Tag: Netgalley review

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!

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!

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!

I’m Not Supposed to be In the Dark by Riss. M. Neilson 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This story immediately pulled me in. I loved the main character, Aria, and I found that this whole story was just so well written and composed that I couldn’t help but enjoy this.

Aria has a secret power. She’s not really sure. In the very beginning of the book, she stops drinking the tea her mother and grandfather always push on her, and she begins to see into a gray world, some spirits. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Her power doesn’t fully come into play until later in the story, but it is there the whole time.

She begins noticing some oddities about her neighbors. Her ex-bestfriend, Derek, lives next door. And, he is really acting strange. It’s almost like it’s not exactly him sometimes. In her search to help Derek, Aria also finds out a lot about herself.

I love this cover!!! And, throughout this story, the author includes some beautiful descriptions of Wisteria. (I just wish I didn’t have allergies! But I love Wisteria season!)

Overall, I really enjoyed this!

Out May 9, 2023!

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This was a shock of a read! A post-apocalyptic world, really just an archipelago, and 2 very different people with very different lifestyles.   This situation between these people is a powder keg with a lit candle sitting on it…. you know it’s gonna blow, just not the exact damage it will create.

I loved this sci-fi world.  There are constantly new and surprising elements that drop in and keep things exciting.   Definitely twists and turns that I did not expect.   I really feel like I relished every page.

Out May 2, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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An incredibly intriguing and explosive take on a dystopian future and America’s prison system.

While this book gives no definitive answer to the multitude of issues in current day prisons across America, this still left me feeling like my eyes are more open to the very real problems at hand.

This story seems to jump all over the place, featuring quite a few different characters and viewpoints, but mostly, this story follows Loretta Thurwar. Thurwar is the reigning champion of a cruel TV show that pits prisoners in fights to the death. The prize for winning, which is beyond difficult, is freedom.

This is a startling but necessary social commentary on many things besides just the prison system. And, without a doubt, this has rattled me. This is a thought-provoking and insightful look into humanity, and I am really glad I read this.

Out May 2, 2023

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

Bewitched by Laura Thalassa 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Well… add the sequel to my tbr now! I actually have not read the Bargainer series by this author, so I was really excited to pick this one up, and I’m so glad I did. With lots of magic, mystery, and action, I could not put this down!

Selene is a great character to get behind. She has powerful magic. However, every time she uses it, some of her memories disappear. Losing her memories is the main reason she has not gotten into Henbane Coven. However, when they tell her that the possibility of acceptance may rise if she gets a familiar and travels out into the world to have a more “magical experience,” then Selene is on her way!

She plans a trip to the Galapagos, and when her plane is pulled from the sky by a mysterious magic, she saves everyone on board and then finds herself venturing into the surrounding jungle. She finds her familiar and more, but the question is… would some things be better left in the dark?

This has an amazing, colorful magic system and great descriptions of this world while including some very nice romance!

Definitely recommend this!

Out April 18, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

The thick and the lean by Chana Porter 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This is a phenomenal read that creates a whole new way to view sexual and eating habits! They are something that can be compared, and a truth about one can lead to a truth about the other. This spins both issues out in much different ways than how our world typically views them.

Sex is something that is a freedom in this book. An appetite to be sated. While the joy of food and flavor is viewed as the opposite. The two main characters go through different aspects of this. I feel like the ending does a good job of summing this wild story up.

Out April 18, 2023!

Dear Medussa by Olivia A. Cole 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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This meant a lot to me. I think sexual assault and trauma can happen to anyone, at any age, but this author speaking from 16 year old Alicia’s pov really gave this particular trauma a strong voice.

Alicia’s whole life changed after being sexually assaulted by a popular teacher. The girl who ran track and wanted a future was gone, but throughout this story told in verse, Alicia does regain her strength. Particularly with the help of other girls, other strong girls that show her that she is worth fighting for.

I loved the tie-in with Medusa, particularly the ending. I have heard and read many variations on Medussa’s story at this point, and it has become so clear to me that she was not the monster in her tale. I am so thankful to all the strong people out there, including this author, writing these stories and helping everyone no matter where they are in life with a problem that is so much more common than what I believe many people think.

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Holy cow. This was unexpected. I am shocked at the amount of emotion that this book pulled from me.

The main character, Kyr, is a stickler for the rules. In a bad way. The lack of outward emotion had me confounded and in extreme dislike of her. She was head of her mess in a military setting. Always arguing with her rival, Cleo, but remaining her unit’s leader always.

She is fighting to avenge earth, a distant home planet that was destroyed by the Wisdom. When she finally gets her appointment to a particular long-term job… she is speechless. But, on learning of her brothers disappearance, this sets off a tide.. a tsunami… of events that change absolutely everything.

I had no idea how attached to this character I would become. No idea the depths of this story. This is a masterpiece and led me to thinking of all sorts of issues relatable. Great read!

Out April 11, 2023!