Hello! I’m here with another installment in my Buzzword Readathon series. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

*As I went through a large period of burnout in terms of reading and reviewing, several posts, including the last three of my Buzzword read-a-thon series, will be coming in quick succession before the new year. Descriptions and thoughts about books will be lacking. I want to start fresh in 2023, so expect 4-5 posts from me in the next few days. Burnout is real, and while I do have some of my motivation back I need to plan better in order to not lose my love of reading and reviewing again in the future.*

This is the twelfth and last post in my Buzzword-a-thon series for 2022. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon (or Buzzword Readathon) was originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This is the second year where all 12 prompts were selected in advance and it’s being loosely hosted once a month on sites like Goodreads and Storygraph. Last year had an even split of specific words and themed-words alternating every month, but this year it’s more themed-based with a few original buzzword categories making a reappearance from past read-a-thons. In 2022, I’ve challenged myself to read at least one book that satisfies the prompt every month, and suggesting books I’ve read previously that would also fulfill it within these posts. December’s theme was “numbers in the title,” and I was finally able to read this book that’s been on my TBR for a while to fulfill the prompt.

Book read in December: The Last 8 by Laura Pohl

The Last 8 follows a group of teens, aptly calling themselves the “Last Teenagers on Earth,” who seem to be the last remaining individuals who survive after an alien invasion. Clover Martinez starts the book off wandering on her own with his dog, until she hears a cryptic radio message and finds companions at Area 51. Clover had hoped that when she eventually found other survivors, they would hatch a plan of attack against the aliens, but what she finds are teens more interested in hiding than fighting back. And when she finds a hidden spaceship, she isn’t sure who she can trust, and who she needs to keep at arms length. I had heard of this book a few years ago, it was on a list of books that feature characters who identify as asexual (Clover explores this part of her identity at several points of the book), and when I heard the author, Laura Pohl, talk on a virtual book panel in 2020 I purchased myself a copy. While it took me a few years to read it, I’m glad I finally took the plunge because this was such an interesting take on a post-apocalyptic story. It’s even more eerie because the book was released prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but several aspects of the human reaction to the alien invasion were strangely similar. I found some of Clover’s inner monologue a bit repetitive at times, but I overall enjoyed her as a character because when she knew she had an idea for the best course of action, she didn’t back down until the rest of the group was on board. There was a lot of diversity within the Last Teenagers on Earth, and while they each share a very common core part of their identity, their upbringings and life experiences really shaped how they reacted to the invasion and how they handled certain situations. I am actually looking forward to reading the second book in this duology, The First 7, to see what happens next.

In conclusion, there you have it, the last Buzzword post of 2022. I haven’t yet decided how I’m going to handle the readathon moving into 2023, but I’m sure I’ll be back with at least one post telling you what I’ve read for the twelve prompts. Can’t wait to see what reads the new year will bring.

Where to find The Last 8:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Laura Pohl’s site

Additional Recommendations:
–18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics by Bruce Goldfarb (Non-fiction)
–180 Seconds by Jessica Park (NA contemporary)
–30 Dates in 30 Days by Elle Spencer (Adult romance)
–The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim Defede (Non-fiction)
–Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa (YA contemporary)
–One Last Gift by Emily Stone (Adult contemporary) [review]
–One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (Adult romance)
–The One by John Marrs (Adult thriller)
–The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He (YA sci-fi)
–The Ones Who Got Away by Roni Loren (Adult romance)
–You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky (NA romance)
–Your One & Only by Adrianne Finlay (YA sci-fi)

Hello! I’m here with another installment in my Buzzword Readathon series. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

*As I went through a large period of burnout in terms of reading and reviewing, several posts, including the last three of my Buzzword read-a-thon series, will be coming in quick succession before the new year. Descriptions and thoughts about books will be lacking. I want to start fresh in 2023, so expect 4-5 posts from me in the next few days. Burnout is real, and while I do have some of my motivation back I need to plan better in order to not lose my love of reading and reviewing again in the future.*

This is the eleventh post in my Buzzword-a-thon series for 2022. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon (or Buzzword Readathon) was originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This is the second year where all 12 prompts were selected in advance and it’s being loosely hosted once a month on sites like Goodreads and Storygraph. Last year had an even split of specific words and themed-words alternating every month, but this year it’s more themed-based with a few original buzzword categories making a reappearance from past read-a-thons. In 2022, I’ve challenged myself to read at least one book that satisfies the prompt every month, and suggesting books I’ve read previously that would also fulfill it within these posts. November’s theme was “words ending in -ING,” and the first book I read in the month actually helped me fulfill this prompt.

Book read in November: Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin

Witchful Thinking follows Lucinda Caraway, a witch living in the mystic seaside town of Freya Grove. She spends her days teaching history at the local high school and her nights reading tea leaves and tending to her conjure garden. She loves her home-town and her life she’s lived in in, but can’t help wishing for more – and that wish turns into a spell where she can’t say no to any opportunity presented to her. And that includes helping her high school crush, Alexander Dwyer, who’s come back to town for the first time in years, to unjinx his house, which is right across the street from hers. Alex is itching to leave again as soon as his house is taken care of, but until Lucy can unjinx herself they’re stuck together. And with magic in the air, Lucy wonders if she can convince him to stay. I started reading this on Halloween and finished on the first of November, and this was the perfect seasonal read if you’re interested in more contemporary fantasy light on the magic. I also didn’t realize that Alex, and his family, were merpeople, as it wasn’t anywhere in the synopsis, but I found that a really interesting part of the story and aided his character’s choice to never stay in one place for long periods of time. I’m not sure if this would technically be considered a second chance romance, as I don’t remember if they were ever technically together as a couple in high school, but watching Lucy and Alex reconnect after all those years and finally get the chance to explore their requited chemistry was nice to see. I really enjoyed my time reading Witchful Thinking, and I think the author is going to make it a series focusing on the various elements, so I can’t wait to see what she has in story for this town and these characters next.

In conclusion, only one post left.

Where to find Witchful Thinking:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Celestine Martin’s site

Additional Recommendations:
–Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger (Adult romance)
–Charming as a Verb by Ben Phillipe (YA contemporary)
–Every Bright and Broken Thing by Brian McBride (YA contemporary)
–Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour (NA romance)
–Going Off Script by Jen Wilde (YA contemporary)
–I Hope You’re Listening by Tom Ryan (YA mystery) [review]
–Keeping Casey and Keeping Kellan by Amy Aislin (NA/Adult romance)
–Learning Curves by Ceillie Simkiss (NA romance)
–Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn (YA contemporary) [review]
–The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitsimons (YA contemporary) [review]
–Sing Me Forgotten by Jessica S. Olsen (YA fantasy)
–Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (Adult sci-fi)
–Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner (Adult romance)
–The Summer of Everything by Julian Winters (YA contemporary) [review]
–This Train is Being Held by Ismeé A. Williams (YA contemporary)
–The Trouble With Hating You by Sajni Patel (Adult romance)
–Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune (Adult fantasy) [review]
–We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon (YA contemporary)
–Winning Move by Skye Kilaen (Adult romance)

Hello! I’m here with another installment in my Buzzword Readathon series. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

*As I went through a large period of burnout in terms of reading and reviewing, several posts, including the last three of my Buzzword read-a-thon series, will be coming in quick succession before the new year. Descriptions and thoughts about books will be lacking. I want to start fresh in 2023, so expect 4-5 posts from me in the next few days. Burnout is real, and while I do have some of my motivation back I need to plan better in order to not lose my love of reading and reviewing again in the future.*

This is the tenth post in my Buzzword-a-thon series for 2022. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon (or Buzzword Readathon) was originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This is the second year where all 12 prompts were selected in advance and it’s being loosely hosted once a month on sites like Goodreads and Storygraph. Last year had an even split of specific words and themed-words alternating every month, but this year it’s more themed-based with a few original buzzword categories making a reappearance from past read-a-thons. In 2022, I’ve challenged myself to read at least one book that satisfies the prompt every month, and suggesting books I’ve read previously that would also fulfill it within these posts. October’s theme was “creatures,” and while I could have chosen The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, which is an lovely romance novel, I decided to choose a graphic novel that warranted a reread for this prompt.

Book(s) read in October: Teen Titans: Raven, Teen Titans: Beast Boy, and Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia (art by Gabriel Picolo)

As a kid I absolutely loved the Teen Titans television show, and would talk about it with my friends at recess. Animated cartoon shows were a big part of my childhood. So when my friend told me that DC comics was starting a graphic novel series featuring the Teen Titans characters, I ordered some from a local indie. It took me until last year, 2021, to finally pick up the first book, Teen Titans: Raven, but I appreciated how the story took on a path of its own while keeping the feel of the characters intact. For this prompt I reread the first two, Raven and Beast Boy, so I read Beast Boy Loves Raven for the first time. It was cool getting to see Beast Boy and Raven interact for the first time, and how their paths intersect because of their individual supernatural abilities. I think we might even have gotten a glimpse into Robin’s story, which will be the next installment of the series coming out in 2023. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this series brings.

In conclusion, two posts left.

Where to find Teen Titans: Raven
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Kami Garcia’s site and Gabriel Picolo’s Twitter

Additional Recommendations:
–The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (YA novel in verse)
–Bluebird by Sophie Cameron (YA historical fiction)
–Dragonblood Ring by Amparo Ortiz (YA fantasy)
–Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too by Jomny Sun (Graphic novel)
–For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten (NA/Adult fantasy)
–The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver (YA contemporary)
–How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell (Middle-grade fantasy)
–The Mermaid the Witch and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda Hall (YA fantasy)
–Wolfsong and Ravensong by T.J. Klune (Adult paranormal romance)
–Running With Lions by Julian Winters (YA contemporary)
–The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper (YA contemporary)
–Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly (Middle-grade contemporary)
–Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman (YA contemporary)
–These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling (YA fantasy)

Hello! I’m back from a bit of a break to talk about a non-fiction title close to my heart that releases today! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

Ever since I read Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen, which released in 2020, I’ve been on the look-out for new non-fiction works detailing asexuality and all of its intricacies. While scrolling NetGalley, I came across Ace Voices: What it Means to Be Asexual, Aromantic, Demi, or Grey-Ace, I was intrigued. It’s actually the first of five works currently on my NetGalley queue regarding asexuality, and as someone who identifies somewhere on the ace (and aro) spectrum, I could not be more excited to see more representation like this in media. So let’s talk about Ace Voices.

from Goodreads / the publisher: “Drawing upon interviews with a wide range of people across the asexual spectrum, Eris Young is here to take you on an empowering, enriching journey through the rich multitudes of asexual life. With chapters spanning everything from dating, relationships and sex, to mental and emotional health, family, community and joy, the inspirational stories and personal experiences within these pages speak to aces living and loving in unique ways. Find support amongst the diverse narratives of aces sex-repulsed and sex-favorable, alongside voices exploring what it means to be black and ace, to be queer and ace, or ace and multi-partnered – and use it as a springboard for your own ace growth. Do you see a story like your own?”

There were some things I loved about this book, some conversations and discussions that are incredibly important and experiences shared that were vulnerable and have the capacity to assist an individual reading this book with their own journey, parsing through confusion and arriving at self-acceptance. There were times I was just confused as to the audience the book intends. Ace Voices serves to share as the experiences of people who identify as ace all across the spectrum, and highlights how although we may share the same label, our thoughts, feelings, ideas, and motivations can be completely varied depending on different aspects of our lives. I’m just not sure if this book serves the purpose of seeking out individuals already on the ace spectrum, looking to find that sense of community, or as a means of education to those not sharing of our identity. Truly anyone can pick up this book (or any non-fiction) and learn something, but at times I felt this book seemed a little lost in its purpose. I was also a little confused when I saw the title and subtitle listed. “Ace Voices,” makes it clear that the book will incorporate the voices of people who identify as ace, or asexual. Then the subtitle brings in “aromantic, demi, and gray-ace.” Demi and gray-ace address how some individuals fall on the ace spectrum, but aromantic addresses an entirely different type of attraction. While it can be said that many people who are asexual also identify as aromantic, or somewhere on the aromantic spectrum, they are separate. Some parts of the book did discuss how romantic attraction can and does affect one’s outlook on their sexual identity, the author uses the term “a-spec” throughout the book, which is sometimes used to shorten the asexual spectrum and sometimes used to combine both the aromantic and asexual spectrums. Personally, I felt like naming the book “A-Spec Voices,” might have been more beneficial to achieve the author’s goal, but that is simply my opinion.

A small aspect of the book that irked me, but I won’t spend too much time on because I think it’s personal preference, was the fact that the individuals interviewed are addressed only by their initials. I understand it might have been key to aide in allowing them to retain a form of anonymity for this project, but sometimes, when their experiences were discussed several chapters apart, it made it hard for me to make those connections. The way this author incorporates their own personal journey with their gender and sexual identity, with the experiences of additional individuals to compare, was a fine way of presenting this information, I just wish it was easier to see how the different topics are seen through the lens of one individual (like perhaps an index listing the interviewees initials and the pages where their quotes appear.)

There are several discussions addressed in this book that I want to highlight specifically. First is the obvious, that no two a-spec people are the same. No two individuals interviewed for inclusion in this book had the same thoughts for every topic brought up, because our lived experiences can shape our thought processes and allow us to feel things differently. We all have our own boundaries that are constantly being explored, and just because you know one a-spec person does not mean you know how we’ll all react in certain situations. Second, that just because asexuality is sometimes framed as a “lack,” that doesn’t mean we deserve to be treated as “less.” The world is constantly catering towards a society that feels at least some kind of sexual attraction, and those of us who don’t are either cast aside or, worse, infantilized and treated as though sex is something we simply “don’t understand.” We understand just fine, and sometimes we are even more in-tune with our sexual identities, and what we feel comfortable with, because we might have to do more self-reflection that the average allosexual person. Just because you don’t understand our identity, does not mean we do not exist. And lastly, I loved the final chapter titled “Joy.” It truly was a celebration of both our similarities and our differences as a-spec individuals, and how we should strive to be proud of who we are and how far we’ve come in our journeys. It won’t always be easy, sifting through confusion and denial, and the feelings of worthlessness we may feel sometimes. But we are all unique, and we are all wonderful in our own ways.

While I didn’t find Ace Voices to be a perfect book, I still found myself relating to many of the thoughts shared by those who were interviewed. It’s easy to feel so alone, especially when society tries to ostracize people who they deem to be too different from the norm, but it was so nice to so such a variety of experiences of those who belong to the same community. I can’t wait for 2023 and all the non-fiction surrounding asexuality to come. I’m honestly so excited to see the different styles and takes. Ace Voices is set to release on December 21st, 2022, which is the day this post goes live, so please join me in wishing it a happy book birthday and consider picking up a copy for yourself if you’re interested. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Ace Voices:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Eris Young’s site
Hachette UK

Hello! I’m here with another installment in my Buzzword Readathon series. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

This is the ninth post in my Buzzword-a-thon series for 2022. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon (or Buzzword Readathon) was originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This is the second year where all 12 prompts were selected in advance and it’s being loosely hosted once a month on sites like Goodreads and Storygraph. Last year had an even split of specific words and themed-words alternating every month, but this year it’s more themed-based with a few original buzzword catagories making a reappearance from past read-a-thons. In 2022, I am challenging myself to read at least one book that satisfies the prompt every month, and suggesting books I’ve read previsously that would also fufill it within these posts. September’s theme was light / dark, and I had surprisngly less books than I originally thought to choose from, but overall I am very pleased with my choice this month.

Book read in September: Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

“Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil: to escape damnation, she must entice seven other violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. She has already delivered six. When Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway, catches Shizuka’s ear with her talent, Shizuka can almost feel the curse lifting, her freedom within reach – she’s found her final candidate. But in a donut shop off a bustling highway in the San Gabriel Valley, Shizuka meets Lan Tran, retired starship captain, interstellar refugee, and mother of four. Shizuka doesn’t have time for distractions crushes or coffee dates, what with her very soul on the line, but Lan’s kind smile and eyes like stars might just redefine a soul’s worth. And maybe something as small as a warm donut is powerful enough to break a curse as vast as the California coastline. As the lives of these three women become entangled by chance and fate, a story of magic, identity, curses, and hope begins, and a family worth crossing the universe for is found.”

I first came across this book because T.J. Klune was advertising an interview with the author, and after hearing her speak about it I knew I had to pick it up, and I’m glad this Buzzword challenge finally allowed me to get around to reading it. This book hit me a lot harder than I was expecting. The three main perspectives we read from are Katrina, Shizuka, and Lan, but the narrative does shift quite frequently to additional characters – from the violin repair woman to other members of Lan’s family to many others – to get their view on the events occuring at the time. My heart absolutely broke for Katrina as the story began – she’s running away from family who will not accept her and travels to a place where she thinks will be safe, but ends up in an apartment with people who do not respect her or her belongings in any capacity. Then she encounters Shizuka, and while yes, Shizuka does initially have an agenda – training Katrina to eventually give up her soul – the two of them start to form a close bond. And then there’s Lan, who is super protective of her family and will do anything to keep them safe, but at the same time has no idea how to act on her feelings towards Shizuka every time the woman walks through the doors of her doughnut shop. I loved how these characters were never supposed to meet, but nevertheless when they do, their lives become so interconnected that it’s as if they knew each other their entire lives, and will protect one another against all odds. There was so much diversity that never felt forced, but also included commentary about discrimination when certain communities may overlap, and that being a part of a minority does not excuse discrimination or bigotry against your own or other marginalized groups. While this book does not shy away from showing the evil words and actions brought about by humankind, there is so much light and hope threaded throughout every chapter. I would highly recommend this book, and feel like this is one I will revisit often myself. One word of advice – do not pick it up unless you have access to donoughuts, as you will have cravings.

In conclusion, this post may be a little late, but I’m still on track to complete each challenge during the appropriate month, and can’t see what the last three prompts of the year have in store.

Where to find Light From Uncommon Stars:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Ryka Aoki’s site

Additional Recommendations:
–All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell (YA Contemporary)
–Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (Adult Sci-fi)
–Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert (YA Contemporary)
–The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould (YA Mystery / Thriller) [Review]
–We Set the Dark on Fire series (1 and 2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia (YA Fantasy)

Hi there! I’m here today to talk about one of my most anticipated romance releases of 2022 that I was very excited to read an early copy of. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

If you were to ask me to make a list of my favorite authors, I have no doubt that Erin Hahn would be on it. Her sophomore novel More Than Maybe got me through the worst parts of the pandemic and will forever have a special place in my heart, her debut You’d Be Mine is continuously on my mind (and references are sprinkled throughout several of her other works), and her most recent YA release Never Saw You Coming hit this former Catholic-school girl right in the chest with its relatability and discussions of purity culture and the church. Her characters are by-far some of the strongest I’ve reads in YA books since I’ve gotten back into reading, and I commend her ability to make me feel a kaleidoscope of emotions with each new book. So when I heard she was delving into the adult romance scene with a second-chance romance involving two childhood sweethearts finding each other, I just knew I had to request Built to Last, and I am overjoyed to report that it absolutely did not disappoint.

Shelby Springfield can be found sanding over rough spots on the vintage furniture finds she makes over in a small Michigan town as she’s done for the past five years. But as a former child star, it’s been difficult to overcome her past – filled with a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break-up with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs — the one who got away. Anytime Shelby has called, Cameron has come running… only to run right off again to chase stories around the world by making documentaries, too scared to admit what he really wants. But when Lyle stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home renovation show, there’s something in the process that will benefit everyone – Shelby gets to prove she’s not the messy girl she once was, Cameron gets to put down roots for the longest time since college to figure out what he really wants from life, and Lyle? Well, he gets to pull the strings and prove his point that there’s always been chemistry between his two former co-stars. Will sparks be flying from more than just the renovation on set? You’ll have to read to find out.

When it comes to second chance romance, the author has to really establish a prior connection between the two main characters, pinpoint a reason (or multiple) why they could not be together then, re-establish a connection in the present day and make it believable enough so that a romance can bloom. Through dual POV, Erin Hahn brings us into the minds of Shelby and Cameron, two former child stars who grew close working on a television show, shared an intimate connection at 18, could have shared another moment 5 years later when Cameron came to Shelby’s side in a time of need, but come back together 5 years later (in the present) to create a home-improvement show pilot parroted by their former co-star. They both have something to prove to the world, or their family, but also acknowledge how much they haven’t stopped thinking about the other, for all these years. When the story starts, Shelby is broken – just after a very public breakup, she drunk-calls Cameron, and while it hurts him he leaves her while she sleeps with nothing but a note telling her to get out of Hollywood before it breaks her. Well, present-day Shelby knows her worth – she doesn’t let anyone, especially her ex Lyle, try to tell her what to do and who to be. She’s good at what she does (restoration, alongside her dad’s company) and lets her pieces and work speak for themselves. I loved how Cameron, upon seeing her for the first time in five years, acknowledges her growth and loves her more for it, because she’s happy, healthy, and the best version of herself. All of the side characters were equally fleshed out – I loved the supportive best friends on either side (Lorelai for Shelby, Kevin for Cameron), and also appreciated Shelby’s relationship with her dad, which highlighted the contrast of how her mother treated her as a child-star. It was also great to see him teach Cameron the ropes, and while he didn’t want to be on camera himself, he never let the project falter (even filling Cameron in on some ways the producers wanted to stir up drama). The banter never felt forced – it truly was like old friends coming back into contact after a while apart and picking right back up where they left off. And as an adult romance (an open-door one at that), Hahn really does write sexual tension super well – as someone who tends to skip over more intimate scenes if they happen too often, they never took away from my enjoyment of the story.

While Erin Hahn’s YA novels are definite hits for me, there is always a bittersweet undertone with every story. Annie and Clay find solace in each other in You’d Be Mine, but Annie has a difficult relationship with country music after her mom overdoses and her dad commits suicide, and Clay battles an addiction to alcohol to deal with his loneliness over losing his brother in combat. Vada and Luke are the best music nerds who find love in More Than Maybe, but Vada’s birth father refuses to acknowledge her existence unless intoxicated and belligerent, and Luke’s brother majorly invades his privacy by releasing a piece of music played in its incomplete form which reaches an wider audience than either of them could expect. And I absolutely adore Meg and Micah, the church kids in Never Saw You Coming, but wow does that book hit hard with the repercussions of purity culture, abuse in the church, and dealing with doubts about your faith. Built to Last does have its heavy moments – Shelby’s mother took advantage of her and the money her child career brought in until she emancipated herself and cut ties, while Cameron feels like his relationship with his father was strained due to his career keeping him away from home, and both have to deal with their pasts and society’s perception of who they used to be clouding judgement over just how much they’ve grown while being out of the spotlight. But Hahn herself said she’d written the book during a time of extreme loss and grief, when she needed something to bring her joy, and she hopes that it can bring readers joy and happiness upon its release as well.

In conclusion, Erin Hahn has truly pulled me in as a reader and given me everything I could’ve wanted in a romance. I loved these characters, and I can’t wait to see two of Shelby’s best friends find their happily ever afters in their own books coming in the next few years. If second-chance romance, home renovation, sassy banter, and tree-trunk thighs are some of your buzzwords, I highly recommend checking out Built to Last. It was released on October 18th, 2022, so please check it out if you’re interested. *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Built to Last:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Macmillan
Erin Hahn’s site

Hi there! I’m here to tell you my thoughts about another BookishFirst win, this time a middle-grade graphic novel. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

I think this may be the first time I’ve been able to review a graphic novel early here on my blog. I wasn’t expecting Frizzy, a middle-grade graphic novel, to land in my lap but BookishFirst has been very kind to me (and several of my bookish friends) lately, so when I got an email saying I’d won it in a raffle I was super excited. I’ve heard very good things about Claribel Ortega, though I haven’t picked up any of her standard novels yet, but after this I just might need to read some more of her work. And the art style makes me itching to pick Rose Bousamra’s solo graphic novel, coming out in 2024/2025.

From Goodreads: “Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and “growing up.” That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have “presentable”, “good hair”. But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn’t understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby—she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.”

This was just absolutely and utterly adorable. There is something so heartwarming about a child learning to love herself, despite others trying to keep her down. I loved Marlene’s relationship with her mom – although the two don’t see eye to eye on everything, especially when it comes to hair, Marlene knows that when it comes to what’s important, they can sit down and have an honest discussion about their feelings. Communication is super important, especially when it comes to kids and their parents – they need to feel safe enough to start the conversation and be vulnerable, or at least be truthful about their thoughts when approached. I already mentioned how much I liked Bousamra’s art style, but I just want to highlight their ability to convey such emotion, whether happy, sad, lonely, angry, or anything else in between, so well, and that’s super important in a graphic novel. Additionally, there needs to be a great narrative leading the art forward, and Ortega’s storytelling does just that. This is aimed for a middle-grade audience, so I am not it’s target, but I can still appreciate how many things it gets right. I really liked the commentary about feeling ostracized by your family. The story starts at a quince for Marlene’s cousin, and when she’s had fun and her hair has come a bit undone from the glamor of the salon, many of her family members, adults in particular, chastise her for looking unkempt. As a kid, you think your family are the only ones who will love you unconditionally, no matter what, but when they start negatively commenting on your appearance, or questioning your decisions, you start to question their love and feel unwelcome in a community where you’re supposed to feel safe. However, in contrast, I loved how Marlene could rely on her aunt, Tía Ruby, and when wants to learn more about talking care of her hair, and embracing her natural curls for what they are, Ruby is immediately on board and walking her step by step through the process. It teaches that not every hair type for every person or ethnicity is the same, and therefore the technique may need to be tweaked or differ altogether, but there is nothing wrong with the way your hair is naturally, even if some people in society try to dictate what is and isn’t a “normal” or “acceptable” style.

Overall, this graphic novel was just a delight to read, and I’m glad that the BookishFirst gods were looking out for me when I entered the raffle. I can’t wait for kids, especially kids of color, to feel seen and represented in a story so beautiful, and that they understand they are beautiful as they are, no matter that certain members of society will tell them otherwise. Frizzy is set to be released on October 18th, 2022, which the day after this post goes live, so please check this out if you’re interested, and even share it with a young one in your life who feels like they need to embrace their quirks because that’s what makes them beautiful. *Thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher, First Second Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Frizzy:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Macmillan
Claribel A. Ortega’s site
Rose Bousamra’s site

Hi there! I’m here to talk about an emotional story of loss, grief, and finding yourself that I was invited to read early. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

I’m not sure I’m fully ready for it to be the winter / holiday season quite yet. Fall is my favorite season, and I’m getting ready to read some atmospheric and spooky books before I delve into some cheesy romances in snowy small towns. One Last Gift, a new adult contemporary (romance?) by Emily Stone wasn’t initially on my radar, but from my previous reads on NetGalley, the publisher reached out and thought it might be something I’d enjoy. I thought the cover was cute (that ribbon is a nice touch) and after reading the synopsis I agreed that it did sound like a story I would like, so even though it’s still a little too early for snow, I decided to give this one a shot.

Cassie and Tom lost their parents at a young age, and have relied on each other, as well as a community of friends, to get through it for years. Cassie has always looked up to Tom, as he’s been her protector since they were small. But 20 years later, she loses Tom, and she’s devastated, and has never felt so alone. Not even Tom’s best friend (and Cassie’s childhood crush), Sam, is there for comfort, because he’s turned into a near-stranger. Then Cassie finds an envelope with her name on it, her name in Tom’s familiar (and terrible) handwriting – the first clue to a scavenger hunt he used to put together for her every Christmas, and this last one he prepared before his untimely death. At first, Cassie fears completing the hunt, wondering if she won’t be able to complete it without his help, or worries that she will complete it and lose her last connection to Tom, but when she does it sends her on a month-long journey that allows her to rediscover herself, and what she wants out of life, even if it scares her.

When I originally picked up this book, I wasn’t expecting it to focus so heavily on grief. Cassie lost her parents in an accident at a young age, and grew up in her aunt’s care, a person who maybe wasn’t expecting to look after two young kids at that time of her life so it left their relationship strained. She looked up to her older brother, Tom, who could do no wrong in her eyes, and then suddenly, she’s lost him as well to hiking accident. She puts a lot of the blame on Sam, Tom’s best friend who should have been on the trip with him but missed his flight due to excessive drinking the night prior. It isn’t exactly dual perspective, but we also get insight into Sam’s mind as well, who feels his own guilt about not being there with Tom, and also being rude to Cassie at Tom’s funeral. Everyone in their lives expects them to be done grieving, but sometimes you need to take your time and be with your feelings in order to regain some sort of stability after a tragedy, especially when it involves loved ones. I appreciated that while Cassie and Sam are attracted to each other, and have been since they were teens, they weren’t in the right places in their lives to be together. But while Cassie is finding Tom’s clues – reconnecting with old friends, exploring places she would have never gone herself, and imagining herself with a life and job that actually brings her joy – and Sam is working out his personal issues and trying not to run away from what’s important like he believes his father did years ago, they may just realize that it’s always been the two of them against the rest of the world.

While I overall enjoyed the reading experience, I had some trouble deciphering whether the book triumphs more as a romance or as a general contemporary novel. There is a central romance, second-chance in nature, between Sam and Cassie, but it’s necessary for them both to work on themselves before they can fully commit to each other by the end of the book. I noticed that there are time jumps, which I commended to demonstrate passage of time, but after the first few I felt like every time there was a moment of central conflict, there would be a jump and I didn’t feel like there was much resolution. The jumps also allow the characters to grow and work on themselves, but I would’ve liked to see some more of that growth on page. It left me a little confused as to why this particular scavenger hunt that Tom had been planning was “the biggest one yet,” as Cassie is usually able to find all the clues and her gift around the holiday season, but it was certainly helpful for Cassie’s personal journey to take her time.

In conclusion, I found this story to be equally heartbreaking as heartwarming. It’s a tale of a woman who’s lost so much finding herself and her community, and a man who’s felt neglected by certain people in his life deciding to be his best self and to stick around for once. The tagline states that “sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you don’t expect,” and I’d have to wholeheartedly agree. One Last Gift releases on October 11th, 2022, which should be the day this post goes live, so join me in wishing it a happy book birthday and check it out if you’re interested! *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find One Last Gift:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Penguin Random House
Emily Stone’s Twitter

Hi there! A little late to the game, but I’m here to share my thoughts about a highly anticipated ARC of a YA fantasy I claimed through BookishFirst. **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

Aiden Thomas’ debut, Cemetery Boys, truly made waves with its debut in 2020 (I actually won an ARC through a giveaway I didn’t remember entering, and you can read my review of the early copy here). Their follow-up release, Lost in the Never Woods, is a retelling of Peter Pan, which is a story I’m a bit less intrigued by but it’s still on my TBR, and I may even pick it up during this year’s spooky season. But when I heard about their newest book, The Sunbearer Trials, it was an instant addition to my TBR – it was pitched as having Latinx culture, and elements of The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson, plus the cover art is absolutely stunning. I was also interested to see how Aiden Thomas would handle a duology (and now we have news that Cemetery Boys is also getting a sequel!) So as soon as I saw it being offered up for raffle on BookishFirst, I set an alarm and made I was on the site to claim it. To be fair, I was initially expecting an ARC, but as it was less than a month before release they sent us finished copies, which I appreciated even though my copy was a bit damaged in transit. And with that sufficient intro I’m happy to dive into my thoughts about the book.

Every ten years, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Hence the Sunbearer Trials, a competition where 10 semidioses between the ages of 13 and 17 are chosen by Sol to compete – the winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, and the last place competitor is sacrificed to Sol who uses their body to fuel the Sun Stones that will apply protection for the next decade. Teo, a 17-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of Quetzal, goddess of birds, is worried for his friends that are Golds and are eligible for the trials. But he never thinks that Sol will choose him to compete, alongside fellow Jade Xio, the 13-year-old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and 8 Golds that have trained for this for years. Teo recruits the help of his best friend Niya, daughter of Tierra, the god of earth, to strategize and ensure that he (and Xio) aren’t the ones who land in the 10th place spot.

At its heart, this is a story about proving yourself capable to those who underestimate you. As soon as Teo is chosen by Sol to compete in the trials, he knows his skills are inadequate compared to his Gold competitors. He overhears them snicker and proclaim that Sol has just made it easier by choosing a Jade to be a sacrifice this time. Teo knows he cannot end up on top, but uses every one of his abilities – including his wings, which have finally turned the perfect shades of brilliant ultramarine, iridescent blue, and electric green, the feathers of a proper male quetzal – to ensure that neither he nor Xio are in last place by the end of each trial. Aidan Thomas always does a great job of making me feel for their characters, whether that is appreciation, admiration, pure hatred, or anything in between, and this was no different – there were a lot of characters – dioses, semidioses, Jades, Golds, adults, and children alike – being introduced in the first section of the book, as everyone is gathering for the introductory ceremony, and while it took me a whole I think I finally understood everyone’s significance as every character, even if they are on page for one sentence or paragraph, are so distinct. The world is so immersed in Latinx/e culture and I loved seeing so much diversity – disability, gender, orientation, and even ability – among these characters, and it isn’t questioned or othered it is just a part of their identity. Typically when we hear competition story, we think that a group of individuals are fighting (sometimes to the death) to be the one crowned victorious, but I liked how The Sunbearer Trials also included the aspect of the loser being sacrificed, which is seen to be a bigger honor as your loss will benefit the community as a whole. So throughout the entire competition, Teo acknowledges his disadvantages, so while other people are vetting for first place, Teo is more so trying to avoid last place.

One criticism I’ve seen is that this book reads more like middle grade than YA, and while I do agree that it reads a little younger than some other fantasy books I’ve read directed towards a YA audience, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment. From early on in the book, I could tell that certain plot points were being set up for a climactic ending and a lead-in to the sequel. But when the last few chapters finally came, I felt that there were several action sequences, plot twists and reveals that felt rushed, chaotic and confusing, and it took me out of the story a bit. Where the book leaves off certainly keeps me intrigued and interested to pick up the sequel, which is always what you want at the end of the first in a duology, I maybe just had a few issues with pacing towards the end.

All in all, The Sunbearer Trials is another solid read from Aiden Thomas, and a Mexican-inspired fantasy so full of dynamic characters, plenty of action, and a competition with deadly consequences. I’m sure those who have been excited to pick up the book, from the comp titles to the synopsis to the incredible illustrated cover, will not be disappointed, and will be just as excited to pick up the sequel when it finally releases. The Sunbearer Trials was released on September 6th, 2022, so please check it out if you’re interested. *Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher, Feiwel & Friends, for the early finished copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find The Sunbearer Trials:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Macmillan
Aiden Thomas’ site

Hello! I’m here to talk about a book I’ve been excited to read for a few months now! **And every day we are reminded that discrimination against marginalized communities is still a serious problem, so click here to find a compilation of resources where you can donate your time, money, or whatever you can to support these communities. I still encourage you to research these causes on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.**

A few months ago, I heard buzz around a debut YA book that would feature a main cast of characters who are asexual. That’s all I really needed to hear in order for the book to be on my radar. I am always looking for more books that can represent the spectrum of asexuality, and so when I saw the book, Aces Wild: A Heist by Amanda DeWitt hop on NetGalley as a read now title, I put it on my profile so quickly in case it went back to request-based and I was denied. While the heist part is technically in the subtitle, I have opted to leave it off as I’ve seen it cause some expectations to not be met. I’ll take about it all later when I get to my thoughts.

*I would like to note that early versions of this book did contain a plot point that many reviewers were flagging as ableist. When notified, both the publisher and the author acknowledged the issue and made a change, which ensures this point will not be included in any final copies you may buy / receive. I read my copy after the change had already been implemented, but I did want to mention it.*

Jack Shannon is a normal teenage boy living a normal teenage life – well, if by normal you mean running a secret blackjack ring the the basement of his private school while his family owns a highly renowned hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Everything changed when his mom is arrested for her ties to organized crime, and Jack is left going back to his childhood hotel suite to try and figure out a way to help. See, Jack knows what happened – his mom was sold out, by her rival casino owner and jilted lover Peter Carlevaro. He knows there must be dirt to dig up the man, and to find it he recruits his closest friends, who just so happen to be the asexual support group scattered across the country he met through fandom forums. Together they hatch a plan to infiltrate an under-the-table gambling club and find the key to Carlevaro’s secrets in order to find justice for Jack’s mom. A key rule you shouldn’t forget – aces can always be wildcards.

Aces Wild reminded me a lot of another YA book I picked up last year Immoral Code by Lillian Clark. Both books feature a group of teens who take matters into their own hands to right a wrong they’ve deemed unacceptable. Immoral Code is written from the perspectives of almost the entire group, and at times I wished Aces Wild had done the same, because it felt like the rest of the crew were a bit underdeveloped. But simultaneously, I acknowledge that this is entirely Jack’s story, and being in his head the entire time was a choice I could get on board with. From his point of view we see his struggles first hand – 1.) he knows his mom’s business practices haven’t always been legal, but he still feels the need to come to her aide and expose Carlevaro for his role in everything, 2.) he knows he needs his friends in order for his plan to work, but he doesn’t think they can understand exactly what he’s going through, or what he stands to lose if they don’t succeed, and 3.) he knows he has feelings for Remy, but he doesn’t want to complicate their friendship, he hasn’t felt like this for anyone else since he is asexual, and he doesn’t know if Remy even feels the same, to name a few. As a reader we start to feel for Jack, and root for him and his rag-tag group of accomplices to succeed in taking down a big crime boss of the Las Vegas strip. It was certainly more character driven than action-packed, and I could have done with more pages in order to have to a better combination of both aspects.

The book is called Aces Wild, so I just want to make sure I touch on the asexual representation. Each member of Jack’s friend group – Lucky, Georgia, Gabe, Remy, and Jack himself – all identify as asexual. They came together through different forums helping each other figure out their identity and being there when needed from various places across the country. Throughout the book there are discussions about “being too young to know your sexuality,” “not knowing what to do when you start to have feeling for someone as an asexual” and “how asexuality can intersect with other parts of your identity, including gender, race, and romantic orientation.” I feel like these characters and discussions are used both to allow asexual readers to feel represented, and allosexual readers (especially those unfamiliar with asexuality) to better understand the sexual orientation. I am excited to see what other readers think when this book is released.

In conclusion, yes, Aces Wild is a heist story. The main heist occurs in the last quarter of the book, and that might not work for you, which is perfectly okay. But at its heart, it is a friendship story following a group of teens who band together and, against all odds, expose a bad man for all his wrongdoings. Jack starts off the book telling us to tamper our expectations, that this is not, by any means, a love story, but I’d have to disagree and say that love for your family, your friends, and [maybe] potential partners has the power to make you feel like anything is possible. Aces Wild is set to be released on September 13th, 2022, which isn’t so far away, so please check it out if you’re at all interested. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Peachtree Teen, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Aces WIld:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Storygraph
Peachtree Books
Amanda DeWitt’s site