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A slow burn queer romance with a complicated love triangle featuring an online blog about trans people finding their happily ever afters.
Noah Ramirez's life revolves around love and the formula of romance. As a sixteen year old teen, he has plenty of time to pour into his blog, Meet Cute Diary, which is filled to the brim with fictional accounts of trans teens falling in love. He also believes that romance happens in a twelve step equation that is showcased in pretty much every form of media ever. The problem with all of this is: it's not real. Things start not looking great for Noah when people online start to realize this. When a troll starts their own blog presenting cold facts on why Noah's stories can't be true, Noah is desperate to find a solution that will save face. The answer practically runs into him when he stumbles upon Drew, a hot guy that works at a local bookstore who just happens to be a super fan of the blog. Noah and Drew soon devise a scheme to fake date one another and share their relationship with readers in the hopes of restoring faith in the power of meet cutes and love itself. As Noah and Drew's relationship deepens, Noah is shocked to find that romance is much harder in real life than it is in romance novels.
The first third of this book was practically unbearable to read. Noah is such a brat, and spending so much time with him was really raining on my parade. Not only does he live in the clouds ninety-nine percent of the time, but he is also incredibly selfish and blinded by his never-ending pursuit for the chance to fall head over heels in love at first sight. BOO! All of these traits are incredibly annoying and make for a truly unlikeable main character. I'm going to get a bit specific here about a couple of things, so feel free to skip the next paragraph if that bothers you at all.
One of the things that really teed me off was how selfish Noah's financial decisions are. His parents gave him a credit card to feed himself when his brother was away from home and he literally used it to buy anything he could think of. He spent over four hundred dollars in a matter of days on pointless things like buying ice cream, books, and coffee all in the hopes that he would stumble into a cute guy that he could swoon over. He also decided that he needed to hire a rideshare to get to all of these places rather than walk a couple of blocks, so he was spending money like there was no tomorrow. And then he was shocked when his mom froze the card! The gall of this kid is truly astounding (he's sixteen, by the way), and this made the beginning third of the book when he was moping around by himself so excruciatingly painful.
Also, all of Noah's logic surrounding his blog is so skewed. Did it really matter if the stories were fictional? People find relief and satisfaction in Hallmark movies all the time, but that doesn't make them anywhere close to true. Fictional stories can move people just as much as real ones if done well, therefore it doesn't even make sense that Noah felt so obligated to convince everyone that his stories were real. And the fact that he didn't open his blog up for people to submit their stories from page one of this book actually had me groaning because the solution was so obvious.
Things started to get a bit better when Noah met Drew, but honestly, he gave me pretty shady vibes from the get-go. Part of me was hoping that they would fall for each other for real because they both seem like such awful people who deserve one another. I'm never a fan of fake dating; it is too dishonest for me to enjoy much. Since this book was drowning in lies, I found it hard to like pretty much any element of it.
Then enters Devin and my thoughts on this book changed quite a bit. Devin goes by many pronouns throughout this book so for the sake of clarity, I going to refer to em using the e/eir pronouns. Devin is the type of character that I eat up in every way. E is truly a darling who loves comic books, Starbucks coffee, and spending time with the kids that e gets to watch during summer camp. E is also a nervous bean who is often afflicted by panic attacks and extreme amounts of anxiety (which I can't help but relate to). Panic attacks are no fun, so I can totally see why Devin felt e needed to apologize for them every time that they happened to em in public. If this sweet nonbinary finey did not grace the pages of this book, it definitely would have been a two star read and I would have hated pretty much every second of it. Devin is definitely too good for Noah, but e is pretty much the perfect love interest to read about.
I like how this book also handled the topics of gender identity. Noah starts this book as an out trans boy who is ready to live his life, but Devin is much more confused about eir identity. Literally, this human goes through all the pronouns in this book, which e has every right to if that's what it takes to feel comfortable in eir skin. Noah's family does still forget about Noah's transition from time to time, but they are very gracious about their slipups. And luckily, this is like the only thing that Noah isn't super selfish about; he actually makes jokes about his family's slips of the tongue.
I haven't much more to say about this book besides the fact that it would have been nice if it was a tad shorter. I could see about fifty percent of readers DNFing this book before it actually gets good due to Noah's personality alone. If there would have been less wallowing in the beginning, I'm sure more readers would make it to the end and actually get to experience some of Noah's growth. Granted it may make the pay off at the end a tad less gratifying, but what's the point of gratification if most people abandon the book before they get to that part?
Overall, "Meet Cute Diary" was definitely not the super cute, fluffy romance that I wanted it to be. I found Noah to be so grating on my nerves and Drew was a possessive creep that I just couldn't get behind. The fact that I didn't like most of the main characters took away the appeal of this book, but at least Devin swooped in and saved the day with eir awkwardness and anxious vibes; I don't know if I would have made it through this book without em. I'll probably give this author's books another try, but I will be cautiously optimistic about the odds of me enjoying them.
Noah Ramirez's life revolves around love and the formula of romance. As a sixteen year old teen, he has plenty of time to pour into his blog, Meet Cute Diary, which is filled to the brim with fictional accounts of trans teens falling in love. He also believes that romance happens in a twelve step equation that is showcased in pretty much every form of media ever. The problem with all of this is: it's not real. Things start not looking great for Noah when people online start to realize this. When a troll starts their own blog presenting cold facts on why Noah's stories can't be true, Noah is desperate to find a solution that will save face. The answer practically runs into him when he stumbles upon Drew, a hot guy that works at a local bookstore who just happens to be a super fan of the blog. Noah and Drew soon devise a scheme to fake date one another and share their relationship with readers in the hopes of restoring faith in the power of meet cutes and love itself. As Noah and Drew's relationship deepens, Noah is shocked to find that romance is much harder in real life than it is in romance novels.
The first third of this book was practically unbearable to read. Noah is such a brat, and spending so much time with him was really raining on my parade. Not only does he live in the clouds ninety-nine percent of the time, but he is also incredibly selfish and blinded by his never-ending pursuit for the chance to fall head over heels in love at first sight. BOO! All of these traits are incredibly annoying and make for a truly unlikeable main character. I'm going to get a bit specific here about a couple of things, so feel free to skip the next paragraph if that bothers you at all.
One of the things that really teed me off was how selfish Noah's financial decisions are. His parents gave him a credit card to feed himself when his brother was away from home and he literally used it to buy anything he could think of. He spent over four hundred dollars in a matter of days on pointless things like buying ice cream, books, and coffee all in the hopes that he would stumble into a cute guy that he could swoon over. He also decided that he needed to hire a rideshare to get to all of these places rather than walk a couple of blocks, so he was spending money like there was no tomorrow. And then he was shocked when his mom froze the card! The gall of this kid is truly astounding (he's sixteen, by the way), and this made the beginning third of the book when he was moping around by himself so excruciatingly painful.
Also, all of Noah's logic surrounding his blog is so skewed. Did it really matter if the stories were fictional? People find relief and satisfaction in Hallmark movies all the time, but that doesn't make them anywhere close to true. Fictional stories can move people just as much as real ones if done well, therefore it doesn't even make sense that Noah felt so obligated to convince everyone that his stories were real. And the fact that he didn't open his blog up for people to submit their stories from page one of this book actually had me groaning because the solution was so obvious.
Things started to get a bit better when Noah met Drew, but honestly, he gave me pretty shady vibes from the get-go. Part of me was hoping that they would fall for each other for real because they both seem like such awful people who deserve one another. I'm never a fan of fake dating; it is too dishonest for me to enjoy much. Since this book was drowning in lies, I found it hard to like pretty much any element of it.
Then enters Devin and my thoughts on this book changed quite a bit. Devin goes by many pronouns throughout this book so for the sake of clarity, I going to refer to em using the e/eir pronouns. Devin is the type of character that I eat up in every way. E is truly a darling who loves comic books, Starbucks coffee, and spending time with the kids that e gets to watch during summer camp. E is also a nervous bean who is often afflicted by panic attacks and extreme amounts of anxiety (which I can't help but relate to). Panic attacks are no fun, so I can totally see why Devin felt e needed to apologize for them every time that they happened to em in public. If this sweet nonbinary finey did not grace the pages of this book, it definitely would have been a two star read and I would have hated pretty much every second of it. Devin is definitely too good for Noah, but e is pretty much the perfect love interest to read about.
I like how this book also handled the topics of gender identity. Noah starts this book as an out trans boy who is ready to live his life, but Devin is much more confused about eir identity. Literally, this human goes through all the pronouns in this book, which e has every right to if that's what it takes to feel comfortable in eir skin. Noah's family does still forget about Noah's transition from time to time, but they are very gracious about their slipups. And luckily, this is like the only thing that Noah isn't super selfish about; he actually makes jokes about his family's slips of the tongue.
I haven't much more to say about this book besides the fact that it would have been nice if it was a tad shorter. I could see about fifty percent of readers DNFing this book before it actually gets good due to Noah's personality alone. If there would have been less wallowing in the beginning, I'm sure more readers would make it to the end and actually get to experience some of Noah's growth. Granted it may make the pay off at the end a tad less gratifying, but what's the point of gratification if most people abandon the book before they get to that part?
Overall, "Meet Cute Diary" was definitely not the super cute, fluffy romance that I wanted it to be. I found Noah to be so grating on my nerves and Drew was a possessive creep that I just couldn't get behind. The fact that I didn't like most of the main characters took away the appeal of this book, but at least Devin swooped in and saved the day with eir awkwardness and anxious vibes; I don't know if I would have made it through this book without em. I'll probably give this author's books another try, but I will be cautiously optimistic about the odds of me enjoying them.
A sweet second chance romance featuring plenty of delicious food, boarding school shenanigans, and a swoony soccer coach.
Devon Paige has had quite the successful career as a private chef. That is, until she has an affair with a famous client that leads to a scandal that has her losing all of her clients except for one (who happens to be a famous basketball player who loves cookies). Now with few options remaining, Devon decides to accept her best friend Tam's offer to work at Rockwood, a prestigious boarding school that is in desperate need of a food coordinator. Upon her arrival, she is shocked to find none other than Kyle Hollis among the school's staff. Her and Kyle met fifteen years ago in college and had a one night stand that Devon still can't get out of her mind. Devon tries her hardest to fight her feelings for Kyle, but she feels the same attraction that she did all those years ago. When Devon meets a hot paramedic by the name of Heath, Devon's love life gets even more complicated, and she quickly finds herself amidst a love triangle that she's having a hard time unraveling. Will she give true love a second chance, or will she take the easy way out and choose the man with the least resistance?
This is the first book that I have read by Bouchard, and I found it to be quite an enjoyable read. I thought that this was going to be a summery road trip book based on the cover, but it actually is a fall/winter read that takes place at a boarding school (which is honestly better in my opinion). I must say, I thought she was working at a college initially, but it is indeed a high school boarding school. Overlooking this fact made a couple of things feel a little odd originally, but I eventually figured it out. It was neat to read a rom-com that took place at a school between two adults. This just seems really unique to me and I can't recall reading another book like this.
I really enjoyed Devon and Kyle as characters. The fact that Devon is a chef is really fun; I may not be much of a foodie myself, but I think it's super cool that some people are super into cooking. Her relationships she develops with David, an elite basketball player, and Adrienne, the daughter of the man she had an affair with were sweet to watch form; seeing these bonds blossom was definitely a highlight of this book. Devon's intimate decisions are questionable, but I could overlook this for the sake of the rest of her character. Kyle was my favorite character, for sure. I love how into history he is and all the quirky stories he tells about the US presidents. Teachers like Kyle are ones that students really latch onto, and I'm pretty sure I would be no different. Kyle's character also has a ton of depth due to his divorce and his kid that he has split custody of. I loved getting to know these two as people and seeing them fall in love all over again was quite entertaining and a bit inspiring actually.
I also want to mention Devon's best friend, Tam. She has a love for movies and comparing the real world to events that happens in iconic (and less heard of) films, which I found really neat. I may not have understood every reference due to my lack of film knowledge, but I think having characters addicted to rom-com movies in a romantic comedy of a book is a ton of fun.
I must admit, this book did have me missing my boyfriend a ton. His name is also Kyle, so reading a romance novel with a Kyle as one of the main love interests was simultaneously really fun and slightly painful. Kyle did end up being one of my favorite characters, though, so it was definitely worth all the emotions in the long run.
Overall, "Considering Us" is a fun romantic comedy that pulls off several iconic tropes with finesse. I am usually not a huge fan of second chance romances or love triangles, but I felt that they both worked so well in this novel. This book takes place at a boarding school and has impeccable fall and wintery vibes. I really like Kyle as a character and Devon was also a great lead character. They both have a ton of baggage, so I found it inspiring seeing them come together despite everything. I really enjoyed my time with "Considering Us" and will definitely be checking out more work by Bouchard in the future!
Devon Paige has had quite the successful career as a private chef. That is, until she has an affair with a famous client that leads to a scandal that has her losing all of her clients except for one (who happens to be a famous basketball player who loves cookies). Now with few options remaining, Devon decides to accept her best friend Tam's offer to work at Rockwood, a prestigious boarding school that is in desperate need of a food coordinator. Upon her arrival, she is shocked to find none other than Kyle Hollis among the school's staff. Her and Kyle met fifteen years ago in college and had a one night stand that Devon still can't get out of her mind. Devon tries her hardest to fight her feelings for Kyle, but she feels the same attraction that she did all those years ago. When Devon meets a hot paramedic by the name of Heath, Devon's love life gets even more complicated, and she quickly finds herself amidst a love triangle that she's having a hard time unraveling. Will she give true love a second chance, or will she take the easy way out and choose the man with the least resistance?
This is the first book that I have read by Bouchard, and I found it to be quite an enjoyable read. I thought that this was going to be a summery road trip book based on the cover, but it actually is a fall/winter read that takes place at a boarding school (which is honestly better in my opinion). I must say, I thought she was working at a college initially, but it is indeed a high school boarding school. Overlooking this fact made a couple of things feel a little odd originally, but I eventually figured it out. It was neat to read a rom-com that took place at a school between two adults. This just seems really unique to me and I can't recall reading another book like this.
I really enjoyed Devon and Kyle as characters. The fact that Devon is a chef is really fun; I may not be much of a foodie myself, but I think it's super cool that some people are super into cooking. Her relationships she develops with David, an elite basketball player, and Adrienne, the daughter of the man she had an affair with were sweet to watch form; seeing these bonds blossom was definitely a highlight of this book. Devon's intimate decisions are questionable, but I could overlook this for the sake of the rest of her character. Kyle was my favorite character, for sure. I love how into history he is and all the quirky stories he tells about the US presidents. Teachers like Kyle are ones that students really latch onto, and I'm pretty sure I would be no different. Kyle's character also has a ton of depth due to his divorce and his kid that he has split custody of. I loved getting to know these two as people and seeing them fall in love all over again was quite entertaining and a bit inspiring actually.
I also want to mention Devon's best friend, Tam. She has a love for movies and comparing the real world to events that happens in iconic (and less heard of) films, which I found really neat. I may not have understood every reference due to my lack of film knowledge, but I think having characters addicted to rom-com movies in a romantic comedy of a book is a ton of fun.
I must admit, this book did have me missing my boyfriend a ton. His name is also Kyle, so reading a romance novel with a Kyle as one of the main love interests was simultaneously really fun and slightly painful. Kyle did end up being one of my favorite characters, though, so it was definitely worth all the emotions in the long run.
Overall, "Considering Us" is a fun romantic comedy that pulls off several iconic tropes with finesse. I am usually not a huge fan of second chance romances or love triangles, but I felt that they both worked so well in this novel. This book takes place at a boarding school and has impeccable fall and wintery vibes. I really like Kyle as a character and Devon was also a great lead character. They both have a ton of baggage, so I found it inspiring seeing them come together despite everything. I really enjoyed my time with "Considering Us" and will definitely be checking out more work by Bouchard in the future!
A suspenseful historical fiction read set on a remote island that seems to be haunted.
Sequoia Owen is finally accepting his estranged uncle's offer to visit their family's summer home on Todeket Island. It's 1898 and the stakes for Sequoia have never been higher. Upon arriving on the island, Sequoia meets his mentally unwell aunt Geneve who is convinced that her son's ghost is following Sequoia's every movement. In the span of one weekend, Sequoia has found himself confronted with much more than he has bargained for. He must try to unravel Todeket's mysterious secret before it is too late.
Honestly, I found this book to be quite boring. I signed up to read this book due to the fact that it is pitched as a short historical suspense novel, so I figured I'd fly through it. Yes, I may have finished it in a matter of days, but not because it was exciting or thrilling. I found that I had little interest in Sequoia, Todeket Island, or the mysterious ghosts that were supposedly haunting the island.
The only thing this book really had going for it was that the writing was quite eloquent at times; there are certain passages contained within that I found to be quite poetic and astute. After Sequoia wakes up on the boat, the story picks up a little bit, but not enough to truly redeem the story after the lackluster beginning.
After thinking about this book for a little bit, the biggest theme seems to be the discussion on the morality of war and whether or not it is necessary. Many of the characters seem convinced that war is the only way to truly build a man's character and death is the only way to really appreciate life. Sequoia on the other hand, is quite opposed to war and violence. This is one of the only overarching things that I noticed about this novel, so I figure I would touch on it briefly.
Overall, "The Island of Small Misfortunes" was not my cup of tea. I found it to be quite boring and a tad longwinded despite its small page count. I think if one enjoys reading slower moving historical novels and looking at war with your philosophy cap on, one may find this read quite interesting. I on the other hand, just found myself bored and waiting for the book to come to a close.
Sequoia Owen is finally accepting his estranged uncle's offer to visit their family's summer home on Todeket Island. It's 1898 and the stakes for Sequoia have never been higher. Upon arriving on the island, Sequoia meets his mentally unwell aunt Geneve who is convinced that her son's ghost is following Sequoia's every movement. In the span of one weekend, Sequoia has found himself confronted with much more than he has bargained for. He must try to unravel Todeket's mysterious secret before it is too late.
Honestly, I found this book to be quite boring. I signed up to read this book due to the fact that it is pitched as a short historical suspense novel, so I figured I'd fly through it. Yes, I may have finished it in a matter of days, but not because it was exciting or thrilling. I found that I had little interest in Sequoia, Todeket Island, or the mysterious ghosts that were supposedly haunting the island.
The only thing this book really had going for it was that the writing was quite eloquent at times; there are certain passages contained within that I found to be quite poetic and astute. After Sequoia wakes up on the boat, the story picks up a little bit, but not enough to truly redeem the story after the lackluster beginning.
After thinking about this book for a little bit, the biggest theme seems to be the discussion on the morality of war and whether or not it is necessary. Many of the characters seem convinced that war is the only way to truly build a man's character and death is the only way to really appreciate life. Sequoia on the other hand, is quite opposed to war and violence. This is one of the only overarching things that I noticed about this novel, so I figure I would touch on it briefly.
Overall, "The Island of Small Misfortunes" was not my cup of tea. I found it to be quite boring and a tad longwinded despite its small page count. I think if one enjoys reading slower moving historical novels and looking at war with your philosophy cap on, one may find this read quite interesting. I on the other hand, just found myself bored and waiting for the book to come to a close.
A thrilling, heartachingly beautiful queer romance novel that is loosely based on the Greek myth of Icarus that completely stole my heart and took my breath away.
Icarus Gallagher is many things, but he mostly sees himself as an art thief. It is his job to steal priceless artifacts from Mr. Black—his father's worst enemy who was involved in the death of Icarus' mother—and replace them with nearly perfect replicas that his father crafts. Icarus is good at what he does, not just the thievery, but also not letting others get close enough to him to discover his family's secrets. That is, until he meets Mr. Black's secret son, Helios. Icarus quickly finds himself drawn to this mysterious boy whose father hides him away in the deepest depths of the household. Not wanting Helios to turn him in, Icarus reluctantly agrees to spend time with the lonely boy. As they spend more time together, Icarus begins to forget his rigorous rules and finds himself enjoying the boy's company. As the two learn more about each other, they both begin to realize that they might just be the solution to each other's unfortunate circumstances.
I'm pretty sure I won't be able to capture the true beauty of this book, but I'll certainly try my best. I expected this book to be good (it has been one of my most anticipated reads for over a year now), but it somehow managed to exceed my expectations. It's full of suspense, hilarious dialogue, and heartbreaking instances that look into some of the darker parts of humanity, such as domestic abuse. Also, I've came to realize that thrillers that deal with victims of domestic abuse escaping from their abusers hit me really hard and keep me flipping the pages faster than I often think possible.
"Icarus" deals with many complex family relations. Icarus definitely has a strained relationship with his father and their "family business." This creates a ton of tension and a poor home life for Icarus. Helios and his father's relationship on the other hand is downright evil. Both boys have reasons for wanting to escape the lives they are trapped in, which not only creates a super suspenseful atmosphere in this book but also allows for great learning opportunities for the audience.
Mental and physical abuse can be hard to spot from the outside, but this book does a great job of pointing out that most of the time, close friends are the ones to realize what is truly going on. Icarus obtains quite the support group by the end of this tale, and this novel truly paints a wonderful picture on how important a sense of community can truly be.
The representation in this book is also super important. I think this is the first work of fiction that I've read in which one of the main characters is intersex; I hope this becomes more common in literature eventually. I love how the reveal is done in this book; it is handled with such finesse. Icarus also has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which is the first time that I've seen this syndrome addressed in a book. I love seeing both of these communities represented in YA literature, which is just another reason that I fell in love with this book. The fact that Icarus and Helios both have differences that make them unsure about themselves was very inspiring to see. They both do a great job of realizing that these things are a part of them and that they need to embrace all parts of each other to truly find love.
All the allusions to the Greek mythos in this story were awesome. I must say, I was waiting this entire book for Icarus to take his iconic fall, which really added to the suspense for me. I didn't know that the love interest in this book is named Helios going into it, so I pretty much squealed out loud when I saw this fact. The reason that these two are named Icarus and Helios is also really solid, though super petty on their parent's part. Honestly, this kind of just added to the charm of Icarus and Helios' relationship.
A super niche part of this book that I found quite interesting is the fact that Icarus was raised a devout Catholic. Seeing him grapple with his religious beliefs and his queerness was something that I wasn't quite expecting in this book. I feel that it added another layer of depth to this book that I greatly appreciated.
Overall, "Icarus" is an absolute banger of a book. It's full of suspense, heartfelt moments of community, diverse elements, and swoon worthy romance. I am happy to report that this book is better than I thought it would be, and my expectations were pretty high going into it. It's a relatively quick read, but one that will impact me forever. I am adding this to all my LGBTQIA+, intersex, EDS, and disability rec lists immediately. I can't wait to share this one with all the peoples!
Icarus Gallagher is many things, but he mostly sees himself as an art thief. It is his job to steal priceless artifacts from Mr. Black—his father's worst enemy who was involved in the death of Icarus' mother—and replace them with nearly perfect replicas that his father crafts. Icarus is good at what he does, not just the thievery, but also not letting others get close enough to him to discover his family's secrets. That is, until he meets Mr. Black's secret son, Helios. Icarus quickly finds himself drawn to this mysterious boy whose father hides him away in the deepest depths of the household. Not wanting Helios to turn him in, Icarus reluctantly agrees to spend time with the lonely boy. As they spend more time together, Icarus begins to forget his rigorous rules and finds himself enjoying the boy's company. As the two learn more about each other, they both begin to realize that they might just be the solution to each other's unfortunate circumstances.
I'm pretty sure I won't be able to capture the true beauty of this book, but I'll certainly try my best. I expected this book to be good (it has been one of my most anticipated reads for over a year now), but it somehow managed to exceed my expectations. It's full of suspense, hilarious dialogue, and heartbreaking instances that look into some of the darker parts of humanity, such as domestic abuse. Also, I've came to realize that thrillers that deal with victims of domestic abuse escaping from their abusers hit me really hard and keep me flipping the pages faster than I often think possible.
"Icarus" deals with many complex family relations. Icarus definitely has a strained relationship with his father and their "family business." This creates a ton of tension and a poor home life for Icarus. Helios and his father's relationship on the other hand is downright evil. Both boys have reasons for wanting to escape the lives they are trapped in, which not only creates a super suspenseful atmosphere in this book but also allows for great learning opportunities for the audience.
Mental and physical abuse can be hard to spot from the outside, but this book does a great job of pointing out that most of the time, close friends are the ones to realize what is truly going on. Icarus obtains quite the support group by the end of this tale, and this novel truly paints a wonderful picture on how important a sense of community can truly be.
The representation in this book is also super important. I think this is the first work of fiction that I've read in which one of the main characters is intersex; I hope this becomes more common in literature eventually. I love how the reveal is done in this book; it is handled with such finesse. Icarus also has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which is the first time that I've seen this syndrome addressed in a book. I love seeing both of these communities represented in YA literature, which is just another reason that I fell in love with this book. The fact that Icarus and Helios both have differences that make them unsure about themselves was very inspiring to see. They both do a great job of realizing that these things are a part of them and that they need to embrace all parts of each other to truly find love.
All the allusions to the Greek mythos in this story were awesome. I must say, I was waiting this entire book for Icarus to take his iconic fall, which really added to the suspense for me. I didn't know that the love interest in this book is named Helios going into it, so I pretty much squealed out loud when I saw this fact. The reason that these two are named Icarus and Helios is also really solid, though super petty on their parent's part. Honestly, this kind of just added to the charm of Icarus and Helios' relationship.
A super niche part of this book that I found quite interesting is the fact that Icarus was raised a devout Catholic. Seeing him grapple with his religious beliefs and his queerness was something that I wasn't quite expecting in this book. I feel that it added another layer of depth to this book that I greatly appreciated.
Overall, "Icarus" is an absolute banger of a book. It's full of suspense, heartfelt moments of community, diverse elements, and swoon worthy romance. I am happy to report that this book is better than I thought it would be, and my expectations were pretty high going into it. It's a relatively quick read, but one that will impact me forever. I am adding this to all my LGBTQIA+, intersex, EDS, and disability rec lists immediately. I can't wait to share this one with all the peoples!
A moving YA debut that showcases a community of queer teens and the lengths that they have to go just to be themselves.
Brian and Riley host a podcast called Shampoo Unicorn that dives deep into what it is like being queer in a small town in West Virginia (which lies inside of the "Bible Belt" of the US). Their hometown of Canon may only care about things such as country living, the word of God, and football, but that doesn't stop Brian from being his authentic gay self (even if this leads to him being relentlessly picked on). Unbeknownst to Brian and Riley, their podcast is helping Leslie, a trans girl who lives in Pennsylvania, grapple with her own identity. And Greg appears to be living the life as a star football player on his team, but his teammates don't know one giant thing about him: he's secretly gay. When a shocking hate crime shakes Canon, Brian and Riley are willing to do anything in their power to figure out exactly what happens. Shampoo Unicorn brings a group of queer exiles together as they fight for the justice that they deserve.
As soon as I saw "Shampoo Unicorn," I knew I just had to read it. And boy, I was not disappointed. This book reminded me of "Two Boys Kissing" and "All American Boys" for various reasons. This is definitely a lofty compliment, because those books are fairly huge in the book world and the reason they are is because they speak out against injustices that need to be addressed. "Shampoo Unicorn" certainly does the same.
The way this book is told is so smart. It is told in three points of view: Brian, Leslie, and Greg's. Brian's PoV is told in first person, a reflection that he is sure of who he is. His perspective reads the most casually, as though you are just reading any other story. Leslie's PoV is told in third person, really bringing out her pronouns, which is a huge deal due to the fact that she is a closeted trans woman. The usage of third person also makes her sections read as very reflective, especially due to the fact that Lovett chose a singular topic for each chapter (things such as action, fear, and technology), which really brought out the message of each chapter. Greg's PoV was told in second person, which is an artform that is utilized pretty rarely. It worked perfectly for this book, because Greg is still rather unsure of himself and his identity. It also makes it super easy as the reader to place yourself in his shoes (it is hard not to do so when it literally reads "you" do everything). Greg goes through so many painful events, and his perspectives being written in second person really had my empathy card going wild. Long story short, the use of tenses and styles in this book was super poignant and I give the author many kudos.
The fact that Brian and Riley utilize a podcast to share their voices with the world even when the authorities wouldn't listen to them is nifty. In this day and age, podcasts are huge, so it was a great tie into pop culture as well as an effective way to spread the messages to the other characters in this story.
Speaking of characters, I truly adore all of them. Brian exudes swagger and coolness, but it was easy for me to tell how sensitive and unsure of himself he often is from the start of the novel. Riley is fierce and won't back down from any challenge. These two have great banter, and it is extremely fun to read the dialogue that makes up the episodes of their podcasts. Greg seems like a bit of a jerk at the beginning, but he really is just doing his best to survive as a secret queer kid in his own way. I can't say that all his decisions were right or good, but I see where he is coming from. I wasn't as attached to Leslie, but I could tell that Leslie's character showcased many of the author's personal experiences as a trans man (which I greatly appreciated). Beth and Derek stand out in their own ways too, even though they aren't as important of characters to the plot. The crew in this book is truly quite awesome, and it makes me sad that I have to part with them so soon.
One of my favorite parts about this book is that it delves into the complicated nature of devout Christians and the opinions that they often hold towards the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in general. Canon is a remote small town with quite a religious population, so it is only natural that many outdated mindsets are still present in this town. "Shampoo Unicorn" does a fantastic job of showcasing the dangers of rural isolation and how it is a breeding ground for hatred and unjust prejudices. This book definitely better helped me understand how these mindsets are created in people, though it will always be hard for me to palate how people maintain these attitudes towards their fellow humans and still claim that they have Christian beliefs. This book handles these complex religious topics with such finesse, which is something that many would not dare to emulate.
Overall, "Shampoo Unicorn" is truly a work of art. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book, no matter one's knowledge or lack of knowledge on the queer community. I adore the characters and the quirky bonds that they have for one another. The slight romantic undertones present in this book are super mild, which made me super happy, but didn't distract from the main messages. This book tackles some tough topic matter, but it is all done with such skill. I especially love the moments that tackle rural isolation of communities and how it breeds outdated mindsets and prejudices. The use of perspective in this book is masterful, and I ate up every written word in this book. This book is shooting to the top of many of my rec lists, and I can't wait until this book ends up in the hands of more people. This story would also be a great one to discuss during a book club or with friends due to all the topics it tackles. Anyone who loves LGBTQIA+ literature must make this one a priority and anyone who wants to become more empathetic should totally check this one out as soon as possible. Seriously, I don't think I'll be able to recommend this one enough!
Brian and Riley host a podcast called Shampoo Unicorn that dives deep into what it is like being queer in a small town in West Virginia (which lies inside of the "Bible Belt" of the US). Their hometown of Canon may only care about things such as country living, the word of God, and football, but that doesn't stop Brian from being his authentic gay self (even if this leads to him being relentlessly picked on). Unbeknownst to Brian and Riley, their podcast is helping Leslie, a trans girl who lives in Pennsylvania, grapple with her own identity. And Greg appears to be living the life as a star football player on his team, but his teammates don't know one giant thing about him: he's secretly gay. When a shocking hate crime shakes Canon, Brian and Riley are willing to do anything in their power to figure out exactly what happens. Shampoo Unicorn brings a group of queer exiles together as they fight for the justice that they deserve.
As soon as I saw "Shampoo Unicorn," I knew I just had to read it. And boy, I was not disappointed. This book reminded me of "Two Boys Kissing" and "All American Boys" for various reasons. This is definitely a lofty compliment, because those books are fairly huge in the book world and the reason they are is because they speak out against injustices that need to be addressed. "Shampoo Unicorn" certainly does the same.
The way this book is told is so smart. It is told in three points of view: Brian, Leslie, and Greg's. Brian's PoV is told in first person, a reflection that he is sure of who he is. His perspective reads the most casually, as though you are just reading any other story. Leslie's PoV is told in third person, really bringing out her pronouns, which is a huge deal due to the fact that she is a closeted trans woman. The usage of third person also makes her sections read as very reflective, especially due to the fact that Lovett chose a singular topic for each chapter (things such as action, fear, and technology), which really brought out the message of each chapter. Greg's PoV was told in second person, which is an artform that is utilized pretty rarely. It worked perfectly for this book, because Greg is still rather unsure of himself and his identity. It also makes it super easy as the reader to place yourself in his shoes (it is hard not to do so when it literally reads "you" do everything). Greg goes through so many painful events, and his perspectives being written in second person really had my empathy card going wild. Long story short, the use of tenses and styles in this book was super poignant and I give the author many kudos.
The fact that Brian and Riley utilize a podcast to share their voices with the world even when the authorities wouldn't listen to them is nifty. In this day and age, podcasts are huge, so it was a great tie into pop culture as well as an effective way to spread the messages to the other characters in this story.
Speaking of characters, I truly adore all of them. Brian exudes swagger and coolness, but it was easy for me to tell how sensitive and unsure of himself he often is from the start of the novel. Riley is fierce and won't back down from any challenge. These two have great banter, and it is extremely fun to read the dialogue that makes up the episodes of their podcasts. Greg seems like a bit of a jerk at the beginning, but he really is just doing his best to survive as a secret queer kid in his own way. I can't say that all his decisions were right or good, but I see where he is coming from. I wasn't as attached to Leslie, but I could tell that Leslie's character showcased many of the author's personal experiences as a trans man (which I greatly appreciated). Beth and Derek stand out in their own ways too, even though they aren't as important of characters to the plot. The crew in this book is truly quite awesome, and it makes me sad that I have to part with them so soon.
One of my favorite parts about this book is that it delves into the complicated nature of devout Christians and the opinions that they often hold towards the LGBTQIA+ community and queerness in general. Canon is a remote small town with quite a religious population, so it is only natural that many outdated mindsets are still present in this town. "Shampoo Unicorn" does a fantastic job of showcasing the dangers of rural isolation and how it is a breeding ground for hatred and unjust prejudices. This book definitely better helped me understand how these mindsets are created in people, though it will always be hard for me to palate how people maintain these attitudes towards their fellow humans and still claim that they have Christian beliefs. This book handles these complex religious topics with such finesse, which is something that many would not dare to emulate.
Overall, "Shampoo Unicorn" is truly a work of art. I think everyone could benefit from reading this book, no matter one's knowledge or lack of knowledge on the queer community. I adore the characters and the quirky bonds that they have for one another. The slight romantic undertones present in this book are super mild, which made me super happy, but didn't distract from the main messages. This book tackles some tough topic matter, but it is all done with such skill. I especially love the moments that tackle rural isolation of communities and how it breeds outdated mindsets and prejudices. The use of perspective in this book is masterful, and I ate up every written word in this book. This book is shooting to the top of many of my rec lists, and I can't wait until this book ends up in the hands of more people. This story would also be a great one to discuss during a book club or with friends due to all the topics it tackles. Anyone who loves LGBTQIA+ literature must make this one a priority and anyone who wants to become more empathetic should totally check this one out as soon as possible. Seriously, I don't think I'll be able to recommend this one enough!
A middle grade graphic novelette that explores what it's like when your dreams finally come true but things aren't quite as you remembered them.
After an accident that caused Rex to lose one of his legs, his career as a bodyguard comes abruptly to an end. Now, he's stuck picking fruit on a distant planet where things are the same every single day. That is, until the planet gets a visitor who gives him the opportunity to pick up his old ray gun again. However, things don't feel the same and Rex begins to reconsider what he truly wants in life.
For a fifty page novelette, I really enjoyed the story of this one. I think many people can relate to Rex. He's stuck in a mundane lifestyle feeling like he has a bigger purpose to fulfill. But when he is given a chance to return to the lifestyle he once lived, he begins to reconsider his quiet life that he has come to appreciate immensely. I think the themes presented in this story are quite realistic, and people of many ages can relate to them.
This is the second short graphic novel that I have read by this author, and I can see immense improvements in the pacing, the art style, and the character development compared to the first one I read.
Overall, "Free" is a short and sweet graphic novelette that explores some great themes in a cute, easy to palate way. I enjoyed watching Rex grapple with his feelings and I look forward to seeing how Rex deals with their problems in the second installment of this series.
After an accident that caused Rex to lose one of his legs, his career as a bodyguard comes abruptly to an end. Now, he's stuck picking fruit on a distant planet where things are the same every single day. That is, until the planet gets a visitor who gives him the opportunity to pick up his old ray gun again. However, things don't feel the same and Rex begins to reconsider what he truly wants in life.
For a fifty page novelette, I really enjoyed the story of this one. I think many people can relate to Rex. He's stuck in a mundane lifestyle feeling like he has a bigger purpose to fulfill. But when he is given a chance to return to the lifestyle he once lived, he begins to reconsider his quiet life that he has come to appreciate immensely. I think the themes presented in this story are quite realistic, and people of many ages can relate to them.
This is the second short graphic novel that I have read by this author, and I can see immense improvements in the pacing, the art style, and the character development compared to the first one I read.
Overall, "Free" is a short and sweet graphic novelette that explores some great themes in a cute, easy to palate way. I enjoyed watching Rex grapple with his feelings and I look forward to seeing how Rex deals with their problems in the second installment of this series.
A small town romance featuring a girl with a broken heart who is afraid to love again and the man who isn't willing to let her go despite this.
Kayla Harris is gearing up for one last summer of busy work before starting an internship that will potentially pave the path to her dream career as an event planner. Chase Wilmington is ready for one final summer of relaxation before he jumps into working at his family's tech business. When Kayla the workaholic meets Chase the charmer, things can't help but heat up as they fall for each other hard and fast. Unfortunately, summer vacation only lasts so long and the chances of them lasting longer than the summer are next to none. Can Chase melt Kayla's unflinching exterior and heal her broken heart before the summer is up?
Honestly, I consumed this book relatively quickly, yet I don't remember a whole lot from it. For the most part, this book felt like a pretty average romance that didn't sparkle in any special way. I thought the summery camp vibes in this book were pretty fun, but they didn't really last all that long. I also really enjoyed how Kayla connects with family that she didn't know that she had in this book. It was sweet seeing her interact with Artie, and I really came to appreciate these two's relationship.
I didn't hate Chase and Kayla as a couple, but they personally moved a little too fast for my taste. Chase was pretty desperate to have her from their first meeting and that made me a tad uncomfortable. Luckily, he did a good job of holding himself back and giving Kayla the space that she needed throughout the entirety of this novel. If he wouldn't have done this, I'm not sure I could have enjoyed this book. As it was though, I'm really glad that Chase wanted to bond with her on a more emotional level before making things more physical than holding hands and kissing. This entire story happens over a single summer, which is still a tad fast for me considering how far their relationship went in such a short period of time. I suppose when you find the one, sometimes you just know and don't want to waste time, though. I appreciate that Kayla was much more hesitant and made Chase really work to get her to cave in to his charms.
The third act conflict in this one was a tad petty, but I also see why it was done. Morgan is such a jerk, and it checks out that she would go to the lengths she went to make Kayla jealous. I get that Kayla has every right to be skeptical after the events that went down with her ex, but man, why can't any romantic relationships seem to be built on trust and open communication? *shakes head sadly*
On a complete side note, I really liked Kayla's best friend, Ashlie, and Chase's best friend, Hunter. The second book is apparently about these two, so I might have to consider this series despite my lackluster feelings about this book.
Overall, "Some Kind of Forever" was a pretty average romance for me. I didn't dislike Chase and Kayla, but I didn't feel overly attached to them either. This romance did have many cute moments, but it moved a tad too quickly for me to truly fall in love with this relationship. I did adore many of the side characters, and I have hopes that additional books in this series could work better for me personally. If one enjoys small town romances featuring charming men and independent women, this would be a good one to check out.
Kayla Harris is gearing up for one last summer of busy work before starting an internship that will potentially pave the path to her dream career as an event planner. Chase Wilmington is ready for one final summer of relaxation before he jumps into working at his family's tech business. When Kayla the workaholic meets Chase the charmer, things can't help but heat up as they fall for each other hard and fast. Unfortunately, summer vacation only lasts so long and the chances of them lasting longer than the summer are next to none. Can Chase melt Kayla's unflinching exterior and heal her broken heart before the summer is up?
Honestly, I consumed this book relatively quickly, yet I don't remember a whole lot from it. For the most part, this book felt like a pretty average romance that didn't sparkle in any special way. I thought the summery camp vibes in this book were pretty fun, but they didn't really last all that long. I also really enjoyed how Kayla connects with family that she didn't know that she had in this book. It was sweet seeing her interact with Artie, and I really came to appreciate these two's relationship.
I didn't hate Chase and Kayla as a couple, but they personally moved a little too fast for my taste. Chase was pretty desperate to have her from their first meeting and that made me a tad uncomfortable. Luckily, he did a good job of holding himself back and giving Kayla the space that she needed throughout the entirety of this novel. If he wouldn't have done this, I'm not sure I could have enjoyed this book. As it was though, I'm really glad that Chase wanted to bond with her on a more emotional level before making things more physical than holding hands and kissing. This entire story happens over a single summer, which is still a tad fast for me considering how far their relationship went in such a short period of time. I suppose when you find the one, sometimes you just know and don't want to waste time, though. I appreciate that Kayla was much more hesitant and made Chase really work to get her to cave in to his charms.
The third act conflict in this one was a tad petty, but I also see why it was done. Morgan is such a jerk, and it checks out that she would go to the lengths she went to make Kayla jealous. I get that Kayla has every right to be skeptical after the events that went down with her ex, but man, why can't any romantic relationships seem to be built on trust and open communication? *shakes head sadly*
On a complete side note, I really liked Kayla's best friend, Ashlie, and Chase's best friend, Hunter. The second book is apparently about these two, so I might have to consider this series despite my lackluster feelings about this book.
Overall, "Some Kind of Forever" was a pretty average romance for me. I didn't dislike Chase and Kayla, but I didn't feel overly attached to them either. This romance did have many cute moments, but it moved a tad too quickly for me to truly fall in love with this relationship. I did adore many of the side characters, and I have hopes that additional books in this series could work better for me personally. If one enjoys small town romances featuring charming men and independent women, this would be a good one to check out.
In this follow-up to "XOXO," Nathaniel and Sori are given a second chance at love in an industry that is trying its hardest to keep them apart.
Sori has strived to become a K-pop idol and impress her mother her entire life, but she's starting to lose her passion for the lifestyle. Despite this, both of her parents press their expectations on her at all times. And one of these expectations is that she stays away from her ex-boyfriend, Nathaniel, who just happens to be a part of the popular K-pop band called XOXO. But when Nathaniel finds himself faced with another scandal, Sori offers to let him hide out at her place to avoid the press. Now, Sori finds herself happy again for the first time in years. . . But is a chance at true love worth giving up on her hopes for her future career?
It was so great to be back in the "XOXO" universe. I loved the first book, so I was excited to finally get my hands on this companion novel. I didn't love Sori in the first book, but I really enjoyed her perspective, and it was awesome getting to know her better. It was also really great seeing Jenny, Angela, Gi Taek, and all the XOXO members again; they are truly such a great found family whom I love seeing interact with one another.
The romantic tension between Sori and Nathaniel was so good in this book. We know that they had to break up with one another due to a scandal that happened several years ago, but it is quite obvious that these two still have intense feelings for one another. I especially adore the scenes that take place during the variety show. The other times they are on TV and radio shows together also exhibit their chemistry, but I really enjoyed seeing them run and hide together during the variety show. I also love the "bad girl" and "bad boy" vibes that these two have; it made seeing how far they were willing to break the rules very exciting.
The third act conflict was slightly annoying, but I also see where Sori was coming from. Her parent's both have heavy expectations of her, and she doesn't want to let them down in various ways. Therefore, it makes sense that she tries to push Nathaniel away, but it is slightly annoying because they are so good for each other.
The new characters that are introduced in this book were also great. Nathaniel's sister, Nadine, seems like a pretty cool cat. Hyemi, the trainee of ASAP that Sori is charged in mentoring, is such a darling. I really hope that Oh decides to write a third book in this series featuring Hyemi and Youngmin. Seriously, it would be such a wholesome and cute love story. <3
Just like in "XOXO" I found it really fun to follow the lives of Korean idols. Their lives are so different than mine, and I find the lives of the famous (especially those in Asian cultures) to be really interesting to follow. In the course of this book, Sori stars on multiple TV series, radio shows, and works hand in hand with K-pop bands (among other things). I will forever be entranced by these kinds of lifestyles, and I am glad that I got to dive into the "XOXO" world in this way again.
Overall, I really liked "ASAP." It is always nice to return to a fictional world that I adore, so reading this book was truly a joy. I loved seeing the returning characters, learning more about K-idol lifestyles, and enjoy another fluffy romance from the mind of Axie Oh. I seriously hope that she keeps expanding this universe in a future novel, but for now, I'll just continue to adore these two books and rec them to as many people who will listen to me!
Sori has strived to become a K-pop idol and impress her mother her entire life, but she's starting to lose her passion for the lifestyle. Despite this, both of her parents press their expectations on her at all times. And one of these expectations is that she stays away from her ex-boyfriend, Nathaniel, who just happens to be a part of the popular K-pop band called XOXO. But when Nathaniel finds himself faced with another scandal, Sori offers to let him hide out at her place to avoid the press. Now, Sori finds herself happy again for the first time in years. . . But is a chance at true love worth giving up on her hopes for her future career?
It was so great to be back in the "XOXO" universe. I loved the first book, so I was excited to finally get my hands on this companion novel. I didn't love Sori in the first book, but I really enjoyed her perspective, and it was awesome getting to know her better. It was also really great seeing Jenny, Angela, Gi Taek, and all the XOXO members again; they are truly such a great found family whom I love seeing interact with one another.
The romantic tension between Sori and Nathaniel was so good in this book. We know that they had to break up with one another due to a scandal that happened several years ago, but it is quite obvious that these two still have intense feelings for one another. I especially adore the scenes that take place during the variety show. The other times they are on TV and radio shows together also exhibit their chemistry, but I really enjoyed seeing them run and hide together during the variety show. I also love the "bad girl" and "bad boy" vibes that these two have; it made seeing how far they were willing to break the rules very exciting.
The third act conflict was slightly annoying, but I also see where Sori was coming from. Her parent's both have heavy expectations of her, and she doesn't want to let them down in various ways. Therefore, it makes sense that she tries to push Nathaniel away, but it is slightly annoying because they are so good for each other.
The new characters that are introduced in this book were also great. Nathaniel's sister, Nadine, seems like a pretty cool cat. Hyemi, the trainee of ASAP that Sori is charged in mentoring, is such a darling. I really hope that Oh decides to write a third book in this series featuring Hyemi and Youngmin. Seriously, it would be such a wholesome and cute love story. <3
Just like in "XOXO" I found it really fun to follow the lives of Korean idols. Their lives are so different than mine, and I find the lives of the famous (especially those in Asian cultures) to be really interesting to follow. In the course of this book, Sori stars on multiple TV series, radio shows, and works hand in hand with K-pop bands (among other things). I will forever be entranced by these kinds of lifestyles, and I am glad that I got to dive into the "XOXO" world in this way again.
Overall, I really liked "ASAP." It is always nice to return to a fictional world that I adore, so reading this book was truly a joy. I loved seeing the returning characters, learning more about K-idol lifestyles, and enjoy another fluffy romance from the mind of Axie Oh. I seriously hope that she keeps expanding this universe in a future novel, but for now, I'll just continue to adore these two books and rec them to as many people who will listen to me!
Two girls race to escape from the horror novel that they are trapped in before the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Day in this exciting sapphic fantasy horror novel.
Sophie Vanguard has spent her days holed up in her cozy cabin just the way she likes it. That is, until a mysterious girl appears on her doorstep claiming to be Sophie's childhood best friend. Ly Thi Ren bursts into Sophie's life claiming that they are both trapped inside a horror novel, and they only have a couple of hours to escape if they want a chance to escape the people that trapped them inside the insidious book in the first place.
The first couple of chapters had me a bit confused about what in the world was happening, but I soon found myself understanding the complicated cult that Sophie and Ren are trapped in and the various things that it entailed. Right away I was a bit thrown off by how nonlinear this book was in changing perspectives and jumping through time, but I soon found myself absorbed in the world and frantically turning pages to see what happened next.
Humanity tends to be drawn to the occult and find cults quite interesting, and I am certainly no exception. In this book, three families worship a demon who requires children to be sacrificed to it and traps people in books. People's devotion to cults is always so intriguing to me and time after time it shocks me that people genuinely believe that they are doing the right thing.
The majority of this book features Sophie and Ren trying to escape from the horror novel that they are stuck inside. These two have to face many different foes such as zombies, stalkers, killer teddy bears, and even alt versions of each other. Every obstacle that they faced raised the stakes and got me even more excited to see how this book would climax.
I also really appreciated the relationship between Sophie and Ren. I appreciate that they have been friends forever and that they have a complicated relation with the third member of their trio, Jeremy. The romance elements in this book weren't suffocating, but they did a great job of adding a little more lightness to this dark novel.
The ending was also very satisfying. The allusions on the last page were truly golden and they had me giggling. Getting a bit of resolution from the cult was also much appreciated and as a reader, I was left with a ton of hope for the future.
Before I end this review, I want to comment on how pretty this book is. It was self-published, which allowed the author to adorn it with some pretty cool designs. From the end pages, to the chapter headers, to the random images scattered throughout the book, this novel is filled with pretty illustrations that accompany the book wonderfully.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with "Inked in Blood and Memory." As a reader, the concept of getting stuck inside a book was really fun and I found the fact that the majority of this story revolved around a cult made it quite interesting. The thriller-esque nature of this book was also nailed quite wonderfully. The fact that this book was told in so many perspectives also added to the creepy nature of this novel. I would be quite intrigued to see what else Ivy has penned, because I found this book to be unique, creepy, and filled to the brim with thrilling moments that kept me rapidly turning the pages.
Sophie Vanguard has spent her days holed up in her cozy cabin just the way she likes it. That is, until a mysterious girl appears on her doorstep claiming to be Sophie's childhood best friend. Ly Thi Ren bursts into Sophie's life claiming that they are both trapped inside a horror novel, and they only have a couple of hours to escape if they want a chance to escape the people that trapped them inside the insidious book in the first place.
The first couple of chapters had me a bit confused about what in the world was happening, but I soon found myself understanding the complicated cult that Sophie and Ren are trapped in and the various things that it entailed. Right away I was a bit thrown off by how nonlinear this book was in changing perspectives and jumping through time, but I soon found myself absorbed in the world and frantically turning pages to see what happened next.
Humanity tends to be drawn to the occult and find cults quite interesting, and I am certainly no exception. In this book, three families worship a demon who requires children to be sacrificed to it and traps people in books. People's devotion to cults is always so intriguing to me and time after time it shocks me that people genuinely believe that they are doing the right thing.
The majority of this book features Sophie and Ren trying to escape from the horror novel that they are stuck inside. These two have to face many different foes such as zombies, stalkers, killer teddy bears, and even alt versions of each other. Every obstacle that they faced raised the stakes and got me even more excited to see how this book would climax.
I also really appreciated the relationship between Sophie and Ren. I appreciate that they have been friends forever and that they have a complicated relation with the third member of their trio, Jeremy. The romance elements in this book weren't suffocating, but they did a great job of adding a little more lightness to this dark novel.
The ending was also very satisfying. The allusions on the last page were truly golden and they had me giggling. Getting a bit of resolution from the cult was also much appreciated and as a reader, I was left with a ton of hope for the future.
Before I end this review, I want to comment on how pretty this book is. It was self-published, which allowed the author to adorn it with some pretty cool designs. From the end pages, to the chapter headers, to the random images scattered throughout the book, this novel is filled with pretty illustrations that accompany the book wonderfully.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with "Inked in Blood and Memory." As a reader, the concept of getting stuck inside a book was really fun and I found the fact that the majority of this story revolved around a cult made it quite interesting. The thriller-esque nature of this book was also nailed quite wonderfully. The fact that this book was told in so many perspectives also added to the creepy nature of this novel. I would be quite intrigued to see what else Ivy has penned, because I found this book to be unique, creepy, and filled to the brim with thrilling moments that kept me rapidly turning the pages.
A reimagining of "Beauty and the Beast" mashed together with the iconic tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" that come together in a dark romantasy tale.
In the kingdom of Valleydan, the people are ruled by the Wilderwood. In order to keep the woods at bay, a princess is sacrificed every hundred years to try to appease them. This year, it is Red's turn to be given to the Wolf that resides inside of the Wilderwood in the hope that he will return the world's gods that have been held captive for centuries. Red has known from the day of her birth that this would be her fate, so she decides that she won't fight her destiny. Upon entering the woods, Red realizes that the stories that her kingdom has raised her on are all lies. The Wolf isn't a monster, but a man who is doing everything in his power to control the woods and keep them from overtaking Valleydan. Now that her world has been turned on its side, Red must adjust what she believes and try to help the Wolf save her kingdom from the evils that hide in the woods.
Honestly, I see the potential in this book. It is a fairy tale mash-up with a decent premise and plenty of romantic elements. However, this book was so long, and it often had me completely zoning out. I may have even enjoyed this book if it would have been a hundred and fifty pages shorter.
I thought the story line that followed Red in the Wilderwood was solid enough, but Neve's entire side of the tale was so boring. This book also didn't seem that original; I've read several other "Beauty and the Beast" retellings that were pretty similar to it. I did like the characters that lived in the Wolf's keep though. Unfortunately, there was nothing in this book that made me want to keep reading it, but I did make it to the end without it being too painful to consume.
Overall, I was not a huge fan of "For the Wolf." In my opinion, this book was just way too long, and many sections of this book felt repetitive and pointless. I am slightly intrigued to see how this duology ends, so I'll probably finish the series one day. The latter half of this book was pretty decent, so I have hopes that the second installment could be much better than this book was. By no means will I be rushing to read the next one, but I'm sure I'll get to it sometime in the future.
In the kingdom of Valleydan, the people are ruled by the Wilderwood. In order to keep the woods at bay, a princess is sacrificed every hundred years to try to appease them. This year, it is Red's turn to be given to the Wolf that resides inside of the Wilderwood in the hope that he will return the world's gods that have been held captive for centuries. Red has known from the day of her birth that this would be her fate, so she decides that she won't fight her destiny. Upon entering the woods, Red realizes that the stories that her kingdom has raised her on are all lies. The Wolf isn't a monster, but a man who is doing everything in his power to control the woods and keep them from overtaking Valleydan. Now that her world has been turned on its side, Red must adjust what she believes and try to help the Wolf save her kingdom from the evils that hide in the woods.
Honestly, I see the potential in this book. It is a fairy tale mash-up with a decent premise and plenty of romantic elements. However, this book was so long, and it often had me completely zoning out. I may have even enjoyed this book if it would have been a hundred and fifty pages shorter.
I thought the story line that followed Red in the Wilderwood was solid enough, but Neve's entire side of the tale was so boring. This book also didn't seem that original; I've read several other "Beauty and the Beast" retellings that were pretty similar to it. I did like the characters that lived in the Wolf's keep though. Unfortunately, there was nothing in this book that made me want to keep reading it, but I did make it to the end without it being too painful to consume.
Overall, I was not a huge fan of "For the Wolf." In my opinion, this book was just way too long, and many sections of this book felt repetitive and pointless. I am slightly intrigued to see how this duology ends, so I'll probably finish the series one day. The latter half of this book was pretty decent, so I have hopes that the second installment could be much better than this book was. By no means will I be rushing to read the next one, but I'm sure I'll get to it sometime in the future.