Book Review: "Triple Sec" by TJ Alexander

I’ve said many times how much I love books that take place in the culinary world or in restaurants. After reading TJ Alexander’s latest, we can add books about bartenders and cocktails to my list, which is ironic, because I don’t drink!

Mel is a bartender at one of NYC’s trendiest places. She’s excellent behind the bar, and even better at knowing what her customers need and want, sometimes even before they do. And while she’s seen her share of encounters ignite and fizzle out at the bar, she hasn’t thought about her own love life since her divorce.

All that changes when Bebe walks in. She’s shrewd, sexy, and seems to be interested in Mel—but it turns out she’s also happily married to her partner, Kade. However, since Bebe and Kade have an open marriage, she asks Mel out on a date. Once Mel gets over her initial trepidations, she’s all in for some no-strings-attached fun.

Of course, it’s not long before both start to catch feelings beyond the casual mood they agreed upon. But instead of ending things, everyone is fine with things getting more serious. And then Mel realizes that she and Kade are also attracted to one another, despite the fact that Mel always thought they hated her. Suddenly, two’s company—and three is even better!

Meanwhile, Mel finds the courage to enter a major cocktail competition, which if she wins, she could get the seed money to open her own place, where her own drinks could be on the menu. And while navigating polyamory is daunting at first, having Bebe and Kade by her side makes all the difference.

I honestly haven’t read many books which feature polyamory, and I found the chemistry Mel had with both Bebe and Kade was fascinating, as were the issues that cropped up for her. This is a very steamy, fun, and romantic read, which could totally be read over cocktails!

I’m a huge fan of TJ Alexander; you can’t go wrong picking up any of their books!

Book Review: "Endpapers" by Jennifer Savran Kelly

It’s 2003. New York City is just starting to move forward after 9/11. Dawn works as a bookbinder at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, repairing old books while hoping to find the spark to reignite her own artistic efforts.

At the same time, she is struggling with her sexual identity. She is dating Lukas, who wishes she were a man, while there are days she isn’t sure what or who she really is. In a time before people generally understood the concept of nonbinary or genderqueer, Dawn’s exploration serves to complicate her relationship with Lukas, her colleagues, and her family.

One day while repairing a book she finds the cover of a pulp novel from the 1950s bound inside the back cover. She cannot figure out how it would’ve gotten there. But that’s only the start of the mystery. The cover features a woman dressed as a man, and on the back is a love letter from one woman to another, written in German.

Who were these women? What happened to them and their relationship? And why does this book cover speak to Dawn so much? Solving this mystery becomes an obsession for her, as well as an opportunity to avoid dealing with her concerns about her creative block, her relationship with Lukas, and the violence that always threatens the LGBTQ community. It's sad that many of the issues addressed in the book haven't changed much in 20 years.

This was so good. Thanks so much to Algonquin Books for inviting me on the tour for this. I found it so compelling, and I cannot get it out of my mind.

Book Review: "And They Lived..." by Steven Salvatore

Steven Salvatore's second YA book, And They Lived..., hit me square in the feels.

Chase is a lover of fairytales, of happy endings. He dreams of a career as an animator and is pursuing that in college. He’s struggled with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder in the past, and he’s not quite sure if he’s gay, genderqueer, or nonbinary. Ultimately, he’s hoping college will help him feel more comfortable with himself as he finds his circle and has to deal with the drama of competing with a former friend.

And then he meets Jack. Jack is a poet, a writer, obsessed with stories and the power of words. He’s handsome, athletic, confident—or at least appears that way—and immediately they feel a pull toward one another. But Jack isn’t sure about whether he’s gay, and worries about the reactions of his conservative family, so he’s constantly giving Chase mixed signals.

As the semester heats up, and Chase is trying to win a prestigious mentorship, he’s desperate to figure out who he is, where he wants his life to go, and whom he wants around him. But at the same time, he needs to see if a happy ending with Jack is possible or if their story needs to go in a different direction.

I fell in love with And They Lived... almost immediately. Chase is such an endearing character—some of his struggles were very familiar and personal to me—and the supporting characters were such fun, too. Salvatore knows how to touch your heart, and they say in their author’s note that this is their most personal book to date.

Thanks to Storygram Tours and Bloomsbury YA for inviting me on the tour for And They Lived... and providing me with a complimentary advance copy of the book. Pick it up when it publishes 3/8!!

Book Review: "The Life Revamp" by Kris Ripper

Sometimes the path to the love you want may be a little complicated. That's the message of Kris Ripper's The Life Revamp.

You’d think that being left at the altar at a young age would sour Mason on the idea of happily ever after, but he wants it all—marriage, children, a house, someone to drink coffee with in bed. But even though he’s dating someone, clearly that guy is not the one he wants.

Enter Diego. He’s a handsome fashion designer, he’s funny and intelligent. And he’s married to a (female) friend of Mason’s, but she’s the one setting them up. It turns out Diego is polyamorous and willing to have multiple relationships, regardless of the person’s gender or sexual identity.

Mason feels immediate chemistry with Diego. Their banter and flirtation ignite into something more, something which gives them both life. But how will he get the ever-after he wants if the person he wants is already married? Can he adjust his dreams and expectations, or is he setting himself up to get hurt?

The Life Revamp was a really sweet and thought-provoking book. Diego and Mason's banter was amazing!! This is the third book in a series (with The Love Study and The Hate Project), but you can read them as standalones. (I read the first book, but not the second one.)

If you’re not open to the idea of polyamory and open relationships, I’d say this one won’t be for you. But it’s a really enjoyable book, one worth reading.

Book Review: "Jonny Appleseed" by Joshua Whitehead

I'll put it simply: Joshua Whitehead's Jonny Appleseed is such a vibrant, beautiful read.

I saw some Bookstagram friends reading this a few months ago and I was intrigued, but when my friend Lindsay bought me a copy I couldn’t wait to read it. This is such a unique, gorgeously written queer book which really opened my eyes to what it’s like growing up as a queer Native American.

Jonny is a two-spirit/Indigiqueer young man who is currently living and trying to make it in the big city, away from the reservation. He makes a living as a cybersex worker, fulfilling his clients’ Native American fantasies, but he is in love with his childhood best friend, who is struggling with his own sexuality and trying to fulfill traditional male roles.

Jonny has to get back to the rez for his stepfather’s funeral. This book, told in nonlinear fashion, follows his journey home and his efforts to make enough money to get there, but it is interspersed with flashbacks of his growing up, his special relationship with his kokum (grandmother), and what it’s like to grow up Indigiqueer both on and off the rez.

This book doesn’t pull any punches—it’s frank in describing sex and the occasional violence that he faced. But Whitehead’s storytelling draws you in and leaves you feeling the same kaleidosope of emotions that Jonny does. He’s such a vivid character and I loved following his journey.⁣

Jonny Appleseed is not a book for everyone but it’s one I’ll definitely remember.

Book Review: "Can't Take That Away" by Steven Salvatore

Can't Take That Away, Steven Salvatore's debut novel, is an absolutely fantastic book about the courage to be yourself and be proud of yourself that left me in a complete emotional puddle.

Carey is a genderqueer teenager who is finally starting to feel comfortable in their own skin. Coming out to friends and family was difficult (because they were essentially blackmailed into doing so) but apart from some homophobic bullying from a fellow student and a teacher, they’re trying to find the joy in life. They have a fiercely loyal best friend, a tremendously supportive mother, and an understanding English teacher, all of whom have Carey's back.

What Carey wants more than anything is to be a diva, like their idol (and namesake), Mariah Carey. They dream of bringing the house down with their voice. They have the talent to do it but they don’t like to call attention to themselves. But after they meet Cris, their burgeoning relationship gives Carey the confidence they need to audition for the school musical and play the part of Elphaba in Wicked.

But some in the school don’t think Carey should play that part and they’ll stop at nothing to create trouble. Carey, with the support of their best friends and family, must decide if they’re willing to let their dream be killed or if they are ready to stand up and make change happen. At the same time they have to struggle with doubts about their relationship with Cris and deal with the rapid decline of their grandmother, who was Carey's biggest fan and musical inspiration.

Can't Take That Away works on so many levels. It's funny, thought-provoking, moving, and so emotional. Salvatore brings such life and complexity to the characters, and Carey's grandmother reminded me so much of my own paternal grandmother, who was my biggest supporter. (I still miss her even though she's been gone almost 16 years.) Another touch that was so incredible is that each chapter of the book is headed by the pronouns Carey identifies with on that particular day.

God, I loved this so much!! Storygram Tours and Bloomsbury YA provided me a complimentary advance copy of Can't Take That Away in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!