Category: ARC

ARC, contemporary, three star book, ya

You, Me and Letting Go ARC Review

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  • Title: You, Me & Letting Go
  • Author: Katie Kaleski
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 286
  • Publisher: Swoon Romance
  • Genre: YA, Romance, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★.5

A love so epic, no label is needed.

Van Sato’s got labels. Tourettes, ADHD, SPD – words that have defined his existence since the time he was old enough to know what they meant. Now, Van wants to prove he’s more than an acronym, a syndrome, a problem kid. He takes a summer job as a day camp counselor to prove he’s capable of independence and moving on to the next phase in his life. Maybe, he might even make a friend while there. Someone who’s got just as many or even more labels than him. Someone who understands what it’s like. 

Tabby Dubanowksi wants to forget about everything, the hospitalization, the judgment, the whispers behind her back. As a camp counselor, she will be admired, looked up to, and able to help people who don’t know anything about her old life. Tabby wants a fresh start and a chance to re-ignite her passion for film-making, if only for one summer.

After running away from their pasts, Van and Tabby collide in a storm cloud of attraction laced with self-doubt, insecurity, shame, and blame. Now, with Van feeling like he might have to quit his job, and Tabby struggling to quell the urge to cut, they will struggle to find themselves in a world designed to keep them apart.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Swoon Reads for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have a thing for books with teens with diseases this month, apparently.

You, Me & Letting Go is a story about Van, who had Tourette’s along with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder, and Tabby, who had anorexia and self-harmed. They meet at their summer job and young love ensues.

This was the first book I have ever read that features someone with Tourette’s, so that was nice to have that rep. I really enjoyed Van’s story and struggles – especially how he and Tabby helped each other deal with their issues.

This was a quick, easy read. I read it in about 4 hours with my two year old interrupting me. Though it was quick, the story packed a punch and I was invested in the characters. I’ll be on the lookout for more by Katie Kaleski!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, three star book, ya

Cursed ARC Review

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  • Title: Cursed
  • Author: Karol Ruth Silverstein
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 320
  • Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
  • Genre: YA, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★.5

A debut novel for fans of The Fault in Our Stars that thoughtfully and humorously depicts teen Ricky Bloom’s struggles with a recent chronic illness diagnosis.

As if her parents’ divorce and sister’s departure for college weren’t bad enough, fourteen-year-old Ricky Bloom has just been diagnosed with a life-changing chronic illness. Her days consist of cursing everyone out, skipping school–which has become a nightmare–daydreaming about her crush, Julio, and trying to keep her parents from realizing just how bad things are. But she can’t keep her ruse up forever. 

Ricky’s afraid, angry, alone, and one suspension away from repeating ninth grade when she realizes: she can’t be held back. She’ll do whatever it takes to move forward–even if it means changing the person she’s become. Lured out of her funk by a quirky classmate, Oliver, who’s been there too, Ricky’s porcupine exterior begins to shed some spines. Maybe asking for help isn’t the worst thing in the world. Maybe accepting circumstances doesn’t mean giving up.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Cursed definitely got better for me as time went on. It follows the story of Ricky, short for Erica, who has a chronic illness. She’s been skipping school for SIX WEEKS and finally gets caught. 

We follow Rickey as she goes back to school, tries to connect with her crush, and tries to find acceptance. 

The writing seemed juvenile at first – but that was just Ricky. She had a lot of growing up to do. She did it with the help of her most-hated-turned-favorite teacher. 

You don’t discover what illness RIckey has until about halfway through the book. I started picking up on it pretty early on. I had some knowledge of it being a nurse, but my best friend’s sister also has the disease. 

I loved that it was own voices. It’s nice to see representation of someone with this “mystery illness”. This is the first book that I’ve read that featured that illness. 

Also, shoutout to whoever designed the cover! It’s a nice nod to the pain scale we use in healthcare for patients to rate the amount of pain they are in.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about kids with illness or loves YA contemporary.

Warning: this book does contain swearing!

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, three star book, ya

The Lost Coast ARC Review

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  • Title: The Lost Coast
  • Author: Amy Rose Capetta
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 352
  • Publisher: Candlewick
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★ .5

The spellbinding tale of six queer witches forging their own paths, shrouded in the mist, magic, and secrets of the ancient California redwoods.

Danny didn’t know what she was looking for when she and her mother spread out a map of the United States and Danny put her finger down on Tempest, California. What she finds are the Grays: a group of friends who throw around terms like queer and witch like they’re ordinary and everyday, though they feel like an earthquake to Danny. But Danny didn’t just find the Grays. They cast a spell that calls her halfway across the country, because she has something they need: she can bring back Imogen, the most powerful of the Grays, missing since the summer night she wandered into the woods alone. But before Danny can find Imogen, she finds a dead boy with a redwood branch through his heart. Something is very wrong amid the trees and fog of the Lost Coast, and whatever it is, it can kill. Lush, eerie, and imaginative, Amy Rose Capetta’s tale overflows with the perils and power of discovery — and what it means to find your home, yourself, and your way forward. 

– Goodreads

** Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

I wanted to love this book. I did. The premise sounded amazing. And part of the book was amazing. It just took too long to get there. 

I thought The Lost Coast was very… wordy? Like just so many words that it was hard to follow. It took me a while to really get into it. 

The last 40% was great. I couldn’t put it down. But getting through the first 60% was hard for me. And I so wish it wouldn’t have been. 

Now. What I loved most was the LGBTQIA+ rep. There were so many different sexualities represented. Also so many nationalities and body types! I think everyone can find a little of themselves in The Greys.

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, middle grade

Sea Sirens ARC Review

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  • Title: Sea Sirens
  • Author: Amy Chu and Janet K. Lee (Illustrator)
  • Book Form: Physical
  • Pages: 144
  • Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
  • Genre: MG, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
  • Rating: ★★★★

Dive into this middle-grade graphic novel about a Vietnamese American surfer girl and her talking cat who plunge into a fantasy world of oceanic marvels . . . and mayhem!

Trot, a Vietnamese American surfer girl, and Cap’n Bill, her cranky one-eyed cat, catch too big a wave and wipe out, sucked down into a magical underwater kingdom where an ancient deep-sea battle rages. The beautiful Sea Siren mermaids are under attack from the Serpent King and his slithery minions–and Trot and her feline become dangerously entangled in this war of tails and fins.

This graphic novel was inspired by The Sea Fairies, L. Frank Baum’s “underwater Wizard of Oz.” It weaves Vietnamese mythology, fantastical ocean creatures, and a deep-sea setting.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House for a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was SO surprised to get this finished copy from Viking today! I saw I had something coming from Penguin Random House so I was like, ‘Oh, it’s Memento.’ Even though I’m so excited for Memento, I was pleasantly surprised! And a finished copy! What?!

I was so excited I dove right in to this California surfer girl’s story. The first thing I noticed on the cover was she was holding a one-eyed cat! You never get the story of why he has one eye, however, there are more books coming!

Trot is a surfer girl who goes to the beach every day after school to surf while her grandpa fishes. Her grandpa has Alzheimer’s, which I think is really good to show in a book for younger kids. I know a lot of kids have to go through having a loved one with this disease – I did. So it’s really nice to have that representation like, hey- you aren’t alone. It’s a pretty common thing these days.

I loved when Trot and Cap’n Bill – the one eyed cat – make it to the Siren Kingdom. The story was so cute and fun. I couldn’t put it down!

I loved the diversity of the characters. I loved the underwater experience. It definitely read as a middle grade novel, but honestly, sometimes we just need something light-hearted and fun. I will definitely be on the lookout for the further adventures of Trot and Cap’n Bill!

Until next time..

ARC, contemporary, Four Star Book, Historical Fiction, ya

Emmie and the Tudor King ARC Review

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  • Title: Emmie and the Tudor King
  • Author: Natalie Murray
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 304
  • Publisher: Literary Crush Publishing
  • Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, YA , Time Travel
  • Rating: ★★★★

One moment, Emmie is writing her high school history paper; the next, she’s sitting with a gorgeous 16th century king who vacillates from kissing her to ordering her execution.

Able to travel back to her own time, but intensely drawn to King Nick and the mysterious death of his sister, Emmie finds herself solving the murder of a young princess and unraveling court secrets while trying to keep her head on her shoulders, literally.

With everything to lose, Emmie finds herself facing her biggest battle of all: How to cheat the path of history and keep her irresistible king, or lose him–and her heart–forever.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Literary Crush Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this quick, time travel romance.

Emmie is a high school student with dreams of becoming a jewelry designer. She finds an old ring at a yard sale and gets it for inspiration to create her own ring. Little does she know this ring has magical powers. She finds out soon enough.

This book travels back and forth between the present time and when the Tudors ruled England. Emmie meets Nicholas the Ironheart and they start t spend more time together. Of course, romance ensues.

This is a great YA romance. Emmie won’t just settle for Nick’s time and customs. She won’t agree to anything that SHE doesn’t want to do. I ended up rooting for them in the end, even though I wasn’t sure I would.

Some of the side characters got a little annoying – like Mia, Emmie’s best friend in present time. Even though the people in the Tudor era had old ideals (obviously), I liked those characters much more. Everyone in the present was just…. eh. Overly obnoxious and like a caricature of present teens.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy to follow read. I loved the romance. I won’t tell you if there’s a HEA, though, since I was left guessing until the end. Definitely pick this up if you’re into romance, time travel, or the tudor era.

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, Romance, three star book, ya

Beau and Bett ARC Review

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  • Title: Beau and Bett
  • Author: Kathryn Berla
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 256
  • Publisher: Amberjack Publishing
  • Genre: YA, Romance, Retelling, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★.5
  • Release Date: June 25, 2019

After Beau LeFrancois’s mother wrecks Bett Diaz’s luxury SUV, his family faces an impossibly large bill—with no car insurance to help pay it. To pay off the debt, Beau spends his weekends working at the Diaz Ranch.

Beau’s prepared to work, but he’s definitely not prepared for the infamous temper of Bett Diaz, also known as “The Beast” at school. As Beau learns the secrets behind Bett’s tough exterior, he finds himself falling for her . . . until he catches Bett in a lie.

A contemporary twist on a classic fairy tale, Beau and Bett is a timely story of family, friendship, and the power of speaking out and standing up for yourself.

– Goodreads
Thank you Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

“There’s a little bit of beast in every person. And in every beast, there’s a human heart with a story of how it got to that place. A story waiting to be changed with understanding. A story waiting to be changed with just a kiss.”

I enjoyed this gender swapped Beauty and the Beast retelling. Beau’s mom stopped to pick an avacado on her way home. Bett the Beast ran into her, saying it was her fault. Beau’s dad isn’t working because of an injury, so he volunteers to work at Bett’s dad’s ranch to pay off the deductible for the damage to Bett’s car. 

Over the course of two months, Beau starts falling for Bett. He sees her for who she really is, not the Beast everyone thinks she is.  Toward the end there is a betrayal, but in typical fairy tale fashion, there is a happily ever after. 

I liked that this book was such a quick, easy read. It’s a nice, sweet, teen-aged romance. At times I felt the writing and dialogue was a little juvenile, even though these kids were 16 years old. The main characters were likeable enough, but not so much that I really felt connected to them.

If you want a quick, easy romance, this is the book for you. This is really one of those slump-breaker books. You know, you can get in, read, and get out fast – but the story is interesting enough to keep you engaged.

Until next time..

adult, ARC, Erotica, Four Star Book, graphic novel, LGBT

Super Fun Sexy Times ARC Review

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  • Title: Super Fun Sexy Times
  • Author: Meredith McClaren
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: Limerence Press
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, Short Stories
  • Rating: ★★★★

Cartoonist Meredith McClaren (Hinges) tells five short, sexy stories featuring superheroes, supervillains, sidekicks, and the people who love them.

Showing consent and character-driven erotic relationships, Super Fun Sexy Times answers the age-old question: what happens when the mask comes off? 

Two sidekicks on opposite sides get stuck in an underground lab together, and find a great way to pass the time. A tactician and superhero discuss their desires, limits, and kinks before their first time, and perhaps get a little too excited in the process. A pair of supervillains explore gender and sex together, while growing closer in their relationship. Lesbian heroes try out a kinky rolepaying scenario, and discover how to make it work for both of them. And an exhausted assassin relaxes after a long day with the kind (yet firm) attentions of his husband.

Told with care, sex-positivity, and humor, and featuring a wide variety of sexualities and bodies, Super Fun Sexy Times aims to create an erotic reading experience that lives up to its name!

– Goodreads

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own. 

This graphic novel was surprisingly… graphic. 

Not that it’s a bad thing! But the first anatomy I saw kind of took me aback. I loved it though! I mean, I read erotica and romance all the time. But something about seeing it on the page. I don’t know. It’s like a weird mix of porn and erotica books.

This was a graphic novel of 5 short stories. There was SO MUCH lgbt rep. I loved it. It explores all kinds of sex positive things. Consent, safe words, trying and failing new endeavors. It was SO GOOD. I can’t recommend this enough. So much positivity throughout this book. That’s the thing that stuck out most to me, and also what I loved the most. It shows it’s okay to try new things. It’s ok if things don’t work out. It’s GREAT to have conversations before getting in too deep.

But beware, it is nsfw and has nudity.

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, Four Star Book, ya

Symptoms of a Heartbreak ARC Review

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  • Title: Symptoms of a Heartbreak
  • Author: Sona Charaipotra
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 304
  • Publisher: Imprint
  • Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
  • Rating: ★★★★

Fresh from med school, sixteen-year-old medical prodigy Saira arrives for her first day at her new job: treating children with cancer. She’s always had to balance family and friendships with her celebrity as the Girl Genius—but she’s never had to prove herself to skeptical adult co-workers while adjusting to real life-and-death stakes. And working in the same hospital as her mother certainly isn’t making things any easier.

But life gets complicated when Saira finds herself falling in love with a patient: a cute teen boy who’s been diagnosed with cancer. And when she risks her brand new career to try to improve his chances, it could cost her everything.

It turns out “heartbreak” is the one thing she still doesn’t know how to treat.

– Goodreads

Thank you Netgalley for a free copy of this book In exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own. 

Omg. Love this book. 

It’s contemporary. It’s ya. It’s medical. It’s romance. It’s everything! 

I’m a nurse, so I love me a good medical story. This follows Saira, the United State’s youngest doctor. 16 years old. Okay. I’ll roll with it. 

Her first day on the job she meets a boy. A patient. And love ensues. Obviously. 

She has her ups and downs on the job. People are hard on her. They don’t think she should be there because of her age. And it shows, as it should. A 16 year old doctor will still have a 16 year old’s feelings. 

I loved the ups and downs of her career and life. It felt real even though it’s kind of unheard of. And honestly, I’d be scared of a 16 year old doc too. I know I wouldn’t have been as amazing as the nurse practitioner in the story. (One complaint though. He acted more as a nurse than a nurse practitioner, but most people not in the medical field wouldn’t pick up on that.) 

Would I recommend this book? Yes. 100%. Will you like it even if you aren’t in the medical field? Yes. Think of it as a YA Grey’s Anatomy with a little doctoring and a lot of drama.

Until next time…

adult, ARC, contemporary, Erotica, fantasy, Five Star Book, Four Star Book, graphic novel, Memoir, Nursing, three star book, two star book, ya

May Wrapup AND June TBR. What?!

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Yall. This month has been CRAZY. I’ve been getting back to the gym. My husband had his wisdom teeth taken out. I have a two year old so that’s crazy.

I’ve gotta carve out more me time somewhere! I also need to read. Its June 9 and I have read a whopping ZERO books this month! Omg.

I am almost done with an ARC from Netgalley that I’m so excited to share with you guys! Its serving YA, contemporary, medical realness and I am in LOVE!
Okay, so maybe I have been watching A LOT of Queer Eye this month and I am OBSESSED. Especially with Jonathan. Be my bff? Please?

Jonathan if he ever sees this post.

ANYWAYS. So May reads.

The Beautiful Brain.
Audible Original.
Four stars for a medical book about CTE and brain injuries. I loved it. Most people probably won’t though, I wouldn’t think. I just look a good medical book.

The Shift.
Four Stars.
I read this in honor of Nurse’s Week that was May 6-12. Its a memoir about a day in the life of a nurse. I loved it. It brought back the feels of being a nurse on the floor I used to have.

Nimona.
3.5 Stars. This is a graphic novel, but I listened to the audio. The audio was good, the actors were good. But I think I would have liked the graphic novel better.

Collective 3 stars for this sci-fi romance series. Each book follows a different alien and his mate. They were good. The romance scenes were spicy. It just didn’t jump out as being over a 3 star.

Aurora Rising.
Oh my.
Definitely my most favorite read of the month and will probably be top 5 for the year.
I am LIVING for Kal. I mean. I want that body. haha!
Plus, I got to talk DnD with Jay Kristoff after our author chat. He is the sweetest, most genuine guy. I love him and want to play DnD with him. Love him. Love this book. Full review to come but just go read it right now.

Caraval.
Four star book.
This was a great book about magic and carnivals and deception. I can’t wait to read the next two installments!

Illuminae.
Five stars.
This was a reread. I read the physical version last year and LOVED the format. It was so interesting and original.
I listened to the audio this month and it may have been better! It was full cast. All the voice actors were amazing. Its a book that I would love to listen as I read along.

Whatever Normal Is.
Two stars.
This was the very first ARC I received.
I loved the cover, but the story was just… not good.

12 Days of Forever.
Three stars.
Typical audio romance. Wasn’t great, but wasn’t bad.

Gemina.
Five Stars.
Book two of the Illuminae files.
AMAZING. Again, I read the physical. The format was amazing. It follows different characters, so I was scared I wouldn’t like them as much. This was not the case.
New book boyfriend in the bad-boy main character.

Standing Sideways.
Four Star.
Full review posted. This was an arc I received and I really loved the way it looked at loss and redemption.

June plan? WHAT June plan?

I’m just trying to read a book, guys. But really, my plan is to read as many ARCs as possible and get caught up. Fingers crossed!

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, Four Star Book, ya

Standing Sideways ARC Review

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  • Title: Standing Sideways
  • Author: J. Lynn Bailey
  • Book Form: E-Arc
  • Pages: 318
  • Publisher: J. House Publishing
  • Genre: YA, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★★

When Livia Stone suddenly loses her twin brother, Jasper, she must learn to navigate her new life alone. As she faces tragedy and starts down a road toward 
self-destruction, Daniel enters Livia’s life—at a moment when she needs it most. 

Standing Sideways is a poignant, relevant, and touching story of survival, courage, and compassion that will have readers crying, laughing, and most of all, debating the issues affecting the lives of parents and teens alike on a journey of hope and forgiveness.

– Goodreads

Wow. May was INSANE. It was my son’s second birthday. My mom moved and had a garage sale. We were just generally much busier than normal. I’m so sad my blog got neglected! My reading did, too. I only read 12 books this month. Eek. But more on that tomorrow, hopefully!

The plan is to do my May wrap up on June 1, then my June plan on June 2! Crossing my fingers.

Alright. Lets get into this review.

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and the publisherfor a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

This was such a good read. Although quick, it definitely wasn’t easy. This was definitely a page turner. I kept wanting to read to find out what happened to Livia’s brother and how her life would end up.

Standing Sideways follows the story of Livia, who just lost her twin brother. The better twin, as she says.  You see all had decisions after the death. The bad, and good, decisions. It shows how everyone deals with grief differently. Not all ways are good. 

This book took a few twists and turns. Some parts surprised me. I keep rooting for Livia to make the right decisions and to follow who she ‘used to be’. A bit toward the ending got a little muddled for me, but it ended up nicely!

At the end of the book, I was surprised to learn this is based off a true story. It made it that much more real, heartbreaking, but also joyous. Also— all proceeds of this book go to charity so how great is that?! 

I would definitely recommend this book. It gave me all the feels.

Until next time…