I'm back this month talking about my favorite thing: books. This was the month of YA and contemporary romance (as though I read much else) so if that ain't your thing, you're gunna want to skip over this post.
Now. About the books...
Summary from Goodreads:
Clara Shin lives for pranks and disruption. When she takes one joke too far, her dad sentences her to a summer working on his food truck, the KoBra, alongside her uptight classmate Rose Carver. Not the carefree summer Clara had imagined. But maybe Rose isn't so bad. Maybe the boy named Hamlet (yes, Hamlet) crushing on her is pretty cute. Maybe Clara actually feels invested in her dad’s business. What if taking this summer seriously means that Clara has to leave her old self behind?
With Maurene Goo's signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look.
With Maurene Goo's signature warmth and humor, The Way You Make Me Feel is a relatable story of falling in love and finding yourself in the places you’d never thought to look.
I started reading this one back in February but actually finished in March. It was probably my least favorite of the YAs I read this month (maybe...ever. Ah, sorry!). It wasn't bad but it wasn't all that great either. The plot was interesting enough and I liked the diversity of the characters but I think I was put off by how modern everything felt. The main character's mom is an "influencer" and it's kind of a pet peeve of mine when author's include a ton of current technology speak or current slang because I think it can date a book quicker than it may age on its own (who knows if "influencer" is going to be a thing in five years?). The main character was also kind of obnoxious which I know is done on purpose so we can see her grow and change but I was left feeling that growth was too easy or insincere. 3/5 stars on a good day but probably more like 2.5/5.
Plot from Goodreads (which doesn't really do it justice):
Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind…
This was a welcome change after the first YA I read this month. This book was amazing. It was exactly the kind of YA (book in general for that matter) I like to read. It reminded me of Sarah Dessen novels. Historical nod, family angles, coming of age (which can sometimes be so annoying, so I appreciate when writers can do it well), feminist vibes, etc. So well written and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed and it and have already recommended it to people. It's definitely my favorite Siobhan Vivian book and now I can't wait to read what she's currently working on. 4.5/5 stars.
Plot from Goodreads:
Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.
Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.
As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.
Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.
As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.
Another one I'm so glad I read but disappointed I didn't wait until summer to read. It got me in such a summer mood! This is another YA that gave me Dessen vibes (even though there really can't be another Dessen) which made me so happy. It's a perfect blend of family bonds and romance in the perfect summer setting. I definitely cried at the end because #DaddysGirl but cried in the best way. Another highly recommended one on my list. I think my only con was I wish the initial conflict between the main character and her male friend was deeper. Once it was revealed, it was kind of a let down, as though he shouldn't been as upset about the thing as he was. Still, 4.5/5 stars.
Plot from Goodreads:
For Nell Becker, life is a competition she needs to win.
For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game.
They both have everything to lose.
Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.
Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?
Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.
For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game.
They both have everything to lose.
Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.
Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?
Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.
I'm glad I read this one because it was a departure from the YAs I normally read. It definitely had some of those classic YA themes of family stuff, romance, coming of age, etc., but there was a much heavier feminist tone that I really dug. Laurie Devore has to be one of the smartest YA authors on the market right now. I'm on the wait list at the library for her next book. Another definite recommend, especially for women of the teenage age who should be reading books with feminist commentary.
I think it's also worth noting that the main characters would normally be very hard to read because they have pretty severe personalities but I think it's a huge nod to how fantastic the writing and character development is because I didn't even remotely dislike them by the end. I think it's very clear that these are flawed individuals, who accept they're heavily flawed, and it's refreshing to read since we're all flawed.
4/5 stars and it doesn't get the additional half star I gave the other two just because I was left feeling a little heavy even though the ending was positive. I think that was because it was a realistic ending, which is refreshing and absolutely how the book should have ended, but I'm a sucker for that overly happy ending even if it is unrealistic. I don't fault the book though, that's definitely what this story needed. If it ended any other way, it would have been a disservice to the book, but my personal style and taste is to be left just a tad lighter.
Plot from Goodreads:
I was issued a warning: stay away from Ben Rosenberg.
As Clifton Cove’s resident “king”, he thinks he’s entitled to anyone and anything.
The trouble is, I’ve spent my whole life following the rules and playing it safe. I know what it feels like to be the good girl. I’m the police chief’s daughter and a librarian—for adorable children, no less.
An all-nighter with a fictional hunk is about as exciting as my life gets until one day, fate decides to take pity on me and shove me straight into the path of Mr. Off-Limits himself.
Just as I suspected, every inch of him promises to be my demise. Up close, he’s tall, menacing—a lawyer who looks like he’ll bite. A well-behaved girl would do as she’s told and avoid him at all costs, but I’m overdue for a little rebellion.
So, I ignore the warning and throw caution to the wind. But Ben doesn’t just nudge me out of my comfort zone—he thrusts me into a dark corner and presses his hard body against mine, covering my mouth with his hand to ensure we don’t get caught sneaking around. In that moment, I finally understand why everyone thinks he’s going to ruin me.
To him, this is all a game.
He wants to tempt me with his dares and taunt me with his words.
I should play along. After all, I asked him to make me bad. I just never thought he’d take his job quite so seriously...
As Clifton Cove’s resident “king”, he thinks he’s entitled to anyone and anything.
The trouble is, I’ve spent my whole life following the rules and playing it safe. I know what it feels like to be the good girl. I’m the police chief’s daughter and a librarian—for adorable children, no less.
An all-nighter with a fictional hunk is about as exciting as my life gets until one day, fate decides to take pity on me and shove me straight into the path of Mr. Off-Limits himself.
Just as I suspected, every inch of him promises to be my demise. Up close, he’s tall, menacing—a lawyer who looks like he’ll bite. A well-behaved girl would do as she’s told and avoid him at all costs, but I’m overdue for a little rebellion.
So, I ignore the warning and throw caution to the wind. But Ben doesn’t just nudge me out of my comfort zone—he thrusts me into a dark corner and presses his hard body against mine, covering my mouth with his hand to ensure we don’t get caught sneaking around. In that moment, I finally understand why everyone thinks he’s going to ruin me.
To him, this is all a game.
He wants to tempt me with his dares and taunt me with his words.
I should play along. After all, I asked him to make me bad. I just never thought he’d take his job quite so seriously...
Up and clearly out of the YA genre with this one...
I have a few guilty pleasure authors even though "guilty pleasure" isn't a commentary on their writing necessarily but instead the genre of book. So I'll say my guilty pleasure is "rom-com books." I didn't know this genre existed until I read found R. S. Grey and proceeded to read everything she's ever written. The books go down smoothly, have 98% funny and witty dialogue (sometimes you get a cringer in there but it's rare), and have fantastic sex scenes. Just gunna admit it, OK? The plot of this is why I gave it 4/5 stars (as far as rom-com novels go) because it's right up my alley. And the delicious tension between the main characters, which R. S. Grey does so well. She's also adorable in real life and real fun to follow on Insta. Her books are also free to Kindle Unlimited users, FYI.
Plot from Goodreads:
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.
I'm astonished this has 4.46 stars on Goodreads because it's probably one of the worst books I've ever read. I'm clearly in the minority. Even one of my best friends liked it. I would say Colleen Hoover is a guilty pleasure author. Her books are good but also a little dramatic. But she normally writes about important topics like domestic abuse and infertility which I can appreciate (although I would rather read her "lighter" stuff). This felt unnecessarily graphic, and for a thriller, I was left feeling like that's the big reveal?! Really?! It winds up being this sort of odd meta thing that I'm being coded about because I don't want to give it away if you feel like reading it. I basically read this to see what the hype was about and I wish I hadn't. Luckily it only took me a day to read because I would have been even more annoyed if I spent any more time than that reading it.
Her publisher told her they didn't want to publish this book because of the content so she indie published it and I guess I'm left questioning why she felt this was SUCH a necessary story to tell. I'm all for an artist stretching their creative muscle and trying out something new but I still feel like this was an odd departure for her. Maybe I should have read more about it, maybe she talked more about the process on Insta than I realized because maybe some context would make this feel more worthwhile, even though, at the end of the day, I don't really need to understand why she wanted to write something. That's for her to know and feel. But also, she mentions in her acknowledgments that she hopes her kids "never read this." I guess I don't know why a story worth telling is one your children can't read some day? The whole thing was odd which is why it shouldn't be a surprise that I'm giving it 1/5 stars. But again, I'm clearly in the minority.
Plot from Goodreads:
Stella Lane thinks math is the only thing that unites the universe. She comes up with algorithms to predict customer purchases — a job that has given her more money than she knows what to do with, and way less experience in the dating department than the average thirty-year-old.
It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice — with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan — from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...
Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...
It doesn't help that Stella has Asperger's and French kissing reminds her of a shark getting its teeth cleaned by pilot fish. Her conclusion: she needs lots of practice — with a professional. Which is why she hires escort Michael Phan. The Vietnamese and Swedish stunner can't afford to turn down Stella's offer, and agrees to help her check off all the boxes on her lesson plan — from foreplay to more-than-missionary position...
Before long, Stella not only learns to appreciate his kisses, but to crave all the other things he's making her feel. Soon, their no-nonsense partnership starts making a strange kind of sense. And the pattern that emerges will convince Stella that love is the best kind of logic...
I enjoyed this one! It was refreshing to read an adult novel with a lead character living on the spectrum especially when written by someone on the spectrum. I thought her insight into the character was authentic and perfectly done. While the plot was a little lackluster in general, I would recommend it and give 4/5 stars simply for its diverse characters and overall execution.
When freelance writer Nikole Paterson goes to a Dodgers game with her actor boyfriend, his man bun, and his bros, the last thing she expects is a scoreboard proposal. Saying no isn't the hard part--they've only been dating for five months, and he can't even spell her name correctly. The hard part is having to face a stadium full of disappointed fans...
At the game with his sister, Carlos Ibarra comes to Nik's rescue and rushes her away from a camera crew. He's even there for her when the video goes viral and Nik's social media blows up--in a bad way. Nik knows that in the wilds of LA, a handsome doctor like Carlos can't be looking for anything serious, so she embarks on an epic rebound with him, filled with food, fun, and fantastic sex. But when their glorified hookups start breaking the rules, one of them has to be smart enough to put on the brakes...
I love Jasmine Guillory. I really enjoyed this one which is a spin-off her first novel. Overall, I enjoyed the first novel a tiny bit more even though I think I liked the main female character better in this one. But I think that's only because her personality is more in line with mine rather than a comment on the writing or character development. This was a fun contemporary romance, well written and smart which I really appreciate about Guillory. Highly recommend her work. 4/5 stars.
Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever.
Since then, it’s been Ramona and her family against the world. Standing over six feet tall with unmistakable blue hair, Ramona is sure of three things: she likes girls, she’s fiercely devoted to her family, and she knows she’s destined for something bigger than the trailer she calls home in Eulogy, Mississippi. But juggling multiple jobs, her flaky mom, and her well-meaning but ineffectual dad forces her to be the adult of the family. Now, with her sister, Hattie, pregnant, responsibility weighs more heavily than ever.
The return of her childhood friend Freddie brings a welcome distraction. Ramona’s friendship with the former competitive swimmer picks up exactly where it left off, and soon he’s talked her into joining him for laps at the pool. But as Ramona falls in love with swimming, her feelings for Freddie begin to shift too, which is the last thing she expected. With her growing affection for Freddie making her question her sexual identity, Ramona begins to wonder if perhaps she likes girls and guys or if this new attraction is just a fluke. Either way, Ramona will discover that, for her, life and love are more fluid than they seem.
Back to the YAs on this one. I'm a huge fan of Julie Murphy ever since I read Dumplin' and Puddin' so I was excited to get this one from the library when my turn was up. It's an awesome YA, plain and simple. Definitely would recommend to any teenager, probably before any other YA on this list. It's a perfect mix of classic YA themes with some really important ones. I loved that our main characters were diverse in multiple different ways. Our female lead initially identifies as lesbian but becomes confused when she develops feelings for her male friend from childhood who is of a different race. I loved that it was coming of age but also dealt with identity in an interesting way in figuring out who we are and where we belong. 4/5 stars only because it wasn't Dumplin' or Puddin'.
Desi Lee believes anything is possible if you have a plan. That’s how she became student body president. Varsity soccer star. And it’s how she’ll get into Stanford. But—she’s never had a boyfriend. In fact, she’s a disaster in romance, a clumsy, stammering humiliation magnet whose botched attempts at flirting have become legendary with her friends. So when the hottest human specimen to have ever lived walks into her life one day, Desi decides to tackle her flirting failures with the same zest she’s applied to everything else in her life. She finds guidance in the Korean dramas her father has been obsessively watching for years—where the hapless heroine always seems to end up in the arms of her true love by episode ten. It’s a simple formula, and Desi is a quick study. Armed with her “K Drama Steps to True Love,” Desi goes after the moody, elusive artist Luca Drakos—and boat rescues, love triangles, and staged car crashes ensue. But when the fun and games turn to true feels, Desi finds out that real love is about way more than just drama.
I finished off the month with another Maurene Goo. I definitely liked this one more. The characters were far more likable than the first novel of hers I read. I'm disappointed I don't like her stuff more because I think we'd actually really get along in real life haha (if one can say such a thing simply from looking at a person's Instagram). I would definitely recommend this one over her other stuff if you're going to read her work. I'm hoping she's working on something new because I think I'll keep giving her a chance. 3.5/5 stars.
That's all for me this month! A little look at what I'm currently working through via my Goodreads.
If reading mediocre book reviews are your thing, see ya back in April!
xo
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