The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Lovely story! It was a purely whimsical tale that really brightened my day!

Lucy has some grand plans but not a lot of money.  However, her favorite childhood author creates a competition that only 4 lucky people can participate in on his magical Clock Island.   The winner will receive the one and only copy of a new book by this author, giving them a chance to make millions.  

This story almost reads like a contemporary fairytale at parts.  I really enjoyed this but did think certain aspects were a bit underdeveloped and therefore just too farfetched, particularly the very real world aspects. 

Recommend this as a fun and enjoyable read!

Out May 30, 2023!

Ever Since by Alena Bruzas 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Incredible. This story realistically relates trauma from sexual abuse as a child, sexual assault, the difficulties these things bring to a teenage girl’s life and her view of herself. I really felt this. As a survivor, I related so much with this main character. The division her trauma caused between her and her friends through drug and alcohol use is just one of the multitude of examples a teenager and also, adults, deal with the corruption of their youth.

This is a hard topic to read about, and I want to warn any to be readers that this hits hard and goes into some detail. However, what an important book! I’ve read several stories this year by authors who have survived this trauma, and I am continuously in awe.

The gorgeous and heart-wrenching descriptions of certain mythology characters, particularly Medea, that were sprinkled throughout this story is another example of finding a voice to speak through this trauma. And, it was really, like I’ve already said, hard hitting… as it should be.

There are no happy stories of childhood abuse and trauma… but there is hope.

Out May 23, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

The Kingmaker Kennedy Ryan 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is good!!! But the ending!!! Major cliffhanger but not for long because I’m going to start the next book asap!

I loved the author’s note describing the amount of time and effort they put towards representing Native Americans, particularly the Apache.

This was sizzling hot but with a very full plot that carried this story.

Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I loved this! I think it’s hilarious and poignant, and I especially love the attention to climate. It’s in a dystopian future, which is one of the reasons I loved that Arthurian knights were coming back from the dead. This combination of a horrible future, especially concerning the climate, with the men of legends returning to save the planet, just hit really well.

Kay was the heart of this story for me. Kay is King Arthur’s brother and is not completely understanding of how the world has changed, although this is one of several times he has returned throughout history. His interaction with Miriam, both of them really, just showed how kindness affects others.

I was laughing my way through this while still dreading my own future and climate change. There are magic mushrooms, a dragon, and many complications to keep any reader entertained.

Definitely recommend!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Out May 23, 2023!

The Guest by Emma Cline 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I loved Emma Cline’s book The Girls for many of the same reasons I wound up loving in this one. This author tells the most interesting stories featuring women whose lifestyles are not something ordinarily thought of… or even known about. I love the honesty behind this character. The third person narration also gave me a lot of room to wonder at what was really going on in the main character’s head.

Alex is kind of a moocher. I would say a professional moocher, but I didn’t get much of a professional vibe from Alex. She spends her days going to the beach in Long Island after stealing a pill or two from the older man she’s staying with right now. It’s a great set-up for someone like Alex. Simon buys her beautiful clothes, jewelry, handbags…. but of course, there is always a price.

When Alex gets booted for a mishap with Simon’s car and a small adventure at a party, I felt like I was watching her careen downhill. She does everything in her power, manipulating, stealing, to get back to a safe spot. But her ventures wind up being as ambiguous as she is.

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

The Battle Drum by Saara El-Arifi

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The Battle Drum is a stunning sequel to The Final Strife by Saara El-Arifi. I love how this author expanded upon the world being created. Especially with the inclusion of different cultures as inspiration for some of it. So far, I have not been disappointed at all throughout this series.

Sylah, Anoor, and Hassa show their bravery and courage in different ways. Hassa, in particular, is a favorite of mine. Jond also is an intriguing character in this book, only leading me to fall even more in love with this story.

I really don’t want to give anything away, so I shall leave on this note. If you enjoyed The Final Strife or think you just might like this series, then I can not recommend picking these books up more! I feel like so many aspects to this story need to be told, and I’m so happy I got to read more!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Out May 23, 2023!

All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is a haunting and romantic tale that completely pulled me under with its darkness.

Marin recently lost her mother and winds up traveling to be a nanny at the Lovelace house. This house is known throughout town to be cursed, but even though Marin does not expect what lies ahead for her.

Marin and Evie are a great couple to watch grow together, especially through Marin’s realizations. The children, Thea and Wren, are absolutely delightful to read about. I loved their twisted schemes.

I thought this book became a little slow at a later point in it. But overall, the idea and the emotions in this story kept me reading.

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee. 🌟Arc Review 🌟

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This was the sweet, fluffy, ya romance that I needed. I loved this book immediately. As soon as I started reading, I could tell that this was going to be a new favorite, and it definitely is!

Dylan is working and living at his aunt’s restaurant, Wok Warriors, when he has to make a delivery and comes across the rich and handsome Theo. He is talked into fake dating Theo after Theo makes a large donation to his aunt’s restaurant. Theo takes Dylan to the Hamptons, but is this fake dating maybe based on a real crush?

Everything about this is kind and simply wonderful. Even just the descriptions of food have been so delicious sounding. (I’ve been eating dumplings all week bc I can’t just read about dumplings without picking some up at my local restaurant). This is such a comfort romcom read!!!!

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Venom and Vow by Anna-Marie Mclemore and Elliott Mclemore 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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I absolutely loved this. The representation is so beautifully done. These authors wove together a fascinating tale that, above all else, speaks on love.

I thought the storyline started slow, but as the two main characters became more familiar with each other, I began to fall in love with this book.

A transgender prince finds himself up against a bigender assassin. Their land has been cursed, including stealing away many adults in charge of their respective kingdoms. However, as these two enemies begin to fall for each other, it becomes clear that action must be taken now to break this curse.

I didn’t start out loving everything in this story bc it started slow, and I had a difficult time grasping the full picture of the plot, but this turned out to be really remarkable, in my opinion!

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is a fun, fast-paced ya thriller that kept me on my toes.  Jade is a bit of a drama queen, but who could help it after a horrible breakup.  Jade’s ex, Silas, left her for her best friend and both cut off all contact.   Pretty depressing.   But, when she sees that they are boarding the same overseas learning cruise, things start to fly off the handle, and Jade winds up looking suspicious.

I enjoyed this one.  It’s really a fun and quick read.  I couldn’t take Jade too seriously because she seemed a bit over the top at times.  But, I wound up liking this!

Out May 2, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!