Another great Sapphic romance from one of my favs, Rachel Lacey. This book sees celeb actress, Natalie falling for her bodyguard Taylor as she hires eAnother great Sapphic romance from one of my favs, Rachel Lacey. This book sees celeb actress, Natalie falling for her bodyguard Taylor as she hires extra security when one of her stalkers gets released from jail. Initially posing as a couple, feelings eventually turn real quickly. I loved the mental health (PTSD) and disability rep (chronic pain/back injury) in this book and loved how the two leads learned to be there for one another. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Meryl Wilsner and great on audio! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
An emotionally heavy memoir about an Indian American woman's struggles with identity, family and mental health growing up with a controlling, oppressiAn emotionally heavy memoir about an Indian American woman's struggles with identity, family and mental health growing up with a controlling, oppressive father and in a country full of anti-Asian racism.
This was incredibly moving and vulnerable and so good on audio read by the author herself. I was pleasantly surprised by the Canadian content (Prachi's mother lived in Canada before marrying her father) and loved her analysis of mental health among the South Asian community.
Highly recommended for fans of books like We have always been here by Samra Habib or Good talk by Mira Jacob.
CW: sexual assault, domestic abuse, suicidal ideation, loss of a loved one, depression...more
This was a feel-good, small town romance with all the Fall vibes and a great cast of secondary characters. I really enjoyed that the FMC was a therapiThis was a feel-good, small town romance with all the Fall vibes and a great cast of secondary characters. I really enjoyed that the FMC was a therapist and that she was open about the deep depression losing her father put her in. The mental health rep was excellent in this book and I enjoyed that the plot revolved around a Mayor hiring a therapist to help the town function better. Cute and good on audio - perfect for all the Hallmark Movie lovers out there. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
I couldn't resist seeing what Jada had to say. Longer than I thought it needed to be, her memoir was a mix of philosophy, stories about growing up, liI couldn't resist seeing what Jada had to say. Longer than I thought it needed to be, her memoir was a mix of philosophy, stories about growing up, life in Hollywood, being a mother, her relationship with Will and her struggles with depression and later alopecia. There's also a sprinkling of insight into her affair(s) and life after Will. I definitely think she left out a lot or glossed over/lied about certain things. I didn't know she was so close with Tupac, which I found interesting. Good on audio narrated by Jada herself but unless you're a die-hard fan I think this one is skip-able. ...more
Much darker than anything she's written before, this latest from one of my fav new authors, is a taut, psychological thriller about two college friendMuch darker than anything she's written before, this latest from one of my fav new authors, is a taut, psychological thriller about two college friends, both aspiring writers and both self-diagnosed sociopaths.
Spanning decades and alternating between first person perspectives, we quickly get wrapped up in their lies, jealousies and obsessions as one friend achieves literary success and the other toils away in obscurity.
One too many murders back to back leads to an edge of your seat cat and mouse game as each woman tries to frame the other, leading to a surprise ending.
Great on audio with a full cast of narrators and HIGHLY recommended for fans of books like Yellowface R. F. Kuang or How can I help you by Laura Sims. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!...more
A South Asian American teen girl grapples with anxiety and depression following her high school graduation and mother's recent death. Struggling in thA South Asian American teen girl grapples with anxiety and depression following her high school graduation and mother's recent death. Struggling in the face of her father's absenteeism and neglect, Liana tries to please him by focusing on her new internship at his Music Recording company only to find herself getting tangled up with an aspiring band and its friendly, yet complex members.
Heartfelt, with excellent mental health rep and TONS of popular song recs, this was great on audio narrated by one of my favs, Soneela Nankani. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and Librofm for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! This is by far my new fav from Tashie Bhuiyan!!...more
My second book by this Canadian author and it was just as interesting as her first! I can tell this one won't be for everyone just because of its streMy second book by this Canadian author and it was just as interesting as her first! I can tell this one won't be for everyone just because of its stream of consciousness, meandering style of first person narration but I didn't mind that at all.
It also starts off sort of slowly but builds as Enid spirals more and more, finds herself entangled in a new relationship, tries to grow closer to her half sisters and eventually begins going to therapy to deal with her anxieties and PTSD from her childhood.
I really liked the mental health and hard of hearing rep in this book and learning how only being able to hear from one ear affected Enid's day to day life. There's also discussion that she may be neurodiverse which definitely seemed likely.
Overall a well written, thought-provoking read that was excellently read by my very fav narrator, Natalie Naudus! Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
Equally over the top hilarious but also heartfelt. This book tackles some tough topics (alcholism, grief, child abuse) and sees a vicar reunited with Equally over the top hilarious but also heartfelt. This book tackles some tough topics (alcholism, grief, child abuse) and sees a vicar reunited with the one stranger she thought could have been 'the one' only to have him turn out to be a struggling male escort who thinks she's too good for him. Steamy and full of laugh out loud moments, this was a perfect mash-up of Rosie Danan's The roommate and The intimacy experiment. Good on audio too read by the author herself. ...more
A great queer YA romcom debut that tackles mental health (anxiety, panic attacks and depression), toxic masculinity, fatmisia, transphobia and more. TA great queer YA romcom debut that tackles mental health (anxiety, panic attacks and depression), toxic masculinity, fatmisia, transphobia and more. That said, it's also a great body positive story about the power of female friendship revolving around a group of D&D ish loving girl role-playing gamers.
I loved the nerdy joyfulness and Sapphic romance in this book as our main character Hollis tries to find a place to belong while struggling with her anxiety.
Many thanks to Simon.Audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was FANTASTIC as an audiobook narrated by my very fav, Natalie Naudus! Recommended for fans of books like Dungeons and Drama by Kristy Boyce....more
I wasn't sure I was going to like this friends to lovers roommance at first since the premise felt a little too convenient (Daphne's fi4.5 rounded up.
I wasn't sure I was going to like this friends to lovers roommance at first since the premise felt a little too convenient (Daphne's fiancé dumps her and she moves in with her now ex's new fiancé’s ex - Miles, a pot-smoking, bearded, bartender) plus Daphne felt kind of wishy washy/doormat-ish in the beginning.
However, once I really got invested in Miles and Daphne's growing friendship, the way they supported one another through tough family drama/trauma (both suffer from cPTSD/neglectful parents) I couldn't put this story down!
Daphne in particular has a great character arc, discovering her independence and unwillingness to go along with what's expected/easy but fight for the friendships and love of the people who show up for her (her friendship with co-worker/single mom, Ashleigh was a particular highlight and the way the author wrote about the challenges of making new friends as an adult was top notch!).
I also really loved that Daphne was a kick ass small town children's librarian and that this was an AMAZING small town Michigan summer setting. Perfectly pairs with Abby Jimenez's upcoming, Just for the summer (another book with cPTSD rep and extreme family/childhood trauma).
A side note that Miles took a while for me to warm up to but as he works through his own issues and tries to show Daphne how to have fun and trust in people, he grew on me too (even though he's not much of a reader but I will forgive him that due to his dyslexia).
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Berkley Romance for an early digital copy of one of my MOST antcipated 2024 releases!! Emily Henry never disappoints!
Fav Quote: “To me libraries have always represented the best of humanity. The way we all share knowledge and space, and…and how we find ways to look after each other. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s powerful.”...more
I really enjoyed this small town, second chance, queer romcom featuring both actual cinnamon rolls and one of the best fictional ones!!
Lots of summerI really enjoyed this small town, second chance, queer romcom featuring both actual cinnamon rolls and one of the best fictional ones!!
Lots of summer vibes, heavy on the family drama but FULL of swoony moments between a baker trying to save his family's cafe and an aspiring rock star slash mechanic!! The queer rep was fantastic and treated so naturally - which was lovely to see! We don't learn until more than midway through that Ben is bisexual and Adam is pansexual.
Highly recommended if you want a feel-good story full of a great cast of queer secondary characters, supportive (mostly) family, reality tv x Rockstar romances, California sunshine and open door spice.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Perfect for fans of authors like Roan Parrish and Timothy Janovsky....more
Another excellent and emotionally heavy middle grade novel from one of my favs!! I really enjoy the way that Jamie Sumner isn't afraid to tackle toughAnother excellent and emotionally heavy middle grade novel from one of my favs!! I really enjoy the way that Jamie Sumner isn't afraid to tackle tough topics that so many children unfortunately do have to deal with.
In this story Franny is is forced to shoulder way too much when her newly sober and single mother is in a car accident leaving her unable to work. Franny secretly takes over her mother's house cleaning clients in order to help pay their bills while also worrying her mom will relapse and get addicted to her pain pills.
The therapy, mental health and addiction rep in this book were all excellent! Great on audio too and highly recommended!...more
A beautifully moving and vulnerable collection of illustrated poems that tackle tough topics from love, heartache, depression and mental health. GreatA beautifully moving and vulnerable collection of illustrated poems that tackle tough topics from love, heartache, depression and mental health. Great on audio read by the author and perfect for fans of authors like Rupi Kaur or Amanda Lovelace. I've had this on my shelf to read for so long and I'm so glad I finally decided to pick it up!!...more
OMG!! This was so, so, so, so GOOD!! A fast-paced, mad cap end of the world road trip YA romance that sees Ren, an American teen stranded in London asOMG!! This was so, so, so, so GOOD!! A fast-paced, mad cap end of the world road trip YA romance that sees Ren, an American teen stranded in London as a comet is hurtling toward Earth, running into and striking a bargain with Theo, the crown prince and heir on the run from his family.
If you like road trip romance, British royalty, books that tackle depression and mental health and jovial labradors you really don't want to miss this one. I seriously couldn't get enough of this adventure romcom that goes from car, train, boat and plane while one teen tries to reunite with her family before the world ends and another is trying to escape from the privilege of his position.
Great on audio with a cliffhanger/jaw drop ending that hints at a sequel (THERE BETTER BE A SEQUEL!!). I loved every second and so wish someone makes this into a movie!! 10/10 recommend!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!...more
This was a big-hearted middle grade novel featuring Nat, a 12 year old fat Latina girl with an anger management problem. After a few too many violent This was a big-hearted middle grade novel featuring Nat, a 12 year old fat Latina girl with an anger management problem. After a few too many violent outbursts, Nat tries to find better ways to manage her anger (including meditation and swimming). She's immediately drawn to the synchronized swimming team with their glittery costumes and beautiful movements.
The problem is her liberal minded parents don't think it's a good sport for her with its emphasis on standard beauty ideals, causing Nat to lie and join the team without their permission. What follows is a series of misadventures that has Nat letting down both her best friend and her parents as she tries to show everyone that fat girls can do synchro too!
Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Starfish by Lisa Fipps and Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! This book releases August 29th and is definitely one to watch for!!
This was an EXCELLENT #ownvoices middle grade graphic novel about a young boy struggling with OCD and negative self thoughts. The therapy rep woven thThis was an EXCELLENT #ownvoices middle grade graphic novel about a young boy struggling with OCD and negative self thoughts. The therapy rep woven throughout was well done and the illustrations are GORGEOUS!
I absolutely loved how the bees were used as a metaphor for his angry/negative doubts and worries. The friend group were also really supportive and diverse (one is nonbinary) and it was so fun seeing a fictional Dungeons and Dragons role playing story in story and how that helped Isaac gain more confidence with his skills as an artist.
The author also did a good job focusing on Isaac's complicated family relationships with both his mom and sister. While they love him, his condition affects them too and the story deals with this with empathy and compassion in a relatable way.
Highly recommended especially for fans of books like Living with Viola by Rosena Fung - a middle grade graphic novel about life with anxiety....more
I ADORED this middle grade graphic novel SO SO MUCH!!! The story follows Bree and her Dad as they move from Brooklyn to Florida when her father gets aI ADORED this middle grade graphic novel SO SO MUCH!!! The story follows Bree and her Dad as they move from Brooklyn to Florida when her father gets a new job. Feeling like a fish out of water at her new school, brainy Bree is forced to join the swim club when the other options are full. The only problem is she can't swim!!
With the help of Etta, a kind elderly neighbor and former swim champ, Bree learns to swim and eventually really learns to love it joining the school's swim team with her new best friend Clara. The school needs the swim team to do well this year too or face the closure of their pool. Together with help from Etta and a new transfer student from one of the rival private schools, the Swim team learns how to work together.
This was a heartwarming story that had so many great messages for young readers, from Bree's struggles with negative self thoughts and anxiety to a history of segregation and Black people's access to public pools to the importance of team work. 10/10 recommend, especially for fans of Barely floating by Lilliam Rivera....more
A heartfelt memoir about an American born daughter of Mexican parents and her journey through higher education and the New York City high finance profA heartfelt memoir about an American born daughter of Mexican parents and her journey through higher education and the New York City high finance profession as she encounters racism while trying to help her younger brother make a new life in America too. Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Beautiful country by Qian Julie Wang....more
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