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thebooknerdscorner's Reviews (1.49k)
Torn between reality and the women in his dreams, Sam is forced to reevaluate what he truly wants when it comes to love.
Sam Cooper is a diplomat working for the United States government who is currently stationed in Singapore. His life mostly consists of work, but at least he has Kate to help pass some of the long hours before he retires for the night. Once his eyes close though, Sam finds himself transported to an alternate universe where his chances at finding love are flourishing and his happiness is better than he's felt in his current life. As the dreamscapes begin to expand, Sam starts to wonder which life is he truly living? And what exactly does he desire in a romantic relationship?
"The Good Nights" is a thought-provoking book with a truly interesting premise. The fact that Sam is living multiple different AU versions of his life all while he sleeps raises quite a few questions but is mostly used as a uniquely cinematic way to explore some deep questions about life and love.
One thing that was really interesting in this one is the fact that Sam is sorta with four different women at different times. It is interesting to compare the four, and see which ones make Sam truly happy. The best part is, every woman is quite different from the next, which leads for an exciting dating pool. Kate is a successful diplomat who values her independence and her physical relations with Sam over any other part of their relationship. Shiva is a caring art gallery curator who values family and loyalty above all else. Céline works in marketing in the fashion world and is rambunctious and spontaneous. Finally, Lara is a bit shyer and more reserved, while also having a quiet sense of adventure. It's cool to see how each woman brings out a version of Sam. It really made me think about how we act differently depending on who we're with and the importance of finding someone that makes us truly happy.
Also, Sam's dreams force him to think about the situation that he is currently living in. Is he truly happy? Can he keep living how he is? I think we all need a reminder to be proactive with our lives rather than just coast through doing things that are easy and familiar. This book does an amazing job at passing on this reminder.
I was a bit thrown off by the whirlwind nature of this narrative. Mid-chapter and after many of the dinkuses, the perspective often changes to a different Sam in a completely separate AU. This was often not the easiest to follow, but it truly fit the vibe of this story. The dream Sams are not aware of the fact that they aren't real, so it is totally fitting that there is little warning that they are now suddenly existing again with no knowledge of anything else. When Sam wakes up again, he retains his memories, but it's still a jarring experience that he is waking up from. I wouldn't recommend this style for many books, but I actually liked it for this one.
The themes that discuss destiny, fate, and taking control of one's own life are very powerful. There is obviously a reason that Sam, Shiva, Céline, and Lara are connected with one another, but I love that they're not really sure what it is. The universe works in mysterious ways, after all. I think this book did a great job of balancing the messages that some things are meant to happen while also pressing that with enough effort, one can find the things that they desire.
Another thing that was neat about this one is that every Sam had a different career as well as lived in a different city. It was not only cool to experience various areas in the world (I think learning a bit more about Dubai was my favorite), but it also made me think about just how different one's life can become off of one single life decision. This can be scary to think about, but it's also insanely interesting.
The ending to this one is a bit predictable, but it has such a feel-good vibe that it's hard to be mad at this fact. I'm obviously not going to spoil the ending, but you can rest easy knowing that Sam gets his happily ever after.
Overall, "The Good Nights" was a very intriguing read that had me thinking about fate, destiny, and the idea of true love. Seriously, the number of deep thoughts that this book had me thinking about was pretty crazy, but it's still a super easy to read book. I'm glad that I was given the chance to witness Sam's search for love and all the various messages that his journey had to offer. If you're interested in a philosophical love story with a hint of magical realism, I highly recommend this one!
Sam Cooper is a diplomat working for the United States government who is currently stationed in Singapore. His life mostly consists of work, but at least he has Kate to help pass some of the long hours before he retires for the night. Once his eyes close though, Sam finds himself transported to an alternate universe where his chances at finding love are flourishing and his happiness is better than he's felt in his current life. As the dreamscapes begin to expand, Sam starts to wonder which life is he truly living? And what exactly does he desire in a romantic relationship?
"The Good Nights" is a thought-provoking book with a truly interesting premise. The fact that Sam is living multiple different AU versions of his life all while he sleeps raises quite a few questions but is mostly used as a uniquely cinematic way to explore some deep questions about life and love.
One thing that was really interesting in this one is the fact that Sam is sorta with four different women at different times. It is interesting to compare the four, and see which ones make Sam truly happy. The best part is, every woman is quite different from the next, which leads for an exciting dating pool. Kate is a successful diplomat who values her independence and her physical relations with Sam over any other part of their relationship. Shiva is a caring art gallery curator who values family and loyalty above all else. Céline works in marketing in the fashion world and is rambunctious and spontaneous. Finally, Lara is a bit shyer and more reserved, while also having a quiet sense of adventure. It's cool to see how each woman brings out a version of Sam. It really made me think about how we act differently depending on who we're with and the importance of finding someone that makes us truly happy.
Also, Sam's dreams force him to think about the situation that he is currently living in. Is he truly happy? Can he keep living how he is? I think we all need a reminder to be proactive with our lives rather than just coast through doing things that are easy and familiar. This book does an amazing job at passing on this reminder.
I was a bit thrown off by the whirlwind nature of this narrative. Mid-chapter and after many of the dinkuses, the perspective often changes to a different Sam in a completely separate AU. This was often not the easiest to follow, but it truly fit the vibe of this story. The dream Sams are not aware of the fact that they aren't real, so it is totally fitting that there is little warning that they are now suddenly existing again with no knowledge of anything else. When Sam wakes up again, he retains his memories, but it's still a jarring experience that he is waking up from. I wouldn't recommend this style for many books, but I actually liked it for this one.
The themes that discuss destiny, fate, and taking control of one's own life are very powerful. There is obviously a reason that Sam, Shiva, Céline, and Lara are connected with one another, but I love that they're not really sure what it is. The universe works in mysterious ways, after all. I think this book did a great job of balancing the messages that some things are meant to happen while also pressing that with enough effort, one can find the things that they desire.
Another thing that was neat about this one is that every Sam had a different career as well as lived in a different city. It was not only cool to experience various areas in the world (I think learning a bit more about Dubai was my favorite), but it also made me think about just how different one's life can become off of one single life decision. This can be scary to think about, but it's also insanely interesting.
The ending to this one is a bit predictable, but it has such a feel-good vibe that it's hard to be mad at this fact. I'm obviously not going to spoil the ending, but you can rest easy knowing that Sam gets his happily ever after.
Overall, "The Good Nights" was a very intriguing read that had me thinking about fate, destiny, and the idea of true love. Seriously, the number of deep thoughts that this book had me thinking about was pretty crazy, but it's still a super easy to read book. I'm glad that I was given the chance to witness Sam's search for love and all the various messages that his journey had to offer. If you're interested in a philosophical love story with a hint of magical realism, I highly recommend this one!
Willa and Trevor return in the third installment of the swoony romance centered around the small town of Fort Bender!
Willa loves to be in control of everything in her life. When she decides to let loose and have a one-night stand on her birthday, she's still the one calling the shots. Trevor has been crushing on Willa for a while now so when she proposes he brings her up to his room, who is he to say no? Both of their lives change forever when they learn that Willa is carrying their child a few weeks later. Now, Willa must learn how to let Trevor into her heart before their child enters the world.
I have been looking forward to reading this one ever since I finished the second book, "Sunshine With You." I adored reading about Ashlie and Hunter, so I was excited to learn more about Ashlie's sister, Willa, in this one.
This is the first accidental pregnancy romance that I've ever read, so I was interested to see what I'd think about this trope. I feel that James pulled off this trope in pretty much the only way that I would enjoy it. Trevor already adores Willa before he accidentally impregnates her. It takes Willa a little longer to completely fall for Trevor, but they truly have a wholesome relationship that suits both of them perfectly. The pregnancy pushed them together, sure, but they are truly a perfect pairing. I think my biggest problem with the entire situation is just how uncomfortable pregnancy makes me in general. No shame to people who are pregnant or wanting to be, but reading about it just isn't the easiest for me.
One of the things that I sincerely enjoyed about this one is how Willa and Trevor help each other through their personal traumas and insecurities. Willa was in a past relationship with someone who abused her and Trevor was born into a violent household. They both could relate to the flashbacks and insecurities that the other goes through, which really helped their relationship thrive.
This book takes place over an entire year, which is something that I don't often see in romances. On one hand, it sort of felt like I was reading this book in fast forward and some events that usually would have been important got cut because we needed to make it through the entirety of Willa's pregnancy. On the other hand, it meant that it created more of a slowburn nature, while still being jam packed with steamy things. I'm going to take the amount of time this book covers as mostly a positive thing.
After the pregnancy is over, Willa has a whole other round of insecurities that have absolutely nothing to do with her past relationships. With her baby officially out of her body, she fears that Trevor will no longer find her attractive. This is so far from the truth, but I think it's something that many new mother's feel, especially when it comes to sex. Being confident in the bedroom can be insanely hard, so fearing that one's changing body could upset their partner in some way is entirely understandable. I really appreciate the way that James has Trevor and Willa talk to each other about all the issues their having, including this one.
It was really fun seeing all the characters from the first two books in this series. Hunter and Ashlie are constantly making bets throughout this book, which if you know them at all is sure to bring a smile to your face. Kayla and Chase are at the point where they're having their first babies, too, which was really cute. I love romance series where you can keep tabs on the previous couples as the series progresses; they are truly the best.
I love the fact that Willa owns her own photography studio. I think photography is interesting and I enjoy reading about those who are passionate in the fine arts. It also made for a great plot point, because Willa's parents are very strict (as we first saw in "Sunshine With You") and they are supremely disapproving of her career choices. Trevor sticks up to Willa's parents, which is another great scene that builds trust between these two.
Overall, "Always Will" is another great installment in the "Fort Bender" series. Willa and Trevor have such a sweet relationship, and it was fun to see their trust build up as the book progressed. I am not a huge fan of books that focus on pregnancy at this stage in my life, but I'm still glad that I continued with this series and saw Willa and Trevor through to their happily ever after.
A horror-filled murder mystery novel inspired by Japanese mythology in which gods and demons walk among humanity.
Hyo Hakai is a hellmaker and a paranormal investigator. When a deadly curse destroys her home, Hyo and her brother flee to Onogoro, a land in which gods walk among humans. Upon their arrival, Hyo is hired to investigate a mysterious death. This leads her down a tumultuous path that may get her killed (or worse) if she's not careful.
I wish I could have enjoyed this one more. Honestly, the story itself was decently interesting, the characters had potential to be cool, and the art was really neat. However, this wasn't enough to make this one an interesting read for me. I mean, this book is over five hundred pages long! If this story would have been condensed into a novella, I'm sure I really could have enjoyed my time with it. As it is though, not so much.
There are some parts of this book that I found to be pretty interesting, and they all have to do with the Japanese folklore side of things. The concepts of en and life fire are super intriguing and the whole demon pear thing was quite unique. This book really pushes that we all have a life fire inside of us and as long as that fire burns, we can still help those that we share en with. En are magical connections that we share with those we bond with. And the demon pears are something so creepy and grotesque I think one has to read about them oneself to get the full picture.
The illustrations were definitely another of this book's redeeming factors. The pictures are honestly amazing, and I love how expressive Hyo's face is throughout the images in this book. It made me feel a kinship with her, as I watched her react to all the crazy demon curses and other such insanity that was happening around her. It's especially cool that the author drew the illustrations herself.
However, these couple of things weren't enough to redeem this one. It was just too long, which had me growing incredibly bored in some portions. My brain had a hard time comprehending the importance of the fake quotes from in-world texts at the start of every chapter. I feel they added quite a bit of read time for practically no reason. The mystery element was sort of intriguing, but I mostly found myself wondering where this story was going and then found the ending mostly unsatisfying. I thought that the characters had potential to be really original and unique, but the felt more like caricatures playing a role than real life people.
Overall, I may not have had the best experience while reading "Hyo the Hellmaker," but I was very intrigued by this book going into it, so I can't say I'm upset that I read it. The illustrations throughout were very unique, and the creepy Japanese folklore was a fun thing to experience. If this book would have been way shorter, there's even a chance that I would have really enjoyed this one.
Hyo Hakai is a hellmaker and a paranormal investigator. When a deadly curse destroys her home, Hyo and her brother flee to Onogoro, a land in which gods walk among humans. Upon their arrival, Hyo is hired to investigate a mysterious death. This leads her down a tumultuous path that may get her killed (or worse) if she's not careful.
I wish I could have enjoyed this one more. Honestly, the story itself was decently interesting, the characters had potential to be cool, and the art was really neat. However, this wasn't enough to make this one an interesting read for me. I mean, this book is over five hundred pages long! If this story would have been condensed into a novella, I'm sure I really could have enjoyed my time with it. As it is though, not so much.
There are some parts of this book that I found to be pretty interesting, and they all have to do with the Japanese folklore side of things. The concepts of en and life fire are super intriguing and the whole demon pear thing was quite unique. This book really pushes that we all have a life fire inside of us and as long as that fire burns, we can still help those that we share en with. En are magical connections that we share with those we bond with. And the demon pears are something so creepy and grotesque I think one has to read about them oneself to get the full picture.
The illustrations were definitely another of this book's redeeming factors. The pictures are honestly amazing, and I love how expressive Hyo's face is throughout the images in this book. It made me feel a kinship with her, as I watched her react to all the crazy demon curses and other such insanity that was happening around her. It's especially cool that the author drew the illustrations herself.
However, these couple of things weren't enough to redeem this one. It was just too long, which had me growing incredibly bored in some portions. My brain had a hard time comprehending the importance of the fake quotes from in-world texts at the start of every chapter. I feel they added quite a bit of read time for practically no reason. The mystery element was sort of intriguing, but I mostly found myself wondering where this story was going and then found the ending mostly unsatisfying. I thought that the characters had potential to be really original and unique, but the felt more like caricatures playing a role than real life people.
Overall, I may not have had the best experience while reading "Hyo the Hellmaker," but I was very intrigued by this book going into it, so I can't say I'm upset that I read it. The illustrations throughout were very unique, and the creepy Japanese folklore was a fun thing to experience. If this book would have been way shorter, there's even a chance that I would have really enjoyed this one.
A pirate adventure featuring two sisters who are trying to find their place in the world.
People hate Ophelia Young due to her being a bastard child of the infamous pirate queen, Ophelia Cray. After a naval officer saves her from the crowd's hatred at her mother's hanging, Ophelia decides that she's sick of how she's being treated and is going to enlist in the royal navy. However, they would never accept her as Cray's daughter, so she steals the identity of her sister, and enlists under the name Elizabeth Young. Betsy is desperate to save her sister from hanging just like her mother did and sets off to rescue Ophelia. Ophelia and Betsy soon find that life on the open sea isn't easy and are confronted by bloodthirsty pirates at every turn.
I have been looking forward to reading this one for a while now. I mean, a pirate adventure featuring two sisters? Of course I'm intrigued! Unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would, and I think this was mainly due to the pacing. It took forever for either sister to leave their hometown, which made the beginning feel like it went on forever. And then once they were at sea, it was mostly just constant drama between pirates and mutineering crewmates.
One of my favorite parts about this book is the authentic way that it portrays sibling bonds. Ophelia and Betsy often butt heads, but at the center of their relationship, they are always set on trying to help each other. They don't part on the best of terms, so the two girls spend a ton of time hoping that they'll be reunited again so they can express their true sentiments toward one another. It is so sweet that Betsy treats Ophelia as a true sister, even though they are only half siblings. This isn't always the case, so it is nice to see that these two mostly get along. Ophelia often feels as though she isn't a true part of the family, though, and that they only deal with her out of pity. This is obviously untrue, so it is good to see the two sisters realize just how much they mean to one another.
Other important messages deal with finding where one belongs, letting go of one's past burdens, and coming to terms with who one truly is. Ophelia is desperate to become a naval officer and prove that she is worthy enough to everyone that hates her just because of who her mother is. Betsy wants to be braver and less of a homebody. Both girls are searching for something, and it takes them a bit to realize that what they truly need has always been right in front of their noses.
The pirate aspects of this book were full throttle for most of the story. Ophelia's crew is constantly fighting pirates, doing roguish things when they stop at ports, and even having to deal with a mutiny or two. Despite all this action, I was more intrigued by Betsy's side of the story, especially when her crew runs into some unexpected guests. Let's just say, Fiona's character is etched into my brain and I'll fear her for many years to come.
I want to make a final comment saying that this book contains only the slightest hints of fantasy. It feels more historical with a touch of magical realism, but it also takes place in a made-up world, so that has it leaning more into the fantasy genre.
Overall, "The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray" is an entertaining pirate adventure that keeps sibling relations front and center the whole way through. I wasn't overly attached to anything in this story, but the premise as well as the dramatic sequence of events kept me invested from start to finish. It is a bit slow paced but contains a ton of action. If you are willing to wait to reap the reward of an interesting pirate tale, this may be just the book for you.
Audiobook Note: This was a pretty mid-level performance in my brain. I wasn't the biggest fan of how Jesse Vilinsky did male voices, but I absolutely adore her voices for Betsy and Fiona. I think listening to this one as an audiobook kept me more focused on the plot than I would have been if I read this one on paper. Ophelia and Betsy's story was certainly more exciting than folding laundry, but I could have seen my brain drifting away more if I tried to sit down and read this one straight through.
People hate Ophelia Young due to her being a bastard child of the infamous pirate queen, Ophelia Cray. After a naval officer saves her from the crowd's hatred at her mother's hanging, Ophelia decides that she's sick of how she's being treated and is going to enlist in the royal navy. However, they would never accept her as Cray's daughter, so she steals the identity of her sister, and enlists under the name Elizabeth Young. Betsy is desperate to save her sister from hanging just like her mother did and sets off to rescue Ophelia. Ophelia and Betsy soon find that life on the open sea isn't easy and are confronted by bloodthirsty pirates at every turn.
I have been looking forward to reading this one for a while now. I mean, a pirate adventure featuring two sisters? Of course I'm intrigued! Unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I thought I would, and I think this was mainly due to the pacing. It took forever for either sister to leave their hometown, which made the beginning feel like it went on forever. And then once they were at sea, it was mostly just constant drama between pirates and mutineering crewmates.
One of my favorite parts about this book is the authentic way that it portrays sibling bonds. Ophelia and Betsy often butt heads, but at the center of their relationship, they are always set on trying to help each other. They don't part on the best of terms, so the two girls spend a ton of time hoping that they'll be reunited again so they can express their true sentiments toward one another. It is so sweet that Betsy treats Ophelia as a true sister, even though they are only half siblings. This isn't always the case, so it is nice to see that these two mostly get along. Ophelia often feels as though she isn't a true part of the family, though, and that they only deal with her out of pity. This is obviously untrue, so it is good to see the two sisters realize just how much they mean to one another.
Other important messages deal with finding where one belongs, letting go of one's past burdens, and coming to terms with who one truly is. Ophelia is desperate to become a naval officer and prove that she is worthy enough to everyone that hates her just because of who her mother is. Betsy wants to be braver and less of a homebody. Both girls are searching for something, and it takes them a bit to realize that what they truly need has always been right in front of their noses.
The pirate aspects of this book were full throttle for most of the story. Ophelia's crew is constantly fighting pirates, doing roguish things when they stop at ports, and even having to deal with a mutiny or two. Despite all this action, I was more intrigued by Betsy's side of the story, especially when her crew runs into some unexpected guests. Let's just say, Fiona's character is etched into my brain and I'll fear her for many years to come.
I want to make a final comment saying that this book contains only the slightest hints of fantasy. It feels more historical with a touch of magical realism, but it also takes place in a made-up world, so that has it leaning more into the fantasy genre.
Overall, "The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray" is an entertaining pirate adventure that keeps sibling relations front and center the whole way through. I wasn't overly attached to anything in this story, but the premise as well as the dramatic sequence of events kept me invested from start to finish. It is a bit slow paced but contains a ton of action. If you are willing to wait to reap the reward of an interesting pirate tale, this may be just the book for you.
Audiobook Note: This was a pretty mid-level performance in my brain. I wasn't the biggest fan of how Jesse Vilinsky did male voices, but I absolutely adore her voices for Betsy and Fiona. I think listening to this one as an audiobook kept me more focused on the plot than I would have been if I read this one on paper. Ophelia and Betsy's story was certainly more exciting than folding laundry, but I could have seen my brain drifting away more if I tried to sit down and read this one straight through.
The stunning conclusion to "The Prison Healer" trilogy in which Kiva much breakout of Zalindov, earn the trust of back from her most faithful allies, and take down a tyrant that just so happens to be her sister.
After Kiva's darkest secrets are revealed in a devastating fashion, she finds herself once again in Zalindov, the prison that she has called home for way too many years. Desperate to earn the trust back from her most trusted allies, Kiva needs to escape before the prison kills her once and for all. Too much is at stake for her to perish inside Zalindov's walls. Her tyrannical sister, Zuleeka, must be stopped before she ends up doing damage to the Kingdoms of Wenderall that not even the royal family can repair. Kiva's not sure if her friends will ever forgive her or if her magic will ever be strong enough to defeat her sister, but she is willing to give her all to fix what she has broken.
It's crazy that my journey with "The Prison Healer" trilogy is coming to an end. This was definitely a five star series for me, and it saddens me greatly that my time with this world and the characters that inhabit it are coming to a close.
This book starts pretty bleak. I mean, Kiva is back in Zalindov, the prison that has tortured her for half her life and traumatized her in more ways than one can count. There, she finds an unlikely ally and struggles through some serious withdrawal symptoms. I was a bit scared that starting this book with Kiva back in jail would lengthen this book unnecessarily and cause it to drag, but we get out of the prison pretty quickly and move on to plenty of other scenarios that Kiva should never have to face in a billion years but sometimes finds herself in anyway. This poor girl. She goes through so much.
Oh my goodness, I love the characters in this series so much! Every time a familiar face graced the page, I couldn't help but smile. Jaren, Caldon, and Tipp are some of my favs, but reuniting with characters such as Naari and Tor was such a pleasant experience, too. Also, Ashlyn and Cresta were great additions to the family that I fell in love with just as much as the rest of the characters, even they joined the group so late in the series.
The quest aspect of this book wasn't super original, but it got Kiva and her royal companions exploring more of the Kingdoms of Wenderall, which was quite enjoyable. There was plenty of drama and romantic tension going on between cast members that kept the meandering nature of this book super interesting and borderline unputdownable. I just wanted to keep reading it, regardless of the size of this novel!
I must say, I was screaming at Kiva and Jaren to kiss and make up already. Yes, both of their feelings were completely valid, and I respect them for it, but oh my goodness, the tension between them made me want to smack my head on the wall from time to time. I ship these two so hard and seeing them fight with one another was so annoying for me as a reader.
The ending of this book is insane (which is no surprise when one looks at the endings of the other two books in this series). The plot twists kept coming one after another and Noni was once more tugging on my heartstrings constantly. Some reveals were even quite obvious, yet they still had me groaning aloud because they inconvenienced Kiva and her goals so immensely.
It makes me sad that this is the last book in the series, but the ending was also so satisfying. Justice is served, Kiva is truly a survivor in every sense of the word, and the main cast of characters are slowly making their way to their happily ever afters despite all the trauma they endured. I've spent so much time with all these characters though, so it's painful to know that I have to move on to reading something else tomorrow knowing that I won't have more Kiva and Jaren to return to in a couple of months.
The messages about surviving, paving a path to your own happiness, and letting go of one's darkest memories are so poignant and powerful. Noni's prose is truly masterful and the way that she writes about heartbreak and learning to live with one's new normal is such a gift to the world. I look forward to exploring more of her work and seeing what other wisdom she has to share with the world.
Overall, "The Blood Traitor" is a wonderful conclusion to an epic fantasy series that I hold near and dear to my heart. This series has some of the best characters I've encountered and a found family that can be beat by few. The world is intricate, the politics masterful, and the magic system sings. Kiva and Jaren are such a great couple, and their slowburn romance truly has me feeling giddy when they interact with one another. For a big fantasy saga, "The Prison Healer" series really checks all the boxes. I seriously recommend investigating this one out if you are a fan of long fantasy sagas that you can invest your entire being into for a time.
After Kiva's darkest secrets are revealed in a devastating fashion, she finds herself once again in Zalindov, the prison that she has called home for way too many years. Desperate to earn the trust back from her most trusted allies, Kiva needs to escape before the prison kills her once and for all. Too much is at stake for her to perish inside Zalindov's walls. Her tyrannical sister, Zuleeka, must be stopped before she ends up doing damage to the Kingdoms of Wenderall that not even the royal family can repair. Kiva's not sure if her friends will ever forgive her or if her magic will ever be strong enough to defeat her sister, but she is willing to give her all to fix what she has broken.
It's crazy that my journey with "The Prison Healer" trilogy is coming to an end. This was definitely a five star series for me, and it saddens me greatly that my time with this world and the characters that inhabit it are coming to a close.
This book starts pretty bleak. I mean, Kiva is back in Zalindov, the prison that has tortured her for half her life and traumatized her in more ways than one can count. There, she finds an unlikely ally and struggles through some serious withdrawal symptoms. I was a bit scared that starting this book with Kiva back in jail would lengthen this book unnecessarily and cause it to drag, but we get out of the prison pretty quickly and move on to plenty of other scenarios that Kiva should never have to face in a billion years but sometimes finds herself in anyway. This poor girl. She goes through so much.
Oh my goodness, I love the characters in this series so much! Every time a familiar face graced the page, I couldn't help but smile. Jaren, Caldon, and Tipp are some of my favs, but reuniting with characters such as Naari and Tor was such a pleasant experience, too. Also, Ashlyn and Cresta were great additions to the family that I fell in love with just as much as the rest of the characters, even they joined the group so late in the series.
The quest aspect of this book wasn't super original, but it got Kiva and her royal companions exploring more of the Kingdoms of Wenderall, which was quite enjoyable. There was plenty of drama and romantic tension going on between cast members that kept the meandering nature of this book super interesting and borderline unputdownable. I just wanted to keep reading it, regardless of the size of this novel!
I must say, I was screaming at Kiva and Jaren to kiss and make up already. Yes, both of their feelings were completely valid, and I respect them for it, but oh my goodness, the tension between them made me want to smack my head on the wall from time to time. I ship these two so hard and seeing them fight with one another was so annoying for me as a reader.
The ending of this book is insane (which is no surprise when one looks at the endings of the other two books in this series). The plot twists kept coming one after another and Noni was once more tugging on my heartstrings constantly. Some reveals were even quite obvious, yet they still had me groaning aloud because they inconvenienced Kiva and her goals so immensely.
It makes me sad that this is the last book in the series, but the ending was also so satisfying. Justice is served, Kiva is truly a survivor in every sense of the word, and the main cast of characters are slowly making their way to their happily ever afters despite all the trauma they endured. I've spent so much time with all these characters though, so it's painful to know that I have to move on to reading something else tomorrow knowing that I won't have more Kiva and Jaren to return to in a couple of months.
The messages about surviving, paving a path to your own happiness, and letting go of one's darkest memories are so poignant and powerful. Noni's prose is truly masterful and the way that she writes about heartbreak and learning to live with one's new normal is such a gift to the world. I look forward to exploring more of her work and seeing what other wisdom she has to share with the world.
Overall, "The Blood Traitor" is a wonderful conclusion to an epic fantasy series that I hold near and dear to my heart. This series has some of the best characters I've encountered and a found family that can be beat by few. The world is intricate, the politics masterful, and the magic system sings. Kiva and Jaren are such a great couple, and their slowburn romance truly has me feeling giddy when they interact with one another. For a big fantasy saga, "The Prison Healer" series really checks all the boxes. I seriously recommend investigating this one out if you are a fan of long fantasy sagas that you can invest your entire being into for a time.
A lesbian time loop romances that urges readers to live life to its fullest and get outside one's comfort zone.
Phoebe Mendel has lived August 6th again in again. Stuck in a time loop, Phoebe is desperate for any slight change and is shocked when her childhood best friend/crush, Jess, hits her with their car and gets sucked into Phoebe's time loop. The two decide to make the most of their situation and agree that they will spend the foreseeable August 6ths having a blast and doing things they've never dared to do before. As Phoebe and Jess begin to fall for one another, they start to wonder what a future together could look like outside of August sixth.
The way I squealed on the first page when I learned that this is a time loop book. For some reason, time loops absolutely fascinate me. There is something about being trapped in a set period of time and witnessing the same events play out over and over again with the slightest of variations that just intrigues me greatly. Add a romance element to it and I'm instantly hooked.
The amount of diversity in this book is inspiring. Phoebe is a fat lesbian girl who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and sever anxiety. Jess is a nonbinary finey with arthritis who utilizes a cane and a walker. Seeing two queer people with disabilities getting the love story they deserve is so sweet, and I hope to see books like this start popping up everywhere. They're also both Jewish, which was another thing that connected the two of them beyond being queer and disabled.
I enjoyed the first half of this book quite a bit, even if it was a bit slow. It was great seeing Phoebe come out of her shell and begin to live her life a little bit more every day. It is so easy to find oneself stuck in the same routines from day to day; this book is a great reminder to shake it up every once in a while, even if it's with something as small as changing one's wardrobe a bit.
As the days in the loop progress, the two begin to gradually do more daring things together. As a result, the two find themselves being more vulnerable and getting to know each other better as people. Watching Jess and Phoebe share their insecurities with one another was also very wholesome and made for a sweet time.
However, I was so frustrated by the third act conflict in this one, as well as the ending of the book. I found the big fight to be so petty. I mean, I'm a terribly insecure person who constantly worries about everything, and I still thought that Phoebe was being the most selfish person in the world. I'm not saying that Jess should have been so secretive with Phoebe, but honestly, she has the right to not share everything (especially because their friendship is such a new development). And I always find endings that conclude in the way this book did to be a bit cheap. If you know, you know.
Overall, "Time and Time Again" was an enjoyable time loop romance that shone in the diversity category. I had a great time with the majority of this book, but there were many parts that bothered me immensely towards the end. Phoebe and Jess are likable enough main characters, but I feel I would have liked this one more if I would related more to both of them. I will definitely still be adding this one to a ton of different recommendation lists, because it is a great resource for expanding one's horizons while also going on a feel-good romantic ride.
Phoebe Mendel has lived August 6th again in again. Stuck in a time loop, Phoebe is desperate for any slight change and is shocked when her childhood best friend/crush, Jess, hits her with their car and gets sucked into Phoebe's time loop. The two decide to make the most of their situation and agree that they will spend the foreseeable August 6ths having a blast and doing things they've never dared to do before. As Phoebe and Jess begin to fall for one another, they start to wonder what a future together could look like outside of August sixth.
The way I squealed on the first page when I learned that this is a time loop book. For some reason, time loops absolutely fascinate me. There is something about being trapped in a set period of time and witnessing the same events play out over and over again with the slightest of variations that just intrigues me greatly. Add a romance element to it and I'm instantly hooked.
The amount of diversity in this book is inspiring. Phoebe is a fat lesbian girl who suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and sever anxiety. Jess is a nonbinary finey with arthritis who utilizes a cane and a walker. Seeing two queer people with disabilities getting the love story they deserve is so sweet, and I hope to see books like this start popping up everywhere. They're also both Jewish, which was another thing that connected the two of them beyond being queer and disabled.
I enjoyed the first half of this book quite a bit, even if it was a bit slow. It was great seeing Phoebe come out of her shell and begin to live her life a little bit more every day. It is so easy to find oneself stuck in the same routines from day to day; this book is a great reminder to shake it up every once in a while, even if it's with something as small as changing one's wardrobe a bit.
As the days in the loop progress, the two begin to gradually do more daring things together. As a result, the two find themselves being more vulnerable and getting to know each other better as people. Watching Jess and Phoebe share their insecurities with one another was also very wholesome and made for a sweet time.
However, I was so frustrated by the third act conflict in this one, as well as the ending of the book. I found the big fight to be so petty. I mean, I'm a terribly insecure person who constantly worries about everything, and I still thought that Phoebe was being the most selfish person in the world. I'm not saying that Jess should have been so secretive with Phoebe, but honestly, she has the right to not share everything (especially because their friendship is such a new development). And I always find endings that conclude in the way this book did to be a bit cheap. If you know, you know.
Overall, "Time and Time Again" was an enjoyable time loop romance that shone in the diversity category. I had a great time with the majority of this book, but there were many parts that bothered me immensely towards the end. Phoebe and Jess are likable enough main characters, but I feel I would have liked this one more if I would related more to both of them. I will definitely still be adding this one to a ton of different recommendation lists, because it is a great resource for expanding one's horizons while also going on a feel-good romantic ride.
Mindy Kaling discusses what it is like to be a socially awkward introvert who just so happens to be famous.
The first segment of this essay goes back to Mindy's roots as she discusses birthday parties of her youth. Even as a young girl, she was worried that something would go terribly wrong at her party, and this concern definitely didn't go away as she got older.
The second segment talks about when Mindy first moved to LA and how she had absolutely zero friends to her name. She goes through some serious growth and learns a ton about herself after hanging out with a few wrong crowds. Loneliness is something that affects us all, so I'm sure most people can relate to this section.
In the final portion of this essay, Mindy dives into the anxiety she feels surrounding her fortieth birthday party. Being a socially anxious person, she wants to just spend the day camped out by herself on her couch watching a comfort show, but her best friend B.J. Novak is not letting that fly. I find Mindy's insights to be so relatable as a socially anxious introvert myself, and I find this to be comforting. Even stars get stuck in their own heads.
One of the parts of this essay that I felt to my core is nervously pacing for at least half an hour before any social gathering. Even if I am simply inviting one of my best friends over to chill at my house, I still get terribly anxious and seem to find myself contemplating everything that could possibly go wrong. This certainly adds some unnecessary stress to my life, but it's not like I can just turn my anxiousness off.
Overall, "Please Like Me (But Keep Away)" is a humorous essay that is I found highly relatable. As a socially anxious introvert myself, I can relate to most of Mindy's feelings in this one and have been in many similar situations myself. I'm sure that many people can put themselves in Mindy's shoes in the content she delivers in this essay.
The first segment of this essay goes back to Mindy's roots as she discusses birthday parties of her youth. Even as a young girl, she was worried that something would go terribly wrong at her party, and this concern definitely didn't go away as she got older.
The second segment talks about when Mindy first moved to LA and how she had absolutely zero friends to her name. She goes through some serious growth and learns a ton about herself after hanging out with a few wrong crowds. Loneliness is something that affects us all, so I'm sure most people can relate to this section.
In the final portion of this essay, Mindy dives into the anxiety she feels surrounding her fortieth birthday party. Being a socially anxious person, she wants to just spend the day camped out by herself on her couch watching a comfort show, but her best friend B.J. Novak is not letting that fly. I find Mindy's insights to be so relatable as a socially anxious introvert myself, and I find this to be comforting. Even stars get stuck in their own heads.
One of the parts of this essay that I felt to my core is nervously pacing for at least half an hour before any social gathering. Even if I am simply inviting one of my best friends over to chill at my house, I still get terribly anxious and seem to find myself contemplating everything that could possibly go wrong. This certainly adds some unnecessary stress to my life, but it's not like I can just turn my anxiousness off.
Overall, "Please Like Me (But Keep Away)" is a humorous essay that is I found highly relatable. As a socially anxious introvert myself, I can relate to most of Mindy's feelings in this one and have been in many similar situations myself. I'm sure that many people can put themselves in Mindy's shoes in the content she delivers in this essay.
A youth who was assigned male at birth questions their sexuality when they are transported to a world where no boys are allowed.
Ash misses their mom more than anything. She left over three years ago, but they are unwilling to lose her entirely. Ash clings onto the scraps they have of her by reading the books about a magical world, Koretris, that their mother penned throughout the years. One day, when Ash is showing their new friends their mother's work, they are accidentally transported to Koretris, a world in which only females are allowed to inhabit. This has Ash questioning everything. They were born a boy and have always used he/him pronouns. Is there something that Koretris knows that Ash hasn't been willing to accept yet?
The concept of this one seems pretty comical and cute on the surface. I was hooked by the premise of a youth that was assigned male at birth being transported to a world that only allows girls to enter it. I mean, I'm always down to try a middle grade trans read. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I thought I would, but it was still an enjoyable book in the long run.
The way that this story explores gender is quite literal, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. It sort of paints an intense line between male and female, but it also doesn't skirt away from the fact that nonbinary people exist, too. One of my favorite looks at gender in this one is through all of Ash's girlfriends. They showcase various natures of femineity, which is quite cool and paints a clear message to the reader that there isn't a right way to be a girl (or to not be a girl).
The main problem I had with this one is its lack of depth. Koretris has so much going for it, but it also lacks the depths of most magical worlds. Also, every conflict was resolved in like three seconds, which was a tad annoying. The scene transitions were also a bit clunky; there was at least three times where I had to flip back to make sure that I didn't miss a page. Mostly minor gripes, but complaints all the same.
Overall, "Girl Haven" is a really quick read of a middle grade graphic novel. It explores gender in a simple to understand way that leaves plenty of room for children to reflect about their own lives. It may be lacking in depth and struggle in a few technical aspects, but for the most part, I'd say this was a good read.
Ash misses their mom more than anything. She left over three years ago, but they are unwilling to lose her entirely. Ash clings onto the scraps they have of her by reading the books about a magical world, Koretris, that their mother penned throughout the years. One day, when Ash is showing their new friends their mother's work, they are accidentally transported to Koretris, a world in which only females are allowed to inhabit. This has Ash questioning everything. They were born a boy and have always used he/him pronouns. Is there something that Koretris knows that Ash hasn't been willing to accept yet?
The concept of this one seems pretty comical and cute on the surface. I was hooked by the premise of a youth that was assigned male at birth being transported to a world that only allows girls to enter it. I mean, I'm always down to try a middle grade trans read. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I thought I would, but it was still an enjoyable book in the long run.
The way that this story explores gender is quite literal, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. It sort of paints an intense line between male and female, but it also doesn't skirt away from the fact that nonbinary people exist, too. One of my favorite looks at gender in this one is through all of Ash's girlfriends. They showcase various natures of femineity, which is quite cool and paints a clear message to the reader that there isn't a right way to be a girl (or to not be a girl).
The main problem I had with this one is its lack of depth. Koretris has so much going for it, but it also lacks the depths of most magical worlds. Also, every conflict was resolved in like three seconds, which was a tad annoying. The scene transitions were also a bit clunky; there was at least three times where I had to flip back to make sure that I didn't miss a page. Mostly minor gripes, but complaints all the same.
Overall, "Girl Haven" is a really quick read of a middle grade graphic novel. It explores gender in a simple to understand way that leaves plenty of room for children to reflect about their own lives. It may be lacking in depth and struggle in a few technical aspects, but for the most part, I'd say this was a good read.
A touching high school drama that doesn't shy away from the complexities of living with HIV.
Simone Garcia-Hampton had to transfer schools after the incidents that went down at her previous one. Now, she has a chance to start over with no one knowing that she is HIV-positive. She's finally getting the chance to make real friends, meet a cute boy, and even direct her school's production of "Rent." However, keeping her condition under wraps is harder than she first imagined when she starts receiving threatening notes from an anonymous sender who seems to know her secret. Desperate to keep her cards close to her chest, Simone decides not to tell anyone about the messages. However, as the school year progresses, she starts to wonder if the only way to stop the haters is by confronting them in the open.
This was such an informative read. I've never read a book that featured a character who was HIV-positive. The fact that Simone is also a queer, black woman with HIV made this book even more impactful. Simone goes through so much just being who she is, but it's great to see her just being a typical teenager who hangs out with her friends, makes out with boys, and indulges in classic musicals.
I must say, I knew next to nothing about HIV going into this book, so everything that Garrett shared with me taught me something new. There are so many assumptions and a ton of negative stigma surrounding HIV, so it is great to read a book such as this that battles these stereotypes. This book talks about how meds are used to treat HIV, how healthy sex can be practiced, and even how children can be safely conceived with parents that have HIV. Just for the exploration of these topics alone, this book would make a great readalong or book club pick.
This book is also incredibly sex positive. Simone and her friends often discuss their sexual relations with one another, which is quite healthy, honestly. I feel that many people have to bottle up all their insecurities about sex and romantic relationships, so seeing friends that are so open with each other about all the things is very refreshing. Also, the fact that Simone has a ton of adult role models in her life that are open to discussing sex with her is also awesome (even if this often makes her life more awkward).
One of my favorite parts about this book is the theatre aspect. Simone has a literal addiction to musicals, and she doesn't reign in this love for anybody. She is always more than happy to share even the most obscure musicals with those she loves, and it's pretty sweet that her boyfriend, Miles, is willing to listen to her ramble on about them. She is also working as the student director of her school's musical, which is performing "Rent" this year. It was fun to see some behind the scenes elements of her work on the production.
Overall, I was impressed by "Full Disclosure." I've never read a book that is centered around a character who is HIV-positive. It was really interesting to learn about Simone's life and some of the obstacles she had to face. The parts involving theatre were really fun, too. This was a really powerful debut novel from Camryn Garrett; I'd be interested to see what type of subject she will tackle next.
Simone Garcia-Hampton had to transfer schools after the incidents that went down at her previous one. Now, she has a chance to start over with no one knowing that she is HIV-positive. She's finally getting the chance to make real friends, meet a cute boy, and even direct her school's production of "Rent." However, keeping her condition under wraps is harder than she first imagined when she starts receiving threatening notes from an anonymous sender who seems to know her secret. Desperate to keep her cards close to her chest, Simone decides not to tell anyone about the messages. However, as the school year progresses, she starts to wonder if the only way to stop the haters is by confronting them in the open.
This was such an informative read. I've never read a book that featured a character who was HIV-positive. The fact that Simone is also a queer, black woman with HIV made this book even more impactful. Simone goes through so much just being who she is, but it's great to see her just being a typical teenager who hangs out with her friends, makes out with boys, and indulges in classic musicals.
I must say, I knew next to nothing about HIV going into this book, so everything that Garrett shared with me taught me something new. There are so many assumptions and a ton of negative stigma surrounding HIV, so it is great to read a book such as this that battles these stereotypes. This book talks about how meds are used to treat HIV, how healthy sex can be practiced, and even how children can be safely conceived with parents that have HIV. Just for the exploration of these topics alone, this book would make a great readalong or book club pick.
This book is also incredibly sex positive. Simone and her friends often discuss their sexual relations with one another, which is quite healthy, honestly. I feel that many people have to bottle up all their insecurities about sex and romantic relationships, so seeing friends that are so open with each other about all the things is very refreshing. Also, the fact that Simone has a ton of adult role models in her life that are open to discussing sex with her is also awesome (even if this often makes her life more awkward).
One of my favorite parts about this book is the theatre aspect. Simone has a literal addiction to musicals, and she doesn't reign in this love for anybody. She is always more than happy to share even the most obscure musicals with those she loves, and it's pretty sweet that her boyfriend, Miles, is willing to listen to her ramble on about them. She is also working as the student director of her school's musical, which is performing "Rent" this year. It was fun to see some behind the scenes elements of her work on the production.
Overall, I was impressed by "Full Disclosure." I've never read a book that is centered around a character who is HIV-positive. It was really interesting to learn about Simone's life and some of the obstacles she had to face. The parts involving theatre were really fun, too. This was a really powerful debut novel from Camryn Garrett; I'd be interested to see what type of subject she will tackle next.
A teen girl's love for street racing helps her through all the hard times in this touching romance novel.
Leti Rivera wants nothing more than to become a famous street racer. This may be a bit of an obstacle for a girl to do, but she is up for the challenge. Speeding through life, nothing can slow Leti down. That is, until she meets Jacob Fleckenstein, an odd boy who dreams of being an astronaut and seems to avoids everyone else but her. She swore to never give her heart away like her Papi did in the fear that her heart would be broken like his. When it seems that nothing is going Leti's way, it will take everything that Leti has to keep afloat as her greatest passions begin to consume her alive.
For some reason, I went into this one with super low expectations. This meant that I was greatly blown away by the quality of this story! It is such a heartfelt book with the sweetest romance and some stellar themes. I feel that since this book involved street racing, I just assumed I wouldn't be into it, but that certainly wasn't the case!
Leti's love for street racing is a really cool part of this book for many reasons. First, Leti is determined to defy the narrative and become a famous street racer despite it being a career that few women have broken into. Second, the confidence that Leti showcases behind the wheel is pretty kickbutt, which makes for a fun reading experience. And third, the bonds that racing allows her to have with her fellow crew members is so sweet. I adore the found family dynamic of their group, and it makes me so darn happy to see them all tease each other while supporting one another unconditionally all at the same time.
The family element in this one is another powerful piece. Leti's mother died in childbirth, so she often feels guilty for her mother's death. Her Papi has always been distant, which left her older brother, Santos, to raise her almost on his own. The way that Leti adores her brother is sweet, and the lengths Santos will go to protect her have no end. As the story progresses, Rivera family secrets begin to unravel, which adds quite a bit of drama to this story, all while deepening the familial bonds that this novel focuses on.
I guess I should probably talk about the romance sooner rather than later, especially because it was one of my favorite parts. Leti is a pretty hotheaded and fiery person whereas Jacob is a chill, down to earth sort of a guy that the entire school thinks is an utter oddball. It was pretty obvious to me that Jacob has autism pretty much from the moment I was introduced to his character, but it takes Leti quite a while longer to figure this out. His calm definitely balances out her fire, and I found it so cute experiencing their bumbling romance as it began to blossom.
Another thing this book really dives into is consent and healthy relationships. Leti's first foray into dating wasn't all that successful, because the guy she was with was a total jerk. The moment he was ready for sex, he tried to force her into the act despite her unwillingness and then started verbally harassing her after they inevitably broke up. This causes Leti to be very hesitant about future relationships, even though it is clear that Jacob is an absolute saint and would never do anything to hurt her. Due to Jacob's autism, the physical portion of their relationship is greatly decelerrated. Like many others with autism, Jacob is very sensitive when it comes to touching and making eye contact, so there was certainly a bit of a learning curve for these two. I am happy to report that Leti is very understanding with everything, which makes this a pretty wholesome romance.
There are other great messages such as those about feminism, body image, disabilities, and grief littered all throughout this book. There are so many small moments that were such big learning lessons, which I think that it's pretty awesome when a book can do this casually.
Overall, "Crashing Into You" is a great book that explores many interesting topics in unique ways. A neurodivergent romance featuring a girl who loves street racing is certainly a first for me, but I'm so glad that I took a chance on this one. The messages about grief, consent, disabilities, guilt, and family are amazing. I would love to check out more of Callen's work some day; I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Audiobook Note: The narrator of this book, Stacy Gonzalez, did a fantastic job. She captured Leti perfectly, especially her fire and her hotheadedness. Her Spanish accent is also gorgeous, which I felt added immensely to the overall aesthetic of this book. I would definitely recommend this one on audio!
Leti Rivera wants nothing more than to become a famous street racer. This may be a bit of an obstacle for a girl to do, but she is up for the challenge. Speeding through life, nothing can slow Leti down. That is, until she meets Jacob Fleckenstein, an odd boy who dreams of being an astronaut and seems to avoids everyone else but her. She swore to never give her heart away like her Papi did in the fear that her heart would be broken like his. When it seems that nothing is going Leti's way, it will take everything that Leti has to keep afloat as her greatest passions begin to consume her alive.
For some reason, I went into this one with super low expectations. This meant that I was greatly blown away by the quality of this story! It is such a heartfelt book with the sweetest romance and some stellar themes. I feel that since this book involved street racing, I just assumed I wouldn't be into it, but that certainly wasn't the case!
Leti's love for street racing is a really cool part of this book for many reasons. First, Leti is determined to defy the narrative and become a famous street racer despite it being a career that few women have broken into. Second, the confidence that Leti showcases behind the wheel is pretty kickbutt, which makes for a fun reading experience. And third, the bonds that racing allows her to have with her fellow crew members is so sweet. I adore the found family dynamic of their group, and it makes me so darn happy to see them all tease each other while supporting one another unconditionally all at the same time.
The family element in this one is another powerful piece. Leti's mother died in childbirth, so she often feels guilty for her mother's death. Her Papi has always been distant, which left her older brother, Santos, to raise her almost on his own. The way that Leti adores her brother is sweet, and the lengths Santos will go to protect her have no end. As the story progresses, Rivera family secrets begin to unravel, which adds quite a bit of drama to this story, all while deepening the familial bonds that this novel focuses on.
I guess I should probably talk about the romance sooner rather than later, especially because it was one of my favorite parts. Leti is a pretty hotheaded and fiery person whereas Jacob is a chill, down to earth sort of a guy that the entire school thinks is an utter oddball. It was pretty obvious to me that Jacob has autism pretty much from the moment I was introduced to his character, but it takes Leti quite a while longer to figure this out. His calm definitely balances out her fire, and I found it so cute experiencing their bumbling romance as it began to blossom.
Another thing this book really dives into is consent and healthy relationships. Leti's first foray into dating wasn't all that successful, because the guy she was with was a total jerk. The moment he was ready for sex, he tried to force her into the act despite her unwillingness and then started verbally harassing her after they inevitably broke up. This causes Leti to be very hesitant about future relationships, even though it is clear that Jacob is an absolute saint and would never do anything to hurt her. Due to Jacob's autism, the physical portion of their relationship is greatly decelerrated. Like many others with autism, Jacob is very sensitive when it comes to touching and making eye contact, so there was certainly a bit of a learning curve for these two. I am happy to report that Leti is very understanding with everything, which makes this a pretty wholesome romance.
There are other great messages such as those about feminism, body image, disabilities, and grief littered all throughout this book. There are so many small moments that were such big learning lessons, which I think that it's pretty awesome when a book can do this casually.
Overall, "Crashing Into You" is a great book that explores many interesting topics in unique ways. A neurodivergent romance featuring a girl who loves street racing is certainly a first for me, but I'm so glad that I took a chance on this one. The messages about grief, consent, disabilities, guilt, and family are amazing. I would love to check out more of Callen's work some day; I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
Audiobook Note: The narrator of this book, Stacy Gonzalez, did a fantastic job. She captured Leti perfectly, especially her fire and her hotheadedness. Her Spanish accent is also gorgeous, which I felt added immensely to the overall aesthetic of this book. I would definitely recommend this one on audio!