Cheating time cheating death: YOU BELONG HERE.

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am always willing to read anything by Megan Miranda, even if some books are more of a hit than others.  YOU BELONG HERE is a solid 3.5 star read.

I found its overly theatrical writing style a bit much at times, but it’s a great twisty thriller with some excellent turns that took me by surprise. Plus, I’m always a sucker for a Virginia setting, even if it’s fictious (I hope!). Beckett attended local Wyatt College, thanks to the fact that her parents were both professors there. But senior year, tragedy strikes, leaving two local men dead, and Beckett is shipped off to finish her college years overseas. She returns pregnant with her daughter Delilah and rarely speaks of the incident again.

So, imagine her surprise when Delilah secretly applies to Wyatt and receives a scholarship! When she gets a strange phone call for Delilah and can’t reach her, Beckett worries that the past is coming back to haunt her.  This is such a tense book, brimming with parental fear and small-town anger and secrets! The dark, academic setting shines; you can practically hear the wind (“the howling”) whipping through the mountains behind Wyatt College. Miranda deftly ties together Delilah’s story with her mother’s past, slowly revealing what happened with Beckett via flashbacks that intertwine with the present-day story. It’s a very effective mechanism, as I found this story very difficult to put down. At the same time, beyond its eerie vibes, this is a story of motherhood—and how far a mother would go to protect her daughter. It’s a little wild sometimes, but a good page-turner.

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

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Go run my name into the ground: BROKEN COUNTRY.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a gorgeous and emotional book.

Beth has a teenage love affair with the wealthy Gabriel Wolfe, which ends badly, and she marries Frank, a local farmer, who has always adored her. They have a son, Bobby--and Bobby and their farm are their entire world. But when Bobby dies in a horrible accident, their happiness is shattered. Now Gabriel is back in their village, divorced, with his own son Leo in tow. When Frank's brother Jimmy shoots Leo's dog to prevent it from attacking the farm's flock, a series of events unfold, upending the entire village.

This beautiful, tragic story is told in back and forth fashion, veering between the past and present, leading up to an incident we're told has happened from the first pages: "the farmer is dead." It's suspenseful and emotional.

The book does an amazing job of showing how Bobby's death has affected Beth, stoic Frank, and Jimmy--his proud uncle, who has turned to alcohol again with his nephew's death. These characters are painted so beautifully with amazing nuances and depth. Beth reacts by forming a bond with Leo--the only one willing to hear about her late son. Frank stuffs his emotions down, but cannot help but feel angry at how much time his wife is spending with her former lover. And Jimmy, who once helped his sister-in-law deliver his beloved nephew--reverts to old ways without the stability Bobby brought to his family.

While this book is sad, it's so beautifully written and often hopeful too. I found it hard to put down and a wonderful exploration of motherhood, love, and village life. 4.5 stars.

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Time stands in a duel: THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM.

The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a beautifully written story about love and loss, all wrapped in the layers of a mystery.

Nora and her somewhat estranged half brother Sam do not believe that their father Liam's death--a fall over a cliff--was an accident. Nora reluctantly joins with Sam to investigate and in the process, learns a great deal about Sam, about herself, and about her father.

Liam was a wealthy man, with three ex-wives, and Sam and Nora have much to untangle about their father's life. There are a variety of twists and surprising turns about Liam's life (and death), but also a plethora of emotional moments as we watch Sam reckon with his father's death and his own life choices. Nora, meanwhile, grapples with her flailing relationship with her fiance, Jack, seeing it within the prism of the loss of both her father and mother.

While present-day chapters focus on Nora and Sam's quest to find out what happened to their father, other chapters describe Liam's love story with a mystery woman, showing a surprising depth and emotion not expected of this meticulous, rich man who seemingly discarded so many wives. In fact, much of this book is tender and thoughtful, including Sam and Nora's slowly renewed sibling relationship.

This is a lyrical story about family and grief, yet it remains captivating as we unravel the events surrounding Liam's fall. 4+ stars.

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Or would we never know the fortunes that we had 'til we grow old: THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK.

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was surprisingly good. I was prepared for predictability with yet another plot centering around the daughter of a cop--now a detective herself--struggling with their history with their father, losing her murdered sister, and investigating a series of missing girls. But ELLIE BLACK is a sad and haunting tale that keeps you guessing and reading.

In the present-day we hear from Chelsey (detective), Ellie herself, Ellie's boyfriend, and Ellie's parents as they all narrate her return after being missing for over two years. The timeline in the past comes from Ellie, at 17, and explains the circumstances of her disappearance. Present-day Ellie has no desire to explain to Chesley what happened to her, frustrating the detective beyond words, and taking her back to her own youth, when her sister died.

Chelsey is a flawed character and comes across very real, even frustrating. As does Ellie--there's no "hero worship" of our victim here. Even Ellie herself will admit she wasn't the perfect daughter before her disappearance. This is a dark book, with plenty of damaged characters, and it dives deeply into violence toward women. I found it hard to put down, with a plethora of twists and surprises. 4.25 stars.


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The bridges that I burned and the trains I didn't catch: DAUGHTER OF MINE.

Daughter of Mine by Megan Miranda
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This felt more like classic Megan Miranda--a taunt page-turner that keeps you reading until the end. Hazel returns to her hometown upon her father's death and is surprised to learn that he, the town's beloved Sheriff, left her (and only her) his house on the lake. This does not go over well with her brothers, Caden and Gage, who now serve in the local force as well. His death literally brings up the past, when a drought unearths two cars in the nearby lake.

DAUGHTER relies on the oft-used trope of someone returning to their hometown, always a small town where everyone knows your business, to try to puzzle out a crime on their own. Miranda does a good job with the material though, building up suspense while slowly revealing more details. The story is dark and atmospheric. Hazel tended to pontificate a bit much for my taste, but I enjoyed how the book delved into the twisted world of family ties and secrets. Hazel is scarred by her mom leaving her behind as a teen, and mother issues permeate the tale. It gets a little wild at the end, but I was along for the ride.

This is a tense and suspenseful tale for those who love small town thrillers. 3.75 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon Element / Marysue Rucci Books in return for an unbiased review.

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By the dark of the moon there's a fire in the night: THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE.

The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A hyped novel that lives up to it all. FIRE is such a powerful story based on real life events--a fire that occurred in a theater in Richmond in 1811. I tend to shy away from historical fiction, but I was captivated by the tale of four characters, each of whom are in the theater when the fire starts. We hear from Sally Henry Campbell, attending with her sister; Jack, a stagehand; Cecily, a slave there with her mistress; and Gilbert, a blacksmith and slave dreaming of a better life.

FIRE is incredibly sad but so realistic; it made the time period real for me in a way that history books just can't. The absolute injustice of slavery is on full display, as we see how Cecily is assaulted and abused by her master's son, while Gilbert and his wife live separately, dreaming of buying their freedom and having a life together.

There's also a focus on strength of women, of all kinds, as we see Sally's absolute horror and shock at how many women are left behind to die in the theater, and how she decides to react to that realization. Beanland writes these characters so well: I was attached to each and totally captivated by their journeys. 4+ stars.


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Ode to the girls who don't marry well: VLADIMIR.

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Sometimes I think a book is just too intelligent for me, and VLADIMIR is one of those. This book might have made more sense if discussed in a group, or dissected in class, but when I read it alone, I just wanted it to be over. I did not find our unnamed protagonist, a professor in her fifties, to be either likable nor nuanced. Her husband, John, heads the English department at their small college, but is swept up in scandal. He's been accused of sleeping with several of his students. Our professor finds herself unnaturally focused on a new, younger professor Vladimir. She shares, ad nauseum, her inappropriate thoughts about him, while focusing on all the things she hates about herself. She also hates John, and their marriage, and it seems, many of her students, Vladimir's wife, eating properly, and much more.

VLADIMIR seems like it's saying a lot of smart things about society, academia, feminism, and more. I think a lot of it went over my head. I didn't enjoy the plot and while it has some sort of crazy twist, it felt forced and unbelievable. This one was not my cup of tea. 2.5 stars.

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July is dressed up and playing her tune: THE UNEXPECTED EVERYTHING.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andie has her whole life planned out when it's derailed by an investigation into her Congressman father. When scandal hits her dad and his campaign, her hard won internship is lost, and she winds up with a job walking dogs for the summer. While doing so, she meets Clark, a handsome young author. But falling for Clark, spending time with her father, and enjoying a carefree job requires Andie to reach deep and get past her fears of being hurt in relationships and left behind--something she's dealt with since her mother passed away and her father focused fully on his job. Opening up to something real and true isn't easy.

This was a surprisingly emotional YA read, filled with nuanced characters and plenty of teen drama. Andie could certainly be frustrating. Even though we know she is this way because of her mom's death and her father's career, I still wanted to shake her sometimes. She could make some terrible decisions! But, it's nice to see a realistic teen character with some depth. I also enjoyed that this was a teen book that featured parties and teen antics, but didn't focus solely on drinking, sex, and drugs. A bit refreshing. Though I was surprised Andie's dad was okay with his high school daughter dating a nineteen-year-old!

I enjoyed Andie's interactions with her father, even though his changing emotions seemed a bit improbable at times. The book focuses on family and friendships, with a lot of time spent on Andie's friend group. Much of their story is told via text message, as well as narrative. I preferred reading about Andie's relationships with Clark and her father. This is a very long book, and it was the teen drama with her friends that made it feel so lengthy.

The dog walking angle is cute and funny (Bertie the dog may be the true hero of the story), and Clark's fantasy writing adds a different touch. There's a lot going on in EVERYTHING, but I enjoyed its message about living life to the fullest and insights into friendship, loss, and grief. 3.75 stars, rounded up.

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My heart still holds the memories forgotten from my mind: THICKER THAN WATER.

Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Julia Larkin sometimes thinks she loves her sister-in-law, Sienna, more than her own husband, Jason. Though to Sienna, Jason can do no wrong. For Julia, things are more complicated, especially with Jason working long hours to try to earn a promotion--and a recent betrayal that has Julia questioning everything. Things get even worse when Jason's boss, Gavin, is brutally murdered and Jason is then in a car accident. While he's in a coma, the police tell Julia and Sienna he's the main suspect in Gavin's murder. The two have to try to clear Jason's name while keeping their own friendship intact.

This is a character-driven exploration with a mystery behind it, as Julia and Sienna attempt to discover who killed Gavin. This story focuses more on Julia and Sienna at its core than Gavin's death, delving into their friendship and each of their (oft complicated) relationships with Jason. Sienna, it seems, is infinitely loyal to Jason, while the revelations about Jason make things more complicated for Julia, a pushover in her relationship with her husband. It also seems that she has no problem pretty much abandoning her 14-year-old Aiden, the poor kid, who is left at home while his father festers in a coma and his mother is off doing who knows what.

There's a lot of talk about the past and an incident with Sienna and Jason as teens. For me, there was too much repetition and discussion of feelings (so much angst and emotion) and less forward movement on finding out what happened the night Gavin died. There are no huge surprises in this one--there are some twists, but none were too surprising. Overall, I liked the story, but it wasn't too memorable or spectacular. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review.

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All the years seemed to take up air : THE BLACK KIDS.

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Ashley is a senior in high school grappling with college admissions and the fact that she feels like she's drifting apart from her best friends, whom she's known since she was a little kid. Then four police officers are acquitted in the brutal beating of Rodney King and the riots begin. As one of the few "black kids" at her school, she feels acutely affected by the violence unfolding around her. It forces her to take a step back and truly take in the world around her.

This was an amazing read. It offers an honest and moving examination of racism, friendship, and class. But it's also Ashley's story and how she's trying to find herself, just like any teen. Her parents have worked hard to shield her from the world, but there's only so much protection parents can provide. The way the book covers historic events through the prism of Ashley's eyes is really unique, and honestly, quite educational for me, as I was young when the riots hit and should have spent more time learning about them when I was older.

This is a beautiful story (the writing is gorgeous) and it covers such important topics. I was completely immersed in THE BLACK KIDS. 4.5 stars.

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We're all about the same when you turn out the lights: VERY BAD PEOPLE.

Very Bad People by Kit Frick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Six years ago, Calliope's mom drowned in a tragic car accident. Calliope and her two younger sisters survived the crash, but they never knew exactly what caused their mother to drive into the lake, and it's haunted Calliope ever since. Now, at sixteen, she's heading to Tipton Academy, the same boarding school her mom and aunt attended. Once there, she's invited to join Haunt and Rail, an exclusive secret society at Tipton that she discovers her mom was a member of as well, too. Haunt and Rail's members, or "ghosts," are committed to social justice causes, but when they rally around exposing a faculty member, Calliope realizes that some of the members may go too far for what they believe. Calliope soon discovers a tie between Haunt and Rail and her mom's death. But the more she investigates, the more she may be in danger.

This twisty young adult thriller starts off a little slow, but quickly picks up. It's rather dark, since it involves her mother's death, and Calliope is quite devastated (understandably) by her passing. Boarding school mysteries can go either way, but this one is intriguing and also presents a diverse cast with plenty of representation, which I always appreciate. The secret society is a fun way to go, and there are plenty of surprising twists. Calliope is a great main character, and she's easy to root for. I also enjoyed that she has a romance, but it's in no way the focus of this YA story--how refreshing, right? There is an ambiguous ending, which -- ahh -- but I still really enjoyed this one. If you like your YA ominous, diverse, and twisty, you'll enjoy this one. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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I never wanted to say goodbye: THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A riveting mystery about a missing man

Hannah and Owen have not been married very long before he disappears without a trace. He leaves behind a brief note stating, "Protect her." Hannah knows the note refers to Owen's sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey lost her mother as a child, and Owen is all she has. Meanwhile, the company Owen works for is caught up in a swirl of scandal, while the FBI and U.S. Marshals show up on Hannah's doorstep. The more Hannah investigates, the more she realizes that Owen must have been hiding secrets about his past. And those secrets may be putting her and Bailey in grave danger.

"Owen's note is short. One line, its own puzzle. Protect her."

This was an excellent page-turner: a wonderful character-driven mystery that sucked me in from the very beginning. It keeps you wondering and guessing from the start. Why did Owen disappear? Is he a good guy or a bad one? We discover things as Hannah does, and the book is so engrossing. She and Bailey unravel Owen's past, becoming detectives themselves, and we get snippets from the past they do.

It's fascinating trying to piece everything together. I was frantically flipping the pages, and I read this one in only a couple of settings. The language is flowery but absorbing. In addition to the key disappearance, Dave reflects on Hannah's relationships with both Owen and Bailey. If you want to get lost in a good mystery for a couple of days (or hours), I highly recommend this one.

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S, A to Z Challenge: SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun, summery YA read

This is the nineteenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

When Emily's best friend Sloane disappears, right on the cusp of the epic summer they have planned, she feels adrift. Sloane is outgoing while Emily is shy, and she doesn't know what to do without her friend. But then a letter arrives from Sloane, with a list of things Emily should do over the summer, such as "kiss a stranger," "dance until dawn," "hug a Jamie," and more. Very little on the list are things Emily feels comfortable with--they are more Sloane-esque--but she embarks on them anyway, hoping they will bring her friend back. Soon she has the unexpected help of Frank Porter, an upstanding fellow classmate and not normally a friend of hers, and her summer is off to an interesting start.

This is a fun and fluffy book, with a small but lovable cast of characters. I really liked Emily and adored Frank. I especially identified with Emily due to her shyness and her intense dislike of horses. Somehow the crossing items off a list concept was fresh and intriguing here. It's a very summery book, filled with all those fun summery things: ice cream, road trips, pizza parlors, falling in love, and more.

It is a little concerning that no one seems to worry that Sloane and her family has been kidnapped, when she just disappears, but maybe kidnapped people don't have access to stamps?

Overall, this is a sweet book focused on teen friendship. It's cute and romantic and will make you long for warm summer nights and falling in love for the first time.

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E, A to Z Challenge: EMERGENCY CONTACT.

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This is the fifth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!

Penny Lee is heading to college in Austin, Texas to finally start her life. She's leaving behind her needy Mom, her annoying boyfriend, and everything else. She wants to become a writer and now, she thinks, is when her life will truly begin. For Sam, his life in Austin is at a standstill. He's broken up with his girlfriend and is living above the coffee shop where he works. He has a mattress on the floor, a dying laptop, and a dream of becoming a movie director. When Sam and Penny meet, it's not glamorous or romantic. They know each other, vaguely, via Penny's roommate, Jude. But they soon are texting each other--a lot. Sharing everything about their lives, all the time. But can the two maintain this intimate friendship if they meet again in real life?

I absolutely loved this book. There was just something about it that spoke to me, and I was lost in Sam and Penny's world from practically the first page. I had to laugh, because I read some other reviews that maligned Penny, calling her an unlikable character. However, I felt like Penny was ME--I empathized with her character so much, and found so many good lines in the books that I could relate with. (What that says about me, we won't go into, ha.)

This was such a funny, sweet, and real story. I didn't find Sam and Penny's relationship to be insta-love whatsoever as they bonded over text. As anyone who has met someone and shared things online knows, it can become something so deep and private--offering something about yourself with someone you don't see. I loved the wit and sarcasm in their texts. These are my kind of people--funny, wounded, and just so them.

There's definitely seriousness to this book, and the theme of family runs across the entire novel. Sam and Jude are oddly related in a way I won't unpack here. Sam and Penny both have complicated and difficult relationships with their mothers. Penny's mom is a character unto herself. And we see friendship presented in various ways, including Penny's relationship with Jude, and Jude's best friend, Mallory. I loved all the characters, who are each so individualistic.

Overall, this was just a great book for me. It's funny yet dark at times and the humor was right up my alley. I fell hard for the characters, so everything hit me right in the gut. I can see how it might not be for everyone, but I think it's definitely worth a read. I'm glad my challenge made me finally pick this one up. 4.5 stars.

You can read more about the #atozchallenge here.

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And I told myself I wouldn't fall apart: THE GIRL FROM WIDOW HILLS.

The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars


Arden Mayor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Then she became the miracle of her small town of Widow Hills, Kentucky when she was found clinging for life to a storm drain. Her mother, Laurel, wrote a book. The family received money, fan letters, and, yes, stalkers. Soon it became too much and when she was old enough, Arden changed her name. She became Olivia. Now, as the twentieth anniversary of the incident nears, she has her own life. No one in her new world knows about her past. But when she receives word via phone call about her mother's death, something jolts loose in Olivia. She starts sleepwalking again, waking outside her house. And then one night she awakens, outside yet again, the body of a corpse at her feet. Even worse, the man is someone she knew from her previous life as Arden. Suddenly, Olivia's right back where she started: under scrutiny and media attention. And this time, she isn't the media darling, but a murder suspect.


"I was the girl who survived. The girl who held on. The girl you prayed for, or at least pretended to pray for--thankful most of all that it wasn't your own child down there, in the dark. And after: I was the miracle. The sensation. The story."


I don't have a lot of notes from reading this, but I think it's because I was too caught up in the story. This was a twisty thriller, and I simply wanted to know what happens. You can't ask for much more in a good mystery, can you? I've read a few books lately that cast a strong shadow of doubt on the protagonist (Heather Gudenkauf's This Is How I Lied being a great example)--and Miranda does great work of it here. Olivia sleepwalks, and we have a hard time fully trusting her throughout the novel. Heck, she has a hard time trusting herself.

Of course, there are plenty of other suspects and lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I enjoyed the story of a girl escaping her past, only to find it catching up with her, no matter how hard she tried. We see how the media and attention can unravel even the happiest of tales, how Olivia's mother couldn't handle the pressure, how Olivia had to become a different person to survive. Why, we wonder, does society have to take a happy thing and ruin it.


"The case made all of us, and then it unmade us."


Overall, this was a fast-paced and intriguing read. Olivia is an interesting character, oddly sympathetic despite her possibility of being a murderess. 3.75 stars, rounded to 4 here.

I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It releases on 6/23/2020.

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From the tender touch of your lips: AUTOBOYOGRAPHY.

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When Tanner's family relocates from progressive California to Provo, UT, the bisexual teenager is basically forced back in the closet. While his parents are actually incredibly supportive of his sexuality, their own past experiences lead them to want to keep their son safe and guarded in the largely conservative Mormon community. Now a senior in high school, Tanner is ready to graduate and leave Provo behind. But when his best friend Autumn convinces him to join the Seminar--a rather famous Provo high school class where students write a novel in four months--everything changes. There Tanner meets the Seminar's most well-known graduate, Sebastian Brother, a Mormon who sold his book rights last year. Tanner immediately falls for Sebastian, and he starts chronicling it all: in his own book.

I have a lot of complicated feelings about this book. It's wonderful to see a bisexual protagonist in YA literature, even if Tanner's bisexuality doesn't seem fully explored (and he's not always believed). This is very emotional book, and it certainly wrenched at my heartstrings. From the beginning, it seems pretty clear that there isn't going to be an easy outcome. Sebastian and Tanner are going to fall for each other. The Mormon community doesn't support their brethren being gay. Sebastian can either have Tanner or his family, right?

I also wasn't sure why Tanner's family was so against him a) coming out in Provo or b) falling for a Mormon. We learn that his family has a lot of baggage that causes this, but it was a little strange. The book's exploration of the religious aspect of Mormonism was very interesting and eye-opening, though, as a result, I wasn't sure how realistic the ending was. Still, I found the two boys' exploration and relationship to be heartbreaking and riveting.

There is a lot going on in the book--so many deep emotions, along with coverage of religion and sexuality. I found myself very protective of Tanner and trying to understand his parents, at times, even if they were supportive overall. I even felt that way about Sebastian, even though I couldn't imagine, truly, how he must be feeling, trying to reconcile his own emotions about Tanner against his religious upbringing.

In the end, I liked this one a lot even if I found some areas problematic (Tanner's parents; an incident with Tanner and Autumn; the ending wrapping up a little neatly). It was a very insightful look at religion and sexuality for these two young men and really got me thinking about a lot. Through all the angst, there was a lot of depth and feeling. 4 stars.

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And the battle lines are clearly drawn: THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY.

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I've been in such a YA mood lately and determined to work on my self-imposed #readwhatyouown challenge, so I picked up this one, the first in a trilogy.

I couldn't help but compare this book to Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, but Belly (yes, they call this poor girl Belly) is no Lara Jean.

This is a rather predictable yet fun book as Belly returns to the beach house where she spends each summer with her Mom; her Mom's best friend Susannah; and Susannah's two sons, teenage Conrad and Jeremiah. This summer, Belly is fifteen and growing up--and it seems like everything is changing.

So I resented that Belly supposedly only deserved attention because she was now "pretty," though thankfully another boy comes on the scene who appreciates her for more than her looks. Still, I must admit, I was caught up in the book's drama, and this was pretty much the diversion and break from thrillers that I as seeking. And it definitely made me yearn for the beach. I won't lie, I'll probably check out the second book in the series out of curiosity, despite my complaints. 2.5/3 stars.


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Chase the demons out of my head: THE LAST HOUSE GUEST.

The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Typically the locals and the summer visitors don't mix much in the resort town of Littleport, Maine. But when summer resident Sadie Loman and local Avery Greer meet, they form a fast, intense friendship that lasts nearly a decade. It ends the night of the Plus-One party--the one night where locals and summer guests come together at the summer's end. It's also the night Sadie dies; her body is found on Breaker Breach, where she has drowned after falling off a cliff. The police believe Sadie has committed suicide, but Avery isn't so sure. A year later, she begins digging more into Sadie's death. What she finds leaves her more convinced that ever that Sadie's death wasn't at her own hand--and the more she discovers, the more she wonders if she's in danger, too.

So, I read this book in about 24 hours. It's a fast, quick read. A lot of the plot seems familiar--it was the second book of the last three, I'd read, for instance, where someone died suspiciously after falling off a cliff. The plot definitely has the tried-and-true feel of "friend obsessed with richer/prettier/etc. friend's death yet won't leave it to police even though it makes no sense to investigate on their own." You know where I'm coming from, right? You've been there before.

In this case, Avery is, of course, the local, with no money, who has been taken in by Sadie's family. They've funded her coursework, given her a place to live, and a job--she oversees all of the Loman's rental properties in Littleport. They even bought her grandmother's house. So Sadie--and her family--mean a lot to Avery.


"Sadie was my anchor, my coconspirator, the force that had grounded my life for so many years. If I imagined her jumping, then everything tilted precariously, just as it had that night."


The book is told entirely from Avery's point of view, but it goes back and forth in time. We get the night of the party, when Sadie died, and then the present, a year later. A memorial is coming up for Sadie, dredging up memories for Avery and causing her to question what happened that night. It's an effective formula--Miranda is good at playing with time.

The book has an ominous, creepy feel to it. Weird things start happening at the rental properties for instance, and you can't help but feel that something bad is going to happen. The setting is a good one--a beachy, resort town--and it's easy to visualize the scene. I did enjoy how much this one kept me guessing. Maybe I should have figured things out earlier, but I didn't. I was intrigued about what happened to Sadie, and I kept reading because of that. That being said, I didn't really care about any of the characters in the book. Most of the characters, including the Lomans, seem rich and spoiled, and somehow, I just couldn't find a ton of affection for Avery. I was reading more out of curiosity versus an investment in their storyline.

Overall, this thriller is a quick read that kept me guessing. The characters aren't particularly likeable but the mystery is interesting and the setting somehow both ominous and picturesque. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon & Schuster in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available as of 6/18/2019.

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Simple things that set her far apart: AMERICAN PANDA.

American Panda by Gloria Chao

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Mei is seventeen and already in college at MIT, pursuing a dream. But the dream is that of her parents: become a doctor, marry the right man, and live a successful, secure life. Mei's parents have given up so much for her and her brother to live this dream. Her brother, Xing, however, has been disowned by the family. He is a doctor, but fell for the "wrong" woman, and the family no longer speaks to him. Mei, meanwhile, lives in fear of telling her parents her secret: she doesn't want to be a doctor. At all. She's afraid of germs, she hates biology, and her true passion is dance. She's also falling for a classmate, Darren, who would definitely not be on the parental-approved list. Mei is terrified of letting her parents down--and ending up like Xing. But will she ever have the chance to live her own life?


"Study hard. Bring honor to our family. Do not disappoint us. You know the stakes."


So, I wasn't sure I would really like this one when it started: it seemed a little predictable and got off to a rocky start for me. Mei, for instance, meets a germaphobic doctor "exactly like her" at the school's clinic (what are the odds?!), she's the meek daughter scared of her parents, oh she falls for a boy her parents wouldn't approve of, etc. Luckily, though, the book really grew on me and definitely expanded beyond the expected. Mei is a great character, whom I found myself rooting for, and I couldn't help empathizing with. Her parents, honestly, are just so frustrating and stressful. Sure, you can see where they are coming from and the cultural expectations, yet your heart just breaks for this poor seventeen-year-old and the weight of the world she feels upon her shoulders.


"To them, a secure future was the ultimate gift a parent could give. How could I refuse them when this was their motivation?"


The book really soars as Mei expands her wings in college and experiences some growth--meeting Darren, dancing, and reaching out to her brother. It's really sweet and touching, honestly, watching her make some of her own decisions. For me, her friendship and potential relationship with Darren made the book. It's so adorable and fun and was easily my favorite portion. It was exactly what the book needed and somehow felt fresh and not like the usual YA romances. Mei has a really unique voice, and I felt that Chao did an excellent job of capturing her main character. You cannot help but feel for this girl and start to want what she wants.


"'Look, what I feel-the sense of duty-it's debilitating, makes me feel so ashamed that I don't even care what I want.'"


So, even though things can be a little sweet and simple at times, the book really does cover a range of complex issues--cultural, family, societal, and more. It also does a good job of making you smile, and Mei is a lovely character. (As is Darren!) It might wrap up a little too easily, but it was a really enjoyable read overall, and I think Mei's voice is one sorely lacking in YA. 4 stars.

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I was holding on with everything: THE FAVORITE SISTER.

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


The reality TV show Goal Diggers is supposed to buck the trend of most reality TV, with a focus on the radical notion that it is about women putting other women first. It even features unmarried, childless (for the most part), successful women. But, is that really the case? It sure seems like everyone on Diggers is fake and lying. There's Brett, 27, the youngest of the group, who is running her business, SPOKE, which focuses on helping women in Morocco. Her sister, Kelly is the newest addition, and she runs the business with Brett and is a mom to her teenage daughter, Layla. There's also Jen, who oversees her vegan empire; Lauren, creator of a dating website; and Stephanie, a successful author. None of these women really like each other after several seasons of the show. Even so, the producers never expected it all to end in murder.

I have some conflicted and confused emotions about this book. It took me over a week to read, which is forever in my world (I finished three other books in the meantime, to put it in perspective). You know how your Kindle tells you the percentage left to read? I swear that number never changed, it felt like such slow going, and I considered giving up several times. I really only kept reading because of a big reveal that happened on page one (literally) and then the rest of the book spends its time going back in time explaining what happened. I was mildly curious enough to find out what went down. The novel keeps you wondering just enough even if you don't like the characters.

Because, wow, these characters are really despicable. I can get past it in most books, and I thought maybe I'd like Brett for a while, but this self-centered group really took the cake. I am not a reality TV person, especially Real Housewives, so maybe that's part of why this one wasn't for me? I found the in-fighting, petty catfights, and personal drama to just be over-the-top. It's sad, because at times, I found a real wit and depth to the book, but for the most part it just dragged on. And on.

And again, some of this just may be because I'm not a reality TV gal. I really like Knoll's writing, I just couldn't get a handle on the tone. Funny? Serious? Both? What was it aiming for? Did it all just go over my head? I caught that it was trying for some really meaningful social commentary about feminism, weight, race, and so much more, but then it would get lost in two women fighting over platform heels.

There were some good twists at the end, but overall, this one fell flat for me, including the final ending. I felt like I slogged through it, and I just didn't enjoy the characters. Perhaps I missed the overall point or meaning. Many others have enjoyed it, so you may find it's more suited for you than it was for me.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).

You can read my review of Knoll's THE LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE here.

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