Book Review: "Emma on Fire" by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

“They don’t understand that time equals loss. It’s a freaking law of nature. If Emma lets the years keep on passing, she’s just going to keep on losing. So is everyone else, even if they can’t bear to admit it. They just walk ignorantly through the world, turning away from anything they don’t want to see. But Emma sees all of it. And she needs them to know how bad things really are.”

It seems like a typical day at Ridgemont Academy, a prestigious New England prep school. Emma Blake, once a star student and class leader, has virtually disengaged from her classes. But an assignment in English class—to write a very descriptive essay—inspires her.

But when Emma reads her essay aloud in class, it provokes very strong reactions from her classmates and her teacher. The essay alarms the school’s headmaster, who views it as a cry for help. Emma doesn’t want help, however; she wants her fellow students to realize the tragic state of our world.

There’s much more that is motivating Emma, however. No one knows whether she’ll carry through with what she’s promising to do, and no one knows exactly why she’s been driven to this.

I’m being vague in my summary because there’s power in going in blind. This is an emotional book and many of the characters’ reactions felt very real. The book is marketed as a thriller but I don’t think that’s accurate. It skewed more YA but I still found it really compelling.

Book Review: "Run Away with Me" by Brian Selznick

Thanks so much to Scholastic and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book! This was a sweet and emotional read.

In the summer of 1986, Danny is 16 years old. He and his mother are spending the summer in Rome, as she has a job at a museum. Left to his own devices, he wanders the streets, visiting the sights, and waiting for something to happen to him.

And then he meets Angelo. Angelo seems to be following him through Rome—but once he steps out of the shadows, he has a powerful impact on Danny’s life. Angelo has stories about so many of the places and things they see, each of which focuses on love stories between men throughout history. Against this backdrop, the two boys’ attraction to one another quickly turns to love.

Of course, their relationship has an end date, since Danny will have to go back to the U.S. with his mother at the end of the summer. This only serves to intensify their feelings for one another and the emotions related to Danny’s impending departure.

As much as this is a love story between two young men, Brian Selznick has also written a gorgeous love letter to Rome. I’ve never been but Italy is very high on my bucket list. Selznick’s prose made me feel immersed in the sights and sounds of the city.

Having grown up in the 1980s, I love books set during that time. It’s always interesting to read a love story that takes place before the immediate connections that mobile phones and email could provide. The added bonus is the beautiful illustrations that Selznick drew. This book really packed a punch.

Book Review: "The Meadowbrook Murders" by Jessica Goodman

It’s the start of senior year at Meadowbrook Academy. Roommates and best friends Amy and Sarah are excited for all that lies ahead, from soccer games to parties and spending time together before they head off to college.

After she and Sarah had a big argument at a party, Amy finds solace in Joseph, her boyfriend. But when she wakes up the next morning, she is horrified to find Sarah and her boyfriend are dead, clearly victims of murder.

The school is rocked by the double murder. Students and their parents are fearful there could be a killer on the loose, but it’s not long before some students start to suspect Amy. After all, she and Sarah had a fight the night before. And with Amy hiding the fact that Joseph—who is not a Meadowbrook student—was in her room that night, could she be guilty?

Liz is the editor of the school newspaper and an aspiring journalist. She’s also a loner, and her ambition to break the murder story wide open doesn’t win her many friends. But when Amy is moved into her dorm room, she tries to help her get answers to her questions, even if her motives get questioned by her peers and the administration alike.

Little by little, both Amy and Liz uncover secrets that Sarah and others kept hidden. Will they be able to figure out the identity of the killer before it’s too late?

Even though I had a feeling about the killer fairly early on, I enjoyed this book. I’m a fan of Jessica Goodman and like the darker tone her books take on. And this book reminded me why I was glad I never went to prep school!

Book Review: "Dungeons and Drama" by Kristy Boyce

This was such a fun, sweet read! I’m always a sucker for fake dating rom-coms, but when you throw in a high school musical and some gaming, how can I resist?⁣

⁣ Maybe Riley should’ve thought twice about taking her mother’s car and driving her and her best friend a few hours away to see a production of Waitress. She didn’t get a ticket or get into an accident—she just didn’t have her license yet.⁣

⁣ Now she’s grounded for a while, and her parents can’t trust her to stay home alone at all. So as punishment, she has to work at Sword and Board Games, her dad’s game store. She’s not into gaming, and she believes the store was one of the reasons her parents got divorced. Needless to say, this will be torture.⁣

⁣ Her coworker (and classmate) Nathan takes an instant dislike to Riley, and she’s no fan of his either. But when her ex and his new girlfriend show up at the store, she has to pretend she doesn’t care, so she says she has a new boyfriend: Nathan. While at first, Nathan refuses to pretend they’re dating, Riley convinces him that their “relationship” will make the gamer girl he’s crushing on jealous.⁣

⁣ At the same time, Riley’s high school announces they’re canceling the annual musical for budgetary reasons. But Riley sees the musical as an opportunity to develop her skills as student director. How can she convince the school board not to cancel?⁣

⁣ I really flew through this book. The characters were so appealing and enjoyable and the fake dating trope is a favorite of mine. You can bet I’ll be picking up the next book in the series!⁣

Book Review: "The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King" by Harry Trevaldwyn

Thanks so much to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the complimentary advance copy of this book!

Patrick (call him “Patch”) is ready for an amazing school year. The thing he’s most looking forward to is finding a boyfriend, one whom he can take to Prom. The challenge is, the only openly gay boys in school are dating each other. So what now?

And then two boys arrive at the first drama club meeting of the year. Peter, an American from New York (fabulous) moved to England to live with his best friend Sam’s family. Patch is determined that one of them will be his boyfriend. (He’s fine with either of them.)

The thing is, Patch is full of personality. Maybe too full? He desperately wants to make a good impression on Peter and Sam but mostly winds up tripping over his words and embarrassing himself. The quest to get one of them to be his boyfriend gets more complicated when Sam doesn’t appear to like Patch, and Peter (who is bi) starts dating Tessa, Patch’s former friend and current nemesis.

As Patch tries to negotiate matters of the heart without tripping over himself, he has his devoted best friend Jean to confide in, as well as Ms. Beckett, a former teacher he’s appointed his life coach. He also relies on his mother’s self-help books, but they’re not particularly helpful in his case.

Patch is one of the most hysterically vain and egotistical characters who made me laugh at every turn. (To try and land the lead role in Sweeney Todd, he decided to shadow some barbers, for example.) This is a fun and sweet book about being yourself no matter how wacky and annoying you might be.

The book will publish 1/28.

Book Review: "The Tragedy of Dane Riley" by Kat Spears

This is another one of those books I’ve had on my TBR for several years now, and I’m so glad to have finally read it. It’s definitely an emotional read, but it’s also one full of hope.

The teenage years are an anxiety-filled time for many. But Dane’s life is utter torture. He’s mourning the death of his father, who used to make Dane believe in himself and what he could do. To add insult to injury, his mother is now dating Chuck, his father’s best friend. And Chuck’s son Eric enjoys getting high and tormenting Dane.

In his head, Dane is tremendously articulate, but that never seems to translate into conversation. He’s profoundly emotional but he cannot seem to express the things he wants to, which leads to conflict with his mother, Chuck, and Eric. He’s been to a number of therapists but no one seems to get him or how he feels.

The person Dane is most at ease in communicating with is Ophelia, his next door neighbor and fellow teen. Ophelia shows him that it’s okay not to be okay, but also, you have no idea what another person may be going through, so it’s important to have compassion. She also helps Dane see beneath the surface of a person rather than taking them at face value.

The Tragedy of Dane Riley takes a frank look at mental health, particularly in teenagers, and the struggles many of them deal with. At times I truly felt for him, although at times I had to remember he was just a teenager, and his behavior was frustrating. But to watch him finally start to deal with his problems and express his feelings was gratifying.

Kat Spears did a great job with this story. I’m sorry it took me so long to read it, but I think I could appreciate it more now. Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the complimentary copy!

Book Review: "Twelfth Knight" by Alexene Farol Follmuth

Here’s an existential question: is it a retelling if you’ve never read the original? I know the answer is yes, but the question came to mind when I was reading this enjoyable YA romance. It’s a retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which I never read, so I just enjoyed the story for what it is.

High school makes Viola cranky. She’s not afraid to express her opinions, which gives her a reputation of being prickly and doesn’t gain her many fans. She also is student government VP under Jack, the charismatic quarterback who would rather charm people than do his job, which leaves Vi to be the bad guy. And it seems as if her best friend would rather apologize for her behavior than support her.

“No matter how smart I am or how hard I work, my acceptance is always conditional. And it’s not just me—I don’t know how any girl can exist in the world without being perpetually furious.”

The only place she really feels comfortable is in the world of Twelfth Knight, the MMORPG she loves. But even here she capitulates a bit—she plays as Cesario, a male knight, because she knows that her fellow players would condescend to a girl playing.

And when Jack’s football career gets sidelined by injury, a friend introduces him to Twelfth Knight. While at first he can’t believe he’s playing an online game, he gets hooked pretty quickly. Vi recognizes his character but doesn’t reveal her online identity to Jack. Little by little, they strike up a friendship in the game, and their conversations expand beyond vanquishing their enemies to life and love.

Follmuth is the pen name of sci-fi/fantasy writer Olivie Blake. She has created a really enjoyable story with characters who seem much more realistic than in many YA stories. If you’re familiar with Twelfth Night, you might enjoy this even more!

Book Review: "The Champions" by Kara Thomas

Hadley is new to Sunnybrook, as her mother took a job as the superintendent of schools there. She is biding her time, hoping her senior year will result in her being named editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and getting accepted to Columbia so she can study journalism.

She’s not particularly thrilled that her first assignment is to write an article about the Tigers, Sunnybrook’s football team. They’ve won two consecutive state championships and are hoping to make history by winning a third. Everything in school—and in the town—revolves around the Tigers.

She receives an anonymous email warning her to stay away from the football team, and another telling her not to go to a party being thrown by one of the star players. But Hadley goes to the party, and one of the players that she interviewed collapses and falls into a coma. The players wouldn't let Hadley call an ambulance, and everyone was acting strangely. It turns out he was poisoned.

Eleven years ago, five of Sunnybrook’s cheerleaders were murdered. When another football player winds up dead after causing trouble at a game, Hadley is determined to figure out what’s behind the tragedies. Her investigative methods make her an outcast, but she’s able to track down some people who remember what happened 11 years ago.

What secrets are being hidden? Who is responsible for what is happening? Could Hadley be a target? And most importantly, can the truth be uncovered before someone else dies?

This was a great story, full of drama and twists and turns. It’s a follow-up to Kara Thomas’ book The Cheerleaders, but this can be read as a standalone. Reading this made me glad I didn’t go to high school when social media existed!

Book Review: "The Rules of Royalty" by Cale Dietrich

This is a sweet story that reminds me of the show Young Royals with a dash or two of The Princess Diaries. I feel those comparisons are much closer than Red White & Royal Blue, which it’s also being compared to.

Jamie is pretty happy with his life. He is close with his mother and stepdad, has a great group of friends, and can’t really imagine anything different. Yet on his 17th birthday, his mother tells him a long-kept secret: his father is King Alexander of Mitanor, a European country near France and Spain. Jamie’s mother, who adopted him, promised her best friend she’d not reveal the secret until Jamie was old enough to choose his own path.

When the King reaches out to Jamie, he invites him and his parents to spend the summer in Mitanor. He also shares with him the contact info for Prince Erik of Sunstad, who, like Jamie is also gay, and understands what it’s like to be a teenage prince.

Jamie and Erik hit it off, and the King invites Erik to Mitanor to help Jamie learn the etiquette and other aspects of being a prince. At the same time, Erik is getting pressure from his family to begin dating a suitable man—and Jamie isn’t their choice.

As Jamie deals with the responsibilities and publicity of his new life, he has to navigate issues with his friends back home, and control his attraction to Erik. He doesn’t understand why Erik can’t do what he wants, and as Erik sees Jamie making a difference in Mitanor after only a short time, he decides he might need to fight for what he wants.

Jamie and Erik are adorable characters, and I loved the way their relationship unfolded. Even though there is some friction in the book, it’s devoid of the typical melodrama, which I really appreciated. I’d love a sequel someday!

Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advance copy. The book publishes 12/10.

Book Review: "Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts" by Adam Sass

This book was so sweet and emotional. It definitely hit close to home for me and felt like a gigantic hug.

Vero Roseto Garden Inn & Vineyard has been in Grant’s family for decades. He and his siblings spent summers there when they were growing up. When he was 13, Grant made a wish on the family’s famous Wishing Rose, and since then, all of his relationships have fallen apart quickly. Grant believes he’s been cursed by the Wishing Rose.

"But I don't count. I'm a beast, not a bunny. A beast with baggage and a curse on my head where no relationship lasts longer than a month."

Five years later, after what he thought was the perfect relationship imploded, he returns to Vero Roseto, which his aunt and uncle have been struggling to keep afloat. This will be their last summer to try, otherwise they’ll have to sell.

Given the state of disrepair of the inn, Aunt Ro has hired a gardener to help. Much to Grant’s surprise, it’s Ben, his first real love and childhood best friend, whom he hasn’t seen since the curse afflicted him five years ago. There’s still animosity between them, but there’s also a strong connection that hasn’t faded.

Grant vows to stay for the summer to help restore the inn and prepare for the famous Rose Festival. If it succeeds, they may save the inn. But it’ll require Grant and Ben to work together and put the past behind them. Can Grant break the curse and finally find happiness?

This was such a beautiful book. It’s a story of family, friendship, and love, and the many ways queer people—particularly teenagers—can be made to feel small and unworthy of love. It’s a look at how depression can rob you of joy and passion. But it’s also a love story. I really love the way Adam Sass writes.

Book Review: "If You Can't Take the Heat" by Michael Ruhlman

A book primarily set in a restaurant? Written by an award-winning food writer and cookbook author? How quickly do you think I picked this up?

Cleveland, Ohio, 1980. Theo is a star athlete at his high school, and he’s looking forward to spending the summer practicing with his teammates. It’s the one bright spot for him, since his girlfriend broke up with him a few weeks ago.

And then tragedy strikes: while playing a casual game of football, he breaks his leg severely. He’s bedridden for weeks and he might never be able to play football again. With not much else to do, he starts watching Julia Child and Graham Kerr’s cooking shows, and he becomes more and more interested in replicating what he sees on television.

His friend Julia (with whom he’d like to be more than friends) gets him a chance to help out at Margaux, the fancy restaurant she works at. At first, Theo takes care of lots of prep work for Chef (while he’s on crutches), and he immediately realizes how at home he feels, even while he makes mistakes due to clumsiness or nervousness.

As Theo proves his worth and his skill, Chef gives him more and more responsibility. At the same time, he is dealing with wanting more from his relationship with Julia, and having to convince his parents he can balance high school and working at the restaurant. But when an incident occurs and Theo does what he thinks is right, it complicates things on all fronts.

I really enjoyed this and learned some new cooking things, too. At times I forgot Theo was only 16, and at other times it was obvious based on his decisions. I honestly could’ve done without the romance, but I was definitely hooked on this story.

Book Review: "Skater Boy" by Anthony Nerada

With all apologies to Avril Lavigne:

“Wes was a boy
And Tris was a boy
Can I make it any more obvious?
Wes was a punk
And Tris did ballet
What more can I say?”

This was a moving coming-of-age story. It illustrates how different it is growing up with social media, but accepting yourself can be just as hard as it was in the Dark Ages when I grew up.

Wes, aka “Big Mac,” would rather be on his skateboard than in school. His grades are tanking, he skips class a lot, and his teachers don’t expect anything from him—and they tell him that. He’s also a bit of a bully, and he and his best friends often cause trouble.

But Wes’ attitude and actions are a mask to cover up his fears and anxieties. He knows that he is gay but he also worries what being open about his sexuality could mean to his relationships with his mother, her fiancé, and his friends. It’s hard to be told he needs to find a girl or listen to homophobic jokes, but he’s trapped.

At a performance of “The Nutcracker” he gets dragged to by his mother, he sees Tristan, the dancer playing the title character. Wes is immediately drawn to him, but can’t admit that to anyone. As they start to hang out together, Wes is living a double life of sorts. His need to hide his true self will hurt the chance of a relationship with Tristan, but how will being honest affect his friendships and relationship with his mother.

This was a sweet book and it definitely resonated with me. I hope it gets into the hands of those who need to hear its messages.

Book Review: "The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky" by Josh Galarza

How could I resist reading a book with a title like this, even though I’m a Doritos purist? As lighthearted as the title is, however, this book packs a real emotional punch.

Life can be challenging when you’re a teenager, but for Brett, things are even harder. His adoptive mother has cancer, so he’s living with his best friend, Reed. The only things that make him feel better are drawing comics and eating. He eats a lot, so of course, he finds himself upset with how he looks, which leads to bulimia.

Brett doesn’t really think there’s a problem with binging and purging all the time. And when some of his journal entries are leaked online by someone he trusted, he hits rock bottom. But then he starts to realize that he has a problem and needs help, and he discovers that he’s not as alone as he thinks.

This is a tough book to read. You really feel Brett’s sadness and trauma, and it’s fairly graphic in describing his eating disorder. However, this book is so important, because there are so few books out there that address eating disorders in teenage boys.

As someone who struggled with my weight all through high school (and beyond), this definitely hit close to home for me. But while the book is a bit heavy, it’s also hopeful. It’s a story about asking for help and realizing you’re not alone. It’s also a story about love, of friends and chosen family, but also loving yourself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt Books for Young Readers for the advance copy. The book will publish 7/23.

Book Review: "Another First Chance" by Robbie Couch

“Death isn’t the end but a conclusion to a single chapter within the infinite story of us—a cosmic transfer when our essence merges with the skies above. In death, we return to stardust, forever woven into the celestial tapestry of a universe that cannot be anything but immortal.”

River’s best friend Dylan died in a car accident a year ago, when he was texting and driving. River has been full of grief, not to mention guilt, since it was his text that Dylan was responding to. Every day, River passes a billboard with Dylan’s face on it, reminding people not to text and drive, which River hates.

Since Dylan’s death, River has been a loner. No one really understands how he feels, except Mavis, Dylan’s girlfriend, who used to be River’s best friend, but she hasn’t spoken to him since the accident.

When River makes some “improvements” (otherwise known as vandalism) to Dylan’s billboard, he gets blackmailed into participating in a research study called The Affinity Trials, which is geared toward teenagers who are struggling socially. River is thrown together for a week with 19 other students, including Mavis, which makes for a difficult time.

During the Trials, River finally starts coming to terms with his grief and guilt. At the same time, several of the students, including River, are experiencing some weird things. What are the Trials really for. What’s real and what isn’t?

The book is narrated by River in the present and Dylan on the day he died. Although the book gets a little technical at times, I thought it was really moving, and as someone who lost one of his best friends 2-1/2 years ago, some of the emotions felt very real. I can always count on Robbie Couch to hit me in the feels!!

Book Review: "When the World Tips Over" by Jandy Nelson

Ten years ago, I read Jandy Nelson’s I’ll Give You the Sun. It was easily one of the most incredible books I’ve ever read. Four years later, I went back to read her debut, The Sky is Everywhere, and I loved that, too. But for a number of years, there’s been no concrete sign that a third Nelson book would be published.

Color me shocked when last week, I received an email from NetGalley with a “Read Now” opportunity—for Nelson’s new book! I couldn’t get to it fast enough.

Jandy Nelson doesn’t just write books. She creates dazzlingly beautiful, poetic masterpieces of words and images, with sparks of magical realism, which leave you breathless and shaken to your core, your mind spinning. That artistry is once again on display in When the World Tips Over.

This is the story of the Fall family, who live in Northern California wine country. The kids’ father was a winemaker who disappeared one day, leaving his family in disarray. Bernadette, his wife, is a celebrated chef. Their oldest son, Wynton, is a violin virtuoso with a talent for self-destruction. The middle child, Miles, is handsome, kind, smart, athletic, and lonely—and wants to find the perfect guy. And their youngest, Dizzy, thinks she’s ugly but dreams of being a heroine in a romance novel.

The appearance of a beautiful, tattooed young woman with rainbow-colored hair turns the Falls upside down. She changes the lives of all three children, but carries her own pain and sorrows. Is she an angel? A saint? A mirage? Simply ordinary?

This is one of those books where there are a lot of disparate threads that ultimately weave together. It’s a beautiful, emotional read about families, friends, love, hope, and a little bit of magic.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for the advance copy; the book will publish 9/24.

Book Review: "Prince of the Palisades" by Julian Winters

Wow, this was such a great book! I didn’t realize how much I needed a story like this until I was fully immersed in it.

Jadon’s parents are the king and queen of Îles de la Rêverie, a small island off the coast of Africa. When a drunken tirade of his goes viral and causes an outrage, Jadon is sent to California—where his mother grew up—to try and rehabilitate his image.

The palace hopes that some carefully crafted public appearances, along with attending a private high school, might show Jadon in a more favorable light. But no matter how hard he tries to be the prince he believes the people of Rêverie want, the more mistakes he makes. If he doesn’t clean up his act, he may be forever banned from returning home.

Things get even more complicated when he falls for Reiss, a pink-haired, movie-loving, aspiring film student. Reiss isn’t necessarily impressed with Jadon’s arrogance, but he can see the vulnerability and hurt in the young prince, and sees how much more comfortable he is when he is being himself and speaking his own mind.

This has glimpses of Red White & Royal Blue, but it goes beyond a sweet romance. This is a powerful story about being your authentic self and speaking out, even if it might not be what people want from you. It’s also a thought-provoking commentary on racial disparity, how young Black people have to act a certain way to be accepted.

I really loved everything about the story, including Jadon’s royal guard, his sister the crown princess, and the palace liaison. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Viking Books for the advance copy; the book will publish 8/20.

Book Review: "The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge" by Matthew Hubbard

I’ve said this before, but this book makes me want to say it again for anyone who hasn’t heard it: I wish that The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge existed when I was in high school. It would have given me courage, and the foresight to know that it was okay to be who I was.

Growing up in Harper Valley, Alabama is hard, especially if you’re queer. Ezra, Lucas, and Finley are best friends, trying to be comfortable with who they are. But navigating relationships, not to mention the superintendent’s “Watch What You Say” campaign, which cracks down on anything not deemed “family-friendly.”

When all three boys’ relationships end badly, a viewing of The First Wives Club inspires them to plot revenge on those who did them wrong. And when the anonymous TikTok account Ezra launched to record their revenge starts to go viral, it starts them on a collision course with the initiative that is essentially trying to censor queer students from being themselves.

As everything they do garners more views and more publicity, it further antagonizes the school district. But somewhere along the line, they realize that what they’re doing is so much more than getting revenge—it’s the start of a rebellion which demands equal treatment for everyone, and takes the boys out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

“People are gonna tell you what you can’t do in this life. But there is one thing they can’t ever stop you from doing, and that’s trying. The best revenge is believing in yourself. Don’t let them take that away from you.”

I loved this book for so many reasons. I loved it for the unapologetic way it allowed the characters to be who they are, for those who supported them, for the friendships and the sweet romance, but also for the message that you should never be afraid of being yourself and standing up for what you believe in. Congratulations, Matthew Hubbard, on an absolutely incredible debut.

Book Review: "The Breakup Lists" by Adib Khorram

“Even though I’m the Theatre Kid, my sister is the dramatic one.”

Jackson is proud to be a “techie”—he’s the stage manager for his high school’s theater department. He doesn’t mind being behind the scenes instead, because he knows he’s the glue keeping the shows running, keeping his teacher on track, and helping wherever he can.

He’s also a cynic when it comes to romance, having had his heart broken once and watching his parents get divorced. But his sister Jasmine is constantly crushing on someone, dating them, and then the relationship ends. So Jackson helps Jasmine by creating “breakup lists” for each of her exes, which list all of their faults, both serious and superficial.

When Liam, a handsome swimmer, decides to audition for the musical, he and Jackson become very good friends. Jackson definitely is attracted to Liam, and sometimes he thinks Liam is flirting with him, but Liam is straight, right? So when Jasmine starts crushing on Liam, he encourages Liam to start dating Jasmine. Which, of course, fills him with jealousy.

This is a sweet story of friendship, love, family drama, and fighting to be seen and heard and valued. It’s predictable, sure, but Adib Khorram gives the story extra depth because it also deals with disability, specifically hearing impairment and deafness, and the struggles—and beautiful moments—that people living with those disabilities face.

I’ve loved everything Khorram has written, and this was no exception.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the advance copy!!

Book Review: "Caught in a Bad Fauxmance" by Elle Gonzalez Rose

It’s been a tough few years for twins Devin and Maya Báez. Their mother died, and Devin left their Florida home to go to art school in California, while Maya went to college near home and resented her brother. But now their family will be spending winter break at their cabin at Lake Andreas, where they’ve not been for four years.

All hopes for a relaxing, stress-free break vanish quickly when they run into their neighbors, the Seo-Cooke family. The Báezes and Seo-Cookes have a complicated relationship—well, they hate each other. The two families have had run-ins for years, and the Seo-Cookes always seem to walk away victorious from the lake’s annual winter games.

This year, everyone swears it will be different, but it’s not long before the Báezes’ cabin is put up as a wager between the families. Maya, Devin, and their father are determined to finally bring their rivals down. And when Julian Seo-Cooke—looking handsomer than ever—asks Devin to pretend to be his boyfriend to get his ex off his back, Devin sees this as an opportunity to infiltrate their enemies and get proof they’ve been cheating all these years.

Of course, the more time they spend together, Devin realizes Julian isn’t as manipulative and horrible as he has always believed; in fact, he didn’t realize what his family has been doing to win the games. But while Maya keeps pushing him to sabotage the Seo-Cookes, Devin would rather forget all about the rivalry and just be with Julian. Is such a thing even possible?

I love fake dating and enemies to lovers tropes, but there has to be evidence that explains the characters’ dislike for one another, and you want to believe the chemistry between them is real. While issues between other members of both families were ugly, I never felt that tension between Devin and Julian. In fact, I didn’t feel either of those characters were well-developed, and I thought the pranks each family played on the other were really silly.

This was sweet in places, but it felt a bit too surface-level for me. I wanted more of Devin and Julian being vulnerable, more of them realizing their feelings. There were possibilities galore, but no real oomph to their romance.

Book Review: "This Day Changes Everything" by Edward Underhill

Even though I grew up about an hour from NYC, I can’t tell you how often I used to imagine having a magical day there, surrounded by those I cared about. This sweet book definitely reawakened those feelings!

Abby’s high school band has been chosen to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She cannot wait for the opportunity to spend even a short time in New York City, because it’s the setting of her most-favorite romance novel. She’s totally ready to tell her best friend Kat that not only is she (surprise!) gay, but she’s also (surprise!) in love with her. What better backdrop exists?

Leo’s high school band also will be marching in the parade. But unlike Abby, it’s the last thing Leo wants. His whole family is going to watch the parade, which means his whole conservative, Southern family is going to see him as a trans boy. Leo is angry that his parents refuse to soften the blow for their relatives, so he’s dreading the reaction this “big reveal” will get.

On the one free day of touring the city, both Abby and Leo get on the wrong train and find themselves lost and alone, together. When Leo accidentally causes Abby to lose a special gift she was planning to give Kat, he promises to make it up to her by helping her find souvenirs from every spot mentioned in her favorite book, so she can give those to Kat instead.

The more time they spend with one another, the more they realize they have in common. And little by little, they start to see each other in a different light.

I love books about chosen family, about finding the words to be your authentic self, and finding those who love you unconditionally. This is also a story about feeling lost—literally and psychologically—and trying to find what you need to feel seen and found.