Everything you do, you do just right: THE FINE PRINT.

The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love the #bookstagram community; thanks to them, I stumbled across this book. This was such a fun read.

Is it cheesy? Sure. But it's an adorable and moving story, too.

Also I had no idea that "Dreamland" references a theme park and conglomerate similar to Disney. Being a huge Disney fan, I loved all the inside jokes and fun allusions to the park.

Rowan's grandfather started Dreamland. With his death, his will dictates that Rowan and his two brothers must complete certain tasks to earn their shares of the billion-dollar company. For Rowan, he must serve as Dreamland director for six months and come up with plans to rejuvenate and improve the park.

Enter Zahra, who works at a boutique in Dreamland, but dreams of becoming a Creator. When Rowan learns of her ideas to revitalize rides and park lands, he recruits her, but he's quickly interested in more than her brain.

The story plays up the vulnerable, grumpy guy trope, while Zahra is the quintessential tough girl hiding a hurt heart. Zahra and Rowan absolutely ooze tension (and about a million HR violations!). But there's a tenderness to their story that makes it irresistible. I really enjoyed their fairy tale romance.

View all my reviews

I want to come over it's a need I can't explain: HOTTER IN THE HAMPTONS.

Hotter in the Hamptons: A Novel by Tinx
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I really don't know how to describe my feelings about this book.

First of all, I have no idea who Tinx is, nor do I want to. But if this book is modeled after her, she did not do herself a lot of favors.

Our main character Lola is a fashion influencer; she started out posting her own vintage designs but has morphed into shilling anything from her sponsors. When she gets canceled for something said while going live, her fancy influencer life starts to fall apart. She and her boyfriend break up and--to make things even worse--journalist Aly Ray Carter writes a scathing piece about Lola, calling her vapid (and more). After that, no one will touch her.

Lola does little to nothing to convince us that she is not the vapid influencer Aly writes about. She cares about very little but money, status, and notoriety. She's also a terrible friend, especially to her BFF, Ryan, who stars as the stereotypical gay best friend, but is also way too forgiving of this girl. (She can't even remember the name of his boyfriend, or to show up to meet him for dinner.)

Meanwhile, as Lola and Ryan flee to the Hamptons, they find out they are staying right next door to Aly. Aly and Lola become romantically entangled, leading to some very spicy scenes and Lola's downright refusal to accept that she could be bisexual.

Here's where the book gets extra confusing: everyone is allowed to come out on their own terms. No one has to label themselves as anything against their wishes. As the book progresses, some pretty awful stuff does happen to Lola, and no one should be outed against their wishes. At the same time, her cluelessness about what the queer community faces (her best friend is gay for god's sake) is just insane. In many ways, this sums up my feelings for this story: vacillating between sympathy for Lola and then wanting to shake sense into her.

I'm not really sure the point of this story. Putting aside the money and bad decisions, Lola was just someone trying to figure herself out. (Yes, she does this badly for the most part.) The NYC elite come off looking as bad as ever, here, and you'll find yourself grateful to be a poor, normal person with zero social status.

Not really a book I'd recommend, but I didn't completely hate it, either. So confusing! 2.5ish stars.

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

View all my reviews

See a pearl form a diamond in the rough: THE STAND-IN.

The Stand-In by Lily Chu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a cute romance about a regular girl falling for a famous guy.

This is one of my favorite tropes, so I was really excited to read this book. After getting fired, Gracie Reed reluctantly agrees to serve as a stand-in for famous Chinese actress, Wei Fangli, who needs someone to appear as her at various engagements. And, with some primping, Gracie is a ringer for Fangli. The only issue is that she'll be babysat by Fangli's best friend, the handsome but annoying actor Sam Yao. Gracie needs the money Fangli promises to help her mom, who has Alzheimer's, and requires expensive care.

What follows is a fun, sometimes convoluted story, as timid Gracie attempts to come into her own while impersonating Fangli and slowly falling for Sam. THE STAND-IN deals with a lot of topics--sometimes well, sometimes a little rushed. But there's also movie premieres and romantic gestures!

Gracie is a sweet character, and the book does a wonderful job of exploring her biracial identity, and how she often feels less for being half Chinese and not knowing which world she fits in. Gracie grows as she tries to stand up for herself, finding she almost enjoys being in the spotlight, but her constant vacillation about the morality of the scheme can be a bit much.

Sam and Gracie's chemistry is a tough one. Gracie is immediately drawn to Sam's handsomeness. While they do eventually spend some time talking, it never truly feels like the two have a deeper connection. Considering that Sam dislikes being thought of as just a pretty face, it's frustrating to not see more here--more banter, more chemistry, more tension.

The book focuses on mental health issues (panic attacks, depression), sexual harassment, and Alzheimer's, as well as the personas stars must put forth to the public. Gracie's love for her mom is palatable, and Chu deftly highlights how hard it is to have a parent with dementia. At times, the whole "stars have problems like us" angle is pushed a little too hard. There's also an entire side plot revolving around Gracie creating a productivity app; it did not seem necessary, but I enjoyed that she had her own thing.

Overall, even with some issues, this story makes you smile. It's cute and shows the strong influence of family, whether good or bad. 3.5 stars.

View all my reviews

Keep the light still on inside and watch it through to sunrise: NEARLYWED.

Nearlywed by Nicolas DiDomizio
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I picked this up for Pride Month, I was looking forward to a fun, cheesy romance, but NEARLYWED is not really a romance. It's more a story of looking inward at relationships, filled with a lot of thinking and talking about love and connections. For a while, it feels like nothing much happens in the book, as our main character, Ray, pontificates about his past and present liaisons, overthinks everything, and tends toward the dramatic.

In his defense, Ray cannot fully help it: he grew up steeped in his parents' love story, dreaming of having an "earlymoon" (pre-wedding honeymoon) at the same beautiful New England resort his mom and dad did, and memorizing every aspect of their wedding album. He's a hopeless romantic used to sharing his entire life online as a reporter in the digital age. His older husband-to-be, Kip, however, came out late in late, and is a reticent doctor. (Also, can I just say, that I constantly thought Ray was Kip because Ray is the older sounding name?)

Now they're finally on their earlymoon, but things go awry quickly when they both run into people they know (wow, what a coincidence!!) and Ray wonders if Kip is truly ready to be an out, married man and Kip feels as if Ray is pushing him to share too much, too fast, with the world.

The story covers some truly important messages about being gay, being seen, coming out on your own terms--all of which are great. I found myself incredibly frustrated by Kip dragging his feet at fully acknowledging his relationship with Ray, even though I could understand his reasoning. DiDomizio does a good job of showing both sides of the relationship. Still, I found so much of the thinking and and wondering and talking about their relationship too much: I wanted something to happen. The last 10% or so of the story redeemed this to a 3-star read, but I could have done without so much of the earlier bitterness and angst.

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

View all my reviews

Can I handle the seasons of my life: I PROMISE IT WON'T ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS.

I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This: 18 Assurances on Grief by Clare Mackintosh


It doesn't feel right to rate Clare Mackintosh's non-fiction book about grief, as much of it focuses on the death of her young son, but this is a poignant read and very helpful. Mackintosh wrote it after a tweet about the anniversary of the death of her five-month-old son, Alex, went viral. The book is part memoir/part self-help, with 18 chapters that walk through dealing with grief--with the ultimate promise that we can all make progress with grief, on our own time, at our own pace. She uses stories from her own life, especially losing Alex, as examples. The result is a sad story, but also a hopeful one, and I think many who have been through a loss would find this helpful; I did.

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

View all my reviews

You can be soft, honey, you can be strong: GIRLS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS.

Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So I received GIRLS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS as an ARC, didn't realize it was part of a series, read the first book, didn't love it (it was fine), and went into this one with low expectations. I did wind up liking the second book a bit more than the first, but it wasn't an all-time favorite.

In book two, we find the Lillys preparing to go on tour, gaining more popularity with every stop. While book one focuses on Toni, the second features Kayla, the group's drummer. Growing up under the watchful eye of her controlling mother, who demanded nothing short of perfection, music and drumming were Kayla's escape. On tour, she forms a fast friendship with their bus driver, Ty, who is escaping life in his own way. But the Lillys' fame threatens to upend both Kayla and Ty's lives.

Two issues here. One: instant love. Kayla and Ty fall head over heels after interacting about twice over two weeks. Please, form a deeper, more realistic connection before vowing your deep, undying love to one another.

Second: These two have their heads in the sand, or the clouds, or both, to the most frustrating degree. Who joins a band expecting to stay hidden and not noticed by the press? Oh I'm in this band, and I want to be successful but oh, no, I am getting famous, and this is a huge problem because my parents will know I'm in a band? Are we twelve, trying to skip school? Ridiculous. And Ty, while I liked him much more, makes some insane choices where he refuses to face reality and could have improved his quality of life YEARS earlier.

Luckily, issue number one mostly vanishes as the book progresses. Kayla and Ty are cute after a while, I will grudgingly admit. Two little bookworms, quiet and reserved; they definitely are made for each other. Ty has an adorable relationship with his Pop Pop, who has raised him (and seems to be magically wealthy...). And, truly, their ability to avoid reality means they are made for one another.

There's just so much going on here. Continuing drama with Candi, a former Lilly band-mate from book one. So many details about the music industry, touring/being on the road, and more. Sometimes it all just feels... too much. The emphasis on a rock band fronted by diverse women is awesome, though.

Overall, I liked each member of the Lillys enough to get drawn into the story. I just wish everything was a bit more plausible, with more time spent on character motivations and less on minute details.

I received a copy of this book from Negalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

She got eyes that cut you like a knife: THE GIRL WITH STARS IN HER EYES.

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An all too realistic story of a female rock band

The idea of an all-female rock band is great, and Xio Axelrod uses personal experience to infuse the story with lots of realistic tidbits and facts about the music scene. Unfortunately, the characters don't have that same realism and ability to resonate. Growing up, Toni Bennette (yeah, yeah, she's heard it all) had one love: music. But her best friend Seb Quick was a pretty close second, even if she kept her romantic feelings hidden. When Seb disappeared when they were both teens, it broke Toni's heart. She thought she moved on until Seb shows up again in Toni's life. Toni's on the verge of her big break, but she's not sure she wants it if Seb is involved.

I found this story to be good but not remarkable. The tale of The Lillys--the female rock band that Toni could potentially join--is an interesting one. Axelrod's in-depth exploration of the music industry is certainly accurate (it seemed) but sometimes too much. STARS often feels long and repetitive. It's hard to love the rekindled romance between Seb and Toni if you do not feel the strength of their original childhood connection or forgive Seb as easily as Toni does. The inability to quickly connect to those two made the book feel longer and less plausible.

Toni is so strong that it seems as if she could solve her own problems and have her own dreams. I easily tired of many manufactured dramas that could be quickly solved (just hire security, etc.). What's funny is that I was intrigued by each band member's story and wanted more. There was just a lot of drama and too much repetition to delve into what I truly wanted from the story.

View all my reviews

You're always my destination: HOOK SHOT.

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Kenan is dealing with a messy divorce, an ex-wife out for revenge, and a teenage daughter who wants nothing more than her parents to get back together. Lotus is busy with her fashion career, but comes up short when emotional and sexual trauma from her childhood affect her present-day relationships. Still, she can't help but be drawn to Kenan, a handsome and kind basketball player. As for Kenan, he's head over heels for Lotus, even if she's 11 years his junior.

I'm a fan of Kennedy Ryan's Hoops series (this is the third and final book), because I adore basketball. This book is related to the others (Kenan plays hoops with August; Lotus is Iris' cousin, and Banner is Kenan's agent), but can easily be read as a standalone. I will say that when you read the books closer together, they do feel a bit more formulaic. But overall, I enjoyed this one. As I said, I loved the basketball angle, with Kenan as the player, and seeing glimpses of his teammate August, who we know from other books. There's a good tie back to Lotus and Iris' childhood and New Orleans roots, too.

As with all the other books from this series, Kenan is a really, really good guy, but a bit possessive. This is the straight-up formula for Hoops. Please be aware the book covers sensitive topics like child sexual abuse and there's a trigger warning for suicide. The story felt just a tad bit long for me--it could have been shortened just a little. But it's sexy and fun, with great banter and strong chemistry between Lotus and Kenan. It tackles a serious topics while still giving us a flirty read. 3.5 stars.

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

View all my reviews

The kind of real connection that I crave: THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP.

The Holiday Mix-Up by Ginny Baird
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really need to learn my lesson now. Kristy, you love cheesy Christmas movies, but not so much Christmas books. Please stop requesting them, because then you must read them. For instance, THE HOLIDAY MIX-UP is billed as an updated WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, which is probably in my top-five movies. I love that movie. I watch it every year. I will watch it when it's not Christmas.

Well, MIX-UP is no SLEEPING. This book hurt me. I get that it's supposed to be a lighthearted, fluffy Christmas story and nearly everyone else seemed to enjoy it, so please take my review as such. The writing here is painful. Nothing is left to the imagination, but instead is explained in excruciating detail with all telling and no showing. Nothing really happens, so we're left with a repetitive plot stuffed with character introspection and people bemoaning about their feelings over and over (and over).

Katie works at a diner, where she meets Juan, a regular customer. For some reason (supposedly to avoid his aunt fixing him up yet again), he asks her to join him and his family for Christmas (as a secret favor), but before she can, he walks into the street and is nearly killed by a van. Katie shoves him out of the way, but he's still placed into a coma by the doctors. His family is led into thinking they are dating, so they take her in. Katie has no living family of her own and welcomes their care and attention. (Honestly this all sounds so much better as described versus the agony we go through to learn this in the book.) Once she meets his family, she meets Juan's younger brother Mateo, whom she immediately crushes on, and it seems the feeling is mutual. In the background is the story that the family's long-held winery is going under, thanks to bad business decisions by Juan. (This is the only remotely interesting plot piece, though where it will end is telegraphed a mile away.)

Katie and Mateo have zero chemistry, but instead opine in the narrative about their potential feelings for one another constantly--only to dismiss that the other could care for them. There is no excitement, banter, or anything fun. Mateo and Juan's grandparents have more zest. Things slowly progress up until Christmas. We all know how everything will end, but there's no real joy about it, because everyone is too busy thinking or repeating themselves for any real happiness. Instead, we execute the Christmas romance playbook step-by-step. I wanted to love this one, but I just couldn't. 2 stars.

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

View all my reviews

If you wanna see a miracle watch me get down: BLOCK SHOT.

Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I really loved LONG SHOT, the first book in this series, so I was really excited when I received the next two books as ARCs, as they are being re-released. I am a total sucker for sports books, especially basketball ones. These books can be read independently, though some characters do reoccur. BLOCK SHOT picks up with Jared, the stepbrother of August West from the first book. Jared is a ruthless sports agent who has built his agency, Elevation, from the ground up. His life motto is built around not getting attached to anyone, especially women. But he cannot get a certain woman, Banner, his college best friend, out of his mind. They shared one special night together before a misunderstanding tore them apart.

BLOCK is an interesting book. Jared is not necessarily a good guy, and it takes a while to grapple with his desire for Banner. He is dominant, possessive, and pushy. Jared refuses to take no for an answer in all areas of his life, especially with Banner (not sexually, thankfully) or care she has a boyfriend. That's a little difficult to take in. He does grow throughout the course the book, but perhaps not as much as he should. He's not the easy-to-love hero that August was, though you come to understand his flaws.

There's a ton of focus on Banner's weight and while the book seems to be focused on body positivity--Banner loves herself at any size, so does Jared, etc.--that was a stretch at times. Body positivity morphed into a constant discussion of her size and the emphasis is less on health and more on her losing pounds, not eating, what she ate, etc. No thanks, and it seemed rather triggering for anyone with food disorders.

I did love Banner's intelligence and spark. That woman was tough! And freaking smart! It's great to see a woman in the sports agency market, especially one beating all the boys. The basketball talk was enjoyable. Her relationship with Jared was charming and quite sexy. Overall, while I didn't love this one quite as much as LONG SHOT, it was still a fun read. 3.5 stars

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


View all my reviews

I've been needing something good: THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER.

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Naomi is shocked by the reception she receives when she walks into a diner in Knockemout, Virginia, until she realizes that everyone there believes she's her troubled twin sister, Tina. Shortly after, Tina disappears with Naomi's car and all her cash. She leaves behind only one thing: her daughter, Waylay, age 11, whom Naomi had no idea existed. Broke and stuck in a small town where everyone hates her, Naomi has to figure out how to take care of herself and Waylay. Enter Knox: he's loved in Knockemout, but has a bad boy reputation for a reason. Still Knox can't help but feel drawn to Naomi and Waylay--with a plan to help them out so his calm life can go back to normal.

I picked up this book during a tough time when I needed a distraction from life. Sure, it's a little cheesy and silly, but I really enjoyed it. It is the perfect escape read, and I'm a total sucker for books with kids involved (Waylay is awesome). OVER offers good characters, such as Knox's brother and grandmother, and Naomi's best friend, and a humorous small town setting. Everyone is in everyone's business, and I appreciated the appearance of gay and bisexual characters (who went beyond the token throw-in). It's quite easy to fall for Naomi and Knox--while they have their hang-ups (wouldn't be a romance without them, right?), they are sweet characters and easy to root for. I also empathized with a lot of Naomi's personality traits.

While there's plenty of sexiness and lust in OVER, there's a lot of truth and love hidden here too. There's a bit of a mystery as we try to track down Tina. It has a great message about loving even when you could get hurt, looking after your own, and the power of family and found family. It tosses in some great parenting gems and covers serious issues like domestic abuse. A really enjoyable read! 4 stars.


View all my reviews

Some people get religion some people get the truth: HUSBAND MATERIAL.

Husband Material by Alexis Hall
My rating: 4+ of 5 stars

Book two in the London Calling series picks up with Oliver and Luc happily together... but is there such a thing as too happily? Luc is struggling with settling down in a life of calm domestic bliss, while Oliver must deal with the fact that his conservative parents still do not approve of their relationship. Are they truly meant to be?

"This made no sense. I was happier than I had ever been in my life. So why did I feel like I was failing?"

I really enjoyed this one! I was sold at Four Weddings and a Funeral, queer style. MATERIAL is an excellent blend of witty and serious. I forgot how much I loved the mix of Luc's humor and Oliver's dry wit--their group of friends is often just plain crazy and outright batty, but Hall makes it work. In fact, what leads to the book's success is the tenderness and emotional depth of Luc and Oliver's relationship. Their story focuses not only on their love but the religious elements of marriage and their role and place in the gay community. Oliver and Luc come at this place from very different spectrums, and Oliver's parents certainly do not help. The emotions Oliver experiences as he grapples with his homophobic parents are portrayed so touchingly and realistically--Hall does this portion so beautifully.

MATERIAL gives us a great look at the ups and downs of relationships. What I love is that the book treats Luc and Oliver just like any couple (straight or gay) while also exploring queer-specific topics, looking at the subjects beyond the hetero-normative lens.

The social commentary along with the sweet romance and story is great here. This is such a charming, witty, and fun tale about a wonderful couple. I know the entire book led up to justifying the ending, but I didn't fully love it, which is the only reason my rating isn't even higher. Still, 4+ stars.

View all my reviews

But when he smiles, I don't care about the past: ROGUE.

Rogue by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Ever since Casey Tresscott was pulled from a car submerged in a lake and left bleeding by the shore, everyone has treated her with kid gloves. The only exception is Fenn Bishop; Fenn and Casey have only grown closer since Casey's accident. But Fenn is carrying a secret about that night which will change their relationship forever.

I quite enjoyed the first book in this series, MISFIT, which focused more on Casey's sister, Sloane. This one was not quite as juicy and sexy as the first, with more emphasis on the Casey and Fenn angst versus romance. There is also a lot of time spent on figuring out the history and mystery around Casey's accident as Sloane and her boyfriend, RJ, unravel what really happened. I was frustrated by the lack of truth telling here (Fenn letting everyone know the truth from the beginning would have saved a lot of trouble). However, what I love about these books is that they are fun, dramatic, and sexy--and perhaps not the most realistic. They can be silly, and I'm terrified by how much sex and drugs these high school students are engaging in, but these are wonderful escapist reads that I cannot resist. 3.5 stars.

View all my reviews

I guess some things just don't mix like you hoped: MISFIT.

Misfit by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 3.75 of 5 stars

RJ and Fenn meet when their parents get married on a whim. Both boys are used to being on their own, but suddenly find themselves roommates at Sandover Prep, an elite prep school with a reputation for being a last resort for delinquent students. RJ is a hacker who isn't used to being close to anyone, but Fenn has a host of friends at the school. RJ is committed to staying alone until he meets Sloane, the daughter of Sandover's headmaster. She's the one girl who is off limits, but also the one girl who breaks through his walls.

So, objectively, this book might not be the best written and it sometimes puts forward some tired stereotypes about relationships. But, dang, subjectively, it is fun and sexy as hell. I was drawn in from the opening moments, when RJ and Fenn are tossed together at their parents' drunken shocker of a wedding.

I didn't adore RJ and Sloane's instalove, but the two quickly won me over with their banter. The book is told from multiple POV--RJ, Fenn, and Sloane of course, but we learn about Fenn's friends Lawson and Silas, and Sloane's sister Casey. RJ's nemesis is Duke, Sloane's ex, who is an excellent archetype foe. There's also a background plot regarding an accident Casey had before the story started.

I loved how RJ and Fenn truly bonded as stepbrothers and Sloane tried to grow in her relationship with her overprotective father. Overall, this is just a fun, escapist read, and I was totally here for it. 3.75 stars.


View all my reviews

Wait by the light of the moon: I KISSED A GIRL.

I Kissed a Girl by Jennet Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun movie set romance

Noa Birnbaum's dream is to work in the movies: in horror special effects and makeup. She finally gets a chance to work on a real movie (one step closer to joining the union), but it means dropping out of school, where she's earning her theater degree. Her parents won't be pleased. On the set, she's face to face with actress Lilah Silver, whom Noa has had a crush on for ages. Lilah has her own dreams, to move beyond B-list horror films and into true stardom. This starring role as the "final girl" could be her opportunity. When she meets openly out Noa, Lilah may finally have a chance to admit to her own bisexuality. But a relationship could have its own problems for both Lilah and Noa.

"Noa'd thrown away everything else in her life for this job. And now she was seriously considering throwing the job away for a chance at a girl? Stupid beyond words."

This is a cute story whose strength comes across in its representation--queer characters covering bi, trans, lesbian and more. There's also some excellent Jewish representation, as both Noa and Lilah bond over their religious beliefs. As a member of the LGBTQIA community, I love seeing stories that reflect myself and my friends. Watching Lilah grapple with her bisexuality and coming out and seeing Noa hang out with her friends, being openly out and accepted. These are still stories and characters we do not get to see and read about regularly. Even better, it seems like I read a lot of queer YA books, not a lot where the characters are adults (although they might not always act like it in this story, ha). It was fun and refreshing.

"Special effects artist had never been on the list of things Good Jewish Girls Did."

For me, this book was a little long. It could have been a bit shorter and would have felt more snappy. A lot of the focus in this story is on miscommunication, which is a pet peeve of mine. I just can't handle when so much of the plot could be avoided if the characters just spoke openly to one another. It's also not entirely clear why Noa crushes so much on Lilah, to the point that it seems that she can't rationalize clearly. A lot of this inability to communicate or think clearly leads to some back and forth storylines, so it seems like as if the plot zigs and zags. Up and down. Will Noa go for a relationship with Lilah or keep her job? Is Lilah willing to risk her career for her sexuality? Again, if things had been just a bit shorter, we probably could have skipped a bit of this.

Still, this is a fun story. While Lilah and Noa can be frustrating sometimes, they are engaging characters. The horror film set adds an interesting level to the book (there's another plot line involving Lilah and threats to her safety). It's a little long, but I appreciated all the queer and Jewish rep. 3+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It releases 8/3/2021.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb


View all my reviews

Cause I'll be there when you can finally make it home: THE BOYFRIEND MATERIAL.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Charming fake dating romance

Luc O'Donnell's never met his father. But he's lived in his shadow his whole life. His rock star dad has made Luc famous by proxy. With his dad making a comeback, both of them are in the public eye again--and the tabloids. So when Luc's latest escapade at a club goes public and threatens his job, he has to find a way to show everyone that he's changed. Enter Oliver Blackwood. The barrister is as normal and non-threatening as they come. The two have nothing in common, beyond being gay, but agree to be fake boyfriends to help Luc keep his job and Oliver save face at a family event. But as the pair get to know each other, they come to realize that there's something comforting about dating--even fake dating. And that falling for someone, even when it's fake, can take on something special.

"I was a cagey, grumpy, paranoid mess who would find a way to ruin even the most basic human interaction." ~Luc

This book was a little slow to take off for me, but it was a very cute story, and I really liked both Luc and Oliver. Despite Luc having a few issues dealing with his rock star dad, he's quite an engaging character--very flawed and honest. Plus, I felt quite an attachment to straight-laced Oliver, as I am, of course, that person. At its core, this is a story of two hurt people learning to love. We have Luc, burned by past loves, and Oliver, uptight and trying to deal with the hurt his family has pushed upon him. The book deals deftly with acceptance (or lack thereof)--both of others and yourself.

BOYFRIEND MATERIAL shines with its supporting cast--a whole host of humorous folks, including Luc's coworkers (including one so daft, he's almost impossible to believe), Luc's mom and her friend, whom I adored, and Luc's friends, who were a diverse and supportive bunch. I laughed a lot during this story and cried a bit too. Oliver and Luc's journey is sweet and silly and heartbreaking.

It's also a bit long, with a storyline with Luc's sick dad thrown in that seems unnecessary and too much. There's also a bit of latent homophobia--Luc's job is threatened because he's gay, Oliver's family's prejudice--that's never really addressed. While this was a romance, I would have liked to see those issues taken care of or acknowledged, instead of glossed over/ignored.

Still, overall, this is a fun read and a cute story. Luc and Oliver are sweet characters, and their character arc/journey is enjoyable. 3.5 stars.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb

View all my reviews

Before the world took me astray: HOSTAGE.

Hostage by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You'll never want to fly again! ;)

Mina is a flight attendant scheduled for the inaugural non-stop flight from London to Sydney. There is much press and fanfare for the big flight, but Mina is mostly relieved it gets her a few days away from Adam, her estranged husband. The two have been torn apart by his cheating and the difficulties of parenting their young daughter. However, once the plane takes off, Mina receives a note telling her that she must make a terrifying decision, one that forces her to choose between her job and her family.

"Everyone wants a piece of Flight 79. Everyone wants to make history."

Whew, what a tense and stressful thriller! It had a slow start to building up all the drama--it is a lie that it all takes place on a plane, as we get some backstory to Mina and Adam's relationship before Mina steps on said fateful plane. For me, that part dragged a bit. Once she's on the plane, things pick up and it's a fairly twisty and taut journey.

The book flips between Mina and Adam's perspectives, along with some of the plane's passengers. It's a little hard to keep everyone straight, though it's clear from the passenger's narration that something is not right with this flight. Mackintosh, as always, is great at building up the uneasiness. Adam is not the most sympathetic of characters, and I wanted to yell and scream at him during many of his chapters. Their poor child--what parents she has!

It's a unique idea here, and for the most part, it's executed well. Mackintosh gives us a lot to think about, between Mina's situation and some of her other plot points. The story is stressful and intense, leaving you to wonder what on earth will happen next (and perhaps question any desire to take a plane ever again). The ending, too, is excellent. 4 stars.

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

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb



View all my reviews

F, A to Z Challenge: FOLLOW ME BACK.

Follow Me Back by A.V. Geiger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the sixth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

Tessa Hart spends most (okay all) of her days in her bedroom. After an incident that causes her intense anxiety and agoraphobia, her one outlet and escape is the online world of pop star Eric Thorn. She can lose herself in his music, as well as the digital chatter of Twitter. For Eric, though, online is a scary place, where he fears his fans' obsessive behavior. He's even more scared in real life, especially after one of his fellow stars is murdered by a crazed fan. But online media is key to his success, according to his PR team. So Eric decides to ruin his image via a trolling Twitter account--of his own making. But his plan derails quickly and he finds himself involved in his deepest and most meaningful relationship to date, albeit a virtual one. But when he and his Twitter friend agree to meet, everything goes wrong.

This is one of those books that you know will probably be incredibly silly and cheesy, and it was definitely both of those things. But I still read it in one day, because, well, sometimes you just need silly and cheesy in your life. I was all for something related to Twitter that didn't involve politics and the world ending.

Honestly, Follow Me Back was quite addictive and easy-to-read, even if I wanted to shake Tessa and Eric sometimes for their bad decisions. Some early honesty would have avoided a lot of angst. It's told via the point-of-view of both characters, along with excerpts from police interrogations. Through the police pieces, we know something bad has happened--then we back up to the events that lead up to it. The book delves into the pressures of stardom, along with anxiety, assault, and mental illness. It's a little all over the place, at times--perhaps trying to throw us off course, but I appreciated that it did try to cover Tessa's issues respectfully. There's Eric and Tessa's relationship, as well as a bit of a mystery element.

Overall, this was just an escapist novel for me, and it did its job fairly well. My only problem was that it ended with a cliffhanger ending, so while I did move this book off my shelf, I am going to have to track down book #2 to see how it all ends. Darn it! Still, 3 stars for a fun and crazy ride.

You can read more about the #atozchallenge here.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb


View all my reviews

Like I'm the only one who knows your heart: WHAT KIND OF GIRL.

What Kind of Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


The rumors spread quickly at North Bay Academy. Popular track star Mike Parker's girlfriend has accused him of hitting her. She even told the principal. But, they wonder, why not the police? Why did she wait so long to tell? Why hasn't Mike been expelled? Some students at the school want to hold a rally--to expel Mike. But others aren't so quick to believe his girlfriend.


"But (of course), by lunchtime everyone at school knows, as easily and quickly as if they'd announced it over the loudspeaker: Sad Girl accuses Golden Boy of abuse."


This was an interesting book. It tackles a lot of heavy subjects within its pages. It also presents an intriguing format. The beginning of the book is told via archetypes: think popular girl; nerd; sad girl; the girlfriend, etc. It's a strange, almost gimmicky, format and meant it took some time for me to warm to any of the characters (especially since you don't know their names). Over time, the book grew on me, but it was hard to overcome that slow start.

There's so much going on in this one. Abuse, self-harm, drug use, mental health, eating disorders, and more. Please keep this in mind in terms of trigger warnings. I applaud Sheinmel and all she takes on. It's a very brave book, and the characters have a lot of depth. I think it might have had even more if the book maybe shortened its focus on just a few issues, versus trying to take on so many. Still, it's a very relevant story, and you can't help but appreciate how it tackles such big themes and emotions. I can see how it would be helpful to young adults. Even I found myself identifying with one of the characters and growing to root for all of them. 3.5 stars; rounded to four here for the powerful topics and messaging.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire in return for an honest review.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb



View all my reviews

If I could pretend, if I could lie: PRETTY GUILTY WOMEN.

Pretty Guilty Women by Gina LaManna

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Four women—old college friends—are reunited at the elegant Banks wedding. They haven’t been in touch in ages and some hold grudges. There's Ginger, a receptionist and weary mom of three. Ginger's former college roommate, Emily, now a marketing manager. She and Ginger no longer speak and Emily seems to be harboring a pile of secrets. There's Kate, a beautiful and well-off lawyer, whose boyfriend breaks up with her the day before the festivities. They all knew the bride, Whitney, in college. At the resort where the wedding is being held, Ginger, Emily, and Kate meet Lulu, a wealthy woman in her sixties. Her husband is related to the groom; Lulu may have wealth, but she's worried about her marriage. By the end of the rehearsal dinner, a man will be dead. Even more intriguing, four people will confess to the deed.

PRETTY GUILTY WOMEN was a really interesting and dramatic read. I was caught up in these women’s tales. I have a group of close friends from college (thankfully not estranged!) and also could relate to the harried mom, Ginger. I was fascinated by all that was going on in everyone’s lives (a lot of drama). There's a lot going on here--a college feud, the wedding, a mysterious young mom, each woman's own issues, but LaManna makes it all work. The book is told partially in police reports and then narrative from all the women. It's certainly fascinating, as details unfold slowly, and it keeps you guessing.

Overall, this was a quick read and perfect to finish up on my beach trip! I'm looking forward to reading more from LaManna!

I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks and Bookreporter in return for an honest review.

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb



View all my reviews