Tag: Five Star Book

ARC, Five Star Book, mystery, thriller, ya

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder ARC Review!

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

The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.

But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the murder, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final year project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth?

A debut YA crime thriller as addictive as Serial and as page-turning as One of Us Is Lying.

– Goodreads

Okay, I first featured this book on First Impression Friday. I started this late Thursday night – like 8pm. I read it until my husband begged me to go to bed because the kindle light was bothering him. I finished Friday at around 6pm. And I worked 8-5 on Friday. I read it ALL DAY AT WORK. Luckily we were all caught up. But I could not put this down.

This has so many true crime podcasts vibes I felt like I was listening to one. Going about the case backwards. Finding suspects, finding clues, interviewing people associated with the crimes, the players, the suspect, and the victim. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is told in present tense, with bits of Pip’s senior project about the crime thrown in. I loved that formatting and really thought it brought a lot to the story.

The relationships in this book really stuck out to me, too. Pip and her dad were really close, which is something I don’t see a lot in YA novels. My dad and I have always been close, so it was nice to see that! She also has a cute relationship with her brother and her dog. Her mom didn’t make many appearances, but it seemed she had a good relationship with her as well.
Pip had many friends that you saw throughout the story and how their friendship changes as she is investigating.
My favorite was with Pip and Ravi. At first he wants nothing to do with her, then they become friends and it makes my heart soar.

The investigation was very well thought out. The clues were interesting, but it didn’t give everything away. There’s even a murder board! Who hasn’t wanted to make one of those?! The ending KILLED ME. I didn’t expect it and it just blew my mind.

I just felt like I grew so close to Pip. I can’t wait to see the next leg of her and Ravi’s journey in Good Girl, Bad Blood releasing April 30! Preorder here.

Add A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder to your Goodreads TBR here. I promise, you want to.
Buy A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder at Penguin Random House or Amazon.

Have you read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder? What did you think? If not, is it going on your tbr? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, ARC, blog tour, contemporary, Erotica, Five Star Book, Four Star Book, Horror, ownvoices, Romance, three star book, thriller, ya

January 2020 Wrapup

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Yall, this was NOT my month. I said I wanted to read 15 books a month. Well. I only got to 9. I was in a super huge slump for a majority of the month and I’m not sure why.

Anyway, I’ll tell you what books I read, my monthly stats, and how my Goodreads goal is looking!

EBOOKS READ

  1. Grey by EL James – 3 stars. Not my favorite. Took me almost a week to read.
  2. The Center of the Universe by Ria Voros – 3.5 stars. Much better than Grey, but not my favorite book of the month.
  3. Don’t Read the Comments by Eric Smith – 5 stars. Favorite book of the month and maybe top 5 of the year?! Yes, it was THAT GOOD.
  4. Idol Thoughts by JS Lee – 4 stars. Cute, fun reverse harem featuring a K-Pop group. Great slump buster!
  5. The Wives by Tarryn Fisher – 4 stars. Had some great twists. The middle of the book had me so surprised.

AUDIOBOOKS READ

  1. I’m a Therapist and My Patient is Going to be the Next School Shooter by Dr. Harper – 3.5 stars. I thought these were real stories. They were not. Ending got kind of weird.
  2. Call Me God by Jim Clemente – 4 stars. Great book about the DC Sniper and how the FBI profiled them.
  3. Evil Has a Name by Paul Holes – 4 stars. Great follow up to I’ll Be Gone in the Dark about the Golden State Killer.
  4. Chase Darkness with Me by Billy Jensen – 4 Stars. It made me want to take up being an at-home detective! But really, he is doing great work.

Now for some stats!

First off, my Goodreads goal. 9/165. I’m 4 books behind schedule. I already have a plan for next month and I’m hoping to hit it!

I read 1697 pages and did 14 hours, 32 minutes of listening! My average rating was 3.88 stars.
I read three nonfic, two contemporary, two erotica, one horror, and one thriller. There were seven adult books and two YA. I only read one ARC this month. One of my books was #ownvoices!

What does your monthly wrap up look like? Did you read any of these books! Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

adult, fantasy, Five Star Book

Ninth House Review

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  • Title: Ninth House
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Publisher: Flatiron Books
  • Publish Date: October 8, 2019
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 462
  • Genre:Fantasy, Adult
  • Rating: ★★★★★

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

– Goodreads

Queen Leigh has done it again. She’s completely engrossed me in a world in which I wish I lived.

What I liked:

Only everything. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. Leigh Bardugo is an exceptional storyteller. She pulls you into her stories so quickly and easily. You just become immersed in this world that you want to be a part of. Her characters are all so diverse, interesting, and morally gray – which makes them oh so real.

What if there was an underground world of secret societies at Yale that really does control, well, everything? They use magic to do it. And what happens when the balance gets out of wack? People die. And that’s where Lethe, the Ninth House, comes in. They investigate crimes the most powerful eight houses commit and try to right their wrongs.

Alex knew the girl was murdered. When she was written off, that only made her want to find the truth more. I loved the investigative parts of this story. I’m a huge crime junkie so this was mixing two of my favorite things into one.

I loved the magic. There were different ways to use the different types of magic, and no one mastered them all. It was distinctly different from Shadow and Bone, which I appreciated. And like all good magic stories, you can’t just use the magic. Something has to be taken to use it. I loved the ghost element of it as well. That only certain people could see ghosts, and even fewer could talk to them.

What I didn’t like:

I guess I’ll just put this here. There were a lot of trigger warnings for this book. In my opinion, they were blown way out of proportion. I know different people will see this differently, but it wasn’t too bad for me. Also – this is an ADULT book! Please do not confuse with her YA series. It’s adult and oh so good!

Would I recommend?

Is the world round? Is the sky blue? Yes, of COURSE I would recommend! I already have! Seriously, this is a perfect Halloween book and everyone needs to read it. Leigh did an amazing job with her adult debut. I can’t wait to go to Hell in book #2!

Until next time…

adult, Five Star Book, LGBT, Memoir

Over the Top Review

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Who gave Jonathan Van Ness permission to be the radiant human he is today? No one, honey.

The truth is, it hasn’t always been gorgeous for this beacon of positivity and joy.

Before he stole our hearts as the grooming and self-care expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, Jonathan was growing up in a small Midwestern town that didn’t understand why he was so…over the top. From choreographed carpet figure skating routines to the unavoidable fact that he was Just. So. Gay., Jonathan was an easy target and endured years of judgement, ridicule and trauma—yet none of it crushed his uniquely effervescent spirit.

Over the Top uncovers the pain and passion it took to end up becoming the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today. In this revelatory, raw, and rambunctious memoir, Jonathan shares never-before-told secrets and reveals sides of himself that the public has never seen. JVN fans may think they know the man behind the stiletto heels, the crop tops, and the iconic sayings, but there’s much more to him than meets the Queer Eye.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll come away knowing that no matter how broken or lost you may be, you’re a Kelly Clarkson song, you’re strong, and you’ve got this.

– Goodreads

Yall. I cannot tell you how excited I was for this book.

Thanks, Giphy!

What I liked:

O.M.G. JVN. He’s just everything. I love him with every ounce of my being.

But man, has he been through some struggles. I won’t divulge what’s in the book, but I just wanted to cry for him. He’s been thrown so many curveballs and faced so many challenges, but he pulled through and became such a beautiful soul who is helping so many other people.

I think Chapter 1 is what hit me the hardest. I know. I was crying at work. Jonathan talks about wondering if people would love all his parts after the book. Everyone sees the bubbly, happy, loving JVN. That’s who people want to see. But what about when he’s had a bad day, running late, not feeling well? People still expect to see the Jonathan they see on Queer Eye. He talks about loving all of his parts. That hit home. There are so many parts of me that I struggle with, so knowing I’m not alone in that really moved me. I mean, of course everyone has struggles, it’s just not pushed in your face. Everyone wants to show the perfect Instagram part of their lives, not what’s really under the surface. Over the Top made me want to come to terms with those not so pretty parts of me, learn to embrace them, and show them.

Jonathan was really thrown some shit in life. I can’t image how he got through it being the person he is today. I honestly don’t think I could have. This just makes me love him so much more.

Also, I totally recommend the audio because who doesn’t want to listen to Jonathan tell them his life story for 5 hours? It was so ah-ma-zing!

What I didn’t like:

Uhm, nothing! This novel made me laugh and cry. Perfection.

Would I recommend?

Oh 1000%. If you need a pick me up, read this. If you’ve faced struggles and want to know you aren’t alone, read this. If you need to learn how to get more involved with your self-care, read this. If you just love Queer Eye, read it!

Until next time…

adult, contemporary, mystery, Romance

Verity Review

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  • Title: Verity
  • Author: Colleen Hoover
  • Publisher: Hoover Ink
  • Publish Date: December 7, 2018
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 333
  • Genre: Thriller, Romance, Mystery, Contemporary
  • Rating: ★★★★★

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

A standalone romantic thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

-Goodreads

I just….

Actual footage of me finishing this book. Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

Everything?! Okay, so this isn’t CoHo’s normal genre. But like, can it be?! She did this romantic, suspense, mind-eff so freaking well. I didn’t know who was good. I didn’t know who was bad. I didn’t know who was crazy. Was the kid crazy? Maybe. Was Verity crazy? Most definitely. But Jeremy and Lowen? PROBABLY! I don’t know what I just read. I don’t know what’s real. I’m rambling. I finished this book a week ago and I’m STILL thinking about it. This is one of the best books I have ever read, hands down. It’s so twisty, and weird, and intriguing, and just… perfect.

What I didn’t like:

Nothing. I liked it all. I still don’t know who is good and bad. Or who is crazy. Maybe I’m just crazy.

Would I recommend?

Hell. Yes. Please read this book! I have to know. Are you #teamletter or #teammanuscript?

Me? Manuscript all the way!

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Five Star Book, ya

The Babysitter’s Coven ARC Review

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Adventures in Babysitting meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this funny, action-packed novel about a coven of witchy babysitters who realize their calling to protect the innocent and save the world from an onslaught of evil.

Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl has a babysitters club. She knows it’s kinda lame, but what else is she supposed to do? Get a job? Gross. Besides, Esme likes babysitting, and she’s good at it.

And lately Esme needs all the cash she can get, because it seems like destruction follows her wherever she goes. Let’s just say she owes some people a new tree.

Enter Cassandra Heaven. She’s Instagram-model hot, dresses like she found her clothes in a dumpster, and has a rebellious streak as gnarly as the cafeteria food. So why is Cassandra willing to do anything, even take on a potty-training two-year-old, to join Esme’s babysitters club?

The answer lies in a mysterious note Cassandra’s mother left her: “Find the babysitters. Love, Mom.”

Turns out, Esme and Cassandra have more in common than they think, and they’re about to discover what being a babysitter really means: a heroic lineage of superpowers, magic rituals, and saving the innocent from seriously terrifying evil. And all before the parents get home.

– GOodreads

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

I was so excited to get an arc of this book, and man. It did not disappoint!

Thanks, Giphy!

What I liked:

This was such a fast, intriguing debut novel. Esme and her bff, Janis, are fashion queens. I loved the descriptions of their outfits and the names for them. They’re just trying to get through high school then make their way out of their small town. Then something crazy happens. Esme learns she has telekenesis and things.get.cray. I was a babysitter when I was younger, so I loved that so much of the book revolved around that. I loved the magic and spells. Cassandra was iffy at times, but in the end I really liked her! The friendship between Janis and Esme reminded me of me and my highschool friends. We still talk to this day, and I feel like that’s the relation ship they have!

What I didn’t like:

Like I said, Cassandra, a fellow witch, was annoying at times but in the end turned out great!

Would I recommend?

Yes, yes, yes! This is a perfect fall/Halloween book! Curl up with it, a PSL, and a nice blanket and you’re in for a good time! This was a super fast read that kept me intrigued the whole way through. I can’t wait to see what happens to our Sitters in book 2! (Coming fall 2020. SO FAR AWAY!)

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, LGBT, ya

King of Scars Review

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  • Title: King of Scars
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Publisher: Imprint
  • Publish Date: January 29, 2019
  • Book Form: Ebook / Audio
  • Pages: 527
  • Genre: Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★★

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

– Goodreads

Sorry for being absent for a month. First we had family over for labor day, then my husband was sick, then my baby had double ear infections. It’s been a wild month. But I’m back with book reviews! I’ve read a few so far this month! But first we’ll pick up with a book I finished in August and was obsessed with – King of Scars!

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

Okay. First off, I have to say Leigh is my Queen and I will forever love her. If she publishes a grocery list, I’ll read it. I just.love.her.so.much.

Why did I wait so long to read this? Part of it was I was sad that I wouldn’t have another Leigh book to read and I didn’t want to run out of her amazing stories. Dumb, I know. I won’t do it again.

I fell in love with Nikolai in the Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology. I was so excited to dive into his book and his backstory. The banter was amazing. I loved getting an insight to his thoughts and feelings. And the budding romance. I am SHIPPING.

The story was action packed. It followed two story lines – Nikoli and Nina. More on that later. Both stories were intriguing and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened with each. I love being in the Grishaverse. The world building and descriptions are so on point. If I could choose a fictional world to live in, it would definitely be with the Grisha.

Also – THAT ENDING. WHAT?!?!?!?! No spoilers, obviously, but I have theories on what will happen. Message me to know more. I’d love to talk about your theories, too!

What I didn’t like:

So. I mentioned earlier that the novel followed two story lines. I felt like I was reading two books combined into one. Maybe it was just me selfishly wanting another book by Leigh, but I thought it would be better if Nina’s story was a separate book. They didn’t seem to cross over at all. But Leigh is a master and I’m sure she will make them come together in the most amazing way possible in book two!

Also, I started with the audio and quickly switched to ebook. I felt like I wasn’t getting the full effect of the novel. Just a personal preference I guess.

Would I recommend?

Duh. Yes. I recommend Leigh’s books whenever I can. She is a master storyteller and I can’t wait for her next book!

Until next time…

fantasy, Five Star Book, retelling, Romance, ya

A Curse so Dark and Lonely Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Fall in love, break the curse. 

It once seemed so easy to Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he knew he could be saved if a girl fell for him. But that was before he learned that at the end of each autumn, he would turn into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. That was before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother barely holding their family together while constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, she learned to be tough enough to survive. But when she tries to save someone else on the streets of Washington, DC, she’s instead somehow sucked into Rhen’s cursed world.

Break the curse, save the kingdom. 

A prince? A monster? A curse? Harper doesn’t know where she is or what to believe. But as she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what’s at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.

– Goodreads

Oh, my heart. Oh my need for book number 2 (A Heart so Fierce and Broken on sale January 2020!)

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

Everything!! Oh man. What a stark contrast to the last novel I read. I couldn’t put this book down. You know, being a granny and all, I stayed up till 1130 PM to finish! That is UNHEARD OF! My friend, Jordan, has a great taste in books. She kept saying this one was amazing, and she was absoloutely correct. I don’t know why I waited so long to read! When I read a book, I always start a note in my phone so I can list likes, dislikes, and just random facts I want to hit on in my review. I was so engrossed in this story my list is BLANK! I didn’t want to quit reading long enough to jot anything down.

Beauty and the Beast was my favorite Disney movie as a kid. I think that’s the case with all us book nerd. Brigid did an amazing job weaving Beauty and the Beast with fantasy.

The beauty was a girl with cerebral palsy. Harper was strong and fierce and didn’t let her disability get in her way. She was an amazing representation of a condition I don’t see often in books.

The beast was so interesting. When Rhen changed each season, he became a new terrifying beast. Sometimes with scales, sometimes with wings, sometimes with fangs. His character and growth were so captivating to me – the same goes for Harper.

I loved seeing their relationship grow and blossom. I loved seeing their plans and Harper’s heart grow for Rhen’s people.

Side characters. I loved them all. They all were developed with stories you would be interested in hearing. Grey, Rhen’s commander, played a huge role in this story, and I think he will be the main character in A Heart so Fierce and Broken and I am shook! I CANNOT wait!!

What I didn’t like:

Nothing. I mean, I loved every aspect of this book. It’s a must read for fantasy and/or Beauty and the Beast lovers!

Would I recommend?

I mean, I think it’s obvious I would. The story was compelling and engrossing. The characters were well developed with great story arcs that showed flaws and growth. Like I said, a must read for fantasy or Beauty and the Beast lovers.

Get A Curse so Dark and Lonely here:

| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Five Star Book, Horror, mystery, Romance, ya

House of Salt and Sorrows ARC Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

– Goodreads

So, this is probably my first gothic, horror-ish novel and I am here. for. it!

Thanks, giphy!

What I liked:

“We are born of the Salt, we live by the Salt, and to the Salt we return.”

House of Salt and Sorrows was a great mix of fantasy, mystery, gothic horror, and a little bit of romance thrown in. Now, I am a granny. 9pm? I’m in bed usually asleep. But this book kept me up LATE – and by late I mean 1030pm. I could not put it down! The night I stayed up reading I got up to go to the bathroom and I thought, well, I’m kind of thirsty. I was at a rather creepy part of the book. I looked down the long, dark hallway and thought, nah. I’m ok. I don’t need water. And I got back in bed. No lie. It creeped me out!

The descriptions of this novel brought it to life. I usually have a hard time picturing what I’m reading, but Erin made it so easy! I loved the descriptions of the castle, the dresses, and all the creepy things that I won’t mention because I don’t want to spoil it!

The start was a little slow, but once I hit about 30% I did not want to put this baby down. It was so good!

Two funny things about this novel: first, I think I am being called to make squid ink risotto because it is everywhere in my life. It was on Queer Eye, it was on Master Chef, and now it’s mentioned in this novel! So I think I need to find a recipe. Also, my sister hates names that end in -leigh. Well, the main character is Annaleigh and every time I saw her name I smiled and thought of my sister in law. She said she wouldn’t read it because of the name. I told her she was making a grave mistake.

What I didn’t like:

The only reason this book isn’t getting five stars is because of the pace at the beginning. Maybe I’m just hard to please, but it felt slow. But like I said, after 30% I just wanted to devour it!

Would I recommend?

Yessssss! It was the perfect mix of fantasy, horror, mystery and romance. It had everything you could ever want in a novel. And this is a debut! I’m expecting more great things from Ms. Craig. I can’t wait to read the next one!

Get this novel here!
| Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble |

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

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…