Tag: Friendship

Book Review

The Atlas of Us

TheShelfLife

The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer

Publication Date: January 2024| Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A slow paced but intimate picture into the mind of a teenager consumed by grief.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Atlas lost her father after a battle with cancer. Now she is trying to pull her life back together when all she can focus on is what is missing. Following one of her fathers passions, Atlas works for a community service project rehabbing trails. On the trails everyone goes by a nickname and Atlas wants to feel immersed in nature while trying to start anew. Little did she think that the strangers she started out with would get to know her better than anyone in their month together.

My Analysis: This book has a lot of emotion packed into it. I really enjoyed the development of the characters – and not just Atlas, the secondary ones too. I would almost consider this a YA version of Wild by Cheryl Strayed, being in nature hoping to find answers. It is an intriguing premise and not one that you find a lot in YA lit. Let’s talk about what this book really is though…an extremely intimate look into a teenager actively working through grief. This is a constant throughout the book, almost to the point of it being a little too much. But, it does fit with the character and how she would be thinking and acting based on how she is feeling. I will say however, if you are a reader who is currently grieving, this may not be the best option for you right now. It is an accurate portrayal of emotions, but I can also see it being triggering for someone who feels too closely to how Atlas does. If you are a reader that would like to see this perspective from someone going through it however, this will accomplish it. The thing that I didn’t care for with this book was the pacing. It moves very slowly, slow enough to make me not super excited to keep reading, but not enough for me not to finish.

Book Review

What Stalks Among Us

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What Stalks Among Us by Sarah Hollowell

Publication Date: September 2023| Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: More thriller than horror. May appeal more to younger YA readers who can tolerate the repetition of the story.

1/5 Stars

Book Summary: Best friends Sadie and Logan skip their senior trip and find themselves exploring a seemingly abandoned corn maze. Before they know it, a fun outing turns dark and twisty when they come across their own dead bodies. Time works strangely in the maze, and the two continually find themselves restarting over and over again. Determined to figure out what they need to do to escape, Sadie and Logan take risks, and learn about themselves in the process.

My Analysis: Cornfield maze and murder?! I was hooked on the premise. However, contrary to what seems to be popular opinion with this book, I was not drawn into the story. I found it tedious and repetitive (which yes, I get there has to be a certain amount for this to work, but it was too much). I think that it was too easy for the characters to figure certain things out and others were too obvious. But then the things that the reader would want to know more about, there was zero explanation. I was also expecting a horror book, and this was definitely not. It was not creepy in the slightest. If you’re dying for a thriller and have exhausted every other option, this may work for you. I hate to speak negatively so much about a book, but I honestly can’t determine one thing I actually enjoyed about this one. I kept pushing through hoping it would improve, but to me it did not. Perhaps the younger side of YA readers would appreciate this one more.

Book Review

An Unlikely Proposition

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An Unlikely Proposition by Rosalyn Eves

Publication Date: March 2024 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A satisfying sequel full of regency romance and drama.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Seventeen year old Eleanor was widowed, and after a year of mourning is ready to assert her independence in society. I’m order to keep her nephew from inheriting her fortune if she were to remarry, Eleanor concocts a fake engagement to a friend. Thalia wants to escape her county life and go to London. When Eleanor hires her on as a companion, their lives intertwine.

My Analysis: This was a nicely done companion novel to An Improbable Season. It could be read as a stand-alone, however I don’t think the reader would get as much out of it without having read the first. It doesn’t go too much more in depth beyond a regency romance plot line, but if you’re looking for a cute and fun read- it’s worth it! The author does a nice job incorporating the historical aspects of society during the time period in which it is set. The relationships between the characters, whether friendship or romantic definitely drive the overall story. If you like a straightforward romance and are a Bridgerton fan, you’ll like this one!

Book Review

After You Vanished

TheShelfLife

After You Vanished by E.A. Neeves, Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC | Audiobook Version

Overall Verdict: An emotional story that shares the journey of a sibling navigating the grief of her missing sister.

3.5/Stars – Novel

5/5 Stars – Narrator

Book Summary: Teddy has worked at Bottomrock Lake every summer, including last year when her twin sister went missing. Izzy went for a midnight swim in the lake, and was never seen again. When Izzy’s friend Toby comes to work at Bottomrock, Teddy begins to dive deeper into what happened to her sister. She can’t help but continue to question everything, including how an Olympic level swimmer could have gone missing in a lake. As Teddy investigates she learns there was more to her twin than she ever knew.

My Analysis: This is one of those books where not a whole lot happens in terms of events, but instead you get so emotionally invested in the characters. The author did a nice job in sharing the characters and their grief. I really felt for all of them and what they went through. I also liked the descriptions of the relationship between the twins. I thought it was an interesting take on a sibling relationship. I listed to the audiobook version of After You Vanished and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. She did a wonderful job speaking and in really making you feel the emotion involved in the plot. If you’re a realistic fiction fan but like a hint of mystery, give this one a try!

Book Review

The Only Girl in Town

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The Only Girl in Town by Ally Condie

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A quick read with short chapters and an interesting premise, but little character development.

2/5 Stars

Book Summary: July wakes one morning to discover that she is the only person left in her town. The only clue she has to what happened are a series of objects that appear and a message to ‘Get T3em Back.’ Having time to reflect on her friends, family and past relationship she begins to work out how to make things right.

My Analysis: I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it just didn’t do it for me. I thought from the description that it was going to be more of a dystopian novel, but it really wasn’t. The past and present alternating chapters were a good way to help unravel Julys emotions and actions. I wish however that I had learned more about the secondary characters in addition to July. The chapters were also incredibly short, some only a paragraph long. I think that is honestly what pushed me through the story. Without giving away any spoilers, I also wasn’t thrilled with how things played out at the end. Overall I think there just needed to be more depth of characters and plot line.

Book Review

Suddenly a Murder

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Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Munoz

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A quick read with an unlikely scenario, but an intriguing locked-room murder mystery.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Celebrating their High School graduation, a group of friends stay at Ashwood Manor for a week long 1920s themed getaway. Kassidy has planned everything from the outfits to the menu to the lack of technology to immerse everyone in the experience. Everything seems to be going well, until Kassidys boyfriend Blaine is murdered. With all of the party guests suddenly suspects, drama and secrets unfurl.

My Analysis: This was a quick read, and overall a pretty decent murder mystery. I enjoy a locked-room mystery and the author did a good job at making everyone suspicious. There is a past and present format to the book as well, and the past glimpses really dive into potential motivations for each character. It did alternate between being written in third person for the past chapters and first person for present, so something to be aware of. I do think that the plot of this group of rich teens being able to rent out this old manor and spend tons of money on all the 1920s details seemed to be a bit far fetched, but it worked enough to set the scene. I can definitely see a younger audience being drawn to the getaway concept. If you enjoy a murder mystery, give this one a go!

Book Review

A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak

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A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A cute companion novel that shares a story of drama, love, friendship and finding yourself against all odds.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Flora has always been known as a ‘hurricane’ in her family, having trouble managing her emotions. When her mother passes after a long term illness, Flora leaves her home in England to try and find herself in Miami. Along her journey she meets new people and connects even deeper with some people she has known all her life. In doing so, Flora attempts to repair her heart and determine her place and future.

My Analysis: This is a companion novel to A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow (which I LOVED), but can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Overall it’s an enjoyable read for fans of romance and coming of age tales. The standout thing that I disliked about this one however was the main protagonist. Flora drove me a little crazy and it was honestly hard to want to root for her when she was just kind of a horrible person to everyone around her. I get that part of it was to show her growth etc, but that made it tougher for me to get into fully. The secondary characters though were brilliant. I loved every single one of them and they were what carried me through more so than Flora. I also liked that this was a bit of a flip from Cuban Girl’s Guide and the reader is able to see the British girl in a Miami setting this time. A cute realistic fiction with some drama and romance.

Book Review

All That’s Left to Say

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All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord

Publication Date: July 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A powerful look into the impact of opioid addition with well-developed characters. A slow pace, but well worth the read.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Hannah is lost in the grief of her cousin, who died unexpectedly of an overdose. No one close to Sophie knew she was using, and Hannah is determined to find an explanation for her death. Enrolling at her cousins private school, Hannah uncovers secrets while keeping many of her own. Along the way, she ends up teaming with Sophie’s friends and her long time enemy.

My Analysis: I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure at first as it went at a bit of a slow pace, but I do ultimately think that is was necessary for the author to get the depth of character development that she was able to accomplish. This story shares an important topic about opioid addition and the fallout for everyone involved with those using. The author handles the topic very well, and gives insight into the impact of family and friends of those who have overdosed. There is also a dual-time line with past events and present events intertwined. I thought this was helpful to the overall story and keeps the reader guessing, but as the time lines came closer together I did find myself having to double check which I was currently reading through. Overall, definitely recommended to any fans of realistic fiction.

Book Review

The Rosewood Hunt

TheShelfLife

The Rosewood Hunt by Mackenzie Reed

Publication Date: October 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: An entertaining read that focuses on friendship in all forms! The mystery of the hunt keeps you guessing all the way through. A solid stand-alone by a debut author.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: When Lily Rosewood’s grandmother dies suddenly and the fortune from the family company goes missing, her life starts to unravel. Always fascinated with riddles and clues, Gram leaves behind one last game as her legacy. A last letter appears from Gram however, giving Lily a piece of a much larger puzzle. In order to be successful, Lily finds herself teaming up with an unlikely group in the hunt for an inheritance. Along the way to locating the money, they learn about themselves as individuals as well as their relationships with one another.

My Analysis: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is very reminiscent of The Inheritance Games series, but it holds its own in providing a very different story. The focus of the novel is less on solving actual puzzles and finding clues and instead really dives deep into the characters. Reed did a fantastic job in her portrayal of the individual characters and creating their relationships with one another. There are some moments where I think the narrative could have been a little more suspenseful, but it moves along as a quick pace. Well-written by a debut author- recommended!