contemporary, LGBT, three star book, ya

How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom Review

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  • Title: How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom
  • Author: S.J. Goslee
  • Book Form: E-Arc
  • Pages: 240
  • Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
  • Genre: LGBT, YA, Contemporary, Romance
  • Rating: ***

Nolan Grant is sixteen, gay, and (definitely) still a virgin. He’s never had a boyfriend, or even been kissed. It’s not like Penn Valley is brimming with prospects. And when his big sister stages an elaborate “prom-posal” so Nolan can ask out his not-so-secret crush, Nolan freezes. He’s saved from further embarrassment by bad boy Bern, who, for his own reasons, offers to fake-date Nolan.

Nolan thinks it’s the perfect way to get Daphne off his back and spend the rest of the year drawing narwhals, tending to plants, and avoiding whatever died under his bed a few weeks ago. What he doesn’t think about is Bern’s ex-girlfriend, who seriously wants to kill him.

-GOODREADS

I received a free copy of this book from netgally and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

Man. This book had so much potential. Lets start with the things I liked about How (Not) to Ask a Boy to Prom.

I love teenage, highschool, lgbt romances. They are usually just so cute and fun, and this was no exception. I liked the two MCs, even though Nolan could be a jerk. He comes to realize this, which makes me like him more.

There’s also the fake dating troupe, which I find fun. You know they’re going to end up liking one another, and I loved hearing the past between Nolan and Bren. SUPER CUTE!

Lastly, I love stories where the siblings are close, and Nolan and Daphne are very close. Nolan was adopted into a loving family, and that’s something I haven’t seen much of. I loved seeing that represented!

Now for what didn’t work so well for me. I felt like the plot kind of drug on at times. Almost like there was no plot? There were just days and days of his life? That’s okay for some people, but I was left thinking ‘where is this going?’

Overall this was a cute story. I loved the ending and the fake dating troupe. I would probably recommend this book!

Until next time…

Five Star Book, ya

Girls With Sharp Sticks Review

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  • Title: Girls With Sharp Sticks
  • Author: Suzanne Young
  • Book Form: Physical ARC
  • Pages: 400
  • Publisher: Simon Pulse
  • Genre: YA, Contemporary, Fiction
  • Rating: *****

The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardians, the all-girl boarding school offers an array of studies and activities, from “Growing a Beautiful and Prosperous Garden” to “Art Appreciation” and “Interior Design.” The girls learn to be the best society has to offer. Absent is the difficult math coursework, or the unnecessary sciences or current events. They are obedient young ladies, free from arrogance or defiance. Until Mena starts to realize that their carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears.

As Mena and her friends begin to uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations will find out what they are truly capable of. Because some of the prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns.

– Goodreads

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

Wow. This was my first Suzanne Young book and it’s safe to say it will not be my last.

This book was eerie in the way that it could be real. This could potentionally happen, and we just aren’t aware. Part of it is happening now, and if that’s not scary, I don’t know what is.

At Innovations Academy, girls are a commodity. They are used for men to hang on their arm, look pretty, be quiet, and not think or have opinions. Don’t act this way? You’ll get impulse control therapy and get “redirected”. The way these men treat these girls is awful, and so true to the times. They get hit for talking back. They get berated and talked down upon. And the most angering part? The girls blame themselves.

But then they find a book of poems. The words open their eyes and they see that life doesn’t have to be this way. The ‘little girls’ can fight back. The girls can win.

My favorite part of Girls With Sharp Sticks is the love the girls have for one another. They have such strong friendships. Its heartwarming to see them stand up and fight for each other.

There was a twist at the end I was not expecting, though another friend of mine called it. It’s been so much fun to discuss this book with my friends and the theories we have for book two!

I’ve been pretty lucky with some good reads lately, but I don’t give this one 5 stars lightly. Every mod of Words &Whimsy book club has given this book five stars. Its going to blow up. I see a move in the future.

This book is 400 pages, and it generally takes me longer to read physical books. I read this in three days. After working 10 hour shifts, coming home, cooking, and putting baby to bed. Like, I don’t normally do this. I stayed up way too late, three nights in a row just reading. I couldn’t put it down because I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. My heart raced for the girls during the action sequences. My heart ached for the girls when one of their friends got impulse control therapy. Through it all, I was rooting for those little girls, and I think you will too.

Love this book? Love Suzanne Young? Come join us at Words & Whimsy on March 25 at 7pm EST for a live chat with Suzanne!We can’t wait to discuss this book with her!!

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, Historical Fiction, ya

Enchantée Review

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  • Title: Enchantée
  • Author: Gita Trelease
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 496
  • Publisher: Flatiron Books
  • Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★.5


Paris is a labryinth of twisted streets filled with beggars and thieves, revolutionaries and magicians. Camille Durbonne is one of them. She wishes she weren’t…
When smallpox kills her parents, Camille must find a way to provide for her younger sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on magic, Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille pursues a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Using dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into a baroness and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for magic. As she struggles to reconcile her resentment of the rich with the allure of glamour and excess, Camille meets a handsome younge inventor, and begins to believe that love and liberty may both be possible.
But magic has its costs, and soon Camille loses control of her secrets. And when revolution erupts, Camille must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, reality of magic—before Paris burns.

– goodreads

Oh, Enchantée. I was enchanted to read you. Taylor Swift reference, anyone? No? Well then…

Enchantée placed me in pre-revolution France. I was there with Camille as she fought to get food for herself, her sister, and low-down brother. I was there when she realized she could go to court, or Versalies, and get more money for a better life. I was there through the trials and tribulations and I loved it! This book is SO immersive with all the wonderful descriptions that aren’t too flowerly or overdone. I love fantasy and I love historical fiction set in France, so this book was right up my alley.

There’s French sprinkled throughout the whole book, which I think is my favorite thing. Don’t know French? Have no fear! Gita is amazing at saying a French word or phrase in conversation, then turning it around in English so you don’t miss any part of the story. There’s also a handy-dandy glossary included! I took two years of French in high school and two semesters in college. Do I remember any of it? Non. I remember this – Non, je ne parle pas Francaise. This is the phrase I told my French teacher every time she would ask me a question. Madame Kelly would get SO mad, because you know what it means? No, I don’t speak French. 🙂

I was in love with every one of these characters. They were all so complex and just felt like they all had such rich backstories. I loved the way Camille grew and tried her best to do what was right. I love how Sophie tried to do what was best for her sister as well, even if maybe it wasn’t best for her. And the relationship between Camille and Lazare. Swoon!

There was so much feeling and emotion in the book! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but sorrow is a big theme. Enchantée isn’t an inherently sad book, though. There is hope. There is love. There’s adventure and danger. Your heart will race at parts and swell at parts and cry at others. Its such a compelling book to read.

My only complaint with this book, and why I didn’t give it 5 stars, was because I felt like it took so long for me to read. The beginning was a little slow. I felt like I was reading and reading and getting nowhere. But man. At 50% did it pick up. And the last 10 chapters? You better not have anything planned because bay-bay, you will not put this book down!

And the best part? There will be a book 2! Gita is currently working on it! We learned that during our author chat with her over at Words & Whimsy today! If you want to learn more about her or the Enchantée world go check it out! Gita is so sweet and genuine. You can’t help but love her!

Please pick up this book and be transported to France. You will be so glad you did! And be on the lookout for her next book in 2020!

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, ya

The Queen’s Rising Review

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  • Title: The Queen’s Rising
  • Author: Rebecca Ross
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Publisher: HarperTeen
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★★


When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

– Goodreads

This is the first five star book I have read since last month, and oh man. I could not put it down. I love YA Fantasy, but this book was special. There were twists and turns. So many things I didn’t see coming. I mean, if we’re being real, I normally don’t see things coming. BUT OH MAN.

I did a buddy read of this book over at Words & Whimsy in preparation for our author chat with Rebecca Ross! We loved this book and loved having her to chat with!

My favorite thing about this book was how integrated the passions were. The characters took the passions into account when making any kind of decisions. It was so cool how the kids at the school had a chosen passion and spent years just perfecting it. I would love to live in a society like that, where things like art are valued like they are in this book. Where they are revered as much as knowledge. It was really special to me.

I loved the two countries and how different they were. I could see myself living in both countries, adopting either of the customs. It was such an easy world to fall into and get enveloped in.

I can’t think of anything I didn’t like about this book. The world was rich. The characters grew and developed and surprised me.

The romance had me iffy though, I will say that. Cartier met Brienna when she was like, 7. Then as she grew older they fell for each other. Like, okay. Seven years may not be that bad. But when you meet her when she’s seven?! Like, hopefully you weren’t thinking about her romantically then, because ew. That’s really my only complaint about this book. When I thought about their ages I felt icky, so I just pretended they were much closer. 🙂

This is book 1 of 2. The Queen’s Resistance came out on March 5, 2019. I cannot wait to get my hands on it! I would most definitely recommend. Please pick this book up. You won’t regret it. Pinky promise.

Until next time…

LGBT, three star book, ya

What Happens When Review

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  • Title: What Happens When
  • Author: Samantha Boyette
  • Book Form: Egalley ARC
  • Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, Inc
  • Genre: YA, Contemporary, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★


For Molly Kennan, senior year is already an epic disaster. It feels like the whole school knows she made out with Lily at that party, and now she’s accidentally outed herself as a lesbian. Her ex-best friend is trying to ruin her life, and school generally sucks. All she wants is to drown her sorrows in sweet potato fries, but she finds herself tongue-tied by the diner’s new waitress, Zia. Zia is way out of Molly’s league. Older, beautiful, and definitely way more sophisticated. It’s probably just wishful thinking, but Molly can’t help wondering if maybe Zia is flirting with her. Despite Zia’s always-there boyfriend, Molly falls hard for her, and Zia says she feels the same way. So then why doesn’t Zia break up with her boyfriend, and why does she keep so many secrets? Then there’s Lily, who she can’t seem to stop accidentally kissing. When your head and your heart are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

– Goodreads

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books, Inc and Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have recently been into LGBT fiction, so I was super excited to read this book! I also just love YA Contemporary. It is such a cute genre. I was disappointed it didn’t live up to the hype I made for it. Although this book was a three star for me, it was a very quick read. I read it over three days, but only because I was trying to finish another book for a book club.

My favorite part of What Happens When was the relationship between Abby and her brother. They’re Irish twins and are super close. Luke is there for her no matter what and I love that. I’m an only child, but if I had a sibling I hope that’s how we would be.

I didn’t like the way the LGBT kids were treated. Yes, I understand she was trying to show how bad it can be for them abuse and bullying wise. It can be bad; I’m not denying that. However, I’ve never heard of it on that scale. It almost seems a little too over the top. I went to a very conservative school in the south and the LGBT kids weren’t treated near like they were in this book.

I also didn’t like that Abby was so hung up on Zia. Maybe it’s a dumb teenage thing, always chasing after who we can’t have. But they just seemed to take it too far and Zia strung her along. The whole book I was just begging her to go to Lily who actually wanted to be with her and wasn’t afraid to show it! In the end, the MC, Molly, did show growth and maturity, which I liked. It’s always nice to see character growth.

I felt like the blurb may have been better than the book. Like I said, it was a quick read. It wasn’t awful. But I just felt like Molly was too caught up on Zia and the bullying was too over-the-top, and theatrical for reality. If you can deal with the bullying and Molly being hung up on a straight girl who may-or-may-not-be-bi and who may-or-may-not break up with her boyfriend, then you’ll probably like this book. There were good parts. I loved the ending. It was a fast read. I just wish some elements worked a little better for me.

Until next time…

two star book

The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project Review

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  • Title: The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project
  • Author: Lenore Appelhans
  • Book Form: Egalley ARC
  • Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
  • Genre: YA, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★


Riley lives in TropeTown, where everyone plays stock roles in novels. Riley, a Manic Pixie Dream Boy, is sent to group therapy after going off-script. Riley knows that breaking the rules again could get him terminated, yet he feels there must be more to life than recycling the same clichés for readers’ entertainment. Then he meets Zelda, a Manic Pixie Dream Girl (Geek Chic subtype), and falls head over heels in love. Zelda’s in therapy too, along with several other Manic Pixies. But TropeTown has a dark secret, and if Riley and his fellow Manic Pixies don’t get to the bottom of it, they may all be terminated.

– Goodreads

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and feelings are my own.

So. I’ve put off writing this review for two days. I just don’t really know what to say. I was not a fan of this book.

This is about Riley, the manic pixie dream boy, who lives in TropeTown – where all the bookish tropes live and get called into jobs aka books.

The idea is catchy. I was like, oh this sounds cool! It seemed fun and campy. And I love campy. I just….. could not get into this book.

Riley has to go to therapy daily because he went ‘off script’ from what the author was writing. There he meets Zelda, another manic pixie in therapy, and he falls for her. But in his current job, he finds himself actually falling for Ava. So there’s this love triangle, which I felt like had so much potential, but it didn’t really go anywhere for me.

I felt like there was just no progression in the story. I kept waiting for something to happen. Or for the book to end. And I hate feeling that way about a book.

All in all, I just didn’t enjoy the book. I was just counting down the minutes until it ended. I wish I would have liked it more because it was such a fun idea!

Until next time…

Four Star Book

The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in This One Review

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  • Title: The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in This One
  • Author: Amanda Lovelace
  • Pages: 210
  • Book Form: Egalley ARC
  • Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
  • Genre: Poetry, Feminism
  • Rating: ★★★★


Goodreads Choice Award-winning poet and USA TODAY bestselling author Amanda Lovelace presents the mermaid’s voice returns in this one — the third and final installment in her “women are some kind of magic” series, featuring a foreword from Lang Leav and 13 guest poems from leading voices in poetry such as Nikita Gill, KY Robinson, and Orion Carloto.

The mermaid is known for her siren song, luring bedroom-eyed sailors to their demise. However, beneath these misguided myths are tales of escapism and healing, which Lovelace weaves throughout this empowering collection of poetry, taking you on a journey from the sea to the stars. They tried to silence her once and for all, but the mermaid’s voice returns in this one.

– Goodreads

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and feelings are my own. 

This was another great collection of poetry by Amanda Lovelace. I was so excited when someone told me her third book was available on Netgalley! 

I love that the central theme in this book was hope and healing. Yes, terrible, horrific things happened, but there’s always a chance for healing. It’s such a great message that’s so pertinent today. 

I did have a harder time connecting with this book, but I think that’s because the issues discussed have never happened to me. The poems were still beautifully written and I liked the inclusion of other poets. The subject matter did not take away from the book at all, even though it wasn’t something I had experienced. 

This was another amazing book of poetry that empowers women to take back their lives after tragedies and gives them hope to be able to heal. I would definitely recommend this book, along with her others.

Until next time…

Uncategorized

Fake Plastic Girl Review

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  • Title: Fake Plastic Girl
  • Author: Zara Lisbon
  • Book Form: Ebook ARC
  • Publisher: Henry Holt
  • Genre: YA, Mystery
  • Rating: ★★★


Henry Holt has acquired the YA thriller Fake Plastic Girl and its untitled sequel, by Zara Lisbon. Inspired by The Great Gatsby, the novels are set in the 21st-century world of the Rich Kids of Instagram, Hollywood style. Publication of the first book is set for winter 2019.

– Goodreads

I received a copy of Fake Plastic Girl from Netgalley/Henry and Holt in exchange for an honest review. These thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Fake Plastic Girl was quite an interesting read. It’s not like anything I have read. I read a lot of YA Contemporary, so it was nice to have something fresh in the genre. 

This book is about a girl, Justine, who happens to become friends with mega pop star, Eva Kate Kelly. This book is largely about the growth of their friendship over about a month. It was interesting to see how Justine changed and evolved when she entered the world of the famous – which was a place she always wanted to be. Eva-Kate created this persona of her, which she ultimately took on and became. 

So this is both what I loved and hated most about this book. A large part of the book focused on Taylor Swift. Like whole chapters. I’m still confused by that. I think the MC measured life/memories with Taylor Swift albums, but it was so much more in depth than that. At times I wasn’t sure if I was reading the MC’s thoughts on Taylor or the author’s. That took me out of the story a bit. I am a HUGE Taylor fan, so at first with all the references, I was super excited. Then, there was this quote, 

“No, no. Make no mistake, true snakes in this story wear Yeezys.”

I mean, COME ON. That’s a great line. I have to give it to Zara Lisbon. But after a while, all the references got to be too much, and I feel like the story was muddled. It almost turned into a book more about what she thought about Taylor, than what was happening with Justine and Eva-Kate. 

The book had a very abrupt end. When I started the book, I didn’t know it would be part of a series. I felt this novel was mostly just a really long setup for the true story, which will happen in book two. There will be a sequel in 2020, but I still wanted more. I gave three stars because, honestly, I will read the sequel. I want to know what happens. But the story didn’t just wow me.

Until next time…

Uncategorized

The Tea Dragon’s Society Review

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  • Title: The Tea Dragon’s Society
  • Author: Katie O’Neill
  • Book Form: Physical
  • Pages: 72
  • Publisher: Oni Press
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Middle Grade
  • Rating: ★★★★


From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever Aftercomes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons. 

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

– Goodreads

This graphic novel was SO ADORABLE. I received it in my February Owl Crate, and immediately fell in love with the art. This is exactly the kind of style I love in my graphic novels.

The Tea Dragon’s Society centers around Greta, who I instantly fell in love with. She wanted to keep learning to be a blacksmith so the art wouldn’t die, but she knew this wasn’t her true calling. She happens upon a Tea Dragon in the market, and her world opens up.

The writing was great. It follows Greta through a year after finding the Tea Dragon, and also finding herself. She makes amazing friends, each one who I was invested in. I feel like that’s generally hard to do in 72 pages.

As I said before, the art was fantastic. It was so adorable and just up my alley.

I’m giving this book 4 stars. I loved the story, characters, and art. It just didn’t blow my mind to be a 5 star.

Until next time…

Uncategorized

March Planning

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Hey guys! This is the post where I’ll let you know my reading plan for the month! Reading plans are subject to change, and in all honesty, probably will.
First I’ll show you the Book Battle theme, let you know what team I’m on, and let you see the criteria for this month!

This month is themed around an 80s classic, The Breakfast Club! I’m team Princess! #bbPrincess It’s my 5th month to help and I’m super excited to get this rolling!

Criteria

  • Book with Green Cover
  • Female POV
  • Book Set in a School
  • Criteria Choice #1
  • Criteria Choice #2
  • Club Read #1
  • Club Read #2
  • Book With a Face on the Cover
  • Irish POV
  • Book About a Group of Misfits
  • Team Book

Criteria Choice Options

  • ARC
  • Book with a Crime/Heist
  • Dr. Seuss Book
  • Book with Detention
  • Book with a Clover on the Cover
  • Book with a Purple Cover

Club Reads

  • Warrior of the Wild by Tricia Levenseller
  • City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
  • Year One by Norah Roberts
  • The Outsiders by SE Hinton
  • The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
  • The Disasters by MK England
  • Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M McManus
  • King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
  • Hunted by Megan Spooner
  • Enchantée by Gita Trelease
  • The Queen’s Rising by Rebecca Ross
  • February Owl Crate Book – Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau Preto AND Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill
  • February Owl Crate Jr. Book – The Lost Girl by Anne Ursa

So for the first time ever, I don’t have a TBR based around the criteria. I have a group of physical books and ARCs I’ll read, and I’m just hoping I can fit them!

Physical Books

ARCs

So that’s the plan! I’m hoping since it’s an easy month and back to the normal amount of time, I’ll be able to get to all/most of these. I’m so excited so share my reviews with you! Look for The Tea Dragon’s Society coming up next!