In this bite-sized, slice-of-life romance novella, Janelle and Andre show up at the animal shelter in a cosmic crossing of wires to adopt the same dogIn this bite-sized, slice-of-life romance novella, Janelle and Andre show up at the animal shelter in a cosmic crossing of wires to adopt the same dog. Both are too stubborn and too desperate to let go of Zeus and wait for a different dog that suits their needs to become available. The fact of the matter is that both have already fallen in love with this adorable creature, and they're not going to back down over even such a major inconvenience. Initially suggested in jest, they come to the actually very serious conclusion that they ought to co-parent this dog. It smooths the way that both were already committed to using the same vet, the same dog trainer, and the same no-nonsense but loving attitude to dogs on human furniture (not allowed). They even decide to share Zeus' new Instagram account, where eagle-eyed social media fans of Andre's comics start shipping them together, even his sister.
This is a sweet, easy romance between two people who have hard times in their rear view. The loneliness that drove both of them to seek out a canine companion also plays into how easy it is for them to fall into something together. After some pointed interference from Andre's sister (both cyber and in person), they admit a mutual attraction and try dating on for size. There's no messy breakup, no crying into their ice cream, no calling of names. Instead, we just get to see two cool people build a family together with their dog, work on their art, and communicate well. What a revelation, honestly.
This was my first experience with Rebekah Weatherspoon, and I am certainly motivated to seek out some of her full-length novels in the future....more
At the start of The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, Gareth has just spent a lovely week hooking up with a man from out of town. To keep their anonyAt the start of The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen, Gareth has just spent a lovely week hooking up with a man from out of town. To keep their anonymity, they go by the pseudonyms "London" and "Kent," a nod to their respective homes. When Kent announces it's time for him to go home, he offers his contact information in case Gareth wants to meet up again when he's back in town. "London," aka Gareth, reacts badly. He can't handle the hope and waiting that will likely only lead to never hearing from this man again. With his back up, Gareth shuts down any attempts to prolong their acquaintance, and the two part on bad terms.
As luck would have it, Gareth ends up in Kent a week later, a newly minted baronet. His estranged father did the unthinkable-- he died and left everything to his son, ignoring the daughter who had all but supplanted Gareth in his life. Gareth shows up at the family home to discover that his half-sister Cecilia did not know of his existence until the will was read. He also finds his father's mistress (and Cecilia's aunt), another woman left unprovided for in his father's wake. Gareth makes an unexpected alliance with the women, kindred spirits in his father's lingering mistreatment of them all, which largely took the form of disinterest.
As Gareth settles into his new home, it comes to his attention that smuggling is an active part of the county's economy. In an attempt to win over his sister, he sort of accidentally ends up admitting to her beaux/officer of the law that he saw a smuggler in the act on his walk one night and then proceeds to dig himself a deeper hole by making the unpopular decision to testify against one of the locally powerful smuggling families.
When Gareth moved to Kent, he did spare a thought for what might happen if he ran into his former paramour, not that it was terribly likely. What he never imagined was "Kent," aka Joss, showing up in court to vouch for his little sister, the accused, and offer a veiled threat in front of the whole community to make Gareth back down. In fact, neither man relishes the reunion or its nature. What follows is a need for both to make amends and, in the aftermath, a wish to continue what they started in London with their proverbial masks off. Things get more complicated when Gareth's family is targeted by a different smuggling operation with veiled threats that Gareth doesn't understand. Meanwhile, Joss is trying to keep his grip on the family business despite some division in the ranks speared by his good-for-nothing uncle and unchallenged by his stubborn mother.
There's so much to love about this romance. What grows between the two men is a lasting connection that helps both thrive. Joss offers to be the first person fully on Gareth's side. He swaggers around with his "I look after my own" family/gang energy, and then he chooses Gareth as his own *swoon.* It feeds nicely into the drama with threats being made against Gareth. It's time for Joss to literally and figuratively throw his weight around. On the other hand, Joss is used to having his way as a family boss and as a type of local royalty, but he's nervous about being an equal to Gareth as an aristocrat (watch out for the explanation for how Gareth's family earned their title, one of many hilarious details in the book). One moment that stands out is when Joss is nervous for Gareth to see his handwriting because it's not very refined ...more
"But he'd still choose Lily. He'd choose her over anyone."
One literally overheated editor's assistant, Lily, dreams of making the jump to editing chil"But he'd still choose Lily. He'd choose her over anyone."
One literally overheated editor's assistant, Lily, dreams of making the jump to editing children's books rather than reading about depressing nonfiction every day at work. On the subway, feeling woozy and dehydrated, she discovers that her favorite, reclusive author now has a website with a contact form. In an attempt to keep herself alert, she sends charming, rambling fan mail and then passes out. N.M. Strickland, aka Nick, gave up on his career as an author five years ago when a series of unfortunate events compounded on unfair barriers to getting his fantasy novel about Black elves *gasp* published. While that first book just barely made it out into the world, he left things on a cliffhanger and never wrote again. Or at least, he didn't write any books. Now working as a travel writer for a magazine, he lives a lonely life circling the globe, never staying in one spot for long. Lily's unexpected message starts a chain of correspondence between two people who, frankly, really need a pen pal.
Just before the two are set to video chat for the first time, Nick gets news that sets them on a new path. He fails to show up to their (virtual) date and responds to her worried inquiries by telling her something suitably vague a la "I'm not who you think I am," before deleting his email account. Lily reasonably interprets this ominous statement as evidence she's been catfished, and both leave their digital relationship behind, heartbroken. So begins phase two of their story when Nick and Lily are thrown together as neighbors. Nick's book is to be given new life at a big U.S. publisher with sequels and a TV series to follow, and he's permanently relocated to New York.
As neighbors, Nick panics upon figuring out who Lily is and (literally) runs away from her by exclaiming that he has to go to IKEA. Like right that minute, apparently. It made me truly cackle, and I only became more amused when Lily chases him down and invites herself along. A perfect escape it is not. What follows is a classic rom-com case of asking someone to be your wingperson even though you're mutually attracted and it's a terrible idea. Any attempts to help find Lily a date to her sister's wedding are really just opportunities for the two to fall harder for each other and uncover a million more reasons why Lily shouldn't date anyone else, even for one measly event.
You know it's a perfectly calibrated bookish romance because one of the more romantic overtures is when Nick lends Lily a copy of one of his favorite books. The TRUST is unparalleled. I am also a sucker for pet-related plot lines, so when Lily calls Nick in a panic because her cat isn't feeling well, and he carries said cat in his literal arms all the way to the pet ER even though he is DEATHLY AFRAID OF CATS I swooned and was only resuscitated to make sure I didn't miss what happened next. I also like that the romance doesn't truly kick off until late in the book AFTER the moment that would have been a final act breakup. It's a slight but meaningful shift that had a huge, positive impact on my reading experience.
Both protagonists are on parallel but disparate journeys with their incredibly low self-esteem, but not in the classic, annoying way where a feminine protagonist worries about her looks all the time. Both worry about their careers, Lily worries about being lonely while Nick pretends he's not, and Nick assumes he'll never have good fortune in life while Lily expects to never be as put together as her older sisters. They learn and grow together, especially once they meet in person, but they also take space to figure things out alone. Nick's journey has an especially complex flavor because it has to do with the neglect he experienced as a child and the way he fears walking in his father's duplicitous footsteps one day himself.
I also want to take a moment to shout out the side characters. Nick's best friend Marcus watches his back in a really kind way, not in the aggressive form so many rom-com best friends seem to be cast in. Meanwhile, Lily's sisters are Too Much�, so I'm obviously delighted each is getting her own book. Even when they step on Lily's toes and get wrapped up in their own lives, a night where they figure out she's going through something and needs their unconditional support stands out as one of my favorite scenes.
This romance has big romantic moments, bookish delights, and two adorably introverted protagonists who discover their self-confidence along with their perfect life partner. I would happily recommend it to anyone. Thanks to Berkley for my copy to read and review!...more
Delicious Monsters is the story of two Black girls and a messed up house that's hiding all kinds of secrets. Daisy can see ghosts. Brittney, though a Delicious Monsters is the story of two Black girls and a messed up house that's hiding all kinds of secrets. Daisy can see ghosts. Brittney, though a skeptic, co-hosts a YouTube series called Haunted with her best friend, Jayden. And in the latest season, the two will go to the house where Daisy once made national news. The house has special significance for Brittney, as well. It's the house where her mother had the supposed epiphany that sparked her self-help empire, giving it a new layer of notoriety. In the past, we follow Daisy as her mom inherits the house, and the two move there to turn it into an Airbnb. In the present, we follow Brittney and Jayden's investigation into the violence that took place within those very four walls.
The house is in rural Ontario, an hour from the nearest town. Lakeside, the only way to access the property is by boat or by offroading through the bush. It's a house that no one should enter, one that Daisy's mother forbids her to set foot in even though it's about to be teeming with guests if all goes to plan. The psychics next door are equally adamant that the house is bad news, offering to cleanse the place multiple times. And Daisy observes that ghosts, who are drawn to misery, seem helpless to deny the house's call.
As Daisy's story emerges, it comes with discrepancies between what we see her experience and what others have said about her, particularly her mother. Luckily, Brittney's wise to controlling, lying moms, and she keeps up an active level of suspicion about all accounts that Daisy was crazy or especially difficult. The story deals with difficult conversations around intergenerational trauma, abuse in different forms, and seeking freedom from the cycle. It also calls out the way that Black girls aren't heard or believed when they try to speak up for themselves, burying the horrors and preventing them from finding safety. As Daisy and Brittney's stories emerge, it's easy to get caught up in the mirroring between them, but I think one of the triumphs of the book is that it's not that simple. The more you know, the more you see a broad tapestry of experiences despite the strong threads that tie them together. The author is also careful and clever about when and how she reveals information about the mysteries at hand, so the reader's curiosity about what happened and how will be stoked until the bitter end.
It always feels weird to write this as a dedicated romance reader, but I'm glad this book doesn't have a clear romance subplot. I think it comes down to the fact that a half-assed romance storyline is immensely distracting to me. I'm better off in cases like these where the author focuses on the relationships and plots that are most deeply rooted and doesn't assume a romance is necessary. Family relationships are huge here, but also friendship and found family. Not all of these relationships are positive, and none of them are exactly easy, but the complexity and evolution of each are riveting.
So let's talk about the horror elements. I spent so much time talking about the human aspects of the book because, in some ways, they carry the most weight. However, that is not to suggest the otherworldly components aren't deeply alarming and woven through everything. Let me just say that body horror ALWAYS gets me. Like I have to stop eating or take a break or let myself have the creepy crawlies for a minute. And Daisy seeing a maggot coming out of the top of her head is a new low for me. So yes, I knew I was signing up for a horror book, but I was still freaked the fuck out. More even than the ghosts (who are still scarier than most I've read), that's what got me. Like going to a haunted house or riding a roller coaster, I was scared and I loved it.
As a card-carrying scaredy-cat (see above) and therefore only intermittent horror reader, I find it especially gratifying at the end of a long, bone-chilling book to find closure. This book rises to that challenge, even given the two POVs and several important side characters. Mysteries are solved and futures are plotted. The whiff of open-endedness in the air for some topics feels organic rather than unconsidered or rushed. It was a satisfying book all around, whether we're talking characters, setting, scare factor, complicated plot, or social commentary. This easily ranks as one of my favorite horror reads period. Thanks to Margaret K. McElderry for my copy to read and review!...more
The prologue of A Day of Fallen Night kicks us off with three momentous births. Some of the infants were of import from their first breath, but all thThe prologue of A Day of Fallen Night kicks us off with three momentous births. Some of the infants were of import from their first breath, but all three would make their mark as women.
As a partner story to The Priory of the Orange Tree, we see a return to the different compass points of a familiar map, but one where the weight of centuries has not yet descended. In the East, we meet Dumai on Seiiki. Born of a dragon-blessed woman and an Emperor, she lives on the mountain where her mother once spirited her to safety. She's been dedicated for 30 years to temple life, but imperial politics have found their way to her mountain. Unmasked, her life will never be the same. In the West, Glorian was born to a queen keen on spreading her religion and on saving her kingdom from generations of royal misuse by her forebears. What makes her a focused queen doesn't exactly make her a warm mother, and Glorian yearns for more time with her kingly father, who can only travel from the North for sporadic visits. In the North, that very King's retinue includes Wolf, a young man desperate to prove himself and escape the whispers around his mysterious birth. Discovered by his adoptive fathers beside the old witch's wood, it's enough to tarnish his reputation in a kingdom dedicated to one Saint, afraid of all ancient magics. In the South, Tunuva holds an important position in the Priory and spends her days with the woman she loves, the future Prioress. Despite these joys of sisterhood and serving a higher cause, she can't help but silently nurture her grief. She grieves the son she lost in infancy and worries over the girl who bears her name and now seems hellbent on self-destruction in her teenage years.
An epic of this proportion takes my breath away. Expect great, wearying odds and existential threats. In this part of the cycle, The Nameless One remains in his slumber, but his minions are awing at a time when no one thought to see creatures rise from under the mountain again. Unprepared and largely unprotected, the world descends into violent chaos. It will take perseverance, fortitude, and the arrival of a comet to put this threat to rest.
This book is an example of multiple POVs keeping me more engaged rather than less. The constant motion and multiple plots make a behemoth-sized book feel suddenly more than reasonable despite how intimidating it looks on the shelf. The emotional aspects of each plot also contributed to my rapt attention. Stories about motherhood, community, and friendship hold roles just as deep and carefully considered as the many excellent romantic relationships. Thus, there are plenty of ways to get attached to each character and their situation because they're these well-rounded people with many competing concerns and connections with the broader world. And don't expect basic tropes to prop up sketches of interpersonal conflict. These are winding, twisted stories with shades of gray and deliberate framing. The emotional beats landed hard with this reader, especially where it concerns friendship plots and those about family. Several parent/child relationships were particularly hard and/or amazing for me to read depending on the moment in question. The number of times I cried was actually absurd even given the fact that it's a giant book with many happenings.
Shannon gets women and court intrigue (not wholly separate, to be fair) like no one else. I saw it in The Priory, and this book is no different. One way she makes this a book about and for women in a real way is by paying particular but casual attention to feminine rhythms with regard to menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, etc. It comes up as a part of characters' daily experiences, affecting travel, relationships, and moods, but also just existing and not needing to be a big deal. Beyond the emphasis on menstruating people and their experiences, I like the variety of ages of the protagonists. Adventures and momentous decisions aren't just for the youths. I also think Shannon expanded her mandate on gender from her earlier work, including trans folx in this story in multiple ways. It's yet another example of how the author makes the series a safe space for queer characters and readers to live full lives. Plus, there's the Sappho quote to lead into the last section?? Like hi. And I specifically want to shout out the aroace battle queen (let's be friends), not only because of my personal stake in her representation but also because her story exemplifies a more general pattern in the book of disentangling different types of intimacy. While there are definitely great romances here to write home about, there are also many relationships where physical intimacy stems from friendship and/or is undertaken to get the specific outcome of a child. As a necessary evil or just as a limited-time connection, it can be a purposeful, non-romantic endeavor, depending on the people involved. This is a book for women and queer folk, showing all the beautiful relationships and connections we're capable of.
Writing a prequel must be so hard because I frequently find them hard to enjoy as a reader. With an endpoint already known, the plot can be limited or lacking in its own, contained meaning. This book doesn't fall into that trap. Themes, institutions, and even a familiar face connect this book with the first, stretching across the centuries. The depth of history and lore are impressive and far-reaching, but the similarities between the two volumes stop before they become repetitive and onerous. New characters have as much to offer as the original cast, giving us yet more people to attach ourselves to. While you can see certain points connecting directly to what's to come, it doesn't steal any value from these characters' journeys and struggles. Somehow both traumatizing and hopeful, A Day of Fallen Night stands as its own masterpiece, a full partner to The Priory of the Orange Tree rather than a supporting character. Thanks to Bloomsbury for my copy to read and review!...more
The story of The Priory of the Orange Tree is split into alternating narratives in the East and West. The two regions of the world are separated by ThThe story of The Priory of the Orange Tree is split into alternating narratives in the East and West. The two regions of the world are separated by The Abyss, a great ocean, and by firm cultural barriers that no diplomacy currently crosses.
In the West, we follow Ead, an instantly likable member of Queen Sabran's court. Ead is a foreigner serving in the queen's household, one of a coterie of ladies responsible for day-to-day tasks like preparing her bedchamber and providing company when she wishes for it. Beyond this official role, Ead is secretly going above and beyond the call of duty to investigate increasing attempts on the queen's life that her knights seem incapable of preventing. Sabran rules a capital V Virtuous kingdom, where everyone's very concerned with who and what's heretical, a problem for Ead, who holds many secrets. Queen Sabran has some Queen Elizabeth ~and~ Snow White energy since the inspiration and references seem to go miles deep. The Camelot vibes of her kingdom, Inys, are also multilayered and clever. Though not a protagonist, Sabran's story complements Ead's in many ways even before we get into the sapphic goodness in store for them. Sabran has many privileges that Ead sees no purpose in kowtowing to, but she offers the queen a bulwark against the darker aspects of her existence that hide behind the crown. Sabran has struggled with depression her whole life, and throughout the story, she battles the particular shame that comes from the secrecy and misinformation around all aspects of pregnancy. It's an especially poignant concoction because Sabran's the head of a religion which hinges on her having a daughter. Should she fail, family lore claims that the The Nameless One, a dragon who once ravaged the world, will rise again.
I don't even know where to begin with my feelings and opinions on this massive, magnificent book. In terms of world-building, holy shit. Shannon doesn't just rely on the vaguely Middle Ages vibes that pervade so much epic fantasy. This book commits to the ambiance, the details, and the deep backstory. Whether I caught a reference from my own knowledge or googled a term to find out it was an instrument/weapon/item of clothing from early history, I enjoyed the attention to this fully lived setting. Not only is it thorough, but it inspires that hard-to-capture sense of wonder when a new location is presented, and it made me eager to take it all in and revel in the experience. Furthermore, I've never read a book that so deftly captured the dangerous capriciousness of court intrigue. It's a common enough aspect of books both historical and fantastical, but in this book, I felt the weight of the layered power struggles at every turn. The attention to detail supports competing histories within the world's lore, meaning that all the characters disagree about what the future holds and what ought to be done about it. This affects religious beliefs, personal relationships, and the politicking I mentioned. In contrast to all this complexity, the magic system is fairly straightforward to grasp, but the author reveals it in pieces and with intention, and I admired the backbone it provided to an otherwise messy world.
All of this deep backstory and dense plotting could lead to a stagnant plot, but that's simply not the case here. There's so much flowing movement in both physical location and personal growth. Characters do not stay in their assigned halves of the world from the start of the book, going where they are needed or where they are forced as the plot develops. Faced with so much newness in a time of great upheaval, there are some massive character transformations, as well. Even acknowledging that such a lengthy book definitely has the space for such changes, I was still a bit wowed to reach the end and consider how far each major character came both literally and figuratively. It's an action-packed plot that doesn't skimp on the internal lives of its characters.
Anyone who knows me knows that while I'm only too happy to show up for the world-building and exciting plots offered in a fantasy novel, I'm really here for the feels. I want relationships, I want big, real emotions, and I want characters I can love. The Priory of the Orange Tree delivers. I especially appreciate the emphasis it places on friendship stories. Not everything has to evolve into something romantic to have value, and a romantic relationship doesn't have to be the driving force in a character's life. This book gets that. It's also a generally queernorm world, which means that romantic relationships where they occur don't have to be limited by gender. There are still class restrictions and religious virtue clauses to cause plenty of heartache, but readers don't have to experience homophobia as another category of suppression *rainbow confetti.* The best and most major romantic plot of the book is sapphic, and it reflects those themes. I was a total sucker for the arc of the love story and desperately wanted our leading ladies to have every happiness together.
Finally, I love how the book offers feelings of hope and a clear sense of closure to conclude such a tense, lengthy adventure. It made the whole thing feel worthwhile and valuable on another level. I enjoyed this fantasy as an entire entity and would recommend it to all readers of the genre. It's worth the hype....more
A Gentleman Never Keeps Score is an Achillean romance between Sam, a boxer turned barkeep, and Hartley, a man at loose ends. Sam's guiding light is doA Gentleman Never Keeps Score is an Achillean romance between Sam, a boxer turned barkeep, and Hartley, a man at loose ends. Sam's guiding light is doing right by his community. His tavern is a safe place to eat a warm meal, have a drink, and enjoy some conversation. It's especially a place to welcome in the Black community of London, and Sam looks out for everyone who walks through his doors. Meanwhile, Hartley sits in an empty house that he inherited from his godfather. His secret is out, and now the ton knows just how he came by this inheritance. Society is shunning him, his servants are quitting, and all Hartley has is decorum to hold him together.
Both protagonists shine in their respective roles. I love a certain type of clueless, woefully out-of-his-depth protagonist, and Hartley fits the bill. He's internalized that he's a selfish person, but he lavishes love on a dog, a baby, and some down-on-their-luck teenagers-- none of whom he's actually responsible for-- like his life depends on it. I'm sure that doesn't mean anything, though. And Sam reads like the kind of character who gives the best hugs and must be protected at all costs. Sure, he can do that himself, but I found myself desperately hoping he'd get a rest and an opportunity for everyone else to take care of him for a change.
In this book, Cat Sebastian returns to writing about fun lawbreaking, which is really her bread and butter. Sam and Hartley scheme to steal back and/or destroy some naughty paintings once owned by Hartley's godfather. It's a perfect bit of crime, especially when it's at the expense of a rich, old asshat. Though different in so many ways, their time together draws them closer. Sam's steady kindness draws Hartley out of his shell, and in turn, Hartley shows Sam the kindness he pretends to be allergic to.
As their romance plays out, it's plenty steamy, but it doesn't follow a rote script. Hartley doesn't like to be touched. Instead of being presented as a barrier to be breached or a difficulty to hurdle, it's a source of conversation and even play between our two lovers. Their relationship isn't about changing Hartley. It's about consent and about both enjoying their time together. Their warm care and consistent communication stand as a beacon in the dark of unbalanced power dynamics that frequent their lives, including the bedroom. Safety is an issue for both of them to worry over as gay men, but Hartley also has the experience of sleeping with his godfather for money as a teenager-- a huge breach of trust and misuse of authority on the elder man's part. Finding a safe, loving space together is such a precious gift.
Sebastian sets the bar so high for writing swoony, queer historical romances that include an acute awareness of social issues both past and present (it helps that they're so frequently connected). She considers the hard practicalities of life and how they'll impact her characters. In this case, race and class disparity create barriers for them to cross. And one's been outed while the other lives in secrecy, another difference to throw up challenges in a society where open gayness can mean death. The book celebrates the Black community in London while also recognizing the dangers they face. A constable is hassling Sam just because he's a Black business owner, and he and Hartley plan their potential heist with a keen awareness of how differently they would be treated if caught.
Another thing to love about the book is how Sam and Hartley argue and have misunderstandings to work through as they grow as a couple, but there's no final act breakup to create drama. Their final battle is against external pressures and the odds against their happily ever after. And boy, do they overcome it all with style.
I want to wrap up with my favorite thing in a book of many wonderful things. The friendships in this story are not only rock solid but capture queer love in all its forms. Kate, a Black midwife who's always tired but quick with her razor-sharp wit all the same, doesn't know who to threaten re: don't hurt my bestie when the two start falling for one another because she's friends with both. So a sort of mutual threatening is in order. And then there's Hartley's unorthodox relationships with his only two servants who don't quit. Both were once sex workers, a situation Hartley empathizes with. They have no problem talking back to him, and eventually, warmth and camaraderie overtake the three of them, turning Hartley's house into a home. All these lovely relationships play into the found family vibes that make this LITERALLY the best book ending ever. It's times like these that I know Sebastian just gets me on a spiritual level....more
That Dangerous Energy opens on an intriguing snippet of family history. Morgan's great-grandmother escaped Spain and her husband in the dead of night,That Dangerous Energy opens on an intriguing snippet of family history. Morgan's great-grandmother escaped Spain and her husband in the dead of night, the only option available to her since women couldn't seek a divorce. And then with a hard pivot, we're dropped right into the middle of another escape. Morgan's on the move with ~something~ in her pocket. Two security guards are tailing her until she gets wise and drops her million-dollar engagement ring on the subway tracks. The what and why of it all aren't clear to us. We're just along for the ride. Then we jump back two months.
This book has such a strong beginning, from the interwoven snippets about the women in Morgan's family to the first hint of whirlwind romance when Morgan and Kevin connect as strangers stranded in St. Louis on a flight delay. The family history shows us the resilience of the women in Morgan's family even as it captures the impact of racism and sexism on their lives throughout the 20th century. None had a storybook happily ever after. Men did them wrong, and society did its worst. These flashbacks are balanced out by the promise of Morgan's potential love story. It's cute, banter-y, and feather-light-- just a connection that could become something.
Amid these moving parts, we also learn about Morgan's hustle, something that prevents her from acting on her interest in Kevin-- a billionaire who her friend is training her to snag. As a struggling fashion designer who really wants to focus on the quilts that are her life's passion, Morgan can't afford to turn away a golden opportunity to focus on her art. And so her best friend Dashawna, an experienced sugar baby, guides her through the process of keeping an oil mogul's attention once she's caught it.
The story draws a clear through line between climate change and racial violence. Here, Morgan's boyfriend Sebastian sits on his piles of money while greenwashing the family business to his benefit. It's only once Morgan catches wind of some of Sebastian's lies that she decides to take what she knows to The Movement, aka Kevin, who it turns out is an activist. Morgan's tip isn't enough, so she agrees to spy on him and get evidence that could make a difference. The tension of spying, keeping up with her art, and having to perform for Sebastian takes a toll on Morgan, and that comes through on the page. Her trials are many. She's starting to see the cracks in her relationship, even if she never mistook it for love, and she's fully disenchanted with Sebastian's lies about taking his father's company in a more responsible direction.
As Morgan agrees to spy and gets fully invested in climate activism, the story completely fell apart for me on multiple fronts. I was shocked and disappointed given my enjoyment of one of de Leon's other books and how well things were going so far with this one. So let me explain where things went wrong.
My first problem is that this book is billed as not only a thriller but a romance, and I was increasingly uncomfy that Kevin sees Morgan as a means to an end for the movement, and her safety is something he largely worries about in relation to his own interest in her. At one point, he suggests she use her "feminine wiles" to get invited to an event where she needs to spy, ignoring the daily trauma of what she's already putting herself through to keep up the ruse. The physical intimacy that was once a chore is now something worse-- something she has to survive for the cause, no matter her loathing. The good news is we do get to see Morgan call him on all this, which was VERY satisfying. The bad news is how Morgan reacts to this falling out... and also how Kevin is still endgame. If things had escalated between them naturally from their first meeting, which was so cute, I think it could have been this wonderful love story. But the spy situation complicates it-- especially because Kevin's hatred of Sebastian first extends to Morgan and then becomes something that clouds his judgment and his feelings for her.
On Morgan's end, she doesn't lose sight of the end goal, but she does lose sight of who Sebastian is in light of her fight with Kevin, and it's a frustrating pivot. Just when it seems the spying is rapping up and Morgan can go free, we receive the unwelcome gift of a love triangle where we already know the ending because of the opening scene. While Morgan lounges on the beach with Sebastian and starts to build a connection with him, we see her entertain the alluring mind game it's so easy to play: maybe I CAN have it all without breaking my moral compass. And that's the fairy tale she has a hard time letting go of-- more than any romantic one. It's a powerful message, and I only wish it weren't tainted by all the last-minute romantic shenanigans tying up the latter half of the book.
We get one more round of thriller vibes when we reconnect with the opening scene in the timeline. And then the end is kind of a court drama? Which I was on board with as far as finding solutions to the problems at hand. But it was a hard swerve tone-wise and recapped the story in detail at some points, further slowing down what was once a snappy, focused story. Worse, Morgan reconnects with Kevin after he apologizes for his behavior, but I wasn't ready to be on his team again as they ride off into the sunset. In its final moments, the book also manages to solve climate change, so wow. It was a lot.
It's so hard to know what to feel about this whole thing. Because I like a book that dares to envision a better future for us, but everything else is a bit of a jumble. So many kernels of strong story elements are ultimately awkward or annoying in execution. The romantic elements, I've covered. There's also this weird moment of attempted trans solidarity where Morgan notices a woman's big biceps and wonders if she's trans and is basically like "If so... cool." The sentiment? Nice. The whole scene? Awkward to the point of defeating its purpose. In terms of the broader message, I became increasingly bothered that the book portrays "The Movement" as if it's a flattened, unilateral beast instead of a multifaceted, not always harmonious hydra of a thing. So while Morgan's actions serve the greater good and an oil tycoon is an obvious target for all kinds of activists, Kevin and increasingly Morgan start seeing things in a moral black and white that keeps them motivated but feels kind of naive. Since I was on board with their politics (see: climate, racism, wealth disparity), it created this weird dissonance that I wasn't as enthusiastic about their clarity around a messy situation. It smacks of fanaticism. And maybe that level of dedication is necessary to get the results they did? So you see, I'm conflicted.
This book kicked off with brisk writing, an intriguing premise, and multiple layers. But once it shed the story of Morgan as an artist, as a daughter, and as someone struggling to get by in favor of the story of Morgan The Activist, it left space for an unnecessary love triangle and other questionable romantic decisions, traumas left unaddressed, and somehow, the nitty-gritty of a legal battle. And that's just a taste of the whiplash I felt reading it. So here I am, struggling to explain why this book wasn't what I needed it to be in the end....more
A Dash of Salt and Pepper starts with Xavier moving home after a string of bad luck-- he lost his job, a fellowship opportunity, and his boyfriend. WhA Dash of Salt and Pepper starts with Xavier moving home after a string of bad luck-- he lost his job, a fellowship opportunity, and his boyfriend. While he loves his family home and best friend, he outgrew the small Maine town of his childhood before he even left. And now he's back under the worst circumstances. Deep into his moping phase (same), Xavier has an unfortunate run-in with Logan, a chef who Xavier mistakes for a cat burglar. As if his pride wasn't wounded enough, now he has to deal with being in the wrong in front of a hot man. This combination naturally leads to him acting out, looking for ways to needle Logan at each meeting. Unfortunately, he may need Logan to get his life back on track. The fellowship will give him a second chance, but only with a hefty down payment-- one Xavier doesn't have. Word on the street is that Logan needs a new sous chef, and Xavier's mom is convinced he's the man for the job.
This book took me on quite a journey right alongside Xavier. What started rocky turned into a beautiful story befitting our protagonist's growth. In the beginning, I appreciated Xavier's reasonable terror at staring down an uncertain future. I was less empathetic about the ways it came out as man-child behavior. It's only when he starts to lower his guard around Logan's easy vulnerability that Xavier can challenge some of his own preconceived notions about home and what success looks like.
In the latter half, we get to see a sweet relationship once it gets rolling. Logan challenges Xavier to shed the hard exterior that he had to grow as a visibly queer, Black man in business school. Once that barrier is gone, he can start to appreciate the little things that he'd pushed away with a sharp, jagged sense of humor. And as Xavier starts to feel more comfortable in his own skin, he has the opportunity to teach Logan something about himself in turn.
I admire how this book takes tropes I don't typically love (age gap, single dad, small town) and gives them a new, better form. The celebration of queer love is a big part of that. I cheered when Logan's preteen daughter punched another girl at a sleepover for being biphobic about her dad. Xavier telling off the girl's mom was an added bonus. It also makes good use of the nearly stream-of-consciousness style of narration that I can find off-putting. By burrowing this deeply into Xavier's mindset, we can understand the monumental shift in his worldview better. From an almost desperate state of success FOMO to an appreciation for space to sit with his own thoughts, it would be hard to believe without seeing the steps he takes to get there.
Pick up this book for a love story about growing up and growing away from external validation. Thanks to Berkley for my copy of this big-hearted queer romance to read and review!...more
"[Leopard people] embrace those things that make us unique or odd. For only in these things can we locate and then develop our most individual abiliti"[Leopard people] embrace those things that make us unique or odd. For only in these things can we locate and then develop our most individual abilities."
This charming middle grade book follows 12-year-old Sunny into a hidden world of juju in Nigeria. Bullied at school for being albino and being born in the US, she is not having a great middle school experience. When her friends Orlu and Chichi suspect she has magical abilities like they do, they introduce her to the life of a Leopard Person. There are difficult lessons and fun moments ahead while Sunny's eyes are opened to the magical world. She and her friends will be asked to take on a mighty task that only they have the unique abilities to handle. They will need to grow as a team and get in touch with their spirit selves to emerge victorious.
I loved the world-building in this story and the focus on how imperfections can become your biggest strengths. I also appreciated our intrepid band of tweens. Their lives are accurately portrayed as awkward and emotional without diminishing all they have to offer. My favorite moment came when Sunny's friends supported her in playing in a "boys-only" soccer tournament. Her joy and adrenaline in finally letting her talent loose on the world gave me a fierce sort of satisfaction....more
From the very start, I could tell that Pride and Protest perfectly captures the Bennett family energy of the source material. I think this is one of mFrom the very start, I could tell that Pride and Protest perfectly captures the Bennett family energy of the source material. I think this is one of my new favorite Pride and Prejudice adaptations for that alone, and there's so much more to love.
Liza's life is not going as she imagined it would. She's a locally popular DJ in DC whose international relations and women's studies degrees aren't being used in full. She's passionate about her community, and though she uses her platform the best she can, she wants to be doing more. To make matters worse, she's been priced out of her apartment and landed back at home with her overbearing family which doesn't really get her (the feeling's mutual).
Meanwhile, Dorsey struggles to see the whole picture. The privilege of money blinds him even as others' expectations fit him ill. Adopted from the Philippines and only thirty, he doesn't look like people-- whether that's Liza or the board of the development company he's been tasked with leading-- expect him to look. He's only in the role because of the tragic car accident that took his parents and older brother from him. Now he's filling the void until his more business-minded little sister is ready to take on the job. His wish to do the family name proud and preserve his mother's charitable works keeps him working even though his interest is lackluster.
Naturally, Liza and Dorsey must clash. And boy do they clash. Dorsey's company is building apartments that exacerbate gentrification in Liza's neighborhood. It's the very issue that made it impossible for her to afford living on her own. When Dorsey is sent to garner goodwill in the community, Liza shows up with protesters. Strap in for Dorsey's elitist belittling of Liza even as her own assumptions about him grate. It's the strength of a good adaptation that even though you know where the story's going, it's stressful AF to see it unfold because the author captures the cringe-y tension so powerfully.
You get the complexities of both leads right away. I think sometimes when rereading Pride and Prejudice, the single POV and my familiarity with the story make it too easy to side with Lizzie, even when I know she's making a mistake in the long run. Right away, Liza's convictions and intelligence shine through, but we also get to see how deeply she misunderstands Dorsey from the get-go and how harshly she judges everyone. It's a more clearly balanced portrayal in that way.
Having both perspectives makes the complexity of the growing feelings between the two that much more delicious. And don't even get me STARTED on the sexual tension because WOW. It features one of the angstiest "only one bed" scenarios I've ever read, and that's saying a lot given its frequency and my deep love of the trope. We also get these lovely, emotional in-between moments as Dorsey and Liza text while going about their own lives and come to truly understand one another. It makes their in-person interactions that much more impactful when they arise. It's a slow, slow burn as Pride and Prejudice demands, and the payoff is sublime.
Beyond delivering on the feelings front, the book is also laugh-out-loud funny. From absurd situations to over-the-top characters (as any Mr. Collins iteration demands), sometimes a laugh just bubbled out of me in a mix of humor and horror as certain scenes unfolded. I'm obsessed. I also want to shout out the specific references to the 2005 movie adaptation, which were MUCH appreciated by this reader. I sense the need for both a reread and rewatch of the source material ASAP.
But I also love what this book represents as its own thing, applying timeless themes to our contemporary society and all its muck. There are big issues like gentrification and racism to contend with, and there are the interpersonal pitfalls of the heart. To tie back into what I said at the start, I think this book's fresh take breathes a new life into all the Bennetts. In particular, Janae gets the full story Jane always deserved. It includes tragedy and suffering, but it shines light on Janae as a whole person, one who's struggled despite the sweet temperament and good looks that have everyone assuming she lives an easy life. The author's thoughtful take on this messy, real family is emphasized in the book's beautiful last line, "The Bennetts would be okay."
Thanks to Berkely for my copy to read and review!...more
What drew me into Better Than Fiction was the unlikely protagonist, Drew Young, who owns a bookstore but hates reading. She became trapped in this livWhat drew me into Better Than Fiction was the unlikely protagonist, Drew Young, who owns a bookstore but hates reading. She became trapped in this living nightmare when her beloved grandmother left Drew the shop in her will. Although her dreams seem farther away than ever, Drew feels honor-bound to continue her grandmother's legacy and maintain the space for the community even though she feels like she's failing.
The love story kicks off when romance author Jasper Williams arrives at the shop for a book club event. Thanks to the meddling of the retirees of the book club, Drew finds herself on a date. What follows is an unusual agreement-- an excuse for the two to explore the romantic attraction between them. Drew will take Jasper to her favorite spots in Colorado for book research, and Jasper will try to help Drew find books to love. Most of their story is pure sugar sweetness, just enjoying their time together and having creative dates. There's minimal angst beyond tension that neither acts on right away. The drama comes from date mishaps that always end in laughter, even if there are tears or even vomit along the way.
The other side of the story comes from Drew's journey with the shop and with her family. Her horrible dad keeps interfering at the store, angry that despite his substantial gains from the will, he lost this one potentially lucrative thing to his daughter. There's also a burgeoning relationship between Drew and her half-sister. Their shared paternity has been alienating rather than an opportunity for shared bonding in the past. Drew has to work at separating the toxicity with her dad from the good thing she could have with her sister. It's also a story about Drew's grief, having lost the woman who helped raise her and loved her best (no offense to her mom but every offense to her dad).
The thing that held me back from enjoying this story is that I found the writing lackluster. The narration has the informal flavor of how a close friend sounds over text when neither of you is trying that hard. It's this almost juvenile shorthand that doesn't sound like real conversation from the outside though it may perfectly suit the participants. This plagues not only the dialogue but the entire story since it's all from Drew's POV. The tone wasn't my only gripe, unfortunately. In terms of the romance, aspects of the journey are declared rather than shown. On each date, we keep being reminded that it's the new best day ever. I don't have a problem with that feeling in theory, but it was a bit mind-numbing to read it again and again like a 2000s Facebook status. I also didn't love being repeatedly told the equivalent of "and then we had a lot of sex" to assure us of how spicy and glorious everything is with minimal effort and zero nuance. And it's an open-door book, so it's not a matter of discomfort with getting descriptive. It just seems like after one scene, the author ran out of creativity to say anything new.
Despite the cute premise and the attempts to engage with big topics like grief and family legacy, this book and I did not get along....more
In Talia Hibbert's last installment of her Ravenswood series, we learn right away that Zach's demi and he's nervous about putting himself out there toIn Talia Hibbert's last installment of her Ravenswood series, we learn right away that Zach's demi and he's nervous about putting himself out there to make online friends who are also ace/arospec. My heart EXPLODED and the book's barely started. But before I go on a full Zach enthusiasm rant, let's talk about Rae, who also deserves all our love.
Rae's a fantasy writer with writer's block, though she refuses to call it that. She's always dreaming up stories and sharing snippets of her latest ideas with her new friend, Zach. She walks by his work with her dog during his break just so she can tell him the next part. But an upcoming conference is bringing her past back with a vengeance, putting a stop to her whirling writer's brain. There, she'll have to interact with a) her ex-husband of 22 years, b) the woman he cheated on her with, and c) their child-- and worst of all, with an avid audience. Rae feels strong and unstoppable in her new life, but she fears that all the onlookers and once friends at this event will only see her as pathetic. There's a GREAT solution for this predicament, but more on that later.
Zach's experiences as an ace-spec person obviously aren't the same as mine because that would be impossible, but there's enough overlap to make me feel many emotions. Let's examine the evidence. 1. He likes banter and has to worry about sending mixed signals that could put him in uncomfortable situations. 2. He's had to go on this tough journey to understand himself and is exhausted at the thought of having to explain his mere existence to others, as well. I cried at the scene where he comes out to his brother. 3. He's also a people pleaser and a helper, but all the advantages others have taken of those simple facts mean deep down... Zach is furious. And he doesn't know how to be. 4. He even loves Teen Titans and dogs and doesn't want kids, so we are basically the same person.
Because of Zach, I got to be a part of ace in-jokes like "Allosexuals, Zach was starting to realize, were fucking obsessed with attraction" when no one can understand him just wanting to be friends with a beautiful woman. It also means I was particularly stressed about a trigger warning provided by the author about an unwanted sexual encounter, expecting more ace mirroring. It's definitely an important plot moment and not just a random opportunity to traumatize the character and reader for the effect. It's handled with care and leads to important conversations and understanding. Also, know that through Rae, we see the emotional abuses of her mother and ex-husband, so both characters are on a difficult road to all the goodness they deserve.
But let's talk about the solution to Rae's upcoming weekend from hell. And HONESTLY who better than one of us (aces) for my favorite trope-- fake dating. When you're practiced at faking already to fit in with the expectations of the dating scene, it's not that big of a deal to pretend to date to help a friend. PLUS imagine getting the fun of dating without worrying there will be pressure for something physical. And trust the ace person to actually want and have a physical boundaries conversation to everyone's benefit. Be still my heart. The good vibes are especially strong since the two are friends going into it rather than random accomplices, and Rae knows that Zach's demi and not (at the start) interested in her beyond that.
And once the romance fully takes off *fans self.* It's an age gap without any of the yucky vibes that can make that trope untenable for me. It delivers on big emotions like the moment when Zach makes Rae a color-coded, annotated schedule for the conference in case she wants one because he values that her mind is elsewhere. And the TENSION tho I mean duh it's Talia Hibbert. Oof. It sparks RIGHT off the page.
I keep reading a new (to me) Talia Hibbert book and saying, "This one's my new favorite," and somehow, it's always true. I felt super seen-- and through the unexpected avenue of a cis man character! Both protagonists have my whole heart, and I foresee this being a comfort reread for dark times. Thanks, as always, to the author for looking after all her readers and treating us so well with her great books....more
The Sevenfold Hunters takes readers on a wild ride alongside a team of trainee alien hunters fractured by a death in their midst. The Sevenfold were tThe Sevenfold Hunters takes readers on a wild ride alongside a team of trainee alien hunters fractured by a death in their midst. The Sevenfold were the most elite team at Carlisle Academy, stacked with legacies whose parents once fought for and now hold prestigious positions on Carlisle's board. The exception is the team's leader, Abyan. Orphaned by the very aliens the school teaches them to fight, it's a personal battle for her. When Sevenfold member Jared dies at the hands of the Nosaru (the aliens) off mission, the team is crushed. And they're not the only ones. He was with his girlfriend, Artemis, rock climbing, when the attack happened, and her world is rocked by the revelation of Jared's secret life and the way he was taken from her. She can't help but feel that the school's response indicates something more sinister is going on. It motivates her to seek entry to the elite academy, not as an aspiring Nosaru hunter, but to find out what Carlisle is hiding about the day Jared died. In a twist, the school assigns Artemis to Jared's old squad, an action that stirs up a lot of animosity towards the new girl. Not only does the new recruit threaten the team's standing in the school's rankings, but she also has the gall to take the space left by their friend, the one they're still mourning. We get the story through two POVs as Abyan and Artemis try to put together all the strange things happening at Carlisle, initially as separate investigators, but eventually as collaborators.
The strongest aspect of this book for me is the Sevenfold team. There's a lot of representation, starting with the fact that there are only two "token straights," a ratio I can get behind. Artemis is bi, and it's always worth noting for me that one of the members is ace. Abyan stands out as my favorite character. She's British Somali, and her lack of upper-crust background is just another way she stands out at Carlisle. Language code-switching is one of the ways she ultimately ends up bonding with Artemis. Abyan is also hijabi, and we see some of the little and big ways her faith has impacted her time at school. For one, she's had to fight to prevent her squad from being assigned missions that would require her to miss prayer. We also see the heart-warming respect she receives from her friends regarding personal boundaries. Her best friend on the team is Hank, and they have a heart eyes will they/won't they vibe. They always have each other's backs, even against the rest of the squad. Their flirtatious banter is top-notch, and I was rooting for them to take the plunge. But while they share intense moments and some adorable friendly hugs to ground each other, Hank respects that Abyan wouldn't be comfortable with further physical intimacy. My final comment re:Team Abyan is that there's some powerful depression representation through her character, showing how she copes (or can't) with the bad days and where they come from. I found it relatable and meaningful, an aspect of her reality woven through the rest, just like mental illness is in real life.
The weaker element of the book for me was the world-building and background components. In terms of relationships, Abyan and Hank have a deep feeling of history between them even if it doesn't play out on the page. But not all the friendships on the team have the same nuanced quality. In some ways, I think that's natural. In other ways, the famed synchronicity of the team feels unsupported even before you get into the specific fractures affecting them this year. For world-building, it feels a bit like a standard alien and evil corporation plot, which isn't necessarily bad but doesn't inspire my enthusiasm. It also leaves room for some plot holes or at least thin explanation since it's relying on common tropes.
In the end, characters and their relationships are more important to me than world-building, and I think these characters have a lot to say. With that in mind, I would pick up a future book about them should it exist to see how things evolve for them. Thanks to Page Street for my copy to read and review!...more
Jane Igharo writes such poignant family stories within her romances, and that was one of my favorite parts of Where We End and Begin-- even when it waJane Igharo writes such poignant family stories within her romances, and that was one of my favorite parts of Where We End and Begin-- even when it was painful. The book guides us through what was once a forbidden romance in high school that crossed class lines between a girl flush with wealth and a boy who's at their high school on scholarship. Now, after over a decade of excruciating estrangement, they're at a crossroads where one path could lead to their second chance... except Dunni is engaged to someone else who doesn't make her happy. And she and Obinna never resolved what happened at the hands of her mother to break them apart twelve years ago. Dunni is only home in Lagos for her friend's wedding (look out for character crossovers from The Sweetest Remedy that I absolutely adored!), and there are deep feelings and history to try and resolve in such a quick timeframe. The author uses a clever, fresh approach where we only hear from Dunni in the present, but all the high school flashbacks come from Obinna's perspective. This creates some intentional holes in the reader's understanding to keep things unsettled.
The book's a bit soapy on the drama level, complete with multiple twists right at the end, which isn't exactly what I anticipate when I pick up a romance book. It was kind of fun. The trade-off is you don't always know why characters are acting in certain ways. Sometimes you can anticipate where it's going, and other times, the author is so sneaky (amazing), that you're confused without considering that there's a part of the story you might not yet know. Sadly, it did take a toll on my investment in the romance specifically because I couldn't understand why our protagonists were feeling certain ways and with such vehemence. In the meantime, you're being treated to some high-level angst involving fate, a blood oath, and some really unhappy parents. Then, with all the activity of twists and turns right at the end, the resolution of the love story felt abrupt in its midst. While I wouldn't necessarily want the final act dragged out, maybe a classic romance time jump epilogue might have helped? It felt like I didn't get to see moments where the two of them were happy together in an uncomplicated way, as a result. Dunni and Obinna talk about the fact that they have a difficult love story, and it's true. Readers should prepare themselves for that kind of journey.
My favorite aspect of the book was Dunni's journey for herself alone. She once gave up control of her life when she was in too much pain, and in the book we see her take it back. After her rebellious teenage years seemingly brought her nothing but suffering and loneliness, she didn't care to keep that fire lit. Her re-evaluation of who she wants to steer her life comes not as a function of the romance. It comes during the final act breakup, turning what can be the most infuriatingly angsty portion of a romance novel into a cathartic experience. We see Dunni spread her wings and care enough about herself to consider her own wants and expend the energy needed to act on them.
This is a book that will linger for me. While angsty second chances aren't my favorite, this one packs an emotional sucker punch by bringing in dramatic twists and high stakes at key moments. It looks unflinchingly at ways we fail ourselves and our loved ones while also offering us hope that no matter those depths, healing is possible. Thanks to Berkley for my copy to read and review!...more
Witchful Thinking takes place in magical Freya's Grove, a seaside small town on the Jersey Shore. Witch Lucy and merman Alex were friends in high schoWitchful Thinking takes place in magical Freya's Grove, a seaside small town on the Jersey Shore. Witch Lucy and merman Alex were friends in high school, but deeper feelings never went anywhere. As their 10-year reunion approaches, Lucy feels boring and stuck. Alex's fiancee just left him because it can't be all fun and games, but that's all Alex seems to want. When Alex comes home to celebrate his birthday, his parents surprise him with the keys to a fixer-upper cottage that may or may not be jinxed (and it definitely has mischievous gnomes at work). Alex doesn't think he's capable of staying still, especially in Freya's Grove, but reconnecting with Lucy makes him waver in his stubborn certainty. Meanwhile, Lucy and her coven (her sisters and cousin) cast a powerful wish spell left behind by their late grandmother. Lucy is embarrassed about writing a boring blurb for the high school reunion. Has she really accomplished so little and lived so small? She wishes for an exciting life, one she'd be proud to write up in a bio. I appreciate that Lucy wishes for things that are a big deal to her but don't fit the brand of what you would expect an "exciting" life to be. She doesn't seek out skydiving or travel or other thrills. She wants a home of her own to decorate (really reaching for the stars in this day and age), a soulmate, to get ambitious with her baking, and to sing karaoke. There's also the matter of running a marathon. And as she pursues each new horizon, it doesn't go perfectly. But she ends up with so much pride for how she pushed herself into a life she's happy to have.
This is an example of where the magical small-town kitsch worked for me. Fairy tale-themed small businesses and neighborly magical beings keep things fun rather than tired. The second chance aspect of the romance was also surprisingly not annoying-- maybe because their first try was more of a missed opportunity. And while Alex's fear of commitment is a major red flag that plays out about how you'd expect, he's endearing enough to make it work. Plus, the angst isn't too drawn out, largely because Lucy is too focused on the wish to get all wallow-y and self-pitying.
Of personal interest to me, the teacher vibes are strong right away from chapter one. Lucy's not "burnt out; she was burnt to a crisp." And she can't turn her teacher persona off even for her little sisters who are grown adults. Same. Younger siblings beware. Even better (for me), she's a secondary teacher, which is a whole different vibe from elementary. While I have ample personal and professional love for your friendly neighborhood kindergarten teacher, teenagers just hit different. Lucy wants to reconnect with the creativity that makes being a teacher fun, and I appreciated the acknowledgment that it's a creative profession, not just a fancy form of babysitting or rote instruction.
My only con is that the storytelling felt a bit disjointed at times. It's better than an infodump, but the background building felt a bit random and clunky when it interrupted a conversation or scene. Sometimes, the banter was also a bit muddled, which is the last place I want to be hard to follow.
This is the first sweet entry in a witchy series. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the coven's wishes play out, and I'm interested in so many townspeople and their potential spinoff love stories. I'm especially intrigued with the challenge the author has set herself by making Ursula the next protagonist since I'm currently pretty pissed at her. Thanks to Forever for my copy to read and review!...more
The second volume of Sleepless starts with a time jump, but it flows from the first part of the story seamlessly. The art is as beautiful as its predeThe second volume of Sleepless starts with a time jump, but it flows from the first part of the story seamlessly. The art is as beautiful as its predecessor's, setting the tone and doing the heavy lifting of world-building. The story's medieval vibes with court intrigue and political backstabbing (sometimes literally) continue. Poppy is as quick-thinking and decisive as ever, looking out for herself when no one else can or will. She and the other characters in the main cast are easy to love. The Princess Rellen remains the only sympathetic portrayal of a character with imperfect skin in a comic or graphic novel that I've come across. She endures mocking for how she looks, but her characterization doesn't include stereotypes like slovenliness or attendant lack of social skill that often appear for characters with less than a perfect, glowing complexion. And last but not least, Cyrenic's loyalty is necessarily turned on its head. Oaths can compel it and honor demand it, but what would Cyrenic choose if the wide world was open to him?
My only complaint is that though we have a nice resolution to the plot, it's rushed. Once Poppy's enemies are revealed, there's a lot of backstory and depth to it that gets glossed over (presumably for the sake of time). This is also true for the romantic plot, a true bummer. A surprise bit of lore pops in, as well, but it doesn't lead anywhere. I'm grateful to have a clear conclusion to Poppy and Cyrenic's story, but the pacing in this second volume didn't do them justice....more
In Untouchable, teenage crushes are reignited when Nate moves back to the small town he grew up in. It's not a place with fond memories, but his mom hIn Untouchable, teenage crushes are reignited when Nate moves back to the small town he grew up in. It's not a place with fond memories, but his mom has been diagnosed with cancer, so he packs up his kids and returns to Ravenswood for the first time as an adult. Hannah was once an over-achieving, unpopular teenager with a crush on Nate. But adulthood isn't exactly going her way. She can't get another job doing what she loves in childcare since she smashed an asshole's car in a brilliant, fiery rage. And while she doesn't regret that magnificent display of vengeance, she misses being able to follow her passion. When Nate is spread too thin, his brother suggests Hannah as a nanny. This employment makes both their lives a million times better, as well as the lives of both of Nate's kids.... but it sure gets in the way of their rampant mutual attraction.
Both protagonists are so easy to love and cheer for. Hannah's a know-it-all with champion-level control of her emotions outwardly but with a big, hot mess of feelings inwardly. And sometimes those feelings explode out into the real world and cause her to (justifiably) flip out at work, toss a marshmallow into her manager's mouth, steal the rest of the marshmallows, and quit. She's Black and bi in a small town where neither trait is welcomed. She's also depressed, and though she's officially managing it, she's also kind of not. Nate has had his own share of struggles with mental health. His wife died in a car accident, leaving him to parent alone. And now there's the added stress of caring for a parent with an uncertain future. His insomnia is coming for him with a vengeance, and he can't keep up with everything alone.
One of the most powerful moments between the love interests is one where Nate talks about his experiences with depression, and Hannah has an emotional breakthrough. So it's not exactly romantic, but I think that's excellent. And don't worry-- there are plenty of ushy gushy romantic moments, too. From crawling into the kids' blanket fort to sneaking around together, there are sweet moments and sexy ones.
The only downside for me was the third act not-quite-breakup, which has a lot of buildup. The employer/employee relationship is the crux of the issue, and that's a trope I generally dislike. While I think the author did an excellent job giving it the thought it's due so that you can be certain there's consent between the characters, it's still a source of unnecessary drama as they try to figure out what to do about the technical power imbalance. The actual fight is short-lived (thank goodness), but the ramping up to it was still painful.
One of the things I most admire about Talia Hibbert (right up there with humor, swoon factor, and general yumminess), is the way she doesn't shy away from big issues with her characters. In addition to the conversations about mental health, grief, and racism in the story, there's also a plot about the misdiagnosis of a chronic illness that packs some serious emotional oomph. While this wasn't my favorite visit to Ravenswood so far, I'm still glad I read it and will definitely come back for more....more
Sleepless is a fantasy comic with intriguing plot and world-building, an intense cliffhanger at the end of the volume, and stunning art and colors.
PopSleepless is a fantasy comic with intriguing plot and world-building, an intense cliffhanger at the end of the volume, and stunning art and colors.
Poppy is the illegitimate daughter of the king, who has just died. During her father's life, she enjoyed a respected position in court. Even so, an assassination attempt by a heretic led her father to bind a talented, loyal soldier to her service as a Sleepless Knight. Cyrenic needs no sleep, constantly vigilant and on guard. This is especially crucial now that Poppy's position is tenuous. With her uncle on the throne, court politics are shifting. Somewhere in that milieu, a person is trying to kill Poppy. It's a fast-paced story with an undercurrent of romance that I want to see develop further in volume two since it holds a lot of promise. There's also a potential friendship that I would like to see grow between two girls that have been pitted against one another.
This is one of those comic masterpieces where I stopped to savor the art. It starts with the color palette, which is earthy and regal. There's a warmth and depth to it that lends itself to the medieval feel. The art includes dazzling clothes, hairstyles, and architecture, which are some of my favorite things to admire in comics. There's a keen attention to detail, and I love that Poppy's identity as a Black woman is celebrated in her many beautiful hair arrangements. I also loved that the characters' emotions are captured so clearly in their facial expressions. It helped me understand each person and their thoughts that went unspoken.
This was a beautiful first volume, and I'm eager to see what else is in store in volume two....more
Murder in Westminster is a Regency-era mystery that includes murder and mayhem along with neighborly enmity and bacon-based dog training. Our protagonMurder in Westminster is a Regency-era mystery that includes murder and mayhem along with neighborly enmity and bacon-based dog training. Our protagonist is Abigail Worthing, a lady of Jamaican and Scottish roots who has the privilege of a well-connected marriage at the cost of an absentee husband. As a Blackamoor woman (the historical term used in the book), Abigail is passionate about using her position to bolster the abolition movement, even though the cause is currently flagging in Parliament. At the beginning of the book, we find Abigail and her cousin sneaking out of the theater to attend a secret abolition meeting. Their evening is cut short after a summons home, and Abigail discovers the woman next door, Juliet Henderson, murdered and hanging on the fence between their properties. It's a passive-aggressive fence that Juliet's husband, Stapleton Henderson, was building to separate the two homes' respective dogs (his well-trained greyhounds and Abigail's terror of a terrier). Abigail can't help but be involved given the location of the murder, but she's also interested in the case as a curious mind who has previously aided the magistrate in solving crime and as a woman whose inherited second sight gave her disjointed premonitions of Juliet's death. Throughout the story, Abigail suspects her neighbor, Mr. Henderson, of the crime even as she is sometimes thrown together with him while investigating. The two have many heated exchanges, seemingly paving the way for a future romance plot.
The two things I most enjoyed about the story were the attention to historic detail and the feminist lens on both Abigail and the victim. The story has a strong regency ambiance and feels very lived-in and well-researched. Meanwhile, Abigail's experiences bring up issues of race and gender through the intersectionality of her own identities. Her wealth and status open doors even as the color of her skin closes others. Society pressures her to be a model citizen, and she fears repercussions for all Black people if she becomes a scapegoat in the murder investigation. Our victim, Juliet, is portrayed as an imperfect but loving woman-- a free spirit who loved theatrics and high passion. She was known for her many extramarital affairs, but this doesn't lead to slut-shaming. In fact, the book directly addresses the likelihood of victim-blaming since she didn't behave as society expected she should. The story portrays all the women in its pages as nuanced people with many wants and relationships pulling them in different directions rather than one-dimensional creatures with limited skills and desires.
My biggest issues while reading were the irritating romance plot and my difficulties in unraveling some of the writing. I found the combustible interactions between Abigail and Henderson tiring-- full of barbs, needling, and hot tempers. There's nothing wrong with it; it's just not my cup of tea. In terms of the plot, people and past events are brought up so casually from the very beginning that I wondered on a few occasions if I had accidentally picked up a sequel in a series. There were also sudden shifts in the action that felt disjointed and nonsensical at times. Characters would make decisions that seemed to be about positioning the plot just so, not about having coherence in terms of the character's motivations and past behavior. This was increasingly a problem near the climax of the tale as the investigation uncovers final clues with abandon and Abigail charges in to unmask a killer.
This is a thoughtful historical mystery with a heroine that will charm readers with her bold investigations and insatiable curiosity. Those who enjoy a mystery that feels part of a larger story or who are excited to kick off a new series about an amateur sleuth should pick this one up. Thanks to Kensington for my copy to read and review!...more
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