Mini Monday: Sunshine Is Forever by Kyle T. Cowan

I've realized that I have a LOT of drafts from years ago. Most of them are short reviews that I never actually got around to posting. To get them out of my drafts and into posts that I can share with you, I've decided that on Mondays I am going to post one until my drafts are cleaned out. Without further ado, welcome to my first Mini Monday!

Sunshine is Forever by Kyle T. Cowan

Goodreads Synopsis

After a life-changing decision, Hunter decides that he can’t go on…

…which lands him in Camp Sunshine, a rehab center for depressed teens. Hunter is determined to keep everyone there out of his head, especially his therapist. But when he meets Corin, a beautiful, mysterious, and confident fellow camper, all Hunter wants to do is open up to her, despite the fact that he’s been warned Corin is bad news.

When Corin devises a plan for them to break out of the camp, Hunter is faced with the ultimate choice — will he run from the traumatic incident he’s tried so hard to escape, or will he learn that his mistakes have landed him right where he’s meant to be?

Sunshine is Forever captures the heartbreaking spirit of The Fault in Our Stars, the humor of Orange is the New Black, and the angst of Catcher in the Rye.

Thoughts

I struggled a little to get through this book. The author tackled the very difficult subject matter of depression and suicide, and I would love to say that it was handled well, but a lot of the time, the writing was repetitive, and the story became boring to me at times.

One aspect that I did enjoy was the intimate relationship in this book. It could be described as insta love, but I didn’t mind it. To me it felt like two teenagers clinging to each other while they struggled to navigate their lives and mental health. I think it’s fair to say that they probably would have found a way to cling to anything that may have made them feel some kind of escape from their personal darkness, and I think that that is a feeling that a lot of people can resonate with.

Overall, I did not feel captivated in any way by this story, even though I did enjoy the relationship dynamics occasionally. I wouldn’t say I definitely don’t recommend this book, but it definitely wasn’t for me.

Mini Review: You May Now Kill The Bride by Kate Weston

Title: You May Now Kill The Bride

Author: Kate Weston

Publisher: Random House Trade

Pages: 352 pages

Publication date: May 14, 2024

Intro (Goodreads synopsis)

The bride-to-be drops dead at her bachelorette weekend, with all of her bridesmaids as suspects for her murder, in this wry thriller full of deadly twists and characters you'll love to hate.
Who will be left standing when the bouquet is thrown?

Lauren, Saskia, Dominica, Farah and Tansy have been best friends since grade school. They wonder if that was the last time they all actually liked each other. As adults, their lives have splintered. Farah is engaged and is fast becoming a complete bridezilla. Dominica's a successful divorce attorney with no time for anything but work. Tansy runs a vegan cafe and is preparing for a shotgun marriage to awful Ivan. Lauren has had a total “failure to launch” in her career and love life, consumed by a man who has spent years stringing her along. Saskia has married into wealth and a different circle of friends in a fancy part of London. Some days it seems that the only thing holding the group together is an event that happened in their youth twenty years ago—an incident they’ve all sworn secrecy about to protect each other.

When the group is reunited at Tansy’s bachelorette-cum-wellness-retreat weekend, it doesn’t take long for old grudges to surface. Then the bride-to-be chokes to death on a poisoned drink, and all of the bridesmaids are suspects.

Kate Weston explores the complexities of female friendship in this searingly funny, page-turning thriller. One of these bridesmaids may be a killer, and the group had better watch their sash-covered backs, because your oldest friends aren’t always your closest…

My thoughts

I think you'll like this book if you're trying to find a quick story that you're not going to take super seriously. I really wouldn't say that any of the characters were particularly likeable, but I was just interested enough in the shenanigans that the women got up to that I kept reading through until the end, and overall I had a good time. If you are a fan of Young Rich Widows (review here) or other humorous women's fiction, you'll probably enjoy this read.

Summer Reading Quick Reviews

I haven't been great at keeping up with my reviews lately because back towards the end of April I managed to break my thumb while I was trying not to step on my dog. Mavis is fine. My thumb, however, required surgery to fix, and I was off work for six weeks. The silver lining to that incredibly lame start to my summer is that I was able to knock a few books off my TBR, I I just wasn't able to review them, given that my thumb was being held into place by a couple of pins and a splint. But now that I am pins and splint free I can finally catch up on my reviews. I only have a few brief thoughts on each of them so I have decided to put them all into this one post, so without further ado, here are my thoughts on my summer reading choices so far.

Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah

Goodreads Synopsis

The town of Bishop is known for exactly two things: recurring windstorms and an endless field of sunflowers that stretches farther than the eye can see. And women—missing women. So when three more women disappear one stormy night, no one in Bishop is surprised. The case is closed and their daughters are left in their dusty shared house with the shattered pieces of their lives. Until the wind kicks up a terrible secret at their mothers’ much-delayed memorial.

With secrets come the lies each of the girls is forced to confront. After caring for the other girls, Delilah would like to move on with her boyfriend, Bennett, but she can’t bear his touch. Whitney has already lost both her mother and her girlfriend, Eleanor, and now her only solace is an old weathervane that seems to whisper to her. Jude, Whitney's twin sister, would rather ignore it all, but the wind kicks up her secret too: the summer fling she had with Delilah's boyfriend. And more than anything, Bo wants answers and she wants them now. Something happened to their mothers and the townsfolk know what it was. She’s sure of it.

Bishop has always been a strange town. But what the girls don’t know is that Bishop was founded on blood—and now it craves theirs.

My Thoughts

I loved the premise of this book. Stories about spooky towns always have my heart. Add in some mysterious  disappearances and usually I am sold, but execution wise, this story fell short for me. I feel as though the characters lacked depth, which made it very hard to feel engrossed in the story. I think this may be do, in part, to the frequent changes in POV and the short chapters. It was difficult for me to connect to the characters and feel attached to the story. Not my favourite read this year, but definitely not bad. The atmosphere was there, which I loved, but the characters and their development just missed the mark for me.

Night of the Living Queers: Thirteen Tales of Terror Delight by Shelly Page, Alex Brown, Ryan Douglass, Kalynn Bayron, Sara Farizan, Kosoko, Jackson, Tara Sim, Rebecca Kim Wells, Trang Thanh Tran, Vanessa Montalban, Em X. Liu, Maya Gittelman, Ayida Shonibar, 

Goodreads synopsis

No matter its name or occasion, Halloween is more than a Hallmark holiday, it’s a symbol of transformation. NIGHT OF THE LIVING QUEERS is a YA horror anthology that explores how Halloween can be more than just candies and frights, but a night where anything is possible. Each short story will be told through the lens of a different BIPOC teen and the Halloween night that changes their lives forever. Creative, creepy, and queer, this collection will bring fresh terror, heart, and humor to young adult literature.

Contributors include editors Alex Brown and Shelly Page, Kalynn Bayron, Ryan Douglass, Sara Farizan, Maya Gittelman, Kosoko Jackson, Em Liu, Vanessa Montalban, Ayida Shonibar, Tara Sim, Trang Thanh Tran, and Rebecca Kim Wells.

My Thoughts

This was such a fun read. I am a BIG Halloween girl, so I am always in the mood for anything that's going to make the Halloween season feel a little bit closer, and this did not disappoint. Each story was uniquely unsettling. My only gripe is wishing that the stories were a little bit longer, so I could stay in the spooky little universes that the authors created for a little bit longer. Overall, if you're looking to feel Halloween vibes a little earlier this year, I definitely suggest picking this one up.

Everything The Darkness Eats by Eric LaRocca

Goodreads Synopsis

Evil waits for the unsuspecting in the small town of Henley’s Edge, Connecticut after a recent string of unexplained disappearances.

Lives are interwoven and transformed forever when pacts are drawn, deals are made, and when hatred is left unrestrained.

Some will succumb to the darkness that lurks in the cellar of Mr. Heart Crowley’s home, others will resist, and some will face a truly remarkable being—creator of tides, vessel of infinity, eater of darkness.

My Thoughts

I really struggled with this one. Overall the writing style wasn't for me. There was an abundance of metaphors and similes in every paragraph, which I am usually not too picky about, but they were so frequent that they were distracting and the flow and paragraphs felt congested and bogged down. If I wasn't listening to an audiobook, I feel like I may have started skimming paragraphs to get through the congested writing. 

I also found that there were very violent scenes that didn't serve any narrative purpose in the long run, and were seemingly were included for some kind of shock factor. I understand that some people enjoy a little shock factor darkness, but it wasn't for me. Overall, I had pretty high hopes for this novella, but it fell short for me.

A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost

 

Goodreads Synopsis

If there’s one trait that makes someone well suited to comedy, it’s being able to take a punch—metaphorically and, occasionally, physically.

From growing up in a family of firefighters on Staten Island to commuting three hours a day to high school and “seeing the sights” (like watching a Russian woman throw a stroller off the back of a ferry), to attending Harvard while Facebook was created, Jost shares how he has navigated the world like a slightly smarter Forrest Gump.

You’ll also discover things about Jost that will surprise and confuse you, like how Jimmy Buffett saved his life, how Czech teenagers attacked him with potato salad, how an insect laid eggs inside his legs, and how he competed in a twenty-five-man match at WrestleMania (and almost won). You’ll go behind the scenes at SNL and Weekend Update (where he’s written some of the most memorable sketches and jokes of the past fifteen years). And you’ll experience the life of a touring stand-up comedian—from performing in rural college cafeterias at noon to opening for Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall.

For every accomplishment (hosting the Emmys), there is a setback (hosting the Emmys). And for every absurd moment (watching paramedics give CPR to a raccoon), there is an honest, emotional one (recounting his mother’s experience on the scene of the Twin Towers’ collapse on 9/11). Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television, and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy—with a face you can’t help but want to punch.

My Thoughts

I loved this memoir. I am a huge fan of Jost on SNL, so when I saw that he had written a book, I knew I had to get my hands on it. It was funny and touching and overall a delightful read. I could just hear his voice in my head while reading, so if you're a fan on seeing Jost on Weekend Update every Saturday night, this book is for you.

Dead Girls Can't Tell Secrets by Chelsea Ichaso

Title: Dead Girls Can't Tell Secrets

Original title: The Dark Way Down

Author: Chelsea Ichaso

Expected publication date: April 5, 2022

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 204

Goodreads synopsis

Piper's fall was no accident. Did someone want her dead? It's up to her sister to discover the truth in this shocking new thriller with an unreliable narrator, from the acclaimed author of Little Creeping Things.

Piper Sullivan was in a strange hiking accident last month and has been in a coma ever since. Her older sister, Savannah, can't pretend to be optimistic about it; things look bad. Piper will likely never wake up, and Savannah will never get any answers about what exactly happened.

But then Savannah finds a note in Piper's locker, inviting Piper to a meeting of their school's wilderness club...at the very place and on the very day that she fell. Which means there was a chance that Piper wasn't alone. Someone might've seen something. Worse, someone might've done something. But who would want to hurt the perfect Piper Sullivan...and why?

To discover the truth, Savannah joins the club on their weekend-long camping trip on the same mountain where her sister fell. But she better be careful; everyone in the club is a suspect, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets about that tragic day.

And Savannah? She's been keeping secrets, too...

Quick thoughts

I had a hard time getting all the way through this book. I was looking forward to a twisty thriller like the synopsis seems to have promised but overall the plot and pacing fell flat for me. 

However, most of my lack of enthusiasm comes from not being overly interested in any of the characters, especially Piper and Savannah. Piper was painted as the typical smart and all around perfect little student, which we've all read probably an uncountable amount of times, and she seemed to lack an actual personality beyond that, even in the flashback style chapters. As for Savannah, most of the time she came off as obnoxious to me, and it's hard to believe that she would even be able to convince anybody to want to be her friend, much less help her figure out what happened to Piper on the night of her incident. I understand that she's supposed to be an unreliable narrator, which I usually love to read, but overall I don't think her voice or general tone was a great fit for the story. 

Overall this was not the right book for me, but if you're looking for a quick thriller it might be a good fit for you.

A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers That Used Them by Neil Bradbury

Title: A Taste For Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them

Author: Neil Bradbury, phD

Expected publication date: February 1, 2022

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 304

Goodreads synopsis

A brilliant blend of science and crime, A TASTE FOR POISON reveals how eleven notorious poisons affect the body--through the murders in which they were used.

As any reader of murder mysteries can tell you, poison is one of the most enduring—and popular—weapons of choice for a scheming murderer. It can be slipped into a drink, smeared onto the tip of an arrow or the handle of a door, even filtered through the air we breathe. But how exactly do these poisons work to break our bodies down, and what can we learn from the damage they inflict?

In a fascinating blend of popular science, medical history, and true crime, Dr. Neil Bradbury explores this most morbidly captivating method of murder from a cellular level. Alongside real-life accounts of murderers and their crimes—some notorious, some forgotten, some still unsolved—are the equally compelling stories of the poisons involved: eleven molecules of death that work their way through the human body and, paradoxically, illuminate the way in which our bodies function.

Drawn from historical records and current news headlines, A Taste for Poison weaves together the tales of spurned lovers, shady scientists, medical professionals and political assassins to show how the precise systems of the body can be impaired to lethal effect through the use of poison. From the deadly origins of the gin & tonic cocktail to the arsenic-laced wallpaper in Napoleon’s bedroom, A Taste for Poison leads readers on a riveting tour of the intricate, complex systems that keep us alive—or don’t.

Quick thoughts

This book is extremely informative and very interesting. I don't delve into science-y non-fiction or the true crime genre that often but I'm glad I did with this one, as the author blends the genres together brilliantly and I was engrossed the whole way through. I think it's a great novel for those who are just looking to start dipping there toes into non-fiction/true crime, just as I am.

Cleaning The Netgalley Shelves: A Collection of Mini-Reviews

I was recently scrolling through my Netgalley shelf and I realized that I have a few books that I haven't given feedback on, that I actually do have feedback on. So I thought I would use this post to to share a few of my thoughts on some of the Netgalley ARCs I have been generously granted throughout the last while that I mistakenly missed submitting my feedback on.

First up, we have Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School #1) by Jen Calonita 

This book was alright. The adorable looking cover is what first caught my eye, and I'm always a sucker for any book that features a reform school. I did find the story to be a little bit under-developed for my taste, even for a middle grade novel. When writing a fairy tale retelling or continuation, I feel like there's so much potential for world-building to suck you into the world that your favourite familiar characters are living in, and I was a little disappointed that this potential was untapped

However, despite feeling that the story didn't entirely live up to the potential I feel like it could have reached, I still think that this was a very cute, quick read that really would be great for its target middle-grade audience.

Second, we have Follow Me Back (Follow Me Back #1) by A.V Geiger

I liked this book, it deals with quite a lot of heavy topics, especially mental health-wise, and I really enjoyed reading them, especially Tessa's agoraphobia and Eric's anxiety.

The ending really had me on the edge of my seat, the suspense aspect of the novel was very palpable in the last few chapters, and overall, I was very impressed with the ending and the suspense surrounding it. I have yet to continue with this series but I definitely plan to soon. 

Moonvine by Lucy Hoden (The Nightgarden Saga #2)

Title: Moonvine

Author:  Lucy Holden

Series: The Nightgarden Saga (#2)

Publisher: Fehu Press

Publication date: October 16th, 2021

Young Adult

Goodreads Synopsis

Secrets. Lies. Danger.

Harper Ellory has a secret: nobody knows what the emerald on her left hand really means. Sometimes she wonders if she imagined Antoine Marigny.

Harper knows holding a party is a bad idea. There are deadly creatures sleeping in the cellar, a mysterious stranger asking suspicious questions, and rough boys from the bayou who know more about the mansion than they should.

Harper doesn't want Antoine running to her rescue. She's made her choices, and he his. The mansion, and the dark secret beneath it, are her responsibility.

But now the secret is out, and Harper's friends are in the kind of trouble that only Antoine's brand of dangerous is equipped to handle.

Now Harper isn't the only one facing choices. Choices that will have dangerous consequences - forever.

Moon Vine is the second gripping installment in the Nightgarden Saga. A YA paranormal romance full of southern gothic atmosphere, dark twists with high stakes, and heart wrenching romance that will tear your heart up, Moon Vine will keep you up late into the night.

If you're a fan of The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, and romance that rips your heart out, you'll love the Nightgarden Saga.

Quick Thoughts

In the second installment of the Nightgarden saga, we see the return of all the characters we loved from the first novel, with a little bit of a shift of focus. This book focused a lot more on Connor and Cass' relationship than on Antoine and Harper's, which wasn't quite what I was hoping for but definitely necessary for plot and character development.  

Speaking of characters and well, their development, a new supernatural element was added and I'm so excited to see where that could take us in the future books.

I also loved that this saga is still giving very much The Vampire Diaries vibes, with the romance and the atmosphere.

Overall I enjoyed the book and seeing the characters and plotline develop further in this book and can't wait to see where the third installment takes all the supernatural and romantic elements that were introduced here.

Mini Review: Friday the Sixteenth by Peter Coombs

Title: Friday the Sixteenth

Author: Peter Coombs

Pages: 190

Expected publication date: August 28, 2021

Goodreads synopsis

He stumbled across a web of lies. His conscience wouldn't let him walk away.

Andrew Packford, newly established as an antiques dealer, is enjoying life very much. He has a career that suits his laid back nature, a passion for antiques and business is booming.

Then, as is often the case, fate comes calling. While restoring an item of furniture he finds an old newspaper article together with a photograph of four people. Two men two women. He has no idea just how much these four strangers will change his life.

One of them kills people.

One of them turns a blind eye.

The other two might just be Andrew’s salvation.

The discovery opens a Pandora’s box and while a lesser man might have walked away, that is not his way. If he didn’t stand up for what he thought was right who would? Friday the Sixteenth is a gripping read with a memorable character at its heart.

Quick thoughts

I liked this book, although it was a little bit different than I thought it was going to be. From the synopsis I thought it would be a bit more of a mystey/suspense/thriller, and that's not what it is. So, if by chance, that's the type of book you're looking for, this book might not be for you right now. This book has more of a fighting for justice arc. That being said, I'm not taking away any points because the story wasn't what I thought it would be, because those expectations are entirely on me. I especially don't want to take off any points because the story as it was, was good! The justice that was being fought for was intriguing to read about and I admire the strong will of all the characters as well as seeing their stories intertwine through the multiple POV format. Overall, very enjoyable.

I Kissed A Girl by Jennet Alexander

Title: I Kissed a Girl 

Author: Jennet Alexander

Format: Audiobook

Duration: 10 hours

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Release date: July 3, 2021

Quick Review

This book was okay. I wasn't a huge fan of the insta-love between Lilah and Noa. I was hoping that throughout the book that their chemistry would grow, but in my opinion it stayed very surface level throughout the whole story, so although they are the protagonists, and the point of the story was for them to be together, it was a little hard to root for them because their attraction and affection towards one another felt shallow at best.

Despite not feeling a deep connection with Noa and Lilah, I still feel like the book was cute and lighthearted and perfect for a quick read (or listen, this was my first ever audiobook) when you're not looking for anything too deep or serious.

Mini Review: Hematite by Victoria Maderna and Frederico Piatti

Title: Hematite

Authors: Victoria Maderna and Frederico Piatti

Date published: June 23, 2021

Publisher: Europe Comics

Format: epub.

Pages: 82

Goodreads Synopsis

Hematite is a young vampire who is trying to find her way. As a member of the illustrious Blackwood family, she faces pressure to conform to high society standards, but such grandstanding isn’t for her. And neither is drinking blood—she’d rather have vegetable soup! So it is that she opts for the more diverse Wolven School, rather than joining the ranks of her fellow vampires at the Diaemus Academy. Being different can be hard, though, and doesn’t always help to make friends. Luckily for Hematite, she has her poetry, as well as Drunela—a draugr who won’t let their differences keep them apart—and Emile, a human boy fascinated by the occult who would just love to take a peek at the Blackwoods’ private library. Unfortunately, bridging societal divides isn’t always easy, and can lead to terrible consequences…

Quick Thoughts

This was my first time reading a graphic novel since I read Ghostopolis in 2013, so I felt a little out of my comfort zone when I picked it up, but I'm so glad that I did. I loved this so much. 

The art was absolutely beautiful, I loved the style. Plot wise, it was a great introduction to what will hopefully be many more volumes. I can't wait for future installments so I can watch character growth deepen and more of the plot unfold.

The only thing that I wish was different was the length, but that's because I was enjoying it so much that I wanted it to last longer. 

Overall, this was a lovely book that I will be gushing about to anybody who will listen while I await the next book.

Mini Review: True Loaf by L. Austen Johnson

Title: True Loaf

Author: L. Austen Johnson

Format: Audiobook

Narrator: Penny-Scott Andrews

Duration: 16 minutes 3 seconds

Publisher: Lore and Lyre

Release date: July 27, 2021

Goodreads

Goodreads Synopsis

A fun and enchanting modern fairytale.

When a strange man puts in a strange request at the bakery where she works, Riley must go on a mini-adventure to find one unusual ingredient. Along the way, she realizes that things are not always what they seem and that fae might just be real.

Quick Thoughts

This was short and sweet--well, maybe short and spooky--It was perfect for my morning rainy walk and perfect for starting to warm up the Halloween vibes I always want to feel as we draw deeper into August. I would definitely recommend this for someone who just wants a quick story and likes darker, slightly spooky fairytales.

*If you're interested, Netagalley has it in the Listen Now section!

Mini Review: 14 Ways To Die by Vincent Ralph

Title: 14 Ways to Die

Author: Vincent Ralph

Publication Date: June 1, 2021

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Pages: 400

Goodreads Synopsis

Ten years ago, Jess's mother was murdered by the Magpie Man.

She was the first of his victims but not the last.

Now Jess is the star of a YouTube reality series and she's using it to catch the killer once and for all.

The whole world is watching her every move.

And so is the Magpie Man.

Quick Thoughts

I enjoyed this book. The focus on social media was an interesting aspect that made it more unique than the basic catch a killer/revenge plot driven thriller. The only gripe that I had with it was that I didn't really like any of the supporting characters, particularly the protagonists friends, they all felt very surface level and I wasn't very attached to the relationships they had with Jess. Besides that, this turned out to be an easy read and I think it would be perfect for people who are looking for a fast-paced quick thriller. 

Mini Review: Down Comes The Night by Allison Saft

Tite: Down Comes the Night

Author: Allison Saft

Publication Date: March 2, 2021

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Pages: 400

Goodreads Synopsis

He saw the darkness in her magic. She saw the magic in his darkness.

Wren Southerland’s reckless use of magic has cost her everything: she’s been dismissed from the Queen’s Guard and separated from her best friend—the girl she loves. So when a letter arrives from a reclusive lord, asking Wren to come to his estate, Colwick Hall, to cure his servant from a mysterious illness, she seizes her chance to redeem herself.

The mansion is crumbling, icy winds haunt the caved-in halls, and her eccentric host forbids her from leaving her room after dark. Worse, Wren’s patient isn’t a servant at all but Hal Cavendish, the infamous Reaper of Vesria and her kingdom’s sworn enemy. Hal also came to Colwick Hall for redemption, but the secrets in the estate may lead to both of their deaths.

With sinister forces at work, Wren and Hal realize they’ll have to join together if they have any hope of saving their kingdoms. But as Wren circles closer to the nefarious truth behind Hal’s illness, they realize they have no escape from the monsters within the mansion. All they have is each other, and a startling desire that could be their downfall.

Allison Saft’s Down Comes the Night is a snow-drenched romantic fantasy that keeps you racing through the pages long into the night.

Love makes monsters of us all.

Quick Thoughts

This book let me down a little bit. When I originally read the synopsis, it had me so excited to reach for it in my TBR pile, but unfortunately, it was a miss for me.

I think what let me down the most is that from the synopsis and general marketing of the book, I expected the book to be more of a gothic story than it actually turned out to be. Yes, there is a castle and a little bit of a gothic vibe there, it wasn't nearly as strong of a vibe as I expected it to be, especially from a book that is seemingly being categorized as a gothic novel. Overall, I feel like it lacked atmosphere.

The other reason why this book wasn't a hit for me was because of the writing style. There were large descriptive passages of essentially just info-dumping. During these passages I felt like I was being removed from the story rather than being further immersed in the book world and history.

Overall, my experience with this book was rather lukewarm, but this book does have a ton of positive reviews on Goodreads so if you are interested in reading this one, I wouldn't let my review deter you too much. It was just not my cup of tea.

Synclair by Rachel Gold

Title: Synclair

Author: Rachel Gold

Publication date: November 17, 2020

Publisher: Bella Books

Pages: 212

Special thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for granting me access to this title in exchange for an honest review!

This review is just a collection of quick thoughts as I don't feel like I have enough to say to format it as a full review!

Goodreads Synopsis

The summer before her senior year, Emma Synclair decides to find her true love: either a girl or God. Since she has a crush on her best friend―and on her best friend’s girlfriend―Synclair figures she’ll have better luck with God.

Which God? How will she know? Wicca, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity? Her atheist parents are out of the country for three months, so Synclair has the space to try some religions in peace.

Or so she thinks, until her friends decide that her house is the party house―that is: the dinner party house! How can she tell them no? She sneaks away to start her spiritual quest, but runs into her childhood friend Avery. Who grew up to be hot. And is also into girls. Is her true love Avery or God? Can she have both or is that the path to neither? Synclair vows to find out.

Quick Thoughts

I thought this book was okay. I liked all the characters and I loved that they displayed so much diversity, both with LGBTQ+ aspects and with various health issues/disabilities. It was wonderful to read a book with so much representation.

This book deals heavily with religious themes, and many different religious views are discussed. This is mentioned in the synopsis, but I want to emphasize that the religious themes are a huge part of the book, and not something that is simply mentioned a few times, so if directly exploring religious themes doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I would skip this book.

My only gripe with this book is that some of the events that take place feel a little ridiculous, like when Synclair falls into a pit and all of the events around that, or the very dramatic hail storm. At some points, it reads a little bit like fanfiction.

Overall, I think that this book was alright. If the subject matter appeals to you and you're okay with a little dramatics, you may enjoy this read. 

Smoke and Mirrors: The Trueheart by Helene Opocensky

Title: Smoke and Mirrors: The Trueheart

Author: Helene Opocensky

Publication date:  October 10, 2020

Pages: 380

Quick Thoughts

I was surprised at how much I loved this book. Fantasy books are always a bit hit and miss to me. I do admit that I am pretty picky with the genre, but this one really hit the mark for me.

What I loved most about this book was the all of the worldbuilding. Every element was developed with a great attention to detail. The history, the way the magic works, the reasons behind everything that happens, past and present, nothing was left out. The writing truly puts you inside the story, so you are surrounded by it in the best way possible.

The characters were also deeply developed, so I felt connected to all of them. They all had a purpose in the story, none of them felt like they were there just to take up space, which I really liked.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I don't have any complaints. If you're looking for a fantasy book with lots of attention given to the world-building, this book might be for you!

Down World by Rebecca Phelps

Title: Down World

Author: Rebecca Phelps

Publication Date: March 30, 2021

Publisher: Wattpad Books

Pages: 368

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access to this title in exchange for honest review

Introduction (Goodreads Synopsis)

Stranger Things meets the Netflix series Dark in this paranormal thriller where three mysterious doors in a highschool basement hold the key to unlocking the mystery of what really happened the night Marina's brother died.

As the site of a former military base, there have always been rumors that East Township High School was the site of experiments with space and time. For years, students have whispered in the hallways of a doorway created within the school, one that can access multiple timelines and realities, a place known as the Down World.

As the new kid in school and still reeling from the unexplained death of her brother Robbie, Marina O'Connell is only interested in one thing: leaving the past behind. But a chance encounter with handsome Brady Picelli changes everything. He will lead Marina to a startling discovery. The Down World is real and the past, present, and future are falling out of balance.

Brady is determined to help Marina discover what really happened to her brother. However, what is taken from one world, must be repaid by another. And Marina is about to discover that even a realm of infinite possibilities has rules that must be obeyed.

Plot

In the synopsis, Down World is compared to Stranger Things and I can definitely see why, there are some similar vibes between the two. I was impressed to find that the storyline/plot was easy to follow and nothing seemed to "get lost" which I feel is a problem for me in a lot of books that deal with different dimensions/worlds. I always find that in building different realities, some aspects of the realities are left under-developed, this was not the case here. Each different setting was developed fully, and I was very impressed.

Characters

I liked all the characters well enough, although none of them felt particularly unique. To me, they all seemed to have pretty much the same personality.

Pacing

This book took a very long time for me to get into, and at times, I felt a little bit bored reading it because not much was going on. However, once I reached about 60%, it picked up a little more and retained my interest until the end.

Conclusion

Overall, I thought this book was okay. The idea of Down World and the general world-building was fantastic and executed in a way that was easy to follow. And although the characters felt a little bland to me and it was a little bit slow at points, it's still well worth the read.

The Poppy and the Rose by Ashlee Cowles

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Poppy and the Rose

Author:  Ashlee Cowles

Publication Date: October 6, 2020

Publisher: Owl Hollow

Pages: 266 (epub.)

Introduction (Goodreads synopsis)

1912: Ava Knight, a teen heiress, boards the Titanic to escape the shadow of her unstable mother and to fulfill her dream of becoming a photographer in New York. During the journey she meets three people who will change her life: a handsome sailor, a soldier in the secret Black Hand society that will trigger World War I, and a woman with clairvoyant abilities. When disaster strikes the ship, family betrayals come to light.

2010: When Taylor Romano arrives in Oxford for a summer journalism program, something feels off. Not only is she greeted by a young, Rolls Royce-driving chauffeur, but he invites her to tea with Lady Mae Knight of Meadowbrook Manor, an old house with a cursed history going back to the days of Henry VIII. Lady Knight seems to know a strange amount about Taylor and her family problems, but before Taylor can learn more, the elderly woman dies, leaving as the only clue an old diary. With the help of the diary, a brooding chauffeur, and some historical sleuthing, Taylor must uncover the link between Ava’s past and her own….

Quick Thoughts

I feel like I took a chance on this book because I don't often read books that tell a story across time, but I am so glad that I took that chance. This book was fantastic. The storytelling was wonderful and I liked all of the characters. 

My only small bit of criticism is that the story takes a while to get going, but the slow pace issue is saved by the writing style. The writing was so smooth and full of beautiful lines that I almost didn't mind that the story took awhile for me to get into. 

The settings of both England and the Titanic were described so nicely, and the emotions of the characters felt so authentic that I truly felt like I was inside the story.

The twists at the end were very good, and I was satisfied with the ending as a whole.

Overall, The Poppy and the Rose was a beautifully written and emotional story, that's worth the read despite the slow start. I think I would recommend this book to teens who are maybe slightly older, as the story does cover the sinking of the Titanic. Because of that, I would recommend that those who may be uncomfortable reading about mass death stay away from this book.

Happy New Year! + Mini Reviews!

       Hello everybody! I just wanted to post quickly to say have a happy new year! I hope 2016 treated you well and that 2017 will treat you even better! Also, I know I'm late on this one, but I hope you had happy holidays!

       Anyway, I know I haven't posted in a little while, but I have been reading and I have a couple quick thoughts on the books that I read. Instead of giving them their own posts, I figured that they're quick enough to all fit into one post, so here we go:

     
       This book completely blew me away. It was everything I wanted it to be with every twist and turn of the characters and the plot. The creepy mood was set perfectly, every element of the story contributed to it, and I was on the edge of my seat through every turn of the page. I picked this book up because it was near Halloween, and I was looking for a book to get me in the creepy mood. It delivered, As soon as I can, I'm going to pick up a physical copy so I can read it whenever I am in the mood to read some fantastic writing. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

       This was an okay book. I knew exactly what I was walking into, meaning that it was what I wanted to be, but also very predictable. Overall, a very light read, and something I would consider picking up again if I were ever looking for something to get me out of a reading slump

Firsts by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn Mini Review

Introduction
       
       Mercedes "Mercy" Ayres helps virgins. Meaning, she lets them get their awkward clumsy first times over with so they can give their significant other something she never had: A good first time. Mercy works with a system that impeccably makes so that she is always in control; and it stays that way. At least for a little while.

Thoughts

       Saying I wasn't interested in Firsts would be an understatement. I considered just not finishing it, which I hardly ever do. The plot line was predictable, as almost nobody is naive enough to believe that when Mercy's system starts to fail, everybody is going to end up okay and nobody's feelings would be hurt. Frankly, I was very surprised at Mercy in general, especially because of the fact that she actually thought she was helping people. She spent a lot of time believing that what she was doing was for the greater good, and I can kind of understand why, seeing as she had a horrible first time, but still. So all in all, I did not enjoy Firsts. I would recommended this book mostly to teen girls who are looking for something quick to read, there's always a chance that other people will enjoy the book more than I did!

       

What I Tell Myself by Amber Knight

       Quick update: Hey! The new feature I wrote about before will most likely be out this Sunday. Things have been busy, but I'm finally having a quiet weekend. Anyway, just a quick review today!

       Book received from author in exchange for honest review

Published September 29 2015

       Meet Annabella and Cameron. One is noisy, one is not. One loves asking questions about things that the other wants to keep secret. And one can’t help but fall for the other. 

When a new girl shows up at school, Cameron avoids her like he does everyone else. But the new girl has other plans. Plans that involve finding out who the real Cameron White is. 

       I don't often read a ton of short stories (this book is only 35 pages) but I'm glad I read this one. Amber Knight's writing style reminds me slightly of Ellen Hopkins, In the way that the sentences are short and wouldn't really be considered finished. Personally, I like this style, but it's hit and miss. I really wish this was longer, I would love to read and become more attached to the characters.