Tag: book

ARC, Four Star Book, Sci-Fi

Contagion ARC Review

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  • Title: Contagion
  • Author: Teri Terry
  • Publisher: Charlesbridge Teen
  • Publish Date: July 9, 2019
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 416
  • Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopia
  • Rating: ★★★.5

An epidemic is sweeping the country. It spreads fast, mercilessly. Everyone will be infected. . . . It is only a matter of time. You are now under quarantine. 

Young teen Callie might have been one of the first to survive the disease, but unfortunately she didn’t survive the so-called treatment. She was kidnapped and experimented upon at a secret lab, one that works with antimatter. When she breaks free of her prison, she unleashes a wave of destruction. Meanwhile her older brother Kai is looking for her, along with his smart new friend Shay, who was the last to see Callie alive.

Amid the chaos of the spreading epidemic, the teens must find the source of disease. Could Callie have been part of an experiment in biological warfare? Who is behind the research? And more importantly, is there a cure?

– Goodreads

This was a fast paced sci-fi mystery with some medicine elements that I loved!

The attire for most of the book. Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

This was a page turner for sure. The chapters were short, which was also nice. I always like to stop reading at the end of a chapter, so this book made it easy to do that. I loved the medical aspects of the novel. The virus, how it started, how it spread, looking for a cure. As a nurse, I love a book with a good medical backdrop. There was also some suspense! Part 4 had my heart beating out of my chest!

What I didn’t like:

The beginning was hard to get into. Around part 2 it really picked up for me and had me reading quickly. This almost felt like two different novels meshed together – one where the focus was finding the lost girl and one with a killer flu like virus. It all ends up coming together, but the start didn’t mesh well for me. Some of the conversation didn’t flow very naturally. There was also a part about family lineage that I felt like was thrown in only for shock value? Maybe in the second or third book it will be explained. While I liked the medical aspects of the book, at times it was a little too science-y. She started talking about matter, anti-matter, particle accelerators and I was just as lost as could be. I do realize some people could feel this way about the medical aspect though.

All in all, it was a pretty solid read. Not a full four stars because I think it got too science-y and the start was hard to get into.

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

Would I recommend?

I would! I actually included it in this month’s Book Battle recs for multi-pov! It was a good story with a solid start. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series!

Get this novel here:

| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |
| Kobo|

Until next time…

Four Star Book, mystery, ya

Sadie Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: Sadie
  • Author: Courtney Summers
  • Publisher: Wednesday Books
  • Publish Date: September 4, 2018
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 308
  • Genre: YA, Mystery
  • Rating: ★★★.5

A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she’s left behind. And an ending you won’t be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it’s too late.

– Goodreads

I kept hearing about how good this audio was. And it was good! I think for me it just didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Thanks, giphy!

What I Liked:

I loved the set up of the audio! I kept hearing people rave about it and I absolutely loved the podcasts! It was a full cast audio, which is also a huge plus in my book. It was a great mystery. There were a lot of twists. I didn’t figure out whodunnit – but honestly, I never do.

What I Didn’t Like:

Honestly, I think this book was just too hyped up for me. It was good, but just kind of eh at parts. I didn’t love Sadie’s story. I enjoyed the podcasts much much more and honestly just wanted a book full of the podcasts and interviews. Also the ending wasn’t great to me – but I won’t give anything away!

Would I Recommend?

I mean, yeah, I guess. It’s a good mystery and full cast audio, which always lifts them up a notch to me. I honestly think this was just too hyped and I had my hopes up way too high.

Find This Book Here:

| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |
| iBooks | Kobo|

Until next time…

ARC, contemporary, Five Star Book, LGBT, Romance

Red, White & Royal Blue ARC Review

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  • Title: Red, White & Royal Blue
  • Author: Casey McQuiston
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
  • Publish Date: May 14, 2019
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 423
  • Genre: Romance, Contemporary, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★★★

A big-hearted romantic comedy in which First Son Alex falls in love with Prince Henry of Wales after an incident of international proportions forces them to pretend to be best friends…

First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations.

The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince. Alex is busy enough handling his mother’s bloodthirsty opponents and his own political ambitions without an uptight royal slowing him down. But beneath Henry’s Prince Charming veneer, there’s a soft-hearted eccentric with a dry sense of humor and more than one ghost haunting him. 

As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. And Henry throws everything into question for Alex, an impulsive, charming guy who thought he knew everything: What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you

– Goodreads

I cannot stop gushing over this super-cute, super-adorable, super-lovable novel. It was just super good, okay guys?

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

That gif pretty much describes my feels as I was reading Red, White & Royal Blue. I adored all of the main characters. I cared about all six of them and their backstories. I was rooting for them from the get-go.

There’s just enough political intrigue in this novel to keep it from being just a basic LGBT love story with a backdrop of politics. I loved that it really played on the politics of it. This is set in an alternate universe, I guess is the best way to put it, where we have our first female president and people who are LGBTQ+ are just, like, the norm. It’s not a whole deal. I. Love. It. I kept thinking, can’t I just live in this universe? Can this just please be real?

The love story is amazing. It’s enemies – to friends – to lovers and I was here for it.

What I didn’t like:

Um, was there anything I didn’t like? I honestly can’t think of anything. There were a couple of times I didn’t like actions of characters, but that’s what makes a book good, isn’t it? This novel really was that good.

Would I recommend?

Oh yes. Hell yes. This book is for anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers love story or lgbt love stories. The political intrigue was great and kept me on my toes for the ending!

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

Get this novel here:

| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |
| iBooks | Kobo |

Until next time…

adult, cozy mystery, three star book

The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop Review

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  • Title: The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop
  • Author: J. A. Whiting
  • Book Form: E-Book
  • Pages: 204
  • Publisher: Self-Published
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Rating: ★★★

Angie Roseland runs The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop in the seacoast town of Sweet Cove, Massachusetts. The building’s new owners are not renewing the bake shop’s lease and Angie is running out of time to find a new location. When one of the town’s long-time residents is murdered, Angie finds herself on the suspect list. With the help of her three sisters and a huge orange cat, Angie works to uncover the killer’s identity. 

A cozy mystery with recipes ! 

– Goodreads

Cozy mysteries aren’t usually my thing. I often read them when I need a palate cleanser of sorts, like if I’m in a slump. The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop would be good for that. It was a fast read. It didn’t take long to get into. I read it in less than a day.

I picked up this book because we have an Ice Cream theme in Book Battle, and I needed a book set in a restaurant.

So The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop follows Angie as she tries to identify who murdered one of her regular customers. I found it kind of odd at times. She flirts with one of the realtors who purchased the building where her shop is located. However, she inherits the Professor’s mansion after she dies – and invites all of her sisters to live with her. Now Angie is an adult, so I kept thinking – ‘Ok, when her and this guy get together, he’s gonna be living in a house full of her sisters…?’ I thought that multiple times throughout this book. It’s just a little odd to me.

The story was ok as far as cozy mysteries go. It wasn’t the best I’ve read, but it wasn’t the worst. I wasn’t super surprised at who the killer was. One of my favorite things was the Professor’s cat. The cat apparently knew who did it, but no one paid attention to him. Poor kitty. I didn’t find that Angie and her sisters did a lot of investigating though? It was more like, oh what if this happened? Speculation, I guess.

Overall, this was a quick read. It wasn’t very fulfilling. There wasn’t a ton of depth. It’s nice to read if you’re in a slump and need somthing quick to break you out.

It does include recipes in the back for all you bakers!

Until next time…

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, 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..

adult, Five Star Book, LGBT, Memoir

Naturally Tan Review

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  • ★★★★ Title: Naturally Tan
  • Author: Tan France
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: 304
  • Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
  • Genre: Memoir, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★★★

In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France, star of Netflix’s smash-hit QUEER EYE, tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humor, and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional Muslim family, as one of the few people of color in Doncaster, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and how he finally came out to his family at the age of 34, revealing that he was happily married to the love of his life–a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City.

In Tan’s own words, “The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be.”

– Goodreads

I loved this memoir. I love Tan France. I love Queer Eye. SO MUCH LOVE. 

I really liked hearing about Tan’s life when he was growing up. It showed a great perspective. I loved hearing how he built himself from the ground up and how his business and brand evolved. 

I especially liked the parts about Queer Eye. The hiring process, behind the scenes, the Emmys, everything. It was great. 

There’s also life lessons and notes on style and how to style yourself. Which I may or may not need. 

Also as a plus – Antoni appears in the audio!

Pick this book up if you love queer eye, style, memoirs, or just need a pick me up. Listening to this book made me so happy!

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, Four Star Book, Humor, LGBT

You Do You Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: You Do You
  • Author: Tan France and others
  • Book Form: Audio
  • Pages: None
  • Publisher: Audible Originals
  • Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, LGBT
  • Rating: ★★★★

I got this on audible as a members freebie during Pride Month. Honestly I picked it up because Tan France is on the cover. I’m obsessed with Queer Eye and would kill to have him style me. Anyway.

I am so glad I chose this book!! One of my favorite drag queens, Shangela, was featured. Hallelujah! 

This was an audio of a group of LGBT famous people telling stories. Like Shangela’s was about when she broke her leg and went to see Queen Bey. I was crying at my desk from laughter. 

All the stories were humorous. But mostly, it was about just being YOU, whoever that is. Loving yourself (cause if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?) and living your best life. The last story was a tear-jerker, but honestly, I think you needed one in this kind of book.

I 100% recommend this book. It’s so so funny.

Until next time…