What a standout debut!! I loved the humor, heart and emotional depth in this unique, #ownvoices BCRA 1 gene mutation story about recently dumped AllisWhat a standout debut!! I loved the humor, heart and emotional depth in this unique, #ownvoices BCRA 1 gene mutation story about recently dumped Allison who is dealing with the death of her ex and being forced to work on cleaning out his apartment with his grumpy best friend, Adam over the course of four weekends leading up to the Christmas holidays.
I loved that this book had quirky chapter titles, a complicated mother-daughter relationship, tough medical decisions, great mental health rep, lots of pop culture references, a tight-knit friend group who likes to win pub trivia challenges, a secret he falls first MMC and a TON of While you were sleeping, fake dating your dead ex vibes!!
Main character, Allison is struggling with survivor's guilt in the face of her preventative breast cancer double mastectomy, trying to live her life to the fullest doing things she 'thinks' she should be doing rather than things she actually enjoys doing. Adam helps Allison see that she's great just as she is and she needs to stop trying to live to please others.
Perfect for fans of books like Just playing house by Farah Heron (another #ownvoices BCRA romance) and EXCELLENT on audio narrated by Karissa Vacker. I am excited to read what this talented new author writes next and highly recommend not skipping over the author acknowledgements at the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
It took me a minute to get into this debut family drama but once I did I couldn't get enough!
Engrossing, heartbreaking and full of emotional depth!! It took me a minute to get into this debut family drama but once I did I couldn't get enough!
Engrossing, heartbreaking and full of emotional depth!! The story starts with an older couple, Evelyn and Joseph, sharing with their adult children their plans to jointly end their lives at the end of the year due to a Parkinson's diagnosis.
Told from alternating POVs from each family member and across six decades, we get to see how the couple met and fall in love in 1941, are tested over the years by war, addiction and the ups and downs they have with each of their children and extended family members.
Excellent on audio narrated by a full cast and perfect for fans of authors like Claire Lombardo and books like The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. This would make a great book club pick rife with relatable and controversial content sure to spark fruitful discussions.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @Libro.fm for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading what Amy Neff writes next!!
CW: drug addiction, Parkinson's disease, plans for medically assisted suicide...more
This was a really great debut, dual POV, enemies to lovers YA romance between two BIPOC teen environmental activists concerned about climate change, tThis was a really great debut, dual POV, enemies to lovers YA romance between two BIPOC teen environmental activists concerned about climate change, the growing California fire season and plans to implement a local pipeline.
When Isa and Darius get appointed co-presidents of their high school's Environmental Justice Club, the two have to learn how to get along and gradually learn there is more to the other than initially meets the eye.
Excellent on audio narrated by Angel Pean and perfect for fans of books like Wings in the wild by Margarita Engle or Haven Jacobs saves the planet by Barbara Dee - both of which feature youth anxious about climate change and determined to take meaningful action....more
I enjoyed this supernatural YA graphic novel debut so much more than I was expecting! The mental health (depression, anxiety, negative self thoughts) I enjoyed this supernatural YA graphic novel debut so much more than I was expecting! The mental health (depression, anxiety, negative self thoughts) was SOOOO excellently written. I loved that the main character, Joana's depressive state was the main focus of the book and the author doesn't just sweep it under a rug or dismiss her feelings but make her journey to self-love and therapy the central part of the story. Such a relatable and relevant book, sure to create empathy and aid to readers of all ages!! The illustrations are beautiful too! HIGHLY recommended!...more
A moving, highly relatable #ownvoices poetry collection about a Filipino Canadian woman who loses some of her fingers and her lower legs due to a debiA moving, highly relatable #ownvoices poetry collection about a Filipino Canadian woman who loses some of her fingers and her lower legs due to a debilitating disease. Great on audio and highly recommended for anyone looking to better understand the life of someone who has had a hysterectomy or lost part of a limb. Highly recommended!...more
This was a great debut, dual POV, racing romance that sees new graduate Willow getting hired by her brother's best friend, Dev, a professional racecarThis was a great debut, dual POV, racing romance that sees new graduate Willow getting hired by her brother's best friend, Dev, a professional racecar driver in need of a PR boost. With sizzling chemistry, great disability rep (Willow has EDS) and two fantastic South Asian leads, this book was full throttle fun with a satisfying slow burn, forbidden romance and lots of tasty macarons.
Great on audio narrated by Vikas Adam and Nerissa Bradley and perfect for fans of Lauren Asher's Dirty air series or K. Bromberg's Full throttle series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. I can't wait to read what Simone Soltani writes next!!
WOW!! What a standout Middle Grade debut this was!!! One of the best ones I've read all year by far, this book tackles BIG feelings and has important WOW!! What a standout Middle Grade debut this was!!! One of the best ones I've read all year by far, this book tackles BIG feelings and has important messages about learning how to be brave, be a good friend, daughter, sister and how to apologize and forgive when people let you down.
Told from the POV of two friends who having a falling out, this story is multi-layered one about four former best friends and soccer teammates who learn how to forgive one another and show up for one another. There is also a fun online penpal element, poetry interspersed throughout and a heartwarming first crush Sapphic romance.
EXCELLENT on audio narrated by Bailey Carr and Elsa Lepeccki Bean, this is one NOT to miss and is perfect for fans of books like Key player by Kelly Yang or The beautiful game by Yamile Saied Méndez. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! I cannot wait to read what Erin Becker writes next!!...more
WHAT a standout debut!! I absolutely devoured this dual POV, sports romance with BDSM content. It was heartfelt, SPICEY AF and VERY much my vibe. FansWHAT a standout debut!! I absolutely devoured this dual POV, sports romance with BDSM content. It was heartfelt, SPICEY AF and VERY much my vibe. Fans of 50 shades of gray will appreciate the BDSM content, although this was much better written overall.
I truly enjoyed this soooo much, especially as an audiobook narrated by Stephen Drexter and Andi Ardnt. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy!! I can't wait to read (or listen) to what this talented indie romance author writes next!!!!...more
What a great #ownvoices middle grade graphic novel debut! This book features Lia, a 12 year old Romanian immigrant new to Montreal and her experience What a great #ownvoices middle grade graphic novel debut! This book features Lia, a 12 year old Romanian immigrant new to Montreal and her experience learning to fit in at a new school, make friends, deal with her first period and fall for her first crush.
This was a great book about female friendship, learning how to fit in and adjusting to a new country/language. I really, REALLY hope there will be more books featuring Lia since this one ended with many plot points left hanging. Highly recommended!...more
This was a FANTASTIC YA Asian fantasy debut with lots of Mulan and Steampunk vibes and I loved the female lead who dresses as her dead father's son inThis was a FANTASTIC YA Asian fantasy debut with lots of Mulan and Steampunk vibes and I loved the female lead who dresses as her dead father's son in order to infiltrate the elite engineering guild he belonged to in order to learn more about who murdered him and get revenge.
Of course she ends up falling for a prince who's also in the guild and things get complicated from there. Full of women in STEM content, action, flying ships, dragons, mystery, betrayals, court politics and romance and HIGHLY recommended for fans of authors like Elizabeth Lim or Sue Lynn Tan....more
I really enjoyed this reissued edition of Elle Kennedy's first traditionally pubbed hockey romance! Hayden and Brody had amazing chemistry and I lovedI really enjoyed this reissued edition of Elle Kennedy's first traditionally pubbed hockey romance! Hayden and Brody had amazing chemistry and I loved that she was only looking for a no strings fling and he was the one who wanted more. Full of emotional depth and a side plot involving her alcoholic team owner father accused of embezzling money, this book was both SPICY and heartfelt. It was also great on audio narrated by Samantha Cook. Many thanks to Harlequin for sending me a beautiful finished copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was an unexpected delight of a debut featuring a Korean born 'drop-box baby' who gets adopted by a Korean American immigrant couple and grows up This was an unexpected delight of a debut featuring a Korean born 'drop-box baby' who gets adopted by a Korean American immigrant couple and grows up to be a sea slug scientist. Obsessed with tracking down her birth parents and concerned for her journalist friend who gets caught up in an undercover smuggling scheme, this story was singularly moving and told in such poetic prose. Great on audio too with a GORGEOUS cover! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review. Janie Kim is definitely a writer to watch!...more
What a perfect title for this debut heist story!!! I loved the female friendship, the feminism, the found family, the TWISTS and the Ocean's Eleven stWhat a perfect title for this debut heist story!!! I loved the female friendship, the feminism, the found family, the TWISTS and the Ocean's Eleven style final big heist. If you love female con artists and heist adventures you don't want to miss this one!
Told from the POV of "Emma," a novice con artist and best friend to, "Nellie" (the more experienced of the pair), who has to find her own confidence to take charge when Nellie gets kidnapped and a mysterious bad guy blackmails Emma into stealing a priceless bracelet for him in order to get Nellie back. With help from some unexpected people, Emma somehow pulls of the biggest heist of her career but not without a few hiccups along the way!
Such a fun British caper perfect for fans of the movie Ocean's 8 and books like Philip Ellis's Love & other scams and great on audio narrated by Billie Fulford Brown. I can't wait to read more from this promising new author! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!...more
I wasn't expecting this book to be a Christmas in July type read but I was here for it! Such a heartwarming, feel-good, dual POV, road trip romance thI wasn't expecting this book to be a Christmas in July type read but I was here for it! Such a heartwarming, feel-good, dual POV, road trip romance that takes place over the holidays when two college students from the same small Texas town find themselves sharing a ride home for Christmas and getting to know one another much more deeply than they ever have before.
I really enjoyed the emotional depth to this story, the highly relatable complicated family relationships, the chronic illness (MS) rep, the unexpected friends to lovers slow burn that develops as Hazel and Ash spend more and more time together over the holidays and the way both of them have to work on improving their family/work life balance. A HIGHLY recommended read for any time of the year!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam and @prhaudio for the early digital, gifted finished copy and complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This debut was a surprise delight and excellent on audio narrated by my fav, Brittany Pressley and Zachary Webber. Perfect for fans of authors like Jessica Joyce and Ali Hazelwood.
I really, really enjoyed this dual POV, summer romance debut between two British Zimbabweans forced together at the summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.I really, really enjoyed this dual POV, summer romance debut between two British Zimbabweans forced together at the summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Olivia is determined to make her way into the Olympic organization through hard work and determination and Zeke is an Olympic runner competing for the third time who falls hard for Olivia only to discover his best friend has too. Swoony and full of heart, this was loads of fun and a perfect summer read as we gear up for another Olympic games! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
I really, really enjoyed this second chance, dual POV, reality tv show that has one former college couple matched up to get married at first sight, foI really, really enjoyed this second chance, dual POV, reality tv show that has one former college couple matched up to get married at first sight, forcing them to choose love or money in this standout debut!
I loved the two main characters, their chemistry and the steamy scenes in this slow burn were HOT! I also thought there was great emotional depth and character development as they learn to open up about what happened in the past in order to take a chance at love in the future.
Great on audio narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster and John William Maddux. Fans of Bachelor style reality romances with a unique twist won't want to miss this one and I am excited to read what the author writes next! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
TW: parental death (in the past), parent with cancer...more
This was a heartfelt, raw, honest and relatable story about discovering your sexuality later in life and the struggles of being in a mea3.5 rounded up
This was a heartfelt, raw, honest and relatable story about discovering your sexuality later in life and the struggles of being in a meaningful relationship where the two people have different end goals. Encouraged to go out and experience more queer and Sapphic love hook-ups, newly out, Bette embarks on a life changing adventure that sees her losing her first real girlfriend and discovering more of what makes her truly happy. Great on audio and highly recommended for fans of The L word tv series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
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