grace_astudentreading's reviews
442 reviews

Blood's Echo by Isabella Maldonado

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

This was an amazing start to what I am sure is an amazing series. For starters, I loved the main character Veranda Cruz. She is such a badass, with so much grit and determination. Yet she also has a softer, caring side. I also adored her huge family and the wholesome relationships she had with all of them. They brought a lot of heart to a fairly intense thriller. Along with the blood family, I also liked the family Veranda found in her homicide squad. I am excited to see more of them all working together. As for the plot, it was also very well done. While I could predict some of the twists, there were also things I never saw coming. And there was amazing action and an amazing villain. I was so fascinated by the Villalobos family and their complex dynamics. However, this book is clearly Maldonado’s debut, and it shows. I struggled to get into the book at first because of the writing style, which felt a bit stilted and made the book feel slower than it was. However, I still loved this book and cannot wait to continue the series.

Six Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) by Tess Sharpe

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This is a book that I will be thinking about for a long long time. I thought I was starting a cute rom com, when in reality I found myself reading an absolute sucker punch of book that had me sobbing every other chapter. And I mean that as the best possible thing. I was absolutely blown away by this book. On one hand it was exactly was it said on the tin, a book about two girls almost kissing six times until they finally get it right. I loved how the book was organized around the six times, and how it alternated between the present and the past.  I also loved that the book alternated between the first person points of view of Penny and Tate. They were both amazing characters, with such a complex relationship that you needed to see both sides of in order to understand, and I truly loved them together. The other relationships in the book are equally complex. Of course there are also wholesome relationships, like those Penny and Tate have with Meghan and Remi. But wholesome or complex, every relationship was incredibly well written. Also so well done is the way the author handled the heavy and complicated topics of grief and trauma. I felt so much for Penny and everything she had been through and continued to be put through in the story. Just like Tate, I will always be on Penny’s side. I will always be on both of their sides. They are just that amazing of a couple. And the ending they get is perfect for them, with strong resolution in their relationship but also remains open in other regards as fitting for teenagers and the start of a new beginning. Overall, this book was packed with complex relationships, heavy topics, and intense emotions, and I highly recommend it.

Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham

mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Sparks Fly by Birdie Lynn

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was such a cute read and my new obsession! For starters, Arthur and Mika are one of my new favorite couples. I don’t usually loved soulmates, but it was done so well in this book, especially with how it combined with rivals to lovers and fake dating. Arthur and Mika had amazing chemistry and tension from the very first page, with all their banter and competition. And over the course of the book, as they got closer, more and more of their compatibility came to light. I loved all the little details that hinted to the way they perfectly complimented each other. As for them individually, I struggled a bit with Mika. I wish we got Mika’s point of view so I could understand him better. But I absolutely adored Arthur. I also loved his friends. Their friendships were so wholesome, and this book did a great job showing the importance of platonic relationships. As for the other elements of this story, they were all also amazing. I loved the magic and magical school setting. The pacing was incredibly well done, and I loved the ending. Overall, this was an amazing read and I highly recommend! 

A Forgotten Kill by Isabella Maldonado

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Advanced reader's copy review

This book was absolutely amazing! I was thrilled to be back with Dani in this next book in her series, especially with how much I loved A Killer’s Game. While I didn’t love this book quite as much as I did the first one, it was still an amazing read. Dani was a complete and total badass as always. However, we also got more insight into her family history, which gave me a deeper emotional insight into her character. I especially liked the development in her relationship with her aunt. This book definitely cemented Dani as a fantastic main character. However, I didn’t love reading the point of view of the killer. As for the plot, it was a more straight forward investigation this time compared to the first book, but still had lots of action and twists and turns. I wanted a few more puzzles, but I also liked seeing how Dani’s skills could be adapted. I loved how everything came together in the end, wrapping everything up together brilliantly. Overall, this was a great next book in Dani’s series and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Thank you Thomas and Mercer and Isabella Maldonado for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Ocean's Godori by Elaine U. Cho

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Advanced reader's copy review

This book was the most pleasant surprise. I read it in one sitting and it was absolutely amazing! It definitely starts a bit slow, as it introduces us to all of the many characters, but then it quickly picks up into an action packed space opera. I loved all of the action, especially the fancy flying from Ocean, and how it all continued to escalate as the story went on and the stakes got higher. I also loved all the characters. They each had so much depth and complexity, both within themselves and in their relationships with those around them. I especially loved Ocean and Theo, both in how much they had been through and their developments over the course of the book, but also how amazing their platonic relationship was. I did wish we had gotten more insights into their past. And the found family vibes in the rest of the crew and the raiders were amazing. Also, I was so happy to find this is book set in a queer norm society. As for the ending, I was not ready for the book to end. I need more! So overall, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Hillman Grad Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Flawless Girls by Anna-Marie McLemore

mysterious slow-paced

3.0

Advanced reader's copy review

I hate to say it but this book was a disappointment. It did not live up to the (admittedly high) expectations I have for a book by Anna-Marie McLemore. It certainly had the hallmarks of their writing, with beautiful, atmospheric prose, a dash of magic, and fantastically queer characters. But it felt more like a draft than a completed book. Also, this book was labeled as horror and while it has some creepy elements, I feel that calling it horror is a bit of a stretch. However, even if this book was not everything I wanted it to be, it was still an enjoyable read. I truly loved how heavily visual the writing was, with the vibrant descriptions of the Alarie House and its girls. I also loved the main character Isla, though I wish I could have seen more of her relationship with Renata before they went to the Alarie House. And while I found the plot a bit lacking, I did really like the ending of the book. It was an excellent resolution and tied things up between Isla and Renata very well. Overall, this book did not meet my expectations but was still enjoyable.

Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

My favorite part of this book was definitely the setting. I loved the summer camp vibes and how the camp and everyone in it helped facilitate the main character’s development. I also loved the main character. Lilah was so sweet, and her development was amazing. She learned so much self acceptance and sign, and I was so proud of her. I also enjoyed her relationships with everyone around her, especially the friendships she made with the other counselors and life guards, and how she bonded with the kids in her cabin. Of course, the romance was also adorable. I loved Isaac. I also really liked the ending, as open as it was, because it felt very accurate. But alongside this adorable summer camp coming of age, I also learned so much about Deaf culture and the challenges Deaf and Hard of Hearing people face. I felt the contrast between the inclusive Deaf culture of the camp and the outside Hearing world incredibly well done and highlighting so much I was previously unaware of. Overall, this was a super cute but also very informative read, and I highly recommend it.

We Ate the Dark by Mallory Pearson

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Advanced reader's copy review

This book absolutely blew me away. It is atmospheric, creepy, and emotional. It is an ode to queerness, womanhood, family, love, and grief. For starters, I loved the main characters. They all felt so raw, with so much emotion. I also loved their relationships with each other, with so much complex history and a fantastic mix of anger, pain, love, and longing. I could not get enough enough of them. I especially loved Marya, with her mystery and secrets and the way she slowly becomes part of the family with the others. As for the setting, it was equally amazing. I loved Loring with is small town darkness. It lent itself perfectly to the atmosphere of the book. Finally, in regards to the plot, this was only part of the book I found a bit lacking. I loved the mystery aspect and the horror woven into it. And I was deeply invested in finding out what happened to Sofia. However, I found the pacing slow, with the climax of the story rushed and confusing in contrast, and the ending far too open even for my tastes. But overall, I enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the author for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Limitless Roads Cafe by Samantha Picaro

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a such a wholesome and adorable read that also made me so emotional at times. To start, I loved the main character Kinsey. I love how passionate she is in her dream of becoming an event planner, how much she clearly cares for those around her, and how much she loves sweets and coffee. Also, she has absolutely amazing character development over the course of the book, learning to come out of her shell and accept the love and friendship of those around her, stand up to those that make her feel lesser, and especially accept herself for who she is. I was so unbelievably proud of her and everything she accomplished. I loved all the side characters as well, especially Kinsey’s dad, Tiffany, and Sarah. I struggled a bit with Melissa, but I liked her friendship with Kinsey. As for the setting of Limitless Roads Cafe, I always love cafe settings, and this was no exception. I loved the descriptions of the baked goods and my mouth was frequently watering as I read. And the ending of this story was just as sweet! I highly recommend!