Bring Me Your Midnight: A Book Review

I love every single thing Rachel Griffin writes. Her writing style is so atmospheric—it makes me feel present in the story like I can feel the ocean breeze on my face and taste its salt. I can feel the depth of Tana's love for her people and also her forbidden love. Rachel Griffin's writing immerses me and makes me never want to leave. 

Bring Me Your Midnight is wholly unique, yet has many elements that readers love: secretive island, witch magic, loyal friendship, arranged marriage, and forbidden love. Tana's story explores themes of duty and responsibility versus truth and want as well as the importance of caring for the ocean and its creatures. There's so many layers to this book told in a compelling plot of uncovering secrets and true love.

Tana and Wolfe have my whole heart. Watching their love story unfold was an absolute pleasure, and there were soooo many swoony one-liners and kisses throughout. It was tense and passionate and beautiful.

I could keep going on and on about all the wonderful things about this book, but I think I'll beg you to discover them for yourself. Bring Me Your Midnight was the perfect book for me, and I'd highly recommend to all readers who love witches, magic, and romance!

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

Thank you, Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: one vague open door, near drownings, near death by bee stings, animal death

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

The Eradic: The Book Review

This book has all the adventurous, tense vibes of Lord of the Rings, but with its own twist. The world building really is impeccable in this book. There is so much detail in the world history, religion, magic, and the gruesome Irax creatures. This book does a great job balancing the world building with the plot so you don't get overwhelmed, and I'm excited to discover more details about the Being and the Valker Warriors in the next book.

There is a sweet slow-burn romance in this book too, with a friends-to-lovers vibe. I liked seeing their relationship grow throughout all the things they went through together. I do wish there were a bit more romantic hints in the first half, but the romance in the second half was adorable.

Even though this book starts off a bit slower, it packs a punch at the end! The last 20% flew by because I was trying to turn the pages as fast as I could. There are some great plot twists and crazy things happening throughout the book that pull in your attention. And THAT ENDING. I need the next book now!! This was a great debut by S. Goodey.

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

Thank you, S. Goodey, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: monster and fighting violence, language, sexual harassment, torture, drug use, cult behavior with sacrifices and suicides

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

Give Me a Sign: A Book Review

What an important book for teenagers! I found this book so helpful for getting a glimpse into people's experiences being deaf or hard of hearing, especially as teenagers. It's interesting how they all have to find their own identities both in the hearing world and as part of the Deaf community. This book balances story and education on this subject really well.

I liked watching Lilah grow and find her place throughout this book, and I loved her interactions with others. She makes mistakes, but she's quick to own them and try better. The romance with Isaac is cute too, especially with the backdrop of summer camp. I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, but overall I think this book is a great debut novel. I'd highly recommend for anyone looking to gain understanding and empathy for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

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

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: deafness, blindness, and hard of hearing, and all the prejudice and uneducated words and actions of others that comes with that; accusation and wrongful police arrest; kisses

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

Hello Stranger: A Book Review

I read this book in one sitting, past midnight, with no pee breaks. It was that good. I can't remember the last time I did that!

Once I got used to the MC's stream of consciousness, I was completely charmed and captivated with her story. She has a lot of struggles with her prosopagnosia (facial blindness) and her mess-up family and just life in general. This book dives deep into some meaningful themes, and I both giggled and teared up at different parts.

But the ROMANCE. Oh, my heart. The romance is completely unexpected, but it took my breath away. I loved seeing their relationship unfurl, twists and all. It would make for a fantastic romcom movie. This book is now one of my new favorite romances!

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

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: facial blindness, seizure, brain surgery, bullying to the point of attempted suicide (off-page description), death of a parent, cheating

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

The Never Heir: A Book Review

This book made my Downton Abbey-loving heart so happy!!! It's the absolute perfect mix of 1920s London and the Lost Boys from Peter Pan—a combination I could've never come up with, but works perfectly in execution. There's so much to love about this book: 

- forbidden love

- magical relics from Neverland

- similar scenes and vibes as Downton Abbey

- a hunky, secretive guy boxing in the '20s—a.k.a., my new book boyfriend

- mystery and hidden identities

- swoony kisses

In other words, I need all my fantasy and historical fiction lovers to READ THIS BOOK. I cannot wait for more books in this world so I can see Charlie and Evie once again. Courtney Millecam has written a stunning debut!

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

Thank you, Courtney Millecam, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: mild violence, kisses

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

You: The Story: A Book Review

Ruta Sepetys never fails to warm my heart and teach me something new in every book she writes. This writing craft book is no different! The book is split into easily digestible sections with short chapters, section recaps, and brainstorming ideas. She also weaves in funny and heartwarming anecdotes from her exciting life to teach writing principles, which makes this an enjoyable, easy, and fast read. I will say that this book is simplistic, which perfectly appeals to teen writers getting their feet wet in writing. But it's no less heartfelt or important. Ruta Sepetys really inspired me to think about my memories and emotion in creating stories that connect me to other people. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Content: 4
Inspiration/Value: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for the arc!

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

Merritt and Her Childhood Crush: A Book Review

What a cute, fluffy romance! This book has lots of tropes romance readers will love:

- childhood friends to lovers/second chance romance

- single dad

- cute rescue animals

- excellent communication

- double POV

- heated kisses

This book also explores heavier themes like divorce, death of a grandparent, cheating, and finding where you belong. I enjoyed it for the most part, but I will say I still struggle with Emma St. Clair's writing. (This is my third book by St. Clair, and sometimes I could tell when she was writing instead of Jenny Proctor.) Her writing feels silly to me, and it makes her characters seem immature and annoying. But other than that, this is a great romance!

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

Thank you, Jenny Proctor, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: cheating, divorce, teen pregnancy, death of a grandparent, kisses, pregnancy, childbirth (off page)

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