I don't mind not really knowing when it's me and you: ALICE RUE EVADES THE TRUTH.

Alice Rue Evades the Truth by Emily Zipps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So While You Were Sleeping is perhaps my favorite movie of all time. A sapphic homage to the movie definitely piqued my interest.

The beginning definitely echoes the film. Alice saves the life of a man in her office building whom she's been lusting after from afar. The EMTs then tell his family that she's his girlfriend and Alice finds herself unable to tell the truth. Saving Nolan's life is winning her points with her hateful boss, but more importantly, long orphaned Alice finds herself swept up in the warmth of Nolan's boisterous, loving family.

She's soon spending a lot of time with Nolan's butch sister, Van--and Alice, who identifies as bisexual--is quickly drawn to her. There's forced cuddling on the couch and long chats in the car, but it does seem like the two bond a bit quickly. Alice also has a side plot with the reintroduction of a long lost family member and her children.

This story is cute and even funny, but often dark. Alice's backstory is sad, and there's an emotional depth to her feelings for Van. There's nothing wrong with this--just be prepared that it's not always a chipper romcom. It's surprising that this is a debut--it's nuanced and complex, with much depth of feeling.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback in return for an unbiased review.

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Trouble is you got to have yourself an alternate plan: THE LONG CON.

The Long Con: A Novel by Jenna Voris
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I will preface this review by saying that I have absolutely adored all the YA work by Jenna Voris that I've read and that I will continue to read anything else she writes. This one--an adult mystery--just didn't work for me. Sadly, it was a bit of a slog, featuring unlikable characters and an unbelievable plot. Two warring hotel moguls fighting about stuff... who cares? Meanwhile, we have Chloe, a con artist, and her accomplice friends Logan and Priya and then Chloe's nemesis, Harper, a rich girl who likes conning other rich people.

The idea is that there will be a slow burn romance between Chloe and Harper as one hotel exec hires them to steal from another. But there's no slow burn, just a slow... nothing. The two have no chemistry, no witty banter, just anger--with zero pay off. And the con they unite on is not exciting (and not a long con, maybe a week-long con).

The ending is slightly redeemable and Priya and Logan are enjoyable. This one had a lot of promise, but it wasn't my favorite. Others may enjoy it, and I love seeing Voris writing different in genres and across all ages. I can't wait to see what's next, even if this one was a miss for me.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House/Dial Press Trade Paperback in return for an unbiased review.

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Used to dream of getting out: THESE HEATHENS.

These Heathens by Mia McKenzie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was excellent; it made me think, which (let's be honest) I need sometimes.

It's 1960 in Georgia. Doris has had to grow up quickly and leave school to care for her younger brothers after her mother became ill. But now she's 17 and she needs an abortion. As a young, poor Black girl in Georgia, her options are limited. She turns to her only advocate, her former teacher, Mrs. Lucas, who in turn, asks her own friend, Sylvia, a wealthy woman in Atlanta.

What follows is one weekend in Doris' life as she and Mrs. Lucas travel to Atlanta. There the entire world opens up before Doris, as she gets to see the life of the wealthy Black Sylvia and her family. She meets racial advocates (Coretta Scott King stops by!) and boys her own age who are participating in the sit-ins gaining momentum across the country.

It's amazing how much this book packs in over a weekend. It explores so many deep topics through Doris' eyes, including sexual orientation, race, and the power of god versus family. And, of course, abortion. This is a novel that will make you think and reflect on how our past has shaped the present.

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

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But you're a fixer-upper if there ever was: SOME KIND OF FAMOUS.

Some Kind of Famous: A Novel by Ava Wilder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first book by Ava Wilder, but it won't be my last.

SOME KIND OF FAMOUS is a slow burn romance, but both its storyline and characters quickly grew on me, even if our protagonist, Merritt, is a tad prickly at times. Once a famous singer-songwriter, Merritt now lives in a small Colorado town with her twin, Olivia, and Olivia's husband. But it's time for Merritt to move out into her own home, which requires her to hire local handyman, Niko. He's attractive and kind and competent and just far too stable for Merritt to get involved with.

But even Niko has to admit he's pretty fascinated with Merritt. And working on her home offers him a steady paycheck that he just can't turn down. Despite both sides being warned off each other, Merritt and Niko keep getting thrown together--and liking it. But Niko's coming off a terrible breakup and Merritt... well, she's coming off her life. Can they make it work?

This story has plenty of fun sexual tension and laughs, but overall, it's a rather serious romance that explores mental health, Merritt's tough issues as a teen rock star, sexual assault, and more. Both Merritt and Olivia are difficult characters to love: Merritt has been through a lot and she holds people at arm's length while Olivia can be awfully mean and lashes out at her sister in cruel ways. The more we learn about their past, the easier it is to understand their actions. As for Niko, he's one of those trope-filled romance teddy bears that you can't help but love. And he's handy!

This is a really witty story, but it's also insightful and poignant. Both Merritt and Niko have plenty of family drama and there's tons of sexual tension to propel the story forward. Also I'm just a sucker for stories that involve a famous person and a regular person falling for each other, even if some of Merritt's glory days are behind her.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell in return for an unbiased review.

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When I woke the dream was gone: THESE SUMMER STORMS.

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love a good soapy family drama as much as the next person, but there was something about this one that I couldn't fully get into! I attribute a lot of it to the writing style. It was written with these weird choppy short sentences thrown in, which put the rhythm of the story off balance and kept me from fully getting in the flow.

The premise is there. Alice is exiled from her wealthy family, forced to make her own way without her family's preposterous wealth. The only reason she returns to the fold is the death of her egocentric father. On her family's private island, she learns that the terms of inheritance dictate that she and her three siblings will only inherit her father's vast fortune if they all stay on the island for an entire week and complete an inheritance game: a series of tasks laid out by her father and overseen by his righthand man, Jack Dean. For Alice, it feels like a death sentence.

Using the word "games" seems like an outright exaggeration. It's a few stipulations, mostly punctuated by bickering and dealing with their drunken, overwrought mother. Alice forms an odd relationship with Jack. The island setting is dramatic and stark, with many wealthy friends and family headed there for a "celebration of life" for Alice's late father. Alice's three siblings are mostly hateful. Very little happens until a rush of secrets are revealed, most of which seem predictable.

Some of the drama here is enjoyable (rich people problems have their moments, after all), and I didn't mind Alice or Jack, or the island locale, but after all the hype, this one left me a little lacking.

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I've always wondered what was wrong with me: NOT QUITE DEAD YET.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's really fun to read a book with a different premise!

The idea is that Jet has seven days to solve her own murder. On Halloween, she's attacked at home and left for dead. While she awakes several days later, her injuries have left her with a brain aneurysm that will kill her within a week. Jet--who has always pushed things off until "later"--vows to find her killer.

Jet is the best part about this book. She's an excellent witty and sarcastic protagonist. She cracks jokes constantly, even with her impending death. While this is a mystery, it's quirky and layered. The story is tense, keeping you guessing at every turn. It's dark, chock full of family drama along with secrets and small town stories. Jet has a difficult relationship with her family, leading her to stay with her childhood best friend Billy. Their friendship over the week is its own story and adds extra warmth and nuance to an otherwise dark story.

I wasn't sure about reading a book where it was known the protagonist would die, but NOT QUITE DEAD YET is worth the read. It's complex, funny, and mysterious.


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Lured to the ends of overwhelm: SUNSHINE GIRL.

Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life by Julianna Margulies
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My wife and I have been re-watching ER from the beginning, so when I saw this book on my shelves, I picked it up!

This is an interesting memoir, told mainly in a linear fashion. It picks and chooses life moments to highlight, centering around the childhood idea that Margulies was told she's a "sunshine girl," always trying to keep the peace and make everyone happy.

Margulies spends a lot of time on her unstable childhood, discussing her divorced parents, including her flighty mom and reserved father, whom she rarely saw. She and sisters were always moving, often living overseas and away from their father, and she craved stability and normalcy. She had a fascinating childhood and her desire to keep the peace continued into her adult relationships, keeping her in a toxic partnership far too long.

Margulies is very introspective and feelings-based, going into great deal about these important events and moments in her life, often small things that stood out. There's not necessarily a lot of detail about her acting or the shows she was on, which was a little disappointing since I'm in the middle of my ER binge and wanted details.

If you like memoirs driven by character and emotion, versus celebrity status and name-dropping, you'll enjoy this one.

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The night's all that's left behind: THE MISSING HALF.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Nic's life has been in complete disarray since the disappearance of her sister seven years ago. Everyone assumes her older sister, Kasey, is dead, after they found her car abandoned, her belongings still inside. Nic remains in the same dead-end job, living the same dead-end life. Then she meets Jenna, the one person who might understand what she's been through: Jenna's sister Jules disappeared two weeks before Kasey, under nearly the exact same circumstances. The two team up to figure out what happened to their sisters.

This is a well-written mystery that keeps you guessing to the very end. I was convinced I had it all figured out, but wow, I was wrong. It's twisty and incredibly dark, but also character-driven, as we watch Nic negotiate her sad life. Flowers does an excellent job of tying together so many disparate plot threads.

The hardest part of HALF is that Nic is quite unlikable and that personality trait only seems to increase as the book goes on. There is so much drinking in the story, even in the flashbacks, before Nic was 21. It's just dismal and depressing. And the ending was a disappointment for me after all I'd invested into the story; yes, it was twisty and shocking, but not quite how I wanted it all to turn out.

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Where do you go when you're in love and the world knows: THE NEXT CHAPTER.

The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This charming romance brings a delightful Notting Hill energy to the queer bookish world.

Jude, a lovable butch bookseller, is working at The Next Chapter when she unknowingly sells a book to Kat, a former child star turned nearly has-been celebrity. Sparks fly, and the two women begin to orbit each other more closely. For Kat, who’s slowly navigating the complexities of coming out later in life—and in the public eye—Jude seems like the perfect partner to help her take that leap. But for Jude, still reeling from heartbreak and deeply rooted in the bookstore her mother once owned, this relationship is far more than a PR opportunity.

There’s so much to love here, starting with Jude herself. She's thoughtful, endearing, and surrounded by a vibrant cast of quirky, queer friends. She's lost her bookstore-a beacon for queer folks-to a hateful man who wants to whitewash it, and she's struggling. Through it all, her desire to support Kat is honest and selfless.

The story also tackles the nuances of coming out, especially when it happens under the spotlight. Kat’s journey is compelling, though at times frustrating—particularly in how she treats Jude. Her hesitance, while understandable given her past trauma and dependence on her image-conscious agent, sometimes crosses into emotional carelessness. I found myself wishing she’d just talk to Jude more openly!

Despite some of that tension, the chemistry between them sizzles from their very first meeting, and the romance unfolds with both steam and sweetness. The Notting Hill nods—celebrity/“normal person” dynamic, bookstore meet-cute, and other fun Easter eggs—are clever and satisfying.

Ultimately, THE NEXT CHAPTER is a warm, heartfelt read about love, identity, and rediscovering courage. Perfect for fans of celebrity/commoner pairings, queer found families, and stories about learning to believe in yourself again.

I received a copy of this book from Dial Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE NEXT CHAPTER on 06/10/2025!

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Didn't know enough to be scared: WHAT KIND OF PARADISE.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow, this was utterly captivating.

Jane lives in Montana with her father Saul. They've lived in a remote cabin since the death of Jane's mother when Jane was four. Their house is a hour away from the nearest town, powered mainly by solar energy, and Jane is taught solely by her father, who rages against technology and preaches over and over that his daughter must fear "the feds" and other people. Now 17, Jane slowly begins questioning her father and his teachings. When she realizes he's unwittingly drawn her into committing a crime, she runs away and heads to San Francisco, looking for answers about the mother she never knew. It's the mid-90s, the Internet is just starting to come into power, and Jane--sheltered from so much--must decide what choices she'll make for her own survival.

This story was so mesmerizing, weaving a tale of isolation and fear. It was easy to feel how trapped Jane felt and see the power of only one voice in her life. She had so few choices, no other way of life to even dream about, with no access to education (except for the philosophy and anti-technology rants of her father). Still, through Saul, Brown makes excellent points about the control technology has over everyone's lives, including the Internet--it's all very timely for a novel set in the 1990s.

This is a powerful and emotional story, powered by its teenage protagonist. While often naive about the world, Jane is a tough kid and a fascinating person to follow. Her story highlights the importance of education and the stark contrast between parental love and parental control. It's also a relevant story for our technology-focused times.

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

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I'm in the middle of starting over: BACK AFTER THIS.

Back After This by Linda Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one is a slow starter, but it warms up!

Cecily, a podcast producer, agrees to star in a podcast, mostly because she believes it will save jobs at her failing company. She has a bad past with an ex-boyfriend who stole their podcast idea and took off with it, becoming famous, causing Cecily to wonder if she can do the same. The new podcast revolves around Cecily dating and receiving self-help advice from Eliza, a social media influencer. But, right before it starts, she has a "meet cute" with a man named Will and a dog named Buddy. After that, she sees Will everywhere.

Cecily also has problems saying what she wants and standing up for herself, though she's fine as a bossy producer telling others what to do. She's not thrilled with doing this show--does anyone really want to date publicly? (I guess anyone who goes on The Bachelor.) We quickly realize she needs to learn more about herself and how she sees others. Waiting for her to realize that--that's a bit more frustrating. My favorite in the story is Will, a rather charming guy, even though he's worried that his lack of a formal career means there's something wrong with him.

There's no huge momentum or story arc in BACK AFTER THIS, but it delves into Cecily as she goes on her dates, secretly sees Will, and performs self-discovery. This is a story of character development and growth, with an in-depth look into the world of podcasting. Holmes writes with her usual wonderful voice. The story is witty and often laugh out loud funny (thanks, Will!). Cecily and Will have good banter, and this is fun overall. 3.75 stars, rounded up.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Ballantine Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for BACK AFTER THIS in February 2025!

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There seems to be an endless sea of people like us: SHOW DON'T TELL.

Show Don't Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

From a literary standpoint, these stories are excellent, as is basically all of Sittenfeld's fiction.

This is a collection of nearly all female-focused stories, featuring moms and daughters, often in the Midwest, and touching on the mundane while offering deeper lessons.

Still, I'll admit that I found this collection long, and I rarely wanted to pick it up, even though the stories were interesting enough when I did. I know they all had more meaning than on the surface, but sometimes I did not feel like thinking so much. That's not the stories' fault--just mine.

This is a strong collection of tales focused on daily moments, but they'll appeal most to those who love looking into the nuance and interpretation of each story they read.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in return for an unbiased review. Look for SHOW DON'T TELL on 02/25/2025!

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Spite is like a spark, crackling in the dark: GOOD DIRT.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In a beautiful story that spans generations, Wilkerson introduces us to the Freemans, a prominent black family with a long and storied history. When Ebony "Ebby" Freeman is ten, she hears gunshots and finds her teenage brother on the floor, surrounded by shards of pottery from a stoneware jar that has been in her family for centuries. The family loses Baz and a huge piece of their family history that day. Due to their prominence, the story stays in the headlines and when Ebby's finance, Henry, leaves her at the altar many years later, the family reluctantly finds themselves in the media yet again.

Wilkerson gives us a story rich in lore and history, weaving stories of the jar and the Freeman ancestors into Ebby's own narrative. We learn about the role of enslaved people in the creation of pottery, coupled with storytelling and the power of passing on family history. Ebony escapes to France, a beautiful and atmospheric place, to lick her wounds, and look into her family history.

GOOD DIRT is both sad and hopeful, filled with past and present trauma, while still moving and inspiring. It illustrates how what comes before influences what comes next. The characters are well-drawn, with their own foibles and quirks. This is both a mystery, of sorts, as Ebby works out what happened to Baz and the jar, and touching character study of a fascinating family. 4.5 stars.

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

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She'll let you in her heart if you got a hammer and a vise: THE FAVORITES.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo
My rating: 4+ of 5 stars

THE FAVORITES is an utterly captivating novel that delves into the fiercely competitive world of ice dancing, where ambition, sacrifice, and betrayal intertwine.

Katarina Shaw always dreamed of becoming an Olympian, but growing up in poverty meant she had to fight tooth and nail to reach the top. Her path crossed with Heath Rocha, a foster kid with his own struggles, and together they formed an unbreakable bond. Ice skating became their escape, propelling them from obscurity to royalty in the skating world—until a devastating incident at the Olympics shattered their dreams and their lives.

A decade later, the world is still captivated by their story, now the subject of a tell-all documentary. The book alternates between gripping documentary interviews, where various characters offer their takes on Kat and Heath’s journey, and Kat’s raw, personal narrative of what truly happened. The result is a riveting tale brimming with anger, passion, and resilience.

As Kat becomes entangled in the lives of her idol, Olympic champion Shelia Lin, and Shelia's twin children, Garret and Bella—current competitors with their own high stakes—the story deepens. Both Kat and the Lins are willing to pay any price for Olympic glory. But THE FAVORITES poses a haunting question: how far is too far?

What starts as a seemingly straightforward story of love and competition evolves into a masterfully crafted web of deceit, desire, and vulnerability. Fargo’s storytelling is both spellbinding and thought-provoking, delivering a tale that lingers long after the final page. This is a must-read for fans of character-driven drama. Hurrah for #bookstagram for getting me to pick this one up!

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I'm just trying to find out exactly who I am: DIRTY DIANA.

Dirty Diana by Jen Besser
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Whew, lots to unpack here.

This is definitely a NSFW book, and if you do not want to read graphic depictions of sex, you will not enjoy DIRTY DIANA.

However, DIANA is more than its various descriptions of sex, which come through flashbacks, fantasies, artistic discussions, and more. This is a heart wrenching book in many ways, an unflinching and emotional look at growing up, marriage, and how hard it all can be.

We see Diana in various phases of her life. She's in Dallas, TX, with her husband Oliver and young daughter, Emmy, but her marriage is falling apart (often graphically) and she's alone and scared. Other parts show a younger, Diana, maybe still scared, but also filled with passion for her art. She's in New Mexico, a struggling artist, and falling in love with a photographer who may or may not feel the same for her.

No matter where we find Diana, she's raw, real, and honest--presenting an open look at her life, including her sexuality. At times her story is hard to read, it's almost too real (and sexual), but the emotion is well-done. It's a lot to take in sometimes, but a different sort of read that pulled me in. The plot ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it looks like there will be more books, and I'd be intrigued to see where Diana's journey takes her next. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House/Dial Press in return for an unbiased review.

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Is there something or someone I should be: THE SUMMER PACT.

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one was fine but not my favorite of Giffin's. Its plot centers on four best friends from college and revolves around the suicide of one of the foursome. Suicide is a tough and personal subject for me, and I had a difficult time reading some of the pieces.

Our four friends--free spirit, Lainey; uptight Tyson; group cheerleader Hannah; and their athletic leader Summer--become fast acquaintances after a shared evening at the University of Virginia as first years. But their world is rocked when the driven Summer dies by suicide when they are fourth years (right before graduation). The remaining friends make a pact that, in the future, they'll always be there for each other. Hannah invokes it when her fiance cheats on her.

Lainey, now an actress, and Tyson, a lawyer, rush to Hannah's side and they decide to take a trip together (in lieu of Hannah's honeymoon). They'll hit sites that mean something to each of them, including visiting Lainey's half sisters, hitting up Capri, which was Summer's dream, and more. Unfortunately for us, all three characters are rather insufferable and often annoying. I felt bad for Hannah, but she was often a bit of a doormat (she still had my favorite storyline). Lainey makes terrible decisions thanks to her impulsive nature and alcoholic tendencies. Tyson can't seem to let go or let his friends make their own decisions. Everything becomes quite dramatic for this trio; for Pete's sake, you're grown adults! Act like it! Most of the book is them making poor choices while not much happens.

This book tries to make some good points about friendship, especially in the wake of grief and loss. There are some emotional moments, but they are often marred by theatrics and immature characters.

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She might be priceless but they're blind to it: BY ANY OTHER NAME.

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

As an English major, I found myself totally enthralled by BY ANY OTHER NAME, a fascinating story about two women--centuries apart--who are storytellers, yet can only get their voices heard behind a male counterpart.

In the 1580s, we meet Emilia Bassano, a young woman who serves as a courtesan to a Lord many years her elder and later finds herself sold into a loveless and violent marriage. Throughout it all, Emilia perseveres, finding solace in her writing, and eventually selling many of her plays to a man named William Shakespeare.

In the 2020s, we hear from Melina, Emilia's ancestor, also a playwright. She writes a play about Emilia's life, but can only sell it to a festival when she changes her name to "Mel Green" and uses her male friend as a stand-in.

Between Melina and Emilia's stories, we see the power of the written word to effect change. But we also see how much the world prioritizes the male story and voice above all others, instead of recognizing that others in society may want to hear and see their own story reflected in art--or tell their own story. NAME explores who controls the narrative, and how those who control it have the power to be heard.

By telling Emilia's story, Picoult posits a theory of Shakespeare as a collective of writers, including women. Honestly, it's pretty easy to leave the book at the end going "I buy this," but even just reading it as a work of fiction (she explains her sources and the liberties she's taken in some places in comprehensive notes at the end), it's intriguing. Emilia's sections are fascinating, highlighting just how much women endured in the time period, but also how strong they were.

Yes, the book is long, but honestly, once it got going, it flew by for me, especially as I found myself caught up in Emilia's life. The writing is wonderful, the story is tragic but inspiring, and the message about the power of the written word to last after we are gone is stunning. 4.5 stars.

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

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Maybe together we can get somewhere: CASH DELGADO SHAKES THINGS UP.

Cash Delgado Shakes Things up by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's never too late to discover who you are--that's the message behind Tehlor Kay Mejia's latest. Cash Delgado has made a predictable life for herself in Ridley Falls, running Joyce's Bar, devoting herself to her six-year-old daughter, Parker, and hanging out with her best friend, Inez. Her busy schedule leaves her little time for herself, including dating or thinking about her dreams of expanding Joyce's.

When Joyce's Bar is threatened by a chain, Cash has to consider what she really wants. Especially when she starts having romantic dreams about Inez. Tehlor Kay Mejia creates a lovely and moving story about learning who you are and growing to be okay with that realization. As they do, they introduce us to Cash, who starts to question her sexuality after some racy dreams. Not only does Cash start to wonder about whom she loves, but she has to grapple with the idea that she's living life solely for Parker, instead of herself--and is that, in fact, the message she wants to send to her daughter?

Cash can be a bit frustrating at times, but I'll grant that she's going through a lot--single parenthood, identity issues, job stress. I did wish she would communicate more, especially with Iris. So many of the problems could have been worked through with a little more honesty. The story stutters a bit when Cash goes too much into self-actualization mode; it's far better when it focuses on action and the supporting cast. Inez, an out lesbian, is an excellent character, along with a cast of friends and family who live with her on her farm. It makes for a wonderful and diverse story.

Tehlor Kay Mejia does a strong job of building up longing and tension through Cash and Inez's friendship, using dreams and fantasies to create tension before any sort of romance ever happens. Inez and Cash's budding relationship takes place against the backdrop of Joyce's Bar, where they both work--a local institution the two must join together to save. This gives the story more depth and allows for the entrance of a variety of small town characters.

Overall this is a really cute romance with a diverse cast and an engaging plot.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House/Dell in return for an unbiased review.

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Spend half your life trying to make a change: RULES FOR GHOSTING.

Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not, perhaps, the fun, fluffy ghost story it's billed as, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The fact that it's a debut is even more impressive. Ezra has the weight of the world on his shoulders, with a host of familial expectations and history of caring for his siblings, along with being transgender. When his parents unexpectedly split, Ezra finds himself back at his family's funeral home, a place he's avoided for years--ever since he realized he could see the dead.

He soon meets Jonathan, who is grieving the loss of his late husband--only to realize that one of the dead people he's been spying around just happens to be Ben, Jonathan's late husband. Even weirder, Ben can talk to Ezra, something none of the other ghosts have ever done. Jonathan and Ezra grow closer, but Ben remains a barrier between the two (for a myriad reasons).

This story is a little long-it takes on a lot-and while it manages most of it well, it feels a bit unwieldy. It takes some time to get to the ghosts, especially the talking one! Still, it provides excellent insight into Jewish funeral customs and traditions. The book wonderfully explores the idea of family, digging into the concept of being what your family wants versus what you need for yourself. How does a person shape themselves for, and because of, their family? I empathized very much with Ezra and all the guilt he felt about his family and the duties and responsibilities he had toward them.

Ezra is a charming character and he comes across as very real and likable. His story is often funny, even with the funeral home setting and all the dead people hanging around. Ezra has a wonderful cast of friends--many of them POC and/or queer--and the story does a great job of exploring queer friendships and how important found family is, especially with Ezra's bizarre family situation.

There's certainly a lot of discussion of grief and death in GHOSTING, so avoid if that's a trigger for you. But know that this is also a really poignant and lovely story--part almost coming of age and also a sweet romance. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell in return for an unbiased review.

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All around your island there's a barricade: YOU, AGAIN.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

YOU, AGAIN has a cheerful cover, but is actually a rather angry, emotional book instead of a happy, go-lucky romance. Our leads are flawed characters. We have Ari, who is post-breakup from her one real relationship, and who avoids serious relationships like the plague, and Josh, an anxious guy suffering from an intensely personal career failure who requires perfection in relationships.

The book chronicles Josh and Ari's encounters over a span of time, showing them to be self-centered, depressed, and fragile people. In many ways, this is refreshing. Instead of some picture perfect romance, we see two people living actual, real life. The author said she was inspired by When Harry Met Sally and it shows. The idea of two people who can't get over their own issues (versus the concept of forced external plots) is fun for a romance. Once accustomed to the book's tone, I found this enjoyable and more real than the artificial situations of some love stories.

And, Ari and Josh have an excellent simmering, angry chemistry that permeates the story. The book is filled with so many bitter but funny moments. Yes, it could be bleak at times, but also really hilarious. It's a very NYC story, focusing on landmarks and settings in the city, making you feel like you're there with the characters.

Overall, this was a different sort of story, but an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars, rounded up.


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