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mythicalreadsreviewer's reviews
523 reviews
I Love You S'more by Auriane Desombre
I rated this book 3 stars. I enjoyed this one—it was cute and such an easy read. It genuinely captures what it’s like to be a teenage girl right now, especially with the ever-present pull of social media and how it shapes relationships, self-image, and identity.
I loved that while the main focus was on Ivy and Rynn (our high school-aged counselors), we also got meaningful glimpses into the lives and relationships of the younger campers. It helped create a more complete picture of what girlhood looks like across different ages.
As far as the rivals-to-lovers angle, I found the “rivals” part compelling and believable. Ivy and Rynn’s history added nice tension and complexity to their dynamic. That said, the shift from rivals to lovers felt a bit too fast for me, I think if we got more information about their history earlier it would have been easier to understand how the animosity came about, and why a faster rekindling made sense. I just think the book could have benefitted from a bit more development in that transition.
In general, we got a very solid, detailed look into Ivy’s emotional state—her breakup with her famous ex, her past friendship with Rynn, the divorce trauma, and her desire to feel like she belongs. But while the book set up her emotional struggles well, the resolution to those issues felt a little rushed and underexplored.
Still, this was a really enjoyable read with excellent summer camp vibes, cute moments, and strong queer representation—not just in the main romance but throughout the side characters as well.
Perfect if you’re looking for something short, sweet, and sapphic for your summer TBR!
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to TBR & Beyond and Delacorte Romance for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I rated this book 3 stars. I enjoyed this one—it was cute and such an easy read. It genuinely captures what it’s like to be a teenage girl right now, especially with the ever-present pull of social media and how it shapes relationships, self-image, and identity.
I loved that while the main focus was on Ivy and Rynn (our high school-aged counselors), we also got meaningful glimpses into the lives and relationships of the younger campers. It helped create a more complete picture of what girlhood looks like across different ages.
As far as the rivals-to-lovers angle, I found the “rivals” part compelling and believable. Ivy and Rynn’s history added nice tension and complexity to their dynamic. That said, the shift from rivals to lovers felt a bit too fast for me, I think if we got more information about their history earlier it would have been easier to understand how the animosity came about, and why a faster rekindling made sense. I just think the book could have benefitted from a bit more development in that transition.
In general, we got a very solid, detailed look into Ivy’s emotional state—her breakup with her famous ex, her past friendship with Rynn, the divorce trauma, and her desire to feel like she belongs. But while the book set up her emotional struggles well, the resolution to those issues felt a little rushed and underexplored.
Still, this was a really enjoyable read with excellent summer camp vibes, cute moments, and strong queer representation—not just in the main romance but throughout the side characters as well.
Perfect if you’re looking for something short, sweet, and sapphic for your summer TBR!
Love Points to You by Alice Lin
Love Points to You had a lot of things I usually love in a YA romance—sapphic representation, a unique premise centered around game design, and ace representation (which is still too rare in queer YA romance). While I enjoyed the overall story, I have to admit that I struggled with the main character, Lynda. She was frustratingly arrogant and often selfish, making it difficult for me to fully root for her. Though there was some character growth, it didn’t feel like enough to truly redeem her flaws in a meaningful way.
Angela, the love interest, was much more likable, but for a book marketed as a romance, she was absent for a good portion of the second half. Because of this, the story felt more like literary fiction with a romance subplot rather than a traditional romance. The themes of ambition, self-discovery, and creative passion were well done, but the romance itself felt sidelined at times.
The ending, while happy, felt a bit rushed and left some key plot points—like the otome game and Lynda’s college plans—unresolved. Despite these issues, I still enjoyed the book for its fresh take on romance, its representation, and its unique premise. If you’re looking for a sapphic YA novel with a focus on self-growth and creative passion rather than just romance, this might be a good pick!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to TBR & Beyond and Delacorte Romance for providing me with a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
Love Points to You had a lot of things I usually love in a YA romance—sapphic representation, a unique premise centered around game design, and ace representation (which is still too rare in queer YA romance). While I enjoyed the overall story, I have to admit that I struggled with the main character, Lynda. She was frustratingly arrogant and often selfish, making it difficult for me to fully root for her. Though there was some character growth, it didn’t feel like enough to truly redeem her flaws in a meaningful way.
Angela, the love interest, was much more likable, but for a book marketed as a romance, she was absent for a good portion of the second half. Because of this, the story felt more like literary fiction with a romance subplot rather than a traditional romance. The themes of ambition, self-discovery, and creative passion were well done, but the romance itself felt sidelined at times.
The ending, while happy, felt a bit rushed and left some key plot points—like the otome game and Lynda’s college plans—unresolved. Despite these issues, I still enjoyed the book for its fresh take on romance, its representation, and its unique premise. If you’re looking for a sapphic YA novel with a focus on self-growth and creative passion rather than just romance, this might be a good pick!
Air & Essence by Mikayla D. Hornedo
I rated this book 5 stars. Holy shit what a ride—if I thought book 1 was action-packed with twists, turns, and steamy spice, I sure wasn’t ready for book 2! I devoured this in a single day. The writing was incredibly easy to get lost in, and the plot was so compelling that I flew through the pages without even realizing.
But let’s be honest—it’s not just the plot that makes this series sing, it’s the characters. We get to see so much more of our favorites from book one and watch as their relationships deepen, evolve, and get even messier in all the best ways. The elemental magic system continues to shine, especially with how it ties so deeply into the various people, cultures, and behaviors in this world. It feels intentional and so thoughtfully crafted.
Emotionally, this book took me for a ride. I was heartbroken, swooning, and yes—blushing. The spice in this one? Immaculate. We are talking group activities, sharing is caring, and all done in ways that still feel emotionally grounded and character-driven. I also love how trauma and healing are handled—characters who communicate and clearly have been to therapy? Yes, please.
The multiple POVs in this sequel were such a great addition, giving more depth to the narrative and opening up the story to broader stakes and richer insights beyond Daya’s perspective.
My only complaint is that I don’t already have the next book. I’m obsessed with this chaotic book thruple and the fate of Iteria, and I cannot wait to see what Mikayla Hornedo has in store for us next.
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to author Mikayla Hornedo for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I rated this book 5 stars. Holy shit what a ride—if I thought book 1 was action-packed with twists, turns, and steamy spice, I sure wasn’t ready for book 2! I devoured this in a single day. The writing was incredibly easy to get lost in, and the plot was so compelling that I flew through the pages without even realizing.
But let’s be honest—it’s not just the plot that makes this series sing, it’s the characters. We get to see so much more of our favorites from book one and watch as their relationships deepen, evolve, and get even messier in all the best ways. The elemental magic system continues to shine, especially with how it ties so deeply into the various people, cultures, and behaviors in this world. It feels intentional and so thoughtfully crafted.
Emotionally, this book took me for a ride. I was heartbroken, swooning, and yes—blushing. The spice in this one? Immaculate. We are talking group activities, sharing is caring, and all done in ways that still feel emotionally grounded and character-driven. I also love how trauma and healing are handled—characters who communicate and clearly have been to therapy? Yes, please.
The multiple POVs in this sequel were such a great addition, giving more depth to the narrative and opening up the story to broader stakes and richer insights beyond Daya’s perspective.
My only complaint is that I don’t already have the next book. I’m obsessed with this chaotic book thruple and the fate of Iteria, and I cannot wait to see what Mikayla Hornedo has in store for us next.