The Poison Season: A Book Review

This book has so many great elements to it: a magical but greedy forest, a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance, tons of town secrets and plot twists, and cult vibes. I was entertained the whole way through, and I really liked Leelo as a character. She's not the strongest or the most headstrong, but she has her own quiet strength in kindness and empathy. She stands out from her town by questioning what everyone tells her to believe, and she has a strong inner voice that helps her stay true to herself and what she thinks is right. I enjoyed her growth through the book. Jaren is also a kind and understanding character, and while I didn't feel as connected to him, I enjoyed his relationship with Leelo. 

The plot is another strong element to this book! It felt very similar to Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young, but with strong YA themes instead. I liked finding out more about the island and its people's secrets as the story went on. And the ending had me flipping pages as fast as I could! I felt invested not only in Leelo and Jaren's story but the story of the island as well. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Inkyard Press and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: death by drowning/poisoning, other deaths recounted, injury, cult mentality, kissing

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Empire of Exiles: A Book Review

This book started off not super great. The writing felt unnatural and confusing, the world building was complicated, and there was tons of info dumping. Lots of characters introduced right at the beginning too. Basically, I was expecting to DNF this by 100 pages. 

But then the murder mystery plot began, and I was somewhat intrigued. I was able to settle into the characters' points of view and suspend my confusion about the magic system and world. And then, basically nothing happened for 200 pages. It was such a SLOW mystery with nothing happening to ramp up the tension. When I read fantasy, I expect there to be some action. But the action didn't come until the last 100 pages with the climax. 

I will say that the climax was good. It had some plot twists and hidden identities. It clarified a few things. But after the ending, I was left with an underwhelming feeling of meh. I don't really care about the characters. I still have so many questions about the magic and the world and the history. (And also I was very confused why two of the characters had either tentacles and horns and no one else did. Did I miss an explanation of a different race?) Anyways, this just wasn't my thing.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 2
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, suicide, kidnapping, poisoning

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Faking Christmas: A Book Review

This book put me in such a holiday mood! It had everything I love in a holiday book: sledding, a snow fight, decorating gingerbread houses, Christmas movies, mistletoe, and just the Christmas spirit in general. The romance was really adorable too. I don't think I've ever read a grump/sunshine trope where the girl is the grump and the guy was the sunshine, but I enjoyed it! Miles is such a happy, funny, lovable character. I will say that Olive stayed a grump a little too long for me. I would have enjoyed it more if she would've admitted her feelings sooner. 

I love how this book dealt with trauma related to loved ones' deaths and a parent remarrying. There were some deeper themes explored through their relationship, so it wasn't all holiday fun and games. This is a fantastic book to add to your Christmas TBR!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Cindy Steel, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones through cancer and skiing accident, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

How to Kiss Your Grumpy Boss: A Book Review

Okay, I loved this. This book is the perfect example of how to tell a romance with the single-parent trope. Perry has such an amazing character arc of the ups and downs of dating a single mom and wondering if he's good enough. He is so heartfelt and serious and swoony. I loved seeing Perry and Lila's romance develop through working together, fake dating, one-bed trope, and all the adorable kissing. They really are a power couple who communicate well.

I will say that the romance starts a little slow, but it's absolutely worth the wait. The third act was absolutely perfect all the way through with no annoying plot devices that we all hate (looking at you, miscommunication). I was seriously smiling and tearing up at the end. And did I mention that this book has a curvy-girl rep? LOVE.

You definitely need to read this book. It's adorable, lighthearted, and meaningful.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of spouse, divorce, kisses

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

A Wilderness of Stars: A Book Review

This book started off a bit slow for me, but that ending went wild and quick and absolutely NOT what I was expecting. Like, at all. And I'm still not sure how I feel about it. 

I thought the plot and concept for this book was super fascinating and unique. I liked the traveling aspect, and it was tense with people chasing after them. The romance was developed well too. However, I could not stop focusing on all the stupid decisions the MC made. (Like when people kept seeing her neck tattoo. Can't she tie a scarf around her neck or something?? It killed me.) She was the cause of so much conflict in the plot. I also disliked the extremely long chapters—I think that's why I thought the book was slow even though they are traveling fairly fast.

All in all, this was quite entertaining though a little annoying at times. And Shea Ernshaw took a huge risk with that ending. I'm interested to read other reviews to see what people think. Like, there has to be a book two, right?

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Simon and Schuster and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parental death, murder/death, cult behavior, kidnapping

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Luminaries: A Book Review

Okay, I wasn't sure what to think about this book at the beginning, but it grew on me! I don't have a super great love for paranormal, but this got me in the mood for fall, and it had some great spooky vibes. It's got a haunted forest with vampira, kelpies, basilisks, a werewolf, and all sorts of other creatures. It's got clans of monster hunters intent on protecting the outside world from these nightmares. It's got a girl who wants nothing more than to be a hunter, even if she has to lie to do it. 

I was a bit worried about the entire plot being based on Winnie's lie and whether she could keep lying. But honestly, it didn't bother me too much, and it doesn't dwell on the lie too much. I liked the friends-to-enemies-to-almost-lovers vibes between Winnie and Jay (there better be kissing in the next book). I loved the dark forest vibes with nightmares and the small town full of monster hunters. And that ending had a twist that makes me excited for the next book!

All in all, I think this book will find a solid home with those who love paranormal thrillers. It's well-written and well thought out! And I love how the idea for this story came from Susan Dennard doing a choose-your-own-adventure for six months on Twitter. The book community is amazing.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Tor Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: parent abandonment, monster fights, gory and frightening images (dm me for details)

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Dragon's Promise: A Book Review

Elizabeth Lim weaves such enchanting Chinese fairytale stories, and this duology was no different! I loved Six Crimson Cranes so much, and I was excited to pick up The Dragon's Promise. While I did overall like this sequel, it didn't quite live up to my expectations (similar with Unravel the Dusk, the sequel to Spin the Dawn). 

I think my biggest issue with this book is that the plot felt like several tangents strung together. It just didn't feel cohesive to me, and I didn't see a ton of character development because of it. I also got really annoyed with Kiki—her dialogue was immature, her mistakes drastic, and her help too convenient. Also, where was the romance in this book?? And that ending. I don't get it. 

That all being said, I still liked this book. It has some cool underwater scenes and some great parallelism to the first book. The writing is magical, and I love Shiori's relationship with her brothers. But at this point, I'm realizing I have more negative things to say than positive, and it hurts my heart to rate it 3 stars. I really did enjoy reading it, but it was a bit of a let down.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Knopf Books and NetGalley, for the ARC!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!