itsmeeryn's reviews
70 reviews

Bookshops & Bonedust brings us Viv, who has been hurt on a job with her group of travelling mercenaries, and left to heal in the town of Murk. While recovering she helps a local bookshop get back on its feet, and makes connections with the local town-folk, learning about them, where they come from, and why they are where they are, and discovering more about herself, and her future, in the process.

As someone who has yet to be able to make it through Legends & Lattes (not because I dislike it, just because of scheduling issues) this book made me so incredibly excited to eventually be able to pick it back up, but I also didn’t feel as though I was missing anything from not having read the book, it stood on its own incredibly well.

Viv was such a fun protagonist. It was refreshing to have a main character who knows exactly what she wants in the moment, but also be so open to experiencing something new. While this was a book about self discovery, Viv still knew who she was at her core, and didn’t let anyone take that away from her. The supporting cast was some of my all time favorites, and I hope the author once again revisits them in the future, perhaps jumping off the epilogue.

The message of this book comes through beautifully. It’s a book about beginnings and endings and how sometimes the right people come around at the wrong time and that’s okay. “Sometimes, it'll never be the right time. And sometimes, we aren't the right people yet.” I think sums it up perfectly, giving us a bittersweet ending, that is not shied away from, from the very beginning. Overall an incredible novel, and I cannot wait to read the rest that Travis Baldree has to offer.

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

When a Mariachi star transfers schools, he expects to be handed his new group's lead vocalist spot—what he gets instead is a tenacious current lead with a very familiar, very kissable face.

Canto Contigo was a heartfelt, humor-filled delight to read. It has been a while since I have read a book that has me cheering when the couple finally gets over themselves and ends up together, but Canto Contigo handled its rivals to lovers storyline with incredible ease. Keeping their banter and “dislike” for each other at a level that doesn't make their eventual togetherness feel undeserved. Rafie’s personality is balanced perfectly, an asshole with an ego who you can’t help but love because of his heart. He and Rey have incredible chemistry from the time they interact for the first time to the end of the novel. Moments that would typically have me cringing and noting as cheesy I found endearing and I was cheering on for more. While the romance shines in this book, its exploration of grief hit incredibly home to home. It was messy and realistic, and felt incredibly real, and as a warning to the inevitable future readers, will have you sobbing.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I cannot wait to pick up a physical copy as soon as I can!

Content Warnings

The Moon on a Rainy Night, Vol. 1 by Kuzushiro

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

High Schooler Saki meets new student Kanon. After Kanon is introduced to the class and it is revealed she is hard of hearing, she walls herself off from the other students. Saki takes it upon herself to become her friend and after Saki ends up at Kanon’s house for piano lessons, the two quickly connect and open up to each other.

This Manga is perfect for those who are fans of I hear the Sunspot. It is a cheery romance with a ton of heart. The characters are incredibly lovable and unique, with great chemistry. It was a joy to get to watch them grow as people and get closer to each other in the process. The author clearly did their research and poured so much love and effort into making these characters as real as possible. Teaching the audience as the characters learn themselves.

I am incredibly excited to continue reading and see where these characters go in the future.

Content Warnings

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Sheets follows two characters, Marjorie, a young girl taking care of her family’s laundry mat after her parents death, and the ghost of a young boy, Wendell, who doesn’t feel like he quite fits in in the afterlife. After entering the land of the living once more Wendell accidentally causes problems for Marjorie who is trying to keep the business afloat, while a local business man attempts to replace the business with a spa.

The thing that drew me to this graphic novel was the art. Sheets’ art shows a gorgeous colorful and soft world which really encapsulates the feel of the story. The art of the novel is not where it’s beauty stops, story itself is full of heart. It is paced beautiful, excluding the ending which felt slightly rushed, the characters felt very real and I enjoyed getting to watch Marjorie’s growth throughout the story.

I think this graphic novel is a great choice for young, emerging readers who are looking for something a little bit more challenging and thought provoking.

Guards at the Taj by Rajiv Joseph

Go to review page

dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

More...

itsmeeryn's reviews 70 reviews

itsmeeryn's reviews
70 reviews