*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
May Li is a 12 year old chess player with big dreams of becoming her school's chess team captain. After a win at the state championship, her team has been invited to nationals. She was featured in her favourite chess magazine for winning a trophy for being an up and coming female chess player. When her friend turned enemy Ralph also declares his interest in becoming team captain, and claims the only reason May is getting attention is because she is a girl. They wage a bet to see who is the better chess player once and for all.
I think the target audience will really love this, and May will be a very relatable character for a lot of people. I liked that it showed May being overwhelmed with her sport and the thought of needing to be a winner, even though she loved the game. I like how she had to learn to balance her love for the game and her overwhelming feelings. She had a great support system with her family and friends. I loved Becca and May's friendship was so sweet. I also liked Mario, the soccer player who May did a photoshoot with and became quick friends. I think they helped each other go through a lot of character development by the end of the story. ...more
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
4.5/5 Stars
Eirene and her twin sister Pheobe have an incredible bond, fiercely protective of one another. Eirene strikes up a bargain with Leandros, a descendant of Eros, who has his sights set on the ill-Pheobe. If Eirene can complete three tasks he puts forward, then he must marry her instead and leave Pheobe alone. While completing her first task, Eirene meets Leandros hidden away daughter, Lamia whose magical tears are what creates a powder called Desire.
I am a sucker for Greek myth retellings, make them sapphic and you have me hooked. This is a Eros and Psyche retelling that I read so quickly and was fully invested in the story and the characters within the first few chapters. I listened on audiobook and the narrators did an incredible job bringing both these characters to life. The slow-burn sapphic love story was amazing, I loved both Eirene and Lamia! Eirene was so determined to save her sister, and you could feel how much she loved her on the page. The tasks she had to complete were so intriguing and I loved watching her journey with Lamia's help. Lamia was so multi-layered and complex. It made me so sad seeing her struggle with wanting her freedom, but also feeling the loyalty to her father who is only using her for her tears. I loved to hate Leandros, what a vile man. The idea of Desire, a bottled powder that would make any woman obedient was terrifying.
I will definitely be picking up more from this author soon!...more
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
Jadon is the Prince of a small island in Africa. He has been sent to America to clean up his image after a video of him badmouthing the Prime Minister goes viral. In order to return home, he has to prove to his family that he is ready. He is enrolled in a private school, where he meets Reiss, a pink haired movie buff.
This was a super fun and cute story! Jadon went through some huge character development, and I loved watching him grow and realize what he wants. I liked how he had a romance blossom, but also many friendships as well. I thought Reiss and Jadon were very cute together, and I think they were good for one another. I liked how Reiss wasn't afraid to put Jadon in his place, even if he was a Prince. The side characters were a big highlight for me. Future Queen-to-be Annika was such a great character. If we could have a spin off book of her I would pick it up in a heart beat. ...more
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
16 year old Nate Campbell lived on a cursed street called Murder Road. His family leaves after another death occurred, trying to avoid an angry spirit called the Hiding Boy. When Nate arrives at his new school, he gets reluctantly pulled into a trio of urban legend hunters.
This was an okay spooky read, but I think the end was what saved it for me. I gave my rating an extra half star because I hadn't seen the twist coming, so that was a pleasant surprise. The rest of the story was quite repetitive. The chapters are short, which makes it easy to read and although the pacing is slow, it made it go by quickly. I did put it down for a few days, as I wasn't fully invested in the story, but around the 75% mark I became more invested, and wanted to know how it was going to end. ...more
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
Katina King is the teen jujitsu champion of Northern California but is finding it hard to cope with something that happened in her past. Robin Thorton was adopted from India when he was a baby, by two parents who adore him. He doesn't know anything about his past, but wants to learn more. Robin and Kat meet one another and grow closer during a summer service trip to India to help survivors of sex trafficking.
I've had this book on my TBR for YEARS, and finally picked it up. This was a powerful read, but a very slow read. I did like how the author didn't shy away from the difficult topics spoken about in the story. Nothing is sugar coated, but it is done in a very respectable way. The story is told in dual POV between Ravi and Kat, which I think helped strengthen the overall story. I liked the side characters and support system that Kat and Ravi found in the church group. The chapters were quite short, which allowed for easy reading, but I do think it started quite slow and dragged a bit in the middle....more
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
4.5/5 Stars
Two ex-best friends Emma and Caleb, decide to make dating the new girl, Juliette, a competition. Whoever is able to get Juliette to kiss them first, wins her heart. When Juliet only seems interested in hanging out with the two of them together, things get complicated.
I really like the author's first book, They Hate Each Other, so I was excited to read another one of their books. Turns out I really enjoyed this one as well! The dynamics between these characters were such a joy to read about. Emma, Caleb and Juliet are all amazing characters that you couldn't help but fall in love with. All three of them go through so much growth by the end of the story. All three of them battle with self-doubt and not thinking they are good enough and all three go on a journey of self-discovery as they continue to hang out with one another. I liked that we got both Emma and Caleb's POVs, allowing us to see inside both of their heads and making it easier to see their true feelings towards one another. I love me some mutual pinning. My favourite arc was probably Caleb's. I loved watching him grow more confident in himself. It made me so sad that he had no idea why Emma had stopped talking to him in the first place, and thought he did something wrong to cause it. I was rooting for him and Emma to get together so hard, even though I really liked Juliet, it was so obvious these two were each other's person. I liked that we got to see the backstory of why Emma and Caleb's friendship fell apart, and I liked how we got to see it be mended as well. Emma's arc, regarding her mom and sister broke my heart, but I liked how it resolved in the end. I also thought the rep was very well done - we got bisexual, demisexual and ace representation along with some great mental health rep as well!
I think Amanda Woody has the potential to become an auto-buy author for me, so I am excited for what they come up with next! ...more
Loading...
