lizanneyoung's reviews
216 reviews

Uglies: Cutters by Scott Westerfeld, Devin Grayson, Steven Cummings

4.0

 

Like the first graphic novel, Cutters follows Shay’s story during one of the main books. This time we get to see her side of the events of Pretties, the second book in the series. The second Uglies graphic novel structures itself like a fairy tale story. Each line of the fairy tale is revealed as we hit a different plot point in Shay’s life in New Pretty Town. 

The anger in Shay is so present. It’s clear that, despite liking her friend Tally, there will always be a bit of resentment. A bit of anger in how the events of their life play out and how Tally’s involved with that. And also the underlying concern that, if Shay is open about her relationship, it will somehow be taken away from her by Tally. Shay is also more rebellious, being more critical of the government now.

I can’t blame her for that resentment. For someone that is supposed to be her friend, Tally keeps a lot of secrets, things that Shay would agree with and want to be a part of, all because Tally would rather share it with the guy in her life at that moment. It’s both reflective of how teenage relationships and friendships can be while adding depth to both characters because we are seeing them from the opposite perspective. I wish these continued, because seeing how this changes once they are both Specials would add so much to the story. 

Once again, the artwork is beautiful and I particularly love the fairy tale panels, where we see Shay as a “ranger” and Tally as a “princess.”

Burnout by Rebecca Jenshak

3.5

 

TROPES

🎀 Rivals to Lovers

🎀 He Falls First

🎀 Dual POV

This was a fun sports romance. I love watching gymnastics, so knowing the FMC Avery was an Olympic gymnast recovering from an injury immediately caught my attention. 

Avery and Knox struggle with relatable issues. From wondering if you will ever be at the same competitive level again to taking on the burden of a parent, both are a ton for any young person to take on, and they handle that stress well. Of course, it is that stress that nearly drives a wedge between them in the third act, but it’s nice to see the growth with each generation. The chemistry between Avery and Knox is electric. What I wouldn’t give for a chapter from one of the friends’ POVs to see what it was like to be around that.

Both are arguably at major career crossroads. Unfortunate circumstances cause Knox to be kicked from his racing team and Avery is trying to rehab her knee in time for the start of the season. Combined with that pressure, I think it would’ve been really easy to write in some type of breakdown for either, and I was pleasantly surprised not to see one. 

This story is a really great representation that a career can take all forms, and there isn’t any one way to find your way back to a career you enjoy. The MCs are struggling with similar thoughts of “Is my career over before it ever really started?.” We harp so much on only one path for so many careers, and I think this is a wonderful example of why that can be detrimental to the next generation. There isn’t a single path to anything, even sports-related careers like these, and I like that Burnout shows that.

People Like Them by Minka Kent

4.0

 

This is a great short story about a rotating HOA dinner party. Each chapter is from the POV of the wife hosting that course of the party, which makes for an entertaining narrative. Each woman has different views of her neighbors, but as the story comes to a close, it’s clear they all had the same goals going into the evening.

People Like Them is a poignant story about having a village and what that village can do for you. I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s great to see how these women come together to support one of their own and help remove them from a bad situation. Once the breakdown is revealed, all the comments from the different POVs tie the story together. What I thought was going to be more sinister in nature turned out to be something many can relate to.

I haven’t read anything from this author before, but I need to look through their catalog and add some of their books to my TBR. 

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

5.0

 

TROPES

🥃 Brother’s Best Friend

🥃 He Falls First

🥃 No Third Act Break Up

🥃 Dual POV

I genuinely believe I’ve been reading the wrong type of western/cowboy romance novels. As someone who grew up tangentially to that lifestyle, part of why I haven’t liked previous cowboy romances are the caricatures of the people in that life, and the focus on the material aspects of it. This blew that notion out of the water, and it’s likely because the author herself is rooted in that life. 

I love Emmy. Her fear is rational, especially as someone who has had similar experiences. And I totally get why, combined with her ADHD, she is then at a huge life crossroads. It’s really hard to come to terms with the notion that something you thought you’d be doing your whole life may not be an option for you anymore, and also to question how much you still enjoy it. While she questions her feelings at times, when she finally leans into them, it’s a nice payoff.

Luke has great growth over the course of the story. We learn through Emmy’s eyes how he originally was, how Luke perceives he was, and how different life events changed him now that he’s in his 30s. The two realizing that they never actually knew the other despite mostly growing up together is a wonderful journey to follow them on, especially because they feel like kindred spirits in a way. You can’t help but root for them, even if it seems like things will implode because of the secrets they’re keeping. 

I also won’t quite look at whiskey the same for a bit. IYKYK

The Notes by Catherine Con Morse

3.0

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC and finished copy. I am leaving an honest review. 

This YA book follows Claire, a young pianist in training going to a performing arts boarding school. The year starts fairly normal, save for a new mysterious piano teacher that no one can get a read on. 

I think what this book does well is show the pressure teens can be under, even if society doesn’t always acknowledge that. Claire has parents who are, while supportive, very much like how many Asian American parents are described. They want her to be a doctor or a lawyer or anything but a pianist. There isn’t only pressure coming from that but from the nature of the school. They are training to be the best, and that’s a ton to put on a teen, as shown by her friend Rocky. The new teacher really layers that on, especially for Claire and Rocky, because of what she sees in their potential. Claire also struggles with not feeling as though she’s Asian enough when she is declined as a member of the Asian Student Society before the events of the book. 

Overall, this book is a positive reflection of the struggles teens can be under, and how that can further manifest in such an extreme environment. 

 

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Dani Galliaro

5.0

 

TROPES

🌑 Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine

🌑 Smalltown Romance

When I was looking through the author’s catalog after finishing Puck Money, this novella immediately caught my eye. Mind the disclaimer in the front, and be sure to sign up for the newsletter for the bonus chapters you can read between the last chapter and the epilogue of this one. 

This novella (and the bonus chapters) are so stinking cute! Skye and Simon are adorable. Skye is just trying to keep her coffee shop afloat, and Simon is an astrobiologist who goes to all the total eclipses. This time, the path of totality happens to fall across her small town, which could mean good news for her shop and love life after a falling out with the mayor’s son. Though a quick story, it has a nice character development in terms of Skye and Simon healing from past relationships and learning that they can love again. 

In addition to the romance, there’s a dash of white collar crime that has a satisfying ending, which adds a fun twist to the story. 

 

Puck Money by Dani Galliaro

4.0

I received an eARC from the author and Happily Booked PR and am leaving an honest review.
 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

TROPES

🥧 Secret Workplace Romance

🥧 Friends with Benefits

🥧 Dual POV

I don’t read a ton of hockey romance, mostly because they all look about the same to me. However, this one stood out because both the MCs are queer and it wasn’t in a college setting. 

This was a fun read. Both Annie and Nick have great POVs and similar stories that help the reader understand why they are not always the most successful in the relationship department. They are very much like different sides of the same coin in a ton of ways, even if they (Annie) didn’t want to acknowledge that. Nick is very much the golden retriever of this dynamic, always on board with everything and looking at the bright side of their situation.

You can’t help but feel for Annie’s struggles. Taking on the responsibility that she has is a lot for anyone, and it very much comes off as “oldest sibling syndrome.” That is in no way a bad thing, but it did play into the story well. Her insecurities both about money and in love come across as normal, relatable struggles for anyone, which is always great in an MC.

While hockey is a part of the story, it was great to see more of the professional side of it, with brand endorsements and deals and things other than just a hockey game or practice. It didn’t feel like a rinse and repeat of the other hockey books I’ve read, especially when it came to how the games were depicted. 

 

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

3.0

 

⭐⭐⭐

I went into this book looking forward not only to reading a genre I don’t normally read but because, based on the synopsis and what I knew about the book, it would also utilize elements of other genres I enjoy. While I loved the story and enjoyed reading the book, for me, it felt very mid.

It gave us little tastes of the horror and romance plotlines, but I don’t think we ever got quite enough for them to make an impact. The “vampires” had interesting lore when it was finally shared, but otherwise, we know very little of them. Usually, I’m okay with some intrigue, but here it just worked against the narrative. It almost felt like the book didn’t think the reader was smart enough to handle knowing more about them. When we did have a really cool and kinda freaky reveal about the vampires, I was hoping we’d get more and it would lean into its vampire horror label, but both the story and characters just played it off, which was disappointing. 

The romance between Nena and Néstor just didn’t pack the punch I think it intended to. There was some character growth, which I always love, but it all happened a little too late to impact the story in a more meaningful way. I am happy with their ending, but I didn’t find myself rooting for them until the very end of the story, despite how their dynamic is set up initially. 

What I enjoyed the most in this book was the historical fiction aspect and the writing style. I truly felt like I was experiencing several action-packed sequences alongside the characters and that I was being introduced to a different side of history. Many scenes played out cinematically in my head and I credit the writing style for that. I think this could make a visually stunning movie based on the writing alone. 

 

The Space Between Us by Melanie Summers

5.0

I received an eARC on NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

TROPES

🧡 Enemies to Lovers

🧡 S.T.E.M + Billionaire Romance

🧡 One Tent

🧡 Forced Proximity

Gwen, an astrobiologist, and Ty, a CEO, are thrown into the wilderness of Peru on the trip of a lifetime when Ty’s partner Richard dies. It is the adventurous man’s last wish for representatives from every part of his foundation to go on this journey through Peru, but it turns into people trying to ensure Ty will continue funding their research. 

This is literally all my favorite things in one book. A S.T.E.M. romance? Check. An enemies-to-lovers story with one tent? Check. Research into the unknown? Check. Mentions of Gigantopithecus? Check. Discussing the Inca? Check.

Everything about this book is great. Gwen and Ty both go on important journeys of self-discovery and acceptance, which is what Richard wanted. It forces them to reconsider their life decisions and move forward in a new direction, even if that might mean letting go of the past in some ways. I always love these arcs in books, and it was done incredibly well here. It’s almost like being out of communication with everyone they know forces some heavy thoughts and feelings to rise to the surface.

I also love how Gwen and Ty are forced to come to terms with their feelings for each other. It’s a ton of hilarious and sudden circumstances that only make sense when you are doing a trip like they are, and it worked every time because the precedent for it was set in the first few chapters. And maybe think twice about the power of suggestion.

 

Valley Verified by Kyla Zhao

4.0

 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love Zoe’s personality and confidence. Even when she feels small, she’s still so sure of herself underneath all the doubt. She’s unashamed to be herself, especially when it comes to her fashion choices, and really strives not to let anyone get her down. Does it always work out that way? No, but she repeatedly bounces back in a way that is encouraging and provides a bit of optimism for anyone.

Her struggles are incredibly realistic. Trying to figure out if friendships were there because of the convenience of working together or because they are all genuinely connected is a struggle I think everyone goes through at some point. Watching Zoe navigate that, in addition to trying to fit into a new group of coworkers that has questionable boundaries at best and making a new friend, is a pleasant change of pace from what I usually read. You want to root for her to find people that she’s on the same page with, but empathize with her struggles in doing so. Her imposter syndrome is real and relatable and it’s great to see how she handles it.

After reading the author’s note, I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I pegged pretty quickly how it would drop, it was just a matter of when. I’m really glad it didn’t play out how I expected and that justice was served, in my opinion.

If you spent too much time constantly rewatching Legally Blonde as a child (and maybe still as an adult), you shouldn’t sleep on Valley Verified. It’s the same vibe of a woman who’s a fish out of water, but quickly adapts to her new surroundings and thrives under pressure, despite what she’s put through.