Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

So, This is Christmas by Tracy Andreen

Genre: Holiday Romance

When Finley decides last minute to go home to her hometown of Christmas, Oklahoma from boarding school she finds that everything has changed and not for the better. Her parents have separated and her mother has been out of town for weeks and her father moved into her grandmother’s inn. Meanwhile her best friend is now dating her ex-boyfriend. It doesn’t help that she doesn’t feel like she has fit in at all in her new school. She has been bullied and struggled to keep up academically. She just doesn’t belong anywhere. Meanwhile, she had spruced up her town’s website so that her classmates wouldn’t realize how run down it has gotten and that led to a classmate and his aunt coming for the Christmas holiday. Arthur was none too pleased when he figured out that much of what she bragged about was unfounded as he is from England and was hoping to show his aunt a traditional American Christmas. Finely promises to do her best to plan some wholesome Christmas activities, but she isn’t sure how she is going to pull it all off. Plus, Arthur doesn’t seem as annoying as he had at school. Is there a chance they have anything in common? Is there any chance she can reconcile her parents? Should she return to school?

This holiday romance is a fun treat for romance lovers. Finley is a very relatable girl just trying to find her place in the world and feels like everything is just going wrong. The characters are all charming and developed, especially Arthur (the love interest), and her grandmother (who runs the inn). Even people who have never been to a small town at Christmas will be enchanted by the adventures they have because it feels right out of a Hallmark movie. The ending is satisfying and realistic, but with a lot of Christmas magic. Recommended for anyone looking for a fun holiday read.

Five Total Strangers by Natalie D. Richards

Genre: Suspense/Mystery

Mira is desperate to get home to her mother for Christmas since it will mark the one year anniversary since her mom’s twin, Phoebe, passed away. Unfortunately, there is a terrible snow storm and she gets stuck on her layover with no end in sight. A friendly person she met on the plane, Harper, said she was going to rent a car and invites Mira to join. By the time they hit the road, there are five strangers all hitching a ride together to get home for Christmas. Almost immediately things start to go south as some of their items go missing, they are met with weather and traffic problems, and Mira starts to distrust the others in the car. Meanwhile, the story has letters interspersed that indicate someone has been watching Mira for awhile and believes they are meant to be together. Is Mira’s stalker in the car with her? Are the other passengers really strangers or are they all in on some elaborate plan to kidnap Mira? Will Mira make it home safely to her mother for Christmas?

Fans of thrilling mysteries will enjoy this title. The premise is very straightforward and believable, but yet it all screams red flags in a way that it is hard to believe Mira doesn’t see it too. The other people in the car all have their quirks which makes it hard to determine who is being honest and who is definitely not trustworthy. As mishaps continue to befall them, Mira starts to wonder if her instincts were all wrong from the start. The ending is very exciting and dramatic and will satisfy readers who love a suspenseful story. Also recommended for reluctant readers who like a quick read.

Ghost Girl and the Ghost Giant by Andrew R.H. Quinn

Genre: Fantasy

** Special Review ** This exciting story will captivate both the avid readers and the reluctant readers alike. The story is primarily a fantasy, but with some mystery elements thrown in that really keep the action moving throughout. Olivia has been tormented by a ghost for awhile and she has had trouble getting anyone to believe her, but when she is attacked yet again and her mother is taken she knows that she needs to do something to stop this ghost once and for all. Unfortunately, she still has trouble finding any adults to help her. Her father does believe her, but is not in a position to help a lot despite his desire to. When a vigilante is caught by the police, Olivia gets caught up in the investigation and she realizes that there are others who have seen the ghost as well. They all work together in order to find a way to stop the havoc this ghost has caused once and for all. Can they stop the ghost before more people get hurt? Will Olivia be able to save her mom? How will Olivia be forever changed from this?

The characters are really the heartbeat of this novel. They are each unique and charismatic in a way that makes the reader care about them and their success. Olivia must also come to terms with the fact that she must become a super hero (complete with powers) in order to truly tackle this frightening ghost that has come for her and her family time and again. She must realize that she does in fact have the power to battle something that seems so much stronger and more powerful. Young readers will really resonate with Olivia because of the many feelings and doubts she has throughout this process. All young people question their abilities, goals, and future at one time or another, just as Olivia does, but it’s important to never stop trying to reach your goals. All in all, the story is fun, dramatic, exciting, and has a very satisfying ending. Highly Recommended.

The Weaver Bride by Lydia Gregovic

Genre: Fantasy

Lovett is a silkwitch, which means she has magical powers in the strands of her hair. Each silkwitch is different and Lovett’s ability is that she can open any door no matter what. Lovett has been on her own awhile and gets by by stealing from the rich and hiding in the shadows so no one realizes she is an unwed silkwitch. If she does not find a weaver husband she will be forced to work in the cloisters. One day she walks into a trap set by the son of a weaver, Eliot Lear. Eliot offers Lovett an appealing offer. She must join the vainglory, or competition for the prince to find a bride. It is only for silkwitches since the prince must marry a silkwitch in order to maintain the family power. There was a vainglory the year before that ended in tragedy when Eliot’s sister was suddenly killed. He wants Lovett to infiltrate the competition to find out what really happened to his sister and in return he promises he will find her a suitable match so that she never has to go to the cloisters. Lovett isn’t used to being the one getting played, but ultimately agrees since this could save her future. Once she gets to the castle everything seems darker and more sinister. The prince is nice enough but the King is very intimidating and seems to predict her every move. Can Lovett find out what happened to Eliot’s sister without being found out for who she truly is? Will she manage to escape the cloisters? Will the prince take a liking to Lovett, which would be problematic because he doesn’t know who she truly is or what her motives are?

This fantasy story is exciting and has many twists and turns as Lovett gets deeper into this wealthy world. The other silkwitches all have secrets and special abilities just like Lovett which makes it hard to know who is telling the truth and who has ulterior motives as well. Eliot is an interesting character too. He clearly wants to know the truth about what happened to his sister, but it seems there are other secrets he is keeping as one of those closest to the prince. Meanwhile, Lovett finds there are many secrets to be unearthed in the castle, but it doesn’t take long before she gets warnings to stop digging or else. Readers will want to see more from these characters. Recommended for fantasy readers, especially fantasy romance readers.

Invisible Son by Kim Johnson

Genre: Realistic Fiction

After spending two months in a juvenile detention center for something he was innocent of, Andre Jackson returns home to find that nothing is the same as he left it. His family is treating him differently, especially his dad who is always so busy at his bookstore that he didn’t even come home to have dinner with Andre the first night he was home. His best friend has mysteriously run away, but no one seems to know where he is including his sister, Sierra, which Andre finds suspicious. His parole officer seems to be on his side, but there is another parole officer who definitely has it out for him and is frequently tracking him when he has no business watching him. Andre just assumed that everyone would who knows and loves him would know he would never have anything to do with any robbery, but he’s surprised to find that people seem unsure and wary of him now that he’s back. To make matters worse, he arrives home just in time for the onset of Covid 19 and that causes several problems as his family is one of the first to get it and his mom is a hospital nurse. Plus, Covid keeps him from reentering school, which is desperately wants to do. As they struggle through this terrible pandemic, Andre does spend some time with Sierra and her adoptive family that lives across the street. Sierra’s adoptive father has been especially helpful with Andre’s situation and even helped provide a lawyer for him. However, Andre suspects he knows more about his best friend’s disappearance and isn’t saying a word. Who can Andre trust? Will his family make it through the pandemic and everything that comes along with it? Will that parole officer try to pin more robberies on him and send him back to jail?

This book really makes the reader feel like they are in Andre’s shoes. It is written so that you can feel his frustration with his situation, his concern over his missing friend, his sadness over what Covid is doing to his family, and his mixed emotions toward the girl next door. It’s easy to identify with Andre’s emotions because everyone reading this now has experience with the pandemic and how that changed everything, but then you throw on everything else Andre is dealing with and it’s a very powerful narrative. The ending is both exciting and satisfying as Andre tries to find out what happened to his friend and clear his name. The ending is also believable in that not everything ends perfectly for everyone. The author did a fantastic job of conveying the many thoughts and feelings of a young person going through a very stressful time. Highly Recommended.

The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed

Genre: Fantasy

Aria Patel loves to study science because it is precise and predictable. Therefore, she is confused when her physics teacher gives the class a poem to study about different realities. More confusing still, is when she begins getting terrible headaches and proceeds to start waking up in different realities for herself. In each reality she lives in a different place, her family looks different, and even her interests seem to vary. However, that poem from her class and the boy, Rohan, she recently broke up with appear in each reality. As she desperately tries to get back to the life she knows she ends up staying in one reality for longer and begins to really fall in love with the family and Rohan she has in this reality, but as attached as she is getting she knows she does not belong here and must find her way back. Can she get back to the world she knows, even if it is not the most perfect universe of herself? Will she ever learn how she is sliding between realities? Will she ever find her way back to her beloved Rohan?

This book is interesting and fast paced as Aria’s reality changes so quickly. It becomes clear that she needed to see these different realities in order to give herself some perspective rather than only focusing her life on things that are probable or predictable. There are many things in life that do not always make sense, but feel right anyway. Aria needs to learn to focus on more than just the science behind everything. The ending is satisfying, but does not explain everything and might leave readers wanting a little more closure but that is really the point.

After Life by Gayle Forman

Genre: Realistic Fiction

One day Amber rides her bike home from school feeling like it’s any other day, but when her mom sees her she starts screaming because Amber died seven years prior in a hit and run. Amber does not remember anything about the accident and hasn’t aged at all, but everyone around her has moved on including her sister, Melissa. Melissa is Amber’s younger sister, but now she’s officially older than Amber ever was. Strangely, Melissa is the one person who does not seem that surprised by Amber’s appearance and seems genuinely pleased to see her despite the fact that Amber was very mean to her when she was alive. Amber’s father, who was never religious, has declared her appearance a miracle and wants to tell everyone, but Amber’s mother is scared of what is happening and does not want to get her hopes up. As Amber comes to terms with the fact that she was never able to do any of the things she dreamed of with her life, she also learns that many unfortunate things have happened since her death, including her parents’ separation. Why is Amber back now? Is there any way she can resume her life, even if in a different way? Can she find closure with those she left behind? Will she ever find out who hit her and ran away to leave her to die in the street?

This story really makes you think about life and how to make the most of it. Amber thought she had time to do all the things she wanted with her life and she also thought she had time to fix her relationship with her sister. Amber also struggles watching how much her family has suffered, but seeing her does bring them some peace and the strength to make some changes in their lives instead of being forever burdened by her untimely death. Forgiveness is a major theme in this story and most readers will connect with one of the characters because they are all justified in their feelings but also need to find ways to forgive and move forward. Recommended for anyone dealing with a loss, but everyone will find themselves thinking about the characters even after the story is done.

By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Every year a select group of young ladies goes to Paris for the elite La Danse Debutantes Ball. This year one of the debutantes faces a scandal and must withdraw, which leaves the ball organizers scrambling. That is until they see an article in a magazine about a young scientist taking the world by storm with her new invention. They decide to break the tradition of only inviting wealthy, famous debutantes and take a chance on Piper Woo Collins. Piper has recently been dealt a setback when the benefactor of her college scholarship pulls his funding due to a disagreement with the university. As much as she would love to go to Paris, her late mother’s dream, she can’t afford school let alone a trip to Paris. The owner of the ball agrees to pay for her trip and her first year of school if she comes and doesn’t bring any bad headlines. Meanwhile, Chapin Buckingham, the daughter of a rockstar and movie star, is feeling the pressure to be named Debutante of the Year even though she couldn’t care less about the title. When her and Piper get stuck rooming together she can’t help but feel bad for Piper who was thrust into this world very unexpectedly. As they start to get closer, however, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want Piper in the competition. Can Piper figure out who is trying to sabotage her before it’s too late? Will Chapin ever get over the fact that Piper and her older brother clearly have chemistry? Will Chapin ever find common ground with her mother?

Fans of The Selection and Project Runway will enjoy this title set in a modern day setting. The fashion and glamour of Paris is on full display along with all the drama that would come from a highly publicized debutante ball. The book has a nice combination of old school expectations for the young women, while also acknowledging their very modern and aspirational dreams. The relationship between Chapin and her mother is very relatable to many readers as they try to get on the same page while also not offending the other. Piper’s situation is also relatable as college costs keep rising and becoming an issue for many young people. This was a fun, exciting, and unique story that will pull in readers and leave them wanting to know more about these characters.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

Genre: Mystery

Jet is a 27 year old woman who is still trying to find her path in life. In the meantime, she is living with her parents and trying not to fight with her brother too much on how he is running the family business. Jet does suffer from a kidney condition that she inherited from her father and lately, she has noticed that his symptoms seem to be getting worse. On the night of the Halloween carnival, Jet returns home early to an empty house and is attacked from behind by someone who had been waiting for her. She is struck three times in the head with a hammer and left for dead. She does not die, but after waking up many hours later she learns that the hammer damaged her skull in a way that an aneurysm will kill her in less than a week. She realizes she has the rare opportunity to solve her own murder and sets out to do so with her good friend and longtime neighbor. As her symptoms start to worsen, she becomes more frantic to find out why someone would want her dead. Can she solve her murder before it is too late? Are there other shady things going on with her family that will also come to light? Can she ever find peace with the fact that her life was cut so short?

This mystery story is every bit as exciting as Holly Jackson’s other titles. As Jet investigates she finds out so many secrets that those around her never wanted to come to light. She also slowly starts to realize that she could not trust many of the people she has known for years, which is very disheartening to learn. The ending is fresh and exciting and will leave readers surprised (and that is saying something considering some of Jackson’s other titles). There are a few people introduced quickly at the beginning that can get confusing to keep straight, but ultimately each character has a purpose. Highly recommended for fans of mystery authors such as April Henry and Harlan Coben.

We Were Warned by Chelsea Ichaso

Genre: Suspense/Mystery

Eden grew up hearing about the terrible things that have happened at the abandoned beach resort on the edge of her town. It started years ago when the owner allegedly killed her own teenage son and then killed herself in prison. Years later, teens started sneaking in there and it led to two more suspicious deaths. Eden herself has struggled living in this town after her father swindled all of her friends’ parents and skipped town leaving her and her mother to fend for themselves. She has never gotten over how mean her friends were to her throughout her high school years. She does need money, though, so she agrees to be the assistant to a classmate who is an aspiring filmmaker. He wants to do a documentary on this resort and needs someone to come with him to haul equipment on the night the seniors plan to sneak in for their annual party. Eden is pretty sure she sees a mysterious woman in white, but can’t be sure if she really saw it or not. Meanwhile, the filmmaker says some truly bizarre things before rushing away to get some footage of one of the cottages. Shortly after he is found dead at the bottom of the beach cliff and it is ruled a suicide, but Eden knows there is more to the story. Her old group of friends is convinced something sinister is going on as well, with one even claiming that he has been followed by a mysterious figure and believes they are all going to be killed. Can Eden get to the bottom of it before they all start dying? Can she get them to really investigate the death of her friend? Is this place haunted or is there another explanation for why people keep dying on this property?

Readers looking for a suspenseful, spooky story will enjoy this title. It begins with Eden already being at the resort so the action picks up quickly and maintains throughout the story as more unusual things begin to happen. The truth about Eden’s past with her friends slowly comes to light as it becomes clear why they were mad, but also the lengths they would go to in order to keep her from ever forgetting what her father did. The ending is very exciting and satisfying, including a very unexpected final revelation once it seems all has been explained. Very entertaining and recommended for all types of readers, but especially reluctant ones.

The Meadowbrook Murders by Jessica Goodman

Genre: Mystery

Amy and her best friend, Sarah, have been looking forward to senior year (and more specifically) the week prior to the rest of the students coming where they get to set up their room, go to parties, etc. Things don’t go as planned, however, when Amy wakes up to find Sarah and her boyfriend stabbed to death in Sarah’s room. Quickly, things spiral out of control as Amy must account for how she could have slept through such terrible murders while she was in the same suite. Meanwhile, Liz, the outcast newspaper editor wants to be the first to break the story, but finds herself blocked everywhere she turns. She has never felt more like the scholarship kid/outsider than she does as she watches everyone close ranks around these terrible events. Eventually, Amy and Liz decide to try to work together in order to find out what truly happened that fateful night. Can they find out the truth? Will they ever find anyone who can truly be trusted? How well did Amy really know her best friend?

This mystery story is fast paced and exciting all the way through. The setup is described well so it is believable how this could have happened while Amy was so close by. The motivations of all the characters are also understandable and it is easy to see why it takes so long for all of the pertinent facts to come out. Senior year carries a lot of the stresses, insecurities, and questions about the future no matter if you go to a local public school or a fancy boarding school and this book does a nice job of showcasing that. The final reveal is very satisfying and exciting which will leave mystery lovers wanting to see more from this author. Recommended for those who enjoy April Henry or liked The Counselors by the same author.

The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Ivy has come to the age where all young women in her town can ask the Queen, who is a conniving fae, for a wish. All wishes come at a price, however. For example, her older sister does not remember her wish, but it has forever changed her and she now she is despondent and rarely leaves her room. This is the same occasion that young ladies come out as available to be married, but when Ivy and the others go to be presented before the Queen they learn that this year the fae prince will be looking for a bride. There is a catch to trying to make a match with the prince, however, and that is that each girl must sign her name in blood to a binding contract that states if the prince does NOT choose her then she cannot marry anyone else. Ivy is the first to step up to sign under these conditions, because she’s hoping if she could become a princess then she might be able to save her sister. None of the girls who sign know what is in store for them as the Queen puts them through cruel and terrible challenges in order to gain her favor. As Ivy gets closer to the other girls still left in the competition it becomes clear that no one will really win in this situation and she needs to find a way to help her family while she still can. The other prince (the one without magical abilities) tries to get Ivy to join his secret plan to unseat the queen and undo all of her “wishes.” Ivy agrees, but isn’t sure how they can best such a powerful figure. Plus, she isn’t sure who will stand with them and who will betray them. Can Ivy save her sister from her secret fate? Can Ivy find happiness in such a dire situation? Is there anyone Ivy can truly trust?

This fantasy series will thrill fans of The Hunger Games and the Selection series. The trials the Queen puts the girls through are cruel, but also clever in how they are planned out. There are occasionally moments when the reader gets to learn more about the other bachelorettes to see what each girl’s motivations and dreams are which becomes helpful as the ending unfolds. The growing relationship between Ivy and the other prince continues to grow as the story develops and they both know that Ivy has agreed to never marry another should the prince not choose her. The ending has many surprises and revelations (which readers will love), but there is still more to come with these characters as not everything has been revealed yet. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy romance series.

Happy Head by Josh Silver

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Futuristic

Seb and his family are thrilled when he is chosen for the pilot program of Happy Head, designed to curb teenage unhappiness. He desperately wants to make his family proud and tries his best to do well on the challenges, but he does start finding himself drawn to the bad boy Finn. Eleanor, a very competitive girl form his small group, decides if they work together and pretend to be a couple then they can rise to the top of the competition. Seb doesn’t particularly care for Eleanor, but sees that she seems to know a lot about how to do well here. As you rise up the ranks you are rewarded with a nicer room and other perks, but these challenges are no joke and seem designed to break them physically as well as mentally. As things begin to escalate, Seb wonders if he should be resisting some of these challenges, but those who do are punished severely. Not to mention he is worried his family would never believe him when he told him what has been going on here. To make things even worse, the woman who created the program seems to be under some kind of physical control by those in charge and does not seem able to actually influence things as they get out of hand. Should Seb rebel against the increasingly unethical program that has labeled him a rising star? Is there any way out of this program? How can teenagers expose a program when everyone around them desperately wants to believe it is a program designed for good?

Fans of the Program series will enjoy this story as there is a lot to unpack. There are many secrets in this new program and it is very difficult to see who Seb can trust and who he can’t. The overall program itself is very challenging and seems to be designed to humiliate and humble those participating. The adults in charge mostly seem to believe they are doing good and it is rare for any of them to have second thoughts about what they are doing to these teens. Seb’s feelings are easy to identify with because he knows things they are asking him to do are wrong, but he’s being told to do it by those with authority and therefore it makes him feel conflicted. Plus, there is always the severe threat of punishment if he refuses to comply. This story really makes the reader think about society and the things people do to be successful and fit in. Highly Recommended.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

Genre: Historical Fiction

This story is set over three different time periods: 1941 Germany, 1980 Berlin, and 2020 NYC. All three stories weave together as they go on and eventually their connections become clear. In 2020 two best friends, Will and Chloe, are home during Covid when Chloe’s grandmother sends a package that starts them on a journey investigating two teenage girls who disappeared in Germany in 1941. Then, in 1941 two best friends, Sophie and Hanna, grow up believing a magical tree in the forest can help romantics find true love. When the Nazis show up to invade their town, however, everything changes and it becomes unclear who they can trust as propaganda spreads lies and mistrust amongst their town. In 1980 Jenny goes to Germany with her family when her father is transferred there for his job. As an aspiring photographer, she wants to see the real Berlin and eventually makes friends with some punk kids who live in an abandoned warehouse and have a punk rock band. Everyone feels very strongly about the Berlin wall and many have loved ones on the other side. As these three stories unfold the parallels going on around them become clear and eventually the stories start to intertwine. Will Will and Chloe ever find out what happened to the two girls who mysteriously disappeared in the woods in Germany in 1941? Will Jenny ever feel like she can truly be who she is despite a very traditional family? Will Hanna and Sophie ever feel safe in their own town again?

Fans of historical fiction will absolutely love this story and want to read it again and again. The characters are all so engaging and powerful as they each go through times of unrest and uncertainty. As the stories unfold it becomes obvious that although they are all living in different times with different obstacles, the basic human nature of those around them remains the same. They all must find the courage to stand up for themselves and others who are being judged unfairly due to the political climate. Even the supporting characters will leave the readers thinking about them long after the story is over. It’s a very powerful story that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias

Genre: Suspense/Mystery

Carina is looking to start over after a mysterious incident left her a social pariah back home. She takes the opportunity to be a nanny for a wealthy and powerful family in Jamaica. Her mother originally comes from Jamaica but for some reason has never wanted Carina to go so she must keep her whereabouts secret. The moment she steps foot into the beautiful house where she will be working she notices mysterious things, such as the scent of honeysuckle, and begins to wonder if there is a ghost haunting her. Other workers also believe there is a mysterious force that keeps renovations from progressing, items getting destroyed, and extreme heat, amongst other things. One friend even offers to take Carina to a local woman who claims to be able to help with such supernatural occurrences. Meanwhile, Carina starts to realize that the perfect family she works for has some dark secrets of their own. Is there someone out to get her? Is there anyone she can trust at this estate? Can she get to the bottom of who is haunting her before it is too late?

This suspenseful supernatural story will keep readers guessing until the end because there is so much going on. Carina is clearly running away from something at home, but what that is and how she came to be in Jamaica remain mysterious for much of the book. The Hall family and their beautiful estate also harbor some secrets of their own, which is why Carina often feels a supernatural presence. Is the presence someone from Carina’s past or the Hall’s past? Does it mean to harm them or reveal inconvenient truths? Fans of supernatural mysteries will love the setting and vast array of characters and will find the ending exciting and satisfying.


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