IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
This will be my last post on blogger . . . because I've moved to a new address! Please follow me at magicalreads7.wordpress.com instead. It's the same blog, just a new url and new look!
TOUR / REVIEW: Jade War by Fonda Lee
**I received a finished copy from the publisher (thank you, Orbit Books!) for this tour. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Jade War by Fonda Lee
Release Date: July 23, 2019
My Rating: 5 stars
Summary: In Jade War, the sequel to the World Fantasy Award-winning novel Jade City, the Kaul siblings battle rival clans for honor and control over an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.
On the island of Kekon, the Kaul family is locked in a violent feud for control of the capital city and the supply of magical jade that endows trained Green Bone warriors with supernatural powers they alone have possessed for hundreds of years.
Beyond Kekon's borders, war is brewing. Powerful foreign governments and mercenary criminal kingpins alike turn their eyes on the island nation. Jade, Kekon's most prized resource, could make them rich - or give them the edge they'd need to topple their rivals.
Faced with threats on all sides, the Kaul family is forced to form new and dangerous alliances, confront enemies in the darkest streets and the tallest office towers, and put honor aside in order to do whatever it takes to ensure their own survival - and that of all the Green Bones of Kekon.
Jade War is the second book of the Green Bone Saga, an epic trilogy about family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of blood and jade.
REVIEW: Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
**I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you, Jimmy Books!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan
Release Date: November 5, 2019
My Rating: 4.25 stars
Summary: In this mesmerizing sequel to the New York Times bestselling Girls of Paper and Fire, Lei and Wren have escaped their oppressive lives in the Hidden Palace, but soon learn that freedom comes with a terrible cost.
Lei, the naive country girl who became a royal courtesan, is now known as the Moonchosen, the commoner who managed to do what no one else could. But slaying the cruel Demon King wasn't the end of the plan---it's just the beginning. Now Lei and her warrior love Wren must travel the kingdom to gain support from the far-flung rebel clans. The journey is made even more treacherous thanks to a heavy bounty on Lei's head, as well as insidious doubts that threaten to tear Lei and Wren apart from within.
Meanwhile, an evil plot to eliminate the rebel uprising is taking shape, fueled by dark magic and vengeance. Will Lei succeed in her quest to overthrow the monarchy and protect her love for Wren, or will she fall victim to the sinister magic that seeks to destroy her?
#waitingonwednesday: harley in the sky
This week, I'm #waitingonwednesday for Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman! I'm lucky enough to be a part of the street team for this book, and it's been so fun so far. I can't wait for this book, especially because I've loved Akemi's past few books. Harley in the Sky releases March 10, 2020; be sure to preorder it today!
MINI-REVIEW: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Release Date: July 16, 2019
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandant finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading.
And thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, grows into something more.
Except discovery of their bond would be death for each of them. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war. That’s how war works. Right?
LIST: if you like to all the boys i've loved before
READ ON MY NEW BLOG!!!
TOUR / REVIEW: The Shortest Distance Between Love & Hate by Sandy Hall
**I received an ARC for this tour. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
The Shortest Distance Between Love and Hate by Sandy Hall
Release Date: July 9, 2019
My Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A teen girl starting at a new school is torn between long-held loyalties and a bright new love.
Paisley is really looking forward to college. She is ready to take charge of her destiny and embrace some new experiences! Finding a hot guy to make out with at her first ever college party seems like a great start . . . until her best friend informs her that mystery guy is actually Carter Schmitt, Paisley's sworn enemy who basically ruined their lives in middle school.
So much for new people and exciting new experiences. Oh well. Paisley will just pretend he doesn't exist. Of course that would be easier if Carter, AKA her super-hot-sworn-enemy, hadn't ended up in three of her classes AND the same work study. Is it too late to rethink this college thing?
REVIEW: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
Release Date: August 6, 2019
My Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The searing follow-up to 2018’s most celebrated fantasy debut – THE POPPY WAR.
In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.
With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.
But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.
The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.
MINI-REVIEW: Unsung Heroine by Sarah Kuhn
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Unsung Heroine by Sarah Kuhn
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: This new installment in the smart, snarky, and action-packed Heroine series follows personal superhero trainer Lucy Valdez and friends Aveda Jupiter and Bea and Evie Tanaka as they combat a new supernatural threat.
Lucy Valdez is many things: fight trainer/bodyguard to superheroines, fabulous vintage fashion plate, undisputed karaoke queen at local joint, The Gutter. She is also one of the toughest fighters in all of San Francisco without superpowers. So why can't she seem to confess her feelings to her longtime crush Rose Rorick, head of the San Francisco Police Department's Demon Unit?
Well.... actually, she knows why. She's afraid Rose won't like the real Lucy, the Lucy underneath all the fabulous bravado. (She is still fabulous underneath that bravado--just in a different way.)
When a mysterious new karaoke star rises up at The Gutter and eclipses her, Lucy finds her confidence further shaken--and when strange, seemingly supernatural happenings threaten both this new star and The Gutter's very existence, she must rise to the challenge and investigate alongside Rose. Will Lucy be able to vanquish the demonic threat to her beloved karaoke haven, confess her true feelings to Rose, and reclaim her karaoke throne?
SUMMARY: june
June was a weirdly productive month for me, reading- and blogging-wise. I really should be doing anything more productive, but sometimes you just need a break honestly. Anyways, I've (very belatedly) decided to bring back my monthly summaries so I can keep you all up-to-date with what I've been reading! Although if you actually want to keep up with all this, I would recommend friending me on goodreads.
I somehow managed to read 33 books this month? It's all because of a combination of library holds coming through, actually feeling like reading my ARCs, and having Kindle Unlimited for a month. Trust me, this reading spurt will not last.
Don't forget to check out the second half of my most anticipated 2019 releases! And check out this post for information on how to win exclusive street team swag packs for The Gilded Wolves!
DISCUSSION: we need to talk about these iconic ya movie soundtracks (part 1)
Hello, I am back to say that we need to talk about these iconic YA movie soundtracks. And yes, this is a part one because I had to split the post in half. YA adaption soundtracks just go too hard!! Anyways this started because I had Thoughts on Twitter (apparently a lot of my discussion post ideas come from some random thing I tweet . . . sorry about that), and thought, THAT, that right there is a post in and of itself.
LIST: most anticipated 2019 releases (pt. 2)
As we're approaching the middle of the year, I thought it was time to (finally) do a part two to the list of my most anticipated 2019 releases. Of course, these aren't all of the releases for the rest of the year; rather, these are just the ones I'm looking forward to! Now, only to catch up on my tbr lists before all these great releases come out . . .
REVIEW: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
**I received an ARC from a giveaway (thank you BookishHQ and PenguinTeen!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Release Date: June 25, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.
Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret--she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.
But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead--her gumiho soul--in the process.
Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl--he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He's drawn to her anyway.
With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon's.
TOUR / REVIEW: Screen Queens by Lori Goldstein
**I received an ARC for this tour. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Screen Queens by Lori Goldstein
Release Date: June 11, 2019
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: The Bold Type meets The Social Network when three girls vying for prestigious summer internships through a startup incubator program uncover the truth about what it means to succeed in the male-dominated world of tech.
This summer Silicon Valley is a girls' club.
Three thousand applicants. An acceptance rate of two percent. A dream internship for the winning team. ValleyStart is the most prestigious high school tech incubator competition in the country. Lucy Katz, Maddie Li, and Delia Meyer have secured their spots. And they've come to win.
Meet the Screen Queens.
Lucy Katz was born and raised in Palo Alto, so tech, well, it runs in her blood. A social butterfly and CEO in-the-making, Lucy is ready to win and party.
East Coast designer, Maddie Li left her home and small business behind for a summer at ValleyStart. Maddie thinks she's only there to bolster her graphic design portfolio, not to make friends.
Delia Meyer taught herself how to code on a hand-me-down computer in her tiny Midwestern town. Now, it's time for the big leagues--ValleyStart--but super shy Delia isn't sure if she can hack it (pun intended).
When the competition kicks off, Lucy, Maddie, and Delia realize just how challenging the next five weeks will be. As if there wasn't enough pressure already, the girls learn that they would be the only all-female team to win ever. Add in one first love, a two-faced mentor, and an ex-boyfriend turned nemesis and things get...complicated.
Filled with humor, heart, and a whole lot of girl power, Screen Queens is perfect for fans of Morgan Matson, Jenny Han, and The Bold Type.
#waitingonwednesday: girls of storm and shadow
Today, I'm #waitingonwednesday for Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan! Girls of Paper and Fire was one of my favorite books of 2018, and I am so, so excited for the sequel. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the publisher (thank you Jimmy Patterson Books!), and let me tell you, it is a stunning sequel. Girls of Storm and Shadow releases on November 5, so don't forget to preorder it / request it from you library / add it to your tbr list!
REVIEW: Wilder Girls by Rory Power
**I received an ARC at a festival. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Release Date: July 9, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: It's been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put under quarantine. Since the Tox hit and pulled Hetty's life out from under her.
It started slow. First the teachers died one by one. Then it began to infect the students, turning their bodies strange and foreign. Now, cut off from the rest of the world and left to fend for themselves on their island home, the girls don't dare wander outside the school's fence, where the Tox has made the woods wild and dangerous. They wait for the cure they were promised as the Tox seeps into everything.
But when Byatt goes missing, Hetty will do anything to find her, even if it means breaking quarantine and braving the horrors that lie beyond the fence. And when she does, Hetty learns that there's more to their story, to their life at Raxter, than she could have ever thought true.
Please see author's website for trigger and content warnings.
TOUR: Stronger than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan
**I received an ARC for this tour, and I was not compensated for this post.**
Stronger than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan
Release Date: June 11, 2019
Summary: When a powerful viceroy arrives with a fleet of mechanical dragons and stops an attack on Anlei’s village, the villagers see him as a godsend. They agree to give him their sacred, enchanted River Pearl in exchange for permanent protection—if he’ll marry one of the village girls to solidify the alliance. Anlei is appalled when the viceroy selects her as a bride, but with the fate of her people at stake, she sees no choice but to consent. Anlei’s noble plans are sent into a tailspin, however, when a young thief steals the River Pearl for himself.
Knowing the viceroy won’t protect her village without the jewel, she takes matters into her own hands. But once she catches the thief, she discovers he needs the pearl just as much as she does. The two embark on an epic quest across the land and into the Courts of Hell, taking Anlei on a journey that reveals more is at stake than she could have ever imagined.
With incredibly vivid world building and fast-paced storytelling, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon is great for readers who are looking for something fresh in epic fantasy.
BOOK REC FRIDAYS: i wish you all the best
So I do a thing on Twitter where I recommend a book, complete with an aesthetic, every Friday. Or I try to. But anyways! I wanted to bring it to my blog, particularly for Pride Month, so I could recommend more books! Don't forget to check out my masterlist of 2019 LGBTQ+ ya releases for more recs.
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I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
Release Date: May 14, 2019
REVIEW: Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
**I borrowed an ARC from a friend. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
Release Date: June 11, 2019
My Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sana Khan is a cheerleader and a straight A student. She's the classic (somewhat obnoxious) overachiever determined to win.
Rachel Recht is a wannabe director who's obsesssed with movies and ready to make her own masterpiece. As she's casting her senior film project, she knows she's found the perfect lead - Sana.
There's only one problem. Rachel hates Sana. Rachel was the first girl Sana ever asked out, but Rachel thought it was a cruel prank and has detested Sana ever since.
Told in alternative viewpoints and inspired by classic romantic comedies, this engaging and edgy YA novel follows two strongwilled young women falling for each other despite themselves.
REVIEW: Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: May 7, 2019
My Rating: 4.75 stars
Summary: Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. And because Millie cannot stand the thought of confronting her ex every day, she decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better.
Millie can't believe her luck when she's accepted into one of the world's most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Everything about Scotland is different: the country is misty and green; the school is gorgeous, and the students think Americans are cute.
The only problem: Mille's roommate Flora is a total princess.
She's also an actual princess. Of Scotland.
At first, the girls can barely stand each other--Flora is both high-class and high-key--but before Millie knows it, she has another sort-of-best-friend/sort-of-girlfriend. Even though Princess Flora could be a new chapter in her love life, Millie knows the chances of happily ever afters are slim . . . after all, real life isn't a fairy tale . . . or is it?
#waitingonwednesday: crier's war
This week's #waitingonwednesday is Crier's War by Nina Varela. I first heard about this book from Twitter, and it immediately captured my attention. I mean, that cover! That plot! That f/f relationship! You can pick this book up on October 1st!
LIST: 2019 lgbtq+ ya releases
READ ON MY NEW BLOG!!!
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TOUR / REVIEW: Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen
**I received an ARC from a festival. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Fake It Till You Break It by Jenn P. Nguyen
Release Date: May 28, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: Mia and Jake have known each other their whole lives. They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together.
After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve have had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time—and then they’ll be free.
The only problem is, maybe Jake and Mia don’t hate each other as much as they once thought...
REVIEW: Stay a Little Longer by Dawn Lanuza
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my personal opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Stay a Little Longer by Dawn Lanuza
Release Date: May 28, 2019
My Rating: 3.75 stars
Summary: They were perfect strangers—all perks, no strings. Until they weren't.
Elan wasn’t supposed to meet Caty. She lived halfway around the world, and he barely left Manila. Yet here he was, giving her a ride to the airport. Convinced that they would never have to see each other again after that day, Elan and Caty started to bond over truths, dares, stolen kisses, and games in hotel rooms and bars.
With brief encounters that turned them from acquaintances to friends — tipping to the point of lovers, always — will Elan and Caty keep settling for a day, or will someone finally dare to stay long enough to discover: Is this love?
REVIEW: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Release Date: July 9, 2019
My Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.
Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.
And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.
Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.
LIST: if you like... popular sff books edition
Have you been looking for something new to read? Something to add to your (I'm sure) never-ending tbr pile? Well, look no further because I have the list for you. Here's a list of book recs based on popular science fiction/fantasy YA novels.
REVIEW: Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough
**I received an ARC from The Novl (thank you, The Novl!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough
Release Date: May 21, 2019
My Rating: 4.25 stars
Summary: A fiercely funny, queer romantic comedy about two girls who can't stand each other, but join forces in a grand feminist hoax to expose harassment and inequality at their elite private school.
Harriet Price is the perfect student: wealthy, smart, over-achieving. Will Everhart, on the other hand, is a troublemaker who's never met an injustice she didn't fight. When their swim coach's inappropriate behavior is swept under the rug, the unlikely duo reluctantly team up to expose his misdeeds, pulling provocative pranks and creating the instantly legendary Amelia Westlake--an imaginary student who helps right the many wrongs of their privileged institution. But as tensions burn throughout their school--who is Amelia Westlake?--and between Harriet and Will, how long can they keep their secret? How far will they go to make a difference? And when will they realize they're falling for each other?
Award-winning author Erin Gough's Amelia Westlake Was Never Here is a funny, smart, and all-too-timely story of girls fighting back against power and privilege--and finding love while they're at it.
Harriet Price is the perfect student: wealthy, smart, over-achieving. Will Everhart, on the other hand, is a troublemaker who's never met an injustice she didn't fight. When their swim coach's inappropriate behavior is swept under the rug, the unlikely duo reluctantly team up to expose his misdeeds, pulling provocative pranks and creating the instantly legendary Amelia Westlake--an imaginary student who helps right the many wrongs of their privileged institution. But as tensions burn throughout their school--who is Amelia Westlake?--and between Harriet and Will, how long can they keep their secret? How far will they go to make a difference? And when will they realize they're falling for each other?
Award-winning author Erin Gough's Amelia Westlake Was Never Here is a funny, smart, and all-too-timely story of girls fighting back against power and privilege--and finding love while they're at it.
REVIEW: Jade City by Fonda Lee
Jade City by Fonda Lee
Release Date: November 7, 2017
My Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Magical jade—mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. For centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.
Now the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.
When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.
Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood.
REVIEW: The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad
**I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you, I Read YA!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad
Release Date: May 14, 2019
My Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Azad's debut YA fantasy is set in a city along the Silk Road that is a refuge for those of all faiths, where a young woman is threatened by the war between two clans of powerful djinn.
Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together. However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population -- except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.
But when one of the most potent of the Ifrit dies, Fatima is changed in ways she cannot fathom, ways that scare even those who love her. Oud in hand, Fatima is drawn into the intrigues of the maharajah and his sister, the affairs of Zulfikar and the djinn, and the dangers of a magical battlefield.
Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.
DISCUSSION: ya series that we don't talk about anymore???
Hello, hello, welcome to another round of "ya ___ that we don't talk about anymore???"! I see you "adaptions" and raise you "series," i.e., the actual books themselves. Does that sentence even make sense? I don't know poker, but anyways! I've run out of movies and shows to talk about, so let's talk about some books!
REVIEW: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Release Date: May 14, 2019
My Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Amy, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.
Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.
Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of... lucky.
REVIEW: Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
**I received this book from the #bookishwish tag on Twitter. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
Release Date: May 7, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: 10 00 p.m.: Lucky is the biggest K-pop star on the scene, and she's just performed her hit song "Heartbeat" in Hong Kong to thousands of adoring fans. She's about to debut on The Tonight Show in America, hopefully a breakout performance for her career. But right now? She's in her fancy hotel, trying to fall asleep but dying for a hamburger.
11 00 p.m.: Jack is sneaking into a fancy hotel, on assignment for his tabloid job that he keeps secret from his parents. On his way out of the hotel, he runs into a girl wearing slippers, a girl who is single-mindedly determined to find a hamburger. She looks kind of familiar. She's very cute. He's maybe curious.
12:00 a.m.: Nothing will ever be the same.
REVIEW: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
**I received an ARC from the publisher. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Release Date: May 7, 2019
My Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Khai Diep has no feelings. Well, he feels irritation when people move his things or contentment when ledgers balance down to the penny, but not big, important emotions—like grief. And love. He thinks he’s defective. His family knows better—that his autism means he just processes emotions differently. When he steadfastly avoids relationships, his mother takes matters into her own hands and returns to Vietnam to find him the perfect bride.
As a mixed-race girl living in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City, Esme Tran has always felt out of place. When the opportunity arises to come to America and meet a potential husband, she can’t turn it down, thinking this could be the break her family needs. Seducing Khai, however, doesn’t go as planned. Esme’s lessons in love seem to be working…but only on herself. She’s hopelessly smitten with a man who’s convinced he can never return her affection.
With Esme’s time in the United States dwindling, Khai is forced to understand he’s been wrong all along. And there’s more than one way to love.
REVIEW: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Release Date: May 1, 2018
My Rating: 5 stars
Summary: When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies, it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
TOUR: Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
Release Date: April 30, 2019
Summary: A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.
An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.
But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.
When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.
Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.
Then her path crosses with Adam’s.
Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.
Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.
Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.
Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…
Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
LIST: books + kacey musgraves's golden hour
Hey, hey, hey, I'm back with another book rec list, and this time, this post is inspired by Kacey Musgraves's album Golden Hour. I did a similar post for Melodrama, and I wanted to do another one. Golden Hour seemed the next natural choice because I was listening to it on repeat and so many books have this same vibe. This time, I have three books per song, so even more recs! Also, btw, I made the song banners using my own pictures! Hope you like them💙
REVIEW: Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan
**I received an ARC from a festival. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan
Release Date: April 30, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way:
* She's landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog.
* Her crush, the dreamy Diving Pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the Princess of the park. But Lou's never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after.
* Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, who's always been up for anything, suddenly isn't when it comes to Lou's quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou's scheme to get close to Nick.
* And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland--ever--unless she can find a way to stop it from closing.
Jennifer Dugan's sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love — and themselves — in unexpected people and unforgettable places.
REVIEW: The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
Release Date: April 22, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: Freddy Carlton knows she should be focusing on her lines for The Austen Playbook, a live-action TV event where viewers choose the outcome of each scene, but her concentration’s been blown. The palatial estate housing the endeavor is now run by the rude (brilliant) critic who’s consistently slammed her performances of late. James “Griff” Ford-Griffin has a penchant for sarcasm, a majestic nose and all the sensitivity of a sledgehammer.
She can’t take her eyes off him.
Griff can hardly focus with a contagious joy fairy flitting about near him, especially when Freddy looks at him like that. His only concern right now should be on shutting down his younger brother’s well-intentioned (disastrous) schemes—or at the very least on the production (not this one) that might save his family home from the banks.
Instead all he can think of is soft skin and vibrant curls.
As he’s reluctantly dragged into her quest to rediscover her passion for the stage and Freddy is drawn into his research on a legendary theater star, the adage about appearances being deceiving proves abundantly true. It’s the unlikely start of something enormous…but a single revelation about the past could derail it all.
REVIEW: I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
**I received an ARC from Miss Print's ARC Adoption Program. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
Release Date: May 28, 2019
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: Kimi Nakamura loves a good fashion statement. She's obsessed with transforming everyday ephemera into Kimi Originals: bold outfits that make her and her friends feel brave, fabulous, and like the Ultimate versions of themselves. But her mother sees this as a distraction from working on her portfolio paintings for the prestigious fine art academy where she's been accepted for college. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi's estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.
When she arrives in Japan, she loses herself in Kyoto's outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival--and meets Akira, a cute med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. What begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.
REVIEW: If I'm Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
**I picked up an ARC at a festival. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
If I'm Being Honest by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Release Date: April 23, 2019
My Rating: 4 stars
Summary: High school senior Cameron Bright’s reputation can be summed up in one word: bitch. It’s no surprise she’s queen bee at her private L.A. high school—she’s beautiful, talented, and notorious for her cutting and brutal honesty. So when she puts her foot in her mouth in front of her crush, Andrew, she fears she may have lost him for good.
In an attempt to win him over, Cameron resolves to “tame” herself, much like Katherine in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. First, she’ll have to make amends with those she’s wronged, which leads her to Brendan, the guy she labelled with an unfortunate nickname back in the sixth grade. At first, Brendan isn’t all that receptive to Cameron’s ploy. But slowly, he warms up to her when they connect over the computer game he’s developing. Now if only Andrew would notice…
But the closer Cameron gets to Brendan, the more she sees he appreciates her personality—honesty and all—and wonders if she’s compromising who she is for the guy she doesn’t even want.
#waitingonwednesday: her royal highness
Today's #waitingonwednesday is Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins! I wholeheartedly adored the first book in this series, Prince Charming (formerly Royals), and I am so, so excited for the next book. It comes out on May 7, 2019.
REVIEW: Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne
Release Date: May 28, 2019
My Rating: 3.75 stars
Summary: From the author of the New York Times bestselling Stiletto and Oxford series, the first in a sizzling new series following the unlikely friendship of three Upper East Side women as they struggle to achieve their dreams and find true love and happiness in the city that never sleeps.
For as long as she can remember, Bronx-born Naomi Powell has had one goal: to prove her worth among the Upper East Side elite—the same people for which her mom worked as a housekeeper. Now, as the strongminded, sassy CEO of one of the biggest jewelry empires in the country, Naomi finally has exactly what she wants—but it’s going to take more than just the right address to make Manhattan’s upper class stop treating her like an outsider.
The worst offender is her new neighbor, Oliver Cunningham—the grown son of the very family Naomi’s mother used to work for. Oliver used to torment Naomi when they were children, and as a ridiculously attractive adult, he’s tormenting her in entirely different ways. Now they find themselves engaged in a battle-of-wills that will either consume or destroy them…
Filled with charm and heart and plenty of sex and snark, this entertaining series will hook you from the very first page.
REVIEW: When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington
**I received an ARC from Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
When Summer Ends by Jessica Pennington
Release Date: April 9, 2019
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Summary: Aiden Emerson is an all-star pitcher and the all-around golden boy of Riverton. Or at least he was, before he quit the team the last day of junior year without any explanation. How could he tell people he's losing his vision at seventeen?
Straight-laced Olivia thought she had life all figured out. But when her dream internship falls apart, her estranged mother comes back into her life, and her long-time boyfriend ghosts her right before summer break, she's starting to think fate has a weird sense of humor.
Each struggling to find a new direction, Aiden and Olivia decide to live summer by chance. Every fleeting adventure and stolen kiss is as fragile as a coin flip in this heartfelt journey to love and self-discovery from the author of Love Songs & Other Lies.
LIST: books + lorde's melodrama
I have a very musical mind, and since I read so much, I associate a lot of books with certain songs. So I decided to do the opposite and find some books that fit certain songs! Melodrama was one of my favorite albums of 2017 (if you don't love it then...who even are you). Here are some books paired with songs off the album! These are really just books that have the same ~vibe to me; there's not an exact correlation to some of these tbh. Also! I've included some graphics I made (originally posted here) a ways back. Hope you like them 😊
TOUR / REVIEW: Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale
**I received an ARC of this book for this tour. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
Small Town Hearts by Lillie Vale
Release Date: March 19, 2019
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Summary: Rule #1 — Never fall for a summer boy.
Fresh out of high school, Babe Vogel should be thrilled to have the whole summer at her fingertips. She loves living in her lighthouse home in the sleepy Maine beach town of Oar’s Rest and being a barista at the Busy Bean, but she’s totally freaking out about how her life will change when her two best friends go to college in the fall. And when a reckless kiss causes all three of them to break up, she may lose them a lot sooner. On top of that, her ex-girlfriend is back in town, bringing with her a slew of memories, both good and bad.
And then there’s Levi Keller, the cute artist who’s spending all his free time at the coffee shop where she works. Levi’s from out of town, and even though Babe knows better than to fall for a tourist who will leave when summer ends, she can’t stop herself from wanting to know him. Can Babe keep her distance, or will she break the one rule she’s always had — to never fall for a summer boy?
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