Hi! I’m here to talk about a pretty anticipated romance novel I had the chance 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.**

Last year I received an early copy of debut romance novel Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur through NetGalley. It’s a sapphic opposites-attract romance following Darcy and Elle, who have an… eventful first encounter but then need to fake date in order to appease both their families, which evolves into real love. (You can find my review of Written in the Stars here). It was one of my favorite romances I read last year, and when I heard Darcy’s brother, Brendon, was going to get his own story, following him and the girl he’d been crushing on for a while (who is also his older sister’s best friend), I was super excited and hoped I would get the chance to read this one early, too. Well, I did just that and I can’t wait to share my thoughts about the follow-up novel.

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to tell her best friend, Darcy, in person that she was making a big move from Philadelphia to London after accepting a job promotion. She expects fifteen days of getting to know Seattle, spending time with Darcy who hasn’t been around since she started a relationship with her girlfriend, Elle, and leaving with a bittersweet goodbye as she packs up her things and leaves the country. What she does NOT expect is Brendon – Darcy’s little brother who has grown up a lot in the eight years since she’s seen him last. Brendon, hopeless romantic whose goal is to find everyone their happily ever after with the creation of his dating app, definitely had a crush on Annie when they were kids, and now that they’re back in the same city, he jumps at the chance to spend time with her and get to know the person she’s become. And when he hears that her past dates have made her believe that romance is dead, well, he just might have to prove to her that she’s terribly, terribly wrong.

I’m really glad we got to explore Brendon and Annie’s story. From Written in the Stars, we learn how Brendon is Darcy’s goofy younger brother with a heart of gold, creator of the OTP dating app and someone who’s intentions are always in the right place, even if his actions aren’t the best for the situation, and Annie is her best friend, always traveling and getting on her case but is also supportive in every way. When Annie makes an impromptu trip to Seattle, Darcy is spending the weekend away with her girlfriend, Elle, and asks Brendon to let her into her apartment. It’s the first time Brendon and Annie have seen each other in over eight years, and neither of them can deny the immediate chemistry and underlying attraction. But Annie has been burned one time too many, and seems to have it in her mind that romance, especially the way it happens in movies, seems to be dead, and Brendon, bless his heart, makes it his mission to prove that it isn’t.

I really loved the character development for both of these leads. Annie has recently accepted a promotion in a job that she’s fallen out of love with – she’s sick of shuffling from airports to hotel rooms and doesn’t quite feel like she belongs in Philadelphia, but the promotion will bring more job security which is a big deal for her. She wants to tell her best friend about the move in person – Darcy, who she hasn’t caught up with all that much ever since she entered into a relationship. When she gets to Seattle, she slowly starts to find little things to love about the city, she finds people who enjoy spending time with her, and finally feels like she’s somewhere she belongs. And then there’s Brendon – her best friend’s younger brother who used to have a crush on her. Annie tries to keep him at a distance, claiming Brendon doesn’t know the “real her,” only the idea of her. Although, with each day she spends more time with him, she starts to realize how much he’s learned about her – how much he listens, pays attention to her, and strives to show just how much he cares. Brendon is the creator of one of the most successful dating apps on the market – he strives to help others find their happily ever afters, but is having trouble forming a true connection to anyone he’s found through the app. When his childhood crush, Annie, is finally in the same city after so many years, he realizes just how much she’s changed, and just how much he wants to get to know this “new her.” He’s tasked with showing Annie around the city, and with every outing they attend he finds himself wanting her to stay. But he needs to realize that Annie’s decision to follow her dreams is just that – her decision. No matter how much he can try to convince her it’s the right decision, he can’t make that choice for her, and he needs to give her the space to do what’s best in her mind. Watching them learn to understand each other was just so lovely to see.

*Due to some discourse that has circulated through the community, I also wanted to add this paragraph. Annie is bisexual. She discusses some of her past experiences with dating, and bonds a bit with Elle about it, who also identifies as bi as we learn in Written in the Stars. This book follows Annie pursuing a relationship with Brendon, an individual of a different gender than Annie’s own. That doesn’t make her relationship a “straight” one, nor does that somehow erase Annie’s bisexuality and queer identity. Any relationship she engages in is queer, because she, herself, is queer.*

In conclusion, I truly love the characters that Alexandria Bellefleur has created. They are messy and make mistakes, but also surround themselves with people who will call them out and encourage them to do better, while also celebrating each individual success. I can’t wait for Margot’s story, which will be out early next year. Hang the Moon will be released on May 25th, 2021, which is exactly one week away so please consider picking up a copy for yourself if you liked Written in the Stars or are just in need of some really great romance. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Avon Books, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Hang the Moon:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Alexandria Bellefleur’s site
HarperCollins

Hello! I’m here today to talk about a small town called Harper Landing, and two characters both struggling with grief in their own ways coming together and showing each other that they don’t have to go through it alone. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

As a reading representative for Once Upon a Bookclub (a position I unfortunately had to part ways with but I wish the company all the best), I needed to find a book on NetGalley that was being published in June, or later, this year. I came across Sweet Bliss, an adult contemporary romance novel by Jennifer Bardsley, and it caught my attention because I had tried to read several novels with complex magic systems and complicated convulated plots and I was just in the mood for something simple and sweet. It’s told in two alternating narratives, following main leads Julia and Aaron in the town of Harper Landing. It has a nice calming presence to it, and I’m glad I finally get to talk about it. *I have also since learned that Jennifer Bardsley also writes young adult novels under the pen name Louise Cypress, if that’s more your style.*

In Harper Landing, Washington, Julia Harper (the great-grand-granddaughter of the town’s founder) owns the local frozen yogurt shop, Sweet Bliss, and has inherited several other store fronts and properties after the death of her mother. When her energetic dog jumps into the lake, newcomer Aaron Baxter comes to the rescue. Aaron moves to town to raise his nephew, Jack, who has come into his care after the death of his sister and brother-in-law, Sara and Jared. Together they navigate the struggles that come with living in a small town, dealing with grief, and tackling whatever life may throw at them next.

I didn’t know much going into this novel, but I loved how quiet and simple it was. Both characters are on their own journeys with grief – Julia is still reeling from the death of her mother, who passed away from lung cancer, but may also have been emotionally abusive to her throughout childhood and a stickler with finances, and Aaron lost two extremely important people in his life, his sister (one of the only family members he’s ever felt close to) and his best friend. Aaron was also thrust into a new role of responsibility with the birth of his nephew (who was born premature due to the injuries his sister sustained from the accident), and he struggles with balancing his time while also ensuring Jack receives the care that Sara (his sister) would have wanted, and not the way they themselves were raised as children (with no parental figures around aside from new nannies every few months). I felt it also captured the small town life really well – neighbors coming together to help in times of need, news spreading through gossip, and knowing everyone’s business, even if they don’t want you to. The saying is it takes a village to raise a child, and I think Aaron decided to move to Harper Landing because he truly wanted to give his nephew, Jack, the best life he could – and so Jack could be near his grandparents, as Jared grew up in town. I also appreciated how sweet and simple the romance was – yes, Julia and Aaron do strike up a romance, and it was nice to see the progression of their relationship, through catching each other’s eyes across the frozen yogurt shop, their failed date ending up at urgent care, and just the support they bring to each other that they didn’t know they needed. [If you need information on the “steam level,” the most on-page description is a kiss between the two main leads.]

Since this seems to be the first book in a new series surrounding the people living in Harper Landing, a found a few story-lines unfinished that we will hopefully get more detail about in future novels. In particular, I must make note of Frank, Jack’s grandfather and an individual who seems to be developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. I will admit I wasn’t too fond of the character, Walter – I believe he was supposed to be the main antagonist of the novel, seeing how he is the only tennent having issues with Julia as a landlord, and he reveals information towards the end that leads to Julia viewing her mother in a different light. At least he came across as a well-written unlikeable character. There was also much talk throughout the novel about a big Fourth of July celebration put on by the town, which led me to believe we would get to see the parade in detail when the day finally rolled around, but the event only took place in the span of a chapter or two, and an altercation with Walter took away a bit from the gathering itself. I guess I just wish there was more to the parade, but in relation to the length of the novel, I suppose its page time was justified.

While I didn’t have any expectations going into this novel, I closed the book [or I guess the document on my phone] with a smile on my face. There were well-developed characters, a town full of people willing to support each other, and a story that will let you breathe a little during this incredibly stressful time. I already can’t wait to see who will be featured in the next book, Good Catch, set to release in October, and Sweet Bliss isn’t even out in the world yet! Sweet Bliss is set to release on July 13th, 2021, which is only a few months away, so if you’re at all interested in a small town romance that involves the owner of a frozen yogurt shop and a new father trying to figure out how to parent, I highly recommend picking up a copy. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Montlake, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opnions are my own.*

Where to find Sweet Bliss:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Jennifer Bardsley’s site

Hi there! I’m here to bring you a review of a quiet adult fiction novel that I had the opportunity 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 exactly sure when this book caught my eye, but The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser has been in my NetGalley queue for a while. It’s an an adult debut fiction novel set in Scotland surrounding Thea, a woman who’s recently inherited a cottage and a book collection from a distant relative, and leaves her life in Sussex behind to enter a quaint little town with new opportunities. It was a charming read that I’m glad I read. It was actually released in the UK in November of 2020, so if you’re located there you may have already picked this up, but it’s being released in the U.S. this month and decided I needed to get a move on and read it if I wanted a review up before release date.

Bad things seem to come in threes for Thea Mottram – she has been let go from her job without any notice, she finds out her husband of twenty years has been sleeping with one of her friends, AND he’s told her he loves the other woman more. When Thea is sorting through all of her belongings on Valentine’s Day, she finds a letter saying that a distant great uncle has passed away and has left her his house and extensive antique book collection (which may be worth a hefty amount of money) in Scotland. A few weeks later, she finds herself traveling from Sussex to the quaint little cottage to sort out his things, and a fortnight trip turns into months where Thea is falling in love with the town and its people, and doesn’t quite want to leave. There’s also a particular fellow, Edward Maltravers, owner of the local bookstore and local grump, who Thea can’t help but be drawn to. The townspeople tell her to stay away, but she needs a job and wants to work in the store. But Edward has a hiring policy – no women – and that’s for a specific reason – they always fall in love with him, or vice versa. Will Thea be the one to break the cycle, or is it inevitable that these two are destined for love?

I think my favorite aspect of this book was the character of Thea herself. Although the past few months had been an emotional rollercoaster, she is incredibly independent and doesn’t let the opinions of others influence her thoughts or decisions. When the town warns her to stay away from Edward because of his demeanor and his past, she still proceeds to apply for the job at his bookstore and spend time with him to form her own opinions and find out the facts for herself. When Edward tries to convince her that his brother, Charles, has ulterior motives when asking her to dinner, she goes to the meal and makes her intentions abundantly clear. She isn’t devoid of emotion – she actually feels quite deeply – but she’s straightforward and direct and completely in control of her own destiny. I loved to see her progression throughout the novel. Thea also falls in love with the town on Baldochrie during her stay. What was supposed to be a two-week journey to sort our her great-uncle’s things – make plans to sell the house, appraise the extensive book collection, wrap things up and be back in Sussex to start her new life as a single woman – became a permanent stay content with her surroundings and happy with the way things turned out. From the job with moody yet curious Edward at the bookstore to the best coffee at a local café to forming bonds with townspeople, Thea knows she shouldn’t stay but just can’t bring herself to leave. The seasons change and the house is up for sale, but she isn’t mad about it. It was a very quiet book that felt slow-paced but with a quick passage of time. For the most part I enjoyed Thea and Edward’s dynamic – it’s a bit of a light pessimist/optimist grumpy/sunshine scenario, and sometimes Edward’s jealously was a little extreme but he didn’t quite know how to process his feelings, and kind of detested himself for falling for Thea in the first place. I will say, things were a bit awkward when they did finally get together, and Edward was much too pushy for my taste, wanting things to progress at a faster pace. Thea always stuck her ground, and never agreed to anything she wasn’t comfortable with, but I just felt Edward was talking of marriage a lot sooner than the idea would have been on Thea’s mind, especially since she was still married (yet separated).

Overall, I would say this was an enjoyable read and a nice break in between a lot of hard-hitting contemporaries and high-stakes fantasies that have been my latest reads. I’m really excited to see what Jackie Fraser brings next after this solid debut, I’ll be surely keeping my eye out for it. The Bookshop of Second Chances will be releasing (in the U.S.) on May 4th, 2021 (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 at all interested! *Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find The Bookshop of Second Chances:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Jackie Fraser’s Facebook page
Penguin Random House

Hello! I’m back today to talk about my April reads for the Buzzword Readathon! **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 fourth post in my “Buzzword-a-thon” series. In case you’re new here, Buzzword-a-thon is a read-a-thon originally created by Kayla at the YouTube channel booksandlala. It centers around readers choosing books that include specific words or ‘types’ of words. This year, all prompts were selected in advance and it’s been loosely hosted once a month. I’m making a yearly challenge for myself to at least read one book with the buzzword each month, and also include one recommendation and one anticipated read in my monthly post. The theme for April was “words that revolve around space,” – some examples include planet, moon, sun, and stars. I had a nice selection of book from my shelf that I could choose from this month, and now that we’re here, let’s talk about my picks.

Read in April – Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim
-Back in January of 2020, I received a copy of Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim in an OwlCrate subscription box. All I really knew at the time was that it was a gender-swapped retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. I never had to read the story growing up, and am a little hesitant to pick up the classic now due to its excessive page count, but I was interested in what this retelling has to offer. The story follows Amaya, who wants one thing – revenge against the man who ruined her family and stole the life she once had. When she rescues a mysterious man from drowning, he offers her riches, a new identity, and the opportunity to enact her revenge while helping him avenge his enemy. Amaya finds herself in the coastal city-state of Moray, becoming all too familiar with the son of the man she’s supposed to target, and entangling herself in secrets from her past that have stayed hidden for all this time. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed my time with it. It had its faults, sure, and I didn’t always agree with some character motivations, but for a typical YA fantasy I had fun following the story. Alongside the main plotline of revenge, there are intriguing side stories that deal with counterfeit coins, a mysterious fever, and what really brought Amaya onto the debtor ship, which I’m sure will culminate in the conclusion. It’s diverse and a duology, so while the ending doesn’t leave off on too much of a cliffhanger, you won’t have to wait very long to find out what happens next because the sequel, Ravage the Dark, was just released in March. I, for one, and very interested to see where the story leads next for Amaya, Cayo, and all our supporting leads. Will they be able to find a solution, or has their time already run out? Guess I better find out soon.

Recommendation – Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell
-I wanted to stay away from using the same “space word” twice in this post, but I thought it would be interesting to talk about two books that are both retellings of classics. Sky Without Stars, written by authors Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell, is a sci-fi reimagining of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. It’s the beginning of the System Devine series (which I think will be a trilogy with the final book releasing in August 2021). Set on the planet of Laterre five hundred years after the Last Days, there is a definite divide between the extravagent elite classes (first and second estate) and the common people living on the streets (third estate). Three leads find their way to the center of a brewing revolution – Chatine, a street thief wanting to escape the Regime, Marcellus, a second estate officer and grandson to the General, and Alouette, a girl living in an underground refuge being held safe from more than just the violence outside. Their lives collide and together they must find a way to protect the planet from dangerous forces within. Look, I typically read contemporary or romance novels that average around 350 pages. Sky Without Stars, and its sequel which I just finished Between Burning Worlds, are both over 500 pages. I absolutely LOVE these books. There is such an intricate plot and developed characters, and I felt incredibly validated when one of my predictions in the second book turned out to be correct. The audiobook really helped me get through these tomes, and there is a different narrator for each of the three main leads, all of whom did an amazing job. I am not overly familiar with Les Misérables, but I do recommend this reimagining if you’re looking for a really great sci-fi to occupy your time.
-Other books I’ve read and talked about here on my blog that also fulfill this prompt: A Heart in a Body in the World, Little Universes, The Sound of Stars, Miss Meteor, Skyhunter, and Tarnished are the Stars

Want to Read – Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur
-Last year I got the opportunity to read Alexandria Bellefleur’s debut romance, Written in the Stars, which is a sapphic romance following Darcy and Elle as they navigate a fake relationship that slowly starts to build into something more. I really enjoyed their story (and also have a review of the book which you can find here). So I am really excited to read her next book Hang the Moon, which releases on May 25th, 2021. This book follows Darcy’s brother, Brendon, as he tries to pursue his sister’s best friend, Annie, who he’s been crushing on since they were kids. I thought Brendon was incredibly sweet and deserved his own happily ever after as well, so I’m really glad to get to read his story. I was approved to read an early copy of this book, so I can’t wait to dive in before its release date next month!

In conclusion, apparently I have a look of books with space themed words in the title. This is four months down for the 2021 Buzzword challenge, and I can’t wait to see what the next 8 months have in store.

Where to find all these books:
Scavenge the Stars: Bookshop Amazon Goodreads
Sky Without Stars: Bookshop Amazon Goodreads
Hang the Moon: Bookshop Amazon Goodreads
Authors’ sites: Tara Sim Jessica Brody Joanne Rendell Alexandria Bellefleur

Hello! I’m here to contribute to the blog tour for an exciting and hard-hitting YA contemporary coming to shelves in less than a week by bringing you an excerpt! *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 (and others) on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.*

As I mentioned, I am so excited to be a part of my first blog tour. The lovely people over at Wednesday Books reached out and asked if I would contribute to the hype around Hurricane Summer, an own voices debut YA contemporary releasing on May 4th, 2021 by Asha Bromfield. In an interview with Teen Vogue, which you can find here, Asha says she spent many summers in Jamaica – while they may have been different every year each summer, in some way, shaped her, and she calls the book her “love letter to the island of Jamaica.” The story encompasses the many complexities of becoming a woman, and isn’t afraid to face the darkness and honesty of that first-hand. Some may believe that the nature of this transition may bring rays of sunshine, but can shy away from acknowledging it may bring more of the wildness of a hurricane.

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica. When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him. In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise―all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic―and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction. Content warnings include death, sexual assault & rape (explicit and on-page), physical abuse (on-page), and slut-shaming.

Please enjoy this excerpt from chapter 2 of Hurricane Summer: (and I apologize if the formatting is strange, apparently the site doesn’t let you indent at the beginning of a paragraph, which is a bit annoying).

********************************************************************************************************

We touch down at 1:46 p.m. local time.

Warm air floods the plane as the doors open, and the sweet aroma of fruit wafts in the air. Passengers race to grab their bags as the thick accent comes over the PA once again.

“Ladiez and gentle-mon, welcome to Kingston, Jamaica. It iz a beautiful day here on the island, and we wish you nothing but irie on your travels. It has been our pleasure to have you on board. As always, thank you for flying Air Jamaica.”

I gently shake Mia awake as Patois begins to pour out all around us. I grab our backpacks from the cabin, and we throw them over our shoulders before trudging off the plane.
As we make our way through the busy airport, we are surrounded by a sea of rich, dark skin. I feel courageous as we navigate through the brown and black bodies, and I can’t help but wonder if the feeling of belonging is why Dad loves it so much here.

Once we clear at customs, we continue our trek through the massive airport. All around us, people smile and laugh, and there is a mellowness to their pace. Most of the women wear bright colors and intricate braids in their hair, Afros, or long locks down their backs. An array of sandals and flip-flops highlight all the bright painted toe nails as Mia and I weave through the crowd.

“Stay close!” I yell, grabbing on to her hand. When we find the exit, I grow nervous knowing what awaits us on the other side. I look to Mia. “You have everything?”

She nods.

“Okay,” I whisper to myself. “Let’s do this.”

With our suitcases lugging behind us, we spill out of the doors and into the hot sun. The heat
immediately consumes me, and it is amplified by the chaos and noise that surrounds us. The streets are packed. Loud horns blare, and people yell back and forth in thick, heavy Patois accents. Men argue on the side of the road, their dialect harsh as they negotiate the rates for local shuttle buses. Along the roads, merchants sell colorful beaded jewelry and fruit so ripe that I can taste it in the air. Women wear beautiful head wraps and sell plantains and provisions, bartering back and forth with eager travelers. People spew out of overcrowded taxis, desperate to catch their flights as others hop in, desperate to get home. The sun pierces my skin as the humidity and gas fumes fill my lungs. The action is overwhelming, and I feel like a fish out of water. As we wait by the curb, there is no sight of our father.

“What if he forgot?” Mia asks.

“He wouldn’t,” I reply. “Mom just talked to him.

“What if he got the time mixed up?”

“He’ll be here.”

But the truth is, when it comes to our father, I can never be sure.

I fight with this idea as five minutes turns into ten, and ten into twenty.

The heat blazes and sweat drips down my stomach. I check my watch: forty-two minutes.

I pull my pink hoodie over my head to reveal a white tank top, tying the hoodie around my waist to better manage the heat. Without my phone, I have no way of contacting him to see where he is.

But he said he would be here.

He gave us his word.

Fifty-six minutes later, our father is nowhere to be found. My eyes frantically search the crowd as I
ponder how much his word is truly worth. Time and time again, he has proven that the answer is not much. I turn to Mia, ready to tell her to head back inside. Worry graces her face for the first time since we left. Her carefree attitudes fades as the concern of a nine-year-old takes over. I can’t stand to see her like this, and I’ll do whatever it takes to escape the feeling that is bubbling inside of me.

We’ll take the first plane out.

“Mi, Dad’s not coming. Let’s go back insid–“

“Yow! Tilla!” A deep voice interrupts me mid-sentence. I whip my head around to see my father standing a few feet away with two freshly sliced pineapple drinks in hand.

“Daddy!” Mia screams. She drops her things on the curb and sprints towards him. My heart does somersaults.

One glimpse of my father and I am a child again.

********************************************************************************************************

I recently just finished reading my copy, and I was incredibly impressed by the writing in this book, and the author’s ability to draw me in at the very beginning and make me feel for the characters (primarily Tilla) throughout all of their struggles. Tilla’s resilience against all that came her way was truly powerful. It was tough to read at times, so I definitely recommend looking for content warnings before picking a copy up for yourself (I included some, but other reviewers may be able to catch something I may have missed) because while I think this story is an important one and should be shared, I understand some may not be in the right mindset to read it right now, and that’s perfectly okay. I am so excited to see what everyone thinks about Hurricane Summer when it is out in the world. If you’re interested, consider picking up a copy when it’s released on May 4th, 2021, or pre-order from any of the links below, as it greatly supports the author. *Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, and for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Hurricane Summer:
Wednesday Books
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Asha Bromfield’s site

Hi there! I’m here to talk about an exciting sequel that I have been itching to read all year, and am grateful to have received an early copy. *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 (and others) on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.*

Back in February of 2020, I was still very new to reviewing books. I had just started my BookishFirst account, and when I saw that an adult romance titled Island Affair was up for raffle, I entered and tried to win. Luck wasn’t on my side, and so when I started my NetGalley account, I also tried requested it there. Island Affair would be my first denied request on the site, which I was bummed about but I knew I would still pick up a copy when it was released later on in April. There was actually a YouTube-centric book event going on, called the Social Distance Book Fest, which allowed a variety of author to speak on live-show panels and talk about their upcoing releases, and Priscilla Oliveras spoke with several others discussing consent, gender, and toxic masculinity in romance (the video is still up if you want to check it out here, there were some great discussions), and that just made me even more excited to dive into the story. When I saw that BookishFirst was offering up a copy of Anchored Hearts, the next book in the Keys to Love series, I knew I had to trade in some of my hard-earned points for a copy, because I knew luck wasn’t on my side the first time. It was so great to be back with these characters in the Key West, and I can’t wait to talk about my thoughts.

The Keys to Love series is a contemporary romance series following “the Navarro familia” and their adventures in Key West Florida. The first book, Island Affair, follows Luis Navarro, firefighter and paramedic who runs into social media influencer and tourist Sara Vance at the airport and agrees to be her fake boyfriend in order to appease her parents and siblings on a family vacation. The second installment, Anchored Hearts, follows Luis’ sister, Anamaría, who joined her siblings at the fire station as a fighter and paramedic, but has been slowly building up a side business as a personal trainer and definitely not thinking about her high school sweetheart, Alejandro Miranda, who left her alone in order to chase his dreams of becoming a sought-after photographer. Alejandro received clear instructions from his father to never return to Key West, and he’s done everything to avoid traveling back to his hometown. But when he sustains an injury that requires months of recuperation after surgery, the two are finally in the same time zone, and may have to face their meddling families, and their mutual attraction that hasn’t seemed to dim after a decade.

What I love about the books I’ve read from Priscilla Oliveras is her focus on family. We caught a glimpse of Anamaría’s family in Island Affair, with her three brothers and parents coming together every week for church and family dinner, and the love and support they all share for each other, even though some might be stubborn and need help seeing the error of their ways. The children feel as if the Keys are their home, where family is, and don’t have any desire to leave (at least permanently) the area where they grew up. It was an interesting contrast to Alejandro’s circumstances – he’s felt ostracized from his family (his father in particular) for his dream of escaping the town and going out to travel along new (and “better”) horizons. His desire to persue photography brought dishonor on him in his father’s eyes, as he believed Alejandro did not care about his family or familial roots if he didn’t work in the restaurant his grandfather worked so hard to make a reality. In turn, he deserts his childhood town, comminicating primarily through phone calls, and would not have returned to the Keys during his recovery if his mother had not convinced him to do so – he’s even counting down the days until he is cleared to travel to make his escape. Additionally, the mothers trying everything in their power to bring their children together brought so much comic relief, it was certainly fun to watch. I really appreciated how the book highlights people finding their way back to each other. Anamaría and Alejandro were first loves – even in the decade they’ve been apart, their hearts still belonged to each other. But even as they reconnect, they realize that after high school, they weren’t in the same headspace. They wanted different things out of life, and while one wanted to jump start their career immediately the other needed to take care of private matters, and needed more time to sort out what their future path should be. They both acknowledge that the time apart has let them focus on their individual goals and aspirations, which, in turn, allows them to imagine a future where they are achieving those goals together, bringing out the best in the other person. Anamaría will go on to inspire many to put their health and wellness first, and Alejandro will capture all the beautiful moments of every day life on his camera. I truly wish the best for these two, and hope we get to see more of them in future books.

To discuss a bit about the romance, specifically, I will say that it is low / mild in terms of steam. As a reader you are aware when things are escalating to an intimate moment, but anything major is closed door / fade to black, which can bother some but I don’t have an issue with. This is also a second chance romance, so the two main leads have a prior history that we are slowly learning about through context, while they are rebuilding their relationship in the present. I think the tension between them was the most striking part, and I enjoy this style of romance so it was a good read, but some mileage may vary depending on what you are looking for in your romance books. It’s perfectly fine to enjoy different things, just expect little physical action going into this one.

All in all, I think I’ll pick up any other books Priscilla Oliveras chooses to write in the Keys to Love series. These characters have just stolen my heart, and I can’t wait to see what they’re all up to next. Anchored Hearts will be released on April 27th, 2021 (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 in a second-chance romance with great characters and a setting that will have you wishing for the sun in any season. *Thank you to BookishFirst and the publisher, Kensington Books, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Anchored Hearts:
BookishFirst (read an excerpt)
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Priscilla Oliveras’ site
Kensington Books

Hi! I’m here to bring you a review for an advanced reader’s copy of a book I was not expecting to pick up, but nevertheless enjoyed my time with. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

While scrolling through NetGalley back at the beginning of the year, I came across this title Not Our Summer in the “Read Now” section. The cover intrigued me, and it was winter so I was curious to see what this summer book would bring. Turns out this YA contemporary debut by Casie Bazay is riddled with family drama, feuding cousins, and a bucket list left by their late grandfather which must be completed in order to receive their inheritance. I didn’t need to know more in order to select this book to read.

Becka and KJ are cousins who can’t stand each other. Years ago, their mothers, RaeLynn and Jackie, had a falling out and now family events can be more than just a little complicated. After the death of their grandfather, Elijah Walker, the girls are forced to attend five trips throughout the course of the summer – if they don’t, they won’t receive any of their inheritance, and neither will their mothers. Elijah had hoped to build a bridge between his two granddaughters after being unable to do so for his daughters, but as their excursions continue, KJ and Becka start to wonder if there can ever be peace between their two families, and, if so, at what cost.

I thought that the alternating perspectives, along with a few of Elijah Walker’s letters in between, was a great way to tell the story, as it allowed the reader to delve into the minds of both our main leads, Becka and KJ. The focus on familial conflicts and their impacts really stood out to me. One event in their past caused a schism between Jackie and RaeLynn, which in turn caused Becka and KJ to grow up on differing sides of a rivalry. Pretty much all they know of the other is bits and pieces of what their mothers say, so of course there is going to be tension and animosity. It can be tough to unlearn a lot of those misconceptions, especially if you’re being told it’s the truth from your parents or someone you’re supposed to trust. The depictions of their trips were incredibly vivid and I could almost imagine myself riding alongside KJ on a mule at the Grand Canyon, hiking with Becka and Johan at Yellowstone National Park, trying to keep the boat afloat while rafting through the Bull Sluice or even watching the sea-life go by while snuba diving in the Florida Keys. I also found the dichotomy between the two girls fascinating – KJ and her mom don’t have a lot of money, live on their own in a trailer park, KJ herself doesn’t care all that much about her future because no one has ever expected her to be anything great, while Becka and her mom have more than enough to get by, RaeLynn has been remarried twice and had another child, Ricky (who had since passed away at the age of nine prior to the start of this novel), and Becka has the grades and agility to have a sports scholarship lined up after college. Both are envious of each other for vastly different reasons, and not all of it has to do with money.

While I did think some of the messages of the novel were interesting and thought provoking, to be the book was not without its faults. Occasionally I did have some issues with the pacing, and was unsure if the girls were still on their trip after a chapter break or if they had since returned home since it wasn’t always clear. In personal taste, I felt that the girls went from pure animosity to friendly a bit too quickly, and some of the comments used to attack each others’ families were a bit in poor taste, but others may feel differently with their own experiences. And while I am usually all for a sprinkle of romance anywhere I can get, I really didn’t find the romantic moments in this novel all that necessary (other than to be a source of conflict between the girls on their trip, at least in Johan’s case), but again, only personal opinion and some may think it added another complexity layer to the story – all valid opinions that should be respected.

In conclusion, I’m pretty glad I decided to take a chance on this book, because it was a nice change of pace when compared to other YA novels I’ve been reading or have released and are on the market. Following Becka and KJ throughout their journey, and seeing their respect for each other grow, was awesome to read about. Not Our Summer will be released on May 11th, 2021 (which is less than a month after this will be posted) so if you’re at all interested in familial drama and two cousins coming together to gain their inheritance, I highly recommend preordering the book, as it does really help the author (and if you’d like to support your local independent bookstore you can find one here) or picking up a copy when it’s out in the world. **Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Running Press Kids, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Where to find Not Our Summer:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Casie Bazay’s site
Hachette Book Group

Hi there! I’m here to spotlight a fascinating book that came to my attention a few months ago. *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 (and others) on your own to educate yourself and find the best way to lend your support.*

So back in February a very interesting message popped up in my inbox. It seemed a senior publicist from a publisher had used my contact form to ask if I wanted to check out an upcoming release. Honestly, I had no idea that contact form would even work, because I really do have no idea how web designing works and while I might look like I’m put together (though even that seems like a stretch) I’m certainly not. Anyway, this was coming from She Writes Press, who published another book I reviewed last August, All the Right Mistakes, an adult fiction novel that was out of my comfort zone but I gave a chance and overall enjoyed (and you can take a look at that review here). The book I was approached about was Del Rio, an adult mystery/thriller novel by Jane Rosenthal, which was being pitched as “a suspenseful story of corruption, betrayal and redemption.” I knew, again, this book would be outside the realm I usually read, but as someone who strives to diversify my genres when possible, I decided to give it a shot, and shine a light on a new release here on my blog.

Del Rio, California, a once-thriving Central Valley farm town, is now filled with run-down Dollar Stores, llanterias, carnicerias, and shabby mini-marts that sell one-way bus tickets straight to Tijuana on the Flecha Amarilla line. While it’s no longer the California of postcards, for local District Attorney Callie McCall, her dying hometown is the perfect place to launch a political career and try to make a difference. But when the dismembered body of a migrant teen is found in one of Del Rio’s surrounding citrus groves, Callie faces a career make-or-break case that takes her on a dangerous journey down the violent west coast of Mexico, to a tropical paradise hiding a terrible secret, and finally back home again, where her determination to find the killer pits her against the wealthiest, most politically connected, most ruthless farming family in California: her own. Through it all Callie finds herself in a fight to the death to save her hometown, the people she loves, and, ultimately, herself. *content warnings for use of slurs, violence/murder, child death, child trafficking, and mentions of child pornography*

The book is a fast-paced novel loaded with action and intrigue and, as promised, is a story about corruption, betrayal, and redemption. Split into two parts, part 1, after being introduced to our key characters, takes place primarily in Mexico, where Callie is gathering information alongside a secondary perspective character, Nathan, and ends with an event that segues to Del Rio in part 2, where our leads have to deal with the repercussions. Since this is a spotlight, as opposed to a typical review, I won’t spend too much time on my thoughts, but I still wanted to share them and be open and honest with my opinions. I appreciated Callie as a strong-willed main character, dedicated to getting justice even when everyone around her said to let things be. I found Nathan’s introduction a bit odd at first, because he truly was just thrown into these events whereas Callie is, unfortunately, completely woven into the web of deceit surrounding the entire novel. It’s also not an even split, so we do get more from Callie’s point of view. The book really didn’t hold back from exploring truly despicable characters carrying out despicable actions, and while some do pay for their actions, others simply have the ability to pay off those with power and escape any harm, which is frustrating but realistic. I wasn’t a huge fan of the language used to describe Del Rio, or even the places Callie visited in Mexico, as I felt they relied much too heavily on stereotypes that can be seen as harmful – some words were also repeated within certain chapters that had me cringing everytime they came up. I was getting characters mixed up, sometimes, and while we had a strong background for Callie and Nathan, I felt like many side characters were underdeveloped and left without clear purpose or motivations. I will say some twists did surprise me, but I couldn’t find myself interested in where the story was going, and I was confused through a large portion of it so when things were supposed to be coming together, for me and for the characters, I just remained lost.

Overall, I didn’t find a new favorite in Del Rio, and didn’t particularly enjoy my time reading it. BUT, this isn’t me telling you to steer clear of it altogether. If you’re the type of reader who can stomach tough topics, despicable characters, and wants an intrigue-filled mystery thriller book that culminates in a solid action scene, I’d say give it a fair chance. Even though it truly wasn’t for me, I do hope that this book finds its audience. Del Rio will be releasing on May 18th, 2021, which is only four weeks from when this post goes live, so if anything I mentioned in this spotight sparked you’re interest, I say give it a chance and pick up a copy for yourself. *Thank you to the publisher, She Writes Press, for the early copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find Del Rio: A Novel:
She Writes Press
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Jane Rosenthal’s site

Hi! I’m here to talk about another advanced reader’s copy I was able to read through NetGalley. **And as always, the work to support the Black community is not done, whether there is media coverage for it or not, so here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources. You can also visit the description of this video by booktuber Jess Owens, which has links to several additional resources about global events.**

At the beginning of the year, I was scrolling through NetGalley’s Read Now titles and came across For the Love of Friends, an adult fiction debut novel by Sara Goodman Confino. I was curious to see what would warrant a “world’s worst bridesmaid” mug that is next to the main character on the cover, and clicked on it to learn more. I thought this was going to be such a fun, entertaining, and relatable story about dealing with the stress of weddings all around you when you, yourself, are very much alone. Unfortunately, it didn’t work all that well for me, and I’ll get to why, but I do still see how others are going to love this book.

Lily Weiss is the director of communications of the Foundation for Scientific Technology, but at thirty-two with no significant other she’s her mother’s worst nightmare. Then all hell breaks loose when she’s asked by five brides to be in their wedding, all taking place within six weeks of each other. After waking up hungover in bed with a groomsmen after an engagement party, Lily knows she needs a place to air out all her wedding frustrations – lo and behold, her anonymous blog Bridesmania is born. She shares every single bit of drama she encounters with her readers, increasing the snark to keep them coming back for more. But even Lily isn’t prepared for the day being anonymous is no longer an option, and she has to face the brides beyond the screen.

So, I wanted to love this book. I really did. The premise sounded absolutely hilarious and relatable, and the added blog element had me even more intrigued. But unfortunately, in my opinion it sure fell short of my expectations. A lot of it is personal taste, so I’ll definitely touch on that so you can see where I’m coming from and decide how much faith you want to put into my word. But let’s start out by discussing the positives. I really loved Alex as a character, and enjoyed watching his friendship with Lily progress throughout the story. He’s had a bad past with relationships, coming out of a toxic marriage with an ex-wife who was controlling and manipulative. He’s always there with a joke or snark to cheer Lily up when she’s stressed with all the wedding drama, and even offers to be her fake date so people will stop asking when she’s getting married. He also cares deeply for his dad, who suffers a heart attack and is rushed to the hospital, and there’s a moment when he’s vulnerable and expresses to Lily how he’s never thought about how his parents won’t always be alive, and be with him. Alex was definitely the shining star of this novel for me, and while I didn’t understand his motivation towards the end of the novel, I was still rooting for him. I also found the blog aspect to be a pretty fun addition, and can understand Lily’s motivations for starting it – she wants to air out her frustrations with the weddings, sure, but she also loves writing [things other than scientific press releases for work] and she needs money to help pay for all her expenses. Do I believe that it would actually be possible for her to earn as much money as she suggests in the allotted time frame with a blog just starting out? No, not really, but I still thought her blog entries were entertaining.

Ok, well, that’s about as positive as I can get, so I’ll just get right into my issues. The first had to do with a stylistic choice – there are various moments when Lily is conversing with other characters through text message, and the author does not differentiate what is said through text, who is talking, and what is narration and/or Lily’s internal monologue. It made it difficult for me to follow along with the text conversations sometimes, and I found myself rereading several paragraphs just so I could be clear who said what. Then, there is so much body shaming in this book. I understand it happens in weddings, when bridesmaids compare themselves to each other, or brides obsess over what the pictures will look like. But I just found it so excessive. I wrote down so many quotes about dieting and using a minimizing bra and losing those extra pounds, and I could understand if it was just one bride (as the author could play on that stereotype), but it was EVERY one (or at least one person from each respective wedding party). And Lily is not immune to this shaming, as she makes mental comments about the other bridesmaids’ appearances that are not in such a positive light. She also constantly sees herself as the victim, even when she’s caught. Even when having to go on an apology tour, she still comments on how the other girls pushed her to say those words on her blog, and how no one understood how she had been feeling throughout all this. And the last point I’ll make is the most personal take – Lily is thirty-two, and she has two younger siblings, Jake and Amy. Amy, the youngest, is eight years younger, which makes her twenty-four. Every time Lily thinks about her younger sister, or has to go shopping or on trips with Amy, she makes either a verbal or a mental comment about how much of a child Amy is, or how incompetent / how much of a screw-up she is. Even Lily’s friends make comments, and no one believes she will actually go through with her wedding, she’s just playing pretend, and she is not an actual adult because she doesn’t pay bills and still lives at home with her parents. I am Amy’s age, and am also the youngest of three children, with a ten-year age difference between me and my oldest sister. Just hearing Lily talk about her younger sister that way, and trying to imagine if my own sister had those same thoughts about me, rubbed me the wrong way.

Although I did not enjoy my reading experience, I do think other people will still pick this up and have a good time with up. I can acknowledge that this really isn’t the book for me, but can be for so many others. I just wanted to share my thoughts so people can dive into a differing perspective if they so choose. For the Love of Friends is scheduled for release on August 1st, 2021, which is a few months away, so if you’re at all interested in what the book has to offer I highly suggest preordering yourself a copy (as preorder sales greatly benefit authors) or picking one up after the release date. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Lake Union Publishing, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find For the Love of Friends:
Amazon
Goodreads
Sara Confino’s site

Hello! I’m here to talk about a heartwarming and humorous tale I had the opportunity 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’ll be completely honest, I knew absolutely nothing about The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman. It’s an adult fiction / contemporary novel by Julietta Henderson that follows Norman and his mother, Sadie, as they travel through Scotland to try and accomplish a five-year plan a little ahead of schedule. I was aware this book was releasing soon (at least in the U.S, it was originally published January 5th, 2021 in Australia), so I started it without looking at the synopsis, and then I was just along for the ride. I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by a twelve year old and his single mom on an adventure, but I was completely captured from the first page.

Twelve-year-old Norman and his best friend, Jax, have their sights set on performing their comedy duo set at the Edinburgh Fringe when they turn fifteen. The two have been inseperable since they first met, and while they may seem like polar opposites they bring out the best in each other. But then Jax dies suddenly, and Norman and his mom, Sadie, feel lost without his presence in their lives. One night, the two decide to pursue this grand plan for Norman to perform his comedy act in Edinburgh that summer, and they embark on an adventure that leads them to open mics, new friends, and maybe even finding Norman’s father after all these years on their own. *content warnings for child death and suicide*

I really loved how we got chapters from both Sadie and Norman’s point of view, as it really allowed us to explore just how much losing Jax is affecting them. I also don’t know if this was intentional of not, but in Norman’s chapters there are no quotation marks, which, for me, really helped me envision a child telling me a story. Norman is lost without his best friend – Jax was always the one to deliver the punch-lines, the funny guy with perfect timing, the one who drove him out of his comfort zone and sometimes got them both into trouble but would leave with a smile on their faces and a story to tell. Now he wants to honor Jax’s memory, but he’s scared that he’s not good enough, and never will be again without his right-hand man. Sadie has raised Norman on her own since he was born, as a flurry of one-night stands left her unsure of who his father was. She watched him be ostracized because of his introverted nature, and his psoriasis, until one day a loud-mouthed boy decided he wanted Norman as a best friend, and nothing could have made her happier. Now that loud-mouthed boy died too soon, and there’s not much she can do to take away her son’s pain and hurt, even though she would do anything to make him feel better. So she [unwillingly, and sort of by accident] enlists the help of coworker and friend, Leonard, to help fulfill her boy’s new five-year plan, give tribute to Jax, and unravel the mystery behind his father. This novel is a road trip absolutely full of heart and tenderness, sprinkled with humor and emotion. Along the way, Norman finds friends and a way to smile even through losing someone special, and Sadie overcomes her past mistakes and realizes she has given her all to be the best mother for her son. Everyone needs a friend like Leonard – not only a mastermind and wiz with computer graphics, social media, excel sheets, and google maps, but also a great listener and someone who isn’t afraid to point out when you’re wrong. I really enjoyed exploring Sadie’s past with each of the four possible men that could be Norman’s dad, and seeing the varying reactions they have when presented with news of a lost son. I will say, towards the later half of the book, the story started to get a bit wild, and I appreciated its unpredictability (which kept me on my toes), but I found it a bit too much for the type of narrative it had already established. The ending chapter from Norman’s perspective, though, was such a great ending, and really captured the true essence of the novel – a tender tale family, friends, love in all its varieties, and learning to live in the present.

In conclusion, I absolutely whole-heartedly recommend this book if you’re in need of a heartwarming story about single-motherhood and working to make your dream come true. I didn’t have any expectations going into this novel, but I truly hope others give this one a chance. The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman was released in North America on April 13th, 2021, so please join me in wishing it a happy publication week, and consider picking yourself up a copy if you’re interested. *Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, MIRA, for the e-copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Where to find The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman:
Bookshop
Amazon
Goodreads
Julietta Henderson’s site
Harlequin