Kiraz

Ander & Santi Were Here is an emotional, at times heartbreaking, YA romance. I appreciated this book for everything that it portrays. It's also written beautifully. It was a great YA book about belonging, identity, and immigration. I would consider this an important read, especially for its target audience, young adults.

Ander is a mural artist and struggles with figuring out the balance between doing Mexican style art because it's expected of them vs because they actually want to. I really enjoyed the nuance of their dilemma around their art, and their advisor who was being racist under the disguise of being helpful. Not all racism is blatant and bad-intentioned. I enjoyed that Ander being non-binary was not a big deal within the story and how supportive their family was.

The biggest conflict in the book comes from Santi's immigration status. The uncertainties and instability of being undocumented with the threat of deportation always hanging over their head were portrayed honestly. I appreciated that a YA romance didn't shy away from covering these realities that you'd be more likely to see in adult fiction.

On the other hand, I really didn't enjoy the romance aspects of the book. I felt Santi had no real personality. We have no idea about his interests, hobbies, what kind of person he is... They have an instant love connection and the rest is history. I couldn't tell you why Ander was interested in him at all. Though, their romance was quite tender, heartwarming and cute.

I also couldn't stand Ander. This could very well be because I'm quite far from my teenage days, but I found them annoying because of how immature and angsty they were while also making very adult decisions, plus I found their obsession with being a “puta” a bit off putting.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to St Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

Overall rating: 4.5⭐️

This book gave me Well Met vibes but make it YA, since they both take place in a ren faire and involve a person who has a deep emotional connection to it because of similar reasons. Though this could also be because that's the only other book I've read set in a ren faire

Rating: 4.5⭐️ rounded up

This is the second book I read by this author, and I am once again amazed by how she weaves folklore and trauma together to create deeply meaningful stories. If you get into this book as a fantasy romance, you might be disappointed, because it isn't really that. This is a story about racism, colorism, ecotourism, colonialism, trauma and healing with fantastical elements that were inspired by Jamaican folklore and a sprinkle of romance that is mostly there as a vehicle for the MC.

Most of the negative reviews I've seen of this book couldn't look past the weak romance, because it's insta love, and a little cheesy/unbelievable at times. However, IMO, romance is not the point of this at all. Thorn's love helps support her when she really needs it, helps her find her strength, and helps her heal, but it is not supposed to be the greatest deepest love of her life, that is the jungle. Though what I did really appreciate about Thorn was how fully he trusted her and gave her space to be the powerful badass Wildblood she is.

The jungle was probably my favorite part of this world, with its ghosts, deadly animals and a siren-like river spirit. I loved the bond between the jungle, its inhabitants and Victoria. I could read a whole separate cozy fantasy book set in this jungle.

Victoria is a great MC, she is strong willed, loving, selfless and powerful. She's trying to survive in a brutal world. Her abusive boss, and ex best friend force her on an excursion that goes against everything she knows is right, but she also believes this is the only way to get those she loves a better life. Throughout this excursion, there are times you just want her to destroy every human, but her vengeance is more nuanced, as she's trying to figure out where her moral lines lie. Her character development is beautiful to see from beginning to end, seeing her be able to assert herself, fully embrace her badassery, and heal at least some of her trauma in the process.

The other Wildbloods were very nuanced characters as well. All having gone through similar trauma, it's difficult to put them in a box of good guy or bad guy, really making you feel the dilemma that Victoria is put in at times that she holds their fate in her hands.

That ending!! The ending completely makes this book. Everything I was unsure about while reading was wrapped up meaningfully at the end. It was beautiful and a little sad. But it was the best ending this book could have had, the one I would want for Victoria.

I found this book impossible to put down, with so many emotional, meaningful and gripping moments, I read it in one sitting. However it's also not an easy read, it tackles a lot of deep and heavy issues, (you might want to check the CWs before reading).

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

This was a true cozy mystery with its setting, characters, the sleuthing... And a great mystery to solve to boot! I quite enjoyed reading this book. It's a perfect read to cozy up under a blanket thanks to its snowy setting.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I have a soft spot for time loop stories for some reason. I found it hard to put down. The romance was cute, their run-ins were fun,

I really liked how this book took a unique approach to the Groundhog Day trope. Instead of following a person who keeps repeating the same day, we see the person who's impacted by someone else's time loop.

I liked how the romance was focused on them as separate people as well as them as a unit. The magic of the loop specifically works because of where they are in their lives, and help each other see and achieve what they want out of life.

The one down side of the way the time loop was handled was that the MMC is already in love with the FMC before the book starts, and we don't really get to see why or how this happens. The rest of the book is focused on the FMC figuring out if she can believe him, if she can love him, if she's ready for a relationship etc.

I really liked the side characters, the BFF, the brother, the coworkers, even the scientist. They were endearing and were great additions to the story.

Her broken relationship with her dad is a big part of the story as well. I couldn't tell if her dad was actually a bad father/person, or if her perception of that was very broken. Nothing about their interactions seemed to justify their current relationship. But I don't want to discount years of issues that might have happened. In general though, the book and the characters in it have the stance that family is family, and we should keep our relationship.

Thank you to Dutton Books, Penguin Books and NetGalley for the eARC!
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Narration: Third person present tense, single POV
Diversity: transmasc MC and author, mlm romance, anxiety, ADHD.

This was such a cuuuute romance! There's rivals to lovers, there's secret dating, there's so much pining! there's mental health discussions, there's washing each other's hair, there's holding while crying...

If I summarized this book in one word it'd be hope. Letting yourself hope, and having the courage to reach for the things you want.

I loved Gene, the MC. He's a ray of positivity for everyone but himself and wants to make sure everyone else is happy, while struggling with letting himself be happy. There were some parts in the book where he talks about the difference between hoping and wanting, and what he will and won't let himself do. It felt so precious and real.

Luis, is a sweetheart of a love interest. He is a bit shy and keeps to himself, especially because of his anxiety. But despite that, it felt like he was a lot more open to love than Gene was. I loved how even though they both cared for one another, Luis felt like he was ready to commit fully from the get go.

And I loved these two together. It's possible it got a bit codependent at times, but like I'm more okay with that in romances? There was just so much love and support between these two. I pointed out a few instances at the very top, but believe me, they're really cute together.

I also thought the third act breakup was done well and made sense within the story. It didn't make me angry at all!

This was a beautiful, at times difficult story of two teenagers' struggles with mental health, how they find each other, help each other and themselves. TIt's about healing, and all the winding messy roads that lead towards and away from it. Despite the heavier topics, it is also a cute and fun read at many turns. I couldn't put it down, read it in a day. I couldn't put it down, read it in a day.

While the romance is a big chunk of the story, the main focus of the book is both of them trying to find healthier ways of dealing with their brain chemistry imbalance. At the beginning of the book, Shelbi is further along in her journey to mental health. While Walter is still in denial about his problems, Shelbi is very aware hers, but is dealing with them by avoiding most things in life, even friends.

Genre: Fiction
Pub date: April 9
Narration: Third person past tense, dual timeline & POV
Diversity: gay main character
Rating: 3.7 ⭐

This is such a perfect book for book lovers. The story is about a fellowship of puzzlemakers (duh), and actually it has a few puzzles (like cryptograms and mazes) for you to solve along with the characters.

This was a very heartwarming story of found family, sense of community, going after what you want in life, and PUZZLES. All the characters are loveable and quite flawed. The book covers two timelines and perspectives, one, Pippa covering the forming of the fellowship up to the baby on the doorstep, and the other, after Pippa, who's been the abandoned baby's mother figure for 25 years passes away.

I really enjoyed reading this book but it is a bit slow. I think the main reason for it is that the premise of the book didn't fully start until about halfway through. And soon enough it was obvious what the “solution” to the mystery was gonna be, so that plotline never felt gripping, though I enjoyed the journey.

I really enjoyed the non-mystery aspects of the book. I loved reading about the forming and then the tribulations of the fellowship. I loved the romance plotline. I feel like I would have enjoyed the book more if it was just about those relatively mundane things. Though I did appreciate that the mystery forced the main character to get out of their shell and go on a small adventure, open their door to possibilities.

I loved the focus on different kinds of love, and their importance to our lives, like friendship, self-love, familial love...

It was also really enjoyable to read a book about a group of people who are so clearly passionate about their hobbies, and find a community within that. It really made me wish this was a real place I could visit, and real people I could meet.

If you liked books like Remarkably Bright Creatures and The Lost Ticket, and want a slower paced book with puzzles, this is the book for you!

Thank you Vintage Anchor, Doubleday and NetGalley for the eARC!

3.8ish? Full review to come but for now, it read much more junior than middle grade, might be something for parents to read together with their elementary school kids (or out loud) and discuss.

Quite repetitive and kinda preachy fable. But there's a lot of great messages here, a clear dig at Trump and his politics. Also messages against xenophobia, discrimination, greed. It's all about giving, power of community, and especially love of books. I did connect with the characters and a few scenes got me worried and almost teary eyed.

Quick thoughts: Really enjoyed this one! I loved the stories from both of the timelines, which is rare. I loved many of the characters. Many flawed people. Good weaving of cozy mystery with some suspense. Not super easy to figure out. I liked the small buds of romance in it too. I would absolutely read the next book if it becomes a series.

I loved this romance. I was so fully invested in it, I couldn't put it down from start to finish. Literally kept reading while at a concert. It's spicy, it's sweet. I loved the characters, the setting, the premise, the tropes... all of it.

If you love a guy who falls harder and faster, spicy romances, or any of the tropes listed in the slides, then you should definitely check this book out.

Funnily enough this is not the first enemies to lovers romance I read this year where both characters work on weddings, the guy's career goes differently than expected, one of them is a wedding planner, and they do the deed in a closet during a wedding.

I liked this one more though. Any guesses for what the other one was?

This book is about an author talking about writing a mystery, and then a murder happens when he's at an author event so in a way you're reading him write the book within the book, while also reading the book within the book, while really, you're reading and trying to solve the main mystery. The fourth wall is practically non-existent in this book while the author always talks to you, the reader, directly, and promises to never hide anything.

The fourth wall is practically non-existent while Ernest, the author, always talks to you, the reader, directly, and promises to never hide anything. He's playing with his cards open. He also gives hints along the way and tells you about how a mystery should be written, while also trying to stick to those rules himself. It's a marvelous journey literally, figuratively and literary-ly.

This is book 2 in a series, I didn't really feel like I missed anything by jumping in at this point. Reading this did make me wanna go back and read book #1 though. And I'll absolutely be reading the next book in the series.

This might be the funniest, wittiest mystery I've ever read. The book is so meta, and the humor is so on point, it was an absolute hoot to read. I laughed out loud at many points throughout the book. The kind of self aware meta-narration + humor this book adopts is so smart, it really tickled my brain in the right spot. I was so delighted while reading it.

This is a must read if you like cozy mysteries. There were many nods to Agatha Christie, starting with The Orient Express. But it also subverts some of those expectations many times, with a wink and a nudge.

The main character is not the most loveable, nor is he the smartest. He's definitely no Poirot, he makes mistakes, makes wrong assumptions. I got annoyed at times because of it, but since he's also always very forthcoming, I can see how the mystery wouldn't be so mysterious if he was brilliant. The author within the book promises to never hide anything, and never lie to the reader so that we can be on the journey with him and try to solve it alongside him.

I solved the mystery about halfway through the book, but there were still a few unexpected twists, and thanks to the way it's written it never felt boring.

This is a really great mystery with a big cast of characters with varying levels of loveability. And the fact that most of them are authors makes it even more awesome, since I always love reading books set in the world of books.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed reading this book, once I started I couldn't put it down. In Hello Stranger Sadie has an accident that causes to her to have face blindness. As an portrait artist, this causes to her relearn many things like recognizing/interacting with people and her whole artistic process. It also causes a comedy of errors around her new crushes.

Overall rating: 3.8 ⭐

This was such a cute YA romance filled with found family, music and warmth. Like in any other Tashie Bhuiyan book, there's great mental health representation, and difficult parental relationships, though this one takes the latter much further.

If you have not yet been introduced to Tashie Bhuiyan's wonderful YA romances, you're missing out! Counting Down With You is still my favorite, but this is amazing as well, especially if you like the found family trope or the music world.

This was my first book by this author, but I'll definitely be continuing the series! The Tainted Cup is at first a conventional mystery, but it's set in a fantastical world with a threat of leviathans looming. There is lots of intrigue, some politics and plenty of murder!

Narration: First person past tense, single POV
Diversity: bi main character with dyslexia

In Right On Cue two actors that had worked together in a movie a decade ago, where their failed almost romance tanked their performances and the movie, end up working together again in a romance. Even though they butt heads a lot initially, and almost ruin the movie once again, as they spend more time on romantic scenes, the romance between the two actors blossoms.

I really struggled with rating this because I had such polar opposite reactions to different aspects of this book. The middle part could have been as high as a 5⭐️ but the end was low as 2⭐️.

Genre: Romantasy
Narration: Third person past tense, single POV
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The Undermining of Twyla is the second book in this world. This is a romantasy book that's heavier on the romance than the fantasy, though it does involve some adorable dragons. Twyla and Frank are the main characters. They've both been in marriages before, they have kids, and are pretty settled in life as marshals. When a coworker is found dead, and dragons are possibly involved, they get pulled into figure out the mystery of both these creatures and the death.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, more than this one.

Note: While this is marketed as When Harry Met Sally I don't see any parallels between these two other than that they're both friends to lovers. This isn't good or bad, it's just is. But don't go into it expecting WHMS vibes.

Read this if you: really liked the first book and want to see the continuation of that story in the same world, love friends to lovers with a slow burn, wanna enjoy a romance with older characters than usual.

This was such a cute fake dating romance (one of my fave tropes) with a sloooow burn. I really enjoyed reading this beginning to end!

Narration: Third person past tense, dual POV
Diversity: both MCs are Indian American with immigrant parents

The Framed Women of Ardmore House is about Jo who inherits an estate along with its mercurial groundskeeper and is thrown into the mystery of the family history as well as a murder that happens in her new house.

Read if you like: small town settings, British mysteries, ancestral(?) mysteries (I might have made this up), very mild will they won't they, flawed characters
Narration: Third person past tense, dual perspective
Diversity: Autistic main character

This was a very enjoyable read for me. Especially once the mystery started, it was difficult to put down.

Listen for the Lie is about Lucy who everyone in her hometown is convinced was involved in the murder of her friend. 5 years later she's now distanced herself from what happened in many ways, until a podcast starts covering the murder, pulling her back in.

What can I say other than the hype is definitely real and well earned. It was not just a great book but a fantastic listening experience as well. I had so much fun reading this book that I was listening to it until 6am the day before a work conference when I'd have to wake up a mere 2 hours later. I just couldn't put it down. It built up and up and I just had to know where it was going.

From the first few chapters I knew this was gonna be a very fun read and I immediately messaged my mystery loving friends to pick it up when it gets released.

First off, I highly recommend reading this as an audiobook. The narration is done really well, easy to distinguish the characters by the various voices January LaVoy and Will Damron gave them but most importantly, the podcast bits feel like a true podcast in the audiobook making it an even more immersive experience.

The main character's wry humor and delivery were fantastic. Beyond being a fun character to read it also really added to all the suspicions and the feeling that she doesn't really fit in. Her grandmother was such a sweetheart and possibly the only character who wasn't highly flawed.

I loved the way Amy Tintera slowly undid the layers of the mystery, having the main character give us tidbits here and there, as well as the many great reveals by the podcast. It's not easy to make an amnesia plotline feel not cliche but this really worked in my opinion.

The twists were twisting and made me exclaim “I knew it!” or “No way!” spontaneously, making my husband jump.

The book also covers many different types of shitty relationships, with parents or significant others, from abuse, to gaslighting and cheating.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!

If you liked The Appeal, this is a great peek into the lives of the Fairway Theater players. It's is a novella sequel to the amazing first book. The format is in the same style, detectives are reading over emails of everyone involved in a mystery and trying to figure out what the mystery and its solution is.

This format is great because it makes you feel like one of the detectives, plus it's also really easy to read. At times it feels like reading a reality TV episode, since you get to hear everything they're up to, what they say behind each others' backs and so on.

Knowing that something will go wrong the whole time (since the detectives are told so at the very beginning) really puts you on edge to try to see when it's gonna happen. However, I do think this is focused on the interpersonal relationships and the troupe drama more than the mystery for most of the book. And there's plenty of drama! So much backstabbing, gossiping, ulterior motives, and everyone wanting to be in the limelight... It's all delicious!

I do wish the mystery was a bit more involved but I suppose it makes sense with the length of the book. As well as the cozy vibes.

This is the perfect fun Christmas read with a sprinkle of mystery and lots of drama, especially for fans of The Appeal or epistolary books.

Thank you so much to Atria Books and Netgalley for the eARC!

Narration: First person past tense, dual POV
Representation: Set in Ireland, Irish/Gaeilge language, main character with a stutter, demisexual main character

What happens when the epitome of the sunshine of the grumpy/sunshine fame moves next to a funeral home? What happens when the kinda grumpy (mostly introverted) owner of the funeral home melts down his defenses in the face of such insistent sunshine?

Lark is grappling with the loss of her husband and is not ready for a relationship. She feels a bit unmoored at the beginning of the book and throughout, Callum, new friends, and her job help her settle in and grow roots. The exploration of her grief was done very well.

I liked Callum the most in this book. He's very good at pushing people away and usually seems pretty serious, but with Lark he's himself, he's vulnerable, he's adventurous, he can be silly. I love a book partner that let's love into their heart easily. He's so genuinely sweet, it's hard not to love him as the reader.

The two were very sweet together. I loved their interactions, how they're there for one another, how even when they weren't dating, it was clear to everyone else that they were or would be. This is a bit of a slow burn, even after they both realize they're interested in one another, mostly because of Lark's misgivings about being in a relationship. You see them be infatuated then slowly fall in love, you see that love slowly erode their hard edges and you see them grow until they're ready to let one another in.

I liked a lot of the side characters as well, especially the old lady Maeve. I love how she and Lark bond over their losses and how she helps Lark in profound ways.

The villain of the story feels a bit extreme. This whole plotline felt unnecessary as is, and could have been much better if it was handled with more nuance. Neither Lark nor her coworker friends stand up for her as she's being bullied until something very clear-cut happens and that didn't feel right.

I also loved reading about Irish language and mythology!

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Rating: 4.5⭐

Thank you so much to the author Stephanie Archer for sending me an ARC of her lovely book! These are my honest opinions.

This was easily one of my favorite contemporary romances of the year so far. It was sweet, funny, romantic and quite steamy!

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This is my second book by this author. First being Fake Dates and Mooncakes which I absolutely loved. Just like the first book, this is a YA romance between two boys, very rich in Chinese culture, with a sweet and heartwarming romance.

I liked both of the characters in this book independently, though they're a bit melodramatic at times, I think that comes with the territory of such a story. I was really invested in both of their storylines. Zhen, selfless to a fault; Xian, headstrong. I enjoyed how Xian grows and bends with Zhen's love and learns to be more compassionate.

However, I did have trouble getting into the supernatural aspect of their romance. It's in the name, so this is not really fully the book's fault. I'm not sure how much I'd be into any romance that involves a snake spirit. But let's just say the book didn't really help make it feel less weird, at least in the first half. The romance is pretty much insta love, and it's unclear why these two characters are infatuated with one another past their looks.

When I let myself pretend they were both human, their connection was very delicate and beautifully woven. How their bond strengthens over time and how they start to completely trust each other is truly lovely.

So despite and because of these, by the end, I found myself fully invested in the romance, and was at the edge of my seat trying to find out if they would end up together. There might have been a few tears shed.

The fantasy/action aspects of this book were mostly focused on the second half of the book. A lot of betrayals and twists and at no point did I know who was gonna survive.

I also really enjoyed a bunch of the side characters, especially the best friends of the two main characters. And appreciated that even the side characters got a good amount of growth here.

I do wish there was more urgency at the beginning of the book towards the main character's goals. I think this would have helped with the pacing, since the second half rushes by quite fast, but the first half drags a bit more.

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Overall rating: 3.7 ⭐

Genre: YA/NA Fiction (kinda like a romance but make it platonic)
Pub date: TODAY! (April 16)
Narration: First person present tense, dual POV
Diversity: aroace, nonbinary, Chinese American main characters
Rating: 3.6⭐

Dear Wendy is about two students at Wellesley who both give relationship/life advice anonymously on instagram to their fellow students. But one in a sincere and thorough way (Sophie) and the other in a sarcastic and funny way (Jo). They quickly become rivals, while becoming friends in real life. They're also both aroace (aromantic and asexual).

This felt like a nod to many of the romcoms of my life growing up, (Jo's last name is even Ephron!) but in a platonic friendship way. The main story is inspired by You've Got Mail.

I loved that the main message of this book was that you don't need a romantic relationship to have love and fulfillment in your life. How important friendships and the feeling of belonging can be, and how love is not reserved just for romance. This is good to internalize not just for aromantic people but alloromantics as well. I loved how much the two main characters cared about each other, and their budding friendship felt genuine. It also showed how much finding people who are similar to you can make you feel accepted in a special way.

I also really appreciated all the different representations in the book, both a-spec and not. There were trans characters, sapphic characters, demisexual and so on. Sophie has known she's aroace for a while but for Jo it's much newer. This offers nuanced takes into navigating a world that often prioritizes romance.

There were two main aspects I didn't enjoy. But I don't want that to take away from the fact that it's also a very valuable book to read and exist. I'd highly recommend this book, especially if you wouldn't be bothered by the following.

My main issue with it is how much Jo is working against her friends for most of the book. Friendships are incredibly important to me, which is why I greatly appreciated the importance the book gives friendships, but I hated Jo for their thoughts and actions for most of the book. (small spoiler) They do eventually own up to the fact that they messed up, and I think their feelings do make sense with them coming to terms with their aroace identity, but it was painful for me to read those parts.

The other thing I didn't love was their online feud. Especially when it was more one sided, it genuinely felt like bullying and made me very uncomfortable to root for the character(s). Not cute, not funny, just rude. I would have immediately blocked them.

There are other aspects of this book I could nitpick, like some conversations that could have gone a bit deeper, how the third act breakup was unnecessary, but these were smaller issues that didn't impact my overall enjoyment.

Thank you to Macmillan Books, Feiwel and Friends and NetGalley for the eARC!