Archive Page 5

Throwback by Maurene Goo

Published November 22, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , ,

Genre: Sci Fi/Realistic Fiction

Sam and her mother, Priscilla, often do not get along because they tend to value different things in life. Priscilla has worked hard as a first generation Korean American to find the American Dream and feel accepted by those around her. Meanwhile, Sam is very modern and doesn’t want to be labeled in any way and wants to be free to just be her, even if that means some people don’t understand her. When Sam is nominated for homecoming queen her mother is over the moon, but this actually leads to a huge fight between the two of them because Sam isn’t sure if she wants to participate in the archaic traditions of Homecoming. Plus, her grandmother is in a coma and although Priscilla and her mom are not close, Sam is surprised how cavalier her mom is about the situation. Sam is very close to her grandmother and is struggling with the fact she has no idea if she’ll ever wake up. After their fight, Sam calls a rideshare service who ends up taking her to the 90s where she can see first hand what her mother and grandmother were like when they were younger and its very eye opening for Sam. Not only are the social norms much more rigid, but there’s a lot Sam didn’t know her mom had to deal with growing up. Can Sam find a way back to her own time in time to make up with her mom and hopefully see her grandmother wake up? Who is the mysterious boy she keeps running into and why does it feel like they have a connection even though they are from different times?

This engaging story says a lot about how much society has changed in the last 30 years, as well as how complicated mother/daughter relationships can be. Sam finding a way to navigate this time is much more than her learning to live without Internet and smart phones. Instead, she finds instances of racism, classicism, bullying, and so much more. She also sees that the grandmother she knows and loves was a lot different when her mother was growing up due to the fact that she was a single mother working day and night to run a dry cleaners in order to keep the bills paid. In the meantime, Priscilla was expected to run the house, maintain good grades, and stay involved at her school. The pressure to succeed was immense for her mom and helps Sam to understand how understanding and supportive her parents actually are. The ending is well explained and very satisfying and most teenagers will find a way to relate to Sam and her struggles.

Reign by Katharine McGee

Published November 15, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , ,

Genre: Romance

In this fourth and final chapter of the American Royals series, Jeff and Daphne are getting married because Daphne told Jeff she’s pregnant (which is a lie). Beatrice is still in a coma from the accident she suffered in the last book and Sam doesn’t know right away about her sister’s accident because she had run off with her boyfriend to live a quiet life on the beach. Once she learns that her sister has not woken up yet she rushes to her side only to find that in her absence Jeff has been named the acting King and she has been completely left out in the cold. She must prove herself to be accepted back into the family business, but is that something she really wants? Meanwhile, Jeff is suddenly forced into the principal position of power and he begins to wonder if anyone really knows who he is at all or if they just see him as the royal heir? Nina is doing great in college and trying to shed her feelings for Jeff after learning of his engagement, but try as she might she cannot avoid romance for long. How will this riveting series end for these characters?

This final chapter of the alternate America Katharine McGee has created is everything readers will want it to be. There is action, romance, drama, surprises, and so much more. Plus, while the book does offer hope for all of the characters it comes with realistic expectations and outcomes. Fans who have followed this series will be very pleased with how this book remains faithful to the characters while also moving the story along.

The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

Published November 8, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Genre: Mystery

Alice went missing for several days over the summer and it became a big scandal until it was revealed that she had just ran away. Now, as Alice tries to reenter her high school life as the new social outcast, her ex-boyfriend is suddenly accused of having something to do with his new girlfriend Brooke’s disappearance. Brooke is also Alice’s ex-best friend and as much as she is angry at her for taking her boyfriend she can’t help but notice how unfazed everyone (the police, her stepdad, the boyfriend) seems to feel about the fact that she’s missing. So, she calls Brooke’s grandmother who immediately enlists help and establishes a reward for any information that leads to Brooke’s whereabouts. Iris, who has been assigned as Alice’s tutor, could really use that reward money, so her and Alice decide to start investigating in order to find out where Brooke is. Will anyone take two teenage girl detectives seriously? Can they find out the truth about what happened to Brook before it’s too late? Will anyone ever take Alice seriously again after her disappearing act the summer before?

This fun story follows two teenage girls trying to solve a murder for a variety of reasons and will definitely remind readers of famous teenage girl detectives Nancy Drew and Veronica Mars. Alice is a complex character with many things those around her do not know and therefore even though it appears she has everything she actually feels quite alone and abandoned. Meanwhile, Iris feels completely invisible in this school and just wants to earn a little extra money to help her mom make ends meet, even if it means tutoring someone who claims to not know her despite the fact they have gone to school together since kindergarten. As the two begin to really work together and get to know each other they learn quickly that high school perceptions are not always accurate and can lead to snap judgments. Recommended for readers looking for a fun mystery.

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels

Published November 1, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Genre: Survival/Realistic Fiction

The Arcadia was once a beautiful cruise ship, but then a terrible war broke out on land and those aboard the ship were forced to stay, survive, and raise their families. It has now been 40 years and the Arcadia is starting to break down. Esther and her family have always lived on the Arcadia because her grandparents were honeymooning when they got stuck there for life. Esther is training to be a medic so that she can hopefully be granted passage to land. There’s another medic who is also vying for one of the top two spots and he has made it very clear he thinks they would be even more likely to get off the ship if they were married, but Esther isn’t sure that’s the path for her at the moment. Meanwhile, Nik, works with a rebel group who desperately wants to take over the ship so that they can get out from under the terrible Coalies, or military presence, on the boat who uses brute force to keep the passengers in line. When Nik gets hurt, Esther is abducted by the rebels in order to treat him, but this throws her unexpectedly into the rebel cause whether she wants to be in it or not. The intel the rebels are getting suggests that big changes could be coming for the Arcadia, and not in a good way. Can Esther and Nik put aside their differences in order to help save the people on board? How much are they willing to risk in order to protect those they love?

Fans of books such as Avalon and Divergent will enjoy this title because even though it has a realistic feel to it there’s definitely futuristic undertones. The premise of the refugee cruise ship seems so crazy, but absolutely believable at the same time. The characters are all well described so that it’s easy to see what motivates each of them and why they have so many unanswered questions. There are some brutal truths in this and not everyone is guaranteed a happy ending, but throughout the danger there is always hope that eventually things will turn out better than the way they started. Recommended for those looking for a fun adventure story with a unique setting.

The Only Girl In Town by Ally Condie

Published October 25, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Genre: Realistic Fiction

When July waked up to find she is the only remaining person left in her town she immediately begins to look for people anywhere she can think of including her school, her friend’s houses, and even local businesses. When she fails to find another living person she tries to get in her car and flee the town only to be stopped by an invisible barrier. As she starts to get used to being the only girl in town she notices objects left around the town that each represent a person she deeply misses including her best friend and her parents. She gets the idea that maybe she is supposed to solve a puzzle with the objects in order to bring everyone back, but the harder she tries to connect the objects the more she is reminded of several painful memories that have happened over the last year. Can July face her difficult past in order to move forward? What is going on in this town and where did everyone disappear to?

This story uses past memories to help the reader feel why July is struggling so much in addition to the fact she is now totally alone in her town. The objects she finds help her to start facing all the things she misses about those around her so that she can better focus on a plan to bring all of those people back into her life. The relationships around her start to become very clear with each memory she revisits and it’s easy to want to know what happened that made her feel like she had to change all of her priorities in life. Recommended for those who enjoy realistic fiction with surprise endings.

Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu

Published October 18, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Genre: Action Mystery

Winter Young is the biggest pop star in the world, but he is still reeling from the untimely death of his older brother. Despite his enormous popularity he can’t help but wonder if his life is fairly pointless, unlike his brother who was in the peace corp. So, when he is approached by a secret agency to help take down a powerful trafficker he thinks this might be his chance to do something important. He does not have much time to train, however, so he is paired with Sydney Cosette, a long time secret agent despite her young age. The two get prepared as best they can, but then they must go undercover knowing that things could get very dangerous if their true motivations are revealed. As Winter gets to know the daughter of the criminal they are trying to take down, he quickly realizes that every situation has many people involved and is difficult to navigate at times so that the wrong people don’t get hurt. Can he and Sydney fulfill the goals they set out to do with this mission? Will they become more than friends along the way?

This story is fun and exciting with many suspenseful action scenes. Technically, there is a little bit of romance, but I would not let that deter any boys who enjoy action from picking this one up. It very much reads like a spy novel and the characters are engaging from the start with several revelations coming out about both of their backgrounds. There are many surprises in regards to what they think they know about this mission and the ending is very exciting and dramatic. Definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys a good action spy adventure.

Red Palace by June Hur

Published October 11, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Genre: Mystery/Historical Fiction

Hyeon is an 18 year old palace nurse in the year 1758 in the Korean country Joseon. Her mother is the mistress of a powerful man in the community and as such she has been treated horribly her entire life until she became a nurse. The woman who took her in and trained her has been a role model and mentor to her and she knows she would be in a much worse place if it weren’t for her. When four palace nurses are massacred and her mentor is suspected of being the killer she knows she must step in to prove her innocence. She ends up working with the new police inspector to try and solve the mystery despite the fact that several people, including her estranged father, warn her to keep out of it and know her place. Can she find out who is causing mischief in the kingdom before it is too late for her mentor and maybe even herself? Will she find an unexpected romance with the new police inspector despite their difference in social status?

This engaging story discusses many topics such as class, race, mental abuse, physical abuse, suicide, and parental neglect. However, the story does so in a way that is historically accurate and respectful. The mystery itself is very exciting and interesting, but the setting really throws it over the top because the main character is restrained by her gender and status at every turn. She has to fight hard for the little respect she has in the community. Recommended for mystery fans who want something different.

All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

Published October 4, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , ,

Genre: Fantasy

Emrys is one of the faery bodyguards for the British royal family. The royal family is considered sacred and protected and therefore each member has a protective faery bodyguard, but of course they do not know that and cannot see them unless the faery chooses to show him or herself to that person. Emrys has been doing this for a long time and is therefore surprised when she begins to form a connection to Prince Richard. She also starts noticing that there seem to be more attacks on the royal family than normal and several of them seem extra strong. Faerys lose strength in cities and must take breaks in the countryside to build their strength back up, but as Emrys becomes more concerned about Richard the more she fears what will happen if she leaves his side, even if other faerys step in to help. Then, when tragedy strikes, she knows that someone is organizing forces against the royal family and most likely there is someone that has betrayed them. Who can she trust and what must she do to protect the royal family? Can Richard ever know who she really is?

Fans looking for fun fantasy stories will enjoy this title because there is a lot to the plot and the characters are really engaging. The setting is very unique as several different types of fantasy creatures make an appearance in modern day London. Fans of fantasy romances such as Twilight will enjoy this title.

The Survivors by Jane Harper

Published September 27, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Genre: Mystery

When Kieran returns to his hometown with his baby and wife, he fears the memories of his past will be waiting to haunt him. He grew up in a small sea town where most people made their living off the water and therefore could have their ups and downs. Something traumatic happened that forced Kieran to leave and he is only now returning to help his parents with a new transition. Shortly after he arrives, a body turns up on the beach and immediately questions start flying around about who could have done this and wondering if it’s connected to the disappearance of a teenage girl years ago. Suddenly, Kieran knows the entire town is thinking of that terrible night where he made a bad decision and people’s lives were forever torn apart. Can he get to the truth of what really happened all those years ago? Does it connect to the terrible murder of this college student today?

Fans looking for an engaging mystery story will enjoy this title. Slowly, the events of the past start to emerge and you learn why Kieran has avoided this place for so long. The supporting characters all play a part in both the past and the present which helps to build the suspense before the murder is solved. This book really shows the many emotions that go along with trauma and how those feelings can build if not resolved in a timely manner. Kieran and those around him who were affected by the past events are still carrying around a lot of feelings and stress and this new murder pushes them all to face the past they can’t come to peace with. Recommended for fans of The Woman in the Window and the Woman in Cabin 10.

The Getaway by Lamar Giles

Published September 20, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Genre: Futuristic Fiction

Jay and his friends and family feel very blessed to be able to work and live in the vacation oasis reserved for the wealthy and powerful because everyone knows how difficult life is outside the walls of this getaway. One day, however, his friend Connie and her family mysteriously move out in the middle of the night and he’s pretty sure it’s not her answering the texts on her phone. Meanwhile, he starts to notice changes around the resort. The patrons are getting meaner and never seem to go home. It even comes to their attention that the wealthy guests can shoot electric currents through employees using their employee bracelets. This sets an unfortunate imbalance of power that the guests seem to relish. Jay’s parents have also been reassigned to menial, back breaking jobs instead of the ones that qualified them to live in the oasis in the first place. Jay’s one wealthy friend, the heiress to the entire place, has been cold and different and he knows she knows more than she’s letting on about the current changes going on around them. Should he try to escape this place and take his chances outside the “protective” walls? Or, should he try to join the underground rebellion that is growing as the workers are treated worse and worse? Who can he trust and is the world really coming to an end all around them and they are too sheltered to know?

This book takes on many issues in a thrilling setting including race, class, climate change, and corporate control. Jay is the central figure, but there is a lot going on with his family and friends and he struggles sometimes to keep up with everything while still trying to keep himself safe in this increasingly unpredictable place. The ending is exciting and satisfying and will answer most of the questions, but will leave readers wanting to know more. Fans of futuristic fiction such as the Testing and Divergent will be instantly hooked by the unusual setting and unknown future of the characters.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

Published September 13, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Genre: Mystery

Lydia Chass is used to things going her way, she is a Chass after all. So she is stunned when she learns that an error has left her one credit shy of graduating. Determined not to be left behind she concocts a plan to create a true crime podcast about her small town’s “long stretch of bad days” that included a tornado, flash flood, and the town’s only homicide. She learns that another student also needs one credit to graduate and so the school is strongly recommending they work together. Bristal Jamison, however, does not come from a distinguished family and at times her family’s reputation is actually a hindrance in their investigation. Nevertheless, they both bring strengths to the podcast, albeit in their own ways. The town was so preoccupied with the natural disasters all those years ago and the murder victim wasn’t exactly the model citizen so no one ever looked too hard into the crime, but now that they are there is definitely someone out there who wants to stop them at all costs. Was the murder one of convenience due to the natural disasters or was it just lucky timing? Can Lydia and Bristal find a way to work together and maybe even become friends?

This mystery story really hinges on the personalities of the two main characters. Lydia is very domineering, but in a way that the reader comes to find endearing, especially as she becomes more aware of her own privilege. Bristal, meanwhile, is very rough around the edges but often says the thing everyone is thinking and does manage to get some answers from people who do not want to talk. She also has a very open and honest relationship with her mother, which is interesting, because their family is often looked down upon but Lydia quickly sees that just because something does not look as you would expect does not mean it’s wrong or bad. The mystery is interesting, but perhaps more so is the impact this string of bad days had on the characters they encounter and how it still haunts them to this day. Recommended for readers who like mysteries, but also friendship stories.

The Island by Natasha Preston

Published September 5, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Genre: Thriller Mystery

When Paisley, an influencer, is invited to preview a private island resort created by a billionaire who wants to create the ultimate getaway she is thrilled and honored. Her father is initially against her going with a handful of other influencers she does not know to an island where it might be difficult to reach her, but her mother convinces him to let her go. At first, this island seems too good to be true with a beautiful hotel, high end restaurants, and a full amusement park. Each influencer is assigned a lush private suite in order to truly impress them. There are some rules in place, but they are encouraged to take photos and videos in order to create buzz for this new destination. Paisley agrees to meet another influencer after hours so that they can see the amusement park on their own, but her partner never shows. She is annoyed, but figures he fell asleep. The next morning he does not show for breakfast and his room hasn’t been slept in. They are on an island so Paisley is immediately concerned, but it takes awhile before others start to notice his prolonged absence. Besides the influencers, the only other people on the island are the owner and a handful of workers. As more people start noticing strange things and getting separated from each other it becomes clear that something is not right. Could someone really be trying to keep them all from leaving the island? Who would want to hurt people they have never met prior to this island? Who can Paisley trust to keep her safe? Will she and her new friends make it safely off this island?

This exciting mystery thriller is everything you would expect in a story of this kind. The characters are all introduced and somewhat developed before things start to go wrong. There are several red herrings that make it more challenging to work out who is behind all the bad things going wrong on this island. The plot twists and turns until the very end, which will keep all readers, but especially reluctant readers, interested until the final reveal. The final page will definitely leave readers wanting more! The setting is truly unique and described in a way that makes it very easy to imagine. Recommended for horror and mystery fans!

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

Published August 31, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Burroughs was convicted five years ago of murdering his 3 year old son. He knows he did not kill his son, but feels he failed him as a father for letting anything happen to him and has therefore never put up much of a defense. He has even refused to see visitors in the entire time he’s been in prison so he is very surprised when his sister-in-law, whom he used to be very close to, suddenly shows up. She shows him a photograph she happened upon that clearly shows a boy in the background who looks just like his son, albeit older now. Things immediately change as Burroughs knows that if it ever gets out his son could be alive that could potentially put him in danger so he decides to break out of prison in order to find and protect him like he didn’t do last time. Can he manage to break out of prison? Even if he does get out is there any way he can remain free long enough to find out if his son truly is alive? If his son is alive then who did they find wearing his son’s pajamas that fateful night?

This is a very fast paced mystery story that takes off from page 1. Burroughs has been punishing himself for five years as he struggled in prison all the while knowing that most people believed he was capable of murdering his own son. There are a fair amount of things that definitely work in his favor, but that doesn’t diminish the engaging fugitive story. The other characters are compassionate and well developed, even if they are a bit too good to be true at times. The ending, which is so important in mystery books, is plausible and satisfying. Fans of Coben and mystery fans will enjoy this title for what it is, an interesting and quick mystery story for those looking to escape. Recommended especially for reluctant readers.

Wait For Me by Sara Shepard

Published May 31, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , ,

Genre: Mystery

Casey has always been gifted academically and therefore is now a sophomore in college even though she’s only 17. Her father is very sick and her stepmother doesn’t really want her around and has suggested she live in the dorms this year. Casey really likes her roommate, her part time job, and her new boyfriend, Marcus. It feels like things are going really well for her, but when she meets Marcus’s dad for the first time she hears a mysterious voice tell her she’s “been a bad girl” and she starts to spiral a bit. She finds herself in a small town she knows she’s never been to before, but yet people recognize her and she definitely knows her way around. Is it possible she was here in another life? She starts to think she might be having flashbacks to the life of someone named Becky who died mysteriously the year Casey was born. Is it possible Becky is trying to tell her something about the way she died? Will she ever find out any answers or will people always suspect she’s got a mental illness?

This suspenseful mystery is unique in that the main character keeps getting visions from what she thinks is a previous life, but she doesn’t know what is real and what isn’t. She also lost her mom in a tragic fashion so it’s possible she is struggling to deal with that by making stuff up in her head. There are many people around her who all claim to want what is best for her, but it’s difficult to tell who is telling the truth and who should not be trusted. Fans of Shepard’s previous works will enjoy this fast paced title and it’s exciting conclusion. Recommended for those looking for a light read.

The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe

Published May 24, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Genre: Action/Mystery

Nora O’Malley was raised by her con artist mother until her sister rescued her and tried to give her a more stable life. Her friends know very little about her dubious past, but when they are held up at gun point in a bank robbery, Nora’s mind immediately begins to think like a grifter to find a way out for them. The book then flashes back to difference identities Nora had when she was running cons with her mother, including name and appearance changes for each one. Nora was groomed by her mother to act differently in every situation so that they could ensnare their mark, who was always wealthy but sketchy enough that the odds they would report thefts to the police were slim. It’s obvious things fell apart at some point because Nora’s mom is now in jail, but what part did she play in getting her mom convicted? Is she safe from her past crimes or are there still people looking for her? Can she explain to her friends why her behavior is so calculated as she tries to free them from this bank heist?

This entertaining story grabs the reader’s attention right from the beginning, but keeps it by dangling mysterious facts about Nora’s past. It’s easy to care about her current predicament in the bank robbery, but also to want to know more about the things she did under her mother’s orders as a child. Also, what happened to bring it all crashing down? The story is well described so that it’s easy to follow despite the timelines jumps and develops characters in each situation that are fully realized and memorable. Readers looking for fast paced action will enjoy this title, but be advised there is some mature language and content.

Archives

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started