Tag: YA

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

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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

The Meadows

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The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Dystopian reminiscent of The Handmaids Tale that dives deep into an alternative society, for a story full of emotion. If you are a dystopian fan, this one is definitely recommended.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: A new society has emerged after natural disasters plague the planet, focusing on conformity. Anything that is deemed to upset the ‘natural order’ is forbidden. When Eleanor receives a letter to go to The Meadows, she thinks that she has finally found her place. As she begins her time at the school however, she realizes that the motivations of the Matrons may not be what she originally thought. When she meets Rose, Eleanor begins to further question her place in The Meadows and within society.

My Analysis: Overall I enjoyed the journey of reading this book. I thought that is was a unique take on a dystopian society and that it was mostly well done. I do wish the author would have described a bit more background either at the beginning to set the stage more or have revealed it throughout. I wanted to know more of the how and why behind all of the details that led to this society and the way it is. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and I thought it was nicely done how you are able to see how different people coped and reacted to similar circumstances. Definitely led to some emotional moments! There is a ‘then’ and ‘now’ format to the book which at first I didn’t care for, but I enjoyed more as I read on. The connection between the two helped to add to the overall story and character development. It could be just the ARC, but I didn’t love that it wasn’t indicated in the chapter heading whether we were in the past or present. Didn’t take long to figure it out, but just a little per peeve of mine for that kind of writing. Overall, a solid dystopian!

Book Review

Pride and Prejudice in Pittsburgh

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Pride and Prejudice in Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott

Publication Date: August 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A solid romance and coming of age story, so long as you can look past the lack of explanation of time travel and historical aspects.

2.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Audrey feels the future she dreamed of falling apart. When a family friend visits the convenient store she works at, things get even more strange when she finds herself transported back to the year 1812. There she meets Lucy, who is currently being courted despite her own hesitations about her future. The two become instantly close and begin to realize they bring out the best in one another.

My Analysis: As far as romance goes, this was solid. I enjoyed the building relationship between Lucy and Audrey and the challenges that both of their lives present. The historical aspects of the book though were underwhelming. They were not nearly as detailed as they could have been, and I don’t really see historical fiction fans enjoying this one. Like I said though, if you’re looking for some romance, this would work for you! Another thing that I really couldn’t get past in this book was the time travel. Really cool in concept and I was very interested in reading this, but again it just didn’t deliver. Everyone was just so accepting of the idea of time travel and it is extremely fanciful. It is however very neatly wrapped up at the end, which I appreciated.

Book Review

Artifice

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Artifice by Sharon Cameron

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A must-read for fans of historical fiction! Cameron flawlessly combines past events together to provide well developed characters and a suspenseful plot.

4.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Growing up in a gallery, Isa has always been surrounded by the art world. When the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands takes hold, she must confront ways to resist and survive. When Isa realizes just how much money can be made selling art forgeries, she risks everything to help the resistance and the rescue of Jewish children.

My Analysis: This book was fantastic. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this story. In the authors note Cameron discusses how she pondered the ‘what-if’ possibility of two historical events that were occurring simultaneously colliding, and she does this flawlessly. I appreciate that this author takes on a time period that is frequently written about, but always looks at new perspectives. At some points I almost felt like I was reading a thriller with how suspenseful the plot was. It was a little slow to start, but once you get past that is it pretty fast paced. The only part that I didn’t care for as much was some of Isa’s character traits. They annoyed me, but that also may have been the point. Otherwise, a very solid and well thought out read!

Book Review

Where He Can’t Find You

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Where He Can’t Find You by Darcy Coates

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A creepy page turner that will keep you invested in intriguing characters, so long as you can suspend disbelief of reality.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Abby and her friends have a set a rules to keep them safe from the Stitcher, who haunts their small town with disappearances and murder. When her sister goes missing, she will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets of the Stitcher.

My Analysis: I was unsure about how I would feel about this book, but I gave it a try because it had a very interesting premise. I throughly enjoyed it and found myself looking forward to when I could read more. The author does a nice job of writing in some pretty creepy moments. Some of which are a bit gruesome in description, so be aware of that. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the characters that were intertwined with the overall story. It was very interesting to hear personal past experiences from characters. The biggest challenge with reading this book though is that the reader has to suspend disbelief in reality for it to really work as a novel. That does go along with any kind of supernatural elements, but there are other moments throughout that you just have to accept instead of question the likelihood of it actually happening.

Book Review

Going Bicoastal

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Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler

Publication Date: June 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: If you can get past the sometimes juvenile writing, this a decent romance story that also factors in friendship and family. It is intriguing to see the possibilities of both options in the choice Natalya has to make.

2.5/Stars

Book Summary: Natalya has two choices: stay in NYC with her Dad for the summer or go out to LA to visit her Mom. Going Bicoastal shares what could happen in both scenarios weaving together two alternate realities. In each, Natalya finds love, friendship and a direction for her life.

My Analysis: I was totally hooked by the premise of this book – one character with two alternative story lines? So intriguing! Overall the plots for both scenarios were solid, although I did find myself more interested in one version over the other. What bothered me though was how hard the author was trying to make her characters sound ‘cool.’ Some of the language was too juvenile, even for a YA book, especially for the events that occur throughout the story. It took quite a bit of the enjoyment out of the reading of it for me, and I found myself eye rolling far too many times. I did however really enjoy the representation of the Jewish population in this book. It was a very realistic component to the story and I appreciated how the main character held this as a part of her identity. I also think the author did well with how Natalya shares that she is bisexual. She let the stories speak for themselves in sharing her feelings, thoughts and experiences.