer men, must work to prove themselves to others. I enjoyed its focus on family and loving who you are.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review.

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She drives a hard bargain with a woman's touch: WE ALL LIVE HERE.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I typically enjoy Jojo Moyes, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It’s engaging, but it treads familiar ground—a struggling, divorced author and mom juggling family chaos and career uncertainty.

Lila is trying to keep life together post-divorce, raising her daughters, Celie and Violet, while sharing a home with her stepfather, Bill, who moved in after her mother passed away. The irony? She built her career on a bestselling book about her "perfect" marriage—one that has since crumbled. Now, she’s under pressure from her publisher to rebrand as a fun, sexy single mom, but inspiration is nowhere to be found.

Enter her long-estranged father, Gene, a charming yet self-absorbed actor. His sudden reappearance stirs up plenty of tension, particularly with Bill, who harbors deep resentment toward him. As Lila struggles with writer’s block, family drama, and personal insecurities, nothing seems to be going as planned.

I had a hard time fully rooting for Lila. While character growth is essential, she often comes across as self-absorbed—neglecting her kids, belittling the kindhearted gardener, and using people's personal stories as writing material without much thought. She also fails to appreciate either of her father figures. Gene, for all his flaws, at least has some heartwarming moments with her daughters, and Bill, despite his quirks (and questionable health-conscious cooking), is endearingly steadfast.

Honestly, I would have loved more from Gene, Bill, and Celie’s perspectives. Their dynamics were more compelling than Lila’s romantic woes, which felt repetitive. While the story is easy to read, it doesn’t break new ground. Lila’s fixation on needing a man overshadowed the strong family bonds already present in her life, which was frustrating.

Overall, this is a quick, readable novel, but not one that will stay with me.

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